Dialogues of the Dead

343 rehearsed sufficiently already the possible consequences for Headingley. He said, 'Well, there was one thing...' 'Aye?' 'You know Charley Penn writes books? Well, I was thinking about what Dr Urquhart said ...' 'Should watch that, it could send you blind,' said Dalziel. '.. . about the Wordman being so hung up on word games and stuff, he probably regards certain printed texts as a sort of coded gospel, and I wondered if it might be worth taking a close look , at Perm's novels . ..' 'Oh aye? You volunteering to read 'em? We're going to the right place to get a start.' 'No, sir, no way,' said Hal. 'I mean, I don't go in for that sort ' of thing, I thought maybe talk to someone who knows about these things ...' 'You got someone in mind? Not your ladyfriend from the lib rary, by any chance?' Christ, it's like your mind is a goldfish bowl and this big cat dips his paw in whenever he fancies, thought Hat. 'Yes, she might be OK,' he said. Then because this sounded a ' little lukewarm, he added, 'She's been very helpful in getting my ideas sorted already.' And saw his error even as the words came out. ; 'Already? Make a habit of discussing confidential police matters ; with pretty young things, do you?' said the Fat Man. 'I hope not, lad, 'cos that's the second rule I were going to tell you. When someone takes a hold of your bollocks, whether to twist 'em or to stroke 'em, just lie back and think of me. There's not enough pleasure or pain in the world to cover what I'm likely to do to any bugger I catch talking out of school. You with me, lad?' 'Yes, sir. I'm with you,' said Hat, wishing with all his sinking heart he wasn't. But that naturally ebullient organ rose again when as they got ; out of the car the Fat Man said, 'That weren't a bad idea about Charley Penn's books. Have a chat with that lass of thine. From the sound of it, she owes you one. And I don't mean a jump. That you negotiate with your own coin, not mine.' And things got even better when they arrived in the reference library to find Rye alone, looking very fetching in a low-cut sleeveless top and clinging hipsters. 'How do, luv,' said Dalziel. 'Bossman around?' 'Sorry, no. He just popped out,' said Rye. 'Can I help?' 'Not really. Need to talk to him. Any idea where he's gone?' 'I'm sorry, I'm not allowed to give members of the public...' She broke off and looked at Dalziel more closely. 'Oh, it's Mr Dazzle, isn't it? Sorry, I didn't recognize you. Is it police business? Then I'm sure it'll be OK. He's gone along to the Heritage Centre, he shouldn't be long if you'd like to wait.' Behind Dalziel, Hat grinned broadly, especially at Rye's studied mispronunciation of the holy name. But the Fat Man was untroubled by such bird-bolts as this and replied courteously, 'Thank you, Ms Pomona, but I'll just go and find him. Glad to see you so chipper after your nasty experience at the weekend. Lot of lasses these days would have needed a month off work and counselling for life. Thank God there's still some of the old stock around. But if you do need to talk to anyone, DC Bowler's a good listener.' With a hint of a wink at Hat, he wandered off through the door. 'You like living dangerously, do you?' said Hat. Rye smiled and said, 'Not so dangerous, just your normal neanderthal. I caught him clocking my cleavage.' Hat, who had been enjoying an eyemi himself, averted his gaze and said, 'So how're you keeping?' 'I'm OK. Didn't sleep too well, but that'll pass.' 'I'm sure, but look, don't try to be too relaxed about it. That was a nasty shock, you had, the head and all. These things can get to you in unexpected ways.' 'You were there too. You have some kind of immunity?' 'No. That's how I know about how it can hit you.' They regarded each other gravely, then she smiled and reached out and touched his hand and said, 'OK, so let's counsel each other. Like a coffee?' 'If you're not too busy.' She gestured round at the almost empty library. A couple of pallid students were working in the reading bays, a wild-haired