Reaper's Salvation: A Last Riders Trilogy Jamie Begley (fb2 epub reader .txt) 📖

the Predators were proficient at using guns and blades, Clark’s weapon of choice was a computer. He designed computer programs that correlated data from social platforms against internet searches that matched the user to products or social networks. Clark would then sell the data to the highest bidder. His software had been used to win elections, influence stock market prices, and destroy reputations.

His daughter had the same cutthroat attitude, except she’d disguised herself as genial, friendly, and the best BFF you could ever be fortunate to have. On the flip side of the coin, she would sell every secret entrusted to her, steal every dime you had, and take your boyfriend just because she could. She was beautiful, intelligent, and as cold-blooded as they came.

Looking over Amelia’s shoulder, Ginny saw an older woman standing outside on the balcony, talking on a cell phone. Tuning out the conversation going on between George and Desmond about golfing the next day, Ginny moved away from Gavin’s side to get a look at her mother.

“You don’t take after Soleil.”

She moved farther to the side of the window away from the small group, knowing Gavin followed at short distance behind her, but she didn’t take her gaze off her mother. “No, I don’t. T.A. looks more like her.”

Leisurely, Desmond broke of conversation with the Clarks to stroll closer to Gavin, eavesdropping into the conversation going on between her and Allerton. Remaining silent, the pair of men made her feel safeguarded. Ginny couldn’t explain why she felt the same vibe coming from Desmond as she did from Gavin. She had never met him before today, yet she felt comfortable in his presence.

A movement outside the window had her focusing back on Soleil. Her mother had the same curvy figure, hair color, and facial features as Trudy. The resemblance was startling.

She had deliberately avoided any public pictures of her parents, afraid it would bring back feelings of loss that she wouldn’t be able to deal with. Children were born with an innate bond to their mothers, and even though she’d been happy with the Colemans, she’d felt that lack of maternal influence. It was bad enough missing that emotional bond; she never wanted to make it worse by searching for pictures of a mother whom she wouldn’t be able to contact.

“Trudy may have Soleil’s looks, but not her brains. I think you inherited more than your share in that department.”

Every ounce in her being wanted to cut him down to size, which was exactly his goal. Allerton was trying to get under her guard to expose that she was closer to Trudy than she admitted.

“I didn’t take you for a man who judges a book by its cover.”

Allerton gave her a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “I wouldn’t be where I am today if I couldn’t spot a winner or a loser.”

“I guess that makes Dalton Andrews better at spotting qualities than other men.”

Allerton gave a short, humorless laugh. “Touché, Evangeline.”

Ginny didn’t miss the name hit.

“Which effectively puts me in my place. You dislike me intensely, don’t you?”

“I wouldn’t call it intensely. Intense involves hatred. I go back and forth between indifference and loathing.”

“That’s quite a range of emotions from a woman who has only been in my company briefly. It takes time or a specific reason to build those different levels.”

“I apologize. I should be thanking you for arranging this party for me to meet my mother.”

“I don’t need or want an apology, but I would appreciate a reason.”

“You don’t think me being called a thief is reason enough? You asked me to take a polygraph for something you said I did when I was three. Doesn’t it sound as asinine to you as it does to me?” Ginny carefully gauged how much irritation to exhibit in front of the monster. Not enough to seem over-the-top, but she wanted just enough to show indignation, hoping to confuse Allerton, since she had nearly slipped up defending Trudy. “Then you threaten to keep me captive on an island that I never knew existed before I took a DNA test.”

“Then I should be the one who should be making the apology. I’m not prone to using my authority on this island unless I’m left with no choice. I found it very distasteful to have to keep you here; still I must do what needs to be done to retrieve the artifact. Surely you can see my point, unless there is another reason you’re harboring a grievance toward me?”

Ginny gave an internal sigh. Allerton wasn’t buying her story that she didn’t remember going on the boat, and he was digging to find out if she’d seen what had happened to Manny and Gyi. The game of deception she was playing held her life and Gavin’s in the balance. Since it appeared her convincing wasn’t allaying his distrust, it was time to turn it up a notch, or two.

“I’m actually more knowledgeable about you than you believe. A friend of mine has made it her life’s mission to uncover those who abuse the Earth’s natural resources to make a profit. You, and many of your friends, are on her list.”

Ginny was thankful that she was able to hide her smirk after seeing Allerton’s bewilderment; accusing him of misappropriating charity funds was a direct hit.

“The list,” Ginny said gravely, throwing more sand in his face to confuse his thinking. Ginny gave the performance of her life, and she didn’t have to sing a single word.

“What list?” he demanded, his voice rising.

“The list that Zoey Mathers gives out as the worst offenders to the environment. Have you ever heard of her?” Ginny was unaware of everyone stealthily moving closer to overhear their conversation.

“No, I can’t say I have.”

“I’m surprised. She has over a million followers. You should subscribe. She’s amazing. She does podcasts, too, which are very informative. That’s how I heard about you.”

“Please, go on …” Allerton’s complexion turned an ugly, ruddy color as she provoked his temper. “I’d like to