A Crying Shame Page 11

  The governor’s head was pounding with waves of pain. God, he felt bad. Couldn’t think straight. What ta do? In too deep to back out of this thing. We’ll evac in seventy-two hours.”

  Jeansonne spoke what was on both their minds. Do we have an extra two hundred thousand lying around, Jimmy? I don’t want to lose more men.”

  Yeah.” Parker sighed. He reached for the aspirin bottle and took four of them. I suppose. Oh hell, yes. You know that. Bit here, bit there, dab out of this program, that program, that budget. Hell, it would be twenty years before it was discovered. If it ever was. That’s not the point. A mercenary! A goddamned mercenary. Damn it, has Tammy called in?”

  Jeansonne grinned. Tammy isn’t going to phone anything in. She’s in heat.”

  How can you grin at a time like this?”

  ’Cause you been trying to get her panties off for three years, and the expression on your face is of extreme irritation, that’s why.”

  The two men had known each other since grade-school days. Had married high-school sweethearts, and socialized often.

  Parker slowly returned the grin. Yeah. Badon thinks I’m saving my political career. Hell with him. He—like a lot of professional fighting men—isn’t very smart when it comes to politics. If he was, he’d know I’m winding down my last year of my second term. Can’t run again. And I have—as you damned well know—publicly announced with my hand raised that I will never, ever, under any circumstances run for public office again. Ever! Never!”

  His phone buzzed and the governor jerked it up. He listened for a moment, his face paling. The pain in his head intensified, pounding as though it were about to burst wide open. Jesus!” he whispered. All right. Thanks. Keep me informed.” He slammed the phone into the cradle.

  Don’t tell me.” Jeansonne wanted to pound on the desk in anger and helpless frustration. Let me guess. The Links?”

  You got it. A woman was abducted by those . . . things. Her male . . . companion, for want of a better word, was killed, torn to bits. Like Paul Breaux. Parts of him eaten. And Blackwell’s reporter, a Craig Gardner, is missing. His jeep was found on Despair Plantation, not too far from the mansion. Need I say more? Oh, yes, old friend, we have troubles.”

  Gardner probably followed us out there, tucked his jeep in a turn-row, and was slipping up to the house to snoop around when the Links got him. Damn, they were close all the time. All around us.” He was thoughtful for a few seconds. Remember . . . Badon said he thought he heard a scream?”

  Always back to the mercenary, huh?”

  I’d. hire him and give him seventy-two hours, Jimmy. And that’s stretching it pretty thin. But we can cover our asses by saying—when and if we have to make any announcements—we needed that time to set up evac plans, and we sat on it for the safety of the citizens.”

  I hate politics! I hate being a liar.”

  Jeansonne said nothing. The men looked at each other for a few seconds.

  All right.” Parker spoke firmly. Get your troopers moving. In civilian clothes. Station them in the parishes all around Fountain. Full combat gear ready. Alert that National Guard MP unit and place them on stand-by . . . and do it quietly. Stress to their CO the need for absolute silence. We need more backup. There’s a Special Forces Reserve Unit in Orleans Parish. Get on the horn and make arrangements for them to be quietly mobilized; full combat gear. Get permission to move them out; put them at Camp Beauregard . . . quietly, buddy. Quietly. Get Planning to work up an evac plan for Fountain.”

  You want me to stay while you make arrangements for Badon’s money?”

  No. No point in both of us being a part of something this . . . nasty. Get moving, Supertrooper.”

  Yes, sir.”

  You think we have seventy-two hours?” the governor asked.

  No, sir,” Jeansonne said.

  I don’t either. Head out.”

  When the door had closed behind Jeansonne, Parker grabbed up a private phone from a desk drawer and punched out a number. Just listen,” he said, a touch of urgency in his voice. His head was pounding with pain. He felt awful. I need two hundred thousand dollars. I need it fast, one hell of a hurry. I don’t care where you get it, just bury it deep. Half of it in cash, on my desk, in one hour. No, it is not impossible. Do it! The less you know the better.”

  Badon slipped from the warm, loving, sleeping flesh of Linda and walked down the hall to answer the phone, pausing only to pull on twill trousers. He thought he knew who might be calling, and he smiled as the voice spoke to him, tersely, at best.

