While Diego sat with his old fence, (Name) and the rest of the Flying Squad began to make plans for how best to arrest Lawson, and also consulting with Mister Johnson on what to do afterwards. Most of the forces he brought, state troops, were taking the other districts which left the Flying Squad with Capitol Peak, where Lawson's power was the strongest.

"That power looked to be decreasing," Isaac said. "After Mister Tradewinds set the guillotine on fire, people began coming out and fighting the Justice Corps."

"How much is that to our advantage?" (Name) asked.

"It's better than nothing," Mister Johnson said. "If the Justice Corps are trying to fend off people fighting them, then that leaves a path to get to Lawson, wherever he is."

"Hopefully, we'll be able to find him once Charlie fixes the tracking device." (Name) glanced at Charlie, who was still repairing the tracking device.

"I still can't believe that Charlie was willing to die to save us." Maddie said. She had long since handed George to her mother, who was tending the baby right now. "And to have Diego kill him as Lebold…"

"It would have been a wound to us and Concordia that wouldn't have healed, and made Diego worse off than when we first met him." (Name) said. "Charlie didn't comprehend that Lawson wouldn't have kept his word, one way or the other."

"I was trying to protect Madeline and George." Charlie said. "All of you, really, but especially them."

"I know you were, Charlie." (Name) said. "But telling Diego to save us by betraying us wasn't your best idea."

"Thank God Diego realized it, rather than go along with your plan." Maddie said. "Then again, Diego didn't get to where he was by being stupid…"

"Like Diego told us, he knew a double-cross when he heard one, and he'd be right about what would happen if he did go along with it."

"There could've been a deal." Charlie said. "We made one with him before."

"That was for attempts at art fraud, art theft and bribery of a police officer, Charlie. Even then, we only made it to get his aid with the Alastor murders." (Name) said. "Killing you, no matter what the motive or intention, would have been murder, which is a bigger crime, and we'd have to take Lawson alive just to have a reason to make any deal."

"Do you think we can take him alive?"

"It'll be difficult, but not impossible. How's that tracking device coming along?"

"I'm nearly finished. It's hard to believe that it took six months, the attempted murder of George and orphans, the murder of a priest, and a burning guillotine for the people to rise up and fight against the regime!"

"But it did. Mister Johnson, when we arrest Lawson, what happens next?"

"I contact the governor, who will arrive in Concordia to not only put the city under direct state oversight, but to hear the charges of treason against the state its Mayor has committed." Mister Johnson said. "I won't lie, we have a lot of work to do to heal this city, and hopefully we'll be able to restore order. I was especially disturbed to hear Lawson was planning to execute priests!"

"What?!" (Name) cried." On what grounds? How many priests are we talking about?"

"According to Mister Tradewinds, whose report I took, it was every priest in Sinner's End that was with him, in a section used for interrogations."

"Interrogations. Priests from Sinner's End. Of course, Lawson considers their upholding the seal of the confessional obstruction of justice, and he doesn't know which parish took confession from McMullen and Fletcher, if they made confession at all."

"McMullen and Fletcher? What do those two have to do with anything?"

"Lawson's motive on all he's done here connects with their murder of Abigail Baines and how that case was handled." (Name) saw Mister Johnson look shocked.

"You mean…the trampling of civil rights, the arrests without proof, the upcoming executions…they have to do with what happened to Abigail?"

"They do. Are you all right, Mister Johnson?"

"No! No, I'm not all right. This…he can't be…no, I can't…not over Abby!" Mister Johnson sank down to the couch. (Name) sat with him. Mister Johnson had by then gone ashen.

"You knew Miss Baines." (Name) said. "I looked over the case, and it listed you as the prosecutor in charge. I had to when I saw the first arrests were those part of that case. To be honest, I was surprised Lawson didn't take it."

