Of Grave Concern Part 29

"Five thousand," Armbruster said, fuming. "But that is the absolute limit. And you must sign the agreement now."

He removed a legal-looking paper from his coat pocket, unfolded it, and placed it on the table. He showed me where to sign, and I was still giggling as I took the pen, dipped it in ink, and scribbled my name at the bottom.

"Very good," he said, whisking the doc.u.ment away, folding it, and tucking it into the inside pocket of his suit. Then he removed a fat envelope from another pocket and counted out five thousand dollars in National Gold Bank Notes.

Then he tipped his hat and left, leaving the door open behind him.

I picked up the bills, then realized I had no pockets.

Calder appeared in the doorway.

"What was that all about?"

"I can't really tell you," I said, shoving the bills in his hands. "Here, put this in your pocket before I lose it."

"What in the world?"

"Don't let me spend it," I said. "Most of it is going to pay a debt in Cincinnati. What's left over-well, that I can spend. Just for the essentials, for me and Eddie."

"If you say so."

"I do."

He shoved the money in his pocket.

"There's another train this afternoon," he said. "Going west."

"What are you talking about?"

"You'll be wanting to leave now, I reckon," he said. "Maybe you'll want to stay for the service in the morning on Gospel Ridge. The Russian girl's family has come to claim her body, but it didn't seem right to send her off without a service. So Doc McCarty organized it. He said they don't speak much English, but they worked it out."

"That's nice," I said. "I'll stay for that."

Calder nodded.

"You know, we made a pretty good team."

"We did," Calder said.

"There could be some advantage to our teaming up."

"What do you mean?"

"Partners," I said. "A bounty hunter and a medium who talks to the dead. Murder, a specialty. Special rates for demons and ancient evils."

"Detectives," he said.

"Why not?" I asked. "I can see the sign now, maybe over an office near Doc McCarty's place on North Front. Calder and Wylde, Consulting Detectives-what do you think?"

"We could try it," he allowed. "On a month-to-month basis."

"Of course," I said. "Because I'm still headed west. Eventually. Then it's settled."

We shook hands.

Calder allowed himself a smile.

"Breakfast?" he asked.

"Absolutely," I said. "But I have to get out of these awful clothes first."

end.