Keller's Fedora (Kindle Single) Read online

Page 9


  The young woman patted his hand. “If you did, Daddy, I’m sure you just improved Mr. Johnson’s wording.”

  “Dr. Johnson,” he said, “and one could hardly do that. Improve the man’s wording, that is. ‘Being in a ship is like being in jail, with the added hazard of being drowned.’ He said that as well, and I defy anyone to comment more trenchantly on the experience, or to say it better.” He beamed at Keller. “I owe you more than a glass of brandy and a well-turned Johnsonian phrase. This little rascal whose life you’ve saved is my grandson, and the apple—nay, sir, the very nectarine—of my eye. And we’d have all stood around drinking and laughing while he drowned. You observed, and you acted, and God bless you for it.”

  What did you say to that, Keller wondered. It was nothing? Well, shucks? There had to be an apt phrase, and maybe Samuel Johnson could have found it, but he couldn’t. So he said nothing, and just tried not to look po-faced.

  “I don’t even know your name,” the white-haired man went on. “That’s not remarkable in and of itself. I don’t know half the people here, and I’m content to remain in my ignorance. But I ought to know your name, wouldn’t you agree?”

  Keller might have picked a name out of the air, but the one that leaped to mind was Boswell, and he couldn’t say that to a man who quoted Samuel Johnson. So he supplied the name he’d traveled under, the one he’d signed when he checked into the hotel, the one on the driver’s license and credit cards in his wallet.

  “It’s Michael Soderholm,” he said, “and I can’t even tell you the name of the fellow who brought me here. We met over drinks in the hotel bar and he said he was going to a party and it would be perfectly all right if I came along. I felt a little funny about it, but—”

  “Please,” the man said. “You can’t possibly propose to apologize for your presence here. It’s kept my grandson from a watery if chlorinated grave. And I’ve just told you I don’t know half my guests, but that doesn’t make them any the less welcome.” He took a deep drink of his brandy and topped up both glasses. “Michael Soderholm,” he said. “Swedish?”

  “A mixture of everything,” Keller said, improvising. “My great-grandfather Soderholm came over from Sweden, but my other ancestors came from all over Europe, plus I’m something like a sixteenth American Indian.”

  “Oh? Which tribe?”

  “Cherokee,” Keller said, thinking of the jazz tune.

  “I’m an eighth Comanche,” the man said. “So I’m afraid we’re not tribal bloodbrothers. The rest’s British Isles, a mix of Scots and Irish and English. Old Texas stock. But you’re not Texan yourself.”

  “No.”

  “Well, it can’t be helped, as the saying goes. Unless you decide to move here, and who’s to say that you won’t? It’s a fine place for a man to live.”

  “Daddy thinks everybody should love Texas the way he does,” the woman said.

  “Everybody should,” her father said. “The only thing wrong with Texans is we’re a longwinded lot. Look at the time it’s taking me to introduce myself! Mr. Soderholm, Mr. Michael Soderholm, my name’s Garrity, Wallace Penrose Garrity, and I’m your grateful host this evening.”

  No kidding, thought Keller.

  CLICK HERE to purchase Keller on the Spot for $2.99, or to read it for free on Kindle Unlimited!

 

 

 