  Seventy-two hours. If not completed by then, the second payment will not be made.

  Good enough,” Badon said. He gave the voice the number of his bank in Geneva, then softly replaced the phone. He stood in the center of the room for a quiet moment, thinking.

  Seventy-two hours was not nearly enough time, but he would make an effort.

  Yes. Adding this money to the money he had saved over the years—some of it drawing interest in a bank in New Orleans—he would finally have enough to buy that winery out in California to retire from war. Not a large winery, but ample for his needs. A steady money-maker. Jon had been very careful over the years to have no criminal record. Of the four hits he had made for the U.S. Government, one had been a known Mafia don, two were drug dealers, and the fourth had been a war lord in Burma, up in the Golden Triangle, also a drug dealer and supplier.

  Jon felt he might have to get a person with a clean record to front the complex for him, but that could be easily arranged.

  But now there was the woman. Linda. Jon Badon had always taken women as he found them—casually—never allowing himself the luxury of falling in love. Hell, he’d never had the time. There had been two women toward whom he had felt a very strong attraction . . . that might have grown into something, but he had backed off, sensing he was not yet ready for that much permanency, and not wanting to cause the ladies any hurt.

  But this woman, this Linda Breaux, with all her grace and charm and manners and breeding . . . he grinned, recalling her language when angered . . . beneath all of that was one hell of a sexual lady, with all the wants and needs of a woman that, Jon admitted, finally, and with much reluctance, could handle him. No, that was not entirely correct—that he would allow to handle him, to control him to some degree. This woman . . . she brought out some feeling from deep within him, some sense that he had been missing out on something very important that he had needed for most of his adult life. Something that every human being desires: the feeling of being wanted and needed and, he finally thought the word, loved.

  He rudely shoved those gentle and loving thoughts from his mind and walked back down the darkened hall, pausing by Tammy’s room. Linda was sleeping the deep sleep of the sexually exhausted. She had not even so much as moved when the phone rang. Jon pushed open the door and stepped inside, quietly closing the door behind him.

  A night light gave off its soft muted beam.

  He walked to the bed and looked down: Tammy’s eyes were open, staring up at him. Her gaze left his face, drifting down his bare chest, with its thick mat of hair, to linger at his crotch. You and Lady Linda really got it on a couple of hours ago, didn’t you?” she whispered.

  Reasonably well.” He returned the whisper. But my sexual activities, and with whom, are really none of your concern.”

  She giggled softly. I love the way you talk, man. So very, very proper. How much of a man are you, man?”

  That depends entirely upon the person asking the question.”

  She threw back the thin sheet that covered her, allowing Jon to gaze at her body, naked, all its valleys and secret pockets highlighted dimly by the night light and the faint glow that seeped through the curtains from the floodlit grounds.

  She was a beautiful woman; Jon admitted that to himself. All woman. But brazen women turned him off; they always had. Tammy’s breasts were lovely, rose-tipped, the nipples jutting upward in anticipation of what she thought he had come for. She was wro
ng. Her belly was smooth and unmarred, all soft and silky, tapering downward into a honey-colored valley of delights. She opened her thighs, inviting him to touch and savor the smoothness. When he did not, she rose to sit on the side of the bed; to touch his crotch. Her fingers traveled the soft length of him.

  Nice,” she said in a low voice. I kind of thought you’d have a nice screwing tool on you.”

  Are you always so vulgar, Miss Gray?”

  Sex is vulgar?”

  Yes.” He surprised her with his reply. Sometimes it is.”

  Wow, man. You are a constant source of amazement to me, you know that?”

  I suppose.”

  She moved her hands to her breasts, cupping them, lifting them, offering them to him. She smiled lewdly. You like?”

  I will have to admit they are very nice. But what I don’t like is the game you’re playing.”

  Game, Jon?” she asked, a strange light flickering in her eyes, quickly flashing its cryptic message, then fading.

  As fast as a striking snake, Jon grabbed her by the hair and whipsawed her head painfully, warning her in a low, menacing voice that if she so much as uttered a whimper he’d leave her looking as if her face had been caressed with a garden rake.

