On Broken Wings by Francis Porretto Read Free Book Online

"I did not give you 'my word.' You said you'd give me something I wanted if I'd do something for you. No promises were involved. Well, I can't, or won't, take your pick, and now you can feel free to withhold what I asked you for. Capisce? "
    Loughlin's mouth curved minutely. "That's better. But I'd still like to hear about it."
    "Why?"
    "Because I know how much you wanted my part of the bargain. Whatever this other job is, it has to be a blockbuster."
    "Oh, it will be difficult, all right. I've picked up a stray, and I have to prepare her for the big bad world. She's been badly hurt, has no one and nothing."
    "Tell me."
    Louis did. It took some time. Loughlin remained silent to the end, and after.
    "Well? Comments? Questions? Expostulations of disbelief?"
    The old warrior shook his head. "I could have guessed. Oh, not the specifics, but that it would be something like this. Why did you never marry, Louis?"
    Louis cocked his head in puzzlement. "It takes two. I never found the right woman. Why do you ask?"
    "Do you think you would have wanted to be a father?"
    "Of course! There's not much point, otherwise."
    Loughlin rose from the table. He went to the window and stood staring out at the trees that kept the world at bay.
    "No, not much point at all."
     
    ====
     

Chapter 6
     
    Louis let himself back into his house at ten after two. He found Christine and Father Schliemann in the kitchen. The priest was sitting at the table, apparently at his ease. Christine was at the counter fumbling with coffee fixings.
    "Louis! I trust your errand went well?"
    "About as well as could be expected, Father. Did you and Chris have a nice chat?"
    Schliemann smiled. "Delightful. She's been so many places you and I could never imagine."
    Christine jumped back from the counter as the coffeemaker gave vent to a loud, raspy belch. She might have fallen backwards had Louis not caught her by the elbows and steadied her.
    "Easy, Chris. It does that now and then." He sidled around her and lifted the coffeemaker's lid to assure himself that she had put in water. She had.
    "Father, I've got something new on the computer upstairs that I'd like you to see. Care to take a quick look?"
    "Certainly. We'll be right back, Christine." She sat at the table, staring at the coffeemaker, while the priest followed Louis up the stairs and into his office. Louis closed the door behind them.
    Schliemann went to Louis's desk and slumped into the chair. A moment later he was hunched over, balled fists pressed to his breastbone, shaking violently. Louis went to him and laid a hand on his shoulder. The priest was slow to recover his self-control.
    "You didn't exaggerate in the slightest, Louis."
    "No, Father, I didn't see a need."
    Schliemann resumed an erect posture and fought down the last of the tremors. He had the look that comes from having been forced to hear things one wants to disbelieve.
    "If it was that hard to hear about, great God in heaven, what it must have been like to live through!"
    "Neither you nor I will ever know, Father, and perhaps that's for the best. Overall, what do you think?"
    The priest sighed. "Overall, I agree with your original statement. She's the bravest creature I've ever met. And one of the luckiest."
    "What?"
    "In whose hands is she now, Louis?"
    "Oh. Thank you."
    Do you really think that's a sign of luck, Father? Remember this morning? I scooped her up because there was nobody else to do it, not because I'm the right man for the job. That proposition would have been doubtful even if I could expect to live forever. And we both know I can't.
    "I don't see a guilt problem, by the way. It's fear, not guilt. She fears retribution for the killing, but by all indications she considers it justified."
    Louis nodded. "I'm glad. Retribution I can protect her from. But even so, I wanted her to meet you. Thank you for coming today."
    Schliemann's eyes were solemn. "Will you be able to care for her as she needs to be cared for?"
    Louis smirked.