Hocus Croakus by Mary Daheim Read Free Book Online

work for him.”
    â€œOh!” Judith was surprised. “You’re the second person I’ve met since I got here who’s part of the troupe. I met his assistant, Salome, this afternoon.”
    â€œLucky you,” the blonde said. “By the way, I’m Griselda Vanderbehr. What’s your name?”
    Judith identified herself and shook Griselda’sslightly clammy hand. “I’m pleased to meet you, Ms. Vanderbehr.”
    â€œCall me Grisly,” Griselda said with no hint of amusement. “It’s an old high school nickname.”
    â€œOkay,” Judith said somewhat doubtfully. “I hope the show goes well tonight for all…”
    The elevator doors opened on the other side of the corridor. As Griselda moved briskly to the car, Judith looked to see if Joe was among the people already inside.
    He wasn’t. Feeling frustrated as well as annoyed, she returned to their room and dialed the operator.
    She’d just been connected when Joe rushed into the room. “Sorry. I got held up.”
    â€œYou better not mean literally,” Judith said, banging down the phone. “You’ve got ten minutes to change and meet the Joneses in the Winter Bar.”
    â€œI’ll make it,” Joe said airily as he went into the bathroom.
    â€œWhat kept you?” Judith asked through the door.
    â€œA bunch of double downs and more than a fair share of blackjacks,” Joe called back over the sound of running water. “I won five hundred bucks this afternoon. Is that a good start or what?”
    â€œIt’s great,” Judith replied, her anger ebbing. “That takes some doing, given how lucky blackjack dealers usually are.”
    â€œWhen you’re on a streak, you have to keep going,” he said, coming out of the bathroom. “And you can’t use a cell phone at the tables, of course. You could be cheating. Hey, you look terrific.”
    â€œThanks.” Judith couldn’t resist smiling.
    Joe cocked his head to one side, the gold glittering in his green eyes. “You don’t suppose the Joneses could carry on without us for a while, do you?”
    For once, Judith wasn’t going to succumb to what she called the magic of Joe’s eyes. She held out both hands in front of her. “Forget it. I’m not going to get dressed, do my hair, and put my make up on all over again. We’ll miss the show.”
    Joe looked disappointed, but didn’t argue. “We’ve got plenty of time. This is only the first day of the rest of our vacation.”
    â€œWhich reminds me,” Judith said as Joe started changing clothes, “Bart Bednarik called here this afternoon.”
    Joe put his hands over his ears. “I don’t want to hear it. Bumbling Bart makes me crazy.”
    â€œBut the latest involves spending—”
    â€œStop!” Joe smoothed his thinning red-gray hair in front of the big mirror over the bureau. “We’re on vacation, remember? Let Bart figure it out.”
    Judith shut up.
    Â 
    Renie yawned her way through the opening act that featured Craven Raven, a once-hot grunge band singing songs Judith didn’t recognize. Bill stretched his neck this way and that. Joe ordered a second round of drinks and tapped his foot, which rattled the table. Judith was getting irked.
    â€œStop that, Joe,” she whispered.
    â€œWhat?” He leaned closer.
    â€œStop tapping. You’re driving me nuts.”
    Joe shook his head. “I can’t hear you over this damned music.” He kept tapping.
    Judith reached under the table to whack Joe’s leg. “Stop it!” she all but shouted.
    As if on cue, the band concluded its act. The salads arrived along with the new drinks. Joe stopped tapping.
    â€œThe Great Mandolini better be great,” Joe said.
    â€œThe casinos have to pull in a young crowd, too,” Renie noted. “What if future generations didn’t take to