pzb.drawingblood-第61章

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　　〃Our　car　is　parked　all　the　way　down　by　the　hardware　store。　I　can't　take　the　chance。〃
　　She　was　right；　Terry　realized。　〃Okay；　wait　here　by　the　back　door。　We'll　pull　up　in　the　alley　and　get　you。〃
　　Terry　and　Dougal　left　the　Whirling　Disc　together　and　walked　with　elaborate　nonchalance　along　a　series　of　back　streets；　gradually　winding　toward　the　other　end　of　town。　Terry　imagined　agents　lurking　behind　every　telephone　pole；　peering　through　every　tinted　window。　〃Doesn't　your　car　have　Louisiana　plates？〃　he　asked　Dougal。　〃Won't　it　be　dangerous　to　drive　through　downtown？〃
　　〃No　mon。　We　stop　on　de　way　here　at　a…what　you　call　de　toilets　by　de　road？〃
　　〃Rest　stop？〃
　　〃Ya　mon。　We　fin'　a　car　broken　down　but　still　have　de　license　plate；　an'　I　take　de　liberty　of　borrowin'　de　plate。〃
　　Terry　nodded；　marveling。　He　had　met　plenty　of　freaks　in　his　time；　plete　fuckups　and　brilliant　artists　and　everything　in　between。　But　for　sheer　resourcefulness；　he　thought；　these　kids　outdid　them　all。
　　Still；　they　didn't　have　the　U。S。　Government　on　their　side；　weighing　the　scale　down　with　money　and　power。　Street　smarts　wouldn't　be　much　use　against　a　loaded　Uzi。
　　Terry　didn't　stop　sweating　until　they　had　Eddy　safely　in　the　car；　crouching　in　the　back　seat　with　a　towel　over　her　head；　and　they　were　well　on　their　way　to　Kinsey's。　Even　then；　he　couldn't　quit　looking　in　the　rearview　mirror。
　　
　　　
　　　Chapter　Twenty　Four
　　
　　Kinsey　moved　Zach's　car　into　the　driveway　and　parked　his　own　behind　it。　The　Mustang　wasn't　exactly　camouflaged；　but　it　was　less　noticeable　than　it　had　been　sitting　in　the　middle　of　the　front　yard。　He　settled　Trevor　and　Zach　in　his　bedroom；　then　folded　himself　onto　the　couch。　He　had　only　been　in　bed　for　two　hours　when　the　Mustang　pulled　up　in　his　yard；　and　he　had　to　open　the　club　later。　Soon　he　was　asleep　again；　his　dreams　blessedly　free　from　blaring；　whining　horns　and　the　smell　of　engine　grease。
　　In　the　bedroom；　Trevor　lay　flat　on　his　back　staring　at　the　ceiling。　His　splinted　hand　felt　heavy　and　remote。　Zach　was　nestled　into　the　crook　of　his　left　arm；　legs　thrown　over　Trevor's；　fingers　idly　playing　with　Trevor's　hair。　They　had　each　taken　one　of　the　painkillers　the　doctor　had　prescribed　for　them；　and　they　were　numb　but　contented。　Enough　so；　eventually；　to　talk　about　the　night　before。
　　〃What　were　you　wearing　there？〃　Zach　asked。
　　〃A　suit　with　wide　lapels。　A　tie。　And　fancy　shoes。〃
　　〃Me　too。　But　I　had　a　beret。〃
　　〃You　were　Dizzy。〃
　　〃Huh？〃
　　〃Dizzy　Gillespie。　Bobby　used　to　look　at　pictures　of　him　and　Charlie　Parker　to　draw　his　characters'　clothes。　They　always　wore　these　real　sharp　suits。〃
　　〃We　were　in　the　same　place；　weren't　we？〃
　　〃We　were　in　Birdland。〃
　　〃What　does　that　mean？〃
