Still following the plan, they drove out into the woods, spray-painted the white Dodge station wagon black and drove out to pick Kevin up. Back at Bailey’s place, Kevin checked out the drugs for them: Ritalin, Preludin, Demerol, Seconal, Quaalude, Delaudid and more.

He estimated the drugs would bring in thirty to thirty-five thousand on the street, and he saw their faces change from curiosity to greed. As the night wore on, they all got high, and each of the men secretly approached Kevin, suggesting the two of them team up to rip off the third partner. By morning, when both Bailey and Luft were out cold, Kevin stuffed the money and the drugs into two suitcases and took off for Columbus on his own. Neither one, he knew, would have the guts to stand up to him. They were afraid of him. Time and again they had talked about how crazy he was, how he had put his fist through a door and used a Thompson machine gun to shoot up a guy’s car.

They’d tip off the police. He expected that. But once he got i rid of the dope, there was nothing they could do. The pharmacist had seen their faces, not his. There was nothing to tie him in with the robbery.

When Marlene picked up the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette the next day and read of the Gray Drug Store robbery, she had a j sinking feeling.

A few days later, Tommy came to meet her for lunch. She was surprised to see that he had painted the old Dodge black—and so sloppily.

“You did it, didn’t you?” she whispered.

“What, painted the car?” Tommy asked innocently.

“You did the Gray Drug Store robbery.”

“Oh, for crying out loud! Now you’re calling me a criminal? Marlene, I don’t know a thing about it. I swear!”

She was confused. Something told her he was guilty, but he seemed truly .upset at being accused. Unless he was the worlds greatest actor, his denial had to be real.

“I just hope to God you’re, not involved in it,” she said. After they parted, Allen grew nervous about Marlene’s accusations. He had a feeling something was wrong. Driving back to work, he decided he needed help.

“Come on, guys,” he said out loud. “We’re in trouble.” “That’s all right, Allen,” said Arthur. “Keep driving.” “Don’t you want to take over?”

“I’d rather not drive. I’m never steady on American roads. Just keep going.”

“Do you have any idea what’s going on?” Allen asked.

“I’ve been so preoccupied with my research during this mix-up time that I don’t really know, but I suspect some of the undesirables have been stealing time and committing crimes.” “I tried to tell you.”

“I really do feel we need Ragen,” Arthur said. “Can you find him?”

“I’ve tried. Jesus, he’s never around when you need him.” “Let me try. Just keep your attention focused on your driving.”

Arthur searched his mind, peering inward into the darkness beyond the spot. He saw images of the others, some asleep in their beds, some sitting in the shadows. The undesirables refused to look at him—having banished them from the spot, he no longer had any hold over them. Finally he found Ragen—playing with Christene.