Sarah’s face turned pale. “Stop it, Mr. Smith. As long as he still sends home money, I don’t care what game he plays out there. Ain’t this how life is? I stay at home and take care of his old ma and our kid; he goes outside, sweating his blood and tears making money. I understand if he wants to have fun sometimes, it’s fine. But now, he’s dead. We don’t mind any amount of money you give, so if there’s nothing more to say, then excuse me.”
Alejandro dropped the affected cordiality in his voice. “I’m sure you already know: if I ever find his a**, I’ll make him as dead as he’s supposed to be. He’s already dead in the eyes of the law, right? So what’s wrong with killing a dead man, hmm? Not even the cops think he’s alive. Now, since I know he’s alive, I won’t stop until I find him, whether it’s with your help or not. Don’t worry though, after I’m done with your dear husband, I’ll make sure I send his severed head to you just to let you know how he’s holding up. After all, you people have already accepted the money I’ve given you for his ‘accident.’ He’s dead, you say, so how could we let him live?”
Sarah shot panicked glances at the kitchen as though hoping that the old woman would come out and rescue her. She was on the verge of unraveling.
Alejandro upped the ante, continuing. “Oh, I wouldn’t count on an old lady to save me. I know there’s another guy who survived the shipwreck other than Mark Tremont and myself, and that other guy is Jeffrey Orange. I also know all of the little sleights he has done too, so you tell me where the hell is he right now and I’ll give you enough money to live the rest of your life with no trouble. Think about it, this is your way out of this sh*thole! A man like Jeffrey doesn’t deserve you wasting your life, devoting to him!”
Sarah started to shudder. “I told you, I don’t know! I don’t know what you’re talking about! He’s dead! Dead!”
The older woman finally walked out of the kitchen, and Sarah dove behind her.
A smattering of pitter-patters began to drape over the village—it was raining. Smokes began to come out of chimneys afar. It was a rather scattered village, with each of the houses being very far apart from one another.
Alejandro, his patience depleted, raised his hand and beckoned to his men outside. His bodyguards burst into the house, tackled the two women, and locked them into a sprawling position on the floor.
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