Chapter 2 Chapter 2 After the Canal Festival (1984)

1 Andran's boyfriend Haggerty told police in tears that the hat Andland was wearing was won at the playground in Bath Park six days before his death.He is very proud of it. "He wears it all the time because he loves this damn town." "Oh, no need to talk about that now," Sergeant Harold Gardner told Haggerty.Harold is the son of David Gardner.He was 5 years old when his father found the body of George Dunbon with only one arm remaining. On this day 27 years later, he is already a 32-year-old middle-aged man with a slight baldness on the top of his head.Harold could see Haggerty was sad, in pain, but he couldn't believe it.Here was a man—if he was a man—wearing lipstick, and a pair of silk trousers stretched tightly around his body.No matter how sad or miserable he is, he is a weirdo.Like his late friend Andran Manlon.

"Think again," Harold's colleague, Police Officer Reeves, said, "You two left the Falken Bar and walked towards the canal. Then what happened?" "How many times have I said it, you idiot!" Haggerty exclaimed angrily. "They killed him! They pushed him into the river! They did it once in Mank!" Haggerty cried. "Ask again," Reeves said patiently. "You guys come out of the Falken Bar. Then?" 2 Just downstairs in an interrogation room, two police officers were questioning 17-year-old Steve Dube; upstairs, in the probate office, two police officers were questioning 18-year-old John.Girton.In the Sheriff's Office on the 5th floor, Sheriff Reedmacher and Assistant District Attorney Tom.Budiril is questioning 15-year-old Christopher.Erwin.Irwin was wearing faded jeans, an oil-stained T-shirt and large-toed shoes.He was sobbing softly there.Reedmacher and Budiril decided he was the weakest link in the gang and decided to go after him.

"Recall it again." Budiril looked serious. "We didn't kill him on purpose," Erwin cried, "because of the hat. We can't believe Girton is still wearing that hat after he said that.We just wanted to scare him. " "For what he said?" Sergeant Reedmacher pressed. "yes." "On the afternoon of the 17th, with John Girton?" "Yes, with Gorton." Erwin burst into tears again. "But when we see him in trouble, we try to save him, at least me and Steve try to save him... we really didn't mean to kill him!"

"Okay, Chris, don't fool us," Budiril said sternly, "you were the one who threw Andran into the canal." "It's me, but..." "Then you three turned yourself in at the police station. Sergeant Riedmacher and I appreciate your attitude. Don't you, Sergeant?" "Of course. Chris, a man must be brave!" "Now you stop playing tricks. You want to throw him in the river as soon as you see him walking out of the Falcon with his gay friends, don't you?" "No!" Christopher said.Erwin defended himself vigorously.

Budiril produced a pack of Marlboro cigarettes.He took one out and put it in his mouth, and handed the cigarette to Erwin. "One?" Erwin took the cigarette.Budiril confronted him.Erwin's lips quivered. "That's when you saw him wearing that hat?" Inspector Riedmacher pressed again. Erwin took a sharp drag on his cigarette and hung his head. "Yes." His voice was barely audible. Budiril leaned forward with sharp eyes, as if a beast saw its prey.But his voice is still very gentle. "What, Chris?" "I said yes. I think so. I didn't mean to kill him by throwing him in the river." He looked up, pained and hopeless.Everything had changed since he left the house at 7.30pm the night before to attend the last night of the Derry Canal Festival with two close friends.He couldn't comprehend this sudden change in his life. "I didn't kill him! The guy under the bridge did it... I don't know who he is?"

"Who is that man?" Sheriff Reedmacher didn't have much interest in this.They have heard so much about this kind of thing that no one believes it.People accused of murder always make up a mystery guy. "A guy dressed as a circus clown," Christopher.Erwin shivered. "And some balloons." 3 Returning to Knife's Edge from July 15, the Canal Festival was a huge success.Most residents agree that the festival has greatly boosted Derry's popularity and image...and of course the money.The week-long Canal Festival commemorates the opening of the canal that runs through central Derry town.