    Tanner on Ice Read onlineTanner on IceHit Me Read onlineHit MeHit and Run Read onlineHit and RunHope to Die Read onlineHope to DieTwo For Tanner Read onlineTwo For TannerTanners Virgin Read onlineTanners VirginDead Girl Blues Read onlineDead Girl BluesOne Night Stands and Lost Weekends Read onlineOne Night Stands and Lost WeekendsA Drop of the Hard Stuff Read onlineA Drop of the Hard StuffThe Canceled Czech Read onlineThe Canceled CzechEven the Wicked Read onlineEven the WickedMe Tanner, You Jane Read onlineMe Tanner, You JaneQuotidian Keller Read onlineQuotidian KellerSmall Town Read onlineSmall TownTanners Tiger Read onlineTanners TigerA Walk Among the Tombstones Read onlineA Walk Among the TombstonesTanners Twelve Swingers Read onlineTanners Twelve SwingersGym Rat & the Murder Club Read onlineGym Rat & the Murder ClubEverybody Dies Read onlineEverybody DiesThe Thief Who Couldnt Sleep Read onlineThe Thief Who Couldnt SleepHit Parade Read onlineHit ParadeThe Devil Knows Youre Dead Read onlineThe Devil Knows Youre DeadThe Burglar in Short Order Read onlineThe Burglar in Short OrderA Long Line of Dead Men Read onlineA Long Line of Dead MenKeller's Homecoming Read onlineKeller's HomecomingResume Speed Read onlineResume SpeedKeller's Adjustment Read onlineKeller's AdjustmentEight Million Ways to Die Read onlineEight Million Ways to DieTime to Murder and Create Read onlineTime to Murder and CreateOut on the Cutting Edge Read onlineOut on the Cutting EdgeA Dance at the Slaughter House Read onlineA Dance at the Slaughter HouseIn the Midst of Death Read onlineIn the Midst of DeathWhen the Sacred Ginmill Closes Read onlineWhen the Sacred Ginmill ClosesYou Could Call It Murder Read onlineYou Could Call It MurderKeller on the Spot Read onlineKeller on the SpotA Ticket to the Boneyard Read onlineA Ticket to the BoneyardA Time to Scatter Stones Read onlineA Time to Scatter StonesKeller's Designated Hitter Read onlineKeller's Designated HitterA Stab in the Dark Read onlineA Stab in the DarkSins of the Fathers Read onlineSins of the FathersThe Burglar in the Closet Read onlineThe Burglar in the ClosetBurglar Who Dropped In On Elvis Read onlineBurglar Who Dropped In On ElvisThe Burglar Who Painted Like Mondrian Read onlineThe Burglar Who Painted Like MondrianThe Girl With the Long Green Heart Read onlineThe Girl With the Long Green HeartThe Burglar Who Counted the Spoons (Bernie Rhodenbarr) Read onlineThe Burglar Who Counted the Spoons (Bernie Rhodenbarr)Burglar Who Smelled Smoke Read onlineBurglar Who Smelled SmokeRude Awakening (Kit Tolliver #2) (The Kit Tolliver Stories) Read onlineRude Awakening (Kit Tolliver #2) (The Kit Tolliver Stories)Don't Get in the Car (Kit Tolliver #9) (The Kit Tolliver Stories) Read onlineDon't Get in the Car (Kit Tolliver #9) (The Kit Tolliver Stories)CH04 - The Topless Tulip Caper Read onlineCH04 - The Topless Tulip CaperYou Can Call Me Lucky (Kit Tolliver #3) (The Kit Tolliver Stories) Read onlineYou Can Call Me Lucky (Kit Tolliver #3) (The Kit Tolliver Stories)CH02 - Chip Harrison Scores Again Read onlineCH02 - Chip Harrison Scores AgainStrangers on a Handball Court Read onlineStrangers on a Handball CourtCleveland in My Dreams Read onlineCleveland in My DreamsClean Slate (Kit Tolliver #4) (The Kit Tolliver Stories) Read onlineClean Slate (Kit Tolliver #4) (The Kit Tolliver Stories)The Burglar Who Traded Ted Williams Read onlineThe Burglar Who Traded Ted WilliamsBurglar on the Prowl Read onlineBurglar on the ProwlIn For a Penny (A Story From the Dark Side) Read onlineIn For a Penny (A Story From the Dark Side)Catch and Release Paperback Read onlineCatch and Release PaperbackRide A White Horse Read onlineRide A White HorseNo Score Read onlineNo ScoreLooking for David (A Matthew Scudder Story Book 7) Read onlineLooking for David (A Matthew Scudder Story Book 7)Jilling (Kit Tolliver #6) (The Kit Tolliver Stories) Read onlineJilling (Kit Tolliver #6) (The Kit Tolliver Stories)Ariel Read onlineArielEnough Rope Read onlineEnough RopeGrifter's Game Read onlineGrifter's GameCanceled Czech Read onlineCanceled CzechUnfinished Business (Kit Tolliver #12) (The Kit Tolliver Stories) Read onlineUnfinished Business (Kit Tolliver #12) (The Kit Tolliver Stories)Thirty Read onlineThirtyThe Burglar Who Thought He Was Bogart Read onlineThe Burglar Who Thought He Was BogartMake Out with Murder Read onlineMake Out with MurderOne Last Night at Grogan's (A Matthew Scudder Story Book 11) Read onlineOne Last Night at Grogan's (A Matthew Scudder Story Book 11)The Burglar on the Prowl Read onlineThe Burglar on the ProwlWelcome to the Real World (A Story From the Dark Side) Read onlineWelcome to the Real World (A Story From the Dark Side)Keller 05 - Hit Me Read onlineKeller 05 - Hit MeWalk Among the Tombstones: A Matthew Scudder Crime Novel Read onlineWalk Among the Tombstones: A Matthew Scudder Crime NovelRonald Rabbit Is a Dirty Old Man Read onlineRonald Rabbit Is a Dirty Old ManThe Burglar Who Studied Spinoza Read onlineThe Burglar Who Studied SpinozaThe Burglar Who Liked to Quote Kipling Read onlineThe Burglar Who Liked to Quote KiplingKeller in Des Moines Read onlineKeller in Des MoinesHit List Read onlineHit ListThe Dettweiler Solution Read onlineThe Dettweiler SolutionHCC 115 - Borderline Read onlineHCC 115 - BorderlineA Drop of the Hard Stuff: A Matthew Scudder Novel Read onlineA Drop of the Hard Stuff: A Matthew Scudder NovelStep by Step Read onlineStep by StepThe Girl With the Deep Blue Eyes Read onlineThe Girl With the Deep Blue EyesIf You Can't Stand the Heat (Kit Tolliver #1) (The Kit Tolliver Stories) Read onlineIf You Can't Stand the Heat (Kit Tolliver #1) (The Kit Tolliver Stories)The Topless Tulip Caper Read onlineThe Topless Tulip CaperDolly's Trash & Treasures (A Story From the Dark Side) Read onlineDolly's Trash & Treasures (A Story From the Dark Side)The Triumph of Evil Read onlineThe Triumph of EvilFun with Brady and Angelica (Kit Tolliver #10 (The Kit Tolliver Stories) Read onlineFun with Brady and Angelica (Kit Tolliver #10 (The Kit Tolliver Stories)Burglars Can't Be Choosers Read onlineBurglars Can't Be ChoosersWho Knows Where It Goes (A Story From the Dark Side) Read onlineWho Knows Where It Goes (A Story From the Dark Side)Deadly Honeymoon Read onlineDeadly HoneymoonLike a Bone in the Throat (A Story From the Dark Side) Read onlineLike a Bone in the Throat (A Story From the Dark Side)A Chance to Get Even (A Story From the Dark Side) Read onlineA Chance to Get Even (A Story From the Dark Side)The Boy Who Disappeared Clouds Read onlineThe Boy Who Disappeared CloudsCollecting Ackermans Read onlineCollecting AckermansWaitress Wanted (Kit Tolliver #5) (The Kit Tolliver Stories) Read onlineWaitress Wanted (Kit Tolliver #5) (The Kit Tolliver Stories)One Thousand Dollars a Word Read onlineOne Thousand Dollars a WordEven the Wicked: A Matthew Scudder Novel (Matthew Scudder Mysteries) Read onlineEven the Wicked: A Matthew Scudder Novel (Matthew Scudder Mysteries)Hit Man Read onlineHit ManThe Night and The Music Read onlineThe Night and The MusicEhrengraf for the Defense Read onlineEhrengraf for