Balinor contacted Leon with the new information and within hours Arthur was released with the proviso that he kept the police informed of his whereabouts and that he couldn't contact Merlin. It was clear the investigating officer wasn't happy and still hoped to connect Arthur to the case. But the security footage clearly showed Sefa's actions, even to the details of showing her opening the locked desk drawers in both Arthur and Merlin's desks.
It was a full forty-eight hours later, when further investigations by Gwaine showed that DI Kendall's family had lost out with the failure of Uther's business. Several of his family had worked for the firm and had suffered in the aftermath. It was immediately after this, that all suspicion was removed from Arthur and he was exonerated.
The first thing Arthur did, after hugging his sister, was to phone Balinor to find out how Merlin was. On hearing that Merlin would be released from hospital later that day, and was going to stay with his parents, Arthur asked if he might visit. Balinor immediately agreed.
"I know Merlin wants to see you so come over tomorrow. We didn't tell him you had been arrested until just before the police interviewed him. I can tell you he wasn't best pleased," Balinor admitted. "He agrees with us that you saved his life!"
"It was only what anyone else would have donee,Arthur said modestly "I also need to thank Gwaine, I understand it was due to him that the truth can out."
"He is staying here for a couple of days; he had always been protective of Merlin. Don't worry about thanking him, I will make sure he is ok. I'm just sorry you were set up." The was a pause before Balinor added, "I need to speak to you as well, I think we need to find you a post more suited to your experience. The V.P's job is taken but we should be able to sort something out."
Arthur frowned before saying something he knew he would have been shocked to hear himself saying just months ago but he meant it: "Sir, that isn't necessary, I have no problem with the job I have now, someone has to look after him, and the job is challenging in its own way."
Balinor let out a chuckle, "I'm sure it is, but you are not meant to be a glorified secretary. We will discuss it later, now, just relax and get your life back, my boy."
Arthur put his phone away and turned to his sister who was handing him a whiskey. "You deserve that," she grinned. "It's so good having you home."
"It's good to be back. I thought for a time there I would get done, it didn't look good."
"Leon said he would get you out, and he would have done," Morgana protested. "By the way,he is coming over tonight with Gwen and Lance, not for long if you don't want but they wanted to see you and celebrate," she paused. "Gwen asked if Gwaine could come too and I said yes, that is ok, isn't it?"
Arthur smiled, "Of course, I owe that man a great deal. In fact, we will get that bottle of 25 year old Glengoyne Single malt out, if ever there was a time to use it, it's now. I know Gwaine will appreciate it."
"Bloody hell Arthur! Are you sure, that stuff is over two hundred a bottle!?" Morgana asked her brother. "And you only have the one left."
"Look Morgs, Gwaine saved my neck, Leon fought hard to help me and Gwen and Lance are damned good friends. I might try to keep one tot for Merlin, although to be honest, I don't know if he'd like it. He is a lightweight," Arthur pointed out. "I've sort of left that lifestyle behind so no point in keeping it."
So, when everyone arrived, they toasted Arthur's freedom in style. Gwaine was especially appreciative, savouring his drink. "I don't think I have seen you drink so slowly," Arthur grinned.
"Normally I wouldn't but blimey this is good stuff and, talking of good things, I want to thank you for saving Merlin. When I first met you, I wasn't that impressed but you are a good sort," Gwaine admitted.
"I have more to thank you for," Arthur pointed out.
"No mate, you do not. You saved my best mate's life, you getting put inside and letting them bastard's free, pales into insignificance."
Gwaine them went on to tell Arthur, with some input from Leon, about how Sefa, her father and the others had been arrested.
"They have them bang to rights," Leon pointed out. "Sefa on tape did the trick then her dad wasn't going to let her go down alone so he implicated the others. It seems it was Nimueh's idea.
She knew about Merlin's allergies from some Industry awards do she went to in your father's time." Balinor contacted Leon with the new information and within hours Arthur was released with the proviso that he kept the police informed of his whereabouts and that he couldn't contact Merlin. It was clear the investigating officer wasn't happy and still hoped to connect Arthur to the case. But the security footage clearly showed Sefa's actions, even to the details of showing her opening the locked desk drawers in both Arthur and Merlin's desks.
It was a full forty-eight hours later, when further investigations by Gwaine showed that DI Kendall's family had lost out with the failure of Uther's business. Several of his family had worked for the firm and had suffered in the aftermath. It was immediately after this, that all suspicion was removed from Arthur and he was exonerated.