It was this canal that brought the lumber trade to Derry from 1884 to 1910; From east to west, from south to north, the whole town is newly decorated.Buildings in town have been renovated inside and out. The potholed roads that have not been repaired for more than 10 years are all smooth as before. Benches in Bath Park and the wooden railings of the Happy Bridge across the canal were also repainted – often with anti-gay smears. The Canal Festival Museum is housed in three storefronts along the street, all owned by Derry Township Librarian Mike.The exhibits were organized by Hanlon, who was also an amateur historian.The oldest local families have also lent their priceless treasures for the museum free of charge.During the week of the festival, more than 40,000 people viewed menus in restaurants from the 1890s, loggers' bollards, axes and hooks from the 1880s, children's toys from the 1920s, and more than 2,000 photos and 9 documentary films reflecting the vicissitudes of Delhi over the past century.

A huge tent was set up in Derry Park, and there were concerts every night. Bath Park is a scene of revelry, where a large garden party sponsored by the town council is being held.Every hour a trolley circles the various attractions and stops in front of the painful slot machines. It was there that Andran won a hat, a paper hat that had cost him his life, with a flower on it and a ribbon that said "I? Derry." 4 "I'm tired." John said.Gordon said.Like his two friends, he's also a rock star.The sleeves of the light blue T-shirt were frayed, revealing strong arms.

His dark brown hair tumbled around his eyes, making him look more like John Kugel.On his arm is a blue tattoo - a mysterious design that looks more like a child's work. "I don't want to say any more." "Just talk about Tuesday afternoon at the playground." Paul.Hufu said.Khufu was tired, shocked and frustrated by this dirty business.He thought it over, and it seemed to him that the Derry Canal Festival had ended with an event that everyone knew about but was too afraid to put in the daily festival list.If you remember it, it should go something like this: Saturday night at 9:00 pm: Final concert, performed by the Derry Middle School Band and the Mellenman a cappella group.

10 p.m. Saturday: Large fireworks display. Saturday 10.35pm: Andrand Menlen Ritual; Canal Festival officially ends. "Damn amusement park," Gorton cursed. "What did you tell Man Lun? What did he tell you?" "Oh, Chris." Gorton rolled his eyes. "Say it, Gorton!" Hufu's colleague urged. Girton rolled his eyes and continued. 5 Gerton saw Manlon and Hagerty hugging, walked over shyly, giggling like a girl.At first he really thought it was two girls, but later he recognized Man Lun.He saw Man Lun turn around and kiss Hagerty gently. "Oh God, that's disgusting!" Gorton exclaimed in disgust.

Erwin and Steve together.Steve said that Man Lun's gay partner was named Tang Moumou.He even touched a kid from Derry High School when he gave him a ride. Man Lun and Hager walked over to the three young men ahead of time, left the game console and walked towards the exit of the amusement park.Gerton later told Officers Hoof and Conley that the damn gay hat had "Me? Derry" written on it.Those words hurt his pride as a Derry citizen.On the tall paper hat was a gigantic flower, trembling and looking silly.It hurt his pride as a Derryman even more. Girton yelled at Manron and Haggerty as they walked past them shoulder to shoulder, "I'm going to make you eat that hat. You bloody bastard!" Man Lun turned to look at Gerton, winking at him. "My dear. If you want something to eat, I can find you something much tastier than a hat." Girton was furious and wanted to show the homosexual a little bit of color.Oh shit!No one dared to challenge him like this. He walked over to Man Lun.Man Lun's friend Hagerty was shocked and tried to pull Man Lun away, but Man Lun was still standing there, smiling.Gerton later told officers he was sure Manron was