A Crying Shame (62 page)

He laughed softly.
I don't believe you want protection from me.”

She said nothing as he moved her out of the bedroom and into the hall. She was very conscious of the heat from his big hand as it rested on the gentle slope of her waist. He guided her into the den, placed her against a wall by the fireplace, and told her not to move.

Instead of his usual boots, he wore rubber-soled low-quarter shoes. He padded through the house like a big cat. A tomcat, Linda thought. Then, with no warning, Jon screamed, an inhuman sound. Linda almost fired both barrels of the over/under. Her heart hammered. She flushed hotly as Jon laughed at her.

All sounds outside the beautiful home had ceased.

Why in God's name did you do that?” she asked, anger in her voice.
And what in the hell kind of scream was that sound?”

The scream of a big cat,” he answered in a whisper.
A warning scream.” His voice was husky in the darkened house.
I wanted to see how the Links would react to it.”

And?”

They're not stupid,” was all he would say.

He stood in the archway and made a coughing, huffing sound. Something slapped the outside of the house.

Interesting,” he said.
Most interesting. They know a panther's warning sound, but not a tiger's warning.”

Oh, thank you so very much, Mr. Frank Buck. I can't begin to tell you how overwhelmed I am with your knowledge of cats of the jungle.” Her tone was laced with sarcasm.
Damn it, Jon! Will you please drive those . . . things away?”

But of course, dear,” he said.
Bientot.”