sixGeorge Zumpo’s cousins in Markleeville had given him the names of more cousins all around the Bay. He rang many doorbells and even tapped on some windows, but none of his so-called cousins would tell him anything about Leela.
“How would I know anything about Leela?”
“I haven’t seen Leela in years.”
His cousin Willie Stokes told him he looked like a goddamned bum. “You make all Indians look bad.”
Zumpo had heard that one before, but when cousin Willie threatened to call the police Zumpo fled for his life.
But in the City, at SOMA Mission, he happened to meet a crazy woman who told him about a Road Chief who lived in a big old house on 17th Street hill that was painted blue and grey and had a hundred steps leading up to the front door. Zumpo found that house and climbed those steps.
