“Liar!”
Johnny smiled hugely in anticipation while retrieving Felix Moreau’s last moments on earth from his iPad files. He brought it over for Senta to see. She watched her lover’s death by Nick’s hand with wide eyed shock. At Nick’s last words while Moreau faded into eternity, Senta struggled wildly against her bonds before realizing after a moment the hopelessness of her situation.
“It’s nice to know Felix was loved,” Nick stated with comical whimsy to the loud amusement of his companions. Nick patted Senta’s restrained hand. “He died with his boots on, Senta. He was a murderous scumbag without a conscience but he died okay.”
Nick’s humorous eulogy enraged Senta but Lynn grabbed her in a painful pinch at the nose. “Don’t bother. If you say anything else I may forget we’re trying to keep you alive. I’m glad you know Nick. You’ll be introducing him and me at the door of the Pilot Hill compound. Once we get inside with Al-Kadi, then we’ll have some real fun.”
For the first time, Senta smiled as Lynn released her. “I will never deceive Al-Kadi. You will see. I will say one thing now to please you, but I will betray you to him the moment we cross the threshold of the house.”
Lynn clapped her hands in delight. “Oh… Cara Mia… when I get done with you, I would be able to use you as a campfire girl leader in a brown skirt uniform. No more talk. Let’s get to my showing of the enhancements in interrogation I’ve contrived. I think you’ll be impressed. Please hook Senta to my needles for her first lesson.”
When Nick did as bid. He inserted the acupuncture needles at Senta’s heels. Her feet had to be held in place by Quays Tannous and Sylvio Ruelas. Senta, for the first time, began to believe the people in front of her were not going to coax her into doing as they outlined.
“Wait! What is this? You can’t torture me! It’s illegal! Who the hell are you people? Assassins, torturers, cold blooded killers… what the hell is going on?”
“We’re the Monster Squad and the Unholy Trio, baby,” Lynn said, patting her cheek. “When the pussies in Washington DC crap their pants and don’t know what to do about some cult of murderous assholes, they call us. We don’t ask questions. They tell us we need to fix something and we fix it. Don’t try to understand it all now, honey. I’ll teach it to you in small doses until there’s no doubt in what’s left of your mind about who we are, what we plan on doing, and how you will help us.”
“McCarty! I know you. Tell her! I will do as she asks. I see this is business now. I kill on command. I do as I’m paid to do. I’ll help you get inside Al-Kadi’s place… no charge. Let me live! I’ll fix everything. Give me a damn weapon and I’ll help you execute anyone you want killed! Tell her!”
Nick leaned over Senta, revealing a mirror image of cold, unfeeling, death that existed within Senta. He smiled after a moment of silence. “I see you do know me. I am a psychopath like you in many things. I’ve found I care about some part of reality. America is part of that reality. As you’ve already stated – you will say one thing now and another later. When Dr. Deville finishes with you, the psychopath inside will be dead. All that will be left is a minion of Cruella Deville who lives to do nothing but what she asks. I could claim you won’t feel a thing but that would be a lie. Happy trails, Senta.”
Chapter Seven
Monstrous Happenings
A half hour later, Senta needed splashed into consciousness as the three minute intervals of absolute agony, without any way to stop them, reformed her being into a template of pain. She tried to speak as Lynn leaned over her with a smile. All that came out was gibberish. Lynn chuckled.
“That was only a half an hour, Cara Mia. Wait until we get to hour three.”
Senta screamed.
“Oh yeah… that’s what I’m talkin’ about,” Lynn said, before Denny’s voice pelted into her ear from the Valkyrie.
“Bronstein class frigate heading toward us at full throttle… ETA forty minutes,” Denny stated. “Do you read?”
“We hear,” Harding said from near Lynn.
“That boat has torpedoes,” Nick remarked. “What’s the assessment, Captain Blood?”
“Apparently, Fernando called for help before we got his communications shut down. Can you ask him about it, and if there’s some way to send the approaching threat back to Mexico where I see it originated? I’d like to not have to make a Mexican Navy frigate disappear with all hands on board, folks, but I doubt it can be done any other way. Paul’s in agreement.”
“Oh, for God’s sake, Denny,” Lynn said. “Scramble a couple of jets and tell them to go back where they came from.”