Chapter 26
The bomb went off, creating a huge explosion. Even though the crowd outside the vault was running at a good clip, the back half of them were sent flying as the bomb exploded, driving the horde of animals into a snowball toward the end of the hall. After thirty seconds or so of the mass trying to collect themselves, Troy and the guards ran off.
"Is everyone okay?" asked Zoey as she held her head.
"I think so," said Justin, rubbing his eyes and glancing over at the others behind him. "Where's my father?"
Lisa dusted herself off, and looked around. "And Mr. Sneer?"
Bert finally came too with a sore back and a pounding headache, after taking the brunt of the blast from being the last one standing in front of the vault. "Oh, my back," he grimaced as he got up. "I'm getting too old for this stuff."
"Bert, where's Cyril?" asked Zoey.
"He's looking down on us now, Zoey," said Bert, becoming defeated.
Zoey stopped and stared puzzingly at him for a moment. Then her reaction turned to shock as she realized what Bert was saying.
"No Bert! You don't mean..." as Lisa's eyes started to well up with tears.
"After what happened to Sneer Industries, he wanted his chance to rid the world Astor Ringtail," began a dejected Bert. "And he sacrificed his life for it. Astor's strangle hold is all over now."
The group went back to the vault after the smoke began to clear. The vault had totally collapsed on its self, as slabs of equipment and stone lied everywhere in shambles. Just as the group started rummaging around, Justin noticed a ringed- tail from under the rubble. Frank noticed Justin standing over the pile, and walked to his side.
"I know he's your father, but the world is better off without him," said Frank, patting him on the back.
"I know," Justin sighed as he turned to his uncle. "We are free from his clutches now." He then hugged his uncle.
A bit to the left of Justin and Frank, Zoey noticed Cyril's classic blue scarf, with his hand just poking out along with a pool of blood from under a large mass of granite.
"You're right, Bert," said Zoey sadly. "This fiasco might be over, but lives were lost here. I don't know how we are going to break this to Cedric. I think it would be easiest if you were the one to tell him."
Bert knew the challenge he had facing him. "This is the hardest thing I am ever going to tell my best friend." He grabbed his fiancée's hand tightly, and pulled her in for a huge kiss. He then turned to the rest of his mates. "Let's go home, guys."
The gang met up with each other outside of the building on the front lawn. The fire trucks and police vehicles were on the scene, sorting through the explosion and asking questions.
"Is everyone alright?" asked a powerfully built ram police officer.
"Fine, detective," began Zoey. "I'm Constable Bella with the Evergreen Police Department. I don't think anyone here is seriously injured. But we do have two casualties."
Cedric hadn't been given the chance to hear the whole story yet. He glanced at the crowd, and saw no sign of his father. As Cedric started searching, Bert noticed and approached him.
"Cedric, can I talk to you for a minute?" asked Bert, grabbing him by the arm and steering him away from the group.
"What's going on, Bert? Zoey said two casualties, and I don't see my father," said Cedric as a feeling of anxiety started coming over him.
"Cedric, there's no easy way to say this, buddy." Bert put a hand on his shoulder, and looked sadly up at his best friend. "Your father is counting the dollar signs in heaven now."
A tear started to roll down Cedric's face as he took off his glasses. "Bert, it, it just can't be!"
"I'm sorry, Cedric. He wanted revenge on Astor. He got it, but it cost him his life," said Bert as he started to break down along with Cedric. "All of the times that he tried to make my friends and myself miserable, in the end he did the most noble and unselfish act I can ever imagine. We have finally seen the man that you tried to tell us he was all along; willing to do whatever it takes to protect his family and friends."
Cedric wiped away the tears, and hugged Bert. "Thanks for the kind words, Bert. You couldn't have said it any better about Pop. I just wish this never happened."
"But it did," said Justin, coming over to offer his condolences. "My father was an evil man. He wrecked a lot of lives; he finally got what he deserved. I'm so sorry that your father had to sacrifice his life to do it."
Sophia strolled over and grabbed Cedric's hand. Cedric looked deep into her eyes as they embraced. "I need you now more than ever, my sweetie," said Cedric as he sniffled back more tears.
