ch.doublewhammy-第51部分

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　tournament。〃
　〃Later？　You　mean　after　tea　and　crumpets？〃
　〃Drop　it；　Dennis。　It　wasn't　exactly　easy　getting　this　guy　to　open　up。　He'd　make　Charles　Bronson　seem　like　the　life　of　the　party。〃
　〃What　else　did　he　say？〃
　〃That　he　and　the　fish　were　going　on　a　trip　this　weekend。〃
　Gault　snorted。　〃He　and　the　fish。　You　mean　like　a　date？〃
　Lanie　let　him　think　about　it。　Dennis　Gault　didn't　take　a　long　time。
　〃He's　going　to　plant　the　bass　at　Lunker　Lakes；〃　he　said；　〃so　his　friends　can　win　the　tournament。〃
　〃That's　what　I　figured。〃
　〃Not　a　bad　day's　work；　even　if　you've　got　to　split　the　prize　money　three　ways。〃
　〃Instead　of　just　two；〃　Lanie　said。
　〃What？〃
　〃You　and　me；　half　and　half；〃　she　said；　〃if　you　win　with　Skink's　fish。〃
　Dennis　Gault　had　to　laugh。　She　was　something；　his　sister。　If　she　were　a　man；　she'd　have　steel　ones。
　〃Deal？〃　Lanie　said。
　〃Sure；　fifty…fifty。〃　Gault　really　didn't　give　a　damn　about　the　money　anyway。
　
　〃I'm　not　riding　in　it；〃　Al　Garcia　said。
　〃It's　all　I　could　find；　with　a　trailer　hitch；〃　Jim　Tile　explained。
　Garcia　said；　〃It's　a　fucking　garbage　truck；　Jim。　An　eleven…ton　diesel　garbage　truck！〃
　〃It's　perfect；〃　Skink　said。　〃It's　you。〃
　He　had　strapped　the　wooden　skiff　to　the　secondhand　trailer；　even　with　the　outboard　engine　it　was　a　light　load。　He　one…handed　the　tongue　of　the　trailer　and　snapped　it　down　on　the　ball　of　the　hitch。
　Garcia　stared　in　dismay。　The　peeling　old　boat　was　bad　enough　by　itself；　but　hitched　to　the　rump　of　a　garbage　truck　it　looked　like　a　flea…market　special。　〃Gypsies　wouldn't　ride　in　this　fucking　caravan；〃　the　detective　said。　〃What　happened　to　your　cousin's　lawn　truck？〃
　〃Axle　broke；〃　said　Jim　Tile。
　〃Then　let's　rent　a　regular　pickup。〃
　〃No　time；〃　Skink　said。
　〃Then　let's　all　ride　with　you；〃　Garcia　said。
　〃No　way；〃　Skink　said。　〃We　can't　be　seen　together　down　there。　From　this　moment　on；　you　don't　know　me；　I　don't　know　you。　Bass　is　the　name　of　the　game；　no　socializing。　It's　just　you　and　Jim　Tile；　brothers。　That's　all。〃
　Garcia　said；　〃What　if　something　happens…how　do　we　reach　you？〃
　〃I'll　be　aware。　You　got　the　map？〃
　〃Yep。〃　To　demonstrate；　Garcia　patted　a　trouser　pocket。
　〃Good。　Now；　remember；　get　one　of　those　big　Igloos。〃
　〃I　know；　the　sixty…gallon　job。〃
　〃Right。　And　an　aquarium　pump。〃
　Jim　Tile　said；　〃We've　got　it　all　written　down。〃
　Skink　smiled　tiredly。　〃So　you　do。〃　He　tucked　his　ropy　gray　braid　down　the　back　of　his　weather　jacket。　The　trooper　had　advised　him　to　do　this　to　reduce　his　chances　of　getting　pulled　over　for　no　reason　on　the　Turnpike；　long　hair　was　a　magnet　for　cops。
　As　Skink　climbed　into　the　truck；　he　said；　〃Decker　make　his　phone　call？〃
　〃Yeah；〃　Jim　Tile　said；　〃he's　already　gone。〃
　〃God；　that's　the　one　thing　I'm　worried　about；〃　Skink　said。　〃I　really　like　that　boy。〃　He　pulled　the　raincap　tight　on　his　skull。　He　lifted　the　sunglasses　just　enough　to　fit　a　finger　underneath；　working　the　owl　eye　back　into　its　socket。
　〃How　you　feeling？〃　Jim　Tile　asked。
　〃Better　and　better。　Thanks　for　asking。　And　you；　Senor　Smartass　Cuban；　remember…〃
　〃I'll　be　gentle　with　her；　governor；　don't　worry。〃　
　〃…because　if　she　dies；　I'll　have　to　kill　somebody。〃　With　that　Skink　started　the　ignition；　and　the　truck　jostled　down　the　dirt　cattle　path　toward　the　Mormon　Trail。
