《T*************y》D. F. Lau

6、Chapter 53

　　They three got on the car and went on journey.
　　Rene drove car, Anton sat in front.
　　A while later both of them found a tail: a car was following them neither far away nor closely seeing from rear-view mirror.

　　Rene drove the car moving round a block but found the car was following behind them still.
　　“Sit tight!”
　　Rene said, putting his foot down to step on the accelerator as the car turned around and slowed down.
　　Anton and Roger fastened their seat belts.
　　The car speeded up immediately and spurted out like a rocket.
　　In the rear-view mirror, the car accelerated quietly coming up with them.

　　After a continuous beautiful drifting on bends, Rene accelerated again rushing to a intersection with green light.
　　Anton knew Rene was catching up the next green light hundreds meters away.
　　As expected, Rene’ car passed the intersection like a wind at the moment the green light just changed colour.
　　Anton turned his head, finding the later car inconceivably scrambling up after corkscrewing through two car’s space just at the moment green light turned to red. A mixed trumpeter noised on the road.
　　That car didn’t disguise it’s intention anymore and caught up with them brazenly.
　　Anton and Roger bacame nervous, Roger got out his gun.

　　On a coastal highroad, Rene’car kept on drifting, whizzed passing and overtaking other cars and turning around, there were fewer and fewer cars on the road.
　　The scenery around them flashed through rapidly, what was left in front of Anton’s eyes was only a narrow bright white line—the road.
　　Seeing Rene do everything he could Anton admired him secretly. He thought if the car driver behind them was him he would have been thrown off several times.
　　However, whenever he turned back he always saw the car behind them following them leisurely.

　　“Be careful”, said Rene with a low sound.

　　They were on a section of highway being crossed and twisted on a versant. He accelerated fiercely and the car rushed up a small slope at a very fast speed. Using of the gradient of the slope the car passed low barriers and flew up to high. For a short while, Anton and Roger felt weightlessness then they found the car body had been in the sky, disheveled grass flashed quickly before their eyes then the car felled down on an other road of a different direction. While the car faced the ocean and back toward cliff, if the car lost control they would be taken to the deep ocean.
　　However, the car turned half a circle on the same place they fell down and went on still.
　　Anton and Roger turned heads to see the car behind, surprisely found that the back car doing the same thing Rene had just done and sticked to them.
　　The atmosphere became more and more tensive.

　　Anton turned to see Rene, unexpected he found Rene seemingly bright and clear. For quite a while, Anton saw Rene was laughing slightly as watching the rear-view mirror from time to time. Anton had never seen Rene’ smile like this, which was rejoicing from the bottom of heart that made him as a child. Suddenly he felt Rene younger a lot.

　　Two cars drove into plain, around them had no cars yet, Rene’car slowed downed to one side.
　　The car behind them rushed up violently but didn’t decelerated at all, as it passed by suddenly the driver sounded the horn twice.
　　Anton felt Rene’ face coming out bright smile again.
　　Rene stepped on the gas once again and started chasing that car.

　　The two cars started chasing each other crazily on the road, while they got on highway and other time rushed into silent town.
　　On the New England country road, they passed through a town like an whirlwind, carrying along the carpolite and leaves on ground.

　　The two cars went through the town lanes, then returned to the town centre, moved round a small island standing a statue, then they curved rapidly and entered a lane.
　　There was no way in front of the lane, the car in front suddenly tilted its body and standed up on two wheels one side, then entered a narrow lane only two man could walk side by side.
　　“hey!”
　　Anton shouted loudly as seeing this, he grasped the armrest and looked at Rene.
　　Then he saw the odd smile appeared on Rene’ face once again. Rene didn’t hesitate at all to stepped on the gas so their car standed up transversely, entered the narrow lane as well. All of them were sitting transversely , Roger shouted again.
　　It’s a long distance for their car got out the lane. When four wheels dropped down the ground the car turned around half a circle at the same place and continued it’s chase.

　　The two cars backed to highway.
　　They ran faster and faster, fewer and fewer people and cars around them then.
　　The vast plain and the broad, winding road became a training ground for the two cars, one in front and the other behind, one with pale color and the other with deep color.

　　There was no even one car all around.
　　They entered a one after another. .
　　The viaduct stretched high to sky, under that was cliff and plain.
　　“Hi!”
　　Anton saw a note of forbidding driving on side passed by, he realized something and shouted to Rene,
　　“What are you doing?”
　　Another yellow sign passed by on side once again.
　　Nearly at the same time, Anton saw the road in front opened onto a giant arc-shaped dome— that was a broken bridge which hadn’t been closured.

