Cast a Yellow Shadow

“I’ll try a vodka martini,” I said. Padillo said he would too. Karl mixed the drinks and served them. “Congress adjourned today,” he said.

“That’ll leave your mornings free.”

“You can go back and read about the eighty-nine or so that you didn’t have the chance to hang around,” Padillo said.

Karl shook his head gloomily. “It’s not the same,” he said and moved on down the bar to a customer.

Padillo shifted his drink around on the bar, making the pattern of a small oblong box.

“They came back. Not Burmser; it was a new pair. New to me anyway.”

I looked into the mirror. There was nothing to say yet.

“Sylvia said to say goodbye,” he said.

“I thought she might stay.”

He picked up his drink and inspected it. “That was mentioned.”

“But you discouraged it.”

“Yes.”

“When did they come back? The pair, I mean.”

“This afternoon. I’ve been restored to the good-graces category.”

“What about you and Sylvia?”

“We talked.”

“About what; your yellow shadow?”

“That was mentioned.”

“Some days you talk too much.”

Padillo sighed and tasted his drink. “Some days I think you’re right.” He paused and looked into the mirror. “I may not be around for a few weeks.”

I nodded. “Where’ll you be?”

He almost smiled, but didn’t quite make it. “I think someone’s looking for her husband.” I turned and Fredl had just come through the door. She paused and glanced around and when she saw me, she smiled. There were a great many things I would do for that smile.

“Where’re you going to be?” I said again.

Padillo sipped his drink. “Out of town,” he said.

I left the bar and Padillo and walked quickly towards Fredl. I didn’t bother to notice the color of his shadow.