Cat Chaser Part 28

"Go ahead, George, don't be bashful."

"Well, you wouldn't want to just walk away, forget the whole thing?"

"Oh my," Jiggs said, "I thought you were listening. What were you doing there, George, having dirty thoughts while I'm telling you my story?"

"I want to be sure I have it straight," Moran said. "You're saying if we don't give you the money you're gonna kill both of us. It's that simple, right? It might not be right now-"

"Probably wouldn't be," Jiggs said.

"But it could be anytime."

"I'm patient up to a point."

"Okay, that's all I wanted to know," Moran said. He reached over and picked up the phone.

Jiggs watched him.

Moran said, "Jerry, call the cops." He hung up.

Jiggs said, "George, am I hearing things? What're you gonna tell 'em. Some bulls.h.i.t about I threatened you? I say I didn't, it's my word against 357.

yours, George, you know that." Jiggs seemed tired and a little upset. "There's nothing you can give the cops they can put on me."

Moran took his time. He said, "I didn't call them for you."

There was a pause. He saw Jiggs on the edge, motionless, between knowing and not believing.

Moran brought Nolen's .45 out of the drawer close in front of him and had time to rest the b.u.t.t on the counter, the barrel pointed at Jiggs's striped tie. He saw Jiggs's right hand come up, clearing the edge of the counter with Smith and couldn't wait any longer than that. He pressed and pulled the trigger and saw Jiggs blown from the stool, saw his expression in that moment, mouth opening, and the next moment saw him lying on the vinyl floor, head pressed against the base of the sofa. He saw the seersucker turning red, saw the hand holding the gun move and shot him again, the first explosions still ringing in his ears. Within moments he heard the door bang open, Nolen and Mary in the room and saw their eyes, a glimpse of the look in their eyes; but his attention was on Jiggs as he came around from behind the counter with the .45 leveled, pointed at a down angle, a thought coming into his mind that he might or might not tell Mary about someday: thinking as he saw the blood he was glad he had not had the tile floor carpeted.

He went to one knee, picked up Jiggs's gla.s.ses from the floor and carefully placed them on him, pushing the bridge up on his nose, looking at Jiggs's eyes staring at him, not yet sightless but lost beyond bewilderment. His mouth moving soundless.

What was there to say? Moran stood up.

He heard a voice say "Jesus" that sounded like Nolen and heard Mary close to him say "Moran?" Not sure now when she used his first name and when she used it last, if it depended on her mood or if it mattered. He felt . . .well, he felt all right. He felt much better than he did after shooting Luci's future husband on the roof in Santa Domingo in 1965. Was that why he went back-the real reason- because he had shot someome he didn't know? He wondered. The more he became aware of what he was feeling the more certain he was that he felt pretty good. Close to Mary, looking at those eyes full of warm awareness . . .

He said, "I don't have a lawyer. You think I'm gonna need one?"

Mary was smiling now, trying to. She said, "I don't know, George, you do pretty well on your own."

Finally there was that high-low wail in the distance, listening for it like he was always waiting to hear sirens. Boy, what next?

The Extras I. ALL BY ELMORE: THE CRIME NOVELS; THE WESTERNS ALL BY ELMORE: THE CRIME NOVELS; THE WESTERNS.

II.

SELECTED FILMOGRAPHY SELECTED FILMOGRAPHY.

III.

IF IT SOUNDS LIKE WRITING, REWRITE IT IF IT SOUNDS LIKE WRITING, REWRITE IT.

IV.

MARTIN AMIS INTERVIEWS "THE d.i.c.kENS OF DETROIT" MARTIN AMIS INTERVIEWS "THE d.i.c.kENS OF DETROIT"

This section was prepared by the editorial staff of PerfectBound e-books, who thank Mr. Gregg Sutter Mr. Gregg Sutter, Elmore Leonard's longtime researcher and aide-decamp, for his unstinting support and help in the a.s.sembling of this material.

