How Like an Angel

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Book: How Like an Angel Read Online Free PDF
Author: Margaret Millar
Tags: Crime Fiction
rouses mine, too, Brother.”
    Brother Heart looked as though he wanted to pursue the subject but didn’t dare pry into Sister Blessing’s affairs or state of mind. “Well, I’ll go now and make breakfast. I have the fire lit, won’t take a minute to boil some eggs for the two of us.”
    â€œWhy will there just be two of us?”
    Brother Heart’s pudgy face turned pink. “It will be more peaceful without Sister Contrition around, she’s the regular cook. Oh, but that woman’s a devil in the morning. Sour, there’s nothing worse than a woman gone sour.”
    By the time Quinn finished dressing and went over to the dining room, Brother of the Steady Heart had breakfast wait­ing on the table, boiled eggs and bread and jam. He continued the conversation as if it hadn’t been interrupted: “In my day, the ladies didn’t own such sharp tongues. They were quiet-spoken and fragile, and had small, delicate feet. Have you noticed what big feet the women have around here?”
    â€œNot particularly.”
    â€œAlas, they have. Very large, flat feet.”
    For all his barber-shop chattiness, Brother Heart seemed nervous. He barely touched his food and he kept glancing over his shoulder as if he expected someone to sneak up on him.
    Quinn said, “Why the big hurry to get rid of me before the others are up?”
    â€œWell, now. Well, I wouldn’t exactly put it that way.”
    â€œI would.”
    â€œIt has nothing to do with you personally, Mr. Quinn. It’s just, well, you might call it a precautionary measure.”
    â€œI might, if I knew what you were talking about.”
    Brother Heart hesitated for a moment, biting his underlip as though it itched to talk. “I suppose there’s no harm in telling you. It concerns Sister Contrition’s oldest child, Karma. Last time the truck was going to the city the girl hid in the back, under some burlap sacks. Brother Crown of Thorns drove halfway to San Felice before he discovered her. The burlap made her sneeze. Karma went to school for a while, it filled her head with bad ideas. She wants to leave here and find work in the city.”
    â€œAnd that’s not possible?”
    â€œOh no, no. The child would be lost in the city. Here at least she is poor among poor.”
    The sun was beginning to rise and a faint rosy glow filled the skylight. From the invisible Tower came the sound of the gong, and almost immediately Sister Blessing hurried in the door. “The truck is ready, Mr. Quinn. You mustn’t keep Brother Crown of Thorns waiting. Here, let me have your coat and I’ll give it a good brushing.”
    Quinn had already brushed it but he gave it to her anyway. She took it outside and made a few swipes at it with her hand.
    â€œCome along, Mr. Quinn. Brother Crown has a long day ahead of him.”
    He put his coat back on and followed her down the path to the dirt road. She said nothing about either the money or O’Gorman. Quinn had an uneasy feeling that she’d forgotten what happened the previous night and that she was a little crazier than he’d thought at first.
    An old Chevrolet truck, lights on and engine chugging, was parked in the middle of the road. Behind the wheel, wearing a straw hat over his shaved head, sat a man younger than the Brothers Quinn had met so far. Quinn guessed his age to be about forty. Brother Crown of Thorns acknowledged Sister Blessing’s introduction with a brief smile that revealed a front tooth missing.
    â€œAt San Felice, Brother Crown will let you off wherever you wish, Mr. Quinn.”
    â€œThanks,” Quinn said, getting into the truck. “But about O’Gor—”
    Sister Blessing looked blank. “Have a good trip. And drive carefully, Brother Crown. And don’t forget, if there are temptations in the city, turn your back. If people stare, lower your eyes. If they make remarks, be
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