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[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] brooding about Kate and--well, Brian Jessup was interested in her. Few times at parties he paid a little more attention to her than I thought was necessary. She didn't return his interest--far as I know--and I was probably just being your typical old coot with a wife ten years younger than he is." Gomez was studying his booted feet. "We can talk about your wife at some future gebtogether," he said. "Right now, though--" "Is there something about Kate I ought to know?" "Nada, nothing, not a damn thing. Just sit yourself down and attend to what I'm saying." Frowning, Jake returned to the sofa. "What did Jessup have to say?" "Whatever the lad knew, he took to the grave with him---or rather the urn, since his wife had him microwave-cremated," explained Gomez. "But he'd been hinting he knew something that might just help prove you'd been set up. Jessup indicated he'd be willing to confide for a suitable financial consideration. Two days before we were going to Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html Page 29 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html chat, a mall sniper down in the Apple Valley Sector did him in, along with four shoppers and a show dog." "Coincidence?" "It does seem a mite extravagant way of getting rid of the gent, killing four others and a dog worth more than the whole lot of them just to cover the shutting up of Jessup." "Tek runners aren't noted for being sentimental." "That is true," admitted his friend. "At any rate, amigo, that was about the time I came to the conclusion that a cop's life was no longer for me. With my sterling record, plus my innate and undeniable Latino charm, I had no trouble whatsoever landing a position with the respected Cosmos Detective Agency right here in GLA." Jake grinned at him. "You mean you're a private eye now?" "I have been for the past year. Later in the evening I may even show you my badge." "As I recall, Cosmos is a pretty good outfit." Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html "Walt Bascom runs it and he's--if you bend your definitions some--honest and reliable," said Gomez. "The pay is much better than a cop's and there are considerably more fringe benefits." "Was Cosmos involved in getting me out?" \"It took me a long time, Jake, to realize that if I wanted justice for you, I'd have to get it the way most people do," he answered. "By using money and influence. I don't have quite sufficient of either, but Bascom and the Cosmos outfit do. And that's how your Special Parole got arranged." Jake said, "Does Bascom do favors like that for all his employees--or just for the ones with Latino charm?" Gomez consulted his feet again. "Actually, Jake, I had to promise the detective agency a favor in return." "A favor that you do--or one that we both have to work on?" "Both of us, as a team. And--trust me, amigo--it's damn lucky for us that this particular case came up just when it did. Otherwise you might still be languishing in the Freezer." Jake leaned forward, resting his palms on his knees. "Okay, give me the details on this favor, Gomez." "First off--you don't, do you, have any major or massive objections to Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html working for Cosmos as an operative yourself?" Jake shook his head. "Nope." "Even if you had to, say, travel across the border--into the Borderland and Page 30 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html Mexico itself?" "Nope." "Even if you might have to enter a war zone that is at present controlled by hot-blooded and wild-eyed rebels?" "That wouldn't bother me, no." Gomez nodded, his hair swaying some. "Bueno. That's gratifying," he said. "Oh, and one other item. I assume you'd have no serious objection to dealing directly with a former ladyfriend of yours? She is, according to all reports, still muy bonita and--" "Whoa, now." Jake got to his feet. "You're talking about War-bride, aren't you?" "Well, yes," admitted his friend. "That quaintly nicknamed lady revolutionary is who I am alluding to." Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html "Why's the Cosmos Detective Agency interested in a smalltime guerrilla leader who does a little smuggling on the side?" "Things have changed considerably down there whilst you've been away. Warbride has upped her status a good deal," Gomez told him. "She now heads a substantial rebel army, and only last month they took over control of the whole blooming state of Chihuahua." "And this case--it involves Chihuahua?" "Yep, it does." "C'mon, Gomez, Cosmos must have ops on staff who know their way around that part of Mexico." "We had several who thought they did." Gomez shook his head and his hair seemed to bounce. "Three of our operatives thus far have ventured south of the border. None has gotten around to reporting back or even to leaving a clue as to present whereabouts. Bascom now believes, thanks in good measure to my powers of persuasion, that since you and Warbride were once close buddies, you are the man who can get safely into" "We weren't friends. We just slept together," Jake said. "That woman is mean-minded, foul-tempered--" "Let me, Jake, hasten to explain to you that my boss is not exactly as enthusiastic about you as I am. Were you to turn this little chore down, he might well regret he used his considerable influence to get Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html you out of the icebox." [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] |