having a good time.All day long at the carnival, he's been obsessed with two doughnuts stuffed with honey.He was too happy to realize the danger at hand. If Gorton hadn't felt something touch his elbow, Manlon would have looked at him.Girton looked back to see Frank.Officer McCann, baton in hand. "Don't make trouble, boy," McCann warned Girton, "don't mess with them, go play." "Do you know what he called me?" Gorton was very excited.Chris and Steve also come over.The two of them had a premonition that there would be trouble, so they persuaded Gerton to leave quickly.But Girton shook them off, and it seemed that Gorton would be angry if he tried to persuade them again.He felt his personality was insulted.No one dared to challenge him yet.there has never been. "I don't think he said anything," McCann continued, "I think you spoke first. "Okay, go ahead. I don't want to remind you anymore." "He called me gay!" "You're uncomfortable, aren't you?" McCann looked interested.This question made Gorton flush. After arguing, Hagerty desperately dragged Andran away. "Good-bye, my dear!" Andraine shouted cheerfully, turning her head. "Shut up, you bastard," McCann snapped, "Get out of here." Girton lunged at Andrand, and McCann grabbed him. "If you do that again, I'll arrest you." "Let me see you again, I will never spare you!" Gorton kept yelling at their leaving backs.People turned to look at him. "Wear that hat again and I'll kill you. Derry doesn't want you gays." Without looking back, Andran Manlon shook his left hand—cherry red nails, and swayed his waist as he walked.Gorton pounced again. "Say it again: If you move again, I won't be polite," McCann said as gently as possible. "Okay, trust me, I mean it." "Come on, Gorton," Chris seemed restless, "Forget it." "You like this kind of guy?" Gorton asked McCann angrily, ignoring Chris and Steve. "Yes or no?" "For these abnormal guys, I can't say whether I like it or not." McCann said, "What I really like is peace and tranquility. What you have done makes me disgusted. Do you want to go to the police station with me? Are you willing to take a trip?" "Come on, Gorton," Steve said quietly, "let's get some hot dogs." Gordon is gone.As he walked, he arranged his shirt exaggeratedly, and combed the hair around his eyes with his hands.Officer McCann overheard Girton telling his partner, "The next time I run into him, I won't let him go." 6 "I want to say a few words to my mom." This was the third time Steve Dube had asked. "I want to persuade my mother and stepfather to make do with it. Otherwise, when I get home, the family will already be fighting." "Wait a little longer," said Inspector Charles Avellino.Officer Avellino and his colleague, Officer Barney Morrison, knew that Mrs. Stee would not be able to return tonight, perhaps at all.The kid didn't realize how badly he was wrong this time. "What happened when you saw Andran come out of the Falcon's?"' Officer Morrison asked. "I don't want to say any more." "Why?" Inspector Avellino asked. "I've said enough." "You're here to talk," said Avellino, "isn't it right?" "Well...that's right...but..." "Listen," Morrison sat down next to Steve Dube and tossed him another cigarette, "do you think me and this police officer look like a gay couple?" "I have no idea--" "Do we look alike?" "Not like, but..." "We're your friends, Steve," Sergeant Morrison said gravely, "trust me. All three of you need friends at this moment.Because as soon as tomorrow comes, every wounded heart in Derry will settle with you, crying for blood for blood. " Steve Dube was a little taken aback.Avellino saw through his thoughts; he must have thought of his stepfather again.Like everyone else in the Derry Police Department, Sergeant Avellino disliked the gays in Derry and wanted the Falcon's closed for good - and he was more than willing to drive Steve home himself.In fact, he was willing to grab Steve's hand and let his stepfather give him a good fix.Avellino felt that although he did