Running From the Law by Lisa Scottoline

Author:Lisa Scottoline [Scottoline, Lisa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery & Detective, Legal, Women Sleuths, Fiction
ISBN: 9780061094118
Google: f-KjPwAACAAJ
Amazon: 0061094110
Publisher: HarperTorch
Published: 1995-01-01T13:00:00+00:00

The skin of his hand felt soft and papery, but his fingers closed around mine with a strength that was surprising. His eyes were drowsy slits of brown, and without his glasses to obstruct my view, I could see the gray at the edges of his irises, edging in like stormclouds. Cataracts. Just like his father.

''Dad, remember Grandpop?''

He nodded, his eyes closed.

''Remember what he called his cataracts?''

He smiled weakly.

''Cadillacs. He had Cadillacs in his eyes.'' I laughed.

''My father, his English wasn't that bad,'' he said, his voice raspy, untested.

''Not that bad? Dad, come on, his English was nonexistent.''

''He knew Cinemascope.''

''True, he could say Cinemascope.'' My grandfather had learned the word from watching old movies. The same word, in white letters that got blockier as they stretched to the edge of the screen. He'd marveled at the word, all the time on the TV, and therefore very important. ''Cinemascope. It's a good word. Not exactly a useful word, but a good word.''

He smiled with his eyes closed.

''How do you feel, Dad?''

''You asked me already.''

''So?''

''About fifty times.''

''Okay, so I won't ask you anymore, Mr. Fresh.''

His smile faded and he squeezed my hand. He didn't say anything for a long time, but the force of his grip showed me he hadn't fallen back asleep. Finally, he said, his eyes still closed, ''LeVonne.''

It cut inside. I didn't know what to say, how to tell him. I decided to say the words. ''He's dead.''

He turned away. ''I know. I was there.''

God. I didn't say anything, just held on to his hand.

''He was at the counter. I was in back, in the kitchen. I heard shouting.''

''I know, Dad.''

''He tried to give him the money, but he killed him anyway. I always told him, give 'em the money. I thought that would save him.''

There had been twenty-seven dollars in the cash register, the police had said.

''So I called to him, I yelled, and I come out with the spatula. He yells out, tells me not to come, and then this white kid, he shoots him. One shot. Two shots. I'm out, but I got nuthin' but the spatula.'' His voice grew fainter, almost to a whisper. ''A spatula, Rita. Then the kid, he shot me. Just like that.''

''I know, Dad. I know.'' I rubbed his hand and arm.

He didn't say anything for a minute and I knew he was trying not to cry. ''LeVonne, he didn't call me in. He wanted to save my life, Rita.''

''Dad, wait. You don't know that.''

He turned and his watery gaze pierced into mine. ''I know that boy. He didn't call me in the front for a reason.''

''But what could you have done if he called you?''

His mouth opened slightly, his lips dry. It seemed to confound him. ''I coulda done something. I coulda been there.''

''It's all right, Dad.''

He raked a hand over his bald head and the IV tube rustled. He looked confused suddenly. Disoriented. ''I couldn't do anything for him. I wanted to help him. The blood. I couldn't.''

''Nobody could, Dad.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.