Chapters (42)
- CHAPTER 1
- CHAPTER 2
- CHAPTER 3
- CHAPTER 4
- CHAPTER 5
- CHAPTER 6
- CHAPTER 7
- CHAPTER 8
- CHAPTER 9
- CHAPTER 10
- CHAPTER 11
- CHAPTER 12
- CHAPTER 13
- CHAPTER 14
- CHAPTER 15
- CHAPTER 16
- CHAPTER 17
- CHAPTER 18
- CHAPTER 19
- CHAPTER 20
- CHAPTER 21
- CHAPTER 22
- CHAPTER 23
- CHAPTER 24
- CHAPTER 25
- CHAPTER 26
- CHAPTER 27
- CHAPTER 28
- CHAPTER 29
- CHAPTER 30
- CHAPTER 31
- CHAPTER 32
- CHAPTER 33
- CHAPTER 34
- CHAPTER 35
- CHAPTER 36
- CHAPTER 37
- CHAPTER 38
- CHAPTER 39
- CHAPTER 40
- CHAPTER 41
- CHAPTER 42
"Suits and weenies and other assorted bullshit artists," said Walkowicz. His mouth tightened. "Kinda people send their kids to a place like this."
As we headed to the car, Milo reached into the blue bag and drew out last year's Windsor Prep yearbook.
Three-hundred-plus gilt-edged pages bound in royal-blue calfskin. Each student's headshot in full, high-def color.
I said, "Nice production values."
"Only the best for show-pooches." He inspected a few photos. "Some of them even look happy."
Gilberto Chavez remained curled on the floor of his cell.
"He been that way all this time?" Milo asked the uniform on duty.
"For the most part. He peed once, we made him clean it up. Hey, Dr. Delaware, how come the deceptive ones always sleep like babies?"
I said, "Minimal or no conscience."
Milo said, "Pop the lock on Rip Van Winkle."
The uniform opened the cell, made sure the door clanged loud. Chavez stirred but but didn't awaken. When Milo called out his name, he opened his eyes briefly before clamping them shut.
Milo toed his shoulder. "Sit up. Now."
Chavez groaned, struggled to his elbows, finally complied with theatrical sluggishness. Milo took him by the shoulder, propped him up, slid him to the edge of the bench. Flipping the yearbook to the freshman page, he placed it on Chavez's lap.
"Start looking."
"Uh-uh."
"Uh-uh, what?"
"I dint do nothin'."
"I know you didn't. But those two girls you got weed from were involved in something bad so unless you want to take all the heat and go up for murder, you'll show me who they are."
"I dint--"
"Show me who they are, Gilberto, and we're finished. Don't cooperate and you're never getting out of here."
"I dint--"
"Shut the fuck up," said Milo, softly. "Now start looking."
Seventy minutes later, Chavez had been through every photo three times.
Same baleful head shake after each pass.
He tried to return the book to Milo.
"Again, Gilberto."
"I don lie," Chavez whined. "No in here."
"You ever wear glasses, Gilberto?"
"No way."
"Try again. And take your time."
Fourth pass, same result.
Chavez looked ready to cry. "I wanna go home but they no in here."
"Let's talk about them, Gilberto. What makes you think they were eighteen?"
"I dunno--they wasn't fifteen."
"How do you know?"
"In a car."
"What car?"
"Black Honda." Retrieving memories that had eluded him.
"Anything different about the Honda?"
"No."
Milo flipped to the front of the senior class. "These are eighteen-year-olds. Take another look."
"Mister, they no in here. These white girls."
"The girls who wanted ice weren't white."
"One white, yes. Other Mexicana."
"She speak Spanish to you?"
"English. But Mexicana."
"A white girl and a Latina," said Milo.
"Yeh."
"First time I asked what they looked like you said you couldn't remember."
"I couldn't."
"Now you remember one was white and one was Latina."
Chavez touched the side of his head, gave a dreamy smile. "I wake up, you know?"