not like those homosexuals, it did not mean that those people should be tortured and executed.Andran died terribly.His eyes were wide with terror when they pulled him up from under the canal bridge.Steve didn't yet know what a terrible thing he had done as an accomplice. "We didn't mean to hurt him." Steve got a little confused and flinched. "That's why you're here," Avellino said sincerely. "It won't do any harm if you tell us the truth. Isn't it, boy?" "There's really no harm," Morrison added. "Ask again, what do you want to say?" Officer Avellino coaxed him patiently. "Hmm..." Steve began to speak slowly. 7 In 1973, when the Falken Bar first opened, Cotier imagined his patrons would be long-distance bus passengers.But he didn't expect that most of the passengers were women and people with their families, and they all brought their own drinks.Most of the people who got off were soldiers and sailors, and they only had one or two bottles of beer-the parking time was only 10 minutes, and it was impossible for them to drink here. It wasn't until 1977 that Ketier realized it, but it was too late: he had already owed a lot of debt.After thinking twice, he decided to take the risk and set fire to the bar to claim insurance compensation.If you set the fire yourself, you are afraid of being discovered by others, and it is difficult to find a professional arsonist. So in February of that year, he made up his mind that if the business didn't pick up by July 4th, he would leave everything here and go to Florida to try his luck.However, who knows that God has eyes, the bar business has suddenly improved, the business is booming, and it is booming. The people who patronize the bar are all young men, polite and polite, and many of them are dressed strangely.Cotier didn't realize until around 1981 that almost all of his customers were gay. Like every cuckold who was the last to know of his wife's infidelity, Cotier was unaware that it was an open secret in Derry. But when Ketier knew everything, he didn't care, because the bar brought him a lot of money.Besides, the Falken's was the only safe bar in Derry, where no one got jealous and fought over women.The people who come here, whether they are gay or not, all of them behave in their own right. But there were more and more rumors about the Falken Bar in Derry Town, and rumors spread all over the place.Some people say that in the Falken Bar, every night there are men dancing face-to-face, touching and kissing each other, which is ugly.There is also said to be a secret room in the bar where a man in a dirty Nazi uniform provides "special" services to certain people. In fact, it's all just rumors.When people come out of the bus stop to buy a beer or a drink at the Falcon, it feels like any other bar - of course, the clientele is mostly gay, but that's not to say they're dumb .The gay community here knows that Derry is like New York or Boston, it's small, and things should be done with care. Haggerty only started going to the Falcon in March 1984.The first time he went was with Andran Manlon.At the beginning, he was restrained, but later even the bar owner Ketier saw that the relationship between Haggerty and Manlon was extraordinary. Haggerty was a draftsman for an engineering firm.Man Lun is a freelance writer, no matter what publication he contributes.He kept talking about writing a novel—maybe he wasn't serious, because it's been 12 years since he started working on it in his third year of college. Manron, who first lived in Portland, came to Derry this time because a journal asked him to write an article about the canal.But within three weeks, he met Haggerty, and everything changed, and he ended up living with Haggerty. 