Tom Kelley's Ghost and Other Stories

Tom nodded. Dan was sitting close to his right. Tom reached for his glass as if he'd forgotten he'd finished it, made a fist and backhanded Dan with all his strength. Dan fell back off his chair. Tom followed up the blow with a vicious kick to Dan's groin. Dan doubled up and the breath came out of him in a faint shriek. Tom pulled open Dan's coat and found the pistol he knew was there and a small glittering knife he didn't."e;Kids."e; Tom put the barrel of the pistol against Dan's throat. "e;Where do you think Derek is?"e;"e;Trolley,"e; Dan croaked. "e;A street entrance to the underground."e;"e;Thank you."e; "e;Tell me,"e; said Dan as soon as he was able to breathe. "e;Do you know she's not your daughter?"e;"e;Yes."e; Tom hid the pistol in his jacket pocket and left the tavern. --From Tom Kelley's Ghost.