December 29th, 1894

The sun had barely been in the sky for 10 minutes when they arrived at the fields. Rosalind did not like to be out at this hour but the previous day's events coupled with a mysterious message had brought her out of the safety of her home.

She'd felt a wave of familiarity when her doorbell had rung early in the morning. A part of her worried that Lady Comstock had decided to leave a child in her lobby once more. Instead of a child, she'd found a basket of fruit with a note tucked inside.

"It was foolish to come here," Robert hadn't wanted to come but he still followed her as she left their home, "And with Elizabeth…"

His hands were deep in his pockets and she knew one of them was wrapped firmly around the pistol he insisted he bring.

"Robert…" she said slowly, "Do you not recall what these fields are being used for?"

"I do," he sighed.

She tightened her grip on the handle of Elizabeth's pram. The child was bundled tightly and had another blanket draped over her. She didn't seem bothered by the cold and Rosalind herself didn't dwell on it either.

She thought back to when Landers was in her office. When he'd walked her through his entire plan with his fertilizer. She had been very impressed at the time. That was why she had approved of more funding for him. She wanted Columbia to be able to grow its own food so that they could stop spending so much on importing fresh vegetables.

She had also spoken with the agriculture department so that he could try his fertilizer in the very fields that the farmers used. At this point in the year, the fields were usually untouched. The ground was far too frozen and even in the warmer months, it was hard to grow anything. Rosalind could see the sections of the field that were clearly marked for testing. Out of the 4 fields, they were using only 2 for now.

But they weren't standing in front of one of those fields. That was why the disturbed soil was so abnormal.

"The message was connected to the newspaper article," Robert said. The morning paper had been waiting for them far earlier than usual. It had been written the night before and it might have been delivered then.

The very same venue where they had held Elizabeth's birthday celebration had gone up in flames. In an attempt to save the rest of Emporia, the venue had been detached and allowed to float away.

She was not stupid. She knew that the building had only been detached so that the culprit could hide the fact that the bodies were not inside anymore. They left the building far behind and by the time they sent a barge out to investigate it, they could say that the fire had destroyed everybody. They would need that story to keep people from realizing the truth. The bodies had not been in the building when it was detached. She wasn't sure if they ever had been.

What she did know was that she and Robert were standing in front of a field that held the bodies of those men. 40 men were officially missing and would never be found.

"An entire building up in flames and not a single person made it out," Robert said.

"That's the story," Rosalind nodded. What had that person expected them to do once they found where the bodies were buried? She would not be telling anyone because the situation was much more complicated than she would have liked it to be.

"40 men…" Robert seemed to have been having trouble coming to terms with what had occurred, "This is where they are…"

Elizabeth whined and kicked at her blankets. Rosalind sighed and looked up at the field. It was an interesting place to bury them. The Agriculture Department would eventually need to use these fields and when they did, they would find the bodies.

"Just when did he find the time to do this?" Robert asked. The newspaper spoke of hearing a popping noise and then hours later the building went up in flames. How had they managed to move 40 bodies out with no one knowing? That venue had been in one of Emporia's most busy areas so why hadn't anyone else seen anything? They knew that Comstock had done this. Was it a threat to them? Or was it just a coincidence? Perhaps it was meant to be both.

"We should leave," Rosalind said, "Before someone sees us here."

"Someone being Comstock?"

"Yes," she adjusted Elizabeth's hat and blanket and watched as the child squirmed in response.

"He's already here," Robert said. She turned and saw him walking towards them. He had his arm around his wife and even in the distance, Rosalind could see his sadistic smile.

"Then I suppose we have to talk to him," Rosalind said. They both knew that he would come to their house if he didn't speak to them now.

"I didn't expect to see you out so early," Comstock said as he approached.

"Father Comstock," Rosalind greeted, "Lady Comstock. It's nice to see you both." Lady Comstock did not look half as hostile as she usually did. In fact, she looked defeated. Was it the new baby or was she finally aware of the type of man her husband was?

"You don't usually take walks this far from Emporia," Comstock said, "There isn't much scenery to enjoy."

