Silversword by Charles Knief Read Free Book Online Page B

We both knew its truth.
    â€œSo there is peace in San Francisco?”
    Chawlie nodded again, smiling. “There would have been a terrible conflict had you not prevented my death, John Caine.”
    Remembering that old saw about the fate of those who perform good deeds, I kept my mouth shut.
    â€œYour old friend Kimo has been around, asking about you. The good lieutenant was asked to make inquiries about your handgun, the one you lost before you traveled to San Francisco. He has also been aboard your boat to take samples of your .45 ammunition. He had a court order, issued by a judge in Honolulu, the result of a request from that detective in California. The judge is a good friend. I am happy to tell you that Kimo found no such ammunition. He could not find your firearm, either. You no longer have such a weapon.”
    â€œYou’ve been busy.” The way he explained it, Chawlie would have known about the warrant before the Honolulu police.
    â€œYes. California police not lucky. Your attorney tells me if they find nothing, they probably can charge you with nothing.”
    â€œThank you, Uncle,” I said, wondering about attorney-client
privilege, knowing that it didn’t exist in this case. The lawyer reported to the one who paid him. That, too, was no surprise.
    â€œOther problem. Because you were identified in the San Francisco newspaper, young rebels put a price on your head. They hired an assassin to kill you.”
    â€œAnd so, my bodyguard.”
    â€œYoung Felix. Just so.”
    â€œYou think he’s necessary.”
    â€œChawlie think that bodyguards are always necessary. Worked well for me in San Francisco.”
    I nodded. Carefully.
    â€œHow is Daniel?”
    â€œHe is well.” Chawlie fingered the wattled flesh under his neck, lifting his chin. “He will wear the scar forever, but no matter. He still breathes.”
    â€œI am glad of it.”
    â€œIt is best that you go now.”
    â€œYou look tired, my brother,” I said.
    â€œIt is difficult keeping everything together. I am an old man. And I am tired.”
    He looked tired. The bags below his eyes had bags. His face, which had always had a narrow, pinched look, was becoming skeletal. I wondered if he suffered from a fatal disease.
    â€œAre you well?” I asked.
    Chawlie smiled. “Thanks to you, yes. It is best now that you go.” He rose and helped me to my feet. Chawlie was right. I was tired, exhausted from the flight, even though I had slept for most of it. But then, the dreams had not been restful.
    â€œChawlie understand that you lost your woman. If you need the warmth of a soft breast, Chawlie can send two or three little friends for you. They will help you relax.”
    â€œNo thanks, Chawlie. It’s a pleasant thought, but it might kill me.”
    He looked alarmed. “Everything all right?” He unconsciously grasped his own private parts through the rough cotton pants that he wore.

    â€œI suppose. The doctor told me not to push it. Not right away.”
    His face brightened. “Oh, you are not shot there, but your doctor told you not to have sex! Stupid man! He does not know what you need.”
    â€œI need sleep. As you said, Uncle. Nothing more.”
    He nodded. “Chawlie understand.”
    â€œThank you, Uncle,” I said, hoping that he would forget the girls, thinking that at my age, even without my debility, their kind ministrations might cause me more pain than pleasure.
    â€œGo now. Felix will go with you.”
    â€œIs Daniel around?” I wanted to confront him, to ask about his father’s health.
    â€œHe is in California at the moment, but will return in a few days, and he will visit you.”
    So Daniel had come over on the jet that took me home. It made sense. If there were loose ends to tie up, Daniel was the guy to do it. Even injured, he was about the toughest guy I knew. Outside of Max. Or Kimo. Or me.
    Chawlie leaned