A Crying Shame (179 page)

The German received only a stony gaze for a reply.

The men stood in awkward silence for several very long moments. The first faint colors of pink began coloring the far eastern horizon.

Time for us to shove off,” Jon said, waving Karl into the front of the boat. The German stepped into the craft as if he were walking on eggs. He mumbled something terribly profane . . . directed at Jon.

Jon stepped into the boat, then turned to Sheriff Saucier.
See you later.”

Yes,” Mike said, his voice guttural.
You will definitely be seeing me later.”

He walked away, the gloom swallowing him.

Odd fellow,” Karl remarked.

Jon merely grunted.

The big inboard was cranked, Jon running it until it smoothed out. He slipped the engine into gear and they were moving, slipping into the morning mist that covered the swamp in a gray shroud.

The shroud of nature soon enveloped them.

The swamp was silent.

I think I'm going to be seriously ill,” Karl said, holding on to the side of the big boat.
I feel quite nauseous. I have a very sensitive stomach, you know.”

You're going to be seriously dead if you don't pick up that AK and get ready to defend us,” Jon replied.
And just remember what the bite of one of those Links can do.”

The German relinquished his near death grip on the gunwales and picked up the Russian assault rifle, chambering a round from the long curved clip. He bitched,
Must we go charging into the foggy unknown at breakneck speed?”

Jon laughed at him.
Karl, I doubt we're doing two miles an hour.”

Well, slow it to one mile per hour if you're going to insist upon me squatting precariously and uncomfortably on this damp, low-slung crow's nest. Do I have to constantly remind you I am a scientist, not a sentry?”

Jon ignored his bitching.
What can you see, Karl?”

His reply was uncharacteristic.
Not one fucking thing.” He looked around.
Hanging about that bloody Englishman has corrupted my speech pattern. Or”—he peered at Jon—
hanging about with you is more like it.”

A low branch whapped the German on the side of the head. He cursed.
Thank you, Jon. As a ship's captain you make a marvelous plumber.”

Karl tensed, reaching back into an open case behind him. He took out a grenade.
Slowly, Jon,” he said, no trace of bitching or needling left in his voice.
Very slowly, now.”