Murder at Willow Slough (33 page)

Then someone flew at Jamie from behind, wrestled him down. Jamie’s knife fell away, hidden in the darkness, while he pummeled the guy. Three others ran up, caught his arms.

With adrenaline-strength, he elbowed the guy on his right, got an arm free, did the same to the guy on his left even harder. He twisted his trunk and smashed the guy behind him with both fists. Jawbones crunched, the guy screamed in agony.

Jamie’s legs kicked at inhuman beings. But he was down on the ground, someone on his shoulders, two on his left, someone on his legs, pinning him, punching his guts.

He shut his eyes and exploded in all their directions. He sent two reeling, but not all five. They fought, kicked, yelled. Jamie willed himself into a dynamo, punching every which way. Filled with vengeful hatred, he murdered homophobia.

Then finally they got him; subdued him, immobilized him. This time, Dr. Webster, there are signs of a struggle. They dragged him by the arms, face down over rocks and exposed hard roots, back to the killing tree. Crum taped it all.

Jamie knew then that he would die. But in his head his readers cheered; Mr. Ferguson gave him a standing O.

They turned Jamie over. Lash sat on his stomach, so Jamie clenched his abs. His arms pushed up against four of his opponents’. “Jesus, he’s so strong!”

“Sit on his arms!” Crum ordered, gasping and taping. His other hand rubbed his sore, saggy gut.

They did. Jamie pushed and kicked and snarled. One opponent fell back, but two more grabbed that leg.

“Damn, what a fighter!” Ford said, stepping onto Jamie’s hands with heavy boots. He unleashed his Bowie knife and pointed it down at Jamie’s nose. “Top this.”

Knife glinted; resistance ceased. Jamie looked up at Ford, wondered why it took Mr. Brain Surgeon so long to remember his knife. Criminals are stupid. The tip of the Bowie knife, however, was not.

Lash struggled his fat ass up and kicked Jamie’s hard oblique.

“Got him? Wow, this is the most fun we’ve ever had,” Crum shouted. “I can sell this one for an all-time record!”

Rope came from somewhere, tied Jamie’s feet together, bound his hands. Ford hung his obscene knife back on his belt, then lifted him up. They stood there panting.

Ford rubbed leaves and dirt off Jamie’s face and kissed him right on the lips. Jamie groaned and leaned away, but Ford grabbed him and pulled him to him. Ford stood there in cheap jock strap drag and ground their crotches together, hands all over Jamie’s ass.

Jamie said, “You waited to fuck ’em till after they were passed out. You can’t get it up otherwise. What’s your day job, prepping bodies at the mortuary?”

Ford sneered, “You’re the only one who’s lived this long. But your clock’s ticking.”

“Yours will stop in five minutes.”

Littleknife kept writhing on the ground and moaning, “He stole my good knife.” Finally he staggered up, switched on a flashlight, limped around looking for it.

“Stop it, Tommy,” Crum yelled. “Straight people buy these movies too, this ain’t your private sex show.”

Ford scowled, lifted Jamie’s arms up and tied them to the branch overhead. He untied his feet. Then he kissed him, stuck his tongue in his mouth and sucker-punched him.

Jamie gasped for air. When he finally got his breath back he sang, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, died of AIDS up on Death Row!”

“I hate you, faggot.” Ford slapped Jamie’s face so hard he left a bruise.

Jamie whispered, “You love me,faggot.Can’t keep your hands off me. Why hurt this hot body when you want me so bad?” Ford looked confusedly at Jamie’s chest. Jamie flexed for him. “Admit it. It’s the best body you’ve ever seen.”

Ford fingered one of Jamie’s big nipples. “It sure is.”

“So let’s do this right. Come on, stud, you’re the only one with a weapon. Let’s get out of here and go to Mexico, where we can be nice to each other and forget this stuff.”

“How?” Ford whispered.

“Cut me down, brandish your sword at these wimps and let’s escape. Run to the car and get out of here. Show me your nice side, the one I want to believe in.”

“What’s all this talk about?” Crum yelled, back at his tripod. “Get on with the action.”

Ford eyed Crum. “I can’t,” he whispered to Jamie. “He’s got records on me. If you think I’m bad, he’s a cold-blooded killer.”