"Well, we were coming to check on Mister Landers's experiment before it gets too crowded," Robert looked over at the 2 fields, "The future of produce in Columbia relies on it."

"It certainly does," Comstock said, "We need to be independent from the states, it's too expensive to buy from them."

"Yes," Rosalind agreed, "Robert and I were just leaving."

"Please, don't let me stop you," Comstock said, "I'm just here to show the fields to Annabelle. She spends so much time in Emporia that she hadn't had the chance to look at the rest of Columbia. You know, her father used to work on a farm."

"Is that so?" Robert asked. Rosalind looked at lady Comstock, she couldn't make herself look smaller if she tried. It seemed that for once, she did not want to be the center of attention.

It also seemed as if she had been crying. Her eyes were puffy and her nose red. Someone less observant might have thought it was a reaction to the cold.

"Is everything alright?" Rosalind found herself asking.

"Yes," Lady Comstock nodded, "I've just been feeling a little homesick." It was more likely that they had fought and in response, Comstock had brought her out to the field where he had buried 40 men.

"Well, perhaps you could take some time to visit your family," Robert suggested, "I'm sure they'd love to see the baby."

"I'm sure they would," Comstock said, "We've been talking about taking a trip soon." Comstock seemed to be fine with having a conversation like this despite everything he'd done in the past month. It was as if he had forgotten his very own actions.

"As I said before," Rosalind said, "We must be going. It's colder than I imagined and it's not good for babies to be out."

"We were heading home now as well," Comstock said, "Little Elliot will be waking soon and will have to be fed."

"Then we'll be seeing you," Robert said. Lady Comstock's eyes were pleading but they walked away anyway.

They walked in silence until they made it back to their home. Robert wordlessly went to start a fire and Rosalind brought Elizabeth into the drawing-room. Elizabeth would wake soon and they would not be going back to bed.

"I'll make tea," she said, "Are you hungry?"

"No," he shook his head. She wasn't either but she still went to the kitchen to prepare something warm to drink. She almost wished that she had listened to Robert and stayed inside. She didn't need to confirm her suspicions but it was too late now.

"He's tired of her," Robert walked into the kitchen, "She's served her purpose."

"I believe that's the case," Rosalind didn't feel happy about it. Comstock wanted a child. One that was more believable as a miracle child than Elizabeth was.

"So he isn't going to take her tantrums anymore," Robert said, "I imagine it's much easier to threaten her than it is to threaten us." Comstock tried to threaten them into getting rid of Elizabeth and it hadn't worked. Lady Comstock was the other end of the problem. She was the one starting so many rumors and if he could control her then he wouldn't have much to worry about.

That was why he showed her the mass grave. One wrong move and she would end up there as well. Knowing Lady Comstock, she wouldn't fight anymore. She had nothing to go back to.

Annabelle Watson had been a rebel. She had shoplifted, bullied people, and caused all types of trouble. She had been kicked out of her home for her behavior and that was when she met Comstock. He was fresh from his baptism and he made it his mission to save her.

She said it a lot, that Comstock offered redemption when she did not deserve it. That was why she was so devoted to him and his cause. But of course, she still thought herself better than the rest because she had been chosen. She needed to be humbled.

"But killing 40 people is an excessive threat," Rosalind said, "There must be more to it."

"I'm sure there is," Robert agreed, "I believe it was a message meant for everyone who opposes him. The 2 of us, his wife, and all of his enemies. No one can prove that he was involved and it shows them what he's capable of."

"Did he leave that message then?" Rosalind asked.

"I don't think so," Robert said, "I doubt he directly killed those men."

There was a knock on the door and they both locked eyes. It seemed that Comstock had come early.

"I'll get it," Rosalind said

"No," Robert shook his head, "I'll get it."

"We can go together if you would like," Rosalind was already up and walking towards the door. He followed her quickly. She was angry and he knew that now was not the time for her to blow up.

She opened the door and said nothing, "We don't typically accept visitors this early." she asked.