　　〃It　means　we　were　inside　my　father's　brain。　Or　we　were　in　hell。　Or　we　were　hallucinating。　How　the　fuck　should　I　know？　You　were　there。　You　saw　it。〃
　　There　was　a　silence。　Trevor　wondered　if　he　had　spoken　too　sharply；　but　he　did　not　want　to　pick　apart　what　had　happened　in　the　house；　not　yet。　He　wasn't　sure　he　ever　would。
　　Finally　Zach　asked；　〃Where　should　we　go　next？〃　His　voice　was　beginning　to　fade　out。　He　pressed　his　face　into　the　side　of　Trevor's　chest　and　closed　his　eyes。
　　〃Have　a　dream；〃　Trevor　told　him；　〃and　make　it　be　about　a　beach。　It　has　pure　white　sand　and　clear　turquoise　water；　and　the　sun　feels　like　warm　honey　on　your　skin。　Stop　someone　on　the　beach　and　ask　them　where　you　are。　Then　remember　it；　and　we'll　go　there。〃
　　〃Ohhh；　yes　。　。　。〃　He　felt　Zach's　body　relax　pletely。　〃。　。　。　love　you；　Trev　。　。　。〃
　　〃I　love　you　too；〃　he　whispered　into　the　cool　silence　of　the　room。　It　was　true；　it　was　all　true；　and　they　could　both　be　alive　to　believe　it。　Trevor　was　still　amazed　by　this　knowledge。
　　You　could　kill　someone　because　you　loved　them　too　much；　he　realized　now；　but　that　was　nothing　to　do　with　art。　The　art　was　in　learning　to　spend　your　life　with　someone；　in　having　the　courage　to　be　creative　with　someone；　to　melt　each　other's　souls　to　molten　temperatures　and　let　them　flow　together　into　an　alloy　that　could　withstand　the　world。　He　and　Zach　had　used　each　other's　addictions　to　hurl　themselves　into　Birdland。　But　addictions　could　fuel　talents；　and　talents　surely　fueled　love。　And　what　else　had　brought　them　back　but　love？
　　Zach's　breathing　was　slow；　even：　a　wholly　peaceful　sound。　Trevor　wondered　if　he　might　be　able　to　sleep　too。　He　let　his　body　settle　into　Zach's；　synchronized　his　breathing　and　his　heartbeat　with　Zach's。
　　Minutes　later　he　was　as　deeply　asleep　as　he　had　ever　been；　and　his　sleep　was　dreamless。
　　
　　Dougal's　ancient　station　wagon　pulled　up　in　front　of　Kinsey's　house。　Eddy　saw　the　black　Mustang　in　the　driveway；　and　her　heart　leapt。　〃That's　Zach's　car！〃
　　Terry　and　Dougal　followed　her　up　the　walk。　Terry　knocked；　waited；　knocked　louder。　Eddy　could　not　make　herself　stand　still。　After　a　few　agonizing　minutes；　the　door　opened　a　crack　and　a　bright　blue　eye　peered　out。　Then　it　swung　all　the　way　open；　and　a　very　tall；　very　thin　man　in　rumpled　pajamas　smiled　Wearily　at　them。　〃Mornin'；　Terry。〃　He　nodded　at　Eddy　and　Dougal；　then　stood　there　rubbing　his　long　skinny　jaw　and　looking　politely　puzzled。
　　〃Mornin'；〃　said　Terry　without　a　trace　of　irony；　though　it　was　just　past　three　P。M。　〃Kinsey；　it　seems　we　got　some　trouble。　These　are　Zach's　friends　from　New　Orleans；　and　his　enemies　aren't　far　behind。〃
　　〃Well；　e　on　in；　sit　down。　Zach's　asleep。　Trevor　too。〃　Kinsey　ushered　them　through　the　door。
