Free Color Him Gay: The Further Adventures of the Man from C. A. M. P. by V. J. Banis

front.
    Before leaving his room he unlocked his briefcase and set it atop the bed. Carefully removing the innocent papers inside, he flicked a concealed latch and the inside lining fell away to reveal a hidden compartment. Jackie removed a gun from the space, a small, stunningly-jeweled Derringer. It was not a particularly potent weapon. The gun fired only one shot, and was of such a small caliber that it was ineffective beyond a close range. It was the one he preferred to use, however, as an emergency weapon. As an agent for C.A.M.P., he had no authority to kill and the gun was solely for protection when necessary. He relied far more upon his wits and his physical abilities.
    He fitted the gun neatly into a small holster under his jacket. The slight bulge it produced was scarcely noticeable. Giving the weapon a pat, Jackie let himself out of his room and started for the lobby.
    A new yellow Plymouth was pulling up to the front entrance as he went out the door. The driver leaned out of the window. “Mr. Garden?” he asked anxiously.
    â€œThat’s me,” Jackie said. The garage-man had a right to be worried. Giving a car with a built-in homing device and a bag full of money to the wrong person could be a big mistake.
    The driver gave a quick sigh of relief and scooted out of the car, turning it over to Jackie. Out of the corner of his eye, Jackie noted the paper bag on the floor. Everything was ready for him as he had instructed. On the dash a pale green light displayed the signal from the homing device hidden in the money. He tipped the driver handsomely and drove away.
    * * * *
    Golden Gate Park was a vast area of neatly preserved beauty. There were acres of grounds that included duck ponds, rustic woods and even a Japanese Tea Garden, a spot Jackie had often visited in the past to enjoy the quiet loveliness. In addition, there were countless exhibit buildings, even a reptile display and a band shell for outdoor concerts.
    Today, however, he was not here to enjoy San Francisco’s famed park. It was already evening, the shadows long and ominous over the ground. The crowds of people who had explored the park during the day were now on their way home or back to their hotels. Long lines waited at the bus stops and a crush of automobile traffic moved slowly down the park’s drives.
    Jackie left his car as near as possible to the restrooms that had been selected for depositing the money. He took the sack with him under his arm and walked across the lawn toward the building. The wastebasket outside was already filled with the day’s debris and he wondered briefly about the possibility of some conscientious custodian emptying the containers before the money was collected. But no doubt B.U.T.C.H, always efficient, had thought of that and taken the necessary precautions.
    He paused as a solitary figure came out of the restroom, giving him a questioning glance. Jackie ignored the pointed look. Another time he might have cruised a bit but on this occasion he had more important things to attend to.
    He waited until the stranger, discouraged by the lack of response, had started away, his back to Jackie. There was no one else close by and Jackie dropped the paper bag containing the money into the waste can as he entered the restroom, accomplishing the trick in one quick, almost imperceptible movement.
    Inside the building he attended to his bodily functions without haste, in order not to make himself look suspicious. Then, without even glancing in the direction of the waste can, he left and strolled leisurely back to his car.
    It was dark by now and the park nearly empty. From time to time a solitary figure could be seen strolling about, usually watching for some other lonely figure with whom to share a few minutes. Like all big-city parks, Golden Gate Park attracted the lonely gays.
    In the distance Jackie saw a pitiful looking tramp wandering slowly along, his pace labored, his shoulders stooped. He felt a pang