A Crying Shame (38 page)

How in the hell did you get all that crap into this country?”

That smile.

Mike sighed.
Right,” he said.
How much of that stuff is legal, Badon?”

The shotgun. I had the barrel cut to twenty and a quarter inches. Eighteen inches is legal Federal, but I believe the law in this state is twenty. And the .458, of course, is legal. The rest is up for grabs, I suppose.”

Well . . . it's your ass if you get caught, partner. You're the one who'll get fucked.”

That smile.
With Ms. Breaux, I hope.”

Don't get the wrong idea about us staying at the house together,” Linda informed Jon.
You will sleep in one of the guest rooms, and I shall sleep in my own room—upstairs.”

Wrong,” Jon said.

She put cool green eyes on him; a strange coloration, tinged with flecks of yellow.
I beg your pardon?”

I would imagine these Links are marvelously agile creatures. From the looks of the one you killed, they are probably good climbers, tremendously strong. I don't want us too widely separated. I want adjoining rooms. It's for your safety.”

She thought about that for a quiet moment, the only sound the humming of the tires as they rolled down the parish road.
Very well,” she agreed.
Then you think they will return?”

Yes, I do. I believe—and I don't mean to alarm you, just tell you the truth, as I see it—they have singled you out for mating purposes.” She shuddered beside him.
And I believe they realize—sense, somehow—that I am a threat to them. More than that, a challenge. So, yes, I think they will return.”

She nodded.
I thought it best to tell Sheriff Saucier I knew you were arriving today.”

Yes, he is not an unintelligent man.” He wondered what else she had told Mike. Wondered just how much she knew of her brother's work. He had a feeling she knew very little.

Well,”—Linda sighed—
Paul said you were honest—for a mercenary—and that you were trustworthy.
She glanced at him.
I have to admit, you don't look like a mercenary. At least not my concept of a professional fighting man.”