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[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
teased. Hope you found everything to your likin .
Mortified, Clarice didn t know where to look but Otis calmly stepped into the
breach. It s a fine closet that you keep, George. Very neat and convenient. With a
friendly nod, he urged Clarice into the elevator.
69
Anny Cook
She faced the corner and slowly, deliberately thumped her head against the wall.
My reputation is in shreds, she moaned.
Nah. Not at all. Now if we fucked in the elevator&
Whirling around to face him, she shook her finger almost in his face. Don t you
even think about it! They have cameras in the elevators!
He caught her finger between his lips and gently nipped it with his teeth. I know.
That s why I chose the closet. His statement was so outrageous that Clarice couldn t
think of any suitable retort. He crowded her back in the corner, tilted up her chin and
brushed his cool lips over her hot red cheeks before claiming her warm mouth. She
squeaked in protest before melting into his kiss. Only Otis could make her completely
forget her surroundings.
With a jerk, the elevator stopped and the doors slid open. The people waiting for
the elevator started clapping. Clarice moaned as Otis lifted his head. Remember I love
you, he whispered. Then taking her hand in his, he turned with a cheerful smile and
led her past the small group waiting for the elevator. All yours!
When they were safely ensconced in his office with their coats hung up and the
door locked, he placed the crumpled envelope on the desk in front of Clarice as she sat
across from him. Let s see what Euphemia left in her will.
Reluctantly, Clarice smoothed the wrinkles and slit the envelope. A small key
tumbled onto the desk. She peered in the envelope and spotted a thin sheet of paper.
Pulling it out, she unfolded it and spread it on the desktop.
Well, I sure hope that you re the one reading this, Clarice. If not, we ve lost more than an
inheritance we ve lost the elemental heritage. The key is for a locker at my second home. You ll
find the inheritance I stole from you when Gran died. It was supposed to be yours but it pissed
me off when Gran called me a bastard slut. I don t know whether I would have given it to you
otherwise or not.
70
Rescuing Clarice
Do you know how hard it is to be talentless when everyone else is an elemental? I grew up
thinking there was something wrong with me until Gran told me that Papa wasn t even my
father. Seems our mama had a little fling when you were two years old and I was the booby prize.
Oops! That s why Papa left, you know. He was tired of Mama screwing around. I guess she was
tired of being a talentless nobody too.
Anyway, you go find your inheritance. Study it carefully and it might lead you down the
glittering path to the shining circle at sunset. At least, that s what Gran said to tell you.
Euphemia
Tears glittered in Clarice s dark eyes, waiting to spill. Is anything the truth? she
burst out in anguish. Why did no one tell me?
Secrets. Otis cursed under his breath. Do you know where she s talking about in
this letter?
She sucked in a deep breath. Of course. There s only one place that could be. From
the time she was old enough to get a job, she practically lived at the mall.
The mall? Otis stared at her as though she d lost her mind. Your sister hid your
inheritance at the mall?
If you knew Euphemia, it would make perfect sense to you, she said tiredly.
Perfect sense. She was a mall rat before that expression was even coined. Abruptly,
she laid her head down on the desk and wept. Otis grabbed a box of tissues and set
them on the desk. Then he went around, picked her up and sat down in the chair with
her on his lap. And held her while she cried. Looking back, he realized that she had
never mourned. Not when her apartment was trashed. Not when Euphemia s body was
discovered. Not when they were kidnapped. So it was past time for her mourn. And she
had more than enough to mourn for.
* * * * *
71
Anny Cook
Later in the afternoon as Jack silently drove them to the mall, Otis explained the
contents of the letter to Jack and Fred. Fred grunted in reaction as a heavy silence fell
over the car. Then Fred asked, What was your Gran s name?
My grandmother s name? Clarice frowned. Why do you want to know?
Fred shrugged. Perhaps the people chasin y all are connected to your Gran.
I don t think so, she said doubtfully. But her name was Annora McNamara.
Fred slewed around in the seat to stare at her in astonishment. You re part of the
McNamara clan?
Holy cow! No wonder everybody and their brothers are after you! Jack declared
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Dobre pomysły nie mają przeszłości, mają tylko przyszłość. Robert Mallet
De minimis - o najmniejszych rzeczach.
Dobroć jest ważniejsza niż mądrość, a uznanie tej prawdy to pierwszy krok do mądrości. Theodore Isaac Rubin
Dobro to tylko to, co szlachetne, zło to tylko to, co haniebne.
Dla człowieka nie tylko świat otaczający jest zagadką; jest on nią sam dla siebie. I z obu tajemnic bardziej dręczącą wydaje się ta druga. Antoni Kępiński (1918-1972)
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