Further riches await the reader at the website that Mr. Sutter maintains, www.elmoreleonard.com, and in "The Extras" sections of other PerfectBound editions of Elmore Leonard's novels ("All by Elmore" and "Selected Filmography" come standard in each e-book).

All by Elmore The Crime Novels The Big Bounce (1969); (1969); Mr. Majestyk Mr. Majestyk (1974); (1974); 52 Pickup 52 Pickup (1974); (1974); Swag Swag* (1976); Unknown Man Unknown Man # #89 (1977); (1977); The Hunted The Hunted (1977); (1977); The Switch The Switch (1978); (1978); City Primeval: High Noon in Detroit City Primeval: High Noon in Detroit (1980); (1980); Gold Coast Gold Coast (1980); (1980); Split Images Split Images (1981); (1981); Cat Chaser Cat Chaser (1982); (1982); Stick Stick (1983); (1983); LaBrava LaBrava (1983); (1983); Glitz Glitz (1985); (1985); Bandits Bandits (1987); (1987); Touch Touch (1987); (1987); Freaky Deaky Freaky Deaky (1988); (1988); Killshot Killshot (1989); (1989); Get Shorty Get Shorty (1990); (1990); Maximum Bob Maximum Bob (1991); (1991); Rum Punch Rum Punch (1992); (1992); p.r.o.nto p.r.o.nto (1993); (1993); Riding the Rap Riding the Rap (1995); (1995); Out of Sight Out of Sight (1996); (1996); Be Cool Be Cool (1999); (1999); Pagan Babies Pagan Babies (2000); (2000); "Fire in the Hole" "Fire in the Hole"* (e-book original story, 2001); Tishomingo Blues Tishomingo Blues (2002); (2002); When the Women Come Out to Dance: Stories When the Women Come Out to Dance: Stories (2002). (2002).

The Westerns The Bounty Hunters* (1953); The Law at Randado The Law at Randado* (1954); Escape from Five Shadows Escape from Five Shadows* (1956); Last Stand at Saber River Last Stand at Saber River* (1959); Hombre Hombre* (1961); The Moonshine War The Moonshine War* (1969); Valdez Is Coming Valdez Is Coming* (1970); Forty Lashes Less One Forty Lashes Less One* (1972); Gunsights Gunsights* (1979) Cuba Libre Cuba Libre (1998); (1998); The Tonto Woman and Other Western Stories The Tonto Woman and Other Western Stories* (1998).

As of November 2002: Unless otherwise indicated (*), all t.i.tles are available from PerfectBound e-books. All t.i.tles are available in print form in dazzling new editions by HarperTorch paperbacks, with the exception of: Unless otherwise indicated (*), all t.i.tles are available from PerfectBound e-books. All t.i.tles are available in print form in dazzling new editions by HarperTorch paperbacks, with the exception of: The Moonshine War The Moonshine War (1969); (1969); Swag Swag (1976); "Fire in the Hole" (2001). "Fire in the Hole" is available within PerfectBound e-book and William Morrow hardcover editions of (1976); "Fire in the Hole" (2001). "Fire in the Hole" is available within PerfectBound e-book and William Morrow hardcover editions of When the Women Come Out to Dance When the Women Come Out to Dance (2002). (2002).

The Crime Novels The Big Bounce (1969) Jack Ryan always wanted to play pro ball. But he couldn't hit a curveball, so he turned his attention to less legal pursuits. A tough guy who likes walking the razor's edge, he's just met his match - and more - in Nancy. She's a rich man's plaything, seriously into thrills and risk, and together she and Jack are pure heat ready to explode. But when simple housebreaking and burglary give way to the deadly pursuit of a really really big score, the stakes suddenly skyrocket. Because violence and double-cross are the name of this game - and it's going to take every ounce of cunning Jack and Nancy possess to survive ... each other. big score, the stakes suddenly skyrocket. Because violence and double-cross are the name of this game - and it's going to take every ounce of cunning Jack and Nancy possess to survive ... each other.

