H.A.A.R.P.S Fury by William Beck

Author:William Beck [Beck, William]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction, Action & Adventure, Mystery; Thriller & Suspense, Thriller
Amazon: B00400MQ4O
Publisher: Exigent Press
Published: 2010-08-18T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirty-Six

Durnulqc’s Estate

Joe Canton wandered through the mansion's impressive rooms. Actually, he was surprised to see a number of people he knew or worked with. Their conversations helped pass the time, yet his uneasiness remained.

He found himself passing by an elegantly framed, full-length mirror outside the ballroom. The stringed instruments had just finished playing, a round of applause came to life from those inside. Only by chance did he happen to see Ashlyn's reflection. The quick passing of her image conjured up many memories. She quickly became lost in the crowd of people. Canton turned and followed, hoping to find Ashlyn Sanders.

After some time, he caught sight of her. Canton watched her conversing with a group of what looked like fellow scientists. When the conversation ended, Sanders left the room and he followed her outside into the garden.

“Wait,” the only word Canton uttered. Unsure of what else to say, he hurried to catch up with her, reaching for her arm to slow her down.

Sanders turned sharply at his touch. A stern look greeted Canton. “Joe, I wish you hadn't come.”

“Frankly, I had no choice in the matter. If it were up to me,” his voice trailed off. Canton sucked in a deep breath, pain welling up inside.

“Look Joe, it's over,” the pitch of her voice raised. Ashlyn's words pierced like cold steel. His hopes were to find some answers. Any answer, but this. Gently, he reached out to stroke her chin. The woman's hand flew up in response, pushing it aside. Her sudden reaction stunned him.

“Why didn't you say something before you left?”

“Nothing to say, Joe,” she shot back aguishly. “Durnulqc offered more than I could ever hope to make on my own. I thought about it and decided it was right for me. Part of the deal required me to leave without notice. Cut all the strings.”

Canton stared wide-eyed in amazement at the drastic change in her personality. His eyes closed and he shook his head in disbelief, listening to words he did not want to hear. His mouth opened but she cut him off.

“Point is, Joe, it all boiled down to money. Let's face it. Durnulqc has it. I want it. We were going nowhere. I made a decision. It's the right one for me,” Ashlyn remarked bluntly. She turned away, only stopping when he called her name.

“Ashlyn,” the big man called hoarsely. “Don't...”

“Forget it, Joe,” she said harshly, unable to face him. “I'm out of here tomorrow for several months.”

“Where?”

“Mining. You punched your ticket and the ride's over. Leave it at that.”

The sound of her heels faded on the flagstone walkway. Ashlyn Sanders vanished behind a row of hedges. Canton found himself alone. A constricting band of pain encircled his chest, squeezing him. His stomach knotted in disappointment.

He sat beside a small fountain contemplating the conversation. Passersby looked at him without much regard and moved on. They spent little time wondering why the man sat by himself when such a splendid party waited to be taken advantage of.

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