"I'm right here, I'm not going anywhere," replied Sophia with a warming smile.
After the police were done asking questions, it was time to go home. Everyone was exhausted, so Anna Belle and Frank offered the gang to stay at their home for the night before going back to the Evergreen Forest.
For the first time in months, everything was pretty much back to normal in the Evergreen Forest. Even though Cyril's funeral was about a month before the weddings, Cedric decided to keep everything on schedule. Although he wished his father was there to see his big day, he knew that his Pop would be smiling every step of the way looking down on him.
The police up to this point couldn't find Troy or Daniel, and Justin assumed that they went into hiding. Justin now seized control of the company, and was ready to make everyone feel included. He decided to come up to the Forest for a visit about two weeks before the weddings. This was finally his chance to see the Evergreen Forest for his pleasure, and not from the force of his family's life or death sideshow.
"Knock, knock."
"Hey Justin!" said Bert as he was finishing up with the printing press. "What brings you to these parts?"
"I just wanted to see how the Evergreen Standard is put to print," mocked Justin, "and also to get to know my cousins."
Melissa came out of the photo room after hearing his voice and hugged Justin. "How are you doing, cuz? You decided to come and see the small town life?"
"I must admit, it's beautiful out here," smiled Justin. "The mountains, the lake, the natural beauty. It sure beats rush hour traffic."
"If you love it that much, we could always use an extra column for the Standard," said Ralph, who was typing at his desk. He stopped and started rubbing his chin. "How to blast to the top in financial success..."
They all shared a nervous chuckle. "Step 1: Keep your enemies close," cracked back Justin, breaking the tension with some laughter. Then he continued. "Do you guys mind if we all met at the Blue Spruce tonight? Just to chat, and to talk about the future of Ringtail Works."
"We wouldn't miss it, bud," said Bert, putting an arm around his shoulder. "As long as you wear this." Bert scurried to the desk and pulled out one of his famous sweaters.
Justin laughed. "I like it, but does it come in a J?" The gang started howling.
All of the Ringtail family members met at the Blue Spruce. Maxie and her daughter, Ralph and Melissa, and Bert with Lisa. The group of them were wondering why they weren't allowed to invite the rest of their friends, but would find out very soon. After having supper along with some drinks, Justin piped up.
"The reason I have asked everyone to come here tonight," started Justin, "I have been doing some thinking, and I have decided to sell Ringtail Works. This will give everyone in the family a piece of the pie that they rightfully deserve."
The crowd gasped. "But didn't you want a chance to run the family business?" asked Maxie.
"Yes, but there are too many bad memories of this one," replied Justin. "I am burnt out. I need to recharge the batteries. Besides, I will probably get back into business sooner rather than later."
"So, what does this have to do with us?" asked Bert.
"Since there are ten of us that can claim the estate," said Justin, "I have decided to split it evenly amongst the family members."
"How much are we talking about here?" asked Melissa.
"I just sold the company to some up and coming Asian firm," said Justin. "I sold it for one hundred million."
The crowd was in shock. "You mean that..." Bert started.
"That everyone will receive ten million," said Justin. "The one hundred million will be split between my mother, my brother, my sister Brooke, myself, Aunt Mirta, Aunt Anna Belle, Uncle Frank, Bert, Maxie, and Melissa."
"I, I don't know what to say," stumbled Melissa. "I don't think thank you is appropriate..."
"Wow, I could finally buy a peanut butter factory!" hollered Bert. The crowd cracked up.
"I know this totally changes your way of life," said Justin. "I can set you up with financial advisors as well if you like, to take to stress of the money off of you."
"I think I know who could do that for us," said Bert. He charged over to the telephone and dialled the number. After he finished talking, he smiled as he hung up. "Don't worry guys. He'll be over here shortly."
Ten minutes later, Cedric walked in with Sophia. Bert waved them over to the table, as the good times were going on now. "There he is guys. Our financial advisor."
"Financial advisor?" asked Cedric.
Ralph and Melissa looked up, giddy with joy. "Cedric, you'll never guess what has happened!" started a bubbly Melissa.