Houston Chronicle: "[Leonard is] a sage poet of crime."

From the novel: She was facing him now, her cold look gone and smiling a little. Of course it's loaded.

"You going to shoot something?"

"We could. Windows are good." "So you brought a gun to shoot at windows." "And boats. Boats are fun." "I imagine they would be. How about cars?" "I didn't think about cars." She seemed pleasantly surprised. "Isn't that funny? "Yeah that is funny." "There's a difference," Ryan said, "between breaking and entering and armed robbery."

"And there's a difference between seventy-eight dollars and fifty thousand dollars." Nancy said, "How badly do you want it?"

Mr. Majestyk (1974) (1974) Vincent Majestyk saw too much death in the jungles of Southeast Asia. All he wants to do now is farm his melons and forget. But peace can be an elusive commodity, even in the Arizona hinterlands - and especially when the local mob is calling all the shots. And one quiet, proud man's refusal to be strong-armed by a powerful hood is about to start a violent chain reaction that will leave Mr. Majestyk ruined, in shackles, and without a friend in the world - except for one tough and beautiful woman. But his tormentors never realized something about their mark: This is not his first war. Vince Majestyk knows more than they'll ever know about survival ... and everything about revenge.

Bergen Record: "First rate ... an excellent thriller ... well-plotted and smoothly written and crackles with suspense."

From the novel: Majestyk was running across the open scrub, weaving through the dusty brush clumps, by the time Renda got out of the car and began firing at him with the automatic, both hands extended in the handcuffs. Majestyk kept running. Renda jumped across the ditch, got to the fence, and laid the .45 on the top of a post, aimed, and squeezed the trigger three times, but the figure out in the scrub was too small now and it would have to be a lucky shot to bring him down. He fired once more and the automatic clicked empty.

Seventy, eighty yards away, Majestyk finally came to a stop, worn out, getting his breath. He turned to look at the man standing by the fence post and, for a while, they stared at one another, each knowing who the other man was and what he felt and not having to say anything. Renda crossed the ditch to the Jag and Majestyk watched it drive away.

52 Pickup (1974) (1974) Detroit businessman Harry Mitch.e.l.l had had only one affair in his twenty-two years of happy matrimony. Unfortunately someone caught his indiscretion on film and now wants Harry to fork over one hundred grand to keep his infidelity a secret. And if Harry doesn't pay up, the blackmailer and his a.s.sociates plan to press a lot harder - up to and including homicide, if necessary. But the psychos picked the wrong pigeon for their murderous scam. Because Harry Mitch.e.l.l doesn't get mad ... he gets even.

Chicago Tribune: "A splendid thriller."

From the novel: The Gray Line sightseeing bus was approaching the foot of Woodward Avenue when Bobby Shy started up the aisle in his light-gray business suit and sun-gla.s.ses, past the thirty-six heads he had counted from his seat in the rear. They were mostly couples, out-of-town conventioneers and their wives, middle-aged or older, almost all of them wearing gla.s.ses and name tags.

"That beautiful structure on the left is the City-Country Building," the driver was saying into the mike clipped to his lapel. "And the statue in front is the world-famous 'Spirit of Detroit.' Sitting there, that man is sixteen feet high and weighs over sixteen thousand pounds. Ahead of us now you see the Detroit River."

As the bus turned left onto Jefferson, heads raised and gazes shifted to look at the river and dismal gray skyline beyond.

"Across the way, beautiful downtown Windsor, Ontario," the drive said. "You can get over to Canada by tunnel or bridge. There used to be a ferry, but I believe he was arrested some time back. The amazing thing is that, at this particular point, Canada is south of the United States."

At the front of the bus now Bobby Shy ducked his head to look out. Straightening again he reached inside the jacket of his light-gray business suit, came out with a .38 Colt Special and placed the barrel gently against the driver's ear.

