chiaasen.stormyweather-第6章

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a　pet　kitten；　which　had　disappeared　in　the　storm。　Bonnie　Lamb　offered　to　help　search。　The　cat　didn't　turn　up；　but　Bonnie　did　find　the　old　woman's　wedding　album；　beneath　a　shattered　mirror。　Bonnie　cleared　the　broken　glass　and　retrieved　the　album；　damp　but　not　ruined。　Bonnie　opened　it　to　the　date　of　inscription：　December　11；　1949。　When　the　old　woman　saw　the　album；　she　broke　down　in　Bonnie's　arms。　With　a　twinge　of　shame；　Bonnie　glanced　around　to　make　sure　that　Max　wasn't　secretly　filming　them。　Then　she　began　to　cry；　too。
　
　Later；　resolved　to　confront　her　husband；　Bonnie　Lamb　went　to　find　him。　If　he　refused　to　put　away　that　stupid　camera；　she　would　demand　the　keys　to　the　rental　car。　It　promised　to　be　the　first　hard　test　of　the　new　marriage。
　
　Two　hours　passed　with　no　sign　of　Max；　and　Bonnie's　anger　dissolved　into　worry。　The　tale　told　by　the　boy　with　the　broken　bicycle　ordinarily　would　have　been　ical；　but　Bonnie　took　it　as　further　evidence　of　Max's　reckless　obsession。　He　was　afraid　of　animals；　even　hamsters；　a　condition　he　blamed　on　an　unspecified　childhood　trauma；　to　boldly　pursue　a　wild　monkey　was　definitely　out　of　character。　On　the　other　hand；　Max　loved　that　damn　Handycam。　More　than　once　he'd　reminded　Bonnie　that　it　had　cost　seven　hundred　dollars；　mail　order　from　Hong　Kong。　She　could　easily　envision　him　chasing　a　seven…hundred…dollar　investment　down　the　street。　She　could　even　envision　him　strangling　the　monkey　for　it；　if　necessary。
　
　Another　squall　came；　and　Bonnie　cursed　mildly　under　her　breath。　There　wasn't　much　left　standing；　in　the　way　of　shelter。　She　felt　a　shiver　as　the　raindrops　ran　d'own　her　neck；　and　decided　to　return　to　the　rental　car　and　wait　for　Max　there。　Except　she　wasn't　sure　where　the　car　was　parked…without　street　signs　or　mailboxes；　every　block　of　the　destroyed　subdivision　looked　the　same。　Bonnie　Lamb　was　lost。
　
　She　saw　the　helicopters　wheeling　overhead；　heard　the　chorus　of　sirens　in　the　distance；　yet　on　the　streets　of　the　neighborhood　there　were　no　policemen；　no　soldiers；　no　proper　authority　to　which　a　missing　husband　could　be　reported。　Exhausted；　Bonnie　sat　on　a　curb。　To　keep　dry；　she　tried　to　balance　a　large　square　of　plywood　over　her　head。　A　gust　of　wind　got　under　the　board　and　pulled　Bonnie　over　backward；　as　she　went　down；　a　corner　of　the　board　struck　her　sharply　on　the　forehead。
　
　She　lay　there　stunned　for　several　moments；　staring　at　the　muddy　sky；　blinking　the　raindrops　from　her　eyes。　A　man　appeared；　standing　over　her。　He　wore　a　small　rifle　slung　on　one　shoulder。
　
　〃Let　me　help；〃　he　said。
　
