THE MAN WHO CAME UPTOWN by George Pelecanos / Z-View
THE MAN WHO CAME UPTOWN by George Pelecanos
First sentence…
When Antonius thought of all the things that they’d wrong the day of the robbery, wearing hoodies might have been at the top of the list.
The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…
Michael Hudson is in prison awaiting trial. Michael is at a cross roads. If found guilty of robbery, his life will go in one direction. If the jury decides he’s not guilty, another. Problem is, he’s guilty. And they have him dead to rights. Michael was the getaway driver in a job that went bad.
It’s sad to realize your potential too late. Michael’s not a bad looking guy. He’s not dumb. Michael could make something of his life, given another chance. Michael’s decided if he somehow gets freedom, he’s done with crime. He’ll get a job. Any job. Then he’ll continue to better himself.
A miracle happens. Private investigator Phil Ornazian sends word to Michael not to worry. Sure enough and soon enough Michael is released. The witness identifying Michael is no longer sure it was him. Unbelievable. A sentence of five years in a federal pen vanished.
Michael is done with crime. He gets a job as a dishwasher and starts planning for the future.
Then Michael is visited by Ornazian. Time to pay the piper. Ornazian and a retired cop moonlight by ripping off drug dealers and pimps. It’s easy money since the folks they steal from would never go to the cops. Ornazian needs a getaway driver for a score. Michael isn’t interested. Ornazian reminds Michael that he owes him. Who knows, maybe the witness’ memory comes back.
Michael agrees to drive… one last time.
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