The Watercress File: Being the Further Adventures of That Man from C. A. M. P. Read Online Free PDF Page B

residence, the White House, was also notorious as a pick-up spot for homosexuals. With the traffic inside and outside the park, it was a pretty unlikely place to conduct any sort of business, particularly that of an agent.
    â€œYou’re sure,” he asked aloud.
    â€œMuch surer than I am about you,” Jackie said.
    Mathews frowned and started off in the direction of the park. He had been warned that this would be unorthodox, and it had been his idea to come along—although he was beginning to regret that idea a little.
    The park, as Craig had suspected, was a busy place. Young men in conspicuously tight jeans ambled up and down the walks, eyeing one another for a glimmer of interest; Mathews felt as though he were a lamb tossed into a den of hungry lions, although it was obvious that his companion was enjoying himself.
    â€œStop glowering and look flirtatious,” Jackie whispered as they walked. “You’re supposed to look like you belong here.”
    â€œI can’t do that,” Craig argued.
    â€œFake it—pretend one of them is Ava Gardner, and another one Lana Turner.”
    Craig did as suggested, with a slight improvement, but his heart wasn’t really in the act. He was just plain uncomfortable, and out of place. He had no idea why they were here, or what was coming next.
    The area of the park in which they were now was dark and secluded, and for a brief moment there was no one else around. With a movement so quick that Craig scarcely realized what was happening, Jackie had left the path and ducked behind a tree, waving for Craig to follow him.
    By the time Craig was there, Jackie had already tripped a switch concealed somewhere on the tree, that caused a trap door to open suddenly in the ground. So cleverly was it placed that, from even a few inches away, the opening was hidden by the bushes and the tree.
    â€œCome on,” Jackie urged as Mathews stared in amazement. Mathews recovered sufficiently to follow Jackie down the steps that the opening had revealed. As they descended, the opening closed over their heads, and they were in darkness.

CHAPTER FIVE
    The darkness lasted for only a moment. Mathews was temporarily blinded by the brilliant light that caught him full in the face. Not until the light had dimmed did he realize that they were being examined.
    â€œThe password?” A voice from out of nowhereasked.
    Jackie was silent for a moment, and Craig began to fear the blond agent might have forgotten the password. He experienced a dismal vision of the two of them waiting for days in the darkness of this pit. Finally, to his relief, Jackie answered, “Rim queen.”
    The light disappeared, and a second later a door opened in front of them, revealing a short, more comfortably-lighted hall. Jackie led the way down it, the door behind them closing.
    â€œWhat’s a rim queen?” Mathews asked as they walked.
    â€œCan’t be explained in words,” Jackie answered with no expression on his face. “I’d have to demonstrate it for you.”
    Mathews remained curious, but discretion got the best of him. “Maybe some other time,” he answered.
    The door at the other end of the hall opened for them immediately, admitting them into a spacious and luxurious waiting room of sorts. “Where are we?” Craig asked, amazed to find himself in a room that would have served any penthouse well.
    â€œSpecifically, just about the center of the park,” Jackie explained. “Or, if you didn’t mean geographically, we’re now at the local office of C.A.M.P.”
    â€œIsn’t this rather a dangerous place for it,” Craig asked. “Looks to me like it would be touchy to get in and out of.”
    â€œNot at all,” Jackie assured him. “In the first place, that park is the sort of place where no one would question seeing a homosexual, or even question it if he seems to have disappeared. As you saw, the opening