　Bonnie　Lamb　allowed　him　to　lift　her　from　the　wet　grass。　She　noticed　her　blouse　was　soaked；　and　shyly　folded　her　arms　across　her　breasts。　The　man　retrieved　the　plywood　board　and　braced　it　at　a　generous　angle　against　a　concrete　utility　pole。　There　he　and　Bonnie　Lamb　took　shelter　from　the　slashing　rain。
　
　The　man　was　in　his　early　thirties；　with　good　shoulders　and　tanned；　strong…looking　arms。　He　had　short　brown　hair；　a　sharp　chin　and　friendly　blue　eyes。　He　wore　Rockport　hiking　shoes；　which　gave　Bonnie　a　sense　of　relief。　She　couldn't　imagine　a　psychopathic　sex　killer　choosing　Rockports。
　
　〃Do　you　live　around　here？〃　she　asked。
　
　The　man　shook　his　head。　〃Coral　Gables。〃
　
　〃Is　the　gun　loaded？〃
　
　〃Sort　of；〃　the　man　said；　without　elaborating。
　
　〃My　name　is　Bonnie。〃
　
　〃I'm　Augustine。〃
　
　〃What　are　you　doing　out　here？〃　she　asked。
　
　〃Believe　it　or　not；〃　he　said；　〃I'm　looking　for　my　monkeys。〃
　
　Bonnie　Lamb　smiled。　〃What　a　coincidence。〃
　
　Max　Lamb　woke　up　with　a　headache　that　was　about　to　get　worse。　He　found　himself　stripped　to　his　underwear　and　bound　to　a　pine　tree。　The　tall　man　with　the　glass　eye；　the　man　who'd　snatched　him　off　the　street　as　if　he　were　a　wayward　toddler；　was　thrashing　and　flopping　in　a　leafy　clearing　by　the　campfire。　When　the　impressive　seizure　ended；　the　kidnapper　gathered　himself　in　a　lotus　position。　Max　Lamb　noticed　a　thick　black　collar　around　the　man's　neck。　In　one　hand　he　held　a　shiny　cylinder　that　reminded　Max　of　a　remote　control　for　a　model　car。　The　cylinder　had　a　short　rubber　antenna　and　three　colored　buttons。
　
　The　one…eyed　man　was　mumbling：　〃Too　much　juice；　too　much。。。〃　He　wore　a　cheap　plastic　shower　cap　on　his　head。　Max　would　have　assumed　he　was　a　street　person；　except　for　the　teeth；　the　kidnapper　displayed　outstanding　orthodontics。
　
　He　seemed　unaware　that　his　captive　was　observing　him。　Deliberately　the　man　extended　both　legs　to　brace　himself；　inhaled　twice　deeply；　then　pushed　a　red　burton　on　the　remote…control　cylinder。　Instantly　his　body　began　to　jerk　like　an　enormous　broken　puppet。　Max　Lamb　watched　helplessly　as　the　stranger　writhed　through　the　leaves　toward　the　fire。　His　boots　were　in　the　flames　when　the　fit　finally　ended。　Then　the　man　rose　with　a　startling　swiftness；　stomping　his　huge　feet　until　the　soles　cooled。
　
　One　hand　went　to　his　neck。　〃By　God；　that's　better。〃
　
　Max　Lamb　concluded　it　was　a　nightmare；　and　shut　his　eyes。　When　he　opened　them　again；　much　later；　he　saw　that　the　campfire　was　freshly　stoked。　The　one…eyed　kidnapper　crouched　nearby；　now　his　neck　was　bare。　He　was　feeding　Oreo　cookies　to　the　larcenous　monkey；　which　appeared　to　be　regaining　its　health。　Max　was　more　certain　than　ever　that　what　he'd　witnessed　earlier　was　a　dream。　He　felt　ready　to　assert　himself。
　
　〃Where's　my　camera？〃　he　demanded。
　
　The　kidnapper　stood　up；　laughing　through　his　wild　beard。　〃Perfect；〃　he　said。　〃'Where's　my　camera？'　That's　just　perfect。〃
　
　In　a　hazardously　patronizing　tone；　Max　Lamb　said：　〃Let　me　go；　pardner。　You　don't　really　want　to　go　to　jail；　do　you？〃
　
　〃Ha；〃　the　stranger　said。　He　reached　for　the　shiny　black　cylinder。
　
　A　bolt　of　fire　passed　through　Max　Lamb's　neck。　He　shuddered　violently　and　gulped　for　breath。　His　tongue　tasted　of　hot　copper。　Crimson　spears　of　light　punctured　the　night。　Max　warbled　in　fear。
　
　〃Shock　collar；〃　the　kidnapper　explained；　unnecessarily。　〃The　TriTronics　200。　Three　levels　of　stimulation。　Range　of　one　mile。　Rechargeable　nickel…cadmium　batteries。　Three…year　warranty。〃
　
　Max　felt　it　now；　stiff　leather　against　the　soft　skin　of　his　throat。
　
　〃State　of　the　art；〃　said　the　stranger。　〃You　a　bird　hunter？〃
　
　Max　mouthed　the　word　〃no。〃
　
　〃Well；　trust　me。　Field　trainers　swear　by　these　gizmos。　Dogs　get　the　message　real　quick；　even　Labs。〃　The　stranger　twirled　the　remote　control　like　a　baton。　〃Me；　I　couldn't　put　one　of　these　on　an　animal。　Fact；　I　couldn't　even　try　it　on　you　without　testing　it　myself。　That's　what　a　big　old　softy　I　am。〃
　
　The　kidnapper　scratched　the　crown　of　the　monkey's　head。　The　monkey　hopped　back　and　bared　its　tiny　teeth；　which　were　flecked　black　with　Oreo　crumbs。　The　kidnapper　laughed。
　
　Max　Lamb；　quavering：　〃Keep　it　away　from　me！〃
　
　〃Not　an　animal　person；　huh？〃
　
　〃What　is　it　you　want？〃
　
　The　stranger　turned　toward　the　fire。
　
　Max　said；　〃Is　it　money？　Just　take　whatever　I've　got。〃
　
　〃Jesus；　you're　thick。〃　The　stranger　pushed　the　red　button；　and　Max　Lamb　thrashed　briefly　against　his　ropes。　The　monkey　skittered　away；　out　of　the　firelight。
　
　Max　looked　up　to　see　the　psycho；　taping　him　with　the　video　camera！　〃Say　cheese；〃　the　stranger　said；　aiming　the　Handycam　with　his　good　eye。
　
　Max　Lamb　reddened。　He　felt　spindly　and　pale　in　his　underwear。
　
　The　man　said；　〃I　might　send　this　up　to　Rodale　and　Burns。　What　d'you　think…for　the　office　Christmas　bash？　'How　I　Spent　My　Florida　Vacation；'　starring　Max　Leo　Lamb。〃
　
　Max　sagged。　Rodale　and　Burns　was　the　Madison　Avenue　advertising　agency　where　he　worked。　The　lunatic　had　been　through　his　billfold。
　
　〃They　call　me　Skink；〃　the　kidnapper　said。　He　turned　off　the　Handycam　and　carefully　capped　the　lens。　〃But　I　prefer　'captain。'〃
　
　〃Captain　what？〃
　
　〃Obviously　you　were　impressed　by　the　hurricane。〃　The　stranger　packed　the　video　camera　in　a　canvas　sleeve。　〃Myself；　I　was　disappointed。　I　was　hoping　for　something　more　。。。　well；　biblical。〃
　
　Max　Lamb　said；　as　respectfully　as　possible：　〃It　looked　pretty　bad　to　me。〃
　
　〃You　hungry？〃　The　kidnapper　brought　a　burlap　sack　to　the　tree　where　his　prisoner　was　tied。
　
　〃Oh　God；〃　said　Max　Lamb；　staring　inside　the　bag。　〃You　can't　be　serious。〃
　
　
　
　CHAPTER　FOUR
　
　
　Filling　the　BarcaLounger　like　a　stuffed　tuna；　Tony　Torres　encouraged　Edie　Marsh　and　Snapper　to　reveal　the　details　of　their　aborted　scam。　Facing　a　loaded　shotgun；　they　plied。
　
　Snapper　gestured　sourly　toward　Edie；　who　said：　〃Simple。　I　fake　a　fall　in　your　driveway。　My　'brother'　here　threatens　to　sue。　You　freak　out　and　offer　us　money。〃
　
　〃Because　you　guys　know；〃　Tony　said；　slapping　a　mosquito　on　his　blubbery　neck；　〃I'll　be　getting　quite　a　wad　of　dough　on　account　of　the　hurricane。　Insurance　dough。〃
　
　〃Exactly；〃　Edie　Marsh　said。　〃Your　place　is　wrecked；　last　thing　you　need　is　a　lawsuit。　So　Snapper　says　here's　an　idea：　Soon　as　your　hurricane　money　es　in；　cut　us　a　piece　and　we　call　it　even。〃
　
　Tony　Torres　sucked　his　teeth　in　amusement。　〃How　big　a　piece；　darling？〃
　
　〃Whatever　we　could　take　you　for。〃
　
　〃Ah；〃　said　Tony。
　
　〃We　figured　you'd　just　factor　us　in　the　insurance　claim。　Jack　up　your　losses　by　a　few　grand；　who'd　ever　know？〃
　
　〃Beautiful；〃　Tony　said。
　
　〃Oh　yeah；〃　said　Snapper；　〃fucking　genius。　Look　how　good　it　worked。〃
　
　He　and　Edie　sat　with　their　backs　to　the　living…room　wall；　Snapper　with　his　long　legs　drawn　up；　Edie's　straight　out；　kneecaps　pressed　together。　A　picture　of　innocence；　Tony　Torres　thought。　The　runs　in　her　stockings　were　a　nifty　touch。
　
　The　carpet　was　sodden　from　the　storm；　but　Edie　Marsh　didn't　plain。　Snapper　felt　the　wetness　creeping　through　the　seat　of　his　dress　trousers…the　annoyance　was　sufficient　that　he　might　kill　Tony　Torres；　if　the　opportunity　presented　itself。
　
　Deep　in　thought；　the　salesman　slurped　at　a　sweaty　bottle　of　imported　beer。　He'd　offered　his　captives　a　quart　of　warm　Gatorade；　which　they'd　refused　without　ment。　A　humid　breeze　blew　through　the　fractures　in　the　walls　and　rocked　the　bare　sixty…watt　bulb　on　its　beam。　Edie　Marsh　tilted　her　head　and　saw　a　spray　of　stars　where　Tony's　ceiling　had　once　been。　The　noise　from　the　portable　generator　gave　Snapper　an　oppressive　headache。
　
　Eventually；　Tony　Torres　said：　〃You　understand　there's　no　law　to　speak　of。　The　world's　upside　down；　for　the　time　being。〃
　
　〃You　could　kill　us　and　get　clean　away　with　it。　That's　what　you　mean；〃　Snapper　said。
　
　Edie　looked　at　him。　〃You're　a　tremendous　help。〃
　
　Tony　indicated　that　he　preferred　not　to　shoot　them。　〃But　here's　my　thinking；〃　he　said。　〃Tomorrow；　maybe　the　day　after；　somebody　from　Midwest　Casualty　will　e　see　about　the　house。　I　expect　he'll　say　it's　a　total　loss；　unless　he's　blind　as　a　bat。　Anyway；　the　good　news：　I　happen　to　own　the　place　free　and　clear。　Paid　it　off　last　March。〃　Tony　paused　to　stifle　a　burp。　〃I　was　having　a　good　run　at　the　office；　so　what　the　hell。　I　paid　the　mortgage　off。〃
　
　Edie　Marsh　said：　〃Salesman　of　the　Year。〃　She　had　noticed　the　plaque。
　
　〃Mister；〃　Snapper　interjected；　〃you　got　somethin'　I　can　put　under　my　ass？　The　rug's　all　wet。　A　newspaper　maybe？〃
　
　〃Oh；　I　think　you'll　live；〃　said　the　salesman。　〃Any