Jamie was negotiating with one; so he led with his strengths. “I’ve got a big dick and I love to fuck. I’m also a virgin up the ass. I’ve always been a top, left side keys. My ass has never been touched.” Jamie looked down at Tommy Ford’s jock, then back at his eyes. “Maybe you can teach me how to like it. Maybe I can teach you.”

“Wow,” Ford gasped. “To be with somebody like you. You’re the hottest man I’ve ever seen.”

“Then come away with me. Right now.”

“Randy’d never let me get away with it. He’d find me. He’d launch an international manhunt.”

“He doesn’t have the power. Stop letting him intimidate you. Tommy, I’ve got millions at Merrill Lynch. We can make it, come on! This is the best offer of your life. The cops are coming, they heard your message at the same time I did. I was just closer to your location, they’ve got a huge task force. If you stay, you’ll die here. Every minute counts! Decide now. Take the best offer of your life. Do it right now!”

Randolph Scott Crum took out a petite handgun and aimed it at them. “Don’t try anything, Foster. We’re in this together, Tommy.”

Jamie’s heart sank. Ford looked at the gun, had to step away. “He was telling me his theory about animal tranquilizers, doc. He knows all about ’em. It’s important. If he figured it out somebody else may too. What if he’s already told the cops?”

“Kill him, so he doesn’t tell anymore.”

Jamie stood there alone.

More photos from different angles. Everyone had a camera and he had a face.

Another knifeblade was on his right asscheek. Then slice, no jeans there. Soon the same on the other side.

I love you, Rick. I love you, Mom. I love you, Danny, Stoney too.

I love you, Casey.

The blade was on his left hip, cutting a swath across his crotch. He held his breath, didn’t want his sex cut off.

The jeans fell to his ankles, but he still had the waistband and his dick.

I love you, Jamie.

Then he thought of someone else, who crowded his mind.

He swallowed. It was his last living chance. There was no reason not to now. Electrical charges shot down his body. His sweat popped out.

He pictured him at the Slough, shaking Jamie’s shoulders and demanding why. In the car, speeding him to the hospital; at the house, bringing groceries and a homemade pie.

At the Victory, making him laugh, vowing to wear a tiara if necessary, taking command, “you won’t out-commitment me!”

And on a pallet, smelling of sweetness, gently snoring.

I love you, Kent. Thank you for these two weeks.

Now get these guys!

Camcorders whirred. “Heh-heh-heh.” High-pitched voice: “God, he’s a pretty one, Randy!” “Yeah, heh-heh. Like a fashion model, ain’t he.” Jamie winced. “You guys, come around here and get his face. He’s—it’s quite a face.” “And his dick! He’s hung, Jesus.” “Get him from all angles! He’s gorgeous.” Jamie was almost pleased with that; shooting pictures takes time. Get

all you want, boys, I’m not going anywhere. He posed and flexed and gave them a show.

There was movement behind him. A hand was on his left shoulder. He tightened up. “Easy,” Ford whispered. His hand traveled down to grasp Jamie’s naked ass. The touch was perverse, but Jamie didn’t cry out.

Ford stepped around. “Act human, you fool. The Angel of Death will only raise his price the braver you are. Break down a little, it’s your only chance. Please, Jamie.”

Jamie stared at him. “The best offer you’ll ever get.”

Ford paled, looked down at Jamie’s pumped body. “I know.”

They abused him with their lascivious remarks, small minds and free gropes, as they took shot after shot. Jamie’s mind’s eye pictured a cauldron, red-orange lava boiling over the sides, scorching everything, consuming everything, the whole earth opening up in fury.

Ford’s hated hand stroked his butt again. Jamie hardened his mind. Finally the others moved away. Tonight I dominate. “Hey,” he called out, “if I’m going to die anyway, why not make this fun?”

Ford stared. “Are you insane?”

“Let’s have fun. Let’s get off,” Jamie replied. Loudly he called, “Line up, cocksuckers. Down on your knees. Take advantage of the beautiful blond stud who’s tied up to the tree. Show me what you can do, be a movie star.”

“You’re crazy,” Ford muttered.

