The Maestro's Apprentice Read Online Free PDF Page B

treasures down on my head. Now let’s see…not much here that’s still good, except biscuits.” He squinted at her neck. “Something bite you, cherie ?”
    Tina gave Autumn a horrified look. Autumn shook her head to signal it was okay.
    “Yeah,” she said. “Looks like a couple of mosquitoes got into the room last night.” Tina reached up and clasped her hand around her neck. “Big ones,” she said.
    “Even this time of year.” Luis shook his head. “Something always trying to eat you in this town.” He looked at Tina. “You look like you’re falling down, my love. Go home and rest. Come see me later. I’ll take care of your pretty friend.”
    Tina yawned and nodded. “Sounds like a good idea.” To Autumn, she said, “Watch out for this guy. He tries to be smooth.”
    He flipped a dish towel and caught her on the ass. “Get out of here. You’re bad for my game.” His smile disappeared and he regarded Autumn more seriously as he put some biscuits in a plastic bag. “How many of you are there?”
    “Th…two,” Autumn said. “Just the two of us. I really appreciate this. We forgot to bring something to our room last night and she’s not in any condition to go out to lunch.”
    “I understand, I understand. Here is some jam for you…and some cheese. This isn’t left over, but it’s better than just biscuit, no? Tina, she’s my friend. So…I take care of her friend.” He held out the bag. Autumn reached for it. He pulled it back. “No. First you have to tell me…what is your story?”
    “My story?”

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    “Why not? Everyone has a story. Especially people who come to this place. Tina doesn’t roll with people she doesn’t think are interesting. So. What makes you interesting?”
    Autumn dropped her gaze to the floor under his scrutiny, suddenly very aware she was alone with this strange man, who was eyeing her almost aggressively. “We’re just traveling,” she said. Then she thought, why not tell him at least part of it? She sighed.
    “Okay, I’ll tell you. But you can’t tell anyone else. I’m with a girl. I mean, she’s my girlfriend. But I really like guys, and I really just want to spend my time in New Orleans having a good time. So I went for a walk to see what I could get into.”
    “Is that so?” he asked. “What sort of trouble you looking for?”
    Autumn shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess I’ll know it when I see it. Where’s a good place to go for a drink this time of day?”
    “You really are serious. Out for a good time, eh? Too bad I’m such a nice guy. I could show you some things.” He handed her a plastic bundle, which she put into her pack, and told her how to find Lafitte’s Blacksmith’s Shop at the end of Bourbon Street.
    “Be careful, lovely lady,” he teased. “It’s still haunted by the ghost of the mad pirate Jean Lafitte. In fact, it’s his bar.”
    Autumn thanked him and struck out on her own, enjoying the feeling of not having to think about what anyone else wanted to do, or doing what she was told. For a little while at least, she had only to do what she wanted. She even enjoyed the strange, prickly feeling of being watched, inventing stories about a dangerous man catching up with her and pushing her into a dark corner, instead of merely telling herself it was her imagination.

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    She wasn’t prepared to find herself in an ancient, pitch-black building. The only electric light she could see was over the bar. There was a television there too, but the sound was on very low. A few men sat at the bar, chatting with a strung-out-looking bartender. He met her eyes immediately. “Yes?” he said.
    “Can I have a, uh…drink?” she asked.
    “What’ll it be?”
    “Get the lady a shot of Chartreuse,” said a gravelly voice behind her, making her jump. It belonged to a good-looking guy with a face that wasn’t exactly chiseled, or weathered. It was a good, solid face that looked like it had seen a thing or two. His brown hair was