Read Satan’s Lambs for Free Online Page B

he wants me, say I’m in the john.”
    He winked, and she blushed.
    â€œOkay, Rick.”
    She watched him take Lena’s arm and lead her out of the office.
    â€œI’m hungry ,” he said as they passed the front desk. “I haven’t had breakfast.”
    â€œYou had a doughnut.”
    â€œI don’t eat sweets anymore, Lena. I’m very healthy now.”
    â€œThere’s sugar at the corner of your mouth. But you look great, Rick. The extra weight looks good on you.”
    He looked down at his stomach. “I like wearing this shirt out, Lena. I could tuck it in if I wanted to.” He put his arm around her shoulders. Counting the heels of the cowboy boots, he came in just under five feet seven.
    The office door shut behind them. Rick looked up and squinted.
    â€œLook at that sky. We’re going to get it. Let’s go in your … Lena. You still driving the Cutlass?”
    She shrugged. “If it embarrasses you, we’ll take your car.”
    â€œI’m, um, having a small problem with the payments. It’s in hiding right now.”
    â€œWhat are you driving?”
    â€œMiata.”
    â€œ Rick . You can’t afford a car like that.”
    â€œThat’s why it’s hidden.” He opened the passenger door on the Cutlass. “Who is this, now, who is this? John Maynard Kitty, how are you, sweetie?” He stuck a finger in the cage. Maynard purred. “You remember me, don’t you?” He smiled up at Lena. “ He still loves me. I should have got visiting rights.” He looked down at the cat. “What a name she gave you, Maynard . Should have called you Olivier, yes we should. He misses me, Lena, I can tell.”
    â€œI think you’re right, Rick. He does seem to miss you.”
    â€œYou just don’t like to admit he …” Rick looked at Lena across the seat of the car.
    â€œGet in,” she said. “I’ll buy you breakfast.”
    They sat in the front seat of the Cutlass, parked discreetly in the corner of the White Castle parking lot, just out of view of the Schneider Agency. A rain-scented breeze swept through the open windows and ruffled the white bags of food.
    Rick snapped on the radio and took a sip from a steaming Styrofoam cup. “Why don’t they have beer here?” He fooled with the knob, conjuring irritating bursts of static. “Hey, the Beatles. Remember that song?”
    â€œNo, I’m too young.”
    Rick grinned. “Sure you are.” He took a large bite, consuming half of a small square hamburger. Maynard purred loudly and climbed into his lap. “Watch, Lena, see if he’ll still do it.”
    He stuck a french fry in his mouth. The cat put his paws on Rick’s chest and delicately took the french fry from his lips.
    â€œThere, see, he remembered!”
    Rick peeled the plastic cap off his coffee and poured some into the lid. He blew on it and stuck his tongue in.
    â€œOkay. It’s not hot. Here, Maynard, here boy.”
    â€œRick, he doesn’t want that.”
    The cat sniffed the coffee lid, then lapped the brown liquid.
    â€œThere, see, he likes it.”
    â€œHe’ll eat anything you give him, Rick. So watch what you feed him.”
    â€œIt’s just a little coffee.”
    â€œNo beer . No alcohol of any kind.”
    â€œWhat, you see beer anywhere?”
    â€œBecause I think you’re right, Rick.” Lena opened a bun and pried the pickle loose. She handed the hamburger to Rick. “Maynard misses you.”
    â€œDid I say you could have my pickle?”
    â€œYou always let me have your pickle.”
    â€œThat’s what I love about Judith. She doesn’t eat my pickle.”
    â€œHow’s she doing?”
    â€œWonderful.”
    â€œGood.”
    â€œDon’t be jealous. She likes you. She’s not jealous.”
    â€œI like her, too. And I’m not jealous.”
    Rick frowned. “