8 Haggerty told the two officers that that summer was the happiest of his life—and he regretted it, thinking he should have been more careful.God is always like this, giving a heavy blow when people are happiest. Anderan's excessive love for Derry Town was the only shadow in Hagerty's heart at the time.He was wearing a T-shirt that said "Maine is good, Derry is better."He owns a Derry High school uniform and of course the hat, and says the atmosphere in Derry is just so cool.He even picked up his own novel that had not been written for more than a year. "Is he really writing that novel?" Inspector Harold asked.Harold wanted Haggerty to talk more. " "Of course. He said it might be a horror novel, and he was due to finish it before his birthday in October. He thought he knew Derry quite well, but his time here was so short that he really didn't know Know what Derrytown is like. I tried to convince him, but he wouldn't listen." "So what do you think Derry is like, Haggerty?" Officer Reeves asked next. "It's like a dead whore covered in maggots," Haggerty said angrily. The two policemen stared at him silently, stunned. "This place is awful," Haggerty went on, "it's a sewer. Don't you two know that?You have lived here all your life, don't you know anything? " Neither officer responded.After a while, Haggerty went on. 9 Don Haggerty had been planning to leave Derry until Andran Manlon entered his life.He lived here for three years, mainly because he rented an apartment with a beautiful view on the river for a long time.Now that the lease is coming up, Haggerty is happy to get out of here.No need to commute to get off work every day.Don't put up with the eerie atmosphere here any longer.The town frightened him.That deep-seated homophobia — evident in both the town vicar and the smeared walls of Bath Park. Andrán laughed at him for this."There are a lot of homophobes in every town in America," he said. Seeing him so serious, Haggerty decided to take him to Bath Park to have a look. In mid-June, a month before Andran's death, they drove to Bath Park.He took Andran to the shadow of Happy Bridge emitting an unpleasant smell, and showed Andran a place with a slogan painted on it.Andran struck a match, only to see it read: perverted homosexuality.cut your dick. Haggerty said calmly: "I know how people view homosexuality. I was beaten up in a truck yard in Dutton City when I was a teenager; someone burned me outside a fast food restaurant in Portland. My shoes, and the fat cop standing there and laughing. I've seen a lot. But I've never seen anything like this. Look here again, and take a good look." Andraine struck another match.I saw the writing on the wall: I dug out your dog's eyes, gay! "Whoever wrote these words is in a state of insanity. If only one person wrote it, I would feel better, but..." Hagerty gestured in the air, and said, "There are too many of these things …I don’t think it’s something one person can do. That’s why I want to leave Derry Township. There are too many places and too many people going mad.” "Okay, wait until I finish the novel, okay? It's October. I swear. It won't be too late. The air here is so nice." "He didn't know it. It was under that bridge that he died," said Don Haggerty bitterly. 10 Both Budiril and Sheriff Riedmacher were silent and leaned forward slightly.Chris hung his head and kept talking.This is exactly what they want to know.This confession is enough to send two of the three bastards to prison. "This arcade is not fun at all. They've been playing all kinds of games. Wheel of fortune, skydiving... the bumper cars are closed. Except for the merry-go-round. So we wandered forward until we got to the ring game Gorton paid 50 cents. He took a fancy to the hat the gay was wearing, but he missed it. The more he missed the center, the more it got hotter. Steve was fanning the flames on the sidelines. Only he was in high spirits, because he Take the medicine, a red pill. He kept whispering in Gorton's ear, which made Gorton almost beat him.He said, "You can't even win that bastard's hat. If you can't win that hat, you're a piece of shit." Then, though Gorton got nothing, the lady gave him a prize. I think She was trying to send us away. Afterwards, the playground closed. We went out and