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We had just passed the on ramp at Rosecrans when I heard the chirp of a car horn next to us. I looked over at the next lane. The car was a Chevy, dark blue. Chopper was driving. Raymond pointed at the Caddy and then sliced his index finger across his throat. Chopper gri
That's when I caught a glimpse of the vanity license plate. A chill puckered my scalp and rippled down my spine, the cold wedging like a pillow in the small of my back. The plate read PARNELL. Raymond must have had Parnell Perkins's car ever since his death, probably using it to collect phony damage and injury claims.
Raymond spotted a black-and-white in the southbound lane. It was possible somebody'd called the cops to report his erratic driving because the officer gave the Ford a quick startled look as we passed. Raymond cut over two lanes to the right and took the nearest off ramp. Even if the cop circled back, we'd be gone. He found a darkened side street, pulled over to the curb, and parked. He sat back and expelled a breath of air.
I had started to shake, from fear, from relief, from visions of Bibia
Raymond was looking at me with puzzlement. "What's the matter with you?"
"Shut up, Raymond. I don't want to talk to you."
"I didn't do nothing. What'd I do?"
"You didn't do anything? I don't believe this…"
"Chick stole my car and I chased her. What'd you expect?"
"You're crazy!"
"I'm crazy? Why? Because I won't let that bitch take me for everything I'm worth? You better believe it."
"What's going to happen?"
"Beats me."
I sat up, irritated with his attitude. "Don't play dumb, Raymond. What's Chopper going to do to her?"
"How do I know? I'm not a fuckin' psychic. Don't worry about it. It's got nothing to do with you."
"What about her mother?"
"What do you care? Quit acting like this is my fault."
I looked at him with astonishment. "Who's fault is it, men?"
"Bibia
"Why is it her fault? You're the one who cut the woman."
"Who, Gina? She's alive, isn't she? Which is more man you can say for Chago. I got a brother dead, and who do you think did that?"
"Not her," I shot back.
"That's my point," he replied patiently. "She didn't do nothing. She's i
"Which is what?"
"Quit horsing around and get serious. She shoulda married me when I asked her. I'm not stupid, you know. I don't know what's going on, but I've been as patient as I'm go
I stared at him, at a loss for words. His view of the world was so skewed there was no reasoning with him. He really seemed to see himself as i
Raymond picked up the car phone and punched in a number. " 'Ey, Luis. Raymond. Put some clothes on, we're swinging by to pick you up." He glanced at his watch. "Ten minutes. And bring the mutt."
He started the car then and pulled out, hanging a left onto a main artery as we headed south again. I glanced out the window. Raymond was driving at a sedate forty miles an hour. We were now on Sepulveda, not far from the airport. Not a wonderful neighborhood, but I thought I'd be safe until I could get a call through to the cops. I opened the car door. Raymond speeded up.
"Please stop the car. I'm getting out," I said.
He picked up the gun again and pointed it at me. "Close the door."
I did as I was told. He turned his attention to the road again. In the glow from the streetlights, I studied his profile, hair still damp from the shower, the tousle of curls, dark eyes, long lashes, the dimple in his chin. He was bare-chested, barefoot, his skin very pale. I could see the faint scarring in the crooks of his arms. My guess was that after the intensity of the chase and the rush of adrenaline, the euphoric effects of his shooting up were begi
"Oh, God, Raymond. Please. I just want to go home," I said wearily.
"I'm not going to let you out here. It's too dangerous. You wouldn't last a block."
I wanted to laugh at the absurdity of his concern. There he was, holding me at gunpoint, probably willing to kill me if it came to that, but he didn't want me out on the streets in a questionable neighborhood. Raymond punched in another number. He really reminded me of some high-powered business exec.
Someone answered on the other end.
"Hey, yeah," he said. "I got a problem. Somebody just stole my car…"
I slouched down on my spine, knees propped against the dashboard, listening with wonder as Raymond availed himself of city police services in the matter of his missing Cadillac. From his end of the conversation, I gathered he was going to have to go over to the 77th Division and file a stolen vehicle report, but he was the soul of cooperation, Mr. Righteous Citizen rallying the forces of law and order to his cause. He hung up and we drove in silence as far as Luis's place.
We pulled over at the curb and Raymond gave a quick beep. A moment later, Luis appeared with Perro at his side.
Raymond pulled on the emergency brake and got out on the driver's side. "You drive," he said to Luis.
Luis put the dog in the front seat between us and got behind the wheel. "Where we going?"
"Police station."
Luis took off. Perro leaned against me, panting bad breath. I could tell he would have preferred the window seat himself so he could hang his head out and let his ears flap in the passing breeze.
Luis watched Raymond in the rearview mirror with guarded interest. "So what's happening?"
"Bibia
"Bibia
"Yeah, can you believe that? After all I've done for her? I called Chopper and sent him after her. I don't have time for that shit, you know what I'm talking about?"
Luis made no comment. I saw him slide a look in my direction, but what was I going to say?
We reached the 77th Division police station. Luis parked on the street and got out of the car, peering into the backseat while Raymond gave him instructions about the stolen Caddy. "What about the registration?" he asked.