Devil May Care Read Online Free PDF Page A

"Hey. What about those stories I been hearing? You know what I mean, of' boy--you know any of those guys? You know who I mean. Can't say anything more; ladies present. But you know--" "Oh, yes," Ted said. "I know what you mean."
    Henry was feeling no pain, but he was dimly aware of an aura of disapproval emanating strongly from certain quarters. He was relieved when Grant said pleasantly, "I suppose you're a Redskin fan, Henry? Seasonticket holder?"
    Now it must be explained that season tickets to Washington football games are a prestige symbol.
    They are jealously guarded, and it is almost necessary to inherit them from a friend. Henry hesitated, but not for long.
    "Not that enthusiastic anymore," he said nonchalantly.
    "Oh, I enjoy a good game now and then; go with friends when I'm in the mood. Team's gone downhill lately."
    E4 Elizabeth Peters
    "How true," Grant said. "Actually, I'm a Baltimore fan myself. They're a young team, with a great young quarterback. I think he'll be as great as Tar- kenton one of these days."
    "No." Henry shook his head. Once he had started shaking it he couldn't seem to stop. "Tarkenton's the greatest. Of all time. Broke all the records."
    "Not quite all," Kate said.
    She was sitting with her elbows on the table-- uncouth, Henry thought dimly--and her chin propped on her hands. Her eyes were enormous; her hypnotic blue gaze held Henry, so that he was able to stop shaking his head. The eyes seemed to be getting bigger and bigger, and he had the strangest feeling that he was going to be drawn into the blue depths and drowned.
    "All the records," he said firmly. "Used to be Unitas.
    The greatest. Now it's Tarkenton. The greatest."
    "Do you really think so?" Kate said flatly.
    Grant chuckled.
    "No fair, Kate. Poor Henry doesn't realize he's treading on sacred ground. You see, Henry, Kate has a favorite--" "Oh," Henry said. Now he knew why Ellie was making faces at him again. He had forgotten their conversation in the car. Ellie should have reminded him. But it wasn't too late. He could still retrieve his near error. He smiled widely at Kate.
    "Not quite, not quite. Thought you'd catch me, didn't you? Oh, no. Not me. Greatest of ' all.
    Greatest quarterback the Redskins ever had; any team ever had ... uh ... Billy Kilmer!"
    CHAPTER TWO.
    It was necessary to leave early the next morning, since Kate's flight from Dulles departed at ten. Henry's alarm woke him at six. In the first moments he couldn't tell whether the pounding noise came from rain on the roof or the interior of his skull. He had not been aware of drinking that much, but his physical symptoms and the haziness of his memory indicated that he had.
    Maybe haziness wasn't the right word. He couldn't remember a damned thing that had happened after dinner, and his memories of the period before that were somewhat chaotic. They had talked about wine, he remembered that much; and then about football.
    ... Kate had tried to trick him--or maybe it was one of her jokes--she had a peculiar sense of humor, that woman. But he hadn't fallen for the trick.
    Thinking was a strain. It was too much for his poor head. Groaning, he dragged himself out of bed and got dressed. As he shaved he remembered the rutted road leading from the estate to the highway and groaned again. His car would be absolutely filthy.
    In this he was correct, but he had no time to brood about it beforehand. Kate was affable enough-- suspiciously so, if Henry had been in any condition
    26 Elizabeth Peters to notice--but she kept him busy with chores and rushed him out of the house as soon as he had forced down some breakfast. She was wearing slacks and a trench coat buckled tightly around her impossibly small waist; before they went out the door she added a hat to this costume. It was a sou'wester, of a particularly virulent crimson.
    Ellie hadn't dressed. She was wearing a soft, flowing robe; her curls were tumbled and her eyes were heavy. She embraced her aunt and mumbled, "Have a