Reaper's Salvation: A Last Riders Trilogy by Jamie Begley (reading e books .txt) 📕

to sit unconcernedly behind his desk. “Any help for that buffoon will have to wait until after we talk.”

Ginny stroked a flower charm to give herself courage as Allerton unveiled the hatred he had been disguising from her. “Provide him medical attention, or I refuse to say anything to you.”

Allerton sighed, rising from behind his desk to walk toward her.

Refusing to show fear, Ginny stood her ground as Allerton drew closer. Then, like a striking snake, he backhanded her on the side of her cheek.

“Riz, kill him.”

The guard closest to her went to Agent Collins, removing his gun from a holster and preparing to kill the unconscious man right in front of her.

“Wait!” Ginny shouted at Allerton. “We can talk.”

Allerton shrugged, calling the guard off. “The next time, I won’t stop him. Now that I have your complete attention, I want my questions answered.”

Ginny raised her fingertips to her stinging cheek, then pulled them back when she felt the warm wetness of blood. Allerton crossed his arms, his large signet ring openly displayed.

“What did you see when you were on that boat?”

“I’ve been telling you the truth. I don’t remember—”

She wasn’t able to finish her sentence before another stinging smack came her way. If her feet hadn’t been planted firmly apart, it would have sent her flying.

“Riz, get the machine.”

The guard gave her a smirk that made her skin crawl as he left the room.

Agent Collins groaned out, and Ginny attempted to go to him, but Allerton stepped forward, blocking her path. “You want to help him, stop lying to me.”

“I’m not lying!”

“You’ve been lying to me since you’ve stepped foot on my island. Ah … you’re back, Riz. Set it up.”

The guard set a machine on a circular table that near the open balcony door. The three chairs around the table matched the one that Agent Collins was handcuffed to.

As the guard plugged in the machine, Allerton went back to his desk to take out a black box. Ginny saw him stare at his computer screen before opening the box. She no longer felt the painful sting in her cheek seeing Allerton pull out a syringe.

“Have a seat, my dear.”

“What’s in the syringe?”

“Something to relax you while allowing you to answer my questions … shall I say … more truthfully?”

Ginny briefly closed her eyes, shutting out the evil intent of his gaze, then opened them, determined to show him no fear. Recognizing she had reached the end of the road and was out of recourse, Ginny dropped her arms to her sides.

“That won’t be necessary. I’ll tell you the truth about everything you want to know.”

Allerton looked her skeptically but lowered the syringe. “Tell me what you saw on the boat.”

“I don’t remember anything on the boat, other than climbing up, and that’s the God’s honest truth. Nothing else. The only thing I do remember about that day was sneaking away from Manny and falling asleep in the space underneath the bunk where he always hid me. I don’t remember taking anything from the boat.”

“You do remember being on the island?”

“Yes, I remember how pretty it was with all the umbrellas and the different stands that were set up to sell things that I wanted. Maybe if you show me a picture of what you think I stole, it would refresh my memory.”

“You can do better than that.” Allerton strode forward, removing the cap of the syringe.

Ginny took a step back. “I don’t understand why you don’t believe me.”

When he swung out this time, she was prepared, but it didn’t make it hurt any less. Her mouth exploded in pain. Blinking back watery tears, she stared back at him unwaveringly.

“Gavin is going to kill you for that.” Using the sleeve of her shirt, Ginny wiped the blood dribbling down her chin.

“Don’t put your faith in your husband; you’ll be sadly disappointed.” Allerton gave her a look of pure disgust. “The only thing your husband has ever been good at is dropping to his knees for an ounce of coke.”

“You’re not worthy enough to have my husband’s name uttered from your mouth.” Ginny refused to give him any outward reaction of shock at him being aware of what Gavin had gone through during his kidnapping. “He has honorably served his country, while you have done nothing but your best to lay a foundation to destroy it.”

“Save your sanctimonious lecture. Your association with Gavin and The Last Riders shows your serious lack of judgment. I’ve done more for the United States and other countries than you could ever wish to accomplish in a thousand years.”

“At what cost?” Ginny asked, lowering her hand away from her mouth.

“No cost. I didn’t have to pay a dime. They paid me.”

“There’s always a price to pay for taking a life.”

Allerton gave a small, mocking laugh. “Maybe for others.” He raised his free hand. “My hands are clean. I’m not responsible for the actions of others.”

“You don’t consider yourself responsible when they are following your orders?” Ginny stared at him in pity. “I wonder if you have ever cared about anyone but yourself? People trusted you with their money to make the world a better place, to help others. You have untold wealth to use any way you want. Instead, you use it to garner even more wealth. Just how much money is enough for you? You have enough that you couldn’t spend it in five lifetimes. Do you have children to leave it to?”

“I don’t have any children,” he said stiffly.

“If you did, would it make a difference?”

“For what? You think having children would make me a better person?” Allerton looked at her as if she were three years old. “Or that I work so hard just to leave it to my progeny, as my parents did me? The answer is no. As I’ve said before, you’re too naïve. When you die, do you think it will make a difference in the world, other than within the small sphere of Treepoint?” He looked her over