Bahama Crisis

"Yes. I killed them."

"You admit it," he said in surprise. I nodded, and he said, "You'd better tell me more."

I thought about that, then shook my head.

"No, I'll say what I have to say in a courtroom."

"I don't think I can accept that," he said stiffly.

"Not in a case of murder."

"Who said anything about murder?" I asked.

"When you lift Tukey you'll find the bed has been ripped up by buckshot. I happened to be sitting there when Earl pulled the trigger. I stabbed Tukey when he was going to shoot me. Don't prejudge the case, Captain; it's for a court to decide if it was murder." He made a hesitant movement, and I said, "Are you going to arrest me?"

He rubbed his chin and I heard a faint rasping sound "You're not an American, Mr. Mangan. That's the problem How do I know you'll stay in State jurisdiction?"

"You can have my passport, if you can find it," I offered.

"I

i8i had it on me when I was snatched. It may be around here somewhere.

Anyway, Billy Cunningham will guarantee I'll stay, if you ask him.

"

"Yeah, that'll be best." Booth seethed relieved.

"There was a murder." I nodded towards the window.

"It happened out there. Leroy Ainslee shot a man in the back. I saw it."

"There's no body."

"Then have your men look for a new-dug grave." I turned on my heel and walked out of that stinking room into the clean sunlight. The hovering helicopter had come down, and I saw Sherry-Lou hurrying into the shack the doctor had gone into. I felt curiously empty of all feeling, except for a deep thankfulness that Debbie was still alive.

My rage was muted, dampened down, but it still smouldered deep in my being, and I knew it would not take much for it to erupt.

I went over and stood in the shade of a helicopter. Presently I was found by Chuck Perkins.

"Jeez, you sure kilt Earl," he said. His face sobered.

"Tukey died bad."

"They deserved it."

"Pop's been looking for you." He jerked his thumb.

"He's over there."

I walked around the helicopter and saw Dade talking to Sherry-Lou.

His face was serious. As I approached I heard Sherry-Lou say,"… tore up real bad. "

He put his hand on her arm in a warning gesture as he saw me. He swallowed.

"Sherry-Lou's got something to tell you," he said.

"I'm sorry, Tom, real sorry."

I said, "Yes, Sherry-Lou?"

"Did you know Miz Mangan was pregnant?"

"Yes." I knew what was coming.

"She lost the baby. I'm sorry."

I stared blindly into the sky.

"Rape?"

"An' worse."

"God damn their souls to hell!" I said violently.

She put out her hand to me.

"Some women are hurt more in birthin' a baby," she said.

"She'll be all right."

"In her body, maybe."

"She'll need a lot of love… lot of attention. She'll need cherishin'."

"She will be. Thanks, Sherry-Lou."

They brought her out on a stretcher, the doctor walking alongside, and a nurse holding up a bottle for an intravenous drip. All that could be seen of her was her face, pale and smudgy about the eyes. I wanted to go with her in the helicopter back to Houston, but the doctor said, "There's no use in it, Mr. Mangan. She'll be unconscious for the next twenty-four hours I guarantee it. Then we'll wake her up slowly. We'll want you there then."

So the helicopter lifted without me aboard and I turned to find Captain Booth standing close by talking to Dade. I said bitterly, "If I find Leroy Ainslee before you, Captain, I can guarantee you'll have a murder case."

"We'll get him," Booth said soberly, but from the way Dade spat on the ground I judged he was sceptical.

Billy came up. He had recovered something of his colour.

"Dade Perkins, I want to talk with you. You too, Tom."

Dade said, "What do you want?"

Billy glanced at Booth, then jerked his head.

"Over here." He led us out of earshot of Booth.

"I know we've been putting pressure on you, Dade."

Dade's face cracked in a slow smile.

"An' not getting' far."

"All I want to say is that it stops right now," said Billy.

Dade glanced at me then looked at Billy speculatively.

"Reckon you big enough to make yo' Paw eat crow?"

"This crow he'll eat with relish," said Billy grimly.

"But there's something I want from you."

"Never did know the Cunninghams give anything away free," observed Dade.

"What is it?"

"I want the Ainslees out of here," said Billy.

"I don't want to feel there's folks like that dirtying up the place."

"The cops'll do that for you," said Dade.

"Why pick me?"

"Because I saw your face when Sherry-Lou said what she did about Leroy back at your place. Where do you suppose Leroy is now?"

"Easy. Hidin' out in Big Thicket."

"Think the cops will find him t here?"

"Them!" Dade spat derisively.

"They couldn't find their own asses in Big Thicket."

"See what I mean." Billy stuck nis forefinger under Dade's nose "I don't want that son of a bitch getting away. I'd be right thankful if he didn't."

Dade nodded.