　Tied　upright　in　the　flatbed　was　the　big　plastic　garbage　pail；　crisscrossed　with　ropes　and　elastic　bungy　cords。　Fastened　crudely　to　the　top　of　the　pail　was　a　battery…powered　pump；　obviously　rebuilt；　from　which　sprouted　clear　life…giving　tubes。　Inside　the　plastic　container　was　precisely　thirty　gallons　of　Lake　Jesup's　purest；　and　in　that　agitated　but　freshly　oxygenated　water　was　the　fish　called　Queenie；　flaring　her　fins；　jawing　silent　fulminations。　The　hugest　largemouth　bass　in　all　the　world。
　
　After　they　checked　in　at　the　motel；　Thomas　Curl　told　Catherine　to　take　off　her　clothes。　She　got　as　far　as　her　bra　and　panties　and　said　that　was　it。
　〃I　want　you　nekked；〃　Curl　said；　brandishing　the　pistol。　'That　way　you　won't　run　off。〃
　Catherine　said；　〃It's　too　cold。〃
　Curl　got　a　thin　woolen　blanket　from　the　closet　and　threw　it　at　her。　〃Now；〃　he　said。
　Catherine　fingered　the　blanket。　〃Awfully　scratchy；〃　she　plained。
　Thomas　Curl　cocked　the　pistol。　He　didn't　aim　it　directly　at　her；　but　pointed　it　up；　drawn　back　over　his　left　shoulder；　gunslinger…style。　〃Strip；〃　he　said。
　Reluctantly　she　did　as　she　was　told。　The　fact　that　Thomas　Curl's　minimal　brain　was　racked　by　infection　weighed　heavily　in　Catherine's　decision。　Anyone　else　she　would　have　tried　to　talk　out　of　it；　but　this　was　not　a　well　person；　he　had　bee　febrile；　rambling；　alternately　manic　and　torpid。　He　had　given　up　all　attempts　to　prize　the　dead　dog　head　from　his　arm。　It　was　his　friend　now。
　Thomas　Curl　watched　intently　as　Catherine　wrapped　herself　twice　around　in　the　blanket　and　sat　down　at　the　head　of　her　bed。
　〃You　got　the　nicest　tits；〃　he　said。
　〃Bet　you　say　that　to　all　your　kidnap　victims。〃
　〃I　think　I　might　like　to　poke　you。〃
　〃Some　other　night；〃　said　Catherine。
　Slowly；　like　a　sleepy　chameleon；　Thomas　Curl　closed　his　puffy　eyes　by　degrees。　His　head　drooped　to　one　side；　and　would　have　drooped　even　more　except　that　his　temple　came　to　rest　on　the　muzzle　of　the　pistol。　For　a　moment　Catherine　was　sure　she'd　be　rinsing　brains　out　of　her　hair；　but　abruptly　Thomas　Curl　woke　up。　He　uncocked　the　gun　and　slid　it　into　his　belt。　With　his　dog　arm　he　motioned　to　the　telephone　on　the　nightstand。　〃Call　your　doctor　husband；〃　he　said。　〃Tell　him　everything's　peachy。〃
　Catherine　dialed　the　number　of　the　hotel　in　Montreal；　but　James　was　not　in　his　room。　She　hung　up。
　〃I'll　try　later；〃　she　said。
　Unsteadily　Thomas　Curl　made　his　way　to　the　bed。　The　stench　from　the　dead　dog　head　was　overpowering。
　〃Can　we　open　a　window？〃　Catherine　asked。
　〃Lie　down。〃
　〃What　for？〃
　With　his　good　arm　he　flattened　her　on　the　bed。　Using　torn　strips　of　bed　linen；　he　tied　her　to　the　mattress。　Catherine　was　impressed　by　the　strength　of　the　knots；　considering　his　limited　dexterity。
　Thomas　Curl　unplugged　the　phone　and　tucked　it　under　his　right　arm。　〃Don't　try　nuthin'　funny；〃　he　said　to　Catherine。
　〃Are　you　leaving？〃
　〃Lucas　has　to　go　for　a　walk。〃
　Catherine　nodded。
　〃I'm　taking　the　phone；〃　said　Curl。
　〃Could　you　pick　up　some　food？〃　she　asked。　〃I'm　starving。〃
　Thomas　Curl　threw　R。　J。　Decker's　coat　over　his　shoulders。　〃Burger　King'll　have　to　do；〃　he　said。
　〃Wendy's　has　a　salad　bar；〃　Catherine　suggested。
　〃All　right；〃　Curl　said；　〃Wendy's。〃
　
　He　wasn't　very　hungry。　He　picked　at　some　french　fries　while　Catherine　ate　her　salad　and　sipped　a　Diet　Coke。　Curl　had　had　so　much　trouble　untying　her　that　he'd　just　cut　the　linen　with　a　pocket…knife。
　〃Did　Lucas　enjoy　his　walk？〃　she　said。
　〃He　was　a　good　boy；〃　Curl　said；　patting　the　dog　head。　〃A　good　boy　for　daddy。〃
