Chris Abani - The Secret History of Las Vegas

Mr. Richie also needs you to sign this, Kim said, pressing a pen and the clipboard into Asia’s hands. It’s a release for the hotel, you understand?

Asia nodded and signed. She hadn’t expected them to treat her as nicely as they were, even if she had given Mr. Richie a couple of complimentary dates. Fifteen minutes later, here she was, pulling out of the parking lot and heading for Sunil’s. She didn’t want to be alone. She wanted him to hold her. There were no other women in his life, she was sure, but still, it was a risk going to him uninvited.

Brewster gasped for air, choking silently. He moved quickly, replacing the oxygen tank in his pocket. In a few seconds his breathing returned to normal.

Brewster was sitting at his desk, studying the MRI image of the twins on his computer. He could see that a band of tissue connected the twins, but they didn’t share lungs or a heart or any major organs. They could very easily have been separated at birth. It’s confusing why they weren’t. Maybe their parents couldn’t afford the operation. But he knew so many surgeons would have performed the procedure for free, just to get papers out of it. Even more confusing was that on the little one there was no brain activity showing up. He appeared brain dead.

It would be interesting to hear Sunil’s take on all this. He was far more qualified on matters pertaining to brain scans. He’d have to make up for the whole zoo thing. Honestly, when were these blacks going to stop being so sensitive? Best to call and get it over. Brewster picked up his cell phone.

Fred held the cigar in her palm, barely moving her hand, as though gauging its weight. Then she let it roll up and down her palm a few times, watching it critically. Pinching it between forefinger and thumb, she brought it up to her nose and ran it across the ridge of her upper lip, inhaling deeply, eyes closed. Satisfied, she put the tapered end in a guillotine and deftly snicked the end off. She took out an old Zippo with the emblem of the Atomic Testing Commission on it, held the flame away from the rough edge of the tobacco leaves, and inhaled deeply as the cigar caught fire. The smoke ran out of her nostrils as she puffed. Satisfied it would stay lit, she leaned back in the Adirondack.

Gentlemen, help yourselves, Fred said through the smoke, pointing to the humidor.

Both Salazar and Sunil declined.

Best Cubans this side of the Mississippi, she offered.

No, thank you, though, Sunil said.

Well, cheers, Fred said, raising her beer bottle.

The men raised theirs. It was growing chilly on the porch, high up as it was, like a bird’s nest. A blue orb on the wall behind them attracted and zapped the whirling insects. Without it, the setting would have been almost bucolic.

So tell me, why do you have Fire and Water, Doctor, Fred asked. Are they hurt?

He’s a shrink, Salazar said. We got them undergoing psychological evaluation. We think they are serial killers.

Serial killers, Fred asked, sitting up. You have to be joking.

I should add that I am not sure yet whether they are guilty of a crime, much less whether they are serial killers, Sunil said.

They don’t have it in them, Fred said.

That’s what the neighbors of every serial killer say when the police come by, Salazar said. He was such a nice guy, blah, blah, blah.

I’m afraid he’s right there, Sunil said. Most serial killers are high-functioning people who go by unnoticed for a very long time.

And why are you here, Fred asked. You, Doctor, specifically. What is your interest?

Please call me Sunil.

Fine. So tell me, Sunil, what’s your stake in all this?

Freaks and serial killers are his specialty, Salazar said. Best in the country, that’s why I had him hold them for seventy-two hours. So I’m in charge here, so you talk to me.

Fred took a long drag from her cigar and blew smoke slowly into Salazar’s face. Turning her head, she said: Sunil?

Well, it is a rather delicate matter.

Why is that?

There are several parties interested in their incarceration — in prison or hospital. It would help me to have some background on them, something to help with a diagnosis.

Just so you know, Salazar said, I for one believe they are as guilty as fuck and there’s little you can say to prove otherwise. I am here because the doctor thinks you are key to this because one of the freaks is in love with you. He figures if they did this, whatever set them off is connected to you.

Fred smiled. Water?

Yes, Sunil said. Is there any truth to that?

I am just one of those women, Sunil. You know the kind.

No, I don’t.

The kind men want to possess but can’t, Fred said, and laughed deliciously.

You don’t seem that perturbed by all this.

All what, Fred asked. This little show you’re both putting on? If you had anything serious on the twins, would you be out here in the middle of nowhere asking for my help?

Sunil drained his beer. Why don’t I tell you what I think?

With that he launched into a recap of the twins’ arrest by the lake and everything that had transpired up till then. When he was done, he stood up and went to the bathroom while Fred went to freshen their drinks and get some snacks. They had an awkward moment at the door as they both reached it at the same time, but that was replaced by amazement when they stepped back onto the porch to find Salazar peeing over the edge.

Shit, he said. You came back faster than I expected. My bad. Old habit.

He zippered up and sat down. Fred passed him a new beer, careful not to touch him in the process.

What, he asked, picking up on her body language. You can work with freaks no problem, but a little public urination is a big deal.

Fred ignored him and turned to Sunil. First to address the love issue you brought up, she said. Yes, there was a time when Water and I were intimate. We were lovers for about a year until it became unclear to me which twin I was actually sleeping with. I mean, it was always Water’s body, but there were times when I thought I saw Fire in his eyes.

I understand, Sunil said.

But then I also began to notice Fire peering out at us from under his caul when we made love. The whole thing got too weird, so I ended it. Do you really think that somehow triggered a breakdown for them?

I don’t know. When did you stop seeing Water?

Eight months ago. But they continued to work here at the carnival all that time, until two weeks ago when they just left for Vegas.

What exactly did they do as King Kong, Salazar asked. I mean, did they wear a monkey costume or what?

Both Fred and Sunil contemplated correcting him, but then chose not to.

They were fire wizards, Sunil said. At least Fire was, as I understand.

That’s correct, Fred said, shooting him a grateful smile.

Like I know what the fuck that is, Salazar said.

Well, one of their tricks, Fred said, was to set a very long pole on fire and then throw it in the air. As it dropped they would catch it and it would turn into an albino python. Stuff like that. The audience loved their show, but then Fire grew bored of the magic. They were working on something akin to walking on water. I think that’s why they may have been at Lake Mead.

Because Criss Angel walked across Lake Mead, Salazar asked.

So you’re not a total waste of space, Fred said.

How long have they been with the carnival, Sunil asked.

Since they were twelve, Fred said.

And they spent the last few weeks just developing their new Jesus act, Salazar asked.

Not exclusively; there are no free rides here. They helped out with the midget boxing matches—

The what now, Salazar interjected.