A Crying Shame (171 page)

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Authors: William W. Johnstone

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Yes,” the mercenary replied.

And to me as well.”

Sheriff Saucier drove to the edge of the great swamp and parked his patrol car, sitting in the midday heat for a long time, looking into the swamp. He finally tapped his horn lightly, three times.

He waited.

Soon an old gray Link appeared from out of the gloom of the swamp. Mike got out of his car and walked to the Link. It was an old female.

They stood looking at each other for a time.

Then they embraced.

The night was a gory repeat of the previous night. The falling of darkness brought out the young maddened Links, who attacked outside of Fountain Parish. National Guard, reserve, and regular Army troops fired at shadows and each other occasionally. Senior sergeants shouted themselves hoarse in a futile attempt to calm the young soldiers' jittery nerves.

More often than not, they failed.

The Links popped out of the swamp, from dark routes known only to them. And they killed.

The moon held that strange red shroud around it.

And the Crying Swamp seemed to cry more loudly than anyone could ever remember.

Do it,” Jon urged her.

Call your attorneys. If not to save innocent lives ... then for me, Linda.”

So you can prove to the world how macho you are?” she challenged him, fire blazing in the green of her eyes, smouldering amid the love she felt for the mercenary.

Perhaps,” Jon admitted, not reluctantly.

That may have some bearing on my request. But only to a very small degree.”

I don't believe that last part, Jon. The nights we've talked ... you've said you wanted out; to settle down.”

That is very true. I was not lying.”

But you want one more hurrah, don't you?”

How can that be? There will be no one to applaud me.”

Only that little man in tarnished armor who lives inside you.”

He had nothing to say in rebuttal.

Suppose ...” Linda said,

suppose I were to tell you if you go in the swamp, I shall not be here waiting for you when, or if, you come out?”