A Crying Shame (164 page)

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?”