Suitable for Framing [antikvár]

CUf^O'hc. j I -I knew what it was when I heard the shots."The witness had been pumping self-serve gas at an Amoco station across the street. I sidled up with my notebook, virtually ignored by uniformed cops accustomed to my presence."I knew it wasn't firecrackers," he told them, nervously smoking a cigarette. His face was flushed, and a slight paunch hung over his khakis. "I hit the ground. I was in Saigon, the Tet offensive in 'sixty-eight. I know gunfire when I hear it."Never thought I'd see something like this, right in broad daylight." He shook his head.A middle-aged French Canadian in a rented red Cadillac had objected when a Latino kid jumped out of the car behind him at a traffic light and stuck a gun in his face. He had stomped the gas pedal. In street-speak he "bucked the jack," trying to escapea mistake in this case.The young gunner fired three shots in rapid succession, blasting out two windows. Showered by broken glass, the driver swerved, slamming into a nearby light pole.The 'Nam vet had sneaked a peek from the ground as the shooter scampered up to the damaged car. "He