Ghostwalker 05 - Deadly Game

Freeman and Violet surrounded by her security team, Whitney leading the way, and, to her disgust, Sean walking beside Whitney.
    Whitney stopped in front of her cell, that same little half smile on his face. "The senator would like a word with you, Mari."
    She stepped back away from the cell door, glancing at Sean. His gaze was on the smudge marks and strawberry on her throat and going lower below the neckline of her blouse. There was satisfaction in his expression, and she realized he believed she had cooperated with him and he had been the one to leave marks of possession on her body. For some reason, that embarrassed her and she found it much more difficult to face Violet and her husband.
    Senator Freeman moved out of the circle of his security guards. "I've been hearing rumors about a breeding program. According to what I've heard, and I can hardly give it credence, Dr. Whitney is forcing psychically enhanced women to breed against their will with enhanced soldiers to produce offspring to be raised as weapons."
    Ken, he sounds like he rehearsed that over and over. Mari moistened her lips and glanced toward Whitney.
    "It's all right, Mari," Freeman assured. "I'm a United States senator. Dr. Whitney isn't going to harm you for telling the truth. You know my wife, Violet. My word is good. I'll see to it that you don't come to any harm."
    She moved farther from the door, toward the back of the cell, and shook her head.
    "She's afraid Dr. Whitney will hurt the other women," Violet volunteered. "We're trying to help you," she added. "Just tell him the truth."
    Eyes locked on Violet, Mari said distinctly, "Yes, Senator, it's all true. There are several women here. Dr. Whitney holds one under threat in order to secure cooperation from the rest of us." He already knows, Ken. I can see it in his eyes. He looks triumphant and so does Violet. They can't be so stupid as to think Whitney would let them walk out of here if he thought for a minute they'd expose him. What are they up to?
    "You're telling me that these women are held against their will? That the doctor sends soldiers in to force cooperation?"
    "You don't need to act as if you're outraged, Ed. You know what's at stake here. You know what we're trying to achieve. Besides, you've done much worse. You helped deliver a U.S. Special Forces soldier to Ekabela to be skinned alive. And as for you, Violet, my dear, you really should have done a better job keeping your husband's attention properly focused."
    "We're taking Mari with us," Freeman said, his voice unnecessarily loud and demanding.
    It had all definitely been rehearsed. Whitney would never let the senator get away with this puffed-up importance. "No, you aren't. I absolutely won't go with you." Violet, whatever deal you have with him isn't going to work you know. You can't trust Whitney. If you're selling all of us down the river to stay on the ballot…
    I love my husband, Mari. I don't want him dead.
    Understanding dawned. Mari felt like a fool. This was your idea. You made the deal with Whitney. Whatever he wants in exchange for Ed's life. You knew he was the one who put the hit out on him. There was no other explanation. Whitney wanted something from Violet and Ed Freeman, and they were willing to do a deal. In return, Whitney would call off the hit and his friends would back Freeman for the vice presidency. What did you have to do, Violet? Who'd you sell out?
    You, of course, Mari. It's all about you and your sister and the Nortons.
    Ken had been running through the maze to get back to Mari. When he heard Violet's answer, his heart somersaulted. Jack! If I don't get to her in time, they'll be bringing her out with the senator's group. Damn it. Damn it all to hell.
    Senator Freeman stepped close to the door. "You will come with us."
    "When I slit your throat, Senator, I'm going to do it slow, so you can feel it, just the way Ekabela did to Ken Norton."
    Freeman's eyes flicked to his guards and then to Whitney. "So you do know Ken Norton."

    "Don't you say his name," she hissed. "I mean it. Don't you dare." She let the promise of death smolder in her eyes.
    The senator stepped back, casting another swift look around him at his bodyguards to insure they were in position. Violet stepped protectively in front of him.
    Mari reached out telepathically to her most vulnerable sister. Rose. Are you clear? Can you get clear?
    Kane is taking me up to the ground level. We're using the service elevators. He's helping me