Book 09 - Faded Steel Heat by Glen Cook Read Free Book Online Page A

god.
What
doesn’t necessarily matter as long as
something
is
there.
    “I understand.”
    “You don’t have to sign a pact in blood. Just drift
farther inside than you planned, then let me know what you
find.”
    “And what’ll you do for me?”
    “Keep you posted on what I learn. And protect the
Weiders—if it comes to that.”
    I owed Old Man Weider a lot. I owed the Tates some, too.
“Could you keep an eye on the Tates while you’re at
it?”
    Relway sighed. “I suppose I can do that.” He smiled.
Pity about those teeth. “You make peace with your
friend?”
    My life is an entertainment for all TunFaire. Everybody knows
every time Tinnie winks at me. “They’re special to
me.”
    “You have a deal. Wes, I’ve got to wander, see
what’s new on the street.” He can do that. Little
scruff like him, nobody would believe he’s Relway.
    “Wait up,” I said. “Couple things more. Ever
hear of Black Dragon Valsung?”
    Relway shrugged, showed me his palms. “Which is
what?”
    “Supposed to be a new freecorps. Colonel Norton Valsung
commanding, lately of the Black Dragon Brigade.”
    Relway shook his head. Block said, “Never heard of either
one.”
    “Me neither. That’s what made me wonder.”
    “What?” Relway wanted to know.
    “Two squeaky-clean clerk types named Carter Stockwell and
Trace Wendover came to the house today. Wanted me to join their
outfit.”
    Block and Relway glanced at each other. Block said, “Means
nothing to me.”
    Relway said, “There’re always new gangs. I’ll
keep an ear open.”
    Block waved. Relway headed for the door. I started to go myself.
Block told me, “Hang on, Garrett.”
    “Uhm?”
    “If you do get involved, you be real careful. These people
are nasty.”
    “I’ve been playing with the bad boys a long time. I
don’t make mistakes anymore.”
    “Only takes one, Garrett. Smart guys get dead,
too.”
    “Point taken. Thanks.”
    “One more thing. Relway gets too focused sometimes.
Doesn’t think about whatever don’t bear on what
interests him right now.”
    “You leading up to something?”
    “Yes. His people saw Crask and Sadler yesterday. Remember
them? You should. They’re back in town and too stupid not to
be seen.”
    “Never heard either one accused of genius.” I
shivered. Not much scares me but Crask and Sadler are stone-cold
professional killers of the worst sort. The sort who want to hurt
Mrs. Garrett’s only surviving son. They’re that lucky
kind of professional who get to do work they really enjoy.
    Crask and Sadler have a sack full of bones to pick with Mama
Garrett’s favorite boy. I helped run them out of town. I
helped fix them up with a Combine price on their heads.
    “I’ll watch out.”
    “Do. Hey! Teach that ugly sack of feathers to scout for
you.”
    “You hear that, bird?”
    The Goddamn Parrot kept his beak shut. A remarkable state of
affairs.
     
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10
    Crask and Sadler. Damn! I thought those double-uglies were out
of my life for good.
    They tried to take over when Chodo had his stroke—which
few people knew about. Most think he’s still in charge. They
wouldn’t if Belinda hadn’t outfoxed Crask and Sadler
when they made their grab. Them knowing about Chodo, and their
deadly enmity, explained Belinda’s eagerness to elevate them
to the next plane.
    Nowadays Chodo is a lump of meat imprisoned in a wheelchair.
Belinda has no use for him except to pretend her orders come from
him.
    Block again told me, “You take care.”
    “You too.” I decided to say it. “I like this
Westman Block better than the old one.”
    That got me a sour look and, “Might be smart not to turn
up here again. You go out on the fringe, you’ll never know
who’s watching or what their real loyalties are.”
     
    I paused outside the jail, studied the street. At the best of
times watching your surroundings closely is wise. Our great city
never lacks for characters willing to steal your gold tooth in
broad daylight while