CHAPTER THIRTEEN

 

Christopher Smythe opened his eyes when Ted approached.

“The sun is down,” Ted said. “Should we get moving?”

“We’re not in a hurry,” Smythe said. “Let Lucas spend hours and hours worrying about when I’ll arrive to kill him. Also, if he has that gunslinger with him and he’s half as good as his wife thinks, it would be best to let him waste time staring out the window waiting. Showing up early is simply not a good idea.”

“What about her?” Ted gestured toward Sonya, who sat on the damp ground with her hands tied behind her. She watched Ted and Smythe, but did not speak.

“Leave her alone.”

“But—”

“Enough. I have plans for her. That’s all you need to know.”

“Yes, sir. What do you want me to do?”

“When you were a child, did your parents ever teach you to play the Quiet Game?”

Ted’s eyes lit up. “I was pretty good at that game. My folks had me play that one just about every day.”

“I’d like you to play that now.”

“I can do that.”

“When I say now, I mean right now. Do not respond to tell me you’ll be quiet or you lose the game. If you can be quiet for the rest of the evening, I’ll reward you by giving you a woman.”

“A real live woman? Sorry, can we start the game now?”

“Starting now. Do you understand?”

Ted opened his mouth, but then caught himself and grinned. He gave an exaggerated nod.

“Blessed silence,” Smythe said.

He moved over to check on Sonya.

“And how are you this fine evening?”

She didn’t reply.

“You’re not playing the game with Ted, my dear.”

“No, I simply have nothing to say to you.”

“You’re not going to beg for your husband’s life?”

Sonya laughed. “You’re not nearly as smart as I thought you’d be. My husband is going to destroy you. I offered you a solution that would be better for all of us, but you’re too stupid to recognize it.”

“And here I thought you had nothing to say.”

“I changed my mind.”

“Evidently.” He untied the ropes that bound her. “You and I are going to take a trip into town.”

“I’m not going anywhere with you.”

“It seems that by speaking politely I’ve mistakenly given you the impression that you have a choice.”

“I always have choices.”

“You like choices. Very well. Would you like to go to town conscious or unconscious?”