Steve kept laughing at Gorton for not winning the hat. Gorton didn't say a word. I knew something was wrong , wanted to change the subject, but just couldn't think of what to say. When we got to the parking lot, Steve asked us if we wanted to go home or somewhere to hang out. Gorton said we were going to be near the liveken bar Go around and see if you can run into that homosexual." Hearing this, Budiril and Sheriff Riedmacher exchanged glances.The clown in front of him didn't know that everything he confessed constituted the crime of first-degree murder. "I said no, I'm going home. Girton said, 'Are you afraid of passing that gay bar? 'I said, fart! 'Steve was still on fire.He said: "Let's fix these perverts, fix them, fix them, fix them..." 11 That's how it happened.Andran Manlon and Don Haggerty drank two glasses of beer, came out of the Falcon's Bar, and then walked towards the bus station holding hands.It was 10:20 at night.They turned the corner and turned left. The Happy Bridge is on the upper reaches of the Kentucky River, about half a mile from Falcon's, and it's very scenic.The Kentucky River was in the dry season of summer, low and listless. When Andran and Haggerty had just walked under a street light, three of Gorton drove up and chased them up. "Stop 'em!" Gorton snapped.The way those two guys were holding hands and being intimate made Gorton angry.Seeing the huge paper flower on the hat, dangling back and forth, made Gorton even more furious. "Damn! Stop them!" Steve took the lead and rushed forward. At the police station, Chris denied taking part in the murder, but Haggerty said he did, too.According to him, Gordon jumped out of the car before it even came to a stop, followed by the other two.The two sides argued.Andran hadn't challenged them at all that night.He knows that none of them are fuel-efficient lamps. "Give me that hat," Garland ordered Andran, "give me that hat, you gay!" "If I give you a hat, will you let us go?" Andran was so frightened that he was out of breath, crying.He looked at Chris in bewilderment, then at Steve, then at Gorton. "Give me that shit!" Andraine handed him the hat.Gorton took out a switchblade from his trouser pocket, cut the paper hat to pieces, crumpled it up again, threw it under his feet, and stomped on it desperately. While their attention was on Enderan and the hat, Haggerty stepped back and looked around, hoping there were police around. "Okay, now let us—" Before Andran finished speaking, Gorton punched him in the face.He backed up a few steps and hit the waist-high pedestrian barrier on the side of the bridge.Andran screamed and covered his mouth with his hands, blood trickling down from between his fingers. "Andran!" Haggerty yelled, running over.Steve tripped him up.Gerton kicked him hard in the stomach, kicking him off the pavement and into the middle of the road.A car drove past, and Haggerty knelt there, desperately calling for help, but the driver passed without looking. "Shut up, bastard!" Steve kicked him in the face.Hagerty collapsed in a dirty ditch by the side of the road, passed out. After a while, he heard a voice, it was Chris talking to him.Tell him to get out of here quickly, or he will end up like Andran. Haggerty heard punches and kicks and Andran's cries for help.He screamed so badly, like a prey in a trap.Haggerty scrambled toward the brightly lit bus station beyond the intersection.When he looked back, he saw Andran huddled in a ball, surrounded by the three of Girton.His body was shaking and being thrown around like a rag doll.They beat him, kicked him, tore his clothes.He saw Gorton kick Andran in the crotch.Andran's hair hung in front of his face, and blood was pouring out, staining his shirt red.Girton's right hand carried two huge rings, which cut Andran's upper lip and knocked out three of his front teeth. "Help!" Haggerty yelled for help through his throat. "Help! Help! Someone is going to die! help! " The buildings on both sides of the street are