Read Online The Doctor Dines in Prague by Robin Hathaway - Free Book Online

laughing, singing, and dancing, after the shop closed. He had to have one. He would buy one—for Marie, of course. But which one? They were all wonderful. Should he close his eyes and take the first one he touched? No. One seemed to be looking at him more plaintively than the others. The jester. His silvery satin suit was decorated with scarlet pom-poms and his jaunty scarlet cap bore a silver bell at the tip. His smooth, pale face was accented with red at the cheekbones and his rouged mouth turned up slightly at the corners. His eyes were the only sad note. Larger than life, they reflected the sadness behind most jests. Like a puppy in a pet shop, Fenimore could almost hear the marionette pleading, Take me home. Take me home. He reached out and lifted the jester from his peg.
    â€œAh,” Ilsa expressed her approval. “Kasparek, the clown.”
    â€œFor my little cousin,” Fenimore explained.

    â€œOf course.” She nodded knowingly.
    The shopkeeper wrapped the marionette in tissue paper, carefully separating the strings so they wouldn’t become tangled, before tucking him in a box.
    â€œMarie will love her gift,” Ilsa said with a twinkle, as they left the shop.
    â€œHmm.” At the mention of his cousin, Fenimore glanced at his watch. “I’d better go home and check my e-mail,” he said, “and find out if she arrived safely.”
    â€œYou don’t have to go home to do that.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œWe have cyberstations right here in town. Look, there’s one.” She pointed to a red-and-blue neon sign: CYBER CAFE. “They rent computer time. For a small fee they’ll set you up online.”
    â€œI’ll be damned.” Fenimore was impressed.
    â€œWe are very up-to-date these days in Praha.”
    Â 
    A voice informed him in Czech, “You have mail,” and a succinct message followed.

    Marie and Jiri arrived safely.
Love, J, D, H, M, Jiri, and Sal.

    As Fenimore entered Jennifer’s e-mail address, Ilsa peered over his shoulder, lending encouragement.
    With one finger he awkwardly typed, Message received. (Mrs. Doyle did all the typing in his office.)

    Love to all,
    F.

    When Fenimore signed off, Ilsa said, “Shall we have a drink to celebrate?”
    Surprised by a slight tingle where she touched his arm, he followed her eagerly across the street to the lighted café.

CHAPTER 12
    Fenimore woke with a slight hangover. The beer had been good, but even the best beer can have ill effects if you overdo it. He was a little hazy about how he got home. He had a vague memory of hailing a cab. But it was Ilsa who had given the driver directions. He remembered being surprised that she knew where he lived, but decided he must have told her during the course of the long evening.
    He rolled off the couch and stood up. “Ohh.” He headed for the bathroom and ran the cold water full-force. Grabbing a washcloth, he soaked it under the spigot and pressed it to his forehead. That woman sure had a head for liquor. She had matched his beers—two for one. With his free hand, he fumbled through the medicine cabinet, looking for aspirin. No luck. He must go to the store today and stock up. He staggered back to the couch and lay down again. A loud banging on the apartment door brought him upright. Quickly pulling his trousers on over his long johns, he went to the door. “Who is it?”
    â€œSuper. Open up.”
    He finished fastening his belt and opened the door.
    â€œinže.” ( “Rent.” ) The surly man blurted the word.
    â€œBut surely my cousins …”

    â€œPro Brezen, ne Duben.” ( “For March, not April.” )
    The man was probably within his rights—although it was only March 31! “Just a minute.” Fenimore went to the coffee table where he had dropped his wallet the night before. The super followed close behind. Fenimore skimmed through his foreign