"Give me the mike, man," Bobby Shy said.

Swag (1976) (1976) Three guys with illegal expertise, a plan to snag a tax-free hundred grand, and a taste of summertime Detroit's sweet life. But it means committing armed robbery. And being smart enough to get away with it.

Publishers Weekly: "An electrifying novel ... with a murderous, well-timed suspenseful finale."

The New York Times: "Leonard is n.o.body's follower, and he has a style of his own. "Swag" is one of the best of the year."

From the novel: There was a photograph of Frank in an ad that ran in the Detroit Free Press Detroit Free Press and showed all the friendly salesmen at Red Bowers Chevrolet. Under his photo it said Frank J. Ryan. He had on a nice smile, a styled moustache, and a summer-weight suit made out of that material that's shiny and looks like it has snags in it. and showed all the friendly salesmen at Red Bowers Chevrolet. Under his photo it said Frank J. Ryan. He had on a nice smile, a styled moustache, and a summer-weight suit made out of that material that's shiny and looks like it has snags in it.

There was a photograph of Stick on file at 1300 Beaubein, Detroit Police Headquarters. Under the photo it said Ernest Stickley, Jr. 89037. He had on a sport shirt that had sailboats and palm trees on it. He'd bought it in Pompano Beach, Florida.

The first time they ever saw each other was the night at Red Bowers Chevrolet Telegraph when Stick was pulling out of the used car lot in the maroon '73 Camaro. Frank walked up to the side window as the car stopped before turning out on the street. He said, "You mind if I ask where you are going?"

Unknown Man # #89 (1977) (1977) Detroit process server Jack Ryan has a reputation for being the best in the business at finding people who don't want to be found. Now he's looking for a missing stockholder known only as "Unknown Man # #89." But his missing man isn't "unknown" to everyone: a pretty blonde hates his guts and a very nasty dude named Royal wants him dead in the worst way. Which is very unfortunate for Jack Ryan, who is suddenly caught in the crossfire of a lethal triple-cross and as much a target as his nameless prey.

The New York Times Book Review: "Remarkably ingenious ... Will keep you on the edge of your chair."

From the novel: A friend of Ryan's said to him one time, "Yeah, but at least you don't take any s.h.i.t from anybody."

Ryan said to his friend, "I don't know, the way things've been going, maybe it's about time I started taking some."

This had been a few years ago. Ryan remembered it as finally waking up, deciding to get off his a.s.s and make some kind of run.

His sister drove him down to the Detroit police car auction where he bough a 1970 maroon and white Cougar for $250. His sister didn't like the Cougar because it had four bullet holes in the door on the driver's side. Ryan said he didn't mind. Didn't mind Didn't mind; he loved them.

The Hunted (1977) (1977) Al Rosen was doing just fine, hiding out in Israel - until he decided to play Good Samaritan and rescue some elderly tourists from a hotel fire. Now his picture's been carried in the stateside press, and the guys he's been hiding from know exactly where he is. And they're coming to get him - crooked lawyers, men with guns and money, and a.s.sorted members of the Detroit mob who are harboring a serious grudge. Playtime in paradise is officially over; Rosen's a million miles from home with a bull's eye on his back. And his only ally is a U.S. Emba.s.sy marine who's been looking for a war ... and who's d.a.m.n well found one.

Bergen Record: "Excellent ... fun to read ... a plot and a chase as good as anything he has ever written."

From the novel: Rosen first noticed the tourist lady on Friday, the day before the fire. He saw her and said to himself, New York.

She had the look - a trim forty-year-old who kept herself together: stylish in a quiet way, neatly combed dark hair and sungla.s.ses; tailored beige sundress, about a size eight or ten; expensive cane-trimmed handbag hanging from her shoulder; nothing overdone, no camera case, no tourist lapel badge that said "Kiss Me, I'm Jewish," Rosen, watching her walk past the cafe, liked her thin legs, her high can, and her sensible b.r.e.a.s.t.s.

