by S. E. Meyer
“But I love her.”
“Get over it. Find someone else. I’ve let you play your silly game long enough. You had your chance. Since she‘s not willing to marry and become part of this family so we can keep an eye on her, you must let her go.” Cornelius smiled. “Ah, here it is now.” He turned the screen of his tablet so they could both watch the video footage.
Richard leaned in to get a better view. “She’ll show up any minute,” he said.
They both watched the sun drop lower on the horizon as Cornelius skipped the video ahead. He pressed play in time for them to see the sun reflect off another camera's lens and the video turned to a white screen.
Cornelius's jaw swung low and the cigarette between his lips fell into his lap. “What the hell?” he roared, skipping the video ahead several minutes. The screen did not change until the last bit of sunlight disappeared behind the hills. The video came back to display a vacant wall with flashing lights. Cornelius jumped in his seat. “Ow, ow, shit,” he said brushing the embers of his cigarette from his thigh. He grabbed the tablet and threw it across the room, sending it crashing into a nice little Monet hanging to right side of the doorway.
“What's going on, Grandfather? I don't understand.”
“You imbecile!” Cornelius croaked. “You let her lead you to the spot you and Billy tussled a few years ago.”
“So what does it mean?”
Cornelius's face matched the color of the vein popping out of his temple. “It means there's no proof she threw you over. It means they'll treat you like any other common jumper.”
Cornelius moved in front of Richard. Leaning over, he stared into his grandson's face. “It means they will send you through the gates.”
Richard's eyes widened. “No. Grandfather, they can‘t.”
Cornelius straightened himself. “Yes, they can! And they will!” He turned to look out the window behind his desk. “This is Damarion's fault. He should have fixed that glitch years ago.” Cornelius grasped the glass on his desk to take a drink. Finding it empty, he threw the glass through the open doorway. “Where is my new butler? Can't get decent help these days,”
“DAMARION!” Cornelius raged, his voice crackling at the top of his lungs through one vocal cord.
“Yes?” Damarion replied, strutting into the office with a smile.
“You,” Cornelius spat, flying towards him. “You lying, deceiving, traitor! This is your fault!”
“I came to give you notice I will file the order this afternoon to send Richard through the gates at tomorrow's wall ceremony. There's nothing you can do about it this time Governor,” Damarion gloated.
“We'll see about that!” Cornelius shrieked, turning back to his desk. “I have video footage of Isabelle murdering my butler with your gun.”
“Self defense. Your butler attacked me, and my people will never allow my arrest for breaking my daughter out. Your footage proves you were holding her, illegally. You should be charged with kidnapping and false imprisonment,” Damarion laughed.
“I'm not talking about your arrest, Damarion.” Cornelius nodded at the two personal security guards standing in the doorway behind Damarion, arriving to see what the commotion was about. The two men pulled their guns and stepped forward.
Damarion turned around. “What do you think you're doing? You're going to kill the chief of city security?”
“I have a better idea.” Cornelius stepped closer to Damarion. “You're not going to be able to sign that order from the Chamber.”
“You won't get away with this Cromwell.”
“Who will stop me? I know this involved the girl. I think it's time I pick your brain, so to speak.“ Cornelius smiled. “It's time to find out everything you know, most importantly, find out where that meddling Miss Wool is hiding.”
◆◆◆
Two days had passed since the incident at the wall with Richard, but Anna continued to struggle with their conversation. Replaying the scene in her head, she locked every moment and emotion into memory. It consumed her thoughts, a distraction from the pain in her side, but only added to the ache in her heart.
He's the one who murdered mom.
It was hard for Anna to fathom. Richard had always been an entitled rich kid, nasty to his bones, but she never would have thought him capable of murder.
Anna pulled out her phone and scrolled to her boss's number. She'd been avoiding making the phone call, although she knew she had to give Jack an update.
Well, here we go.
Anna dialed the number. She hoped Damarion wouldn't sign the order to send her through the gates for throwing Richard over the wall.
Unless.
The phone rang several times.
No, they had to have fixed that camera glitch by now.
“Hello?” Jack answered.
“Good morning Jack.”
“Anna! Where the hell have you been? I haven't heard from you in days. You can't just go disappearing on me like that.”
“I apologize, sir. I have information on the case, but I have to ask. Is city security looking for me?”
“Why would city security be looking for you?”
“Richard Brockman went over the wall two days ago, I thought maybe they were looking for me regarding that incident.”
“I saw that notice come across my feed from the city security office. Because of the name, I read through the report. The video feed was blank, and the report was vague. Richard was recovered and arrested, but there was no mention of you anywhere in the report. What are you not telling me Anna? Are you in trouble again?”
Anna took a deep breath.
I guess not.
“No, I'm fine, sir. Listen, I figured out what happened to the victims. They were murdered.”
“I received the report that someone poisoned the victims. What you need to figure out is by whom.”
“I figured that out too, sir. Richard Brockman is the one who poisoned all those people.”
“What? Are you sure?”
“Yes. We need to add murder to his charges. Since he's already in custody, have someone transfer him downtown and re-book him. I'll be down to sign the paperwork and send you a final report.”