the DefenseThe Merciful Angel of Death (A Matthew Scudder Story Book 5) Read onlineThe Merciful Angel of Death (A Matthew Scudder Story Book 5)The Burglar in the Rye Read onlineThe Burglar in the RyeI Know How to Pick 'Em Read onlineI Know How to Pick 'EmGetting Off hcc-69 Read onlineGetting Off hcc-69Three in the Side Pocket (A Story From the Dark Side) Read onlineThree in the Side Pocket (A Story From the Dark Side)Let's Get Lost (A Matthew Scudder Story Book 8) Read onlineLet's Get Lost (A Matthew Scudder Story Book 8)Strange Are the Ways of Love Read onlineStrange Are the Ways of LoveMOSTLY MURDER: Till Death: a mystery anthology Read onlineMOSTLY MURDER: Till Death: a mystery anthologyMasters of Noir: Volume Four Read onlineMasters of Noir: Volume FourA Week as Andrea Benstock Read onlineA Week as Andrea BenstockScenarios (A Stoiry From the Dark Side) Read onlineScenarios (A Stoiry From the Dark Side)The Sex Therapists: What They Can Do and How They Do It (John Warren Wells on Sexual Behavior Book 15) Read onlineThe Sex Therapists: What They Can Do and How They Do It (John Warren Wells on Sexual Behavior Book 15)Like a Thief in the Night: a Bernie Rhodenbarr story Read onlineLike a Thief in the Night: a Bernie Rhodenbarr storyA Diet of Treacle Read onlineA Diet of TreacleCommunity of Women Read onlineCommunity of WomenDifferent Strokes: How I (Gulp!) Wrote, Directed, and Starred in an X-rated Movie (John Warren Wells on Sexual Behavior) Read onlineDifferent Strokes: How I (Gulp!) Wrote, Directed, and Starred in an X-rated Movie (John Warren Wells on Sexual Behavior)You Don't Even Feel It (A Story From the Dark Side) Read onlineYou Don't Even Feel It (A Story From the Dark Side)Zeroing In (Kit Tolliver #11) (The Kit Tolliver Stories) Read onlineZeroing In (Kit Tolliver #11) (The Kit Tolliver Stories)The Wife-Swap Report (John Warren Wells on Sexual Behavior) Read onlineThe Wife-Swap Report (John Warren Wells on Sexual Behavior)Keller's Fedora (Kindle Single) Read onlineKeller's Fedora (Kindle Single)Speaking of Lust Read onlineSpeaking of LustEverybody Dies (Matthew Scudder) Read onlineEverybody Dies (Matthew Scudder)Defender of the Innocent: The Casebook of Martin Ehrengraf Read onlineDefender of the Innocent: The Casebook of Martin EhrengrafAfter the First Death Read onlineAfter the First DeathWriting the Novel Read onlineWriting the NovelHow Far - a one-act stage play Read onlineHow Far - a one-act stage playChip Harrison Scores Again Read onlineChip Harrison Scores AgainThe Topless Tulip Caper ch-4 Read onlineThe Topless Tulip Caper ch-4The Crime of Our Lives Read onlineThe Crime of Our LivesKilling Castro Read onlineKilling CastroThe Trouble with Eden Read onlineThe Trouble with EdenNothing Short of Highway Robbery Read onlineNothing Short of Highway RobberySin Hellcat Read onlineSin HellcatGetting Off: A Novel of Sex & Violence (Hard Case Crime) Read onlineGetting Off: A Novel of Sex & Violence (Hard Case Crime)Coward's Kiss Read onlineCoward's KissAlive in Shape and Color Read onlineAlive in Shape and ColorBlow for Freedom Read onlineBlow for FreedomThe New Sexual Underground: Crossing the Last Boundaries (John Warren Wells on Sexual Behavior Book 10) Read onlineThe New Sexual Underground: Crossing the Last Boundaries (John Warren Wells on Sexual Behavior Book 10)April North Read onlineApril NorthLucky at Cards Read onlineLucky at CardsOne Night Stands; Lost weekends Read onlineOne Night Stands; Lost weekendsSweet Little Hands (A Story From the Dark Side) Read onlineSweet Little Hands (A Story