Death and Honor полностью

Frade’s first reaction, of course, was surprise that Dorotea had slapped the woman. That was really out of character for Dorotea.

His second reaction was husbandly pride.

God, what a wife! She understands we have to keep this woman afraid, and is doing whatever is necessary to do it.

His third reaction, somewhat slow in coming, was far less pleasant.

Jesus Christ! That was no act. She slapped that woman with hate!

Confirmation of this came from the looks on the faces of Fischer and Stein and Enrico. Stein and Fischer had seen what Frade had seen—and were shocked and repelled. Enrico’s face showed approval.

Did she mean what she said about taking them out herself and killing them?

Of course not.

You’re pissing in the wind, Cletus.

The no-longer Virgin Princess, the angel walking the earth carrying your child, meant every word of what she said!

Confirmation of this came from the terrified faces of the Froggers.

Jesus H. Christ!

Then another thought he had heard somewhere—and had promptly dismissed as probably bullshit—now popped into his mind: The female of the species is always the more deadly.

I will be goddamned!

Well, you’re a Marine officer. You know the tactic to be applied here. When you’ve broken through the enemy’s defenses, don’t stop, continue the attack!

“Fischer, stand her up, hand Grandma La Nación, and smile for the birdie.”

Don Cletus Frade did not discuss with Doña Dorotea Mallín de Frade what had happened, not even after he had had more than his fair share of several bottles of merlot.

The reason was simple. He didn’t know what to say.

And he had thoughts later, after they had retired and shared conjugal relations, that he knew he didn’t dare share with his wife.

From their very first coupling, Dorotea—and she then really had been the Virgin Princess—had always been an enthusiastic partner.

But tonight was different!

Not a complaint, certainly, but tonight she really wanted to mate, and her response was nothing like any previous responses.

She literally couldn’t get enough.

And it had nothing to do with her being pregnant.

[THREE]

Estancia Casa Chica Near Tandil Buenos Aires Province, Argentina 0650 20 July 1943

“Since my husband devoutly believes that enormous breakfasts are a hallowed American custom,” Doña Dorotea announced brightly at breakfast, “I have done my best to be a good wife. There is grapefruit juice and milk, toast, coffee, and ham steaks. And as I understand that those of your religious persuasion aren’t allowed to eat pork, I had the cook grill some steak to go with the eggs. I hope that will be satisfactory.”

“Anything’s fine, Dorotea,” Stein said.

“I thought the least I could do,”Lla Señora Frade said, trying to smile brightly, “was feed the condemned men a last hearty meal.”

Clete said, “Baby, nobody’s going to die—”

“At least not today, probably,” she interrupted.

“—but I admit there is a good chance we’ll be playing cops and robbers later this morning.”

Stein suddenly laughed. “Oh, I wish I could be there to see Fischer getting on his first horse and riding off on the pampas. ‘Hi, ho, Silver, away!’ ” He paused, and then went on “That probably should be, ‘Oi veh, Silverman, away!’ ”

“Sergeants are not allowed to mock commissioned officers and gentlemen such as myself, Sergeant Stein,” Fischer said good-naturedly. “Perhaps you should keep that in mind.”

“You know, when they sent the Lone Ranger movie down here, they had to change Tonto’s name,” Stein said.

Frade said, “You’re a fountain of Hollywood information, aren’t you, Siggy?”

“I shit you not, Major,” Stein said. “ ‘Tonto’ means ‘stupid’ in Spanish.”

“That’s right, it does,” Dorotea said, and giggled. “ ‘The Masked Rider of the Plains, and his faithful Indian companion, Stupid.’ ”

Everyone started laughing.

Jesus, Frade thought, the laughter is coming close to being hysterical.