The Witch's Tongue by James D. Doss

Author:James D. Doss
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Published: 2004-06-24T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

THE GENTLEMAN’S PROPOSITION

Special Agent McTeague scanned the overhang for something that looked even vaguely like a curly-tusked elephant. “I’m sorry—I still don’t see the petroglyph.”

“Look again,” Charlie Moon said. “Right up there, just to the left of that big black spot.”

She squinted. “Is there really a woolly mammoth up there?”

“No.”

McTeague turned to face the Ute. “Mr. Moon, what is this all about?”

He managed a sickly grin. “What happened to Charlie?”

“That was then.” She was definitely not smiling.

This was not looking good. “Uh…here’s the deal. I’ve got myself into a little bind, and I need you to help me out.”

“I beg your pardon?”

These modern professional women can be kinda sensitive, so I’ll have to be extra careful how I say this. “Agent McTeague, I want you to know that as far as I’m concerned, you’re the same as a man.”

“What?” The word was like a pistol shot.

He blundered on, stumbling straight into the abyss. “You know—one of the guys.”

For the first time since Lila Mae McTeague had choked on a grape lollipop, she was at a loss for words.

Taking advantage of this apparent opportunity, he went into free-fall. “The fact that you’re technically a member of the other gender—that don’t mean a thing to me.”

She made a partial recovery. “You are not interested in women?”

Moon was genuinely puzzled. “Sure I am—practically all the women I see interest me.”

“But I am an exception.” She put her hands on her hips.

Why is it so hard to talk to them? “Agent McTeague, when I said you were one of the guys, what I actually meant was—”

“That you consider me masculine?” There was a glint of outrage in her eyes.

“Uh—only in the good sense of the word.” Like a possum caught sucking eggs, Charlie Moon foolishly thought he could grin his way out of this predicament. “Fact is, I am partial to ladies that wear baggy coveralls and big hobnailed boots. And pack automatic pistols.”

“Well, make a note of this, Mr. Tact. I don’t find you all that attractive either. You’re way too…too skinny. And did I mention weird?”

It was apparent from his startled expression that Moon was stung by this remark.

She frowned thoughtfully at him. “Excuse me for asking, but are you on any kind of medication?”

He took a moment to think about it. “I am partial to caffeine, and need a dose every few hours.”

“Caffeine—that’s it?”

“Well, I do pop an aspirin a day. My doctor says it prevents heart trouble.” But it don’t seem to be working right now.

Briskly, as if attempting to dislodge an insect from her ear, Lila Mae McTeague shook her head. “What on earth is this all about?”

Moon was grateful for another chance to explain himself. “I got a proposition to make. But I don’t want you to get the idea that I’d ever flirt with you.”

“Thank you, Sir Galahad. This news does wonders for my self-esteem.”

“Thing is, I have a serious illness.”

She pretended to be surprised. “Mental?”

The tall man nodded. “You hammered that spike right on the head.

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