Stalking the Dragon Read Online Free PDF Page A

critically down at the chimera, who was growling softly. “She still has a tendency to toe out with her left forefoot, and she's occasionally too slow dousing her flame when the judge examines her teeth.”
    â€œFive minutes,” repeated Mallory.
    â€œThat would certainly be a good deed,” said the Grundy. “But I am a demon: my nature precludes me from helping you, much as I would like to bring this to an immediate resolution. I am willing to pay you, but you will have to earn your money on your own, John Justin Mallory.”
    He turned his back and began working with the chimera again, and finally Mallory walked back out of the castle, followed by Felina, who had been remarkably quiet since the Grundy had melted the floor around her.
    â€œAll went well, I hope?” said a voice, and Mallory found himself facing Charlie the elf.
    â€œCould have been worse,” said the detective.
    â€œGood. Let's have a drink and discuss it. You buy the first four rounds.”
    â€œNo, thanks,” said Mallory.
    â€œBoy, you're not very grateful that I let you live, are you?” complained Charlie.
    â€œI've got work to do,” said Mallory without slowing down. “Besides, your boss wants you in the atrium.”
    The little elf's face brightened noticeably. “He does?”
    â€œAbsolutely.”
    â€œWhat for?” asked Charlie. “I'll bet it's a promotion.”
    â€œHe says Carmelita is hungry,” said Mallory, starting across the bridge.
    He looked back when he and Felina and reached the other side. Charlie was rooted to the spot, and was shaking so noticeably that Mallory could see it in the moonlight from eighty feet away.

C HAPTER 3
    6:37 PM –7:03 PM
    â€œHow did it go?” asked Winnifred as Mallory and Felina entered the office.
    â€œHe drives me crazy,” complained the detective. “He could pinpoint the thief and the damned dragon in twenty seconds if he wanted to.”
    â€œHe didn't steal Fluffy himself?”
    Mallory shook his head. “He wants us to find her.” He grimaced. “He's a sportsman . He wants the world to know his chimera is the better specimen.”
    â€œThen why—?”
    â€œWho the hell knows?” muttered Mallory. “For a being who revels in being Evil Incarnate, that son of a bitch has more ethical baggage than a professor of philosophy.”
    â€œYou're sure he wasn't responsible for this?” persisted Winnifred.
    â€œI'm sure,” said Mallory. “He's a lot of things good and bad, mostly bad—but he's not a liar.”
    â€œAll right,” she said. “There's been no message from Brody, no demand for ransom.”
    â€œDid his kennel manager show up or contact you?”
    â€œNo,” replied Winnifred. “I suppose our next step is to inspect the premises and see if the thief left any clues.”
    â€œYour next step is to feed the office cat,” said Felina.
    â€œWhat about the hot dog I bought you at Greasy Gus's on the way back?” asked Mallory.
    â€œThat was then, this is now,” said Felina.
    â€œ Then was about two minutes ago,” noted the detective.
    â€œThat long?” said Felina, emitting a small, ladylike burp. “No wonder I'm starving!”
    There was a knock at the door.
    â€œCome in,” said Winnifred.
    The door slowly opened to reveal an undernourished green-skinned gremlin. “Mr. Mallory?” he asked hesitantly. “And Colonel Carruthers?”
    â€œYes,” said Winnifred. “And you are?”
    â€œJeeves,” said the gremlin.
    â€œWe didn't order a butler,” said Mallory.
    â€œYou misunderstand,” said Jeeves.
    â€œIt's possible,” agreed Mallory. “I do that a lot these days. Why don't you enlighten me?”
    â€œI am Fluffy's personal kennel attendant,” said the gremlin. “I work for Mr. Brody.”
    â€œThat's right,” said Winnifred.