so dark and mysterious.No one came out to save them.Haggerty didn't understand why this was the case: there were people in the brightly lit bus station.No one wants to save them?Isn't there even a good-hearted person? "Help! Help! They're going to kill! For God's sake, help!" "Help!" A voice like this also came from Haggerty's left side, the voice was very strange and weak... followed by a faint giggle. "Get out! Get out!" Gorton roared loudly... and laughed out loud while shouting.And the three of them were laughing all the time while beating Andran, shouting incessantly: "Get out! Get out of here!" "Help!" The mysterious and deep voice floated over again.Then there were a few more faint laughs—like the laugh of a child who couldn't help it. Hagerty looked under the bridge, there was a clown there! At first glance, the clown was no different from any other common clown, the only distinctive feature was the messy orange hair.But afterward, Hagerty felt that the clown was different from the clowns he often saw.The face was terribly white, and the fake smile was as red as blood.Those eyes gleamed with an evil silvery light.Haggerty thinks the clown probably wears contact lenses, otherwise his eyes wouldn't be so white and scary.The clown was wearing a baggy gown with big orange buttons and the white gloves that cartoon characters usually wear. "If you need help, Don," said the Joker to Haggerty, "take a balloon." As he spoke, the clown handed over a handful of balloons he was holding. "They can float," said the Clown, "and we will when you come down. Your friend will be in no time." 12 "The clown called your name?" Officer Reeves asked expressionlessly.He winked at Sergeant Harold. "Well," said Haggerty, bowing his head, "I can't forget the sound of it." 13 In the sheriff's office on the 5th floor of the police station, Sergeant Reid Maher and Prosecutor Budirir are still interrogating 15-year-old Christopher.Erwin. "Then you throw him down," Budiril asked Urwin, "and let him go, don't you?" "I didn't do it!" Erwin yelled, looking up.He wiped his hair drooping down to his eyes, stared at the two cops, and pleaded eagerly: "When I saw them going to do that, I just wanted to pull Steve away, because I knew it would kill the guy." Broken - the bridge was about 10 feet out of the water..." is 23 feet.Sheriff Riedmacher's men had already measured it. Erwin added: "But Steve seemed to have gone crazy by then. They both kept yelling 'Fuck off! Fuck off!' and they lifted him up. Girton crossed his arms and Steve carried two Legs, and... and then just..." 14 Seeing that Andran Manlon was about to be thrown into the river, Haggerty rushed towards them, screaming desperately, "Don't! Don't! Don't!" Erwin pushed Haggerty away.Hagerty fell to the ground on his back. "Do you want to feel what it's like to be thrown into the river too?" Erwin whispered to Haggerty, "Run!" They threw Andran off the bridge, and there was only the sound of splashing water. "Let's go." Steve and Gerton headed for the car. Erwin walked to the railing and looked down.He saw Haggerty first.Haggerty was scrambling down the weedy, trash-strewn bank to rescue Andran.Then he saw the clown.The clown dragged Andran to the other side of the river, supporting Andran with one arm and holding a balloon in the other hand.Andran was dripping all over, coughing and moaning.The clown turned his head, his silver-white eyes gleamed with a cold light.It smiled at Erwin, showing its fangs as big and sharp as a lion. "And then?" Prosecutor Budiril continued to ask.He was tired of everything Erwin had said.This is simply a fairy tale to deceive children. "And what happened then I don't know," Erwin replied. "Steve came over and grabbed me and pulled me back into the car. But... I think the clown bit Andran's armpit." He looked up at the two officers again, A little unsure. "I think that's what it does." Then he said: "It seems that it wants to eat Andran. It wants to eat Andran's heart." 