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Chapter 26
Tom’sfeetsoundedsoftlyonthedustyroad,adarkpatchagainsttheyellowstubble.Heputhishandsinhispocketsandtrudgedalongtowardthemaingate.Anembankmentcameclosetotheroad.Tomcouldhearthewhisperofwateragainstthegrassesintheirrigationditch.Heclimbedupthebankandlookeddownonthedarkwater,andsawthestretchedreflectionsofthestars.TheStateRoadwasahead.Carlightsswoopingpastshowedwhereitwas.Tomsetoutagaintowardit.Hecouldseethehighwiregateinthestarlight.
Afigurestirredbesidetheroad.Avoicesaid,«Hello—whoisit?»Tomstoppedandstoodstill.«Whoareyou?»Amanstoodupandwalkednear.Tomcouldseetheguninhishand.
Thenaflashlightplayedonhisface.«Whereyouthinkyou’regoing?»
«Well,IthoughtI’dtakeawalk.Anylawagainstit?»
«Youbetterwalksomeotherway.»
Tomasked,«Can’tIevengetoutofhere?»
«Nottonightyoucan’t.Wanttowalkback,orshallIwhistlesomehelpan’takeyou?»
«Hell,"saidTom,«itain’tnothin’tome.Ifit’sgonnacauseamess,Idon’tgiveadarn.Sure,I’llgoback.»
Thedarkfigurerelaxed.Theflashwentoff.«Yasee,it’sforyourowngood.Themcrazypicketsmightgetyou.»
«Whatpickets?»
«Themgoddamnreds.»
«Oh,"saidTom.«Ididn’know’boutthem.»
«Youseen’emwhenyoucome,didn’you?»
«Well,Iseenabunchaguys,buttheywassomanycopsIdidn’know.Thoughtitwasaaccident.»
«Well,youbettergitalongback.»
«That’sO.K.withme,mister.»
