“I didn’t take you for a man who judges a book by its cover.”
Allerton gave her a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “I wouldn’t be where I am today if I couldn’t spot a winner or a loser.”
“I guess that makes Dalton Andrews better at spotting qualities than other men.”
Allerton gave a short, humorless laugh. “Touché, Evangeline.”
Ginny didn’t miss the name hit.
“Which effectively puts me in my place. You dislike me intensely, don’t you?”
“I wouldn’t call it intensely. Intense involves hatred. I go back and forth between indifference and loathing.”
“That’s quite a range of emotions from a woman who has only been in my company briefly. It takes time or a specific reason to build those different levels.”
“I apologize. I should be thanking you for arranging this party for me to meet my mother.”
“I don’t need or want an apology, but I would appreciate a reason.”
“You don’t think me being called a thief is reason enough? You asked me to take a polygraph for something you said I did when I was three. Doesn’t it sound as asinine to you as it does to me?” Ginny carefully gauged how much irritation to exhibit in front of the monster. Not enough to seem over-the-top, but she wanted just enough to show indignation, hoping to confuse Allerton, since she had nearly slipped up defending Trudy. “Then you threaten to keep me captive on an island that I never knew existed before I took a DNA test.”
“Then I should be the one who should be making the apology. I’m not prone to using my authority on this island unless I’m left with no choice. I found it very distasteful to have to keep you here; still I must do what needs to be done to retrieve the artifact. Surely you can see my point, unless there is another reason you’re harboring a grievance toward me?”
Ginny gave an internal sigh. Allerton wasn’t buying her story that she didn’t remember going on the boat, and he was digging to find out if she’d seen what had happened to Manny and Gyi. The game of deception she was playing held her life and Gavin’s in the balance. Since it appeared her convincing wasn’t allaying his distrust, it was time to turn it up a notch, or two.
“I’m actually more knowledgeable about you than you believe. A friend of mine has made it her life’s mission to uncover those who abuse the Earth’s natural resources to make a profit. You, and many of your friends, are on her list.”
Ginny was thankful that she was able to hide her smirk after seeing Allerton’s bewilderment; accusing him of misappropriating charity funds was a direct hit.
“The list,” Ginny said gravely, throwing more sand in his face to confuse his thinking. Ginny gave the performance of her life, and she didn’t have to sing a single word.
“What list?” he demanded, his voice rising.
“The list that Zoey Mathers gives out as the worst offenders to the environment. Have you ever heard of her?” Ginny was unaware of everyone stealthily moving closer to overhear their conversation.
“No, I can’t say I have.”
“I’m surprised. She has over a million followers. You should subscribe. She’s amazing. She does podcasts, too, which are very informative. That’s how I heard about you.”
“Please, go on …” Allerton’s complexion turned an ugly, ruddy color as she provoked his temper. “I’d like to hear more about this woman.”
“She’s a life coach. I’ll give you her name and number if you want to talk to her. She’s not accepting new clients but, for you, I’m sure she’d make an exception. Zoey is very accomplished at what she does.”
Ginny felt guilty for throwing Zoey under the bus, but reasoned that Stump and the Predators would keep her friend safe. Besides, the podcast was open to the public and could be easily searched. Hell, Zoey would be so ecstatic that she mentioned her to Allerton—she might even give her a free session.
“She couldn’t have been very effective if she’s the one who convinced you to stop performing, especially when your popularity is on the rise.”
Ginny nipped Allerton’s snide comment in the bud. “Because I want to write, she suggested I should focus more on what I want to accomplish, which isn’t singing but songwriting. My voice is nothing compared to other voices that can bring my songs to life. Would you like her number?”
“No … I’ll pass.”
“I don’t blame you. She wasn’t very complimentary to you. Besides, you probably already have her public contact information in the petitions that she has filed against your charity. I signed three of them. I would have signed the last one, but Zoey’s website was so overloaded with traffic that I couldn’t get on.”
“Ready for another drink, Gabriel?” Desmond Beck inserted himself in the conversation by taking Allerton’s empty glass and replacing it with a full one.