　　Terry　made　introductions；　then　told　Kinsey　about　his　run…in　with　the　agents。　Eddy　stared　around　the　cozy　living　room。　Her　thoughts　were　speeding　out　of　control：　Zach's　in　this　house；　I'm　going　to　see　him；　I'm　going　to　save　him　。　。　。
　　〃What　did　you　do　after　the　show　last　night；　anyway？〃　Kinsey　asked。
　　〃We　ate　mushrooms　and　watched　a　movie。　Trevor　and　Zach　went　home；　but　Calvin　gave　them　some　'shrooms　too。〃　Terry　frowned。　〃Why？〃
　　〃Well；　they　met　up　with　some　kind　of　accident。〃
　　〃The　car　looks　okay。〃
　　〃Something　happened　in　the　house。〃
　　〃I　knew　it！〃　Terry　slapped　his　forehead。　〃That　damn　place　is　haunted！　I　went　in　there　once；　me　and　Steve　and　R。J。；　and　you　wouldn't　even　believe　what　we　saw…〃
　　〃What？〃　said　a　quiet　new　voice。　〃What　did　you　see？〃
　　Everyone　turned。　A　young　man　with　long　ginger…blond　hair　stood　in　the　hall　doorway。　His　right　hand　was　splinted　and　swathed　in　bandages。　He　was　shirtless；　and　his　cotton　pants　rode　low　on　his　hips　as　if　he　had　just　tugged　them　on　one…handed。　His　pale　intense　eyes　rested　briefly　on　Eddy　and　Dougal；　then　moved　back　to　Terry。
　　〃Hey；　Trevor。〃　〃Terry　looked　embarrassed。　〃I；　uh；　I'd　rather　not　tell　you　what　I　saw；　if　you　don't　mind。　I　shouldn't　have　been　talking　about　it。〃
　　〃That's　okay；〃　said　Trevor。　He　glanced　at　the　newers　again。　〃Who're　these？〃
　　〃Well　。　。　。〃
　　〃We're　from　New　Orleans；〃　Eddy　interrupted。　〃We're　friends　of　Zach's。　If　you're　his　friend　too；　we　need　your　help。〃
　　Trevor's　eyes　narrowed。　He　looked　at　Kinsey；　who　shrugged。　〃What　do　you　want？〃
　　Eddy　could　tell　by　the　way　he　said　it　that　he　had　slept　with　Zach。　What　a　surprise。
　　〃How　much　do　you　know？〃　she　asked　him。
　　〃Everything。〃
　　〃Prove　it。〃
　　〃I　remember　now。　You're　Eddy。　He　left　you　ten　thousand　dollars　as　a　going…away　present。〃　He　looked　at　Dougal。　〃And　you're　the　guy　from　the　French　Market。　I　don't　remember　your　name。〃
　　At　least　he　mentioned　me；　Eddy　thought　bleakly。　But　something　was　odd　here；　this　Trevor　didn't　seem　like　one　of　Zach's　one…night　stands。　He　looked　intelligent　and　talked　as　if　he　had　a　brain。　And　Zach　evidently　trusted　him　a　lot。
　　〃Is　he　all　right？〃　she　asked。
　　〃He　will　be。〃　Trevor　stared　at　her。　〃Tell　me　what　you　want。〃
　　〃Trev？　What's　going　on？〃　A　pair　of　skinny　arms　appeared　out　of　the　dark　hallway　and　encircled　Trevor　from　behind。　A　moment　later；　Zach　peered　over　Trevor's　shoulder。　His　face　was　sleep…webbed；　naked　without　his　glasses。　From　what　Eddy　could　see；　he　wore　nothing　but　a　pair　of　skimpy　black　underwear。　He　squinted　at　the　roomful　of　people。　When　he　made　out　Eddy　and　Dougal；　his　eyes　went　almost　ically　wide。　〃Fuck！　I　think　I'm　hallucinating　again！〃
　　〃No；　you're　not。　They're　really　here。〃　Trevor　guided　Zach　to　the　couch；　sat　him　down　beside　Kinsey；　then　sat　on　his　other　side　and　put　a　protective　arm　around　his　shoulders。　〃They　haven't　said　why；　though。〃
