“Where?”
“Vietnam.”
“Go on.”
“That’s it. I killed the guy, stole his wallet and passport, and headed up-country.”
“Your motive?”
“I wanted out.”
“Out of what?”
“The army, Nam, the whole fucking war.”
“Why was that?”
“You for real?”
“Please answer the question.”
“I was eighteen, liked my ass in one piece.”
“Why Xander Lapasa?”
“He wasn’t military. I figured having civvy ID would buy me freedom.” Lapasa turned to Epstein. “These fucking meds are kicking the shit out of me. I gotta take another leak.”
Lapasa shuffled out, supported by his lawyer.
My mind pinwheeled with questions.
Neither of the men was Xander Lapasa. Epstein was a lawyer. Face Mask was far too short. Who was he? Where in Vietnam had he crossed paths with Xander?
Face Mask had been living as Al Lapasa since the sixties. Where was he prior to arriving in Oakland? What was he doing?
I chewed a cuticle, too agitated for speech. Behind me, Ryan and Lo were also silent.
An eon passed. Another.
The cuticle turned raw.
Finally, Epstein and his client returned.
Schoon picked up where he’d left off.
“How did you kill Mr. Lapasa?”
“Shot him with my M16.”
“You then stole his identity papers, went AWOL, and lived as Al Lapasa.”
“That’s what I’m saying.”
“Why Al?”
“What?”
“Why not Xander?”
Lapasa shrugged. “The guy’s passport said Alexander. I figured Al.”
“What is your actual name?”
“That ain’t important.”
“We’ll come back to that.” Schoon made a note on his tablet. “Where did you meet Mr. Lapasa?”
“I wouldn’t exactly say we met.”
“Very well.” Prim. “Where did you kill Mr. Lapasa?”
Face Mask slowly wagged his head, eyes steady on Schoon.
“Sir?”
“I give you that, you squash me like a Napa grape.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“This is where you give me something, Mr. Lawyer.”
Schoon’s eyes held steady behind their lenses.
“You think I’m scum.”
Schoon started to object. Face Mask stopped him with a raised hand.
“Kids today talk about something called a bucket list. You ever hear of that?”
“No.”
“It’s shit you want to do before they plant you in the ground. You know, before you kick the bucket.”
Schoon said nothing.
