Wraith

Tycoon Chapter Five

Chapter Five

Frustrated and frowning Wraith went through the security checks and stepped outside the antechamber. The same warden who had overseen the quick response team that had invaded Snake's cell waited for her by the closet.

"Ma'am, I must protest your behavior with the prisoner," he began.

A familiar voice interrupted him. "I'll take it from here, Jenkins. Carry on."

"Yes, Sir."

The Warden left and Wraith turned reluctantly to face the Captain. He looked furious and the eyes behind his mask were icy. She swallowed hard and tried to take the offensive.

"Captain. What brings you to Warbeck?"

"You." He snapped. He yanked open a nearby door and pulled her into the empty room. "I'm always notified when there is a potential breach. What were you thinking, Wraith? What possessed you to assault a prisoner?"

Wraith was astonished. "What?! I didn't assault anyone."

"I've seen the footage."

"Then use your recall!" Wraith snapped. "There was no assault. He grabbed my shoulder, but I didn't touch him."

The Captain's eyes blanked and he was silent for a moment as he used his talent. Wraith took the opportunity to detach her arm from his grip and glance around. The room they were in was empty of everything but a bare desk and a chair. It didn't even have a window. The only light came from a bright bulb in the ceiling. She briefly wondered what the room was used for, but her thoughts were cut short by the Captain as he swung her back to face him.

"Very well, there was no assault; but what did you promise him?" There was still no give in his glare and the lack of emotion in his tone made Wraith uneasy.

"I," but the Captain interrupted before she could continue.

"You have no authority to make any sort of deal, you've overstepped your bounds and I'm beginning to wonder whose side you're on." His voice rose at the end and Wraith gaped.

"You haven't even given me a chance to explain and now you're talking about sides?" She cried.

"I know exactly what terms he wanted; he's been after me to deal since I recovered! And I saw you agree, Wraith. You agreed to let a dangerous Abuser back on the streets. What could he possibly tell you that's worth that cost?" He was almost bellowing in her face now and Wraith took an involuntary step back. The Captain didn't follow her. He took a deep breath and throttled his volume back down to barely audible. "How am I going to tell Volcano that you've agreed to let one of the people responsible for his broken home back onto the streets?"

Wraith felt ashamed. She hadn't once considered how freeing Snake would make her Dad feel. "He won't stay in Megalopolis and he's agreed to live an honest life." She said in a small voice.

"And you believed him?" Suddenly the Captain looked very tired. "Sometimes I forget just how young you are; how new to this. You can't trust an Abuser. They are not bound by their word as Users are."

"I'm not that young," she snapped; annoyed. "That's why I promised to go after him if he broke his word. He knows I'll keep that promise too – and we've already proved that he is no match for me."

The Captain just sighed. Then he straightened himself up and adopted a brisk tone. "Have you got your information from him yet?"

"I, some." Wraith nodded.

"And was it worth the cost?"

Wraith hesitated. "I don't know yet."

He nodded. "I'll be surprised if you get anything really useful out of him." The Captain paused. "Here is what is going to happen. I'll make arrangements and escort Snake to the city limits. You will meet us here in two hours." He handed her a piece of paper on which he quickly scribbled an address. "You have until then to come up with the best questions you can think of. When you meet us, I'll stay with you while he gives you your answers and then, when we're both satisfied, we'll let him go. The instant he breaks the terms of your agreement, he is your responsibility."