chiaasen.stormyweather-第50部分

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them　on　the　road。　Bonnie　herself　had　no　clue　which　way　they　were　headed。
　
　〃South；〃　the　governor　reported。　〃And　south　is　good。〃
　
　The　man　with　the　pistol　snarled：　〃Quiet；　asshole。〃
　
　Suddenly　Bonnie　got　an　eerie　hologrammic　vision　of　the　gunman's　naked　skull　on　the　wall　of　Augustine's　guest　room。　The　broken　mandible　caused　the　bony　orb　to　rest　with　a　sinister　tilt　on　the　shelf；　a　pirate's　crooked　grin。　Then　Bonnie　had　a　flash　of　Augustine；　juggling　the　gunman's　skull　with　the　others。
　
　From　a　pocket　Skink　withdrew　a　squirming　Bufo　toad；　which　immediately　peed　on　him。　The　man　with　the　。357　sneered。
　
　The　woman　who　was　driving　glanced　over　her　shoulder。　〃What　now？〃　she　grumbled。
　
　〃Smoke　the　sweat；〃　Skink　said；　cupping　the　toad　and　its　amber　piddle　in　his　palm；　〃and　then　you　see　mastodons。〃
　
　〃Get　that　stinking　thing　outta　here；〃　said　the　gunman。
　
　〃Did　you　know　mastodons　once　roamed　Florida？　Eons　before　your　ancestors　began　their　ruinous　copulations。　Mastodons　as　big　as　cement　trucks！〃　Skink　put　the　toad　out　the　window。　Then　he　wiped　the　toad　pee　on　the　sleeve　of　the　gunman's　pinstriped　suit。
　
　〃You　fuck！〃　Snapper　took　aim　at　Skink's　good　eye。
　
　The　woman　at　the　wheel　told　him　to　cool　it…other　drivers　were　staring。　She　turned　off　at　the　next　exit　and　pulled　into　an　abandoned　service　station。　The　hurricane　had　blown　down　the　gas　pumps　like　dominoes。　Looters　had　cleaned　out　the　garage。　On　the　roof　lay　the　remains　of　a　Mazda　Miata；　squashed　upside　down　like　a　bright　lady…bug。
　
　While　the　gunman　left　the　Jeep　to　relieve　himself　behind　the　building；　the　woman　reluctantly　took　charge　of　the　。357。　She　looked　so　unfortable　that　Bonnie　Lamb　felt　a　little　sorry　for　her；　the　poor　girl　could　barely　hoist　the　darn　thing。　Surely；　Bonnie　thought；　now　was　the　moment　for　Skink　to　make　his　move。
　
　But　he　didn't。　Instead　he　smiled　at　the　woman　in　the　driver's　seat　and　said；　〃You're　truly　pretty。　And　aware　of　it；　of　course。　The　guiding　force　for　most　of　your　life；　I　imagine…your　good　looks。〃
　
　The　woman　blushed；　then　toughened。
　
　〃Where'd　you　spend　the　storm？〃　Skink　asked。
　
　〃In　a　motel。　With　Mel　Gibson　there；〃　the　woman　said；　nodding　toward　Snapper；　〃and　a　hooker。〃
　
　〃I　was　tied　to　a　bridge。　You　should　try　it　sometime。〃
　
　〃Right。〃
　
　Bonnie　Lamb　said；　〃He　isn't　kidding。〃
　
　The　woman　shifted　the　。357　to　her　other　hand。　〃What　on　earth　are　you　people　doing？　Who　sent　you　to　the　house…Tony's　wife？〃　She　turned　around　on　her　knees；　bracing　her　gun　arm　on　the　front　seat。　〃Bonnie；　dear；〃　she　said　sharply。　〃I'd　really　appreciate　some　answers。〃
　
　〃Would　you　believe　I'm　on　my　honeymoon。〃
　
　〃You're　joking。〃　The　woman　glanced　doubtfully　at　Skink。
　
　Bonnie　said；　〃Oh；　not　him。　My　husband's　in　Mexico。〃
　
　〃Boy；　are　you　ever　lost；〃　said　the　woman。
　
　Bonnie　shook　her　head。　〃Not　really。〃
　
　The　storm　had　knocked　down　the　traffic　signal　at　Florida　City；　or　what　was　left　of　Florida　City。　A　tired　policeman　in　a　yellow　rainsuit　directed　traffic　at　the　intersection。　Edie　Marsh　tensed　behind　the　wheel　of　the　Jeep。　She　told　Snapper　to　make　sure　the　gun　was　out　of　sight。　As　they　passed　the　officer；　Bonnie　Lamb　figured　it　would　be　a　fine　time　to　poke　her　head　out　the　window　and　shout　for　help；　but　Skink　offered　no　encouraging　signal。　His　chin　had　drooped　back　to　his　chest。　〃