“Or maybe you’d rather get fucked. That’s even better, just bend over and climb aboard. But take turns, no pushing, I’ll do the shoving. Who wants to be first?”

They were totally confused. A victim enjoying himself? Jamie smiled. Ford told Crum, “He’s crazy.”

Jamie said,“Believe me,Tommy,it really is more fun with a guy who’s alive. Get down on your knees and grab a mouthful. Taste that big young blond muscular cock.”

It hit Jamie, the psychodynamics of these scumbags. They were all so self-hating they couldn’t give a blowjob to the living.

But Jerry Lash appeared. “How about me?”

Jamie eyed the slob. “Sure, Jerry. Down on your knees, suck my cock. I’ll give your mouth a workout you’ll never forget.”

Crum called, “We don’t have time for this.” He was upset, his movie wasn’t going as planned. He was losing control.

Ford said, “I should fuck you instead.”

Jamie said, “No, for that you’d better kill me first. So I don’t mock you for how little your dick is.”

“You’ll pay for that, faggot.”

Crum yelled, “Get on with the whip, Tommy. Jerry, get the hell out.” But Jerry didn’t, he knelt in front of Jamie instead.

Jamie knew it was the right thing to do, but he couldn’t imagine tolerating it for one second. Dominate! “Hey Crum, come over here and get some closeups of my cock. Take a real good look at it. Come over and suck it. It’d turn me on. I’d love to get a blowjob from you.”

“It would mess up my movie.”

“Did you ever hear of editing? Come on! Let’s have fun. Guys, now’s the time for every gang-bang fantasy you’ve ever had. Come suck the hot blond muscleboy.”

Crum said, “I’ll shoot any cocksucker who tries it.”

With that, Lash got up and left, and Ford said, “I have to use a bullwhip on you now. Randy will be taping as you pass out from the beating. Once you’re unconscious, then, well, we bring out the knives. In honor of Roger. But you won’t feel that, I promise.”

“In honor of a man who murdered 21 people. You have the brain of pond slime, trying to convince yourself that killing me won’t hurt. Victims hurt, Tommy! You’re not just a psychopath, you’re an idiot.”

“You’re a wise ass.”

“Last chance, Tommy. Just circle around Crum, take your knife out and kill him. Get his gun and let’s leave. No one will stop us. Kill him, Tommy, and be done with it. You know it’s all his fault. Let’s make a new life at our villa in Mexico.”

“It’s too late, Jamie, I’m in it too deep.”

“No, you’re not, you have 60 seconds to escape.”

They looked in each other’s eyes. “But I like killing.”

That was the essential problem. “Then tonight you find out what dying feels like. Enjoy it! Kent kills you tonight.”

They heard distant gunshots. Trees, snipers? Ford, in fury and fear, flipped his whip. “Then tonight we all die!”

On Jamie’s back, a searing pain—but inside his head, a very bright flash, an organ chord at fortissimo. He saw Kent’s face; his courageous, sensitive, avenging face.

Ford began a frenzy of whipping. Over and over he punished his worst enemy on earth, the one who wrote the truth about him.

Another strike, and blood trickled down Jamie’s back.

More lashes, terrible pain; he dreamed of Kent holding him, comforting him. A voice, desert-dry and very old: Let not your heart be troubled.

Horror now on his ass, his sex; the Devil himself appeared in the thickest mist, smiling without a face, a red-dressed pope.

Sharp new pains in Jamie’s back and side, reaching all the way inside him. “Take that, you motherfucker!”

Jamie didn’t cry out. Littleknife. And more pictures. God, look at that blood spurt.

His vision began to blur. Waves of weakness washed over him. He retched with the pain; but he didn’t cry out.

“Didja get me stabbing him?” Littleknife cried. People seemed to be running around, there was confusion.

Crum was pissed. “You weren’t supposed to do that till I said so! You start hacking, I’ll blow you away.”

A leather tie was wrapped around Jamie’s neck. He could not breathe. Life was spilling out his side. He watched it in a daze, somehow alert. Oh God, I’m dying. My heart will not be troubled.

His legs gave out. He separated from his body.

Distantly he knew a pair of hands picked up the tie. He heard something, smiled slightly. His body passed out.