Cruel Zinc Melodies

49

It was getting on toward evening. Despite the chill nothing was coming down, chunk-style or liquid. People were out enjoying themselves, without fear. I watched excited young people take turns ferociously racing three-wheels. Not once did I see one of those once common, sinister characters who had a stretch of his side of the street all to himself.

The why was plain. Wherever you looked you saw a guy in blue, sporting a red flop hat. Where was Colonel Block getting the money to pay them? He poor-mouthed constantly whenever I saw him.

When you thought about it, though, the Crown could use money it once spent making war. Were it so inclined. Cynical me, I couldn’t see the Royal crowd giving a rat’s ass. Excepting Prince Rupert.

The prince is a special nut. A Deal Relway fan at the highest altitude.

People followed me. Not so many as before. They had decided I wasn’t going to do anything interesting.

I hoped. I’d had about enough interesting times.

I found Saucerhead in a state of excitement, roaming around the outside of the World. Some work had gotten done today. A brace of roofers were still on the job.

Gilbey had taken my advice about offering discharges.

Tharpe practically exploded. ‘‘Sekmat on a broomstick, Garrett! What the hell is wrong with this place?’’

‘‘Excuse me?’’ And, ‘‘What the hell is that?’’

I did know what ‘‘that’’ was, not being blind. It was a flying thunder lizard. There are a dozen species out in the wilds of Karenta. Here in town they’re usually small and pick on pigeons. But we don’t see them during the cold winter.

The beast that had snatched a cat-size beetle off the unfinished roof had a ten-foot wingspan. The roofers saw that as God’s way of telling them it was time to knock off for the day.

Tharpe said, ‘‘That kinda shit’s been going on all day. Along with ghosts roaming around inside, and weird music playing. Two of my toughest guys quit. Couldn’t take it. The ones that stuck, none a’ them will go inside no more. What did you get me into, Garrett?’’

‘‘You wanted a job.’’

‘‘Yeah, but . . .’’

‘‘I don’t know what’s going on. Finding out and making it stop is why we’re here. Here’s a fact for you, though. Only one guy has gotten hurt so far. A drunk who passed out behind those pillars. The bugs got him.’’

‘‘Oh. That helps. When the carpenters say it’s way spookier now than it was before they walked out.’’

‘‘What happened?’’

‘‘Besides what I done told you?’’

‘‘Yes. Besides the exciting stuff.’’ A pair of flying thunder lizards banked overhead.

‘‘Some guys—eight, altogether—showed up for work. Two tried inside. Four went up on the roof. One did some base coat painting by that far doorway. The last guy went around yelling at all the rest. Reminding me why I got a such hard time holding that kind a job. I keep thumping guys like him. Anyways, he said more guys will show up tomorrow. And he’d sincerely appreciate it ifsomebody would dosomething about the goddamnbugs .’’

The flyers up top tipped over, one after the other. They streaked down at the roof of a nearby building. And climbed away with wiggling giant bugs in claw. ‘‘Looks like that problem could solve itself.’’

‘‘I find myself sympathetic to the foreman’s viewpoint.’’ Which wasn’t something Saucerhead Tharpe would normally say.

‘‘Where did you hear that?’’

‘‘What?’’

‘‘What you just said.’’

‘‘About sympathy? This old-timer came by this afternoon. Bill something. Said he works for you, too. He said that about sympathy on account of, the foreman couldn’t stop whining about the bugs.’’

Bill, eh? What was he up to? Looking to profit from the situation, no doubt. Any red-blooded Karentine would. It’s the nature of the beast.

‘‘Where’s Winger? Old Bones has got a mission for her.’’

Tharpe was suspicious immediately.

‘‘I was against it. He wouldn’t listen. Just said there’re some jobs for which Winger is ideal.’’

‘‘She’s over yonder. Hanging out. Not getting too much underfoot. Since she ain’t getting paid. The Remora’s been bitching all afternoon. He’s delicate. He don’t like the cold. And he can’t work on his new play if he’s out here.’’ Tharpe grinned yellow and green. A sight to behold. I can’t figure out why his teeth haven’t rotted down to the bone. He pinched the sleeve of my loaner coat. ‘‘I can see where you ain’t never gonna be cold again.’’

‘‘Blame Tinnie. That way?’’

He grunted.

‘‘I’ll be back.’’