In the Drink Read Online Free PDF Page A

Milwaukee area that have seen or read the news reports about me. Many of the letter writers have been supportive or at least neutral, and a few even asked if I would provide private fortunetelling services for them. Two letters came with checks and questions the senders wanted me to answer. I returned those, along with the money and an explanation that I’m not a fortune-teller. Those were amusing, but several other letters I’ve received have been anything but. For instance, I got one last week from a religious fanatic who calls himself Apostle Mike. He thinks I’m an abomination in desperate need of saving and redemption if I’m to have any hope of ascending to heaven. Another letter that came a few days ago accused me of being a charlatan who’s trying to sucker poor unsuspecting people into paying money so I can scam them with some made-up prophecies.”
    â€œGeez,” Cora said, frowning. “Why didn’t you tell us about these letters?”
    â€œI didn’t see any reason to. I’ve discussed them with Duncan, though only in general terms, and he feels they’re harmless. I haven’t told him about this one yet, though,” I said, pointing to the latest letter. “Do you think I should?”
    Frank said, “Do you think it’s real? It could be nothing more than a practical joke, a sick one, I’ll grant you, but still . . .”
    â€œI don’t think she can ignore it,” Joe said. “The stakes are too high.”
    â€œI’m with Joe,” Cora said. “I think we should run it by Duncan.”
    Part of me was glad they felt Duncan needed to be involved, if only because I wanted so badly to see him.
    Frank frowned and shook his head. “I’m not convinced it’s real. It’s probably someone’s perverted idea of a joke. Or maybe it’s someone in the Capone Club, trying out a new crime puzzle on us.”
    â€œI don’t think anyone in our group would be this twisted,” Joe said. “Real or not.”
    â€œDo you think it’s legit?” Cora asked me.
    I thought a minute before I answered. “I do, mainly because there is something unusual about the letter. And that makes me think that whoever wrote it is serious about testing me. If they’re crazy enough to do that, who’s to say what else they might do?”
    â€œWhat’s unusual about it?” Joe asked.
    â€œIt’s written by hand in a fancy, calligraphic style, but the ink sounds unusual.”
    â€œIt sounds unusual?” Cora said, settling onto the couch and opening her laptop.
    â€œYes,” I said. “All inks come with sounds for me. For instance, when I look at a typed-out letter of any sort, I can tell if the ink is from an ink jet printer or a laser printer because the ink sounds different. I think it’s because they smell different. The ink used in the majority of pens is distinctive, too, and they all have underlying associated sounds. But this ink doesn’t sound like any I’ve ever heard before.”
    Cora started tapping the keys on her laptop. “I don’t think we’ve cataloged any of your reactions related to ink or paper before, but let me search through what we’ve recorded in the database so far to make sure.”
    â€œIn the meantime, you should call Duncan,” Joe said.
    â€œBut the letter makes it clear I shouldn’t do that. If I do, it puts all of you in danger.”
    â€œ If it’s serious,” Frank said. “I suspect it’s a lot of bluff and blunder. Besides, Joe and I can take care of ourselves. And I suspect Cora here can, too.”
    â€œI can’t risk that on a guess. What if the sender targets someone else, like one of my employees, or someone else in the Capone Club?” I shook my head. “I couldn’t live with that.”
    Cora said, “If you don’t involve Duncan, your chances of figuring this out on