more literate.
Singe returned, began making another copy. I asked, 'When did he learn to read?'
'While you were away. He's slow and he has trouble with script but he understands that literacy is the most useful skill you can have in life.'
'What's he going to do with that list?'
'Have his people sniff around.'
'He'll need to be careful if those others are doing the same thing.'
'Give the dumb rat some credit, Garrett. He heard. He'll be careful-in the unlikely event that anybody does notice ratpeople.'
Ouch! She was in a mood again. But she had a point.
'I understand. Now tell me something. What are you so busy writing all the time? You can't possibly need to do that much bookkeeping.'
'I keep a record of everything that happens to us.'
Odd. That sounded like one of those truths that have more than one face. Like a carefully crafted answer kept on the shelf for the moment when the inevitable question arose.
Jon Salvation chuckled. He knew something.
Of course he did. The past few weeks even kids like Crush and Kyra knew more than me about almost everything.
'Jon, about the girl who was here the other night.'
'Crush?'
'Yeah. She's a good kid.'
Singe made a whuffing sound, maybe startled.
'I'm sure she is. And I wasn't at my best.'
I showed him a raised eyebrow.
'It's so frustrating. They all have the same dumb questions. Which they can't articulate because they're starstruck. I try to remember that their questions seem unique to them. But I'm not used to all this. Sometimes I lose patience.'
I gawked. I asked Singe, 'What did they do with my friend the Remora?'
He laughed. 'People change when the earth shifts under their feet, Garrett. I'm not Pilsuds Vilchik anymore. Nor the Remora-though that has had a hard downside for Winger. I'm all Jon Salvation, now. Which isn't always a great thing, even though Jon Salvation is living the fantasy that rocked Pilsuds Vilchik to sleep every night.'
All I could say was, 'Wow!' But I kept it to myself.
He said, 'I'll do something to make it up to Crush.'
I got all daddy.
Singe made a noise before I said anything.
My little Hellbore was a working girl with ample experience looking out for herself.
Salvation promised, 'I'll be the perfect gentleman.'
I must have looked skeptical.
'I am aware of her background, Garrett. Though I'd never bring it up. If she pretends to be a lady I'll pretend to be a gentleman.'
Singe left her desk. 'You're both sentimental, idiot romantics in a world where only pragmatists survive.'
She left the room.
I said, 'I just wanted something nice for Crush that she could have without having to lie down. She's a good-hearted kid. She deserves a minute when she doesn't have to be a whore.'
The famous playwright gave me a goofy grin and a thumb up. 'I've got it. But I'll need some help since we're going to pretend that all I know about her is that she's a cute teenager.'
78
Singe deserted us to answer the door. She returned with an unlikely duo: Belinda Contague and Westman Block, both in disguise. Block was convincing as an aging hoodlum. I don't know what Belinda hoped people would see. She was dressed more conservatively than usual and wore a curly chestnut wig that changed the shape of her face. She could have passed as my sexy younger sister.
She headed for my old office.
Block appeared to have gotten an early start on White Day, the romantic holiday. Lovers give each other candy. But so do friends. I grimaced at the thought. White Day could get expensive if I fetched up friendship boxes for all the girls in my life. Ha! One for Mrs. Cardonlos! That might be fun.
I made a mental note to ask Dean to see if he could get a job lot rate on a dozen boxes.
Block was a solid one sheet to the wind and maybe closer to two. He needed Singe's assistance to get settled. 'It's an ugly world out there, Garrett. An ugly world.'
Jon Salvation nodded agreement.
I said, 'No doubt you're right. But I'm the kind of guy who loves to hear the miserable details.' I sent a questioning look Singe's way. Block had been her excuse for dragging me out so early. She shrugged.
Did Block have anything to share? Or was he just here in hopes of scoring some more free booze?
There was plenty of Bird fuel around.
Block asked, casually, 'Any ardent spirits left from the other night?'
Singe produced a half gallon of the finest, smoothest sipping water-of-life ever distilled in Karenta, along with a sizable mug. She filled that for Block. For Jon Salvation and me, there were little sipping cups holding about two ounces.
What was she up to? She would have Block passed out and puking on the rug.
I did not let wondering distract me from enjoying my own drink.
This skullbust tasted like smoked medicine. But I sipped along, just to be sociable.
Block failed to expand upon his contention that the world was less than beautiful. He was too busy spooning with his ardent spirits.
Belinda joined us, evidently satisfied that Morley would live. 'Give me a big-ass mug of that shit, Garrett. I'm in a mood to get wasted.'
I asked, 'You all right?'
'I'm better after seeing him, but, are you stupid? Of course I'm not all right. My idiot lover is still down and there isn't a godsdamned thing Belinda Contague can do to make things better.'
'Actually, he was awake, aware, and functioning till a little while ago. He wore himself out. He's doing fine, Belinda. But how about you?'
She looked grim, downed water-of-life like it was small beer. 'I'm so damned frustrated, I'm thinking about starting a war just to make people pay attention.'
'Whoa, girl! That's not a good idea.'
'Just to make them pay attention, Garrett. Just to make them pay attention.'
She must have been drinking before she got here.
This side of Belinda hadn't come out for a long time.
'How did you turn up at the same time as the General? And, before you get all old-time hardcore, we have made some headway.' I told her what Saucerhead and Jon Salvation had told me.
Salvation himself remained silent and motionless, hoping not to be noticed.
Block said, 'There's talk that Shadowslinger doesn't own those properties despite her name being on the deeds.'
Belinda slurred, 'Clever, going after the costume suppliers.'
She wouldn't be with us long.
'I have some other odd angles going. And I've gotten possible identifications of the people whose portraits we put together.'