　He　put　the　phone　back　in　the　wall　and　told　Catherine　to　try　Montreal　again。　This　time　James　answered。
　〃How's　the　convention？〃　Catherine　said。　〃Lots　of　laughs？〃
　Thomas　Curl　moved　close　to　her　on　the　bed　and　took　out　the　gun；　as　a　reminder。
　Catherine　said　to　James：　〃Just　so　you　won't　worry；　I'm　going　up　to　my　sister's　in　Boca　for　a　few　days。　In　case　you　called　home　and　I　wasn't　there。〃　They　talked　for　a　few　minutes　about　the　weather　and　the　encouraging　advance　orders　for　the　electric　vibrating　chiropractic　couch；　and　then　Catherine　said　good…bye。
　〃That　was　good；〃　Thomas　Curl　said；　munching　a　cold　french　fry。　〃You　like　him　as　much　as　Decker？〃
　〃James　is　a　sweetheart；〃　Catherine　said。　〃If　it's　money　you're　after；　he'd　pay　anything　to　get　me　back。〃
　〃It's　not　money　I'm　after。〃
　〃I　know；〃　she　said。
　〃So　now　he　won't　be　worried；　your　doctor　won't？　When　you're　not　home？〃
　〃No；　he's　having　a　ball；〃　Catherine　said。　〃He　got　interviewed　for　Vertebrae　Today。〃
　Curl　burped。
　〃A　chiropractic　magazine；〃　Catherine　explained。　She　herself　was　not　overwhelmed　with　excitement。
　The　phone　rang。　Catherine　started　to　reach　for　it；　but　Curl　thwacked　her　arm　with　the　butt　of　the　gun。　When　he　answered；　a　man's　voice　said：　〃It's　me。　Decker。〃
　〃You　here　yet？〃
　〃On　the　way；〃　Decker　said。　He　was　at　a　service　plaza　in　Fort　Pierce；　gassing　up　Al　Garcia's　car。
　〃You　ready　to　trade？〃
　〃Absolutely；〃　Decker　said。　〃How's　Mrs。　Gomez？〃
　Curl　put　the　receiver　to　Catherine's　cheek。　〃Tell　him　you're　fine；〃　he　said。
　〃R。J。；　I'm　fine。〃
　〃Catherine；　I'm　sorry　about　this。〃
　〃It's　okay…〃
　Curl　snatched　the　phone　back　and　said：　〃This　is　the　way　we're　going　to　do　it：　a　straight…up　trade。〃
　〃Fair　enough；　but　I　choose　the　place。〃
　〃Fuck　you；　bubba。〃
　〃It's　the　only　way；　Tom。　It's　the　only　way　I　can　make　sure　the　lady　walks　free。〃
　Curl　rubbed　his　brow。　He　wanted　to　stand　firm；　but　his　mind　could　not　assemble　an　argument。　Every　thought　that　entered　his　head　seemed　to　sizzle　and　burn　up　in　the　fever。　As　Decker　instructed　him　when　and　where　to　go；　Thomas　Curl　repeated　everything　aloud　in　a　thick；　disconnected　voice。　Luckily　Catherine　jotted　the　directions　on　a　Holiday　Inn　notepad；　because　Curl　forgot　everything　the　instant　he　hung　up。
　〃Hungry；　Lucas？〃　He　opened　the　brown　grocery　bag。　He　had　stopped　at　the　store　and　bought　the　dog　a　little　treat。
　Catherine　eyed　the　package。　〃Gaines　Burgers？〃
　〃His　favorite；〃　Curl　said。　He　unwrapped　one　of　the　patties　and　mashed　it　between　the　dog's　jaws；　still　fixed　obdurately　to　his　own　arm。　The　red　meat　stuck　to　the　animal's　dried　yellow　fangs。　〃You　like　that；　dontcha；　boy？〃
　Catherine　said；　〃He's　not　hungry；　Tom。　I　can　tell。〃
　〃Guess　you're　right；〃　Curl　said。　〃Must　be　all　the　traveling。〃
　
　Deacon　Johnson　tapped　lightly　on　the　door。　For　once；　Reverend　Weeb　was　alone。
　〃Charles；　you'd　better　e　see。〃
　〃What　now？〃　the　preacher　said　irritably。
　He　followed　Deacon　Johnson　out　of　the　townhouse　office；　through　the　courtyard；　down　a　sloping　walk　to　a　boat　ramp　on　the　newly　sodded　shore　of　Lunker　Lake　Number　One。　Many　of　the　anglers　had　begun　to　arrive；　so　the　ramp　was　crowded　with　needle…shaped　bass　boats；　each　attached　to　a　big　candy…colored　Blazer；　Jeep；　or　Bronco。　In　the　midst　of　the　gleaming　congregation　was　an　immense　army…green　garbage　truck　with　a　warped　old　skiff　hitched　to　its　bumper。
　Two　men　leaned　impass