Page 47 of A Pawn for Malice
The man, now known as Sy, reached out andslapped the boy forcibly across the face, knocking himbackwards.
“Shut the fuck up! You do, as I say,hear?”
The alarm planted on the young man’s facecreated a flash of sympathy inside her towards him. There was achance, she realized, that she might convince him to help her, andwork his plight in her favor.
She didn’t let Sy’s lashing out rile her. Shecrossed her arms at her chest and waited to see, if he would answerher. Her calm patience won over and he acquiesced.
“You’re a real smart one, aren’t ya?”
Jessica sighed and clapped her palms tenderlytogether, as if in prayer.
“I think it’s only fair for me to know, whyyou’re doing this and what purpose it would serve. Wouldn’t you,Sy, if you were in my shoes?” She pushed.
Her tender usage of his name made his headsnap slightly.
Jessica tried to remember what herself-defense instructor taught her about situations just likethis.
She knew this could turn deadly and hersurvival would be based on the decisions she made from this pointforward. She had to keep her wits about her and clam down. She knewshe was going to be abducted and what she was about to hear,clarified it.
“I know that high and mighty Senator you workfor, is real sweet on you. I saw the way he looked at you … touchedyou. It got my mind to thinking. If I had you in my custody, well …that fucking death penalty bill of his, wouldn’t go nowhere. He’dbe forced to put it aside, and forget about it.”
So, that was it. He was going to use her asleverage. She was safe for now. There was room for negotiation,room for her to work on him, maybe talk him out of this, and time …time to possibly figure out how to escape, once she learned wherehe would be taking her.
“Is someone you love … someone you care aboutserving time on death row? Look,” she pressed further, “if you feelthey’re not guilty, Iswear, I can helpyou win a stay of execution and – “
“My fucking brother deserves to rot inhell!”
She was confused and her expression surelymirrored that.
“Then, why? I … I don’t understand.”
Spittle ran from the corner of his mouth anddown his chin, as his eyes grew large with the rage that welledfrom deep inside of him. His reaction caused her to take anotherstep back, and the young man beside him, did the same.
“Because my fucking name will be ruined.Because the name Corbat is the reason he’s pushing the fuckingbill. That’s why! I already got fired because of it. I ain’t gonnaallow him to use my brother as his ticket to the Governor’sMansion. That’s fucking why, bitch!”
She knew there wasn’t going to be anyrationalizing with this madman. He had blinders on and viewedpassage of Bryan’s bill, as a reason why his personal life turnedto shit. Yes, his family name was marred already, because of whathis brother did. He had a target placed on him forever. She couldunderstand his reasoning. His brother’s disregard for human lifestarted it all. This was his way of trying to stop the ripplingeffect of ruin from growing any larger.
“Sy …”
“Shut up! Nothin’ you say, is gonna change mymind. If you don’t wanna die, you’ll keep your fucking mouth shut.I don’t wanna hear no more.”
She raised her palms in supplication.
“Okay. I understand and I’m sorry that you’regoing through this.” She lowered her palms and placed her righthand over her heart, in hopes of getting him to calm down, andbelieve her. “Your boss was wrong to judge you so harshly. Itwasn’t fair. It was so unjust. I’ll help all I can.”
He stared her down, and she noticed hisbreathing calming. All she could do now, was try and win maybe histrust. Try and get him to believe, that she was on his side. Shetried to remember to talk to him in soft tones, use his first nameoften, and get him talking on subjects that didn’t make him angry.He directed his gaze towards the boy and pointed to the sack,barking out commands.
“Tape her mouth, tie her writs behind herback, and cuff her ankles. We’re the fuck outta here.”
Jessica decided not to struggle and simplystood still. She smiled tenderly, when the boy stepped forward andmouthed ‘sorry.’
She would not give up hope, she thoughtsilently. Time was still on her side, and she knew that being a lotmore cunning and smarter, was also as well.
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CHAPTER NINETEEN
Bryan stormed from his office, with a lookthat told his staff, he was a man on a mission and enraged.
