Page 27 of Digit's Deflection
“Oh, er, sure. Okay. Yep. Let’s do that then.”
Liora gives me the big eyes and tilts her head at my two teammates. I’m not sure I get what she’s trying to say though.
So, instead, she says, “How about this then – why don’t we all stay?”
14
WILLIAM
Isn’t resilience an interesting concept? I mean, despite Mikhail’s best efforts the other day, Commander Jones did not react in a satisfactory manner. Through all that mercilessness, his reaction was definitely not what I’d hoped for. I suppose it’s to be expected. He is, after all, a trained SEAL, well versed in the art of stoicism. Probably been at it longer than Mikhail has been alive. Still, it’s most disappointing.
Why do these fucking people insist on making my life so much more difficult than it has to be? Have I not shown the little bitch I mean business? She obviously doesn’t think that I will go through with it and end her precious daddy’s life. I guess it is time to have a little chat with him myself. If physical torture won’t work, maybe it’s time to play some mind games with Commander Tough Stuff.
Gathering the altered images from my desk, I tuck them under my arm and, feeling much better now I have a solid plan, whistle contentedly as I make my way down to the basement room the commander’s been moved to. What’s the old song? Ah yes, “Whistle While You Work”. It’s going to be so much fun messing with the man.
The first move was to move him to a room deprived of light, so the basement has worked perfectly. I stop to chat with the guards outside his door and am informed the commander refused his meals, both last night and this morning. He also had a rather restless night. Excellent. Hungry, tired, and hurting. The perfect set up for what I have in mind.
In even better spirits now, I step into the room and take a moment to savor the sight that greets me. A defeated looking man who appears to have aged before our very eyes sits slumped over in the chair he’s tied to. He’s a little slower to react now, but he jerks upright, clearly determined not to show any further weakness.
“Ah, Commander Jones, I see you’re awake. Good morning. I trust you had a pleasant night.” He glares at me through puffy and bloodshot eyes, hatred and resentment burning bright. The emotions are clear for all to see. “I’ve a rather busy schedule today, but I considered that it would be rather impolite not to pop in and see how you’re getting along.”
As with every day that he’s been here, the commander doesn’t say a word. Just keeps his eyes locked on mine, and it’s not hard to see what he’s thinking. I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt that, given the opportunity, he’d be at my throat in a heartbeat.
A perverse need to have him suffer for all the trouble his daughter and her merry band of dimwitted friends have caused me over the past few years takes a sudden hold, and I decide to delay my little staged show-and-tell.
“Well, it’s been lovely, as always. I must be on my way – things to do, people’s lives to ruin, world domination to plot – you know, business as usual. I’ll leave you in the capable hands of the new friends you’ve made during your stay. I’ll be by to check in on you a little later today again. So long for now.”
Closing the door behind me, I nod at the two men standing there. “Have Mikhail pay our guest another visit this morning. I’ll be back in a little while.”
“Yes, Mr. Armatrout, sir. I’ll get right on it,” one of them replies, taking off to carry out my instruction.
“You all right here on your own until he gets back?” I ask.
“Yes, sir.”
I nod, accepting his assurance as I make my way back to my office. Settling into my chair, I sit back to enjoy the show about to take place. I don’t have long to wait before Mikhail enters the room.
With graceful efficiency, he sets up and begins. There’s a moment or two when I think this time he might just break that resistance that under very different circumstances I would be forced to admire. But right now? All it does is just piss me off.
With a push of a button, I turn the monitor off and sit back to contemplate my next move – the best way to set up my devious little deception. While the delectable pain in my ass that is Indigo Jones is very much alive and well, her father does not know that. And I intend to cause that man as much mental anguish as I possibly can.
Not to mention, I’ll record every last moment of his pain to enjoy for years to come.
I have zero intention of allowing him, the little whore he spawned, or her pussy-whipped boyfriend to walk away from this last encounter alive. But I’d like to capture it for posterity. So that one day in my ripe old age, I can still be watching and enjoying the suffering they endured before I ended them.
After a rather lengthy conversation with a lieutenant conducting business on my behalf, I once again pick up the manipulated images of Indigo. Strolling back down to the basement, I consider the many ways I could play this.
Deciding to let it all unfold organically in the moment, I let myself into the holding room. This time, the commander doesn’t straighten in his seat. He remains slumped into himself, his chin resting on his chest, his breath shallow and choppy.
Tiny rivulets of blood weep from the host of new nicks and cuts the commander is sporting, along with fresh bruises beginning to form in all of the softest areas of the body. The most vulnerable ones that hurt the most. A smile of satisfaction stretches my lips as I mentally congratulate the talented Mikhail.
“Oh dear, you appear to be a little worse for wear, Commander. My humblest apologies for intruding on you at this most inconvenient time. But I come bearing news of Indigo. Bad news, I’m afraid.”
I give him the best “devastated” look I have in my arsenal, as if it does indeed pain me to be the bearer of bad tidings.
“I’ve just received communication that your daughter has been the victim of a revenge attack against me.” Pacing away from the man, building on my performance, I stop and hang my head like I’m overcome with grief. “It would appear that a deluded rival mistakenly believed that Indigo and I were once again together. They arranged to have her kidnapped …”
Still with my back to him, I manufacture a small sob, work to make tears form in my eyes, before turning back to him.