“Anna, we can't. They released Richard. I'm sure his grandfather saw to that and I haven't seen a signed order from Damarion to send him through the gates. This whole situation seems quite familiar to what happened to Billy. Cornelius got Richard out of that situation too.”
All too familiar.
“Yes, but we're talking about murder here, not wall jumping. We need to arrest him again, bring him in and book him.”
“My guess is he's hold up at the Governor's mansion. We have no jurisdiction there. We can't just barge in and arrest Richard. It's impossible. The only agency that can do that is city security, and only with a signed warrant from Damarion and a supreme court justice.”
Anna emptied her lungs. “This is bullshit, sir.”
“Our hands are tied.”
“Either way, I'll send you over a report. It's only a matter of time before we get Richard. He can't hide at the Governor's mansion forever.”
“I have to go. I need to get ready for the Governor's ball tonight. Are you going to be there? You're on the invitation list and can bring two guests.”
“I'm not interested, I don't need to see Richard's gloating, smug face if I can't arrest him.”
“Suit yourself. I'll look for your report.”
Anna ended the call. Shaking her head, she set her phone down and shoved her breakfast plate across the table with a growl.
God damned untouchables. We'll see about that.
CHAPTER 28
Jax jogged into the dining room, his table swinging under one arm. “We have some things we need to discuss.”
Anna hit send on her final report to her captain and pushed her tablet aside. “What's up?” she asked.
Jax set his tablet down as Isabelle entered the room and sat down next to Jax.
“Bef
ore Atticus left, he recorded a message. He gave me specific instructions to broadcast the message during Cornelius's State of Easton address. I finished building the equipment I needed to accomplish that last night, but I need to access MediaCorps's servers and equipment to make it all work. Anna, I need you to get me in there.”
Anna shook her head. “MediaCorp's security is tight and there are cameras everywhere. How much time to we have to plan?”
“Not much. Cornelius's address is tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” Anna shook her head. “You couldn't have planned this ahead of time?”
“I just finished building the equipment last night.” Jax argued.
“Yes, but we could have planned how to get in there weeks ago,” Anna replied, throwing her hands in the air. “I don't like shit getting thrown on me last minute.”
“Sorry, I guess I should have mentioned it sooner. I'm not like you. I'm about as good at planning as I am with people.”
“There’s nothing we can do about it now, but I'm not sure how we can get into Medicorp,” Anna replied.
“Well, it's MediaCorps building or I would need access to the source, which means getting into the Governor's mansion,” explained Jax.
“That would be worse,” Anna said. “The security there is ridiculous. There's no way you're getting in there.”
Anna cocked her head to one side. “Well, maybe there's a way.”
Jax raised an eyebrow. “How?”
“Who's up for going to a party?”
◆◆◆
“I look ridiculous,” Anna announced, scanning herself in the hallway mirror. “No, I feel ridiculous.”
“It's all I could find,” Jax replied. “Atticus was a collector of seventeenth century era memorabilia. Lucky for us his collection included uniforms of the French Guard. Come on, we have the swords and even a feathered hat. We can go as the three musketeers.” Jax laughed.
Isabelle shot Jax such a look of disapproval he dropped his sword. “We can leave the swords behind if you like,” he replied, bending over to pick it up.
“No, the swords are a nice touch,” Anna replied. “This one has Richard's name all over it, or at least a small part of him.”
Anna grinned at the thought.
“At least the outfits are bulky enough for me to hide the equipment I need in my shirt,” Jax noted.
Isabelle made eye contact with Jax. “You're telling me.” She pulled on her waistband. “I could fit you in these pants.”
Jax smiled. “Ah, Porthos. I would love nothing more than to get into your pants, but right now we have a job to do,” he said in a French accent before laughing out loud.
Isabelle shook her head while rolling her eyes. “You really know how to hit on a girl,” she chided.
“Tis the language of love my dear,” Jax replied. “Sorry I'm a nerdy computer geek and not great with women,” he added as they all donned a mask and walked out the door.
◆◆◆
They drove to the mansion in tense silence, except for a sword rattling in its scabbard. Arriving at the mansion, they had to stand in line as the many guests checked in at the front door.
“Montana Wool,” Anna announced to the concierge checking the guest list. “And guests,” she added gesturing towards Isabelle and Jax.
“Ah yes, here we are. Go on in Miss Wool. Have a great evening.”
The trio shuffled their way through the crowd to the main ballroom and hugged the wall.
“So what's the plan? How do we know where the equipment is and how to get to it unseen?” Jax asked.
“I don't know. My job was to get you in,” Anna replied.
Isabelle lowered her eyebrows, glimpsing George at the appetizer table. “I have an idea,” she said. “I'll be right back.”
Isabelle lifted a glass of champagne from a serving tray and stood close to George. “Hello,” she said, lowering her mask.
George's eyes sparkled. “Izzy! It's great to see you.” He said, smiling. “I've been so worried.” He leaned in and wrapped his arms around her.
“I miss you,” Isabelle replied, returning the embrace. “You're the only reason I got through being held in this place.”
