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Chapter 5: The Hated Woman

“It couldn’t be,” he said.

Wolverton said nothing.

“It is just a ship,” he said. “There is no way it could be,” he paused.

Wolverton slowly turned his head to look at the man. They shared a long, quiet stare, then both returned their gaze to the object out there.

“It is just a ship,” Connor repeated more firmly. “It means nothing for us.”

This time Wolverton did not turn his head to look at him, but instead, as though touched by an unseen hand, turned the opposite direction to stare full at John. Connor followed his line of sight, and their concentrated gazes bore heavily upon the timid passenger. Each eye seemed filled with fathomless ill will and dark reproach, as though it was through his presence that had effected the black tombstone now floating out to starboard. John felt an immediate tightness in his chest as his courage shrank, and he quickly lowered his eyes to the deck before him. When he raised them again, Wolverton and Connor were striding away from the railing toward the rear of the ship.

“We’ll not send out a boat,” he heard Wolverton command as they walked away. “There could be no survivors, and we can’t expend the time to stop.” Connor nodded gravely. In a moment they were out of sight.

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