Read Online The Garneau Block by Todd Babiak - Free Book Online Page B

home.Four blocks away, with the flashing lights visible behind the Garneau Theatre, it was obvious something had gone wrong. Madison’s first worry was that her parents were dead. A break-in, a fire, a violent left-wing reprisal against David Weiss.
    They reached the roadblocks as fast as Madison could drag the stumbling, mumbling Jonas, and the policewoman guided them to a safe place to wait out the ordeal. Madison was pleased to see her parents and Jonas was pleased to see a soft patch of grass. Luckily, one of the ambulances had several extra woollen blankets. Madison covered him up.
    So what did they know? They knew that Benjamin, who Jeanne had kicked out, was back in the house. They knew he was drunk and raving and that he had a gun. What was he thinking? Well, no answers there.
    Now, more than two weeks later, Jonas concluded his exploratory interview with the Latin American men working in the front yard by shaking their hands and kissing their cheeks. He reported back to Madison with a cringe.
    â€œWhat did they say? Who hired them?”
    â€œTheir accent is strong, their vocabulary is quite advanced, and they talk really fast. I’m only in level two Spanish.”
    â€œBut you spoke to them. In Spanish.”
    â€œI did, I did. But I opened with buenas tardes so flawlessly they must’ve figured I was bilingual. After the first bit I just nodded and said si, si .”
    â€œSo you don’t know who hired them?”
    Jonas attempted to flatten the pillow swirls in his hair. “I didn’t catch anything like that. But I think they’re looking forward to Christmas time, and they enjoy living here inCanada.” He turned around, southward, and raised his hand to block the sun. “Hey. Hey, hello to you!”
    On the opposite sidewalk, in a suit and carrying a stiff black briefcase, stood the young Indian man from across the street. The young Indian man from across the street looked around to make sure Jonas was speaking to him. Then he waved and started up the red stone walk leading to 13 Garneau.
    â€œNow that is a good-looking gent.”
    Madison nodded.
    â€œHave you ever heard him speak? Or seen him with anyone?”
    Madison shook her head.
    â€œDo you think he’s a member of India’s secret service?”
    â€œNo, Jonas.”
    â€œLet’s ask him right now if he wants to go on a date with you. Unless, of course, there’s a language barrier.”
    Jonas began pulling Madison’s arm. She resisted, and eventually kicked him. “Absolutely not.”
    â€œDid you see that briefcase? That means he’s employed. You have to ask him out.”
    â€œWhy, because I’m such a sweet catch? I’m sure he’s looking for a pregnant travel agent who lives in her parents’ basement.”
    â€œSometimes you’re just miserable, Madison, and I have to say it affects your degree of attractiveness.”
    â€œYou go talk to him. You can practise another pretend foreign language.”
    Jonas started to push Madison across the street. She was just about to get a hand free and slap his heavily moisturized face when Garith barked. The cleaners inside 10 Garneau were coming out.

 
    16
    massage therapy
    R aymond Terletsky didn’t understand what they had all expected to learn from the cleaning crew that had been inside 10 Garneau. Surely they knew blood was nearly impossible to remove from hardwood, especially after settling in for two weeks. Had they hoped to extract some deep human truth or even Jeanne’s new address from Sandi, the only person among the cleaners who spoke fluent English?
    The neighbours seemed particularly disappointed when Sandi raised one eyebrow and answered their concerns with a query of her own:
    â€œYeah, any you guys got a smoke I could bum?”
    Sitting on the sidewalk in lawnchairs, drinking two Heineken and talking about peak oil with David Weiss, had been somewhat comical, especially when