Jon turned off the radio. His bowels were in perfectly good working order and he did not wish to hear about a product that relieved plugged plumbing.
All along the road, at one-mile intervals, National Guardsmen and reserve troops were stationed, armed with M-16s. They made no move to stop him or prevent his traveling, merely looked at him curiously.
Finally Jon pulled over at one checkpoint. Why are you men all facing the swamp?” he asked.
So we can see if one of the monsters comes out, sir,” the guardsman replied. His eyes flicked to the deputy’s badge Jon had pinned on his shirt before leaving the house.
I see,” Jon said slowly. But they have also been known to come up behind their victims. Have you given that any thought?”
No, sir.”
I suggest you do, Corporal.”
Yes, sir. Sir? I seen that monster that was killed last night. I mean, I seen a picture of it. Reckon how many of them things is in the swamp?”
Jon gazed at the young man, wondering how many of these inexperienced troops would get themselves shot before this was over. A goodly number, son,” he replied. Watch your backs.”
Yes, sir.”
Jon drove on toward Laclede.
Sheriff Saucier waved him to a halt on the outskirts of town. The parish is clean,” he said. But I think it was a stupid move.”
So did Jon, but he let the sheriff tell him his reasons.
The Links aren’t stupid; all they’re going to do is go into the parishes surrounding us—right?”
That would be my thought, yes.”
Shit!”
But there is one consolation, Mike. For the most part, your worries are over; let the other sheriffs handle it.”
The sheriff studied him for a moment. Badon, you’re a cold-blooded bastard, you know that?”
The mercenary shrugged. Perhaps. But have you ever thought of it this way: sometimes practicality and cold-bloodedness are confused.”
Lessons in word usage I don’t need at this time, Badon. What are you doing in town?”
I came to get a craft of some kind.”
A boat?”
I believe that is what I said.”
To go into the swamp?”
I don’t intend to go motoring down the center of your quaint little village, Mike.”
You’re also a smart ass, Badon.”
Be that as it may.”
You can’t enter the swamp. Government orders.” He said it, Badon felt, almost smugly.
But ... perhaps not.
Sheriff Saucier, who, might I ask, is going to keep me out? You?”
If you think I’m afraid of you, Badon, you’re very wrong.”
I neither inferred nor implied any such cowardice, Mike. Why are we quarreling with one another?”
I don’t know,” he said shortly. Maybe it’s because I haven’t made up my mind whether I really like you, or not.”
Badon smiled. Well ... if you choose the former, warn me before you attempt to kiss me.”
The smile was slowly returned. O.K., mercenary, you win. But I’m not going to kiss you.”
Not your type?”
Wrong equipment between the legs. Besides, you’re ugly as shit.”
You’ve just shattered all my illusions.”
Come on, follow me.”
It was very close to what Jon had in mind: a Boston whaler. A broad-beamed, heavy craft that would be extremely difficult to overturn. High-sided, it would be as steady as a rock.
It would have to be; Karl got seasick taking a bath.
The sheriff again studied him. You’re really going in? Against government orders?”
Yes.”
I won’t attempt to stop you.”
I appreciate that.”
He nodded. Your ass,” Mike said. Old man Nunn-singer owns this elephant. He was evaced out, so I suppose what he doesn’t know won’t hurt him. Going in alone?”
Karl will be with me.”
That slight nod of the head. He as tough as he looks?”
About three times tougher.”
Looks like he could pick up a truck and walk off with it.”
Jon smiled in mental recall. He used to amuse the children by picking up the front ends of jeeps.”
I believe it.”
Using a winch, the men loaded the boat onto a trailer and secured it to the hitch on the back of the pickup truck Jon had taken from the farm’s equipment shed. Jon was conscious of the sheriff’s steady scrutiny.
Something, Mike?”
Just trying to figure you out, Jon. Trying to fathom what makes a man like you tick. Ever been on a psychiatrist’s couch?”
Several times.”
And . . .?”
Jon shrugged. I never give them much satisfaction. Tell a shrink what they want to hear, they’re happy. I don’t place much credence in their profession. I’ve always believed them to be much like lawyers; if we didn’t have them, we wouldn’t need them.”
Mike chuckled. Try though he did, and he did try to dislike the mercenary, he found himself liking the company of this soldier of fortune more each time they met. He wondered if part of his feeling was envy. He decided it was.
You’ve led the life that most men secretly wish they could lead, Jon.” He spoke the words that had been on his mind for several days.
In most respects, Mike, be glad you did not lead it.”
Sorry about it, Jon?”