“How did you get in here?” George asked, pulling away to make eye contact.
“Anna got me in.”
“I'm surprised you would ever step foot in this place again.”
“I'm only here for one reason.” Isabelle leaned in close to George's ear. “I need you help,” she whispered. “I need you to show us where the main servers and broadcast equipment are for tomorrow's public address.”
George pressed his lips together. “Come here,” he gestured, leading Isabelle out onto the terrace. He whipped his neck around, making sure no one was within earshot. “That will be tricky,” he whispered. “The main feed that goes out to Mediacorp is in the lower level, but it's usually guarded. Why do you want access to the servers?”
“We plan on disrupting the broadcast tomorrow.”
Although the hand print was gone, George recalled the sting as he rubbed his cheek. “I would like to see that.”
“So can you figure out a way to get us down there?”
“I can try. I'll only be able to bring down two of you. Guard change will happen soon. We might have a window to relieve the two guards down there with the two of you.”
George checked the time. “We need to move quickly.”
George and Isabelle paced back to where Jax and Anna were standing. “Jax, you come with me and George,” Isabelle instructed.
“You're breaking up the musketeers?” Anna asked.
“He can only bring down two of us. You'll have to fend for yourself until we get back.”
“Good luck,” Anna said as George led Isabelle and Jax from the ballroom.
“We need to get to the servants' area, fewer eyes,” George whispered.
He led them down a long hallway that branched in two directions. They veered right and stopped in front of a large wood door. George peered down the hall, making sure they weren't noticed before ushering them through the door and down a long staircase.
There were two guards at the landing in front of another long hallway. “George, what are you doing down here?” the guard on the left asked.
“Bringing down your replacements. They're new and needed an escort.”
“Little early,” the guard on the right replied with a raised eyebrow.
“Who cares, I'm hungry,” the guard on the left argued. “All the sooner we can get some free food and drinks upstairs.” He turned to Jax. “Good luck with your shift. Boring as shit down here,” he finished with a laugh as the two men climbed the stairs.
As soon as they left, George led Isabelle and Jax down the hallway to another door. “Okay, this is it,” he whispered. “The main electronics room,” he announced, opening the door. Isabelle shuddered in response to the air conditioning, cooling the racks of equipment.
“Wow,” Jax said, his jaw swinging low. “Eight-hundred and sixty-four strand fiber. That's a fat pipe.”
“That's the dedicated main line to MediaCorp. There's ten more just like it connected to all the ISP's and phone companies,” George explained.
“You're like a kid in a candy store,” Isabelle teased.
“It's the computer geek in me,” replied Jax. He shook his head while unbuttoning his shirt. “What I could do with a system like this.” Fishing the equipment from his outfit he awed at the hardware surrounding him. “Okay, let's see here,” he said, pulling out a small battery powered screwdriver as he walked along the rows of racks. “Here we are.” Jax removed two panels and rerouted several wires through the small box he brought.
“Are you almost finished?” George asked. “We're running out of time.”
“Just a few more connections,” Jax replied. “Why? Aren't we safe down here?”
“No,” George replied, shaking his head. “The actual guards coming to replace the two we sent upstairs will be here soon
. And they always check every room at the start of each shift,” he explained.
“There, all done,” Jax announced, replacing the panels.
“Good, let's go.” George urged.
They jogged halfway down the long hallway before Isabelle stopped. Hand over her mouth, she gasped, peering through the door ajar on her right. She pushed the door open revealing Damarion lying on a gurney, connected to several tubes and wires. Isabelle bored holes into George with her eyes. “Why didn't you tell me my dad was here,” she growled.
George's eyes widened. “I honestly had no idea. They must have brought him down recently, and I never come down here.”
George winced. “That's the Chamber room.”
Isabelle entered the room. “We have to get him out of here,” she demanded.
“Izzy, we don't have time,” George replied.
“That's my father,” she yelled, pointing at Damarion while shooting a scathing look towards Jax and George. “We can't just leave him here. He's being tortured,” she argued. “Come on, help me,” she pleaded, fiddling with the tube in Damarion's arm.
George moved toward Isabelle and grabbed her arm. “Isabelle, I'm sorry, but we can't get caught down here. Cornelius will have us filling the three empty beds next to him and what good will that do?”
“We can't just leave him!” Isabelle argued, raising her shaking hands.
Jax froze. “Shh,” he said. “I hear footsteps.”
“What's going on in here?” a guard demanded as he entered the room with his gun drawn. Another guard followed behind him. He recognized George and smiled. “You don't belong in here. I think Cornelius will be very interested to know what you're up to creeping around the Chamber. Let's go find out,” he finished, motioning with the barrel of his gun to leave the room.
◆◆◆
Scanning the crowd Anna leaned against the far wall of the ballroom.
I hope it's going well.
She took in the scene of fancy costumes, makeup and masks. Everyone laughing and enjoying the ambiance of the party. She glanced to her left and saw Jack in his pirate costume, wooden leg and all. Anna shook her head, smiling. He was in the middle of a crowd of festive party goers. “...but actually it's the sea.” she overhead him land the punchline to a roar of laughter.