A Crying Shame (20 page)

Mike turned to the coroner,
Henry . . . I'll be honest. I don't know what to do, what to release to the press. I do agree with your assessment: we can't let the public know about this ... thing—not for a while anyway. But we ... rather,
I
have to go about it very carefully; I don't want Blackwell calling in a bunch of big-city reporters and having them snoop all over the parish, getting in the way of our investigation, muddying up the waters.”

I've
got
to file a report, Sheriff,” Mack said.

I know,” Mike replied.
I know. But let's file similiar statements. What the hell do we call this ... beast?”

Why not call it what it is?” a man's voice said calmly from the open doorway.
It's a link to our past.”

The men in the room spun around, startled.
Who the hell are you?” Mike demanded.
And what the hell are you doing here?”

My name is Jon Badon,” the man replied.
And I was invited here by Mr. Paul Breaux.”

Paul Breaux is dead,” Mack told him.

Yes.” The man's smile was cold; without emotion.
I rather thought something was amiss when I glanced out the shattered front window and saw all the blood and entrails hanging about. Gruesome, what? Did the Links do it?”