Oh, no.” The answer was sincerely given. I don’t believe I would have had it any other way. I’ve been tested, and I’ve stood firm to the challenge ... many times. I’ve seen the world, tasted it, smelled it, made love to ... well, more women of varying nationalities than I can remember. Or”—he smiled—care to remember. All in all, I’ve been, if not happy, at least contented.”
Speaking of love, Linda Breaux is in love with you.”
Yes. I rather ... share the same feeling about her.” And his words surprised the mercenary, for he seldom let his inner feelings go public, and never with a man he did not know well and long. He realized then he had subconsciously pegged Sheriff Mike Saucier as a man who would do to ride the river with.
He told him so, quickly and without emotion.
Mike was clearly embarrassed. Well I ... kind of feel the same, Jon. Kind of like to see you stick around these parts. When this is over, I mean. You like to fish?”
Yes. Began it as a hobby about ten years ago. Got really interested in it. You’re a bass fisherman?” He said it without a note of question.
Yes. We’ll go sometime.”
I’d like that.”
When are you shoving off into the swamp?”
I’ll give the military time to clear everybody out who went in and really tighten the noose around the swamp. Knowing the government—and I do, well—I think it will probably take them two weeks to formulate any plan of action, another week to put it into place, and another week to get it done. I figure day after tomorrow. Dawn.”
You really think you—one man—can do it?”
Oh, yes, certainly.”
Mike smiled and extended his hand.
Jon shook it.
They were friends.
Chapter Fifteen
Mike followed Jon back to Despair and helped him with the unhitching of the craft. Jon wanted it stored close to the house; he did not want to risk the Link’s destroying it.
They sat in the den, having coffee, Mike bringing them all up to date.
Only three of those who went in came back out,” Mike said. The Laborne girl was found last evening. She walked out with a Link, holding hands with it. Claims he helped her escape. Called him Freddie. He called her Jun. A citizen with a bellyful of booze and an itchy trigger finger killed the Link, right after one of his buddies clubbed a state trooper; fractured the man’s skull. He’s in serious condition. Another redneck shot a Special Forces’ sergeant. The Green Berets didn’t leave much when they arrived at the scene. Stomped the crap out of the citizens.
One isn’t expected to live. No charges brought against anybody.”
I heard on the CB about some Links being caught and tortured,” Jon said.
Karl shook his head in disgust.
Yes,” Mike said. Savagery on both sides of this thing.”
No wonder the Links don’t like humans,” Karl theorized. Has your governor formulated a plan of action?”
Governor Pennypacker couldn’t formulate batcrap!” Mike snorted. Pennypacker’s been trying to get in touch with the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington. Luckily, he hasn’t gotten through to them.”
What does he expect them to do?” Walter inquired.
He wants the Air Force to napalm the swamp, burn it completely out, destroy everything, then have the Marines come in and mop up.”
You’re kidding!” Jon laughed.
Mike shook his head.
Sounds like some of the politicians in my country,” Karl said.
You have them, too?”
Oh, my good man,”—Karl waved his hand—heavens, yes! Don’t you realize people don’t use common sense or good judgment when electing politicians? In any country of the world. It’s a personality contest, that’s all. And a disgrace, in my opinion. Please ... don’t get me started.”
Yes, for pity’s sake.” Walter smiled. Please don’t. Karl becomes unbearable when discussing the politics of the world. He professes to be an expert in the field, but in reality he knows nothing of the subject. I doubt he’s voted in thirty years.” A mischievous smile crossed his lips. He looked at Tammy. Karl is in remarkable physical condition for a man of his advanced years, don’t you agree, dear?”
And away we go,” Debra muttered.
Tammy shifted her butt around in a futile attempt to find a more comfortable position. Maybe next time she suggested the back door she’d first better lay in a supply of White Rose Petroleum Jelly. Oh, I like older men,” she cooed.
You must.” Walter puffed on his pipe. Since Karl is a World War Two veteran.”
That would make you ...” Tammy began counting on her fingers.
You may cease your fumblings at your Caucasian abacus.” Karl placed a huge hand over Tammy’s. He gave Walter a dark look. I am forty-four. I was not yet seven when the war reached its only just and moral conclusion. Walter tells huge lies. I ran away from home quite young and joined the French Foreign Legion. About a year ahead of Jon’s enlistment. We fought together in southeast Asia.”
There was a moment of uncomfortable silence. Mike broke it with the question Tammy wanted to ask but did not. Everyone else present except Linda knew both the question and the answer.
Did your father fight in the Second World War, Karl?”
