George Pelecanos
Posted in 2012-2013 Readings and Talks
October 9, 2012
Reading and Q&A 7:00 PM | Gaston Hall
Reception 8:00 PM | Copley Formal Lounge
From The Cut
— George Pelecanos
They were in a second-story office with a bank of windows overlooking D Street at 5th, in a corner row house close to the federal courts. Tom Petersen, big and blond, sat behind his desk, wearing an untucked paisley shirt, jeans, and boots. Spero Lucas, in Carhartt, was in a hard chair set before the desk. Petersen was a criminal defense attorney, private prac- tice. Lucas, one of his investigators.
A black Moleskine notebook the size of a pocket Bible was open in Lucas’s hand. He was scribbling something in the book.
“It’s all in the documents I’m going to give you, said Petersen with growing impatience. “You don’t need to take notes.”
“I’d rather,” said Lucas.
“I can’t tell if you’re listening.”
“I’m listening. Where’d they boost the Denali?”
“They took it up in Manor Park, on Peabody Street. Near the community garden, across from the radio towers.”
“Behind the police station?”
“Right in back of Four-D.”
“Pretty bold, said Lucas. “How many boys?”
“Two. Unfortunately, my client, David Hawkins, was the one behind the wheel.”
“You just have him?”
“The other one, Duron Gaskins, he’s been assigned a PD.”
“Duron, said Lucas.
Petersen shrugged. “Like the paint.”
“How’d David get so lucky to score a stud like you?”
“I’m representing his father on another matter, said Petersen.
“So this is like a favor.”
“A four- hundred- dollar-an-hour favor.”
Lucas’s back had begun to stiffen. He shifted his weight in his chair. “Give me some details.”
Petersen pushed a manila file across the desk. “Here.”
“Talk to me.”
“What do you want to know?”
“How’d they do it, for starters?”
“Steal the vehicle? That was easy. The boys were walking down the street, supposed to be in school, but hey. It’s early in the morning, cold as hell. You remember that snap we had back in February? This woman comes out of her apartment, starts her SUV up, and then leaves it running and goes back into the apartment.”
“She forget somethin?”
“She was heating up the Denali before she went to work.”
“Insurance companies don’t like that.”
“She left the driver’s door unlocked, too. So naturally, being teenage boys, they got in and took the SUV for a spin.
“I would have, said Lucas.
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