From the Dark Side)Blood on Their Hands Read onlineBlood on Their HandsA Dance at the Slaughterhouse Read onlineA Dance at the SlaughterhouseHeadaches and Bad Dreams (A Story From the Dark Side) Read onlineHeadaches and Bad Dreams (A Story From the Dark Side)Keller's Therapy Read onlineKeller's TherapyThe Specialists Read onlineThe SpecialistsHit and Run jk-4 Read onlineHit and Run jk-4Threesome Read onlineThreesomeLove at a Tender Age (John Warren Wells on Sexual Behavior) Read onlineLove at a Tender Age (John Warren Wells on Sexual Behavior)The Devil Knows You're Dead: A MATTHEW SCUDDER CRIME NOVEL Read onlineThe Devil Knows You're Dead: A MATTHEW SCUDDER CRIME NOVELFunny You Should Ask Read onlineFunny You Should AskCH01 - No Score Read onlineCH01 - No ScoreSex and the Stewardess (John Warren Wells on Sexual Behavior) Read onlineSex and the Stewardess (John Warren Wells on Sexual Behavior)A Madwoman's Diary Read onlineA Madwoman's DiaryWhen This Man Dies Read onlineWhen This Man DiesSinner Man Read onlineSinner ManSuch Men Are Dangerous Read onlineSuch Men Are DangerousA Strange Kind of Love Read onlineA Strange Kind of LoveEnough of Sorrow Read onlineEnough of Sorrow69 Barrow Street Read online69 Barrow StreetA Moment of Wrong Thinking (Matthew Scudder Mysteries Series Book 9) Read onlineA Moment of Wrong Thinking (Matthew Scudder Mysteries Series Book 9)Eight Million Ways to Die ms-5 Read onlineEight Million Ways to Die ms-5Warm and Willing Read onlineWarm and WillingMona Read onlineMonaIn Sunlight or In Shadow Read onlineIn Sunlight or In ShadowA Candle for the Bag Lady (Matthew Scudder Book 2) Read onlineA Candle for the Bag Lady (Matthew Scudder Book 2)Conjugal Rites (Kit Tolliver #7) (The Kit Tolliver Stories) Read onlineConjugal Rites (Kit Tolliver #7) (The Kit Tolliver Stories)Speaking of Lust - the novella Read onlineSpeaking of Lust - the novellaGigolo Johnny Wells Read onlineGigolo Johnny WellsDark City Lights Read onlineDark City LightsVersatile Ladies: the bisexual option (John Warren Wells on Sexual Behavior) Read onlineVersatile Ladies: the bisexual option (John Warren Wells on Sexual Behavior)Passport to Peril Read onlinePassport to PerilThe Taboo Breakers: Shock Troops of the Sexual Revolution (John Warren Wells on Sexual Behavior) Read onlineThe Taboo Breakers: Shock Troops of the Sexual Revolution (John Warren Wells on Sexual Behavior)Lucky at Cards hcc-28 Read onlineLucky at Cards hcc-28Campus Tramp Read onlineCampus Tramp3 is Not a Crowd (John Warren Wells on Sexual Behavior) Read online3 is Not a Crowd (John Warren Wells on Sexual Behavior)Manhattan Noir Read onlineManhattan NoirThe Burglar in the Library Read onlineThe Burglar in the LibraryDoing It! - Going Beyond the Sexual Revolution (John Warren Wells on Sexual Behavior Book 13) Read onlineDoing It! - Going Beyond the Sexual Revolution (John Warren Wells on Sexual Behavior Book 13)So Willing Read onlineSo WillingThe Burglar Who Traded Ted Williams br-6 Read onlineThe Burglar Who Traded Ted Williams br-6Candy Read onlineCandySex Without Strings: A Handbook for Consenting Adults (John Warren Wells on Sexual Behavior) Read onlineSex Without Strings: A Handbook for Consenting Adults (John Warren Wells on Sexual Behavior)The Devil Knows You're Dead: A MATTHEW SCUDDER CRIME NOVEL (Matthew Scudder Mysteries) Read onlineThe Devil Knows You're Dead: A MATTHEW SCUDDER CRIME NOVEL (Matthew Scudder Mysteries)Manhattan Noir 2 Read onlineManhattan Noir 2The Scoreless Thai (aka Two For Tanner) Read onlineThe Scoreless Thai (aka Two For Tanner)