A Crying Shame (122 page)

I hope this works.”

It will.”

The men chatted for a few moments longer. They shook hands, laughed, and then walked from the swamp's edge.

The lawman stood alone for a time, looking at the swamp, before he got into his car and drove away.

 

It's about damned time you showed up,” Blackwell said, anger still very much evident in his voice and manner. He stood with hands on his hips.
I get the feeling you are trying to avoid me.”

It was not put as a question.

That's not true,” the mortician said.

All right, Ralph,” the newspaperman said, calming himself—momentarily, at least.
Just too much happening around here to suit me. Too much. It raises the hackles on me, brings out the natural curiosity. No pictures available on those killed. Why? How were they killed? Shot? Stabbed? Clubbed? What? What's the big mystery? So here is what I want from you: you open those boxes. I want to see Breaux and that other fellow.”

I can't do that, Les. You know that. Sheriff Saucier, he sealed those coolers. Les, believe me, I don't know what's going on around here.”

But you know what's in those boxes, Ralph. Don't try to tell me you don't.”

Yes.” The man's eyes went suddenly flat.
I do. Of course, I do.”

Well, now
I
want to know. The public has a right to know. So come on.” He began walking toward the sealed coolers in the rear of the funeral home.

Les! Don't do this. You're in violation of the law. The judge signed those orders sealing the coolers.”