Jules’s eyes flickered open.
The inside of the reeking shack swam about him.
It was hard to breathe. He opened his mouth to gasp in the air. He sucked it in. It was foul. It made him cough. His skinny body lurched on the cold ground.
Mists crept away in his brain.
One by one like drawn veils.
Suddenly his mind was filled with terrible clarity.
He felt the aching pain in his side.
He knew he was lying half naked on garbage and letting a flying bat drink his blood.
With a strangled cry, he reached up and tore away the furry throbbing bat. He flung it away from him. It came back, fanning his face with its vibrating wings.
Jules staggered to his feet.
He felt for the door. He could hardly see. He tried to stop his throat from bleeding so.
He managed to get the door open.
Then, lurching into the dark yard, he fell on his face in the long grass blades.
He tried to call out for help.
But no sounds save a bubbling mockery of words came from his lips.
He heard the fluttering wings.
Then, suddenly they were gone.
Strong fingers lifted him gently. Through dying eyes Jules saw the tall dark man whose eyes shone like rubies.
“My son,” the man said.
4 – THROUGH CHANNELS
Click
All set, Sergeant?
Set.
Okay. This recording made on January fifteenth, nineteen fifty-four, twenty-third precinct police… ’
…in the presence of Detective James Taylor and, uh, Sergeant Louis Ferazzio.
Name, please.
Huh?
What’s your name, son?
My name?
Come on, son, we’re trying to help you.
L-Leo.
Last name.
I d-don’t… Leo.
What’s your last name, son?
Vo… Vo…
All right, son. Take it easy.
V-Vogel.
Leo Vogel. That it?
Yeah.
Address?
T-twenny two thirty, avena J.
Age?
I’m… almost… Where’s… my ma?
Turn it off a minute, Sergeant.
Right.
All right, son. Okay now?
Y-yeah. But where…?
You’re how old?
Fi-fifteen.
Now, uh, where were you last night from six o’clock till you went home?
I was… at… at the show. Ma give… give me the dough.
How come you didn’t stay home to watch television with your parents?
‘Cause. Because…
Yes?
The Le-Lenottis was comin’ over to watch it with them.
They came often?
N-no. It was the first time they’d… ever come.
Uh-huh. So your mother sent you to the movies.
Y-yeah.
Sergeant, give the kid some of that coffee. And see if you can him find a blanket.
Right away, chief
Now, uh, son. What time did you get out of the movies?
Time? I… don’t know what time.
About nine-thirty, would you say?
I guess. I don’t know… w-what time. All I…
Yes?
Nothin’.
Well, you saw the show only once, didn’t you?
