The Shadows of Empty Men by Davies A. D

Author:Davies, A. D. [Davies, A. D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B01F97BLKG
Goodreads: 55468085
Publisher: Crater of the North Publishing
Published: 2020-09-01T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-One

“I can make her talk,” Hugo said as I returned. “None of that water bollocks, though.”

“I told you, no torture.”

“You’re such a pussy.”

Once, I broke a man’s fingers one by one until he revealed information I needed. That act of violence still hurts me more than any life I’ve ever taken, but it saved someone close to me, so it would be untrue to say I regretted it entirely.

“Fifty euros,” I said. “She talks without me resorting to violence.”

He held out a hand to shake, but pulled it back quickly. “You’re not gonna bring in someone else tae do it, are ya? ’Cause I noticed you said you wouldn’t lay a hand on her.”

“No torture of any kind.”

“Okay.” He shook my hand.

Jess’s ETA approached, so I armed myself and headed up top to meet her. And to move the bodies of the rent-a-thugs into the long grass.

She arrived five minutes later in a battered minicab, bumping its way up the untended drive from the main road—an access point I had avoided for obvious reasons. She paid the driver a handsome tip and, once he was on his way, she slapped me hard across the face.

“Another one for the collection,” she said. Tears welled but did not spill.

I wanted to hold her and promise her I would never lie to her again, but I simply couldn’t know what the future held.

I said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t want to worry you.”

“I’m here for Estelle. I’d do it for any kid in danger.” She stomped toward the house, pausing to emphasize, “I mean it. I’m not here because you asked me. Once I’m certain everyone is safe, I’m heading home.”

“Thank you,” I said.

But she was already gone.

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