The Royal Family Read Online Free PDF Page A

her, he saw her run into the parking garage.
     

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    Did she say she knew the Queen?
    No, but she implied it.
    Did she say she knew the Queen? his boss repeated.
    No.
    Okay. Do you believe she knows the Queen?
    Yes.
    Do you believe she knows that you believe it?
    Yes.
    Can you give me a basis for your belief?
    When I said that a pretty girl like her probably got a lot of people to tell her things, she was flattered. She relaxed. She opened up, so to speak—
    Are you emotionally compromised?
    Tyler sighed. —Not yet, boss.
    I think I understand. And then?
    She made a reference to the parking garage. She said she never goes there. It’s on the tape. You heard it?
    It’s not my policy to comment on what I did or did not hear. Not to you. So let’s keep rolling.
    Well, then I said I knew what parking garage she was referring to and I winked at her. Then she laughed.
    So it was nonverbal?
    Yes.
    I follow. Do you believe that she believes the parking garage is where the Queen stays?
    Yes.
    And do you also believe that the parking garage is where the Queen stays?
    Yes.
    Okay. So we’re ready to meet the Queen.
    Yes.
    Do you believe that we’re ready to meet the Queen?
    Yeah, I guess so.
    Are you sure?
    No.
    Why aren’t you sure?
    Maybe she’s dangerous.
    How might she be dangerous?
    I don’t know, boss. But I’ll tell you honestly. I didn’t believe in this at first, but now it’s starting to spook me.
    What can she do to you?
    Probably nothing that I can’t do back to her.
    Do you want to go in?
    I’ll do it.
    Would you rather have more time?
    Yes.
    Is it because you want more expense money?
    Oh, partly. And partly because I don’t know what we’ll find.
    Don’t worry about money, Henry, said his boss with surprising gentleness. I promise I’ll take care of you. Will you go in with me tomorrow?
    Okay.
    Do you want to go in with me or would you rather go in alone? Don’t lie to me.
    I’d rather go in alone. I don’t know how good your breaking and entering skills are, Mr. Brady. You already told me that private eye stuff isn’t your field. And it makes me uneasy when a client wants to help me break the law. But I don’t mind if you have a good reason, or if you get off on participating, just like Domino said. In my book, you’re emotionally compromised. But if you want to distract the ticket guy that’d be useful.
    I get the hint, said Brady with a grin. It’s okay. I trust you.
     

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    Past the boarded-up bakery on Larkin Street Tyler wandered the following forenoon, his hand on his wallet as if life were really good, past the school sign and into the dark garage. —It’s a perfect place, Brady had said. Nobody’s ever here. Nobody but whores. —Tyler walked back to the bakery, got into his car, and drove up the slanting urine-smelling tunnel. On the second floor he backed the vehicle against the wall and sat watching the ramps—the standard orientation of any prudent man getting a blow job. As a matter of fact, Tyler did not like blow jobs. But backing against the wall remained prudent. The cold friend in his armpit did not show. The ramp to the third floor was cut off by a grating which seemed to have been down for a long time. There was light behind it, light sweating and stinking on concrete.
    Nobody around, Brady tying up the attendant with some endless complaint . . . Perfect. He stuck a straw into the little spray can of Wallylube and tooted the lock. Then he thrust a half-diamond pick into the keyway and started lifting pins. They all dropped, one by one; the lock was in good working order, as a Queen’s lock ought to be, especially on her chastity belt. He listened as they fell: a six-pin lock. Now for the tension wrench and the plug spinner . . . Just enough tension, thank you . . . He decided against the raking method and went by feel. He was holding the pick in just the same way that Brady held that fat vulgar rollerball pen of his. With the hook pick he raised the