all aware of the zombie attack earlier today, right?" Maddix asked.
More silence.
"Listen," said Maddix, "we're not trying to accuse you of anything. If there is something wrong—"
"Monsieur, please. Did one of you order someone from your pack to attack Monsieur Benbrook tonight?"
"As I said before," Tanya replied, "that would be impossible. Overseer Benbrook is protected. Besides, we would have no reason to do so. Doing so would get us all killed."
"I propose a solution then." Javier's arrogance crept back into his voice. "The three of you shall be escorted to the body and identify the remains. If the attacker belongs to any one of your clans, you shall be held responsible and dealt with accordingly. Understood?"
"Wait—" Maddix couldn't get the words our before Larouche was ordering his men to join them in the room.
Javier instructed his men to escort the pack leaders to the first aid room and they obeyed without an argument. Each one took turns with William going first, followed by Eric. Both men shook their heads and walked out upset but composed. Tanya stopped and stood there frozen for a few seconds before giving in to tears. Suddenly the hard as stone pack leader appeared vulnerable and almost human.
"You know him," Maddix stated.
"I do, Overseer. His name was Benjamin."
"Is he one of yours?" asked Javier.
"He is."
"Stop, Tanya, don't say any more to them," said Eric. He put his hand on her shoulder.
"That settles things," said Javier.
Javier pointed to Tanya and his men escorted her to the cells. Eric and William stepped tried to step in but could not help her. They were powerless against unseen forces that prevented them from doing harm to the constables. Seeing their inability to react only confused Maddix even further considering what had just transpired. What was it that was special about Benjamin that made it possible for him to jump him?
"This doesn't prove anything," said Maddix. "It's circumstantial."
"This isn't a court of law and these people have no such rights," Javier snapped. He turned to Eric and William. "We have no further need for your assistance. I thank you. My men will escort you to the door."
"This is shit!" shouted William, his yellow eyes glaring at Larouche.
There were a few words exchanged before the two were shown the door. Maddix could see Tara passing them as she walked into the station. She made her way to Maddix and held him by the shoulders.
"Are you okay?" Tara asked.
"Little bruised up but I'll live."
"Madam Cherane, so sweet of you to join us. We have just concluded our investigation. Perhaps you could bring Monsieur Benbrook home and pour him a stiff drink. I assume that you will have much to decide now."
Tara barely acknowledged Javier. "What is he talking about?"
"Now hold on! I'm not rushing to make any snap judgments here."
"It is the opinion of this office that we have a clear violation of the pact and the next course of action is obvious."
"It not that simple, Javier," said Tara.
"It is simple to me, Madame. They broke the rules and they must pay the price. And the responsibility for reporting such violations falls on the overseer. The ball is in your court, as they say."
"It's not like I have a secret phone line to the outside," Maddix replied. "I need more solid evidence than some weak correlation."
"Monsieur," began Javier as he stepped in really close to the overseers; his voice lowered to a whisper, "I do not give a damn about these demons. We have all kept up this nonsense for long enough. Now do what needs to be done and get us out of this fucking hell."
Maddix was silent as Javier walked away from them. Part of him didn't think it was right to condemn everyone in Malevolent, but the other part sided with Javier. Things were worse than he thought if he was starting to agree with Larouche.
CHAPTER FOUR
When Maddix awoke the next morning, his muscles in his upper body ached. It was a painful reminder that a rabid werewolf had almost eaten
More silence.
"Listen," said Maddix, "we're not trying to accuse you of anything. If there is something wrong—"
"Monsieur, please. Did one of you order someone from your pack to attack Monsieur Benbrook tonight?"
"As I said before," Tanya replied, "that would be impossible. Overseer Benbrook is protected. Besides, we would have no reason to do so. Doing so would get us all killed."
"I propose a solution then." Javier's arrogance crept back into his voice. "The three of you shall be escorted to the body and identify the remains. If the attacker belongs to any one of your clans, you shall be held responsible and dealt with accordingly. Understood?"
"Wait—" Maddix couldn't get the words our before Larouche was ordering his men to join them in the room.
Javier instructed his men to escort the pack leaders to the first aid room and they obeyed without an argument. Each one took turns with William going first, followed by Eric. Both men shook their heads and walked out upset but composed. Tanya stopped and stood there frozen for a few seconds before giving in to tears. Suddenly the hard as stone pack leader appeared vulnerable and almost human.
"You know him," Maddix stated.
"I do, Overseer. His name was Benjamin."
"Is he one of yours?" asked Javier.
"He is."
"Stop, Tanya, don't say any more to them," said Eric. He put his hand on her shoulder.
"That settles things," said Javier.
Javier pointed to Tanya and his men escorted her to the cells. Eric and William stepped tried to step in but could not help her. They were powerless against unseen forces that prevented them from doing harm to the constables. Seeing their inability to react only confused Maddix even further considering what had just transpired. What was it that was special about Benjamin that made it possible for him to jump him?
"This doesn't prove anything," said Maddix. "It's circumstantial."
"This isn't a court of law and these people have no such rights," Javier snapped. He turned to Eric and William. "We have no further need for your assistance. I thank you. My men will escort you to the door."
"This is shit!" shouted William, his yellow eyes glaring at Larouche.
There were a few words exchanged before the two were shown the door. Maddix could see Tara passing them as she walked into the station. She made her way to Maddix and held him by the shoulders.
"Are you okay?" Tara asked.
"Little bruised up but I'll live."
"Madam Cherane, so sweet of you to join us. We have just concluded our investigation. Perhaps you could bring Monsieur Benbrook home and pour him a stiff drink. I assume that you will have much to decide now."
Tara barely acknowledged Javier. "What is he talking about?"
"Now hold on! I'm not rushing to make any snap judgments here."
"It is the opinion of this office that we have a clear violation of the pact and the next course of action is obvious."
"It not that simple, Javier," said Tara.
"It is simple to me, Madame. They broke the rules and they must pay the price. And the responsibility for reporting such violations falls on the overseer. The ball is in your court, as they say."
"It's not like I have a secret phone line to the outside," Maddix replied. "I need more solid evidence than some weak correlation."
"Monsieur," began Javier as he stepped in really close to the overseers; his voice lowered to a whisper, "I do not give a damn about these demons. We have all kept up this nonsense for long enough. Now do what needs to be done and get us out of this fucking hell."
Maddix was silent as Javier walked away from them. Part of him didn't think it was right to condemn everyone in Malevolent, but the other part sided with Javier. Things were worse than he thought if he was starting to agree with Larouche.
CHAPTER FOUR
When Maddix awoke the next morning, his muscles in his upper body ached. It was a painful reminder that a rabid werewolf had almost eaten
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