Hell's Gates

It was night. Or it felt like night with the lights off. And as usual her body was limp and she was indisposed. Weary.

Fucking Salbutamol effect. Bronchidilators really suck.

there was a nagging, nagging headache. And increased heart rate. Elisabeth avoided getting out of bed right away, knowing she was probably going to get dizzy. It was always like that.

Side effects...

Lying there in the dark, she shifted on the bed, stretching her body, grimacing at the cramp in her leg. She couldn't remember how she had gotten there.

'I seem to be hallucinating now. It was downtown. Or was it finally the craziest dream she'd ever had. She could have sworn there was the gentle heel of a ship. And a boat could heel to either side: starboard, starboard or port.

And it was not surprising. Pennsylvania has no outlet to the sea. The only one of the thirteen former colonies that during the struggle for Independence did not have access to the sea.

Midwest of the country and with no access to the sea.

But it is really the draining of a ship.

-I hope you're feeling better....

This voice...

Elisabeth sat up in bed, fully awake, just before the lights came on, illuminating a simple, well-furnished room.

-Where...? This is a ship.

It wasn't quite a question now. It was absolute conviction. She could smell it coming from the salty sea air. Her astonished gazes fell on the newcomer. And slower however the latest information began to process in her mind.

He was Raymond Claytom.

The billionaire in the food business and owner of several biofactories. In fact the owner of the largest of them in the whole world.

- I use it when I can afford to get away from business or there are problems. And how had problems.

Problems? She could now vividly recall the day. After all, how long had he slept? What day was it?

Ray came into the room carrying two hot mugs of coffee. He had taken advantage of the morning to rest after the helicopter dropped them off in San Francisco. He wore sweatpants and a plain cotton shirt. Bare feet on the rug. Elisabeth blinked in disbelief.

-Where are we?

-San Francisco. Precisely aboard the Lord King. There are security guards and then you can stay calm.

She accepted the mug and drank gratefully as the hot liquid trickled down her throat. San Francisco? She couldn't be in San Francisco.

-I have an interview in the city of Pennsylvania. Do you have any idea of ​​the price of a return air ticket?

Ray's gaze was patient.

-I believe that if you have luck around 700 to 800 dollars. Which won't solve your problems much. His old acquaintance troublemaker is paroled from the Philadelphia penitentiary. And since you were in the witness protection program and I as a businessman got into trouble with your old friend...

Ray almost added... Because of you... Finally decided he'd better wait for a better time to share the details.

"That bastard is not my friend." She said annoyed and pulled the covers aside realizing she was wearing clothes that weren't hers at all.

Why, she couldn't remember changing clothes either. Her gaze was boring to her host.

-The maid helped.- Ray explained in a very polite way.- I'm not sure what kind of man you're used to dealing with, but that's not my thing. I like more active women. You were out of order yesterday. Asthma medication side effects are inconvenient.

-How long have we been here?- She wanted to secure her long hair on top of her head with an elastic band.- What am I doing here? she lied to me.

The tone was accusatory. Ray already expected this.

Why, he lied to everyone if his neck was at risk. A death attempt made him much more cautious. She should have known that better than he did.

He sighed, shaking his head in frank disapproval.

-Plus one minus one day. There is no illegality to justify the suspension of our mutual friend's provisional release. And as with his old acquaintances list, we're in the top ten most... I thought you'd like safer accommodations than your apartment.

- I can not stay here. My...my...- She suddenly felt a little ridiculous. She almost yelped when the huge gelding had the dignity to jump on the mattress and, in an even more bored manner, settled on the covers like a king. - Lord? Did you bring Lord too?