Read Online Pressure Drop by Peter Abrahams - Free Book Online

do.”
    â€œInvestment banking,” Danny said. “Or maybe commercial real estate.”
    There was a multiscreen cinema across the highway. Alone in a little screening room, Matthias and Danny watched a comedy in which Dabney Coleman played twins separated at birth. One becomes an encyclopedia salesman, the other head of the KGB. The CIA finds out and sends Encyclopedia Dabney on a mission to Moscow. There are complications. KGB Dabney has a wife and a mistress who, et cetera et cetera. It was funny when Dabney Coleman was on the screen. The rest of the time, Matthias stole glances at Danny, who had taken off his orange glasses. By the flickering light from the screen, Danny looked much older than he had on Matthias’s last visit. Perhaps it was just the way he watched the movie, and the jokes he laughed at. His childhood was almost over. Matthias tried to picture him as an investment banker and easily could.
    After the movie they took a taxi downtown. “Any plans for a visit before school?” Matthias said. “Rafer’s always asking about you.”
    â€œWho’s Rafer?”
    â€œMoxie’s son.”
    â€œOh yeah.” Silence. Danny’s head turned to follow a big limo going the other way.
    â€œHow about it?”
    â€œI don’t know,” Danny said. “We might be going to Greece for a few weeks.”
    â€œThat’ll be fun.”
    â€œYou’ve been there?”
    â€œNo. But it sounds like fun.”
    â€œYeah.” The taxi stopped in front of a tall glass building. Danny opened the door. “Do you know where to go?” Matthias asked.
    â€œThe penthouse,” Danny said. “I’ve been here lots of times.” He paused with his hand on the door, about to say something. For a second Matthias let himself think that Danny was reconsidering Greece. “How’s your case going?” Danny said.
    â€œWe’re still in there pitching,” Matthias said. “Nothing’s going to happen for a while, if you were thinking of coming down.”
    â€œIt’s not that. It’s—it’s just that they say you haven’t got a chance.”
    â€œWho says?”
    â€œMom. And Howie.”
    â€œWhat does Howie do?”
    â€œHe’s a shrink.”
    Matthias wondered if Marilyn’s relationship with him had begun on a professional basis. He kept the thought to himself. “I’m not sure that qualifies him as an expert on Bahamian law.”
    â€œHowie’s an expert on everything. He’s got a mind like a computer.”
    â€œThat’s nice.” Danny put one foot on the ground. Matthias held out his hand. “Call me when you get back from Greece.” They shook hands goodbye. For a moment, Matthias felt the man-boy hand in his. Then it was gone.
    â€œThere’s his car,” Danny said. A red Porsche emerged from the parking garage beside the tall building. The attendant hopped out and held the door. A man walked swiftly out of the building and got into the car. Danny ran over to it, jumped in the other side. The man didn’t look at him.
    Matthias stepped out of the taxi and found himself walking over to the Porsche. He heard Danny saying, “Sorry if I’m late.”
    â€œâ€˜Sorry’ won’t get us there any faster,” said the man in the driver’s seat.
    Matthias put his hands on the roof and leaned into Danny’s window. “He’s not late. It’s five minutes to six.”
    The man looked at him. He wore orange glasses identical to Danny’s. “Who’s this?” he said.
    â€œMy father,” Danny answered.
    â€œDr. Howie Nero,” said the man. “Pleased to meet you, but we’ve got to run.”
    Matthias kept his hands off the car. He took in Dr. Howie Nero’s diamond ring, tan suit, lime green open-collared shirt. He reached into his pocket, pulled out the necktie and tossed it in Howie’s