Читать книгу Small Town Monsters - Craig Nybo - Страница 79

Craig Nybo

10

assistance, you’ll know where to find me.” He wheeled around on his heel and walked to Durlin Ceivers’s table.

“What was that all about? What is No-geun-ri?” Kurt said.

Hugh drew in a deep breath and took a moment to think about how to frame his next words. “No-geun-ri was a small village a hundred miles or so south of Seoul. I was second Battalion, seventh U.S. Cavalry Regiment. We received orders to fire on hostiles. There was … collateral damage. It was controversial. But it was war. The reality is, Harmon’s beef with me has nothing to do with a sixty-year-old fire-fight. But he holds a hell of a grudge with me, and he right well should, about something else; when I was discharged from Korea and came back to DePalma Beach--” Hugh paused and looked over at Harmon across the diner. “I had a fling with his girl, Marilyn Moore I think was her name. I’m not proud of it. I wish he and I could be friends. He’s a good man.”

“Would this be the same Marilyn Moore who was killed by Danny Slade?” Kurt asked.

Hugh nodded.

“Holy hell, living in a small town might become way too complicated for me.”

Hugh sipped his coffee. He put his cup down and flicked a few grains of sugar from the table top. “Actually, it was more than a fling. Marilyn and I were all set to elope. I’m afraid Harmon and I were rivals for the same prize. In the end, neither of us got her. I think my showing up at Danny’s execution sealed the deal; I’m afraid we are set to be enemies for the rest of our days.” Hugh straightened a few items on the table, a salt and pepper shaker, a sugar jar. “We all make mistakes when we are young. But I’m sure you didn’t invite me here and pay for my breakfast to discuss love and war.”

“Harmon believes a werewolf got Marilyn,” Kurt said.

“Danny Slade: I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel a sense of satisfaction and closure when I watched them execute him, I was there, you know.”

“I know.”

Hugh nodded gravely. “As for werewolves: great stories