Veronica Topple and the Machine of Deluded Dreams

Chapter 2 - Frederic Glost

I can remember being asked once if my father was an evil man. Certainly, it would seem by his actions that he lacked basic compassion and empathy, but did that really mean he was evil? I often struggled with the answer to that question, especially while I was held prisoner on Ofu Island. How could he sit and watch what the doctor did to me and not feel any compassion? It was far simpler to answer that question when it came to Doctor Preston. His heart was black, right down to its very core.

***

Frederic Glost was an imposing man and not in a physical sense, it was more a presence of power, an air he radiated that said he had power that made nations snap to attention when he came calling. And in a way, he was exactly like that, he owned politicians and held sway over the political fortunes of more than one country where he did business. If he couldn't buy his influence, he used brute force, resorting to dirty tactics to extend his control. To the world, he was a wealthy businessman, adored by the press and seen as a generous philanthropist, and yet, to those who knew him well, he was the devil incarnate. Millie had once commented that she never thought the devil would actually wear Armarni.

Standing at five-foot-five, Frederic was shorter than most people expected, he had short blond hair and dazzling blue eyes that many a woman had found captivating. A lady's man, Frederic had been somewhat of a playboy before he met Tracy and made her his wife. Now she was the only woman in the world that he feared, for if she chose to, she could destroy his entire empire. Today, Frederic hoped to put an end to that potential threat.

"You look well," he said.

"Like you care," Veronica said, a touch of venom in her voice.

"More than you know," her dad shot back.

Veronica glared at her father for a long uncomfortable minute before he turned and started walking towards a park bench. Following his movements, she noted that Boris and his men had already surrounded them, keeping their distance, but still close enough to act if they were needed. It was clear that Frederic intended for her to come and sit next to him. She decided to make him wait while she undid the clips on her skates and packed them away along with her helmet and friction gloves.

"How is your mother?" he asked. It was perhaps an attempt at friendly talk before he hit her with what he really wanted.

"Happy," she replied, knowing that her father would get her meaning.

"There was a time we were all happy in the States," Frederic said.

"I was never happy, but you could never see that," Veronica said.

"I don't know why you continue with this fakery," Frederic said after she sat down.

"If that is all you've got to say, I'm leaving," she said, standing back up.

"Please, hear me out," he said, not even bothering to apologise for his comment. Veronica remained standing and resumed glaring at him. "I want you to come back to America with me..." he started before Veronica cut him off.

"No," she said firmly before turning her back to him. "This is a waste of my time, you haven't changed one iota." She started to walk away when he grabbed her arm.

"You'll listen to me young man. You're my heir and it its time you started acting like it," he said, malevolence in his voice.

"Let me go," Veronica said, raising her voice while attempting to break his grip.

"I'm sorry Vince that it has to come to this," he said, before glancing toward Boris and nodding his head.

Cold dread crept up Veronica's spine as she had some inkling of what was to come. Two of Boris's men came and restrained her while a third came forward holding a hypodermic syringe. Veronica screamed, a loud piercing shriek that echoed around the park. One of the men put his hand over her mouth while the other held her tight. She tried vainly to wriggle free, but it was to no avail, the third man approached and jabbed her in the arm with the needle before squeezing the pale blue liquid into her vein. She felt a cold sensation creep up her arm and into her shoulder before she slipped off into unconsciousness.