Cruel Zinc Melodies

33

Barate Algarda was gone in the morning. Sent away with memories adjusted. He should no longer see me as a threat. The Dead Man was surly. His romance with Algarda hadn’t gone the way he wanted.

Old Bones filled me in during the interlude between breakfast and the start of my workday. He’d gotten some interesting stuff.

The harder I worked the more difficult it became to get anything out of that man. I am compelled to express admirationfor whoever prepared him.

‘‘So somebody did know what he would run into here.’’

No. I do not believe that was the case.

«But …»

He was hiding from someone else. Yet he did know your name. I got that much. At some point this evening he heard you mentioned in the context of trespassing in that ruined building. He may have been spying on Lurking Felhske’s employer when Felhske reported.

‘‘But . . .»

That someone appears to have become upset when your name turned up. Which upset Algarda in turn, though he did not know anything about you.

‘‘That makes no sense. I haven’t bothered anyone on the Hill for ages.’’ But Relway did say there was a Hill interest. I don’t think Max has enemies up there who would scuttle his theater. So that would have to be about the bugs.

They consulted oracles and augurs. They were not pleased with the results. Using ‘‘They’’ as the indeterminate pronoun. You have the potential to cause considerable embarrassment.

In normal circumstances there isn’t much embarrassment left over once I’ve dealt me my own share.

True. Time will tell us if there is any rational foundation for their dread. Answer the door.

‘‘I didn’t hear anything.’’

You will.

He was right.

A peek through the peephole showed me a choice selection of the female species. Alyx Weider, Tinnie Tate, and friends, including a peppery blonde I’d never before seen.

Be polite.

‘‘You’re kidding, right?’’ Me, be impolite to beautiful women?

He meant that the new woman was somebody I shouldn’t offend.

You would disappoint Manvil Gilbey if you did. And Gilbey, in his sly, quiet way, is as ferocious as Max Weider if you pop up on his shady side.

You are maturing.

Alyx came in huffing and puffing and spoiling for a fight. She shoved me aside. Heading up the hallway, she snarled, ‘‘What the hell am I paying you for, Garrett?’’

‘‘Zip, last time I checked.’’ I winked at Tinnie. The redhead seemed subdued this morning. There was something on her mind.

‘‘Huh? What?’’

‘‘Zilch. Zero. Nothing. Your daddy is paying me. And I’ve been doing pretty good. The theft and vandalism are over.’’

‘‘You leave that crusted old son of a bitch out of this!’’ I eyeballed the new woman. She had a few years on the others but carried them as though they were just another plus. ‘‘Manners, girl child. And respect for the man who keeps a roof over your head.’’

‘‘I’ll show that son of a bitch some respect!’’

Alyx’s companions got busy tutting and patting and generally trying to calm her down. Except Tinnie. Tinnie had witnessed Alyx’s histrionics for most of Alyx’s life. Tinnie worked her fish-eye on me because I’d dared eyeball the new woman.

I said, ‘‘Don’t waste your time, ladies. Alyx is just practicing her acting.’’ Overacting.

I’d been around Alyx before, too.

I flashed her my disarming boyish grin, then sealed the deal with my raised eyebrow trick.

‘‘You bastard.’’ With most of the energy gone.

‘‘So you were in the neighborhood. And you just decided to stop by and complain. About what?’’

‘‘Our theater, Garrett. You were supposed to clean it up. So the tradesmen could finish their work.’’

‘‘And? You might want to consult Director Relway. Who hasn’t been that happy about me cleaning up those bugs. Likewise, the Outfit in the Tenderloin, because their business has been affected. And, especially, the parents of the kids who created the bugs.’’

‘‘Screw the bugs, Garrett. Get rid of the ghosts. The ghosts are why the workmen won’t work.’’

‘‘Really? What ghosts would those be, Alyx? I didn’t find anybody who said he’d seen a ghost. All I got was guesses that what somebody thought were ghosts was really the bugs making noise in the walls.’’

Alyx wasn’t listening. ‘‘Ghosts, Garrett! Listen to me! There are ghosts! And the workmen are staying away because of them. I want them dealt with.’’

I made a couple of lazy warding signs, then asked the rest of the covey, ‘‘Did she have too much to drink last night? Or did she just get out on the wrong side of the bed this morning?’’

Alyx sputtered. Fetchingly.

She’s one of those women who can’t do anything that doesn’t instantly chunk my mind into a man’s main track. I have to confess, I’ve been heroic in my struggle to maintain my good behavior.

All those witnesses helped, right then. Especially the quiet one.

Garrett.

And that witness, almost as much as the one with the copper hair.

The lovelies restrained themselves. Though it was clear that Bobbi and the new woman had reservations about Alyx’s histrionics.

‘‘Anyone like tea? Or a beer? Got some Arctic Moposko….»

Alyx sputtered again.

The new woman said, ‘‘Alyx, the Moposkos went out of business before you were born. Control yourself.’’ Her calm, emotionless voice reminded me of long-service NCOs in the Corps. And had the same effect.

The blond brat stopped her tantrum.

Hmm.

Keep talking.

‘‘Alyx, sweetie, you need to give me information, not attitude. Why doyou think there’s a ghost problem when nobody else down at the World does?’’ The Dead Man would dig around inside her head while I distracted her. If there was anything in there, he’d find it. Which could be a straight line leading to a crack about a long search.

Unkind thought, Garrett. I do not believe that Max Weider considers his youngest child empty-headed. Overindulged, certainly, however. A weakness on his part. He cannot help himself after all that happened to the rest of his children.

Dean materialized. His appearance had a magical effect. The women turned convivial instantly, Alyx included. The geezer sped me a smug look. Unaware that Old Bones had taken the opportunity to indulge in a little emotional expurgation. Not to mention shameless snooping.

I remember when he bragged about never going where he wasn’t invited. I remember believing him.

I said, ‘‘I’d really like to hear what you have to say, Alyx.’’

The newcomer said, ‘‘She’s upset because the project is behind schedule.’’

Tinnie nodded. As though the contention needed special support.

‘‘I understand that. But why ghosts? And you are? Since none of these fine ladies have bothered with an introduction? Me Garrett.’’

‘‘Me Heather Soames. Manvil Gilbey’s favorite niece.’’

Alyx snickered. Tinnie’s face darkened. Niece must be a euphemism. Which gave me a whole new appreciation for Max’s best pal.

Heather Soames stilled Alyx with a glance. She paid no attention to Tinnie. Tinnie was playing ghost here, herself. «I’m set to become TunFaire’s first female theater manager.»

«Wow.»

‘‘Yes. It’ll be tough. But not as tough as if I didn’t have Manvil and Max behind me.’’

No doubt. Not many folks buck Max Weider.

‘‘You’re honest. I like that.’’

‘‘Don’t go getting all droolly, Garrett. She’s taken.’’

‘‘So am I, Alyx.’’ I didn’t look but I hoped that played well. ‘‘Heather. You talk to me about ghosts.’’

‘‘I haven’t seen one. But something is going on. Most of the workmen refused to come in again this morning. And they know the bug problem has been solved.’’

I have enough.

Two minutes later, all looking like they couldn’t remember why they had come by my place, Alyx and her henchwomen—the beautiful Miss Tate included—slipped back out into the weather. Which had improved during their visit. Macunado Street was busy.