Read A Bullet Apiece for Free Online Page A

vision, she got that close. A pretty face. “What is it you want, Mr. Darvis?”
    I grinned. “Nothing, Miss. . . ?”
    â€œBrennan.”
    â€œBrennan, huh? You know the Brennans in Dogtown?”
    â€œI’m quite sure I don’t. I’m a transplant. From Pittsburgh.”
    â€œSure you don’t? The neighborhood’s right alongside Forest Park. Got it’s name from a dog-eating tribe supposed to have camped there during the ’04 World’s Fair.”
    â€œWhat charming tales you must know.”
    This was all lovely. She looked at me like the old man I suddenly felt like. I was getting quite tired of the game, and now irritated with Miss Brennan’s diffidence. I tried to rise from the Eames chair smoothly to get in her face, but I almost lost my balance doing so. I didn’t quite flop back into it, but I did wobble. When I managed to stand up straight, I dropped my voice to a guttural register, like a growling dog, and stepped right into her personal space.
    â€œLookit, lady. You said Hanady was pleasant ‘most of the time’. That means something. What is it?” It was my turn to loom in her face. Only I’m not so pretty up close.
    I had let her know this was no longer her game. She exhaled and rather roughly shoved a strand of hair behind her left ear. As she did so, I noticed her hand trembling. “Here are the
goods
, detective. When Mrs. Hanady calls, it’s all I can do to be polite. She is a shrew. I would call her a ‘bitch’, but then, since I’m in Mr. Hanady’s employ, I won’t.” Her voice came out strained. The smooth tone of voice from the phone became a kvetching teenager’s. “She calls. He gripes. And then he spews obscenities after he hangs up. Often he’ll leave after that. The next morning, when he comes in, he seems none the worse for it, but I know better. Or sometimes, he doesn’t show up the next morning, and we receive word he’s in Colombia. He’s a sweet man. She’s a drain.” She looked at a wristwatch. “How’s that?”
    I couldn’t help but smile. “That will do.”
    â€œI thought so. Now, will there be anything else?”
    â€œOne more question. Just how well do you know Mr. Hanady, Miss Brennan.”
    She let the question settle. “Strictly business, Mr. Darvis.”
    â€œI thought so.” I withdrew a card. “If you have any other nuggets you want to toss my way.”
    â€œWhat else do you like tossed your way?”
    Touché.
    â€œPlenty,” I said and smiled at her.
    â€œI bet.” She leaned in a little. I couldn’t help but glance down into her cleavage. She seemed to know I would and held her pose for a couple of seconds.
    â€œWell, if I ever get desperate enough for a gumshoe, I know where to find you.” She took a step to the side and gestured towards the front door. “Now, I’m quite sure security is on their way to lock up. I wouldn’t want there to be any misunderstanding about your presence.”
    â€œHow very giving of you.”
    She smirked and made as if to toss her hair. “Well, Mr. Darvis, must I show you directly to the door?”
    â€œThat and more.”
    â€œI’m afraid not. It’s been a … a pleasure.”
    â€œI wish I could say the same.”
    She walked past me to the door and held it open for me, and looked quickly backwards. I followed her gaze to the door set in the wood paneling.
    â€œSay, Miss Brennan, where does that door go?”
    â€œIs that imperative for your investigation, Mr. Darvis?” When she saw I wasn’t moving out the door, she added, “But if you must know, it leads to Batman’s cave.”
    â€œNever needed him. Thanks again, Miss Brennan.”
    â€œGood evening, detective.”
    As I pulled out of the parking lot, a few cars remained, but no silver-green Jaguar. Miss Brennan played the