  Tammy’s face went chalk-white, and she felt the numbness of fear crawl coldly over her. Her lips trembled. You’re crazy, Jon. Look, man, if she didn’t leave you satisfied, I give great head. I’ll—”

  He slapped her and she fell back on the bed, long blonde hair flying. She wept silent tears, knowing why this was happening, and wondering how this man had discovered her secret.

  You may cease the pretense, Miss Gray,” Jon said. And make it easy on yourself. I cannot tolerate a liar, and I hate a spy ever so much more.”

  I don’t know what you’re talking about, Jon. I think you’ve lost your mind.”

  Really?”

  She wanted to scream, but something in her brain warned her not to make a sound. She felt this man would not really hurt her, was only attempting to frighten her into telling the truth. At least that was her prayer, her fervent hope.

  That small glimmer of hope began fading quickly as Jon began speaking, very quietly, his voice just a harsh, guttural whisper. It was very menacing in tone.

  Let me tell you about a tribe in Africa,” he said. They have a very strange but most effective method of getting the truth from a person.”

  She thought she had never in her life seen an uglier smile. She looked up at him. I don’t think I’m going to like this story.”

  Yes. I feel reasonably certain of that, Miss Gray. But I can spare you the gory details. Just tell me the truth. Why are you really here?”

  I told you, Jon. Really, I did.” Her voice was shaky. This was supposed to have been easy. It wasn’t turning out that way at all. What had she done to give it away?

  Then perhaps I’ll leave you alone for a moment while I go to the swamp’s edge . . . in search of a snake.”

  Man! A snake? What . . . ? You’re nuts!”

  Perhaps. My line of work does call for a certain amount of mental looseness. That tribe I mentioned? They strip the woman they’re questioning, then spread-eagle her on the ground, staking her legs wide apart. They then wet the lips of the woman’s . . . ah . . . I do so hate to be crude . . . cunt, and show her the snake. The snake itself is quite harmless; nonpoisonous. If she still refuses to admit the truth, or confess her crime, they open the lips of her cunt and position the snake by her inner thigh, head pointing upward. Do I have to tell you where the snake goes when it is released?”

  She hissed fear and revulsion. She wanted very much to go to the bathroom. She didn’t want to believe the story, but somehow she felt it was true. Is that shit true? Man . . . you’re crazy!”

  Jon shrugged. Personally, I believe my mental condition is fine, considering all I’ve done in my life, and I feel that must be taken into consideration. The truth now, Miss Gray?”

  You’re perverted!”

  Oh, I’ve never done the snake bit, my dear,” Jon replied innocently. Just seen it done a time or two. I found it most effective. Of course, if the victim is really without guilt it is a very traumatic experience, I’m sure.”

  Tammy huddled into a soft naked ball on the bed, weeping softly. You wouldn’t do that to me. Not to me. What I’ve done isn’t all that bad.”

  Compared to what, darling? Lady—and I use that word very loosely—I’ve done almost everything there is for a man to do in this world. Much of it bad. I told you: I cannot tolerate a spy.”

  She looked up at him through eyes blurred with tears. The tears streaked her face. Jon’s face looked savage in the dim light.

  Jon heard a soft noise in the hall. His eyes became narrow slits. Come on in, Linda.”

  Damn, man,” Tammy said. Do you have ears like a cat? I didn’t hear anything.”

  Shut up,” she was told.

  Linda opened the door, flicking on the lights. She looked a bit sheepish at being caught eavesdropping. Her eyes widened at the sight of the naked woman on the bed, huddled in fright, tears running down her cheeks . . . and at Jon standing over her.

  She lifted her eyes to his. Jon . . . ?”

  It isn’t what you think, so relax.”

  What am I to think?” Linda asked, a bit stiffly.

  That I am lusting after Miss Gray, of course. I was not and am not.”

  I’ll take your word for that, Jon. This time.”

  There won’t be a next time,” he said. Whatever Tammy is, she is also a fraud. I believe she is a spy . . . for whom, I don’t know. But I assure you, I intend to find out.”

