Pagan Babies

24

THE MUTT WAS LATE PICKING up Joh

Getting in the car as the Mutt slid over Joh

The Mutt handed him a fat wad of bills and Joh

The Mutt had to work his watch out of the sleeves of his leather coat and his bodyshirt. He held it close to the Cadillac instrument panel, in front of the digital clock, and said, "A quarter of."

They were moving now, making their way through the west side of downtown, Joh

"It's Randy's."

"Jesus Christ he know you took it?"

"I asked was he going anywheres, he said no."

"You realize if somebody at the scene, anybody, a witness, spots the license plate the cops'll trace it back to him?"

"I was Randy I'd say the car was stolen."

"What if they trace it to you?"

"I'd tell 'em Randy don't allow me to drive the car. Anybody says I took it's a liar, wanting to get me 'cause they say I disrespect 'em calling 'em 'boy.'"

"The fuck're you talking about?"

"It don't matter."

Joh

"That's right."

"But has no idea you took his car."

"What he don't know won't hurt him, will it?"

"Randy get you the gun?"

"The one I'm go

It got Joh

"Uh-unh, the guy I'm supposed to hit? He's giving it to me."

Joh

"Yeah, Mr. Moraco."

And Joh

"Randy hates him."

"I imagine, yeah, if it's worth twenty-five grand have him taken out." Big numbers, Joh

"Yeah, for the other one."

"That's right, I forgot."

"We keep going after this one's done."

Joh

"What?"

"Or he wouldn't be giving you the fuckin gun."

"'Course not, he don't suspect shit."

Joh

They were on Jefferson now heading east past the Renaissance Center's cluster of glass towers, the city's skyline. It was a nice evening, fifty-five degrees out. Joh

"Okay, you're go

"Yes sir, shoot him in the head, make sure."

"He hands you the gun and you pop him."

"I collect my money first."

"Mutt, you want to make sure the gun's loaded."

"That's a good point. Man, I don't want to shoot him and all I hear's click click. Yeah, that's a good thing to remember, check it first."

Joh

Terry in his black suit and Roman collar, ready to go, stood at the front window in the living room, anxious. Fran, coping with his mountain of work, called to say he wouldn't be home before eight.

The girls'd had their supper and were in the library watching MTV.

Mary Pat was in the kitchen. When the Chrysler Town Car pulled up to the front door Terry checked his watch. It was seven thirty-five.

He saw Vito Genoa get out and come up on the stoop to ring the bell.

Debbie wasn't in the car. In the foyer Terry called, "I'm going now," and Mary Pat came out through the dining room. She asked when he'd be home. He said he had no idea. Mary Pat said he should've eaten something. He said he still wasn't hungry. Vito Genoa nodded to him as he came out. Terry asked if they were picking up Debbie.

Vito said another guy was getting her. Terry said he wondered, wouldn't it have been easier if one car picked them both up. Vito said easier for who? Terry sat in back during the forty-minute ride down and over freeways to the east side and the Pointes. He made conversation.

"You know why I thought you were in Star of the Sea parish?"

"You went there?" Vito looking at the mirror.

"I went to Queen of Peace. But you remember Balduck Park and the hill? Used to be full of sleds and toboggans in the winter? You and I were in a fight there one time."

"Yeah?"

"I was eleven, you were a couple years older."

"You saying I started it?"

"You did it all the time, picked on kids smaller'n you were. Vito, you were a big fuckin bully."

It got Vito looking at the mirror.

"Me and you had a right uh? Who won?"

"I gave you a bloody nose, but you hit me till I couldn't get up."

"That was you, uh? I remember that one."

"You get in a right" Terry said, "I remember how much your hands hurt, after."

"Yeah, your fuckin hands. You learn to carry a sap."

"I remember later on seeing your picture in the sports section, when you were at Denby and made All-State. What were you, a defensive tackle?"

"Linebacker."

"Right. You must've got some offers."

"Couple. But I wasn't going nowhere."

They rode in silence for a while.

"You're one of the defendants in the RICO trial?"

"I been out on bond three years while they fuck around." "How's it going?"

"Nowhere. We're go

The cigarette business came to mind and Terry almost mentioned it, but then thought, Why? You trying to get this guy to like you?

There was a silence again. Moving east in the dark, headlights approaching out of the distance.

"So you live in Africa, uh?"

"Five years."

"I wouldn't want no parts of fuckin Africa you give it to me."

"Parts are pretty nice. Except for the bugs. I had a hard time getting used to the bugs, giant ones, every kind of bug there is."

Vito's eyes showed in the mirror.

"When you going back?"

"I think pretty soon."

Vito said, "I think so, too."

Terry hesitated. He said, "Oh?" and sat in the dark, waiting for the man's eyes to appear.