　
　Most　of　the　street　signs　remained　down　from　the　hurricane；　but　Bonnie　saw　one　indicating　they　were　about　to　enter　the　Fabulous　Florida　Keys。　Snapper　was　apprehensive　about　possible　checkpoints　along　Highway　One；　so　he　instructed　Edie　Marsh　to　use　Card　Sound　Road　instead。
　
　〃There's　a　toll；〃　she　noted。
　
　〃So？〃
　
　〃I　left　my　purse　at　the　house。〃
　
　Snapper　said；　〃Jesus；　I　got　money。〃
　
　〃I　bet　you　do。〃　Edie　Marsh　couldn't　stop　thinking　about　what　the　one…eyed　stranger　had　said：　Snapper　assaulting　a　woman　cop　and　swiping　her　mother's　ring。
　
　〃How　much　did　you　get　for　it？〃　she　asked。
　
　〃For　what？〃
　
　〃The　ring。〃　Edie　stared　ahead　at　the　flat　strip　of　road；　which　stretched　eastward　as　far　as　she　could　see。
　
　Snapper　muttered　obscenely。　He　fished　in　his　coat　and　came　out　with　a　plain　gold　wedding　band。　He　held　it　three　inches　from　Edie's　face。
　
　〃Happy？〃　he　said。
　
　The　sight　of　the　stolen　ring　affected　Edie　in　an　unexpected　way：　She　felt　repulsed；　then　dejected。　She　tried　to　picture　the　policewoman；　wondered　if　she　was　married　or　had　children；　wondered　what　dreadful　things　Snapper　had　done　to　her。
　
　Lord；　Edie　thought。　What　a　small；　disappointing　life　I've　made　for　myself。　She　wanted　to　believe　it　would've　been　different　if　only　she'd　talked　that　shy　young　Kennedy　into　the　sack。　But　she　was　no　longer　sure。
　
　〃I　couldn't　pawn　it；〃　Snapper　was　saying。　〃Damn　thing's　engraved；　nobody'll　touch　it。〃
　
　〃What　does　it　say？〃　Edie　asked　quietly。　〃On　the　ring。〃
　
　〃Who　cares。〃
　
　〃e　on。　What　does　it　say？〃
　
　The　woman　in　the　back　seat　sat　forward；　also　curious；　as　Snapper　read　the　inscription　aloud：　〃'For　My　Cynthia。　Always。'〃　He　gave　a　scornful　laugh　and　hung　his　bony　arm　out　the　window；　preparing　to　toss　the　ring　from　the　truck。
　
　〃Don't　do　that；〃　Edie　said；　backing　off　the　accelerator。
　
　〃The　fuck　not？　If　I　can't　hock　the　goddamn　thing；　I'm　gone　dump　it。　Case　we　get　pulled　over。〃
　
　Edie　Marsh　said；　〃Just　don't；　OK？〃
　
　〃Oops。　Too　late。〃　He　cocked　his　arm　and　threw　the　ring　as　far　as　he　could。　It　plopped　into　a　roadside　canal；　breaking　the　surface　with　concentric　circles。
　
　Edie　saw　everything　from　the　corner　of　her　eye。　〃You　lousy　prick。〃　Her　voice　was　as　hard　as　marble。　The　woman　in　the　back　seat　felt　the　Jeep　gain　speed。
　
　Defiantly　Snapper　waved　the　heavy　black　pistol。　〃Maybe　you　never　heard　of　somethin'　called　'possession　of　stolen　property'…it's　a　motherfuckin'　felony；　case　you　didn't　know。　Here's　another　beauty：　Vi…o…lay…shun　o'　pro…bay…shun！　Translated：　My　skinny　white　ass　goes　straight　to　Starke；　I　get　caught。　Do　not　pass　Go；　do　not　collect　any　hurricane　money。　So　fuck　the　cop's　jewelry；　unnerstand？〃
　
　Edie　Marsh　said　nothing。　She　willed　herself　to　concentrate　on　the　slick　two…lane　blacktop；　which　intermittently　was　strewn　with　pine　boughs；　palmetto　fronds　and　loose　sheets　of　plywood。　A　regular　obstacle　course。　Edie　checked　the　speedometer：　ninety…two　miles　per　hour。　Not　bad　for　a　city　girl。
　
　Snapper；　ordering　her　to　slow　down；　couldn't　keep　the　raw　nervousness　out　of　his　voice。　Edie　acted　as　if　she　didn't　hear　a　word。
　
　The　one　who　called　himself　Skink　didn't　stir　from　his　nap；　trance；　a；　whatever　it　was。　Meanwhile　the　young　newlywed　（Edie　noticed　in　the　rearview）　carefully　removed　her　own　wedding　band　from　her　finger。
　