15 After reading Erwin's interrogation transcript, Don Haggerty categorically denied Erwin's statement.He said the clown hadn't dragged Andran across the river, at least not in the way that Erwin had seen -- Erwin was just a bystander, out of his mind. Haggerty said all he saw was the Joker standing on the other side of the river with Andran's wet body on his arm.Andran's right hand hung stiffly behind the clown's head.The clown's face was indeed tucked under Enderan's armpit, but it wasn't biting; it was smiling. The clown's arm suddenly tightened, and Hagerty heard the sound of ribs breaking. Andran was screaming in pain. "Float away with us, Dorne." The clown's voice came from the grinning, blood-red mouth.It pointed under the bridge with its finger. Below the bridge floated balloons—not just a dozen, but hundreds of them, red, blue, green, and yellow, each with the words "Me? Derry." 16 "Sounds like a balloon." Officer Reeves said, and gave Officer Gardner another wink. "I can't forget the sound of it," Haggerty repeated, his voice drooping. "Did you see those balloons with your own eyes?" Sergeant Gardner asked Haggerty. Haggerty slowly raised his hands to his eyes. "The balloons are as clear as I can see my fingers now. There are hundreds of them. You can hardly see the inside of the bridge—there are so many balloons. The balloons float and go up and down. At the same time There is also a ridiculous 'squeak' sound, which is the sound made by balloons rubbing against each other. There are also those white strings that tie the balloons, intertwined and suspended in the air like spider webs. The clown took Andran Arrived under the bridge. I could see its belly go through the big white net. Andran let out a terrible cough. I chased after it... The clown turned his head suddenly. Seeing its eyes, I understood who it is." "Who is it?" Officer Gardner asked softly. "It's Derry," replied Don Haggerty, "it's Derry." "Then what did you do?" Officer Reeves asked anxiously. "I'm running! Damn it, pig!" Haggerty wailed. 17 Sergeant Harold Lindner remained calm until Dec. 13, when Girton and Steve's murder trial began in the Derry District Court.He found Assistant Prosecutor Budiril and wanted to ask him what he thought of the clown.Budiril didn't want to say it at first, but after seeing Officer Gardner's insistence, he agreed. “根本就没有什么小丑，哈罗德。那天夜里的三个家伙才是小丑。 这你知道得很清楚。 " “我们有两个证人——” “那全是编造出来。厄温那么说只不过是想减轻自己的罪行，可是这根本没用。他这次罪责难逃了。哈格提那么说，是因为打击太重，变得有点歇斯底里。看着自己最要好的朋友被杀，他说他看见了飞碟我也毫不吃惊。” 但是布迪里尔知道的东西肯定很多，加德纳警官能从他的眼睛里看出来。这位地区助理检察官的闪烁其词激怒了他。 “好了”，加德纳说道，“这里我们谈论的是自愿证人。你不要胡说八道。” “什么是胡说八道？你相信在那座桥下有一个吸血鬼小丑吗？我认为这才叫胡说八道。” “我的意思不是这样。但是——” “那你又是何苦呢？” “你少来审讯我！”加德纳警官忍无可忍，终于叫了起来。“他们两人说的都一样，而且彼此都不知道对方所说的话！” 布迪里尔检察官一直坐在桌子前面，玩着一支铅笔。听到加德纳警官的话，他放下铅笔，站起来，朝加德纳走了过来。加德纳比布迪里尔高出5英寸，可是当他看见布迪里尔气冲冲地走过来，不由得后退了一步。 “你是想让我们败诉吗？加德纳？” “不，当然不是——” “你想让那些坏小子逍遥法外吗？” "No!" “那好。既然我们的基本立场没有分歧，我就告诉你我的真实想法。是的，或许那天晚上桥下真的有一个人。或许那人还穿着小丑的衣服。但是，我所调查过的许多证人都认为那很可能是穿着别人丢弃的衣服的醉鬼，或者是幻像。他也许正在那里捡剩饭剩菜。这难道不可能吗？” “我不知道。”哈罗德极力想让自己接受这样的推测。可两个证人的叙述如此相似……不，他不信会有这种可能。 “不管这个小丑是谁，最后结果只有一个：假如我们的案子卷入这个小丑，那他们的律师就会抓住这点大做文章。他们会说这两个年幼天真的孩子是无辜的。他们把那个同性恋者扔到桥下只是开个玩笑而已。他们会说曼伦落水以后还活着。哈格提和厄温都能证实这一点。” “他们的当事人没有犯罪，而是那个小丑打扮的神经病干的。如果我们提到那个小丑，结果就会是这样。你明白吗？” “可厄温总会交待的。” “但哈格提不会，他明白这其中的利害。只要哈格提不说，谁会相信厄温的话？” “哦，还有我们。”哈罗德显得很痛苦，甚至对自己的反应感到有些惊讶。“我想我们也不会说的。” “哦，行了吧！”迪里尔一甩手，大吼起来。“他们杀了曼伦。 他们不仅把他扔到桥下——格顿身上还带着一把弹簧刀。曼伦挨了7刀，其中一刀刺在左肺上，两刀刺在阴部。伤口与格顿的刀正好吻合。曼伦还断了4根肋骨——这是斯蒂夫干的。他紧紧地抱住曼伦把他摔得仰面朝天。曼伦还挨了咬。胳膊、左额、脖子上都有伤口。我想是厄温和格顿干的。不过只验明一处伤口吻合，在法庭上不足以说明什么。还有，曼伦右臂腋上掉了一大块肉，虽然没有证据，我肯定是格顿干的。而且，曼伦的耳垂也被咬掉了。 " 布迪里尔停下来，瞪着哈罗德。 “如果让这个小丑搅和进来，我们就再也不能将这些坏小子绳之以法。你希望这样的结局吗？” “不，当然不。” “虽然曼伦是同性恋，但他从未伤害过任何人。”布迪里尔越说越激动。“他过自己的日子，与人无碍。突然冒出三个坏小子，夺走了他的生命。我一定要把他们绳之以法。等我听说那些浑球进了托马斯顿监狱，我就寄张贺卡告诉他们，不管是谁杀的人，我都希望他得艾滋病。” “多热情啊！”哈罗德心里念叨着。“这案子当然也会为你两年后的晋升添上光彩的一笔。”他转身离去，不再多说什么。毕竟他也想把那些浑蛋关起来。 18 john.格顿一级谋杀罪成立，判处在托马斯顿监狱服刑10至20年。 斯蒂夫咐备一级谋杀罪成立，判处在肖塞克监狱服刑15年。 克里斯多夫。厄温因为未成年，被定为二级谋杀罪，到南温德姆少年管教所服刑6个月，缓期执行。 在我写此书的时候，被控三方正在上诉。人们还不时看到格顿和斯蒂夫在街上逗女孩，在离安德兰遇害地不远的巴斯公园玩投币游戏机。 哈格提和厄温已经离开了德里镇。 在对格顿和斯蒂夫进行审判时，谁也没有提及小丑的故事。