A Crying Shame (147 page)

The German bristled.
I should smash your face for even asking!”

Es tutmir leid, Karl,”
Jon apologized.

Well you should be sorry. Accepted.”

Jon smiled.
We'll see what's happened to the men who went in—although I think I know what's happened to them—then finalize our plans. I'll find us a good craft in the morning.”

You don't have to do this, Jon,” Linda said. ”I won't think you less a man for not going in.”

Testing my courage has nothing to do with it,” he responded.

Her gaze was level, eyes searching his face.
I just don't believe that.” She rose from the couch and walked from the room.

Lugner,”
Karl said.

And I don't need any crap from you either,” Jon said.

He walked from the room, stepping out to the porch. He stood watching the last of the sun fade into twilight. Was he testing his courage? Was that it? And was Karl correct in calling him a liar?

Nonsense!” Jon muttered.

Night fell heavily on Fountain Parish.

 

As if sensing through their madness that their time on this earth, in this great swamp they had called home for hundreds, thousands of years, was rapidly coming to a close, the young male Links went on the attack. They slipped easily through the police and military cordons on the edges of the swamp, making their way to small towns. There, they did what they felt they had to do—kill.

But this time they did not seize the women. This time, they had a plan. With any luck, it might work.

 

Pennypacker is an idiot!” The husband was lecturing his wife.
Monsters and beasts and the like. I have never heard of such a thing. Ridiculous! Evacuating the parish. Sealing off the bridges and roads. For what? Fairy tales, that's what.”

I just can't believe the head of the state police would go along with the order to leave if he doubted the truth in it,” his wife contradicted him.