MA07 MYTH Inc Link by Robert Asprin Read Free Book Online Page B

make a good showing.
    “Could be a bit of a sticky wicket. Who is this chap, anyway?”
    “The name is Hoos. Sounds like something out of Dr. Seuss, doesn’t it?”
    “Actually, it sounds like a bank.”
    “How’s that again?”
    Instead of repeating myself, I simply pointed. Across the street and three doors down was a building prominently labeled Hoos National Bank.
    Tananda was on her feet and moving in a flash.
    “Thanks, Chumley. This may not be so bad after all.”
    “Don’t forget. We’re terribly close to the police station,” I cautioned, hurrying to keep up.
    “What do you mean, we?” she said, stopping abruptly. “This is my assignment, big brother, so don’t interfere or get underfoot. Capish?”
    Realizing I was here to try to keep her out of trouble, I thought it ill-advised to start a brawl with Tananda in the middle of a public street, much less in front of a police station.
    “Perish the thought. I just thought I’d tag along ... as an observer. You know I love watching you work. Besides, as Mums always said, ‘You can never tell when a friendly witness can come in handy.”
    I’m not sure if my words assured her, or if she simply accepted that a confirming report wouldn’t hurt, but she grunted silently and headed into the bank.
    The place was pretty standard for a bank: tellers’ cages, tables for filling out deposit or withdrawal slips, etc. The only thing that was at all noteworthy was a special window for Inter-Dimensional Currency Exchange, which to me indicated that they did more demon business than might be expected for such an out-of-the-way dimension. I was going to point this out to Tananda, but she apparently had plans of her own. Without so much as a glance at the windows, she marched up to the manager’s office.
    “May I help you, Miss?” the twitty-looking fellow seated there said with a notable lack of sincerity.
    “Yes. I’d like to see Mr. Hoos.”
    That got us a long, slow once-over with the weak yes, his gaze lingering on me for several extra beats. I did my best to look innocent ... which is not that easy to do for a troll.
    “I’m afraid that’s quite impossible,” he said at last, returning his attention to the work on his desk.
    I could sense Tananda fighting with her temper and mentally crossed my fingers.
    “It’s extremely urgent.”
    The eyes flicked our way again, and he set his pencil down with a visible sigh.
    “Then perhaps you’d better deal with me.”
    “I have some information for Mr. Hoos, but I think he’d want to hear it personally.”
    “That’s your opinion. If, after hearing it, I agree, then you might be allowed to repeat it to Mr. Hoos.”
    Stalemate.
    Tananda seemed to recognize this as well.
    “Well, I don’t want to start a panic, but I have it on good authority that this bank is going to be robbed.”
    I was a little surprised by this, though I did my best not to show it. The bank manager, however, seemed to take it in stride.
    “I’m afraid you’re mistaken, young lady,” he said with a tight smile.
    “My sources are seldom wrong,” she insisted.
    “You’re new to Arcadia, aren’t you?”
    “Well...”
    “Once you’ve learned your way around, you’ll realize that there isn’t a criminal in the dimension who would steal from Mr. Hoos, much less try to rob his bank.”
    This Hoos chap was starting to sound like quite a fellow. Little sister, however, was not so easily deterred.
    “What about a criminal from another dimension? Someone who isn’t so impressed with Mr. Hoos?”
    The manager raised an eyebrow.
    “Like who, for example?”
    “Well ... what if I and my friend here decided to ...” That was as far as she got.
    For all his stuffiness, I had to admit the manager was good. I didn’t see him move or signal, but suddenly the bank was filled with armed guards. For some reason, their attention seemed to be centered on us.
    I nudged Tananda, but she waved me off irritably.
    “... Of course, that was