Читать книгу Campbell Young Mysteries 3-Book Bundle - J.D. Carpenter - Страница 21

When Wheeler and Trick entered room 614 at East General Hospital, Young was sitting up in bed reading the Racing Form.

Trick said, “What’s that tube up your nose for?”

“I shit through it,” Young said.

“Nice,” Trick said, “and it’s transparent, too.”

“They think of everything around here. Stick around long enough and you can watch me go. It’s kind of like TV, only different. How’s Reg?”

“Good. We seem to get along.”

“Is she getting enough exercise?”

“Well, she runs around my apartment almost constantly, and I take her to the park.”

“How often?”

“Once or twice a day, depending. She’s fine, Camp, but I wish she wouldn’t drag her ass across my carpet.”

“You giving her milk and cereal in the morning? A small amount?”

“No, I’m giving her Louisiana Hot Sauce on a bed of peppers.”

“You’re a laugh riot.”

Wheeler said, “How are you feeling?”

Young turned to her. “Not bad. Well enough to do a little reading.” He rattled the Racing Form. “Speaking of which,” he said, turning to Trick, “you going to the track today? It’s Sunday.”

“No, it wouldn’t be any fun without your sorry ass there for amusement. Besides, who’d cart me around?”

Young nodded. “I’m the only one stupid enough.” He reached for a tattered Sports Illustrated on his bedside table. “You two might be interested in this. There’s an article in here about The Sandman.”

Trick said, “The who?”

“The Sandman. He’s this guy in the States that killed horses for a living. We were talking about him a while ago, before you came aboard, but I forgot all about it.”

Wheeler said, “But The Sandman’s in jail, right?”

“Right, somewhere in Illinois, I think.” Then he turned to Trick. “Do you remember Alydar?”

“Of course. Only horse to finish second in all three Triple Crown races.”

“Beaten by Affirmed in all three.”

“That’s right.” said Trick. “By a length and a half in the Derby, a neck in the Preakness, and a head in the Belmont. One more race and he would have got to him.”

“Well, Alydar died in 1990, and now they’re saying he was murdered.”