Smoke and Shadows Read Online Free PDF

began.
    â€œOne of the construction crew.” Her gaze switching to Tony, she added, “Hail the conquering hero! So, for an encore, do you think you could save Canadian television?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œWay to stop and consider it. Fine. Veronica, you’ve got dry cleaning to pick up. Here’s the slips.” Amy shoved a sheaf of pink paper into the new PA’s hand and closed her fingers around it. “And if Mr. Palimpter tries to make you pay, remind him that we’re on monthly billing and if he wants to know where his payment is for last the two months, tell him you’re just the messenger and he’s not to shoot you.”
    â€œIs he likely to?”
    â€œProbably not.”
    â€œDoesn’t the dry cleaner deliver?” Tony asked, abandoning an attempt to read what looked like a legal document upside down.
    Amy snorted. “Not for about two months now, funny thing. Oh, and while you’re out grab two grande Caffe Americanos, a tall cinnamon-spiced mochaccino, and three tall, bold of the day unless they’re Sulawesi, then get two of them and one decaf. Don’t panic, I wrote it down.” She snatched a ripped corner of paper clipped to a twenty up off her desk. “I had to print kind of small, but you should be able to read it.”
    â€œUnless they’re Sulwhat’s?”
    â€œSulawesi. Go! And smile, you’re in show business! So . . .” As Veronica ran for the door, she sat back down and flipped a strand of fuchsia hair back off her face. “. . . Zev’s still in with Mr. Bane, which gives you time to tell me all about last night.”
    Tony shrugged. “What’s to tell? I’m just not as used to this stuff as Daniel’s guys, so I panicked first.” Four years with Henry had taught him the most believable way to lie usually involved the truth. “You think it’s safe sending her for coffee? Isn’t that how you lost the last one?” Deflecting attention he’d always been good at.
    â€œTrial by fire. If she can handle Starbucks at lunchtime, she can handle . . . CB Productions, can I help you? One moment please.” Jabbing at the hold button, she leaned across her desk and yelled, “Barb, line three!”
    A faint, “Thanks, sweetie,” drifted out of the accounting office.
    â€œIntercom busted again?”
    â€œStill. Too bad it wasn’t Lee in the car. You could have given him mouth to mouth.”
    â€œIt was a car crash; he wasn’t drowning.”
    Amy looked arch. “So?”
    Before Tony could think of a suitable reply, the boss’ door opened and Zev emerged carrying a stack of CDs.
    â€œWell?” Amy asked.
    â€œHe wants Wagner.”
    â€œUnder the stunt? Isn’t that a little . . . Wagnerian?”
    Zev grinned. “Actually, yes.” Spotting Tony, he flushed and nodded toward the office. “CB says you can go right in.”
    The static in Tony’s radio seemed to be making patterns that were almost words.
    â€œTony?”
    He flicked at his ear jack and shot Zev half a reassuring smile as he started toward the open door. “It’s nothing.”
    â€œIf you’re sure . . .”
    â€œOh, yeah.” No. Maybe.
    To give CB credit, he’d spent no more cash on his office than he had on anyone else’s. The vertical blinds had come with the building, the rug that covered the industrial tile floor was the same cheap knockoff they used in Raymond Dark’s study, and the furniture had been jazzed up by the set builders to look less like Wal-Mart and more like Ethan Allan. The tropical fish tank and the three surviving fish had been used as a prop in episode two.
    Not that it mattered because at six six and close to three hundred pounds, Chester Bane dominated any room he was in.
    As Tony stepped onto the rug, he lifted his head slowly.
    Like a lion at feeding time . . .
    If lions had significantly receding