Chapter 18
Riley sat next to Constantine and across from Neville who sneered at her. "Neville I have some questions for you," Riley said politely. Neville glared at her replying, "I don't have to answer to you. I can't believe my queen is going to be nothing but a common whore." Riley could tell Constantine was getting upset with Neville's attitude. She squeezed his elbow and hoped he'd calm down. Riley sighed saying, "Fine Neville we can sit here and wait for Liam to arrive. Constantine is only here to observe. While we wait I noticed you have a proposal awaiting approval perhaps we can discuss that."
Neville sat up straight he had been trying for years to get his golf course approved. Perhaps he could use the commoner to sway the king into approving his project. Neville smiled saying, "I want to build a golf course with 3 18 hole courses. I believe it would increase tourism and would increase funds coming into Cormery Isle. However, I can't afford to build this alone so I am asking for crown funds to build the golf course." Riley turned to Constantine wanting to get him to trust her. She also, wanted Constantine to be the one to put Neville in his place. Riley asked Constantine, "Do you know where he wanted to build the course. Was it a good location?"
Constantine replies, "The location wasn't the reason we denied his petition. It was because he hadn't done enough research." Riley asked, "Is the land already vacant?" Constantine was confused. This was the second time she mentioned the location. He quickly realized she was leading him. Something was wrong with the location. He thought about the location Neville wanted to put the golf course. The proposal mentioned having to clear some area for the course but, not what had to be cleared. Riley turned to Neville asking, "Do you know what is in the area, Neville?"
Neville waved his hand dismissively replying, "An old decaying zoo. Some neglected housing. Finally, Old parks that would make better sense to repurpose than to repair." Constantine was up and out of his chair so fast. The chair hit the floor with a loud bang. His hands slammed on the table as he growled out, "You mean the endangered species reserve, The housing for your homeless, and the crown funded parks? The ones you're supposed to maintain with the money you're sent from the crown."
The color drained from Neville's face. Riley looked at Constantine and said, "Why don't you call his Father. I bet he can shed light on the state of these locations. Neville could have exaggerated in an effort to get the land he needed for the golf course." Neville sways on his feet as his face grows even paler. He now turns to Riley asking, "About those questions you had earlier." Riley waved him off ignoring him. The door opened up revealing Wilson and Dr. Harrington. "Sit please King Father," Riley said before turning to the door and saying, "Come in." Riley looked to the doctor and said, "Once you're done with Neville I want you to look over my father in law please." Constantine resigned himself to being looked at by the doctor. "I'm fine but, I'll humor you as it will put Regina at ease," He said.
Neville reluctantly cooperated with the doctor and then Wilson as he was fingerprinted. He crossed his arms asking, "Why is this necessary?" Riley waved her hand dismissively saying, "Madeleine is making claims against you Neville. This will either clear you or get you locked up." She turned her attention back to Constantine while the doctor worked on Neville. She asked, "Does Cordonia take the mental state into consideration during sentencing?" Constantine replied, "It is not. We don't have mental hospitals that can handle prisoners. We do separate the mentally challenged from the other prisoners."
Riley sighed saying, "Madeleine is in serious trouble. I'd like to find a way to utilize her skills with the royal workload. I am actually thinking of a council for every duchy to send reports to us. This way we can know what each one needs and address that with the noble. Perhaps even give them a small amount for their time." Constantine nodded in understanding. Madeleine despite all her scheming had all the training needed to be queen. While Liam had training as well he wouldn't always be available for consult. "I am not sure what will happen to Madeleine. It's up to Liam and the council if Liam wants her charged with treason," Said Constantine.
Riley really had hoped it would be easier she wanted to keep Madeleine around for a while. While she didn't like being targeted she could understand why Madeleine still felt threatened by her. Perhaps if Liam would allow her to stay locked up in Cordonia he'd let her go back to England preventing any travel back into the country. Neville who had been standing there in shock finally was brought back to reality. He slammed his hands on the table yelling, "I didn't rape her. We had consensual sex in the holding room." "Then I will need you to write me a revised statement, Neville. The first one claimed you spent the whole evening talking with Rashad," Riley replied.
She handed him another statement form to fill out. Neville looks at her hard saying, "Is that what Madeleine is saying?" "I can't say Neville until you're officially charged. If you will just give a truthful statement. I am sure it will all work out," Riley said. Constantine was thoroughly enjoying watching his daughter in law work. He almost wanted to laugh at Neville's panic to get himself out of hot water. The truth was he was only getting himself in deeper. He almost felt sorry for the weasel.
"I have dirt against the royal family. I will slander their name and destroy the public's trust in the monarchy," Neville screeched. He reluctantly handed over his new statement to Riley. Riley started writing on a note pad. Neville glared at her and Constantine when no one responded to him. He hated being ignored so he shouted, "What the hell are you doing?" Riley looked up responding, "I am listing all of the offenses you have committed in this room. I have providing a false statement, extortion, blackmail, misuse of crown funds, and neglect of your duchy." "That's not how this works," Neville barked. Riley smiled at him sweetly responding, "It does now! I am putting an end to the corruption going on. There will be no more gain from deceit and blackmail. I don't care if that means I have to strip every noble of their title and replace them with a commoner."
Riley got up and left the room turning as she reached the door. She said, "Make yourself comfortable Neville your not leaving until your trial. The trial may take a while as you will be tried with Madeleine." Constantine followed her out of the cell chuckling at Neville's horrified face. Neville screamed in rage as he trashed the holding cell.