A Gambling Man by David Baldacci (best short books to read txt) 📗

go to Bay Town. Maybe you should go to Hollywood, but change your name. All those folks do, right?”

“But if I get in pictures, he’ll recognize me, even if I change my name. Hell, he might even try to blackmail me.”

Archer nodded slowly. “That’s true. So what do you want to do?”

“I think we should stay together,” she said. “And go to Bay Town. I can hang around long enough to see if the guy shows up.”

“But you don’t have to do that. You can go lie low somewhere else.”

“And leave you all by your lonesome? What kind of a fink do you think I am?”

They sat in silence until their meals came. Archer was lost in thought and Callahan was lost in more Camels.

They ate and put down money for their bill. When the waitress came over to collect it, Archer asked if there was a place to stay the night.

“Yes, it’s right down the street, called the Coalinga House. They do overnights and they have vacancies right now. Knock hard, they might have gone to bed. Mildred Hawks is the owner’s name. She’s nice. Tell her Katy sent you.”

*  *  *

They walked out, got into the Delahaye, and drove the short distance to the Coalinga House. It was a broad plank-and-brick building with a porch down the front and a row of rocking chairs lined up like toy soldiers alongside little pots with fresh flowers. There was a concrete statue of a kitten playing cute on the first step up to the porch.

“Well, at least it doesn’t look like a place where we can get into too much trouble, Archer.”

The door was painted red and Archer had to pound on it for a full minute before they heard footsteps pecking on the floor toward them.

The door opened and there stood, presumably, Mildred. She was in her sixties with long, braided gray hair flipped over one granny-robed shoulder. She looked sleepy and annoyed at the same time.

“Yes?”

“We need a place to stay,” said Archer. “Just got in town. Katy at Clancy’s recommended you. I’m assuming you’re Mildred?”

Mildred nodded warily and then eyed Callahan with a severe eye. “I’ve only got one room available.”

Callahan said, “One is all we need.”

“Then you’re married?”

She said, “We’re driving in from Reno. Who goes to Reno except to get hitched?”

Mildred’s gaze swept down to their hands. “And where are your rings then?”

Callahan’s expression turned to one of despair. “Can you believe it, we were robbed on the way? We’ve reported it, but the police don’t hold out much hope.”

“If you were just married, you must have your certificate.”

“That was with the things that were stolen,” said Callahan mournfully. “Along with something borrowed and something blue. Crappy way to start a honeymoon, huh? I’ve had to work hard not to cry my eyes out.”

This stream of lies so confidently told seemed to soften Mildred up. She opened the door wider. “I have a place at the top of the stairs. Bathroom down the hall.”

“That sounds perfect,” replied Callahan. She turned to Archer. “Well, honey?”

“Well what?” said Archer.

“Aren’t you going to carry me over the threshold?” She looked at Mildred. “Men, right? They’re like little boys who have to be constantly told to blow their noses and to lift the seat on the toilet.”

Mildred gave her a knowing look and stepped back out of the way. “Okay, young man, go ahead. Do your duty.”

He picked Callahan up effortlessly, swung her through, and set her down.

“There you go, honey,” he said. “Hope you’re happy.”

Mildred said, “Well, aren’t you going to kiss, too? That’s all part of it.”

Callahan and Archer exchanged nervous glances. “Sure,” said Callahan. She leaned over and planted a kiss on Archer. She was about to pull away, but then didn’t. They wrapped their arms around each other and lingered. When they pulled apart, each looked as surprised as the other.

A breathless and flushed Callahan smoothed down her dress while Archer adjusted his tie.

Mildred said, “Well, you two are definitely married. I know love when I see it.”

On that comment, neither Callahan nor Archer would look at the other.

“There’s a pot of coffee on that table over there in the morning,” said Mildred. “Let’s get you signed in.”

Later, after they were in their room, they took turns changing in the bathroom down the hall. Archer put on dark pajamas and Callahan a long white sleeping gown with a slit of interesting elevation, a few fluffy feathers, and nothing on underneath.

They lay in the one narrow bed and Callahan said, “You really thought I’d just up and leave you to those killers?”

He turned to the side to look at her. She did likewise, perching her cheek on her palm as she studied him.

“It’s not like you owe me anything, Liberty.”

“We’re friends, aren’t we?”

“We just met.”

“So is there a rule that you have to know somebody a certain amount of time before they can be friends?”

“No.”

“And it seems to me that we’ve already shared a bunch of stuff that people who are friends their whole lives haven’t.”

“Well, being almost killed on three separate occasions over the span of twenty-four hours is unusual, I’ll give you that.”

“Do you consider yourself my friend?”

“Yes, I do,” he said.

“Okay, then it’s all settled.”

She lay back down. But Archer didn’t move. He just watched her.

She seemed to sense this because she said, “Under normal circumstances, Archer, I’d be having certain feelings for you lying here like we are. Especially after that kiss…” She shot him a glance full of curiosity. “Just so you know.”

“Nothing remotely normal about our circumstances. But I feel the same way, just so you know.”

This made her smile. She reached out a hand and he took it.

Archer lay back down. And they both fell asleep hand in hand.

Chapter 15

ARCHER WAS UP EARLY, and he brought a sleepy Callahan a cup of coffee from the pot Mildred had mentioned. After that he took the Delahaye for a gas fill-up. When he got back Callahan was dressed and ready to go.

“That’s