A Crying Shame (23 page)

Jon's smile was wan.
Because I killed on orders from your government, Saucier.” He smiled as the sheriff shifted in his chair at the use of his last name.
Or should I say a branch of it?”

Again, that grunt from Mike. Badon wondered why the man did not take off his dark glasses inside.
‘Dropped out of sight in '78 and surfaced in late ‘78, working for scientific investigation teams, made up of doctors and scientists from half a dozen countries, headed by respected scientists Walter Lewis and Karl von Pappen. Badon has confined his work to that area since.' ”

Terse, but reasonably accurate,” Jon said, lighting a slim cigar.
Reports tend to delete all the truly interesting aspects of a man's life, don't you agree, Sheriff Saucier?”

Mike had no comment on that. But he felt he had never before met a man with so much control.
Quite a change from being a hired gun, Badon.”

Quite, Saucier,” Badon replied.

Mike took note of the man's smile. It was not at all pleasant. Mike had the impression the man seated in front of his desk was a warrior through and through, and held nothing but contempt for those who had never seen combat.

To a degree, he was correct in that assumption, although not to the extent he believed.

You're quite a character,” Mike admitted, softening the atmosphere verbally.

Badon's ugly smile vanished; he had shifted into yet another of his personalities.
Thank you.” His tone was almost modest.
I do what I can.”

I'm sure.” The reply was dry.
What are you doing in Fountain Parish, Badon?”

I told you, Saucier.”