Read Online Rumors from the Lost World by Alan Davis - Free Book Online Page B

stiff, barely pays his bills. Am I right, Leonie? You just don’t know how to bullshit a bullshitter. Play your cards right, I might be willing to teach you.”
    Trudy walked into the room. Levoski, red-faced, took the business card from his damp pocket and tore it in half. Raines turned and shook his head cheerlessly. “Don’t be a fool. If I thought you were a total moron, I’d con you out of your shirt. But I think we can use each other, my man. Besides, I like to help poor buggers crawl out of the gutters.”
    â€œBaby, don’t be mean, you really have a mean streak,” Trudy said. “Anyway, they’re waiting for you downstairs.”
    Raines picked up his pouch of tobacco and emptied it into the fireplace. “Damn stuff is stale,” he said. He gave Levoski’s shoulder a squeeze. “What’s up, my man? You’re not ready to party? Have some fun? Isn’t that what we’re here for, why we’re on this good earth? For fun? Or did you want Trudy to set you up with fingernail polish?” He smirked. “She sells that Mary Kay crap, you know.”
    â€œIt’s not crap, goddammit,” Trudy said. “Besides, what paid the mortgage last month, your stock market crash or my troop of ladies?”
    â€œCome on, leave her alone,” Levoski said, still sitting heavily on the ottoman, but coming out of his stupor. “What are you, some kind of attack dog?”
    â€œWitty guy.” Raines whooped. “You hear that, Tru? Leo is a wit.” He squeezed the roofer’s shoulder again. “I’ll tell you one thing, though. It’s good to see your spirit soar. I’m glad you had the guts to say that, Leonie. Not many talk back to the T. J. Raines.”
    â€œCome on, sweetiepies,” Trudy said. “Let’s party. Be nice, both of you. Give him the business if he wants it, T. J. For God’s sake. We’re starting a New Year.”
    â€œI didn’t come here looking for no business.”
    â€œIs that right, my man? What you come here looking for, then? Maybe I’m wrong, Leo. Maybe you belong on somebody’s roof. Maybe I’ll see you around sometimes.” He spit into the now-smouldering fire.
    â€œBaby. Take it easy.” Bracelet jingling, fingernails the color of chrome, she put a damp hand on his upper arm. “Remember your blood pressure. Remember your resolution?”
    â€œYeah, right.” Raines turned to Levoski with a boyish grin. “You know how important my blood pressure’s become, Leo? I’ve got a goddamn cuff next to the toilet.” He whooped. “Can you imagine that? You were a big strapping kid, a football player I bet, a big strong piece of meat. You ever think it might come to this?” He opened his arms wide and puffed out his chest, as though presenting his heart to the room. “Well, what the hell. Make yourself at home. Take a nap if you want. I’m just real sorry I’m moody tonight. When I was a kid, I had a bad relationship with my old man. That kind of stuff gets to you, know what I mean?” Downstairs, people were stomping, clapping, shouting hysterically. “Look, when somebody hits on you, you hit back. It’s natural, the way we’re made. Kabisch?” He fingered a gold-plated crucifix around his neck. “I’ve dealt with some sleazeballs, Leo, that’s the bottom line. The stories I could tell would make your dick crawl right up into the middle of your face. But I can see I had you pegged all wrong, so let’s forgive and forget. One happy family?”
    He made muscles with both arms. “It’s time for my entrance,” he said. “Leo, get yourself composed and come on down, join the rest of the animals. I’ll see you get exactly what you deserve.” Levoski sat very still for a few minutes, working up his nerve, telling himself there was something he had to do, right now, and