David Baldacci by Last Man Standing

Author:Last Man Standing [Standing, Last Man]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Suspense, Fiction, Thrillers, General, Espionage, Suspense fiction, Mystery & Detective, Washington (D.C.), Mystery Fiction, Psychological, Government investigators, Virginia
ISBN: 9780446611770
Google: UbS8wdS1hxEC
Amazon: 0446611778
Publisher: Vision
Published: 2001-04-15T00:00:00+00:00

After a few minutes she rose and rejoined him.

They rode on and finally came to a large building that had clearly been abandoned for some time.

"The old Monkey House," said Gwen. "Sennick built it and kept all sorts of chimps, baboons, even gorillas there. Why, I don't know.

Legend has it that when some of the animals would escape from their cages they'd be chased through the trees by beer-drinking local yokels with shotguns, who didn't want the monkeys around anyway. For that reason they called the forest around here the monkey jungle. The thought of those poor animals being gunned down by a pack of drunken morons makes me sick." They dismounted and went into the building. Web could see through the roof where large holes had been worn in by time and the elements. The old cages, rusted and broken, were still lined up against the walls, and there were trenches presumably for catching animal waste and other disgusting things. Trash and old broken machinery littered the concrete floor, along with tree branches and rotted leaves. Tree roots clung to the outside walls and there was what looked to be a loading dock. Web tried to imagine what an inventor of auto accessories would want with a pack of monkeys.

None of his theories were pleasant ones. All Web could think of was animals strapped to gurneys, electrical lines capturing the power of lightning bolts and old man Sennick in surgical garb ready to do his dirty work on the terrified simians. The place had a distinct feeling of melancholy, of hopelessness, of death, even, and Web was glad to leave it.

They continued their ride and Gwen dutifully pointed out all the buildings and their associated history until Web was having a hard time keeping track of everything. He was very surprised to look at his watch and see that three hours had passed.

"We should probably head back," said Gwen. "For your first ride, three hours is plenty. You're going to find yourself a little sore."

"I'm good," said Web. "I really enjoyed it." The ride had been peaceful, tranquil, relaxing, everything he hadn't been experiencing for practically all of his life. However, when they got back to the equestrian center and Web climbed off Boo, he was surprised to find that his legs and back were so stiff he could barely walk upright once his feet hit the ground. Gwen noted this and smiled wryly. "Tomorrow it'll be another part of your body that hurts."

Web was already rubbing his buttocks. "I feel what you mean." A couple of hired help came out and took the horses from them.

Gwen told Web that they would take off the gear and scrub and wash down the horses. That was usually the job of the person riding the horse, Gwen said. It helped you bond with the animal. "You take care of the horse, and the horse takes care of you," she said.

"Kind of like having a partner."

"Exactly like having a partner." Gwen looked

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