The Switch (1978) (1978) Ordell Robbie and Louis Gara hit it off in prison, where they were both doing time for grand theft auto. Now that they're out, they're joining forces for one big score. The plan is to kidnap the wife of a wealthy Detroit developer and hold her for ransom. But they didn't figure the lowlife husband wouldn't want his lady back. So it's time for Plan B and the opportunity to make a real killing - with the unlikely help of a beautiful, ticked-off housewife who's hungry for a large helping of sweet revenge.

Seattle Times: "Nerve-wracking.... One of Leonard's best."

From the novel: Ordell brought out his box of Halloween masks set it on the coffee table in front of Louis and said, "Now you know how long I've been working on this deal."

They were in Ordell's apartment, Louis stretched out in a La-Z-Boy recliner with the Magic Ottoman up. He'd been sitting here four days on and off, since Ordell had met him at Detroit Metro and told Louis he was coming home with him. Louis had said home where? Some Place in n.i.g.g.e.rville? Ordell said no, man, nice integrated neighborhoods. Ofays, Arabs, Chaldeans, a few colored folks. Ethnic, man. Eyetaliain grocery, Armenian party store, Lebanese restaurant, a Greek Coney Island Red Hot where the wh.o.r.es had their coffee, a block of Adult Entertainment, 24-hour dirty movies, a club that locked the doors and showed you some bottomless go-go and a park where you could play eighteen holes of golf. Does it excite you?"

City Primeval: High Noon in Detroit (1980) (1980) Clement Mansell knows how easy it is to get away with murder. The seriously crazed killer is already back on the Detroit streets - thanks to some nifty courtroom moves by his crafty looker of a lawyer - and he's feeling invincible enough to execute a crooked Motown judge on a whim. Homicide Detective Raymond Cruz thinks the "Oklahoma Wildman" crossed the line long before this latest outrage, and he's determined to see that the hayseed psycho does not slip through the legal system's loopholes a second time. But that means a good cop is going to have to play somewhat fast and loose with the rules - in order to maneuver Mansell into a Wild Midwest showdown that he won't be walking away from.

Chicago Sun-Times: "Ranks with his very best."

From the novel: It was 2:50 a.m. Alvin Guy had been dead a little more than an hour and Raymond Cruz, the acting lieutenant in the navy-blue suit he had put on because he was meeting the girl from the News News, felt time running out. He said, "Well, let's knock on some doors. We're not gonna do this one without a witness. We start dipping in the well something like this we'll have people copping to everything but the killing of Jesus. I don't want suspects out of the file. I want a direction we can move on. I want to bust in the door while the guy's still in bed, opens his eyes he can't f.u.c.king believe it.

Otherwise - we're all retired down in Florida working for the Coconuts Police Department, the case still open. I don't want that to happen."

Gold Coast (1980) (1980) When he kicked off, Florida mob boss Frank DiCilia left his gorgeous widow Karen everything, but with strings attached. She loses the millions, the cars, the palatial Gold Coast mansion if she ever gets involved with another man. And there's a crazy cowboy-wannabe thug named Roland who's acting a Frank's eyes beyond the grave, making sure - with serious muscle, if necessary - that Karen doesn't dally. But now Carl Maguire's come into the picture. A s.e.xy, street-smart Detroit ex-con, Cal's got a line and a scam for every occasion. And he's got the perfect plan for getting Karen DiCilia her money and her freedom ... if it doesn't get them both killed first.

The Washington Post: "Leonard's coolly satiric eye for the loopy world of Florida's Gold Coast is unmatched in contemporary crime fiction."

From the novel: "No more double standard, Frank," said Karen. "If it's all right for you to fool around, it's all right for me to fool around. I may mot want to, but I'll do it, buddy, and you can see how you like it."

