Sucker Punch by Ray Banks

Author:Ray Banks [Banks, Ray]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Suspense
ISBN: 9780151013234
Publisher: Mariner
Published: 2007-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

22

Nelson lives about two hours away from Los Angeles. We drive through the blazing sunshine with the air conditioning ramped right up. Down through the Coachella Valley, Nelson telling us various points of interest along the way. There aren't many. As we leave the city behind, the scenery falls into dusty desolation.

“Out here, you have to be careful,” he says. “Especially this time of year. This kind of heat'll put you down quicker than God.”

I drink bottled water, swallow codeine, try to rest my back. Spend most of the drive adjusting my seat. I can see Liam in the back seat, staring out of the window with wide eyes. This is the most space he's seen in his life. Come to think of it, it's the most space I've seen too. But I'm an adult about it.

Because, to be honest, all this wide open space does is scare the living shit out of me. Especially with all Nelson's talk about those “stupid hitchhikers two years back, they thought they'd go through the Valley — man, talk about chargrilled …”

Nelson's car is a real monster, a people-carrier. I didn't think he was the type, what with all that smog talk he'd given me. But according to him, he got it cheap: “Nobody buys people-carriers anymore. Used to be soccer moms, but they traded up to SUVs. The real rich ones went for the Hummers. I ask you, man, why the hell would you need a Hummer in the city unless it's under martial law?”

Not the first question that popped into my mind, it has to be said. I was wondering why they named a car after a specialist blow job. Shows what I know.

When we finally pull up to a sprawling white house complete with double garage and tree out front, I must pull a face. It's easy to see where Nelson's boxing money went.

Nelson catches my look, says, “We don't build up in this country, Cal. It's cheaper to build out.”

“Obviously.”

And it's obviously cheaper to have a massive telly, too. We're shown into a living room and that monolithic television's the first thing I see. Must be all of seventy inches.

“Shit,” I say. “That's a monster.”

Nelson smiles. “I don't watch much anymore. Mostly just use it for tapes and DVDs. TIVO the fights. You want to flip it on, check what's showing, go for it.” He hands me a remote as big as my head. “Mi casa es tu casa.”

I squint at the remote. “Maybe later.”

“Cool. You want to check out the gym, Liam?”

Liam nods and they head off. I'm left behind for a second before I dump the remote on the couch and tag along behind. I see Liam following Nelson down an enclosed staircase that must lead to the basement. The lad's like a bloody puppy. Amazing what a show of cash will do to a kid's frame of mind.

The basement is chilly. Lightbulbs and pullcords hang from the ceiling. As Nelson walks around, he yanks light into the room, illuminating equipment like prizes on a game show.

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