DEATH IN PERSPECTIVE by Larissa Reinhart Read Free Book Online Page B

beamed at me from his perch. “Let me explain why I want to take you on as art director,
     even with your limited qualifications.”
    I masked the gust of air I blew out as a cough.
    “I do nothing halfway and I always do my research . ” H e leaned forward, pressing the tips of his fingers on the desk. “You, Cherry Tucker,
     have been in the local press several times in the past six months. Stories reporting
     you consorting with malefactors and pursuing criminals.”
    “Those reports are highly exaggerated. The Halo Herald lacks real news, so anything printed leans toward sensationalism.”
    “No matter . ” H e waved his pinky ring. “My point is this. Your combination of visionary artworks
     and courage under fire has piqued my interest. Your friendship with Max Avtaikin as
     well. I suppose you have heard of these references on Tinsley Talks ?”
    “ Tinsley Talks ?”
    “My small blog where I have referred to the surprisingly fresh talent emerging from
     the murky depths of the humble burg called Halo. But now you understand why I called
     on your assistance?”
    “Not really.”
    “It’s simple . ” H e sighed. “First, my production of Romeo and Juliet will not be of the gauche amateurish melodrama usually portrayed in high schools.
     I’m thinking a musical comedy version. Like a Glee meets Avatar . Except underwater. The Capulets are blue humanoid sea creatures and the Montagues
     are the aquanauts. In retro-scuba dress.”
    I tried to remember to blink. “Retro-scuba dress?”
    He stroked his goatee. “You are right, of course. Difficult for dance numbers. I may
     have to rethink that. Anyway, you can see why I need an unconventional artist for the groundbreaking scenery. I can’t rent
     what I want for this production. It needs to be original. I want the Tiny Tony.”
    “Tiny Tony?”
    “High school theater version of the Tony. The pinnacle of awards.”
    My intelligence seemed to diminish the more time I spent in this school. Maybe I needed
     to get out of my humble burg more often.
    “Second,” he said, “your name is often linked to Max Avtaikin. I would like his support.”
    “If you mean you want him to help fund your theater, I’m telling you up front, I can’t
     persuade Mr. Max to do anything. He’s got a foreign view of things that I don’t understand.”
    “You can introduce us. Invite him to the production. He’ll be impressed.” Tinsley
     left his chair and began to pace. “Tell him the contribution is tax deductible.”
    I couldn’t promise anything on Max’s behalf, so I figured it safe to keep my mouth
     shut.
    Tinsley stood facing the bookshelves with his hands clasped behind him, head bowed.
     “The third reason has to do with your vigilante spirit. Your willingness to disregard
     rational thought and safety in the face of danger.”
    “Excuse me for saying so, sir, but I use rational thought. And I’ve been schooled
     in safety by my uncle, the sheriff. I’m not a vigilante. I just have the wrong place , wrong time kind of luck and a strong sense of justice.”
    “Call it what you will.”
    “I’ll call it stepping up to the plate and doing the right thing.”
    Tinsley turned to face me, his dark eyes somber. “Then I need you to do the right
     thing by me.”
    “By painting your alien underwater scenery?”
    “By protecting me. I think someone’s going to kill me.”
    Were all art patrons this crazy or just the ones who wanted to hire me?

Six

      
    Irehinged my jaw and spun in my seat so Tinsley couldn’t catch site of my reaction.
     That reality show crew must be hiding. Someone’s going to jump out and surprise me,
     I thought. No way is this guy for real.
    No one jumped out to surprise me.
    I sought a different explanation. And prayed it didn’t result in finding out Tinsley
     was off his meds. Painting underwater alien scenery sounded fun. Protecting a crazy
     man from paranoid delusions, not so much.
    “Mr. Tinsley, why do you think