The offices were all quiet after dark when everyone had departed for the day. Six hooded figures simply walked to the back door and let themselves in. Marian was amazed at the speed and aptitude that all the boys, and even Safya, showed at picking a lock. She supposed it was a skill that she would have to pick up if she stayed with these boys any longer.
"I never liked this place much," Allan commented in a whisper looking around. "Whoever decided to paint the walls grey was just plain morbid."
"It's mist and it's supposed to be soothing," said Much facetiously.
"Mist? You're kidding me right?" Allan shot back until John shushed them.
They had waited ten minutes before he showed up. They had deliberately left the lights off but Richard King had no such qualms in his own office. He hit the switch as he marched in; tall, imposing and blonde he turned to face the six hooded teenagers and looked in sceptical amazement.
"You are the people who have information critical to my company's continued success?" He asked in his deep voice.
"Please, sir." Marian said stepping forward. "We have reason to believe that someone is ill using your company." Richard's eyebrows had shot up when she said this. "We are here to tell you something that you heard a long time ago by a trusted friend and employee. It was as true then as it is now. George Huntingdon was correct in his suspicions that your Corporation was being used as a front…"
"I will not hear this rubbish," Richard interrupted, striding towards the door. "This is nothing but an ill humoured hoax."
"No," Marian skirted around until she stood between the taller man and the exit. "You will listen to me because the man I love is in gaol at this very moment because of his loyalty to you and you don't even know it. There are people whose lives have been ruined and thousands more if this doesn't stop so you will listen to me." Marian's eyes were sparkling with fury and she held them all captivated.
"Your brother John is making a bid to overthrow you as leader of Monarch Corporation. This is to be done by bribing, black mailing or threatening the other executives on the board. This can be done because Gisborne has been using your company as a front for his less then legal enterprises. And these men have gotten away with this because the police department of Nottingham is in their pay. Now all of this can be proven if you listen to these tapes." Marian held the tapes in question out to Richard King who took them hesitantly.
"And you have done all this with no agenda and no reward?" he asked of the group, the scepticism still evident in his voice.
"For Robin," John muttered.
"We did what we did because we followed someone who believed in what was right. Now we need you to do what is right so he can have the life he deserves." Marian said.
"And this man is loyal to me, even though we've never met?" Richard asked, turning the tapes over in his hands.
"He's loyal to his father's memory," Marian explained. "And his father was loyal to you."
"You've done all this…"
"We've done this for the people," Scarlet burst out. "Nottingham is rotting, the justice system is corrupt, the police are corrupt and your corporation is at the epicentre of all of this. We tried to do something about it but we can't do enough. So now will you help us help you?"
"I have," Richard said slowly after a pause like a man confessing to a heinous crime. "For some time suspected my brother of treachery. Now, you say, I have proof?"
"That is most unfortunate," said a new voice and the Sheriff stepped out of the doorway, a gun cradled in his hand and pointed at Marian. He was followed confidently by a tall rat-faced man wearing a smirk.
"Dear brother, when did you enter the country? I would have sent a car to pick you up," John King said conversationally.
"Sent someone to kill me more like," Richard muttered. "What these people say is true?" He asked.
"They are children Richard, you would believe children and convicted criminals; criminals, moreover, who have repeatedly stolen from you?"
"Stolen from you, I believe, brother. And what was the exact amount again, I forget, pray tell."
John's face turned red, his fists clenched and unclenched at his sides. It was clear that the siblings did not trust one another. Finally John nodded to the Sheriff who levelled his gun at Richard.
"Since it will be your last minutes then I will tell you. Yes, it is true. However, in the morning your body will be found, brutally murdered, your death investigated by the notable Nottingham police department and my good friend Vasey, the murderer will be the recently suicidal Robert Huntingdon, and I will be boss of Monarch Corporation."
The faces in the room showed a range of extreme emotions; the gang had differing expression of shock and grief at the implication that Robin was already dead, Marian's face was one of devastation, and Richard's had a sad shocked look at the true extent of his brother's treachery.
"So this is the real you, is it John?" He asked gravely. "A common cowardly thief?"
It is a shame, brother, goodbye."
The gunshot echoed through the room like a cannon. Everyone ducked. But it was the Sheriff who felt a blinding pain in his hand and some outside force that made him drop the gun. Another arrow jerked him off his feet as it pinned the fabric of his sleeve to the wall.
"Not today John," and Robert Huntingdon stepped out of the shadows, his bow raised and an arrow notched. Robin Hood had escaped the gaol.
"Why you…" the Sheriff hissed trying to wrench his arm from the wall.
"I took the liberty Vasey, during my escape, to call the Sheffield police and tell them a little of my suspicions about how things had been run in Nottingham, but in particular about my father's suspicious suicide five years ago. It seems they shared my reservations and are awaiting your presence outside."
John King took a step backwards seeking an escape only to have the formidable looking weapon levelled at him.
"And as for you John, my father would never commit suicide. He loved life too much. That is something that you will never understand. And that has been your failure."
With the blue and red lights of the police whirling across the scene Richard looked between the young man who held both his enemies at bay and cowering.
"You are George Huntingdon's boy?" Richard asked, choking a little on the memories of the once proud man. He looked at the worn boy, the tired looking girl and the gang of outlaws in their mismatched group. "If there is anything that I can do for you then it will be done. You have done me an unbelievable and undeserved favour."
Robin looked at Marian and his gang and grinned, "Well, I'm sure we can think of something."
Felt a bit Hamlet-esque writing this bit "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark". Only the epilogue left...