　　The front car had been on the bridge and kept on accelerating. Seeing faraway, the car described a beautiful curve in the sky under the twilight shine. As the steel frame of window glasses flaring up, the car had flown high up over the bridge to the opposite side.
　　“Hey, would you not ……?”
　　“Hold on!”
　　Rene’car turned the last bend before getting on the bridge, then he speeded up violently. Almost instantaneously, their car had been flying to the sky－－

　　For a while, everything was soundless.
　　Later on, Anton felt the car body strongly shaking it was the back wheel touched the earth.

　　When he turned to see, found the car back wheel adhered to the bridge fracture, they had fallen down to the other side of the bridge.
　　When he turned back to see, he found that car in front had geared down and stopped on one side hundreds meters away ahead.

　　Rene’ car slid for hundreds of meters to the car back and halted.
　　The two doors opened nearly at the same time.
　　As the opposite door opened, at once a man in a long windbreaker strode out the car with a big smile.
　　Rene opened the door with smile and got out.

　　The sun had set down, plain and cliff showed dark shadows under their feet, and road appeared cool green color.
　　On the viaduct, wind whirred past.
　　Two cars in deep and pale color seperately, two figures in blue brown and deep brown seperately went to each other and met each other on the deserted bridge.
　　Empty sky and earth made them seemed so tiny.

　　When they looked to each other, they both seemed to be blank for a little time, soon they embraced together on side.
　　“Jimmy!”
　　“Hill!”

　　Anton and Roger got off .
　　Roger walked round the car, felt very inconceivable as looking at the fracture.
　　Anton stood beside the car head, observed the car position. Then he looked front.
　　That man was in early 50’s, dressed a deep-brown dust coat. His flaxen long hair liked a flickering flame dancing in the wind.

　　Anton and Roger waited Rene beside their car.

　　Hill holded Rene’ shoulder tightly, looking at him from head to feet.
　　“Well, you didn't change at all!” Hill said.
　　“You too.” Rene was sizing that man as well.
　　“No, I am aged! Soon I will be a old fool!” Hill laughed.
　　“Then me too”, Jimmy also smiled,
　　“I am in the age you was that time now!” He looked at Hill.

　　“Yes,”Hill nodded,
　　“Well”, he looked at Jimmy before him and said,
　　“It’s 17 years!”
　　Hill stared at that pair of eyes and mumbleded to himself.
　　“Nearly 18 years……from Australia until now……”
　　“Uh, it’s nearly to 18 years…..”
　　In the moment, they stared at each other and in their eyes both flashed through a boundlessness.
　　So many years had been past just like one night. Neither great changes nor insipid commonplace in the world would pass away like rushing river and no possible come back.
　　The 17 years slipped away quietly as a cat in dark night.

　　“Is that Jack?”
　　Hill abruptly broke the oppression and asked, after giving a glance to their behind.
　　“No…..”
　　Jimmy turned to see as well.
　　Hill’ eyes became sadly,
　　“No….. But I always think he was still alive.”
　　He lowered his head.
　　“And he was just cheating us, you were still together.”
　　“No, no, Jack had died, Hill”,
　　Jimmy said without expression,
　　“Only I was alive.”
　　Hill nodded and tried to make the atmosphere easily, he smiled to look back,
　　“Yes, I only saw the profile and almost thought he was Jack..”
　　Jimmy followed to see back,
　　“Well, I hadn’t been aware of that yet.”
　　Hill went on looking and said,
　　“Uh, the beautiful blue eyes”,
　　Then he turned to look carefully the man in front,
　　“It seems that you like blue eyes.”
　　“If you don’t drive the car, I wouldn’t dare to confirm you.”
　　Hill looked at Jimmy.
　　“When you ran several laps, I am sure it’s you. Only you drive that way, because I am the teacher. ”
　　He smiled.
　　“Yes.”
　　“You are my last student, I said before.”
　　“Ha-ha!”
　　The two men laughed together.
　　“Well, I checked the assignment and it lookes as you don’t forget it.”
　　“Yes, luckily I hadn’t forgotten.”
　　“I lived in America now, in your country.”
　　Hill said as watching at Jimmy,
　　“In the jungle of the State of New York, you could come to see me now!”
　　Hill smiled again.
　　“I would go.” Jimmy nodded.
　　The two men looked at each other then exchanged their telephone and address numbers.

　　Beside the back car, Anton only saw a figure of Rene’ back.
　　That two people talked, wind blew and brought their faint sound occasionally to Anton.
　　Suddenly they turned to see him together. In the wind, Anton heard a vague name,
　　“Jack.”