"He wanted to, was adamant about taking it, but the District Attorney at the time wouldn't let him. Justin was irrational, outraged at what they'd done and wanted to see them dead! He was too emotionally involved and would have killed them himself if given the chance; I was too emotionally involved as well, but I controlled my temper and didn't give in to the rage I felt at the brutes who took one of the sweetest, kindest women I knew from this world. But to respond to your statement, yes I knew Abby personally. We grew up together, her parents were my godparents…Justin was my colleague and my friend, but Abby…Abigail, she was my sister in every way but blood. It wasn't easy, but I got her killers convicted and a long prison sentence for them both. Justin couldn't do it—to let him try would have risked an acquittal!"

"What's going to happen to Miss Cappechi?" (Name) asked, changing the subject. "In regards to her killing Inspector Jaubert?"

"I read your report, and it's clear Miss Cappechi acted in self-defense. We won't prosecute, but her testimony will be appreciated." Mister Johnson said. "Jaubert had no solid evidence of any wrongdoing on Miss Cappechi's part, and that so-called threat isn't even circumstantial—if anything, she's laid low since the gang war in Crimson Banks ended with O'Neil's death and her mother's arrest."

"That's one piece of good news." (Name) said as Diego rejoined them. The reformed forger talked to Dick a moment, who left the room. (Name) noticed Diego looked weary.

"Tradewinds?" (Name) asked.

"He just passed." Diego said. "Where are we regarding Lawson?"

"Charlie's almost done fixing the tracking device. We're going after him as soon as he's finished; I'm sorry for your loss."

"Thank you, (Name). Tradewinds…he was part of an old life, but I considered him a friend. At least, as much as one could have friends among that world."

"You trusted him, and I know you don't trust easily."

"Yes. Is Mister Johnson all right?"

"I just told him about Abigail Baines being the motive behind Lawson's antics. I don't think he believes me."

"It looks more like he doesn't want to believe you. I best give my statement to him, excuse me." (Name) nodded, and consulted with Chief Wright about the next steps. It was decided that Chief Wright, Isaac, (Name) and Maddie would follow Charlie's tracking device; once they found Lawson, they would arrest him and turn him over to Mister Johnson.

"I'm coming with you." Charlie said. "I've finished fixing the tracking device, so when do we leave?"

"WE aren't going." (Name) said. "Charlie, it's too dangerous!"

"Do any of you know how to work the tracking device? No? Then I must insist on coming with you!"

"What about me?" Rose asked. "I'm a hell of a crack shot, if anyone should be coming with you, it should be me!"

"We need you here to protect Prospect Gardens, Rose. God willing it won't be necessary, but I am not taking chances." (Name) said. "If anything goes wrong, you and the resistance are what stands between the Justice Corps and everyone here."

"I'm coming, too!" Diego said. "Who knows when you'll need my help getting to wherever Lawson's sequestered himself?"

"Chief? I don't like the idea of letting civilians come with us to apprehend a dangerous criminal, but it's your call."

"I don't like it either, (Rank)." Chief Wright said. "But in this case, we are out of options. Charles and Diego, you'll come with us, but you stay behind us. Understood."

"Yes, sir!" Both men said.

"Excellent." (Name) said, drawing their weapon. "Maddie, if you need to stay here and help Rose…"

"I spoke with my mother." Maddie said. "She'll keep George and…and care for him, if we don't survive this. I have to do this, (Name). I have to do all I can to make this city safe for George."

"All right. Let's go."

The group made it to Capitol Peak and (Name) found themself staring at the chaos going on. People were fighting the Justice Corps in the streets, with aid from the police forces, and the guilotine was still on fire. (Name) could see the airship, but it didn't look damaged; Charlie mentioned shooting the boiler by accident, but there were no signs of an explosion as a result. Perhaps someone managed to turn it off before it could explode.

"According to the device," Charlie said. "Lawson should be up on Concordia Tower."

"That gives us an advantage." (Name) said. "He'll be cornered up there; on the other hand, it's a choke hold, and odds are he'll jump before submitting to arrest."

