Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Page 398 "Lucian's body appeared on the doormat of the 115th Precinct"

From page 398 of the book:  Lucian's body appeared on the doormat of the 115th Precinct in Jackson Heights, Queens, at four o'clock in the morning on New Year's Day.  It was a mystery to the police as to who brought him.  He was covered with numerous bruises and cuts all over his face, neck, arms, hands, and legs.  His clothes were torn and saturated with dirt, blood, and grease.  It was a further mystery as to how his body was dumped in front of a police station without anyone seeing the delivery.  The desk sergeant was as angry as he was embarrassed, or he was angry because he was embarrassed, having been caught off guard with the results of an unrestrained assault placed on his doorstep under the noses of his entire staff.  He screamed for God to save him from the wrath of his captain, as he ordered Lucian to be taken to Elmhurst Hospital and admitted without delay.




The 115th Precinct, Jackson Heights, Queens, New York


Images of Jackson Heights, where I spent some of the happiest years of my life: (clockwise from top left): the subway stop at Roosevelt Ave; a typical J.H. street; under the elevated Number 7 train; a neighborhood; again under the elevated; and Elmhurst Hospital.

Page 390 "...while he drove the back streets of Flushing, around Kissena Park..."



From page 390 of the book:  In a clever, circumspect style, Sylvester had begun to ask questions about his cousin while he drove the back streets of Flushing, around Kissena Park, past Queens College, toward Grand Central Parkway. Maneuvering us away from the Long Island Expressway, due to an accident that had backed up traffic for a mile, he had kept at me with questions and accusations.
"Sylvester," I began, "I'm sorry you weren't told."
"Sorry! Being sorry is for assholes. I thought we didn't keep secrets."
"We don't," I said.
"Well?"
I looked at my driver, at his six-foot-two presence with a gentle face, mad eyes, and wet, curly black hair.
"You're right," I said. "Sorry. There haven't been secrets between us, but this time it was different."
"I don't think so," he bit his nails, keeping his eyes on the road ahead of us.
"Let me explain," I offered
.

A view of Queens College


Aerial view of the Queens College campus














...past Queens College, toward Grand Central Parkway. Maneuvering us away from the Long Island Expressway,...