Page 88 of Protected from Malice
“Because we have good reason to believe it was.” My voice is cold. Unforgiving. Dangerous. “And you’re going to tell useverything.”
Defiance flares in his eyes. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I only have one phone, and it wasn’t used to hire a kidnapper, or whatever you’re talking about.”
But I can see his fear lurking behind the defiance.
I can see the truth hiding there.
It was him. I’d bet my life on it.
“We can do this the easy way,” I tell Rickard. “Or the hard way. This is your last chance.”
“I didn’t do anything.” His voice pitches up. “Just… Just leave. Please. I swear, I didn’t do what you’re saying. I wouldn’t arrange to have a woman kidnapped. That’scrazy.”
Except he did.
“Fine.” I holster my gun, and Rickard sags in relief. Over his head, I catch Indy’s eye. He nods, knowing what’s coming next.
“Oh, Chris.” My tone is almost pleasant. “I thought you might choose the easy way. But to tell you the truth, I’m glad you didn’t.”
Confusion clouds his gaze. “What?”
Lightning-fast, I clamp my gloved hand around his wrist. He gives a token struggle, but I tighten my hold until he yelps in pain. “You’re going to tell us the truth. And if it takes breaking every single one of your fingers to convince you…”
“What!” He jerks forward. “No! What is this! You can’t?—”
“Don’t fucking move,” Indy snaps. He jabs his gun into Rickard’s side.
Rickard whimpers. His eyes fill with tears. “Please,” he says desperately. “I didn’t doanything.”
Someone who hasn’t seen the worst of humanity might believe him.
Someone who doesn’t fully understand how evil men can lie so convincingly might be persuaded to let him go.
But I’ve seen. I know.
Which is why I don’t hesitate.
I cover his mouth with one hand. With the other, I wrench his pinkie finger back until it cracks.
He screams into my hand.
“Don’t scream,” I order. “And if you even think about biting me, I’ll have my friend shoot you.”
Rickard shakes his head. He mumbles something unintelligible.
“Are you going to tell me the truth now?”
Another shake of his head.
So I break another finger.
“Now?”
He shakes his head again.
So I break a third.
Now he’s sobbing. Trembling all over. A dark spot soaks the blanket above his lap.
