Cast a Yellow Shadow by Ross Thomas Read Free Book Online Page B

nowadays. Once it was Berlin and once it was Madrid and once it was London. Now it is either Washington or Hong Kong. I think I much prefer Washington.”
    â€œBusiness is good, I take it?”
    â€œExcellent,” she said. “I’ve rediscovered many old friends here and I have made a number of new ones. There are some mutual acquaintances whom we could have great fun gossiping about sometime.”
    â€œNothing would be more enjoyable, but there is a deadline and once again I need your help.”
    She sighed and put her cigarette out carefully. “This time I will charge you, Michael. In the past I have helped you for foolish sentimental reasons, but this time you will pay. The price: Spend one hour soon with an old friend and listen to her memories.”
    â€œYou would be paying me,” Padillo said. “It will be a rare privilege and we will do it quite soon.”
    She looked at him and smiled slightly. “You even lie like your father. You are not yet married?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œThen I will be the matchmaker. You are a wonderful catch, and I will find you a rich bride.”
    â€œI will be in debt to your ability as well as to your good taste.”
    â€œNow, what is it that you wish to know?”
    â€œI want to locate—today, if possible—three persons.”
    â€œAre they in the States?”
    â€œSo I’ve heard.”
    â€œTheir names?”
    â€œPhilip Price, Jon Dymec, Magda Shadid.”
    â€œA mixed bag, Michael,” she said in English. “An Englishman, a Pole, and Magda, half-Syrian, half-Hungarian. I didn’t realize you knew her.”
    â€œWe’ve met. Are they in town?”
    â€œTwo of them are, Magda and Price. Dymec is temporarily in New York.”
    â€œCan you get word to them?”
    â€œl can.”
    â€œToday.”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œJust tell them I’m at the Mayflower, and that I’m calling my loan.”
    â€œDo you know these persons, Herr McCorkle?”
    â€œNo. They’re Mike’s friends.”
    â€œTake my advice. Keep it that way.” She turned to Padillo. “You know, Michael, that you have piqued my curiosity and you know that I will eventually learn everything.”
    Padillo turned on the smile he used to charm old ladies and snakes. “In such affairs, Madelena, the fewer who know, the less the chance for future recriminations and shattered friendships. I promise you—at the earliest opportunity—”
    â€œAch! Michael, you have made your promises before, but the facts I’ve had to read in Die Welt or The Times or Le Monde. By the time you return, the news will be old. You know I like the details—the grisly parts that never get printed.”
    â€œThis time I swear to you—”
    â€œI will do as you say. I will be in touch with Price, Dymec and Shadid. Since you know who they are, you know what they are, and I do not have to warn you. It is an exceedingly strange combination. Do they know each other?”
    â€œI have no idea,” Padillo said.
    â€œYou are the common denominator then?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œAnd I should not mention one to another?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œConsider it done.” She rose. “I shall see you to the door.” She paused by Padillo and put her hand on his arm and turned to me. “Mr. McCorkle, the persons that Michael wishes me to reach are most dangerous and, I should add, most untrustworthy.”
    Padillo grinned. “What she’s trying to say is that they’re crooks who would peddle their aunts. Mac doesn’t know anyone like that, Madelena. He lives among those of noble thought and kindly deed.”
    â€œHis face makes you out a liar, Michael,” she said looking at me with clear dark eyes. “You have to travel a far distance to acquire a face like that.”
    I bowed over her hand again and Padillo said: “I am in your