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

face. No doubt they had destroyed any from which he could be identified—or maybe they kept them as a weapon against Bruce, insurance that he would never defect.
    Studying Bruce’s body as it was in the pictures and remembering it as it had been in his arms, Jackie felt a moment of sadness. He had actually liked the blond and had genuinely enjoyed their evening together. It was sad that the evil fingers of B.U.T.C.H. should be able to taint so many lives. How many other young men would be brought into their web unless he could somehow destroy the organization, strike at its very roots?
    There was a note with the pictures. It was brief and to the point. He was to deliver one hundred thousand dollars in cash, that same night. The money was to be in a paper bag. He would leave it in a trashcan just outside some certain public restrooms at Golden Gate Park.
    Things were beginning to break at last. He had made contact with the ring of blackmailers. The rest he would have to play by instinct. One thing was certain, however, he would keep the appointment, with the money. Capturing them in the park would accomplish nothing. He would only be capturing one or two of the smaller people and the ring would still be in operation, free to do more harm to other innocent people. He had to let them lead him to their home base so that his blow, when he struck, would be a fatal one.
    He went to the phone and placed a call to Los Angeles, to one of the numerous telephone numbers utilized by C.A.M.P. It would be simpler to contact the local office directly, but risky. He was supposed to be a stranger in town who knew no one and if his activities were being watched he did not want to make anyone suspicious of him. It was essential that they continue to think of him as a helpless victim.
    Rich’s voice was a welcome sound. It was a source of comfort to know that whatever he needed would be attended to quickly and efficiently.
    â€œIt’s Jackie Garden,” he identified himself, using the phony name. “Remember me?”
    â€œHow could I forget?” Rich answered in a voice that was deceptively polite and unfamiliar, as near strangers would be with one another.
    â€œI only wanted to thank you for a lovely evening while in Los Angeles. I hope I’ll see you again when I get into town. I may be stopping back that way in a few days.”
    â€œAren’t things going well for you in San Francisco?” Rich asked. “It’s really quite a lovely city.”
    â€œOh, I’ve found it quite exciting,” Jackie answered. “I’ve met some fascinating people and I have a number of things to do the next day or so.” The statement, innocent enough, would let Rich know that things were happening as he had hoped.
    â€œWell, let me know if there’s anything I can do for you. I have a few friends there, you know.”
    â€œAs a matter of fact there is something.” Jackie kept his tone conversational as he got around to his real reason for calling. “I had a slight accident with one of my jackets. I wonder if you can recommend a tailor who can repair it for me?”
    â€œI know a fine one,” Rich assured him. “Why don’t I send you to him?”
    â€œThat might be difficult. I can’t very well go out with my jacket torn you know, and I wanted to wear it tonight, so it is a bit urgent. Do you suppose you could send him around to the hotel?”
    â€œNo problem,” Rich assured him. “He’s an old friend of mine. I’ll see that he’s there in no time.”
    Jackie hung up the phone, satisfied. He ordered breakfast sent up to his room and waited confidently for Rich’s “tailor” to arrive.
    The man was there within the hour. Jackie recognized him at once as an agent with whom he had worked before, although the gray-haired, withered figure looked like anything but an agent from C.A.M.P.
    â€œMy dear,” the man greeted him when