"So what do we do?"

"Ramirez. Get every uniform you can find and surround the tower. Make sure no one but Mister Johnson and his forces comes in or out behind us."

"Yes, (Rank) (Name)!" Ramirez said. As Ramirez went to do as told, the others entered Concordia Tower, sweeping every inch as they climbed for any Justice Corps hidden inside. They eventually reached the top and saw Lawson standing there, alone; he held the tracker in his hand.

"So, (Rank) (Name). You've showed up at last." Lawson said. "And you, del Lobo! It was you who planted this emitter on me! Why am I not surprised?"

"Lawson…you knew about the tracking device?" Isaac asked.

"Of course! I wasn't born yesterday! I found that contraption in my pocket after my scuffle with del Lobo there, after he refused to kill Dupont." Looking at Diego, Lawson added, "You should have killed him. I would have spared them all."

"Spare them what? The guillotine? Until Charlie breathed his last? Five minutes?" Diego asked. "You must think I was born yesterday if you thought I would fall for a double cross like that."

"A fair point." Lawson said. "You, all of you, are escaped criminals who are a threat to our fair city!"

"The only threat here is you!" Chief Wright said, pointing his gun. "Justin Lawson, you are under arrest for conspiracy to commit murder and for countless abuses of Mayoral power! Your reign of terror is over!"

"Reign of terror? Who do you suppose has been fighting those who are a blemish on Concordia? Combatting the corrupt leaders, keeping the gangs at bay? I have brought order and peace to this great city! I have once again made the streets of Concordia safe for all its citizens! Unlike you, it is I who have restored justice! And you could have helped me, (Rank) (Name)! But instead, you chose to free convicted criminals, turning a blind eye to crime!"

"(Rank) (Name) has done nothing but protect our citizens from your tyranny, Lawson!"

"We trusted you to do what was right, Lawson. Concordia trusted you to do what was right! Instead, you chose to wield your power so that everyone—innocent and guilty alike—ended up on the chopping block!" (Name) said. "As for Florence Samuels, you know damn well and good she was transferred to state custody due to your sentencing her to death. But in the interest of moving things along, answer me this one question—can a Mayor change state law?"

"What?" Lawson asked, confused.

"Can a Mayor change state law? It's a simple legal question, Counselor."

"Of course not! A Mayor runs a city, not a state!"

"Really? Wouldn't a state of emergency make an exception to that rule?"

"No, it wouldn't. Only the Governor can amend state law."

"Then you're the one being arrested, which you opened yourself to when you reinstated the death penalty!"

"Hardly! I negated an abolishment that Concordia should never have made! I am well within my rights to amend a law that prevents the deliverance of justice!"

"That is true, you do have the right to amend city law as Mayor. There's just one problem." (Name) said. "Concordia didn't abolish the death penalty fifty years ago—the state did!"

"That…you have no precedence to arrest me, (Rank) (Name)!" Lawson cried. "The Rochesters are facing the death penalty for their treason against Concordia, and there has been no outcry there!"

"Horatio Rochester had many people committed against their will to Gryphon Sanctuary. One of them was his nephew Malcolm's political opponent on the eve of the Senate election. When he did that, Horatio interfered with a public election, which is a federal offense, putting their treason on the federal level, where the death penalty applies."

"That…you're trying to trick me…" Lawson stammered.

"You know damn well I'm telling the truth. The state is aware of what you've been doing, and they are here to stop you."

"I don't believe you!"

"I know you don't. Look down, Lawson. See those figures fighting your goons? They're the state National Guard, fighting by the side of the citizens of Concordia, who are no longer afraid of you."

"The state has no right to interfere!" Lawson cried.

"Concordia's still part of the state, and you made no effort to cede the city from the state."

"The state ceded from us! Where were they when Rochester tried to take over this city?! When we were beset by the gangs as they warred with each other?!"

"Wow. