Rock Island Line David Rhodes (ereader iphone .txt) 📖

that eight out of the hole.” Finally, July won. Then the specter said, “Why don’t you lie down and go to sleep for a while? What time is it?”

“Seven fifteen,” said July.

“Well, I’ll set the alarm for ten thirty. That’ll give you plenty of time. But if you’re going to be able to do anything you’ll need to be rested, or your nerves will collapse just when you need them.”

July got under his blankets fully dressed and closed his eyes, then reopened them. “Say,” he said. “If you’re who you are, how can I be who I am?”

“What a question,” laughed the specter and his face glowed even brighter and July looked away for fear the radiance of itwould lull him to sleep and he’d miss the answer. “And since you put it that way, I guess all I can say is you’re not.” July closed his eyes. “That is, if one of us were in question, I’m afraid it would have to be you.” July fell asleep.

When he awoke he was alone. He reached behind the clock and unset the alarm, though it had not yet gone off. With the lamp lit, he discovered it to be just several minutes after ten. He went out and passed water on the ground; then he came back in, shut the door and began to contemplate what he was going to do.

Earl, Al and Marty arrived at the parking lot a quarter of an hour before midnight. Marty carried the cardboard box with the cat in it. The lot was asphalt, and large enough for fifty cars. A ticket booth sat at the entrance, closed from nine to six thirty. There were twenty-odd cars parked haphazardly. The corner they chose was empty for two stalls each way and was at the back of the lot. Between them and the alley was a chain-link fence. Earl took the box from Marty and set it down against the brick side of the building and fence.

“Now, let’s run over again what we’re going to do.”

“He’ll never come. Let’s wait awhile, then let the cat out and go home.”

“Don’t worry, he’ll come. Now, with the cat in the corner he’ll have to come into the clear, here away from the cars. We’ll see him as soon as he comes in anyway and I’ll have plenty of time to get ready.”

“I don’t know,” said Al. “We could get in a lot of trouble for this.”

“Naw.”

“As soon as we see him you two should get behind that Buick. I’ll get behind this car over here and call to him and tell him to come into the corner where he can see his cat. Then, after he’s beside the box I’ll call out and tell ’im I’ve got a gun and to throw all weapons down.”

“What if he doesn’t?” asked Al.

“He will: I’ll tell him that if he doesn’t I’ll fill the box with lead.”

“Holy Jesus, we could get in trouble for this. What if we kill him?”

“They’d get us for sure.”

“No they wouldn’t,” said Earl. “They’d never join us with a motive. There’s no way they can find you if they don’t have a motive to go on.”

“But we’ve got a motive—why else would we be here?” Al said.

“That’s the way I see it too, Earl. Let’s turn the cat loose and go home. This whole thing’s gotten out of hand. Fuck, if you want to fight him, just go up and bust him in the mouth. What are we doing here anyway? Really, what are we doing here?” He tried to laugh then, to offset the whine that had crept into his voice, but he couldn’t pull it through and lost Al, who for his own pride’s sake couldn’t condone such an obvious display of shameful emotions.

“A grudge isn’t a motive,” said Earl. “Besides, what’s to worry about?”

“Say, if you aren’t going to use your gloves, Earl, could I put ’em on? It’s freezing out here.”

Earl gave them to him. “Then while I’ve got him covered, you two make sure he’s clean—he’ll be helpless with the flashlight in his face—and I’ll come in and take ’im.”

Then they went over it again, and crossed to the entrance to look down the street. Earl took his gloves back and they returned to their cover and talked through the plan again. Changing it a little, he decided Al should hold the flashlight and stay back away from July when they searched him, thereby making sure of a good shot. When July’s silhouetted figure stepped into the lot they all froze.

July was as afraid as he could ever remember being, and nothing within the realm of complete and utter destruction would have surprised him. He half expected all of the car headlights to flick on and come moving toward him, or hear his cat’s final cry.

“I’ve got a gun!” Earl sang out. “Come over here into the corner. I’ve got a gun, remember.” July went over, beyond the cars obstructing his view of the box. Why can’t I be braver? he asked himself. Why do I have to be so frightened? Please be all right, Butch. He walked faster. “All right, hold up,” came the voice. “The cat’s in the box. Throw down your weapons, Marine boy, or I’ll fill the box with thirty-eight slugs.” Pause. July was too afraid to talk or move. “OK. Go search him.” A flashlight came on and aimed at his face. He could barely make out two figures coming toward him. “Remember, I’ve got a gun,” came the menacing voice again. He controlled himself no longer. The urge to run overcame him. He grabbed up the box, put it under his left arm, threw the handful of gravel rocks from his right hand at the light and ran.

“That son of a bitch hit me with a rock!”

“Get him!” shouted Earl, too excited to begin running himself. “Get him! He’s afraid! He’s scared to death! Get him! Get him!”

“He hit me with a rock—shoot him!”

“Get