A Crying Shame (158 page)

There are good ones and bad ones. The bad ones are the ones doing all the raping and killing. Isn't that right, Freddie?” she looked up at the Link.

Fru-die,” the Link replied, grinning that awful grin. He pointed at Jean.
Jun.”

Good God!” was all the trooper could manage to say.

Governor Pennypacker's done put out a ree-ward on them things,” a ‘deputized' citizen said from behind the trooper.

How much?” another citizen asked.

Five thousand dollars, I hear tell.”

Where'd you hear that?” the Trooper asked.

On the radio. Between Haggard and Jones.”

Well, I don't believe it,” the trooper said.
We would have been notified on anything like that. So why don't you men just go on home and let us handle this?”

'Cause I don't want none of them thangs a-comin' over into this parish from Fountain; that's why I ain't goin' home. And don't you give me no orders.” He tapped the badge on his chest.
I'm a special deputy.”

The Link stood by the girl's side, watching it all impassively. Jean held his huge hand.