The Import by J T Baier

Author:J T Baier [Baier, J T]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: First Light Books
Published: 2020-06-05T22:00:00+00:00

25

Riker pressed his palms against the arms of the chair. He could feel the smooth wood, worn down by a hundred hands that had been in the same position. The cushion under him was a thin compressed layer that no longer added any comfort. Focusing on a simple object was a trick Riker used when his mind was racing too fast. The technique worked, and he made a mental map of his situation.

A man stood on either side of him, each of whom had a gun pointed at the back of his head. Hendricks, Brennan and Dobbs were behind him, waiting for instructions. A large glass window to his left revealed the warehouse floor and at least a dozen men working. Weaver had the kind of power that allowed him to hold a man at gunpoint with his employees watching. Helen stood next to Weaver across the desk from Riker.

Her red dress hugged the curves of her hips, and the neckline dipped low, showing off ample cleavage. The fading bruise on her face was covered by makeup now, and her skin looked flawless. Ruby red lipstick matched her dress. Men would kill to be with a woman like this, but somehow it sickened Riker.

“Hey Helen, nice dress,” Riker said. “Somehow I think you looked better in your trucker T.”

“I don’t believe that for a second.” She inched one leg forward, sliding it through the slit that went ten inches past her knee. “Matthew, you need to be smart right now. No one appreciates what you did for me more than Jeff here. You could find a home here with us.” She kept her arm around Weaver and her body tight to him when she spoke.

“Where’s Li?” Riker knew that he wasn’t going to get an answer to that one. He just hoped for a hint of shame in Helen’s eyes.

“She’ll be fine for as long as we have her. After that, she’ll be gone.”

The indifference in her voice made Riker want to wrap his hands around her neck and choke the life from her body. He gripped the arms of the chair hard and forced himself to stay calm. “So that’s it? She was nothing but a job to you? Is there anything real about you?”

“Plenty. For example, my name is Helen Wilborn, and I do think you would make a great addition to the crew.”

“That’s a shame, Helen. I really thought that there was some good in you. The gun pointed at the back of my head tells me I was wrong about that.”

Helen sighed. “I really do hope things work out okay for you. Just be honest with Jeff, and it will.”

“Helen has spoken highly of you,” Weaver said. “I’m grateful for everything you did for her, which is why you made it this far. If you are going to make it any further I need to know who you work for.”

“I know you don’t believe it, but the story that I told Helen is true. I wish I could say the same about what she told me.

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