PULP & POPCORN

Page 17
Felix set his fork down, considering the dilemma. “Well, I think you should have my
meal, then.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
“So what’s the catch?”
“Nothing. You don’t owe me anything. I’m getting out of here today, so I’ll be fine
once I’m signed out.”
Felix climbed out of his bed, moving with some difficulty. He crossed to Vernon and
gave him the hamburger. He walked carefully back to his own bed on wobbly Bambi legs.
“I’ve just had this bad cold for a week or so, and tonight, like an idiot, I wanted to go out. It
was great at first. I cut a rug with a beautiful girl all night. But then I overheated. One
minute I’m dancing, the next minute, I’m face-down on the floor. But I’m fine now.”
“What’s the string? There’s gotta be one.”
“Hey, if it makes you happy to eat that meal, who am I to say no?”
Vernon laughed at this, mouth already full of food.
“You look like you have it much worse than I do.”
“Looks bad, right?”
“Little bit.”
“It ain’t. But the guys who took a shot at me think it worked, so I’ll lay here a few
days and then take off once they’re sure I’m telling the truth.”
“Hell of a plan. You probably shouldn’t share it with just anyone, though.” Felix sat
up, and it took Vernon Miller a moment to realize Felix had a gun in his hand. “Especially
not when you just cracked the home safe of a very wealthy man. You never know who he
might hire.”