Page 73 of Lady Dramatic
“Where is he?”
“Inmyset,” Michaels said, as if he could not imagine where else Charles would be. “He was afraid the dog would escape and grab him by the throat in the night.” Michaels looked at Nelson. Nelson growled by way of answer. “I was afraid of it myself. I was planning to stay up all night on account of it.”
“Where isyourset?”
Michaels hooked his thumb to the left. “Number Four.”
Roland walked toward the door. Nelson attempted to bite Michaels’ arm as they passed by, but he was only able to rip his coat sleeve.
Roland knocked on number four. He heard his brother inside. “What is it now, Michaels? Just keep that door shut and he won’t bother you.”
Nelson growled.
“My god, have you let the damn thing out?”
The door swung open. It took Charles a moment to comprehend that his brother was standing in front of him with Nelson in his arms. “Thorpe?” he said, clearly thinking about what he might say to account for having the dog at The Albany.
Roland knew very well that they might go round in circles with excuses and lies. It was getting late though, and he was not particularly in the mood. Shifting Nelson so that he wassupported in Roland’s left hand, his right hand was free. He used it to punch Charles in the face.
As his brother lay sprawled on the carpet, Roland turned to leave. Michaels stood in the corridor, staring at his prone friend. “You might want to get him some ice for his jaw. Or not, whichever you prefer.”
With that, Roland departed from The Albany.
