James slams the door to his office and screams out in frustration, kicking the chair over. "That stupid bitch!" He screams, kicking his desk. He sighs loudly and slides to the floor. His head slightly bangs against the side of his desk. James opens his eyes and stares at the ceiling. A knocking on the door draws his attention.
"Sir! Are you alright?" The head peacekeeper of the prison has come to check on him.
"I am fine, Commander." An awkward silence ensues, as James knows he hasn't left yet.
"Sir, permission to enter?"
"Enter, Commander." James stands up as the Commander enters.
"Sir, you should know…that your interrogation of Mason was filmed."
"Ms. Mason, Commander." James interrupts and the Commander nods.
"Regardless, sir, you're in danger."
"Commander, thank you, but that is my problem. Understood?"
"Yes sir." The commander turns to leave but James stops him.
"Commander, why are you here?"
"Sir?" The commander looks at James concerned. James is just staring at the closed door.
"Why are you here?" Turning his attention back to the peacekeeper. "What do you get out of all of this?"
"Same thing as you, sir. I am here for honor." James scoffs at his answer internally and resists the urge to roll his eyes.
"Right. Well carry on."
"Aye sir." The Commander says before leaving the room.
James paces the room before sitting as his desk and takes some notes from his interaction with Johanna. However the Commander is right. He did say things that he probably shouldn't have. But something about that victor just gets him so…rebellious.
"James! James!" Cecilia calls out. "Where are you?" James is lurking in the tree above her. "James I give up!" James jumps down and lands behind her and she lets out a quick scream. "James!"
"Haha! I win again."
"I'm horrible at hide and go seek," Cecilia says dejectedly and James puts an arm around her shoulder.
"Yep, you are." He says with a laugh and his younger sister gives him a short glare before she too bursts out laughing.
A knock on the door brings his attention back to the present. "Come in!" The head peacekeeper and his executive officer enter.
"Sir, we need you to come with us." James looks up.
"Why?"
"We have orders, sir." The Commander says and James nods in agreement.
"Just give me a second, gentlemen." James says standing up. "Do you mind giving me a minute alone?"
"Sir, we're not allowed-" The executive officer starts before the Commander interrupts him.
"Of course, sir." He leads his XO out before closing the door. James sighs loudly before grabbing his suit jacket and putting it on. He goes over to the mirror where he straightens his tie and makes himself presentable.
"I'm sorry Cecilia," He says to the mirror before grabbing his hat in his left hand and opening the door with his right.
"Shall we?" James says and the Commander nods. He gestures with his arm for James to take a left out of his office. The two peacekeepers flank behind him as they make their way through the prison. He is brought to Mr. Galloway's office.
Caldwell Galloway heard a knock on his door. "Enter!" He says and the door opens and closes. He looks up to see James standing there. "Brother! It is so good to see you again." James grunts in return.
"Indeed it has been too long."
"Tell me brother, how is it we work in the same building but never find time to see each other?"
"We've both been very busy lately." James shrugs his shoulders and sits down. His brother is significantly higher on the food chain than himself and likes to exploit that fact. James and Caldwell never were particularly close growing up, especially after what happened to Cecilia.
"Right, regarding why I asked you to come here." Caldwell says, sitting behind his desk.
"With the armed escort, sir." James asks but adds 'sir' as his brother will appreciate it.
"Mr. Galloway," Caldwell addresses his brother with a formality reserved to business and ignoring his brother's comment, "how is it going with Ms. Mason?"
"She is strong and stubborn. She is defiant but also careful. She won't do too much that results in severe punishment. I guess I have to thank you for that." James replies.
"Indeed, your assessment about Ms. Mason seems correct. And I keep telling you that setting a strict set of rules keeps people in line better."
"I know, sir."
"You know Ms. Mason actually begged me for something."
"You're kidding!" James exclaims shocked.
"It's true!" Caldwell says with excitement. "On her knees and everything."
"Impressive," James commends his brother. But in truth James knows he has made more progress than his brother. Sure Johanna will follow Caldwell's rules but only because she is not stupid. She knows what happens if she angers him.
"What are you thinking about? You went quiet," Caldwell looks concerned at his brother.
"It's nothing. I am just-" James takes a deep breath before continuing, "I am concerned all of this is for naught. Ms. Mason will not talk."
"You just haven't done enough to her, brother."
"Not everything is about how much pain you can inflict on a person, Caldwell." Caldwell's eyes narrow in anger but he holds his tongue.
"Every person has a breaking point, you just haven't reached hers yet."
"Ms. Mason is hydrophobic now. I have created a fear for her, one that she never had before and she still hasn't broken."
"Is that why you felt the need to talk it out with her today? With no guards." Caldwell spits out bitterly.
"So now I understand why I was escorted to your office like a prisoner. You were what? Surprised about my contempt for the Capital? The things I said to her were all an act; a way to get inside her mind, through her defenses so I can take her down from the inside. If we attack her from the outside, we'll never get what we want, not in time."
"I don't care about what you say, James. I knew what you were doing and I know you know what you're doing. But you left yourself alone with a murderer who would easily kill you."
"But I knew she wouldn't."
"No you didn't! She has nothing left to lose. You're the one who runs her torture and you're the one that pushes the button! She could have easily killed you in an instant and she might not have gotten away but you would still be all the more dead!" Caldwell was screaming at his brother by the end of his monologue and James sits there in genuine shock.
"I didn't think you cared so much." James mutters honestly and Caldwell looks hurt.
"You're my brother and I am your brother."
"Ever since Ceclia's-"
"I know, James." Caldwell takes a deep breath. "I know I haven't been the best of brothers. Hell you call me 'sir'. But I do care about you. You're my baby brother. It is my job to take care of you."
"Caldwell, you killed our sister." James says evenly and Caldwell looks at him. "You just are now feeling guilty and you want to make up for it."
"I made a mistake. I should not have turned her in. I was a scared kid who didn't know what to do."
"It's done. She is dead and I know that is on you. And I know you feel bad for it."
"You haven't forgiven me. Mom and Dad have."
"They know they don't have a choice. Look at you. You're high on the food chain. They know you could kill them in an instant."
"I wouldn't! I would never do that. They're my parents!" Caldwell screams at James.
"You killed their daughter. Why should they believe that?!" James screams back at Caldwell. Caldwell sinks to his chair and James breathes heavily.
"Get out!" Caldwell says calmly. "Run. Get out of the Capital. I will give you a head start because you are my brother, but heed this. If you are captured, you will be killed. I cannot have a traitor in my command."
"Caldwell, I am not a traitor. I am just a realist. The rebels will be coming shortly and if you're plan for Mr. Mellark doesn't work, the war will be lost and you'll be executed for your actions against the rebels."
"Do not pretend you care for me, brother. You're not my-" Caldwell stops and they stare at each other.
"I am indeed my brother's keeper, Caldwell." James gives his brother a nod before leaving his office.