A Crying Shame (71 page)

Curious sort, Jon thought, keeping his face unemotional. She's up to something besides being Parker's aide.
Yes, partly. But he believed they were becoming acclimated to a change in diet, some change in living habits, the chemicals in the water and in the air. I don't know that for a fact—neither did he. I'm going to call two scientist friends of mine; might as well do that now. I worked with them in Africa and New Guinea, and Burma—among other places. If I know them—and I do—they'll come running.”

He rose from the couch and walked to a phone, standing there for a moment, consulting a small leather address book he had taken from his back pocket. He got the operator and gave her the numbers. Within seconds he was speaking in rapid-fire German. He listened for a few seconds, said,
Das ist gut.
Danke. Lebewohl!”
He turned, smiling.

Better luck than I expected. They're both in New York, preparing for a trip overseas after lecturing last night.”

He dialed direct to the hotel in New York City and spoke in German for several minutes, pausing to nod his head and laugh occasionally. He hung up, smiling.
They'll be here in twenty-four hours, or less, bringing what equipment they can beg, borrow, or steal. They'll rent a van in New Orleans and drive up here.”

What do we do in the interim?” Linda asked.

Drive into town and buy some freezers so I can store more dead Links.”

But we don't have any more dead Links, Jon.”

We will.” He smiled.

Gross!” Tammy said.

 

Late afternoon slipped quietly into dusk over Fountain Parish. The cypress trees now took on an ominous character, the hanging moss resembling grotesque creatures, dangling darkly as if waiting for a victim to slide past. Sheriff Saucier stood up and walked to the porch of the fishing camp; the accusing eyes of Joe Ratliff were on him, boring into his back.

They ain't comin' back,” Joe said.
Them last shots was fired in combat.”

You don't know that,” Mike said, not turning around, but rather speaking to the swamp. He slapped at a mosquito.
That's only a guess on your part.”