Rubbed Out by Barbara Block Read Free Book Online

there were a tad upset.
    Some of them had put up signs on their houses and businesses. The signs said things like No More Land for the Casino and Gambling Is a Sin. Others had put up signs saying nastier things. It didn’t help that there were white-power groups based up that way. Organizations had been formed. Lawyers hired. Threats made. The FBI had been called in to investigate.
    I could see the locals’ point, though. After all, they hadn’t negotiated the treaty. But the Teewakee had a point too. They’d been cheated out of their land. This was definitely a lose-lose situation. No one was going to be happy whatever the result. I was thinking about that and about the concept of the sins of the fathers being visited on the children when George started speaking again.
    â€œI hope she’s not doing a series,” he said. “She’s going to hate being stuck out there without a Starbucks to get coffee in.”
    â€œThe hell with Starbucks. How about a decent restaurant?”
    The only things out that way were bars, bait shops, and gas stations. If you wanted a supermarket, you had to drive thirty miles. And then there was the weather. This time of year whiteouts were common. When Syracuse got five inches of snow, the North Country got fifteen. Add a wind that whipped the flakes into blizzard conditions and you had a recipe for disaster.
    â€œI have a friend lives out around there,” George said. “He tells me everyone is walking around with their shotguns loaded these days.”
    â€œEveryone always walks around with their guns loaded out there.”
    â€œMaybe so.” George ran a finger under the edge of his turtleneck and pulled at it. “I wouldn’t know. That’s redneck country. As far as I’m concerned you could take that area and nuke it and no one would know the difference. In fact, it would be an improvement. They should get rid of all the people and give the place back to the deer.”
    â€œWhat have they ever done to you?”
    â€œPersonally? Nothing. I just don’t like them.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œBecause they don’t like me.”
    â€œGood reason.”
    â€œListen. I’m not the saintly old black family retainer in the movies that forgives everyone.”
    â€œI know that.”
    â€œGood.” He dropped his hand and gave Zsa Zsa an absentminded pat. She licked his fingers. “Calli told me what happened with Tiger Lily.”
    â€œDid she tell you about the other dogs?”
    â€œNo.”
    Typical. I filled him in. “You don’t know anyone who wants a dog, do you?”
    â€œI don’t, but I’ll ask around.”
    â€œNo students.” Students took in animals and then went home at the end of the semester and threw them out on the streets. “What about you?”
    â€œI don’t have time for one.”
    â€œOf course you do.”
    â€œOkay. I have time, but I don’t want to be bothered. Happy?”
    â€œIt’s not about happy. I’d rather hear the truth than hear you make excuses.”
    George idly ran his finger down the spine of one of the catalogues. “That’s what most people say, but they don’t mean it.”
    â€œYou believe that?”
    â€œI know it.”
    I got up to get another cup of coffee. As I was going by him, George reached over, grabbed my wrist, and pulled me toward him. “I miss you.”
    â€œI miss you too.”
    I could smell his cologne. “Let’s not do this.”
    He reached up and brushed a strand of hair off my forehead. My insides felt like molten lead.
    â€œI’m tired of this roller coaster that we’re on. I want more.”
    â€œWhat if there isn’t any more? What if this is it?” George pulled me down to his lap. “Would that be so terrible?”
    â€œYes.” I knew I should get up, but I couldn’t. It was like coming home.

Chapter Eight
    G eorge and I had