A quick flash of sadness washed over the big man’s face, vanishing as quickly as it came. In a manner of speaking, yes. My father was half-Jew. My mother Gentile ... a Catholic. That marriage saved his life ... at the beginning. Then—all this is from my mother, I was far too young to remember much except the bombings—my father learned of the horrors taking place in the concentration camps. He began a system of transporting Jews out of the country. An underground lifeline, Mother called it. Well ... of course, the Nazis caught him; sent him to Auschwitz. He never returned. Filthy bastards! The world must never again allow that horror to rise out of the ruins of Hitler’s demented mind. It was and is a disgrace that Germany will have to endure—and, I believe, rightly so—forever! But we must take special care to never allow that dark blot on history to repeat itself.”
Hear, hear!” Walter lifted his coffee cup in salute of his friend.
Oh, be still,” Karl groused. Bloody ruddy-cheeked, ham-handed, bog walker.”
Walter laughed and slapped the German on the knee. Come, old friend, we still have too much work before us to be dilly-dallying about.”
They strapped on pistols and fetched their rifles. As they left the room, Walter’s pipe spewed great clouds of fragrant smoke. The men were arguing before they reached the back door.
. . . And I say you’re wrong, you mammoth hunk of Schweinebraten!” Walter said. The instant we get to a proper laboratory, you’ll see I’m right.”
My God, you can’t even pronounce laboratory correctly, you ... you puffing smokestack. How do you dare contradict me? And when are you going to change that abominable tobacco?”
The back door slammed. They stood on the back porch, in heated argument, as usual, more insults thrown than anything else.
Never!” Walter’s shout carried into the house. This is the finest blend in all of England.”
I wish you’d left it there. You people should have given some of it to Cornwall; probably he’d have asphyxiated Washington’s troops.”
That’s Cornwallis, you great, hulking buffoon! Your lack of knowledge of the Revoluntionary War is outshone only by your ignorance of genetics.”
I know one thing about that war,” Karl replied.
And pray tell what might that be?”
You people lost.”
Walter’s repartee was swift in coming. Yes, but we sent them the Beatles, did we not?”
True. I suppose one might say King Geoff finally got his revenge on the Colonies.”
That’s George, you illiterate oaf! Kindly keep your Teutonic interpretations and pronunciations on your side of the channel.”
The screen door banged, silencing the never-ending bantering.
Mike rose to his feet. Keep in touch,” he said, then plopped his hat on his head and walked out the door.
Is Sheriff Saucier going into the swamp with you?” Tammy looked at Jon. If you go in.”
I’ll go in,” Jon assured her. No, he isn’t. He refuses, for some reason.”
The pert blonde wore a puzzled look in her face. That seems so strange to me.”
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?”
That would be ...”—he struggled for a word to fit the occasion—. . . regrettable,” he said lamely.
&nb
sp; They stood and looked into each other’s eyes.
Regrettable?” Linda said. Is that all?”
I do love you very deeply.” Jon finally spoke the words that had been slowly working their way out of his mind and heart. And I should like to marry you when this operation is concluded.”
She put her hands on her hips. That is the goddamndest proposal any woman has ever received. ‘When this operation is concluded,’ ” she mimicked him. What am I ... some sort of military objective?”
He smiled, then knelt on the floor in front of her, on one knee. My dear, would you please do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
He took her hand and kissed it.
She jerked her hand away and looked around the bedroom, embarrassed that someone might be witnessing this overacted scenario. Jon, get up off the floor. You look perfectly ridiculous!”
Your reply, dear?” He smiled up at her.
Oh, hell! Yes!”
He rose and kissed her. He pulled away and looked at the phone.
She sighed, then picked up the receiver and punched out a number. This is Linda Breaux,” she said. Put William Gullette on the line, please.”
We can stop you from doing this, Miss Breaux,” the man from Washington said. Legally, of course.”
That will take time,” she countered. More time than you have. The swamp belongs to me—solely; and I am telling you: keep your troops out!”
You’re making a mistake, miss.” The man’s voice hardened.
Oh? You’ve no doubt heard the expression that money talks?”
According to Dylan it swears. I don’t care how rich you are, Miss Breaux.”
Jon perked up, listening intently. He cared.
But others do.” She smiled sweetly. Including the political party now in power in Washington. I contribute quite generously whenever they come begging. Would you like to call the president and inquire just how much clout I have?”
The man’s face was a study of emotions. He shook his head.
I thought not,” Linda said. I am asking for seventy-two hours, no more than that. If, at that time, the Link situation has not been contained, I will withdraw any objections to whatever the Army decides to do.”
The presidential aide sighed. He knew he had lost. More lives will be wasted because of this, Miss Breaux.” He fired his last salvo.
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