Read Online Robert Asprin's Dragons Run by Jody Lynn Nye - Free Book Online Page A

made an appointment to meet with you, who knows what arrangements you made to impress me? For all I know, he was a salesman who hoped to interest you in a new coffin!”
    “You think I’m
playin’
you?” Duvallier demanded. Miss Callaway huffed and looked outraged on her employer’s behalf. Malcolm glowered.
    “I
know
you’re playing me. I simply wish to know to what extent!”
    Duvallier’s eyes glowed brighter.
    “Uncle Malcolm . . .” Griffen began uneasily.
    “I don’t have to impress you, son. I didn’t even have to see you. It was a matter of courtesy that I allowed this meetin’ at all. You from out of state. This is a Louisiana matter.”
    “
I
live here,” Griffen said.
    “You ain’t the one who’s backin’ Penny Dunbar, so why don’t you hush for a minute?” Duvallier said.
    Griffen felt his temper flare. The little spark of fire that was always in his belly began to dance with joy. With difficulty, he tamped it down and spoke more calmly than he felt.
    “I’m part of this discussion now. What you’re talking about is premeditated murder for hire.”
    Duvallier grinned at him. “You like to call things like you see ’em. Good for you. It ain’t strictly accurate. But it don’t change nothin’ to give it a name.”
    “Well, what else do I call it?” Griffen asked. “Some other person offers to pay you to kill someone.”
    “I don’t say I accepted the other fellow’s offer, now have I?”
    “But you won’t accept ours?”
    “I like to keep my options open.”
    “How can we change your mind? We are prepared to fund many initiatives to improve life for the citizens of this state: transportation, education, tax incentives . . .”
    Duvallier waved a hand. “All talk. I don’t care whether one lone person lives or dies. The world’s crowded enough as it is.”
    “That’s rich coming from you,” Griffen said. “If overpopulation bothers you, why didn’t you just lie down and die when
your
time was up?”
    “Because I wasn’t ready to go,” Duvallier said. “Still ain’t. I care that I’m here. It’s the folks who came after me that are usin’ up resources I might want for myself. Sure, it’s pure selfish, but that’s the nature of the human organism. Fine word, ain’t that, organism? I got it outten
National Geographic
.”
    “I’m not going to sit here and argue ethics with a zombie who reads magazines,” Griffen said. “You’re gambling with people’s lives!”
    “Ain’t no finer currency, son.”
    “You think that you can take on every dragon in the state? If you take out one of us, you make enemies of a lot of powerful and dangerous people!”
    “And what do you plan to do about it?” Over his unlit cigar, Duvallier’s eyes glowed like embers.
    “The first move is yours,” Griffen said.
    “So we shifted from poker to chess,” Duvallier said, taking the cigar from his mouth. His leathery cheeks spread in a real smile. “You think an army scares me, son? All right, then, let’s see how your strategy works. You know how campaigns are run in this state?”
    “With or without your help?” Griffen challenged him.
    Duvallier leered. “Oh, with, boy, with. For a long time now. They run what they call a ‘jungle primary.’ Now, you know what the law of the jungle is, don’t you, son? Survival of the fittest. If you can keep your candidate alive until the primary, I’ll let her run. ’Fact, I’ll give her my support, and too bad for my other client. If not, well, then, it lays the question, don’t it?”
    Malcolm was aghast. “You can’t do that!”
    “Sure I can. It’s all a game, ain’t it? You better run along now,” Duvallier said. He flicked a hand toward the door. “Nice to meet you, Malcolm. You, too, Griffen. Lookin’ forward to seein’ you again. We’ll do lunch sometime.” Duvallier chuckled and put the cigar back in his mouth. “I like that phrase,
do lunch
. Funny thing, language. Take care of y’selves,