The woman in front of her looked down and took a deep breath, "I understand but I thought you'd make an exception today, "She said.

"Why?"

"Rosalind," Robert cleared her throat, "Please, come in." She wanted to roll her eyes, he hadn't even wanted to open the door a moment ago.

"Miss Angelica," he said, "What brings you here?"

Angelica stepped into their lobby and Rosalind closed the door behind her.

"Robert," Rosalind asked, "How do you know her?"

"Miss Angelica was the owner of the venue where we held Elizabeth's birthday," Robert said, "And she heard Comstock threaten us at Elizabeth's party." So that was why he was trusting her now.

Rosalind nodded and looked at Angelica, "Did you leave us that message then?"

Angelica nodded and Rosalind gestured towards the drawing-room, "Let's have a seat." Angelica followed them and sat down. She took off her hat and glanced at Elizabeth before looking behind them at the contraption.

"Focus, please," Rosalind said.

"Why don't you tell us why you're here." Robert was being much more gentle than she was.

"I…" she took a deep breath, "I believe Comstock killed my brother. That's why I'm here."

"Your brother?" Robert looked at Rosalind.

"Why exactly are you telling us?" Rosalind was annoyed. They had enough to worry about on their own. Why had this woman come to them of all people?

"Well," Angelica shivered, "I…" Rosalind waited for her to speak again and sighed once she realized that she wouldn't. It seemed that Angelica would need time to gather her thoughts.

"Take a moment to gather your thoughts," Rosalind said, "We were just about to have tea."

"I'm sorry for interrupting," Angelica said quietly.

"It's fine," Robert insisted, "I'll get the tea. Have a cup and warm up a bit."

0.o.0.o.0

He hadn't even considered the fact that the building had belonged to Angelica. She probably knew exactly what had been going on inside before everything happened. But why exactly had she come to them instead of the police?

"Start at the beginning, "Rosalind urged.

"Right," Angelica wiped her eyes, "My brother, James, and I were aboard Columbia when it first launched. This was the only place that let me own property. We thought it was going to be better here. It was Jimmy's idea to open the venue. He said it would be easy because rich people were always trying to hold parties."

"We live in Emporia Towers and we were saving to buy a house. But… Well, Comstock takes 50% of all of our money. It's impossible to save anything. We can barely afford the Towers. That's why Jimmy started attending the meetings."

"What meetings?"

"They've been happening for a year now," Angelica said, "They aren't a secret. It's a rival political party. Some people think that the Founders party shouldn't be the only one available. Nothing can change if the same people are in charge. The people who attended those meetings think that the Founders want to turn this place into Finkton. People in Finkton don't even get paid with real money. We already get paid with a currency that can't be used down below."

Angelica took a moment to compose herself. Robert hadn't paid much attention to the political climate in Columbia. It made sense that there were people who were against Comstock. It hadn't even occurred to him that someone else could be in charge. Comstock's role as 'Governor' was never meant to be permanent. An election was meant to be held every 4 years. It was a part of the United States and it was supposed to follow the same rules.

"Jimmy didn't think that religion should play so much into our laws. A lot of people think that way," Angelica said, "Jimmy once told me that he thought Columbia was taking a step back instead of moving forward. He said this city could be great but the wrong person was in charge."

"Was your brother planning to run next year?"

"No," Angelica shook her head, "He was only helping the party. He was an artist so he was making posters for them. They hadn't really decided who was going to run but I think they decided… This won't leave this room, right?"

"Of course not," Robert said gently, "We've as much to lose as you do." Except they still had a bargaining chip to keep themselves safe. Angelica had nothing and if someone found out what she knew, they would get rid of her.

"They were going to elect Arthur Mansfield…"

"Mansfield… George Mansfield's son?" Robert asked.

"Yes," Angelica nodded.

"His father is one of Comstock's most trusted accomplices." Rosalind said, "Hard to believe that his son doesn't have the same ideas."

