} Her voice was like an angel's. And I could tell she was a looker just
} from the shape of her shadow on the frosted glass of my office door.
} That's my name on the door: Orrie Cull. I find the answers to
} people's questions. Sometimes what I do isn't pretty, but I do it
} well.
}
} "Yeah, doll, come in."
}
} She opened the door and came in. Like anyone in my business, I give
} her a good once-over. She had a figure that wouldn't quit, just like
} my eyes wouldn't quit looking her over.
}
} "Oh, I'm so glad to find you in, Mr. Cull."
}
} "I'm glad you found me, too, Miss . . . ?"
}
} "Cant. Miss Supp Leigh Cant."
}
} "Well, Miss Cant, what can I do for you?"
}
} "I've heard a lot about you, Mr. Cull. They say you know all the
} answers."
}
} Then she hesitated and looked around my office. A lot of my clients
} have to work up to telling me what they need. I handle some delicate
} business and it's not always easy to tell it to a stranger. Some
} almost grovel before they work up the courage, but I could tell she
} wouldn't be one of those.
}
} She was distracted by what she saw. I'd acquired some pretty odd
} items in my years in this profession. They were scattered around my
} office like pepper on a baked potato. They'd even make you sneeze
} like pepper if you disturbed them because most were covered in a nice
} layer of dust, like newspaper on a sleeping hobo. She suddenly
} remembered herself and looked back at me.
}
} "I have a rather delicate situation. Are we alone?"
}
} "Yes, Miss Cant, we are. I always work alone. My only partner is
} named Smith & Wesson and half the time we're both loaded."
}
} Some people say I'm too forthright with my clients. I say I just tell
} it like it is and how they react is their problem.
}
} "I see. Well, I have a very . . . special question I need the answer
} to."
}
} She sat on my desk and leaned across.
}
} "You see, I need to know . . . ."
}
} "Yes?"
}
} "How much woodcouldawoodchuckchuckifawoodchuckcouldchuckwood?"
}
} Bam! She got me. I'd left myself wide open like a door on a tenement
} house on a hot summer day. I fell out of my chair on to a floor that
} was cold like a morgue. I figured it wouldn't be long now until they'd
} cart me off to one.
}
} She peered over the desk at me to make sure she'd gotten the job done.
} There was no question that she had.
}
} "Sorry, Orrie, it's nothing personal, just a job."
}
} She turned and started to walk out. I tried to ask her who hired her,
} but trying to talk felt like trying to breathe in a sandstorm. Then,
} just as she got to the door she stopped.
}
} "Oh, the rodents of unusual size say 'hi.'"
}
} Then she walked out. I'd made a lot of enemies over the years, but
} most of them knew better than to try anything with me. I should have
} known it was that gang that had hired her.
}
} You owe the Oracle an explanation of why they call it "black and
} white" when it's really all shades of grey.
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