Page 23 of Creature
Harry shrugged. He figuredthat was the case just about everywhere. He didn’t know why thiscity seemed to tolerate queers so readily, but somebody probablyprofited from it—and the cops profited fromthat.
“Tell me, Harry. What lineof work were you hoping to pursue here?”
“I don’t need a job rightaway. Like I said, Mr. Lord left me a little money. And, uh,something else maybe valuable.” Harry didn’t have to fake hisdiscomfort at this last part; he didn’t like discussing John as acommodity. And he was becoming increasingly unhappy about usingJohn as bait. But that was the assignment, wasn’t it? And withoutJohn, Harry might never get the goods on Swan, which meant Harrywould fail. Again.
Swan nodded thoughtfully. “I see. But Iassume you don’t possess enough to sustain you indefinitely.”
His mouth full of turkey, Harry shook hishead.
“Perhaps I could assist,”Swan said. He’d hardly eaten at all. “I have good contacts. Whatare your professional aspirations and experiences? Aside fromfilms, of course. I’m afraid I can’t help you there.” He smiledlike a crocodile, all sharp white teeth.
Harry wiped his lips with a napkin. “Look,Arthur. You see me. I’m just a hick from a whistle-stop town. I’veshucked corn, pulled weeds, hauled hay and manure. I don’t reckonthat’s useful to any of your contacts.”
“Not terribly, no. But youhad quite a different occupation with your deceased mentor, yes?Personal assistant, you said.”
“Yeah.”
Harry let that affirmation sit there, bluntand heavy, and Swan didn’t reply. He did, however, angle his bodysubtly in Harry’s direction. Harry just continued eating.
The longer Swan stared at him, the dirtierHarry felt. It didn’t help that after the Bureau had rejected him,when his hopes and cash had begun to wane, Harry had considered anarrangement similar to what he’d been hinting at with Swan. Find arich older man—LA was full of them—and persuade the guy to takeHarry on. As a gardener, maybe, or driver. Something that gave theman an excuse to keep Harry real close without anyone making a bigdeal of it. And if Harry’s services extended from the flowerbeds orlimo to the bedroom, well, that was better than living on thestreets. Wasn’t it?
If Harry had stumbled onto such a wealthyman, he might very well have swallowed his pride. Hell, he’dalready had trouble looking at himself in the mirror anyway.
Swan changed the subject, going on aboutrenovations he’d recently had done to his kitchen, the new car hewas considering buying, and his excitement about television.Portland’s first station was due to begin broadcasting soon. Harrynodded at the right spots, but it was clear that Swan didn’t expecthim to add anything.
After the plates werecleared and more drinks arrived, the predatory gleam returned toSwan’s eyes. “Perhaps you and I might discuss potential employmentopportunities for you. After we get toknoweach other a little better ofcourse.” Perhaps that emphasis onknowwas meant to assure that Harrycaught his meaning.
“Told you. I’m not lookingfor a job right now.”
“Whatareyou looking for,Harry?”
Harry pretended to think this overcarefully, choosing his words at length, even though he’d rehearsedthis with the Bureau. “Can I be frank, Arthur?”
“I rather hope youwill.”
“All right.” A heavy sigh.“I didn’t exactly find you by accident. Least not if you’re who Ithink.”
“Whom do you think Iam?”
Harry looked around as if checking foreavesdroppers, then leaned forward and lowered his voice. “Mr.Lord, he was an inventor and scientist. Those were his hobbies, Imean. His real job was a lawyer.”
“Yes?”
“The particular things hewas… studying…. Look, I don’t know much about it. I’m no scientist,and he didn’t tell me much. Secret, he said. But he gave me acouple of peeks, some hints, and that… that gift he left me. So Ihave a general idea what he was up to.”
“Which was?” It was Swan’sturn to lean forward. And now Harry felt every bit the predator—afisherman slowly reeling in his catch.
“Can’t tell you. Not now.But one night when he was drunk he said something interesting. Saidthat up in Portland, a fellow was doing work like his, studying thesame thing.”
Already pale, Swan’s complexion whitenedanother shade. “Why would he think this?”
“Dunno, not exactly. Buthe was a lawyer, remember? He had access to all kinds ofinformation. A couple of private dicks on his payroll too. He wasgood at finding things out.”
Swan pursed his lips so tightly that itlooked painful. A thousand different thoughts seemed to be flashingthrough his eyes as he kept his gaze on Harry’s face. Oddly, Swan’sdiscomfort relaxed Harry, maybe because making someone else feelill at ease was rare for him. It was kind of powerful, really.
“This has all been aswindle of some kind?” Swan spat the words fiercely.
“No, I’m just beingcareful. I don’t know if you’re the right man. Mr. Lord didn’t tellme the fellow’s name. After he died, I had a look at some of thenotes Mr. Lord took after he talked to his private dicks. Theydidn’t give a name either, but they described him. Named some ofthe bars he goes to. You fit.”