"You've never heard him speak." Angelica sniffed and looked at the fire, "But that's not the point. Jimmy and the rest of them had a meeting after the venue closed. Next year is when they're supposed to announce who would be running. We all knew it would be a big deal for Arthur to come out against his father. That was why we wanted to keep things quiet for now."

"Do you think Arthur might have let it slip to his father?"

"I think so," Angelica nodded, "In fact, I believe that the only reason Arthur did not die with the others last night is because his father warned him. There was no reason my venue should have caught on fire. It was empty. No fire could start unless someone did it themselves… All those men are just gone now. And they didn't even let me see the bodies. I'm just supposed to believe that his body is gone forever."

James Whitman was most likely buried in that field but Robert didn't mention it. It would do her no good to know of that. Right now she was a target simply because she had owned the building where all the shady things went on.

"Why did you come to us," Rosalind asked

"I was at the scene of the fire but they made me leave. I told them my brother was still inside and they told me everyone was dead…" Angelica said, "So I… I followed them after they detached the city. They left on a barge and… The bodies were all on the barge. They made sure to get them out but they're pretending that they're still inside. I heard them say they were taking it to that field."

"So you sent us instead of checking on it yourself?" Rosalind asked.

"I...I didn't think you would go," Angelica admitted, "I thought you would wait a little before heading out and that I'd be able to tell you what it meant. I wanted to tell you that I'm sure that Comstock is involved. I heard what he said about your baby."

"That does not bode well for you," Rosalind sipped her tea, "Comstock does not like witnesses."

"He doesn't know that I was there…" Angelica said, "I think I'm safe I just… I don't know what to do."

"There's not much you can do," Robert admitted, "For now, go home and rest. This is a lot to deal with and you need to pretend that you know nothing."

"A-alright," Angelica nodded.

"And whenever you're ready, come back here," Rosalind said, "You'll need a job until another venue is built."

"A job?" Angelica was shocked and Robert was as well.

"You can't afford Emporia towers without a job," Rosalind reminded, "You could barely afford it with a job."

"But… I know nothing about what you do," Angelica said, "Unless you mean to hire me as a nanny but I have no experience with children either."

"No," Rosalind shook her head, "We don't need a nanny. Elizabeth's upbringing shall be handled by us. But we still have work to do. It will make it easier on us if we have an assistant."

"Just know that it will pay enough," Robert said, "Things will be getting much more complicated soon but…"

"We trust that you'll understand the need for secrecy," Rosalind said, "It will also establish a reason for you to be here today should anyone see you leaving. You may tell them that you were here for a job interview."

"Alright," Angelica nodded, "Thank you…" Robert still wasn't sure what Angelica was expecting to happen. He offered to walk her home and she refused, "I'll be fine. I'm not going home just yet. There are a few people I need to speak with."

"Alright," Robert nodded. He walked her to the door and made sure the door was locked before taking a seat in the drawing-room, He hadn't expected Rosalind to offer her a job like that but it would be beneficial to both parties. Angelica was out of a job and he had been trying to get Rosalind to hire a clerk for their lobby like she'd had before he arrived.

"What a mess," Rosalind sighed. Her frustration and fear were obvious to him. Comstock had gone mad but there was nothing they could do.

"We can't let this intimidate us," Robert said, "He'll be here new years and we need to take that opportunity to reign him in."

"You make it seem simple," Rosalind said, "If we were able to control him, we wouldn't exactly be in this situation."He knew that a part of her still believed that Comstock would get rid of one of them and his display had certainly not done anything to stop those thoughts.

"This will be over soon," Robert said, "I have a plan. I just need you to trust me."

Authors Note: The events in this chapter are based on Lady Comstock's voxophone, 'Beyond Redemption'

"Tonight, the Prophet moved against his political enemies. He preaches mercy, but 40 souls lie tonight dead, in unmarked graves. If a man was ever unworthy of grace, it would be my husband. But when I was beyond redemption, he offered it anyway. How can I deny forgiveness to one who, with love, granted it to me?"

It doesn't say how they died so I improvised. I don't think he could just have them all killed any other way because 40 people is a large number. But not if there was some sort of accident.