The Kings Of Cool

197

Californians can have entire conversations using mostly numbers.

“The 133 to the 405 to the 5 to the 74” being fairly typical.

Crowe turns east on the 74 and drives up into the range of hills that flank the coastal plain.

No-man’s-land.

Surprisingly rural for this part of the world. Lots of switchbacks, dirt roads, little meadows hidden in oak groves.

That’s where Crowe’s headed now, and it freaks Chon out.

If he’s going to meet Ben, which is a real possibility — to do whatever the fuck it is that Ben thinks he’s doing.

Chon thinks he knows the place they’re headed-a little picnic area they’ve used to make exchanges before.

He pulls his car over, grabs the rifle, gets out, and starts trotting through the oak trees, hoping he can get there in time.