"Karen, Karen, Karen," sighed Frank. "I could write a book about paying back, then look at it and realize I left a few things out."

Split Images (1981) (1981) Wealthy industrialist Robbie Daniels has discovered something that gives him an even bigger kick than his palatial homes in Detroit and Palm Beach: homicide homicide. He's tried it, he likes it, and he'd like to keep doing it - as often as possible - with the help of a really bad ex-cop who quit the force one step away from prison stripes. Motown detective Bryan Hurd strongly suspects that Daniels has been getting away with murder and figures a little Florida R&R might be an ideal way to keep a close eye on the slippery millionaire reptile. But Daniels has money, power, no fear, and an awesome collection of guns - and maybe Hurd's about to get a little too close to the action...

Pittsburgh Post Gazette: "A dandy crime novel."

From the novel: The squad car officer wondered at first if Mr. Daniels was a movie star. He had the features and that kind of sandy, curly hair some movie stars had and never seemed to comb. The few lines in his face disappeared when he opened his eyes that were pale blue and seemed amazed in the telling of how he had actually shot a man. Twice in the chest.

"Sir how many rounds you fire?" "I'm sorry - what?" "How many times you fire your gun?" "Twice." "What was he about, twenty feet away." "Closer. Ten feet maybe. "Swinging the machete." "What? Yes, raising it."

"But he didn't get a swipe at you."

"No."

Cat Chaser (1982) (1982) The last time Florida motel owner George Moran was in the Dominican Republic he was in a uniform and people were shooting at him. Years later he's back looking for a girl he lost - and finding one he'd be better off without. But that doesn't matter to George while he's sleeping with beautiful Mary de Boya, but it does matter when he discovers his lover is the wife of a former death squad general in exile: one with sordid mob connections. Now George is bringing big trouble back with him to the Sunshine State - as his nostalgic trip down memory lane has tangled him up in a cat's cradle of drug deals, swindles, vengeance and murder ... and a love that's not only blind but lethal.

The New York Times: "A superior example of gritty writing and violent action."

From the novel: Moran's first impression of Nolen Tyner: He looked like a high risk, the kind of guy who falls asleep smoking in bed. No luggage except a six-pack of beer on the counter and a Miami Herald Miami Herald folded under his arm. folded under his arm.

He reminded Moran of a show-business personality going to seed. Long two-tone hair thinning fast, what was left of a blond pompadour receding from a sunburned peeling forehead. Moran could see dark roots that matched his dark, neatly trimmed moustache. The khaki shirt was neat too, freshly laundered, faded, the cuffs on the sleeves turned up once, shirttails hanging out, aviator sungla.s.ses hooked to one of the flap pockets. One-time dude over the hill at forty. Maybe half in the bag. Dreamy eyes looked up from the registration card to the calendar on the wall behind Moran, half-closed, squinting.

"Is it October already?"

It was almost November.

Stick (1983) (1983) After serving time for armed robbery, Ernest "Stick" Stickley is back on the outside and trying to stay legit. But it's tough staying straight in a crooked town - and Miami is a pirate's paradise, where investment fat cats and lowlife drug dealers hold hands and dance. And when a crazed player chooses Stick at random to die for another man's sins, the struggling ex-con is left with no choice but to dive right back into the game. Besides, Stick knows a good thing when he sees it - and a golden opportunity to run a very profitable sweet revenge scam seems much too tasty to pa.s.s up.

New York Daily News: "A slam-bang, no-bull action thriller.... The pace is blistering and n.o.body but n.o.body writes better dialogue.... Grab it!"

From the novel: Stick said he wasn't going if they had to pick up anything. Rainy said no, there wasn't any product in the deal; all they had to do was drop a bag. Stick said, "And the guy's giving you five grand?"

"It makes him feel important," Rainy said, "it's how it's done. Listen, this's the big time, man, and I'm taking you uptown."