A Crying Shame by William W. Johnstone

Author:William W. Johnstone [Johnstone, William W.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2015-01-09T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

The next hour at Despair Plantation was spent reviving Linda and attempting to calm her, something which proved no mean feat to accomplish. Her voice echoed in and around every corner of the huge house. So did the sounds of various breakable objects crashing as they struck the wall. Linda finally allowed Karl to give her a sedative; Jon to put her to bed. She was sleeping in ten minutes.

For a woman of such obvious breeding and charm,” Walter said, as Jon reentered the den, the lady certainly possesses quite an extensive vocabulary of four-letter words.”

All of them directed at you, too,” Von Pappen gloated. And none at me. Obviously she recognizes the class distinction separating us.”

Von Pappen lit a cigarette and leaned back in his chair, chuckling.

Lewis looked at him. Insufferable bloody ass!”

Are they going to fight?” Tammy questioned.

Heavens no, my dear,” Walter said. If we didn’t insult one another several times each hour . . . only then could you anticipate any display of martial arts. And I, with my vast knowledge of judo—learned, I must add, in the British Royal Marines—would then proceed to give that great hulking oaf the thrashing he so richly deserves.”

Tammy peered at him. You talk funny; you know that?”

He also lies,” Karl said. Never on his best day could that wimp physically beat me.”

Walter ignored his colleague’s remark. I take issue to your statement, young lady. I do not talk funny. I speak English very well.”

Well . . . so do I,” Tammy said.

Walter smiled, then gently contradicted her. No, dear, you speak Southern American. And that is quite a different language altogether. Almost as mind-boggling as the grunts and snorts of his”—he glanced at Karl—mothertongue.”

Oh,” Tammy said.

Hochnasig Esel,” Karl insulted him with a smile.

I don’t even want to know what that means,” Tammy said.

It means supercilious ass,” Jon said, glancing at his watch. It was almost four o’clock in the morning. You people get some sleep,” he told them. I’ll stand watch here in the den. Tomorrow . . . or rather, today, we’ll assign watch shifts among us.”

You are thinking the Links might return this night?” Lewis asked.

The mercenary smiled. They’ve been prowling around the edges of the estate for hours. You just didn’t know what to listen for.”

Don’t gloat so, Jon,” the Englishman said. It isn’t becoming at all.”

Gloat all you wish, Jon,” the German said. Pudding-Pie there”—he jerked a massive, hamlike hand at Walter—owes you his life twenty times over. You’ve earned the right to boast.”

Walter sighed. Debbie laughed and took him by the hand. Come along, dear.” She led him from the room, but not swiftly enough to prevent Walter from getting in a final shot at his colleague.

Did you know, Miss Gray, that Karl’s real name is Hans Poopen?”

Lugner!” Karl shouted, calling him a liar.

Is your name really Poopen?” Tammy asked.

Karl sighed.

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