Chapter 35

           Inthecruiser,Iwassandwichedbetweentwoimpressivemusclemenwho,withabitofcosmeticsurgerytomessuptheirclonegoodlooks,couldhavehiredoutasfreakfightersonbulkalone.Weclimbedsedatelyawayfromthestreetandbankedaround.ItippedaglanceoutofthesidewindowandsawOrtegabelow,tryingtopropherselfupright.

           "IcreamtheSiacunt?"thedriverwantedtoknow.Itensedmyselfforaforwardleap.

           "No."Kadminturnedinhisseattolookatme."No,IgaveMr.Kovacsmyword.IbelievethelieutenantandIwillcrosspathsagaininthenottoodistantfuture."

           "Toobadforyou,"Itoldhimunconvincingly,andthentheyshotmewiththestunner.

           WhenIwokeup,therewasafacewatchingmefromcloseup.Thefeatureswerevague,paleandblurred,likesomekindoftheatricalmask.Iblinked,shiveredandhauledinfocus.Thefacedrewback,stilldoll-likeinitslackofresolution.Icoughed.

           "Hello,Carnage."

           Thecrudefeaturessketchedasmile."WelcomebacktothePanamaRose,Mr.Kovacs."

           Isatupshakilyonanarrowmetalbunk.Carnagesteppedbacktogivemespace,orjusttostayoutofgrabbingrange.Smearedvisiongavemeacrampedcabiningreysteelbehindhim.Iswungmyfeettothefloorandstoppedabruptly.Thenervesinmyarmsandlegswerestilljanglingfromthestunboltandtherewasasick,tremblingfeelinginthepitofmystomach.