Stark: A Novel by Edward Bunker

Author:Edward Bunker [Bunker, Edward]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9780312374945
Publisher: Macmillan
Published: 2010-03-31T22:00:00+00:00

12

__________

The powerfully built man with slate blue eyes and the flattened nose of an ex-prizefighter sat behind the cluttered desk, listening intently, meanwhile thoughtlessly fingering an unlighted meerschaum pipe. Covering much of the wall behind him was a map of Southern California. He was the state’s chief narcotics officer for the region.

Stark’s story and proposition spilled out in a driven mumble, accompanied by hand-wringing worry and a fearful demeanor. He was whining and servile, keeping his eyes down - though his mind was razor sharp. When he ran out of words, the man behind the desk held up a hand to restrain him. A silence ensued. The officer reflected, frowning on what he’d been told.

“It’s interesting,” he said. “It’s reasonable, but it’s strange as hell. You’re coming here to set somebody up because Lieutenant Crowley — I know him — made a deal you can’t keep.”

“It’s the truth, Mr. Wilson. I can help you but I can’t get what he wants. He isn’t interested in East L.A. or Santa Ana. It isn’t his territory. But it’s yours. If I can get out of this mess, I’ll straighten up my life.”

Wilson snorted. “Don’t toss me that crap. All you want is some daylight.” Wilson mused again, face wrinkled. Prickles of doubt rose in Stark; he watched for some sign. Finally the man made a decision. “I haven’t got anything to lose. You wandered in here on your own. I can’t tell Crowley what to do. But I can talk to Pat and he’ll go along with me, I’m sure. I’ve heard about this delivery operation. It’s pretty big. Those small towns don’t have much of a narcotics squad so it’s up to me.”

“I want to do this,” he said, and he wasn’t lying.

“Are you sure you can do it?”

“That’s why I came. Haven’t I told you the truth?”

Mr. Wilson nodded slowly. “Yeah, I’ve got to say that. How long before you can set it up?”

“Like I said, I’ll do it my way. I’ll be able to get the runner tomorrow, but we’ll wait a few days until I can get next to his boss. Then I’ll arrange something like a big delivery and you can get him on the way.”

The state agent slowly filled his pipe with tobacco, his unblinking eyes never leaving Stark as he did so. He didn’t speak until he had finished lighting the pipe and the smoke curled around his face. He seemed to stare into Stark’s soul.

Stark felt naked, nervous. The man frightened him. He wished he hadn’t come here, yet he searched for something more, hoping to turn off the penetrating gaze. Then, he remembered something.

“This isn’t a narcotics problem,” he said, “but there’s a couple kids who’ve been heisting markets… trigger happy punks. They’re wanted real bad. Johnson and Kleger…’’

“What about them?”

“They’re holed up in the Rendezvous Motel, near Disneyland.”

Wilson reached for a telephone. His attitude toward Stark was now more relaxed. Stark sighed and looked out the window. It was getting late in the day; the smog filtered sun was just beginning to wane.

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