Free Charlie Martz and Other Stories by Elmore Leonard Page B

my girl out to them. Even if they don’t read the newspaper, or even if they miss the significance of fifteen unguarded villages, the girl will see to it that they know.’”
    Ah Min shook her head. “That isn’t true.”
    â€œHow do you prove it isn’t?”
    â€œHow can I prove it? I came here in good faith. Beyond that I can say nothing.”
    â€œYou can confess; admit your guilt.”
    Ah Min watched him closely, holding his gaze. “You’ve changed,” she said after a moment. “No longer sure of yourself. You would even kill me because you’re not sure what else to do.”
    â€œOr perhaps,” Tam Lee said, “because you mean less to me than you imagine.”
    The bluntness of his words took her by surprise. But she said, still quietly, still controlled, and not taking her eyes from his face, “Then there is no reason not to kill me, is there?”
    The terrorist shrugged and the barrel of the carbine came up. “None I can think of.”
    â€œLet me ask you something first.”
    â€œAsk it.”
    â€œWhat will you do about the fifteen villages?”
    â€œStay out of them, what else?”
    â€œBut do nothing in turn?”
    â€œI haven’t thought about it.”
    â€œTruthfully?”
    Tam seemed annoyed. “I don’t lie to anyone. Not even you.”
    â€œThen you have changed,” Ah Min said. “A year ago you would have a counter plan. Something to make the plot blow up in their face.”
    She was thinking quickly, picturing the villages ready and waiting for a terrorist attack; then picturing Clad and Ladang and the badminton court and the newly built stands to hold more than a hundred people.
    The stands filled with police and army people—
    Of course! But be careful, she thought, keeping her excitement in check and making herself gaze at Tam honestly and straightforwardly.
    â€œThe obvious plan seems to have escaped you,” she said.
    His expression did not change, but she imagined his mixed feeling of curiosity and suspicion.
    â€œWhat plan?”
    â€œTo attack Ladang.”
    â€œA village filled with soldiers and police.”
    Ah Min nodded. “And all of them watching the games. None worried you would dare come.”
    â€œHow many of them?”
    â€œSixteen contestants. As many as a hundred spectators. Perhaps more.” She paused, her eyes remaining on Tam. “Can you picture coming out of the rubber trees on the east side of the field, coming before they know you’re there, then throwing grenades and firing into them?”
    She waited expectantly. “Can you picture them, some on the ground, others running in panic?”
    Tam was staring, his eyes on her but not seeing her, and she thought, You have him. Now put the top on.
    â€œTam”—her voice soft, controlled—“kill me if you have to. But kill them too. Go to Ladang on Sunday and kill them as they sit unsuspecting and foolish. Do that and my coming here, my dying, will be for some good.”
    He was studying her again. “This could just as easily be a trap.”
    â€œTam,” she murmured, “trust me. I ask for nothing more. Not even my life.”
    He walked away from her slowly, beckoned to two of his men, and squatted down to talk. After only a few minutes he was standing before her again, this time much closer.
    â€œI can trust you now,” he said intently. “I can trust you at this moment. But remember—and remember it well—I can kill you at any time.”
    S HE DECIDED THAT THE best place to watch would be from the police post. Here, sitting at her desk and looking out past Clad’s Riley and the lines of cars now parked along both sides of the road, then beyond and through the thinly scattered palms that edged the parade ground, she could see the newly erected stands and a portion of the badminton court. This was also the safest place. When the