  He told me he was gonna get a snake, shove it up my pussy!” Tammy blurted. He’s nuts!”

  Linda looked at the mercenary. Jon . . . ?”

  To an extent she is speaking the truth—finally. Now if she will only continue speaking the truth.”

  Tammy suddenly giggled. Oh, man . . . this whole scene is too wild to be believed, you know?”

  Her giggling suddenly ended when Jon jerked her to the edge of the bed. You really want me to force the truth from you, don’t you?”

  No,” Tammy quickly replied. And you can take that to the bank, man.”

  Linda looked at him. Jon, were you really going to ... you know?”

  No.” His reply was cold. It was a bluff. I am not into those deviant acts.” His eyes flicked over Tammy’s nakedness.

  Tammy thought his eyes were as cold as a snake’s gaze . . . just before striking. She definitely was not turning this man on ... at all.

  Getting your eyes full, Jon?” Linda asked, heat in her voice.

  She does have quite a garden full of delights, doesn’t she?” He smiled.

  I really couldn’t say.” North winds transformed the heat into ice.

  Tammy chuckled grimly. Wild,” she said. Really wild. Look, if you guys are all through discussing me like I’m some sort of cow on the auction block, maybe we can work something out, huh?”

  Jon nodded his head; one curt jerk. The truth would be admirable of you. For a change.”

  May I put on some clothes? I mean, this is kind of embarrassing. If you know what I mean.”

  Don’t press your luck,” Jon said. I didn’t remove your gown. Just speak your piece.”

  You’re a mean man, man.”

  You haven’t seen me become mean, Tammy,” Jon corrected her statement, adding, yet.”

  I get the point,” she said, then giggled, and Jon could not help but admire her courage. Despite his feelings about her, he rather liked this brassy blonde. No play on words intended, man.”

  Jon smiled. All right, blondie. Put on a robe and speak the truth.”

  She slipped into a robe and sat back on the edge of the bed. She stared at Jon. She had never in her life met a man she couldn’t turn on. But this big dude was all ice. What gave me away?”

  I’m a hunch-player. Something about you just didn’t add up—too anxious to stay out here where you might get
hurt or killed or taken by the Links. You’re too curious about everything. And I get vibes from you I don’t like.”

  Tammy sighed. Okay It’ll be a relief, I think. Well . . . I do work for Governor Parker, and I do a good job. But I also work for Coleman Jennings.”

  Jon glanced at Linda. Who is Coleman Jennings? I’m not familiar with the name.”

  Leader of the opposition political party. He has announced plans to run for governor.”

  Jon swung his gaze back to Tammy. So you’re on two payrolls?”

  Three, actually.” She again sighed, as if relieved to have someone with whom to share her secret. Coleman approached me last year, offering me money—a lot of money—for all the dirt I could dig up on Parker. There really isn’t much; he’s pretty square, except for trying to get me between the sheets. I don’t think his wife likes to fuck, you know? I could have done that . . . really turned the tables on him . . . but he’s a pretty nice guy, and I just couldn’t do it. Anyway, this . . . event up here, the Links, that would have been the coup de grace for Parker’s party. Keeping all this hush-hush from the public. But I just couldn’t bring myself to call Coleman. I don’t know.” She shrugged her shoulders. My—and don’t laugh—conscience got to bothering me. And I’m also writing a book about Louisiana politics; I took a pretty good advance from the publishing company.” She blinked her blue eyes. I have a headache, man.”

  One of life’s little tragedies,” Jon responded. What have you told this Coleman person?”

  I told you. Nothing. And that’s the truth.”

  Knowledge of this would really damage Parker’s party in this state, Jon,” Linda said. And we’ve fought hard to get him in office and keep him there.”

  I am totally apolitical,” Jon informed them. I dislike politicians. It matters not to me. I’m going to bed, get some rest.” He looked at Tammy. Don’t attempt to leave this house.”

  With those . . . creatures out there? Man, you must be joking.”

  If you attempt to use the phone, Tammy,” Jon said, I’ll break your fingers. One by one. And that is not a joke.”

  She nodded her head. Yeah,” she said slowly. I don’t believe you would have done the . . . snake bit, but I believe the finger bit.”