The first thing Arthur did, after hugging his sister, was to phone Balinor to find out how Merlin was. On hearing that Merlin would be released from hospital later that day, and was going to stay with his parents, Arthur asked if he might visit. Balinor immediately agreed.
"I know Merlin wants to see you so come over tomorrow. We didn't tell him you had been arrested until just before the police interviewed him. I can tell you he wasn't best pleased," Balinor admitted. "He agrees with us that you saved his life!"
"It was only what anyone else would have donee,Arthur said modestly "I also need to thank Gwaine, I understand it was due to him that the truth can out."
"He is staying here for a couple of days; he had always been protective of Merlin. Don't worry about thanking him, I will make sure he is ok. I'm just sorry you were set up." The was a pause before Balinor added, "I need to speak to you as well, I think we need to find you a post more suited to your experience. The V.P's job is taken but we should be able to sort something out."
Arthur frowned before saying something he knew he would have been shocked to hear himself saying just months ago but he meant it: "Sir, that isn't necessary, I have no problem with the job I have now, someone has to look after him, and the job is challenging in its own way."
Balinor let out a chuckle, "I'm sure it is, but you are not meant to be a glorified secretary. We will discuss it later, now, just relax and get your life back, my boy."
Arthur put his phone away and turned to his sister who was handing him a whiskey. "You deserve that," she grinned. "It's so good having you home."
"It's good to be back. I thought for a time there I would get done, it didn't look good."
"Leon said he would get you out, and he would have done," Morgana protested. "By the way,he is coming over tonight with Gwen and Lance, not for long if you don't want but they wanted to see you and celebrate," she paused. "Gwen asked if Gwaine could come too and I said yes, that is ok, isn't it?"
Arthur smiled, "Of course, I owe that man a great deal. In fact, we will get that bottle of 25 year old Glengoyne Single malt out, if ever there was a time to use it, it's now. I know Gwaine will appreciate it."
"Bloody hell Arthur! Are you sure, that stuff is over two hundred a bottle!?" Morgana asked her brother. "And you only have the one left."
"Look Morgs, Gwaine saved my neck, Leon fought hard to help me and Gwen and Lance are damned good friends. I might try to keep one tot for Merlin, although to be honest, I don't know if he'd like it. He is a lightweight," Arthur pointed out. "I've sort of left that lifestyle behind so no point in keeping it."
So, when everyone arrived, they toasted Arthur's freedom in style. Gwaine was especially appreciative, savouring his drink. "I don't think I have seen you drink so slowly," Arthur grinned.
"Normally I wouldn't but blimey this is good stuff and, talking of good things, I want to thank you for saving Merlin. When I first met you, I wasn't that impressed but you are a good sort," Gwaine admitted.
"I have more to thank you for," Arthur pointed out.
"No mate, you do not. You saved my best mate's life, you getting put inside and letting them bastard's free, pales into insignificance."
Gwaine them went on to tell Arthur, with some input from Leon, about how Sefa, her father and the others had been arrested.
"They have them bang to rights," Leon pointed out. "Sefa on tape did the trick then her dad wasn't going to let her go down alone so he implicated
After enjoying a good meal with his friends, Arthur finally went to his own bed and slept well for the first time since he had found Merlin on the floor. The next morning, with a slight handover, he showered and got ready to go see Merlin.
Arriving at the Emrys' house, he was let in by Hunith and hugged. "I cannot say how sorry we all are for what happened. Balinor tried to get the police to see sense. You have to know none of us thought you were responsible."
"Sorry mum but you are wrong, I did but only for a short time," came Freya's voice from behind them. Looking apologetic, Freya blushed as she looked at the blonde. "I didn't know you well enough. When Merlin found out he was livid."
Arthur smiled at Merlin's young sister. "That's okay. I admit it did look bad but I would never hurt your brother."
Freya walked up and hugged Arthur. "I know that now, so I hope you can forgive me."
"Well, if you hadn't told me I would never have known," Arthur pointed out. "So, of course I forgive you, it's only natural you should be protective of him."
Hunith shook her head in amusement. "Come on, let's get you to Merlin. I swear that boy will drive me mad, he only wanted to go to work!"
"That's sounds like him," Arthur agreed.
As they walked up the corridor, Hunith turned to Arthur once again, her voice mildly scolding. "And you listen to Balinor! He has plans for you and I don't want you turning him down, you deserve it."
...
'Bang to rights' for those who may not know means 'with positive proof of guilt'