A Crying Shame (82 page)

Yes.” He surprised her with his reply.
Sometimes it is.”

Wow, man. You are a constant source of amazement to me, you know that?”

I suppose.”

She moved her hands to her breasts, cupping them, lifting them, offering them to him. She smiled lewdly.
You like?”

I will have to admit they are very nice. But what I don't like is the game you're playing.”

Game, Jon?” she asked, a strange light flickering in her eyes, quickly flashing its cryptic message, then fading.

As fast as a striking snake, Jon grabbed her by the hair and whipsawed her head painfully, warning her in a low, menacing voice that if she so much as uttered a whimper he'd leave her looking as if her face had been caressed with a garden rake.

Tammy's face went chalk-white, and she felt the numbness of fear crawl coldly over her. Her lips trembled.
You're crazy, Jon. Look, man, if she didn't leave you satisfied, I give great head. I'll—”

He slapped her and she fell back on the bed, long blonde hair flying. She wept silent tears, knowing why this was happening, and wondering how this man had discovered her secret.

You may cease the pretense, Miss Gray,” Jon said.
And make it easy on yourself. I cannot tolerate a liar, and I hate a spy ever so much more.”

I don't know what you're talking about, Jon. I think you've lost your mind.”

Really?”

She wanted to scream, but something in her brain warned her not to make a sound. She felt this man would not really hurt her, was only attempting to frighten her into telling the truth. At least that was her prayer, her fervent hope.

That small glimmer of hope began fading quickly as Jon began speaking, very quietly, his voice just a harsh, guttural whisper. It was very menacing in tone.

Let me tell you about a tribe in Africa,” he said.
They have a very strange but most effective method of getting the truth from a person.”