the Big Bounce (1969) Read Online Free PDF Page A

was kneeling up against the front seat, his head lowered and pointing to the left side of the road. See, the golf course along here. Then he waited as they moved past the fairways and scattered greens up there, see? The road goes in. See the sign? It was an Old English'looking board sign hanging from a chain between two posts and painted green. On it in white letters were the words THE PONTE, and below them, smaller, PRIVATE.
    Remember, I was telling you? Billy Ruiz said. This is the place. All along here where the rich ones live. Man, they got homes back in there big, big Christ, make that brown one look like a goddamn chicken house.
    Ryan looked out the back window as they passed the entrance road and continued along another stretch of fairways. He noticed the same cars following them.
    You've been back in there?
    I tole you, Billy Ruiz answered. Last year we go in take a look around, they kick us out.
    Who kicked you out?
    I don't know. Some guy.
    Police?
    No, no. Like a gatekeeper. There used to be a little house there where the road go in? He come after us.
    I don't know, Ryan said. I'd have to see it.
    I tole you, it's perfect.
    If you say so. Let it die, Ryan thought. He hunched forward and watched the road ahead. In a couple of minutes it would be over; he'd pile out with his bag and that would be it. But there was one more thing to make sure of.
    He waited until they were passing the motels on the outskirts of Geneva Beach, passing the Putt-Putt Golf now and the Dairy Queen, and could see the stores and the signal light a couple of blocks ahead. The IGA supermarket was on the right.
    There, Ryan said. You see the IGA?
    It's closed, Pizarro said.
    Remember it. Ryan watched as they covered another block. Now he could see the PIER BAR sign on the left, the white building and the boat docks beyond it. Maybe a couple of beers, he thought. And something to eat. He'd still be in Detroit by nine.
    Right here, he said to Pizarro.
    What?
    I'm leaving you, Ryan said.
    Man, Billy Ruiz said, how can you go? We got things to do.
    They were approaching the Shore Road Main Street intersection and Pizarro was slowing down now for the traffic signal. You go around the block to the back of the IGA store, Ryan told him. You'll see a lot of boxes and junk piled up. That's where you dump the beer case. You got that? Nowhere else.
    Listen, Pizarro said, I tole you, I got to make some more money. He was stopping now behind a car at the intersection.
    Billy Ruiz was frowning. What do you go for? We can make this every week.
    You and Frank do it, Ryan said. As the panel truck came to a full stop he had the rear door open and was out, dragging his canvas bag after him.
    Billy Ruiz was close behind him, crouched in the open doorway now. Wait a minute. Man, we should go somewhere and talk.
    Ryan said, Watch your fingers, Billy, and slammed the door. Walking across the street to the Pier Bar, he heard Pizarro call something and heard a car blowing its horn and then another one, but he didn't look back. No, sir, that was over.
    Bob Jr. said, What do you mean he took your keys?
    I mean he took the keys, the girl said. So I can't drive the Mustang.
    Well, sure, because of last week.
    The creep, the girl said.
    He doesn't want you getting in any more trouble.
    I like the way you stick up for him.
    Well, Bob Jr. said. It's his car.
    It is not. It's in my name. I made sure of that, Charlie.
    Well, he gave it to you.
    Big deal.
    When do you go to court?
    I don't know. Next month.
    I understand one of the boys is really hurt.
    That's too bad, the girl said.
    I guess it's his own fault.
    You bet it is, the girl said.
    Bob Jr. eased lower in the white lounge chair. Listen, why don't you come on over here? he said to the girl, whose name was Nancy and who had been living in Mr. Ritchie's house since early June. Why don't you sit down and relax a while?
    I'm going to go in and get a sweater.
    Bring me one.
    None of Ray's would fit you.
    I was just kidding. I