　　〃We　want　you　to　leave　with　us；〃　said　Eddy。　She　looked　at　no　one　but　Zach；　though　she　couldn't　tell　if　he　was　really　seeing　her　or　not。　He　seemed　unfocused；　not　quite　there。　〃The　cops　raided　your　apartment。　They　also　arrested　your　friend　Stefan；　who　ratted　on　you　just　as　fast　as　he　could。　Now　they're　in　Missing　Mile。　We　can　help　you　get　away。〃
　　〃Hey；　Ed。　Hey；　Dougal。　It's　great　to　see　you。　Uh　。　。　。　where　would　you　take　us？〃
　　〃Us？〃
　　Zach　stared　at　the　floor；　then　back　up　at　Eddy。　A　fog　seemed　to　clear　from　his　green　eyes；　and　she　saw　the　old　evil　spark。　He　was　in　there　after　all。　〃Yeah；　Ed。　Us。　Me　and　Trevor。　If　there's　a　problem　with　that；　I　guess　we'll　have　to　get　away　on　our　own。〃
　　He　laid　his　hand　on　Trevor's　leg；　high　up　on　the　inside　of　his　thigh；　and　looked　evenly　at　her。　There　was　no　trace　of　guilt　in　his　expression。　She　supposed　guilt　simply　wasn't　part　of　his　genetic　makeup。
　　〃Just　tell　me　how　you　could　do　it；〃　she　said。
　　〃Do　what？〃
　　〃Fall　in　love　so　fast　after　refusing　to　do　it　for　nineteen　years；　you　ass！〃
　　Zach　shook　his　head。　Eddy　could　see　that　this　question　honestly　bewildered　him；　and　that　hurt　most　of　all；　because　she　knew　exactly　how　he　felt。　〃I　don't　know；〃　Zach　said。　〃I　just　found　the　right　person。〃
　　She　looked　at　Trevor；　who　met　her　gaze　steadily。　His　eyes　were　so　clear　that　Eddy　thought　she　could　look　straight　through　them　to　his　brain。　Was　that　what　made　Zach　love　him？　She　imagined　those　lips　kissing　Zach；　those　graceful　long…fingered　hands　touching　him；　Zach's　head　resting　on　that　smooth　bony　chest。　There　was　chemistry　between　them；　and　passion；　it　was　obvious　just　watching　them　sit　together。
　　〃Okay；〃　she　said。　〃Fine。　I　hope　it　makes　you　happy。　I'm　going　outside　for　a　few　minutes。　You　guys　decide　what　you　want　to　do；　and　let　me　know。〃　Eddy　stood　up　and　groped　her　way　out　of　the　room　with　tears　blinding　her　eyes；　found　herself　in　the　hall；　then　in　a　bedroom。　She　was　sobbing　now；　unable　to　see　anything；　barely　able　to　breathe。　She　stumbled　back　into　the　hall；　nearly　tripped　over　her　own　feet；　then　felt　a　large；　gentle　hand　on　her　shoulder；　a　tall　form　looming　behind　her。　Kinsey。
　　〃Back　door's　this　way；〃　he　said；　and　guided　her　into　the　kitchen。
　　〃Th…thank　you　。　。　。　I'm　sorry　to　freak　out　in　your　house　。　。　。〃
　　〃No　apology　needed。　I　understand。〃　He　opened　the　door　for　her。　〃The　yard's　very　private。　Stay　as　long　as　you　like。〃
　　〃I　don't　think　we　have　long。〃
　　〃I'll　try　to　get　them　moving；〃　he　promised。
　　Eddy　sat　on　the　back　steps　for　several　minutes；　staring　into　the　jungle　of　the　yard；　letting　the　tears　course　freely　down　her　face。　She　believed　Zach　really　was　in　love；　that　was　the　hell　of　it。　She　could　see　it　in　his　face　and　Trevor's；　in　the　way　their　bodies　touched。　And　she　didn't　think　Zach　would　lie　to　her　about　such　a　thing。　It　was　easy　enoug