The Stein & Candle Detective Agency, Vol. 3: Red Reunion (The Stein & Candle Detective Agency #3) by Michael Panush Page B
Authors: Michael Panush
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that you’re leaving his club – and took a heap of dough with you.”
The lounge lizard sagged in the saddle. He had the suitcase hanging from a strap on his saddle, and pulled it out. “Yeah…” he said. “I guess I did. I was panicking, and just kind of grabbed it and ran. I wasn’t thinking straight – like why I wouldn’t even need bread out here? I just had to get out of there.” He sighed. “I guess Mr. Blemmy must be pretty upset.”
“Got that right, man,” Chad agreed. “He’s all set to blow a gasket. But how’d a lizard man like you end up working as a lounge singer anyway? That’s a story I’d like to here.”
“It’s not long. I was born to a pretty high-class family here, but I wasn’t any good at sword-fighting or dino-riding, which is what most people do. No, the only thing I wanted to do was sing. And after some exploring, I found a path that led to your world. I covered myself up in some old rags I found, snuck around until I learned your language, and started singing for pennies in parks and stuff. Soon I had enough money to get some real masks made. After that, Tommy Gabriel’s career was on the rise, baby.” He smiled, his sharp teeth making his grin look predatory. “But then I started gambling and got in deep. So I ran. And I guess you fellows are here to bring me back.”
“Do you want us to?” Selena wondered.
“I don’t know.” Gabriel touched his sharp teeth with his tongue. “I’m a prince out here, but I don’t like it. And back in the Royal Crown, I got fans and friends – but all the money and the troubles just bring me down. But it’s only there that I can sing, you know?”
“Perhaps we can make a compromise,” Weatherby suggested. “Mr. Blemmy wants his money back. Maybe if you gave it to him, he’d forgive you, and allow you to stay here.” He held out his hand. “Will you come and bring it back with us?”
Tommy Gabriel considered the question, but then shook his head. “Sorry, kid, but Blemmy’s connected and he’s a nut. He’d kill me on sight.” He closed his lipless mouth. “But I’ll tell you what – bring him out here, and I’ll give him the money. That way, I know he won’t have a death trap waiting for me back at the Royal Crown. How’s that sound?”
“Aces. Sounds like a plan.” I walked over to the dino, holding out my hand. Tommy leaned down and shook it. “You might want to avoid having your pals on the big lizards show up. Something tells me Ben Blemmy scares easily.”
After giving my suggestion, Weatherby, Selena, Chad and I headed back to our world, leaving Lizard World the same way we had come. I was pleased with myself. We had found Tommy Gabriel, and soon Blemmy would have his money back and the whole situation would end without violence and mob involvement. Things were looking up. But experience has taught me that things normally do – right before you go off the cliff.
After leaving Crystal Grove, we drove back to the Royal Crown Lounge. It was dark in the Lizard World and it was dark in our world too. I sped the Roadmaster down the strip of pavement, the trees flying by as I increased the speed. I figured this case should be closed quickly. As it turned out, I didn’t close it nearly fast enough.
We reached the Royal Crown Lounge and headed inside. The place was packed, tons of tourists showing up for dinner and the evening entertainment. They crowded around the lobby and the main floor in their dinner jackets and gowns, talking about how rich they were and the cold air. I ignored them, scanning the room for a round guy in a leopard print tuxedo. It didn’t take long to spot him.
Ben Blemmy hurried over to us, forcing his way through the crowd. “Mr. Candle! Mr. Stein!” he called. “It’s great to see you! What have you got for me? Here, come to my office.” He turned around, and started leading us through the crowd.
“We found Tommy Gabriel,” I said, as we walked through the crowd and
The lounge lizard sagged in the saddle. He had the suitcase hanging from a strap on his saddle, and pulled it out. “Yeah…” he said. “I guess I did. I was panicking, and just kind of grabbed it and ran. I wasn’t thinking straight – like why I wouldn’t even need bread out here? I just had to get out of there.” He sighed. “I guess Mr. Blemmy must be pretty upset.”
“Got that right, man,” Chad agreed. “He’s all set to blow a gasket. But how’d a lizard man like you end up working as a lounge singer anyway? That’s a story I’d like to here.”
“It’s not long. I was born to a pretty high-class family here, but I wasn’t any good at sword-fighting or dino-riding, which is what most people do. No, the only thing I wanted to do was sing. And after some exploring, I found a path that led to your world. I covered myself up in some old rags I found, snuck around until I learned your language, and started singing for pennies in parks and stuff. Soon I had enough money to get some real masks made. After that, Tommy Gabriel’s career was on the rise, baby.” He smiled, his sharp teeth making his grin look predatory. “But then I started gambling and got in deep. So I ran. And I guess you fellows are here to bring me back.”
“Do you want us to?” Selena wondered.
“I don’t know.” Gabriel touched his sharp teeth with his tongue. “I’m a prince out here, but I don’t like it. And back in the Royal Crown, I got fans and friends – but all the money and the troubles just bring me down. But it’s only there that I can sing, you know?”
“Perhaps we can make a compromise,” Weatherby suggested. “Mr. Blemmy wants his money back. Maybe if you gave it to him, he’d forgive you, and allow you to stay here.” He held out his hand. “Will you come and bring it back with us?”
Tommy Gabriel considered the question, but then shook his head. “Sorry, kid, but Blemmy’s connected and he’s a nut. He’d kill me on sight.” He closed his lipless mouth. “But I’ll tell you what – bring him out here, and I’ll give him the money. That way, I know he won’t have a death trap waiting for me back at the Royal Crown. How’s that sound?”
“Aces. Sounds like a plan.” I walked over to the dino, holding out my hand. Tommy leaned down and shook it. “You might want to avoid having your pals on the big lizards show up. Something tells me Ben Blemmy scares easily.”
After giving my suggestion, Weatherby, Selena, Chad and I headed back to our world, leaving Lizard World the same way we had come. I was pleased with myself. We had found Tommy Gabriel, and soon Blemmy would have his money back and the whole situation would end without violence and mob involvement. Things were looking up. But experience has taught me that things normally do – right before you go off the cliff.
After leaving Crystal Grove, we drove back to the Royal Crown Lounge. It was dark in the Lizard World and it was dark in our world too. I sped the Roadmaster down the strip of pavement, the trees flying by as I increased the speed. I figured this case should be closed quickly. As it turned out, I didn’t close it nearly fast enough.
We reached the Royal Crown Lounge and headed inside. The place was packed, tons of tourists showing up for dinner and the evening entertainment. They crowded around the lobby and the main floor in their dinner jackets and gowns, talking about how rich they were and the cold air. I ignored them, scanning the room for a round guy in a leopard print tuxedo. It didn’t take long to spot him.
Ben Blemmy hurried over to us, forcing his way through the crowd. “Mr. Candle! Mr. Stein!” he called. “It’s great to see you! What have you got for me? Here, come to my office.” He turned around, and started leading us through the crowd.
“We found Tommy Gabriel,” I said, as we walked through the crowd and
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