　The　tollbooth　was　empty　and　the　gate　was　up。　Edie　didn't　bother　to　slow　down。　Bonnie　Lamb　held　her　breath。
　
　When　they　blew　through　the　narrow　lane；　Snapper　exclaimed；　〃Jesus！〃
　
　As　the　Jeep　climbed　the　steep　bridge；　Skink　raised　his　head。　〃This　is　the　place。〃
　
　〃Where　you　spent　the　storm？〃　Bonnie　asked。
　
　He　nodded。　〃Glorious。〃
　
　Beneath　them；　broken　sunlight　painted　Biscayne　Bay　in　shifting　stripes　of　copper　and　slate。　Ahead；　a　bloom　of　lavender　clouds　dumped　chutes　of　rain　on　the　green　mangrove　shorelines　of　North　Key　Largo。　As　the　truck　crested　the　bridge；　Skink　pointed　out　a　pod　of　bottle…nosed　dolphins　rolling　along　the　edge　of　a　choppy　boat　channel。　From　such　a　height　the　arched　flanks　of　the　creatures　resembled　glinting　slivers　of　jet　ceramic；　covered　and　then　uncovered　by　foamy　waves。
　
　〃Just　look；〃　said　Bonnie　Lamb。　The　governor　was　right…it　was　purely　spectacular　up　here。
　
　Even　Edie　Marsh　was　impressed。　She　curbed　the　Jeep　on　the　downhill　slope　and　turned　off　the　key。　She　strained　to　keep　the　rollicking　dolphins　in　view。
　
　Snapper　fumed　impatiently。　〃What　is　this　shit？〃　He　jabbed　Edie　in　the　arm　with　the　。357。　〃Hey　you；　drive。〃
　
　〃Take　it　easy。〃
　
　〃I　said　fucking　drive。〃
　
　〃And　I　said　take　it　fucking　easy。〃
　
　Edie　was　livid。　The　last　time　Snapper　had　seen　that　hateful　glare　was　moments　before　she'd　bludgeoned　his　leg　with　the　crowbar　iron。　He　cocked　the　revolver。　〃Don't　be　a　cunt。〃
　
　〃Excuse　me？〃　One　eyebrow　arched。　〃What'd　you　say？〃
　
　Bonnie　Lamb　feared　that　Edie　was　going　to　lose　her　mind　and　go　for　Snapper's　throat；　at　which　point　she　certainly　would　be　shot　dead。　Snapper　jammed　the　gun　flush　against　her　right　breast。
　
　The　governor　was　unaware。　He　had　everted　the　upper　half　of　his　torso　out　the　window　to　watch　the　dolphins　make　their　way　north；　and　also　to　enjoy　a　fresh　sprinkle　that　had　begun　to　fall。　Bonnie　tried　to　grab　his　hand；　but　it　was　too　large。　She　settled　for　squeezing　two　of　his　fingers。　Gradually　Skink　drew　himself　back　into　the　Jeep　and　appraised　the　tense　drama　unfolding　in　the　front　seat。
　
　〃You　heard　me；〃　Snapper　was　saying。
　
　〃So　that　was　you；〃　Edie　said；　〃calling　me　a　cunt。〃
　
　Violently　Snapper　twisted　the　gun　barrel；　bunching　the　fabric　of　Edie's　blouse　and　wringing　the　soft　flesh　beneath　it。　God；　Bonnie　thought；　that's　got　to　hurt。
　
　Edie　Marsh　didn't　let　it　show。
　
　〃Drive！〃　Snapper　told　her　again。
　
　〃When　I'm　through　watching　Flipper。〃
　
　〃Fuck　Flipper。〃　Snapper　raised　the　。357　and　fired　once　through　the　top　of　the　Jeep。
　
　Bonnie　Lamb　cried　out　and　covered　her　ears。　Edie　Marsh　clutched　the　steering　wheel　to　steady　herself。　The　pain　in　her　right　breast　made　her　wonder　briefly　if　she　was　shot。　She　wasn't。
　
　Snapper　cheerlessly　eyed　the　hole　in　the　roof　of　the　truck；　the　acrid　whiff　of　cordite　made　him　sneeze。　〃God　bless　me；〃　he　said；　with　a　dark　chuckle。
　
　A　door　opened。　Skink　got　out　of　the　Jeep　to　stretch。　〃Don't　you　love　this　place！〃　He　unfolded　his　long　arms　toward　the　clouds。　〃Don't　it　bring　out　the　beast　in　your　soul！〃
　
　Glorious；　Bonnie　agreed　silently。　That's　the　word　for　it。
　
　〃Get　back　in　the　car；〃　Snapper　barked。
　
　Skink　obliged；　shaking　the　raindrops　from　his　hair　like　a　sheep　dog。　Without　a　word；　Edie　Marsh　started　the　engine　and　drove　on。
　
　
　
　CHAPTER　TWENTY…FOUR
　
　
　〃What　do　you　mean；　no　roosters？〃
　
　The　owner　of　the　botdnica　apologized。　It　had　been