Porter Island, Chapter Eleven (standard:action, 1342 words)
Author: Brian Cross	Added: May 12 2025	Views/Reads: 20/3	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
Special Agent Amanda Thornton, alias Betty McCloud, is coaxed out of retirement to an island where crime is out of control - and she's not getting any younger.

Click here to read the first 75 lines of the story


“Amanda Thornton.” Betty produced her ID and held it up. “I have some
questions about Graham ...” 

“My brother's dead,” Mahoney said sharply, trying to slam the door in
Betty's face. Lightning quick, she thrust her right arm out and halted 
its progress. “Not so fast. I mean you no harm, but I have questions 
that require answers – now. 

Mahoney stared wide-eyed, startled at the ease with which Betty had
stopped him from closing the door. He scratched his scalp, bald, apart 
from patches of white hair on the sides of his head. 

“Look, I believe he might have been the victim of widespread corruption
on this island, and I'd appreciate any information you can give me, 
particularly about his financial affairs.” 

“I don't know anything about Graham's affairs, and you should be careful
going around questioning folks on your own, government agent or not. 
“Believe me, I can handle myself, Mr. Mahoney.” Betty turned her back 
on him as if to leave and then shot straight back, “What makes you say 
that, Mr. Mahoney?” 

Mahoney avoided her eyes. “Just that there's some unsavory folks about.
Porter Island's full of them.” 

Betty fixed her dark eyes on Mahoney, forcing him to look at her. “And
you've experienced that first-hand.” Not a question but stated as a 
fact. 

Mahoney screwed his wrinkled face. “I might have.” Betty chewed her lip,
eyes never leaving his face. “No ‘might have' about it, is there, Mr. 
Mahoney? Have you been warned off? Someone paid you a visit, perhaps? 
Threatened you with harm, possibly on behalf of the bank president, Mr. 
Castleford?” 

“No.” Mahoney shook his head furiously. 

“Then who?” 

But Mahoney's lips were firmly pressed together. 

"Look, Mr. Mahoney ...” Betty took a step towards him; his eyes were
everywhere. He suspected trouble. Betty did not doubt it. “Your 
brother's account was closed, basically drained of credit, from what 
was a healthy balance – one of many such instances. We suspect 
widespread corruption. If you can throw any light on it, you must tell 
me.” 

But Mahoney shook his head. “No, I can tell you nothing. “You must go –
get off my doorstep for both our sakes. Go on – go!” Betty glared at 
him. He was scared out of his wits and had no faith in her or what she 
could do – if he'd just let out what he was holding onto. 

“You're making a big mistake, not just regarding yourself but all the
decent folks of Porter Island. Barely able to contain her anger, Betty 
reached into her denim pocket. Here ... if you should reconsider, call 
me.” 

She turned and strode away through the dunes, the sand swirling around
her ankles, wishing she could have shaken the information out of him. 
Maybe he would have felt safer relaying what was on his tongue to a 
male agent – and that thought angered her all the more. She was more 
successful and physically stronger than any of them, yet the male 
species tended to vastly underestimate her, a bitter pill to swallow – 
until, of course, they came to realize the full extent of her 
capabilities. 

And one male chauvinist now awaited her in the limousine. He might not
show it, but he'd be delighted at her failure to get Mahoney to talk. 
They didn't get on. Period. 

*** 

Hands tried a few questions, which Betty evaded, not giving him the
satisfaction of gloating over her failure – if indeed it could be 
termed a failure. Mahoney might yet get back to her. 

Nevertheless, she had others on the list, but for now, it was time to
prepare for the mayor's wife's function, which might yet pay dividends 
– who knew? 

Hands got them back by noon, and Betty found Stapleton in the foyer; no
doubt she'd been keeping a look out. “Good, good, she said, clasping 
her hands below her waist.  “You're back in time, though I had my 
doubts.” Betty rolled her eyes. Stapleton had no genuine interest in 
the operation other than enhancing her status, something Betty didn't 
doubt Anthony already knew. As such, Betty grudgingly admitted, her 
role had its merits. But she needed to keep an eye on her – for 
whenever the role seemed likely to imperil the operation.  


Tweet