　　“You look very well.”
　　Before separating, Hill said again.
　　“Thank you, you look also well.”
　　Jimmy said.
　　“Ok.”
　　Hill nodded and they said goodbye.

　　Jimmy went back in the car.
　　The two cars started together and went forward.
　　The two cars travelled in a direction in tandem for hundreds meters then separated in the first crossing.

　　“He is my teacher.”
　　A while later Jimmy gave a glance to Anton beside him and said.
　　“Then he taught me to drive.”

　　“He is English.”
　　After a moment, he couldn’t help making a sigh,
　　“A legend one.”
　　“He, is a racer?”
　　For a while, Roger asked.
　　“Uh, could consider to be. He had been outstanding in your age.”
　　Out of their expectation, Rene looked back and answered.

　　The sky had gradually becoming dark.
　　Their car reached another crossing.
　　Being occupied for a afternoon, they were all tired. The car went forward soundlessly.

　　“Roger, do you still remember Brown?”
　　Anton suddenly asked.
　　“Yes, I do.”
　　“How do you think about we don’t back to New York? Your girlfriend would mind that?”
　　“What? go to brown’ home?”
　　Roger had a little interest.
　　“It will cost more than a hour from here to brown’ home.”
　　Anton said, they had left New York City for a long distance.
　　“Great , wonderful, she wouldn’t mind this.”
　　“I haven’t go to his home since he moved to his new house.”
　　“What, he moved his house again?”
　　“Yes,” Anton smiled,
　　“It is said that his new house is very spacious, we can live there for one night and come back tomorrow noon, how is it?”
　　“Very good, we listen to you, you are the leader.”
　　Roger was very excited, and laughed,
　　“Ah-ah”
　　Rene also started laughing.
　　Anton then dialed Brown’s telephone number.

　　This was the first weekend they stayed together since they left New York, although there were three man.
　　Only a cloud was left in the sky line, but it still seemed very beautiful.

　　On the way Anton spoke about some informations about Brown to Rene.
　　Brown was a Massachusetts policeman, an old friend of Anton.
　　“Doesn’t his house have been big enough yet?”
　　Then Roger interposed,
　　“He was really…… rich enough!”
　　Originally Roger thought Rene and himself had experienced twists and turns and they came back from Atlantic City together, in addition, his brother harry was Rene’ former colleague, so he felt he was a little intimate with Rene. However, what he didn’t expect was that followed time he first met Anton quarreled with Rene heavily, then the tense atmosphere in office every time made him didn’t know which side he should stand by and how he could get along with them. Until this time, he had seen Rene in Anton’ house, which made him more embarrassed and didn’t know what to say. However, he had followed Anton for many years, he had been used to do what leader tells him to do, insist what leader insists and opposite to what leader opposites. Now it seemed that the nervous mood had gone and the air smelt rather safe, so Roger resumed active again.
　　“He is so luck in shares?”
　　Roger said.
　　“He is a good policeman.”
　　Anton said seriously.

　　When the car arrived at Brown’ house, the night had come.
　　“How are you?”
　　The man oncoming was high, about 42 or 43 years old. He enthusiastically smiled to them and said,
　　“Nancy brought children to her mother’s home, you came missing the right moment. Luckily I have call someone to cook.”
　　They entered the hall, that was indeed big and commodious as they imagined.

　　“Had I seen you before anywhere?”
　　Brown abruptly asked as Anton introduced Rene to him.
　　“Possibly.”
　　Rene smiled calmly,
　　“May be in some meeting.”
　　“Well, that’s possible.”
　　Brown also nodded, then entertained them a break.

　　Three people were busy all the way and felt tired already.
　　“Meals are coming.”
　　Brown apparently delayed his own supper in order to wait for them.
　　During the waiting time, Brown took them to look around the house. Anton and others they followed him, sooner they found Rene was left behind.

　　Anton turned to search Rene, found he was still in study room, standing in front of a cabinet.
　　Rene’s attention seemed to be drawn to something in a unattracly corner, which was like a statue of some kind in ancient Egypt. He looked it carefully and turned it over to examine the base.
　　Brown went toward him,
　　“How about it? Do you like it?”
　　“No, just looks really unique.”
　　Rene said flatly.
　　“Yeah, rather unique, it’s a souvenir of the first mission by myself.”
　　Brown said, looking at Rene.
　　He holded out hand to take the statue from Rene and put it back to where it was previously.
　　“Hey, you house is really considerable.”
　　Roger shouted distantly.
　　Brown turned to Anton and Roger at once and called Rene,
　　“Hi, let’s come there.”
　　Rene turned calmly, from behind seeing Brown tall figure leaving off with a red wine lifted in his right hand.

