Going Insane Read Free Page A

asked Ron.
    “I live near Glendale, in Pasadena.”
    “You understand that I’ll verify that information, don’t you?”
    “I have no doubt you will.”
    “Okay. Here’s the deal: you give us your girlfriend and I forget I ever met you.”
    “Really?” David made sure he did not sound sarcastic. “Is there any guarantee?”
    “No. All I can say to convince you is: we prefer doing it to women, okay. I’m sure you’re not prone to self-sacrifice. You will give her to us, right?” 
    After a short pause David answered: “Yes. I’ll do it.”
    “Good. One more thing: why the hell did you steal that car? It’s too dangerous. What if the car was reported stolen?”
    “They are not going to find that guy any time soon.”
    “What about his relatives? They could report him missing by tomorrow morning. Why take an unnecessary risk?”
    “I needed a car. That’s it.” David looked in Ron’s emotionless eyes. “I don’t ask you why you and your friend killed that pregnant woman, do I?”
    “Fair enough. I’m just curious. I would never drive a stolen car for several hours.”
    “I was going to dump it in Sacramento.”
    They were speaking in amiable tones and behaved so courteously that a distant spectator could mistake them for very good friends.
    “After you were done with me?” asked Ron.
    “Let’s not talk about it, okay?”
    Ron flashed a soft smile.
    “I just wanted to explain why we shouldn’t use that Malibu anymore,” he said. “Do you have anything in there that can lead the police to you?”
    “Don’t worry. I never leave traces. By the way, what about that sketch of your face they’re showing on TV? You’re not cautious enough after all.”
    “That was just a ridiculous accident. A glitch. I guess she was just a very lucky girl. But her luck isn’t going to last for ever if you know what I mean.”
    #
    They heard the door open and both turned their heads to see who came in. It was the fourth customer in the thirty five minutes that had passed since Ron had called Zack. David was relieved to see the client was a deputy sheriff: a fit man, probably in his early forties, in aviator sunglasses with dark lenses. He took off his uniform hat, approached the counter, ordered a soda drink and a hamburger, and then parked himself at the nearby table. The rescuing idea exploded in David’s head as he peeked at the deputy chewing the burger. Certainly there was a hope these bastards would let him go after they had laid their hands on Jane, but he hated to gamble with his life. He realized he should hurry.
    “Listen, Ron,” he almost whispered. “I’m too tired of all that. I’ve got nothing to lose anyhow. You will kill me sooner or later, I know it.”
    “What are you talking about?” Ron whispered too.
    “Now I’m going to get up and walk out of that door,” said David. “If you want to take a chance you may shoot me, but then you’ll have to shoot the deputy as well.”
    “Don’t be stupid, David. We have an agreement.” Ron’s eyes glared with agitation.
    “He is armed, and there is a probability that he’ll manage to draw his gun and kill you before you kill him. I guess you hate taking unnecessary risks. Good bye and good luck, Ron.”
    David rose from the table and headed for the exit. As he moved he strained his ears to figure out if Ron went after him or released the safety on his gun—he believed his looking back would degrade his newly acquired authority. Fortunately, David did not catch any suspicious sounds from behind his back. As he touched the door handle he heard the deputy sheriff stand up and stride towards the exit. When David put his foot down on the porch, he finally made up his mind. He stepped to the left, waited for the deputy to come out of the doorway, and grabbed him by the elbow.
    “Officer, there is a killer inside the diner,” he said in a low voice.
    “What?” replied the deputy, knitting his eyebrows. 
    “He’s wearing blue jeans and a