　　Several people went together again.
　　In the hall, cabinets around them in there were commands, trophies, certificates and big pictures of Brown who was handing medals before chest.
　　“so many prizes you won!”
　　Rene praised.
　　“Of course, I never made mistake in my missions”
　　Brown had a bit complacent.

　　“It’s really a modern style.”
　　Roger praised for the simple and sprightly post-modernism style of the house,
　　“It must be very expensive!”
　　“You are surely also a secureties expert! ”
　　Rene took the words and laughed to Brown.
　　Brown at once smiled,
　　“Of course about that.”

　　“I knew Anton for many years.”
　　“I heard that.”
　　Brown sat by Rene side and talked to him familiarly with low voice in dinner.

　　“Actually Young and I , uh, who you know, Anton’ friend from childhood”,
　　He gave a glance to Anton and hesitated to go on,
　　“Well, I know him,” Rene said.
　　Brown nodded with understanding,
　　“Young and I were classmates in police school. Since he entered the school I recognized Anton. That time Anton was still in middle school. Subsequently I saw him entered law school, then becoming a policeman. ”
　　……
　　The night passed fastly in wines and chats.
　　Sooner midnight came on, beside window there were raindrops falling down.

　　They started returning to New York after having lunch the nextday.
　　Several people said good-byes out the door.
　　Under the sunshine, the house appeared even more dignified.

　　On the way back home, Anton and Roger talked from time to time. Rene didn’t say a word, but his expression changed continuously.
　　They sent Roger back home firstly.
　　Then only Anton and Rene were left in the car.

　　“That Brown, you had better to keep a distance from him,”
　　Rene said abruptly, after a little hesitation,
　　“The further the better.”
　　“What? what do you mean?” Anton was astonished.
　　“He is very dangerous.”
　　“Why do you say that?”
　　Anton suddenly felt oppressed, he sat up,
　　“I had known him more than a decade, Rene, he is a good police.”
　　“Yes, he is a good police, I believe.” Rene pursed his lips.
　　“He taught me a lot.”
　　“Nobody can win all the time on the stock exchange.” Rene snapped up.
　　“That’s all?” Anton goggled at Rene.
　　“All is that.” Rene looked at Anton.
　　“shit, just because he lives in a big house?”
　　Anton mocked Rene with anger, “do you already know everything? Only after you meet him only once?”

　　The car had got to Anton’ house, they stayed in the car and didn’t got out.
　　“He is a good police that dosen’t mean he isn’t dangerous.”
　　Rene said loudly.
　　“What do you mean?”
　　Anton interrogated him again,
　　“What are you afraid of?” He stared at Rene.
　　At this moment the eyes in front of Anton came up with melancholy.

　　Rene didn’t say a word.
　　“Why you say he is a good police but you feel he is dangerous?”
　　Anton questioned again.

　　“Anyhow,” Rene didn’t reply and said slowly after a moment of silence,
　　“I hope you touch with him fewer times,” but when it came to half, he cried quickly all of a sudden,
　　“The best you don’t touch with him at all.”
　　“”By what?”
　　Anton watched Rene,
　　“I had known him more than a decade, you ask me not to keep in touch with him, what do you by?”

　　“You don’t like him, when you had a good chat with him! Rene, you are really good at dealling with somebody.”
　　Anton sneered.
　　“Earlier you didn’t trust Roger, then didn’t trust my former colleague, so who is the next you wouldn’t trust?”

　　“Anton, you couldn’t believe Brown, “
　　Rene interuppted him, “I said that the last time.”
　　“Well, who you want me to believe now?”
　　Anton glared at him with horrible sight,
　　“Do you want me to trust you?”
　　In a minute, there was only a frightful stillness in the car except their breatheing.
　　—‘Right, can I let Anton trust me?’ Rene moved away his sight.

　　Seeing Rene didn’t reply, Anton got out the car with anger.
　　“For else, why did you touch that boy?”
　　While Anton got off the car, he remembered the secne he saw in upstairs bedroom in his home, so he asked as drawing back his feet which had stretched out the car,
　　Rene avoided his sight,
　　“I wasn’t going to do anything.”
　　“You damned don’t really like kids?”
　　Anton interrogated him with disgust.
　　Rene’ face turned gloomy, he grinded his teeth and not speak any longer as turning to stare at front.
　　“I think the problem is in yourself.”
　　Anton went out as shutting the door loudly.
　　A faraway look flew through Rene’ eyes, he shifted the car wheels leaving off.

　　Another weekend had been over.
　　Tomorrow would be that particular day again.
　　(translated by Fei)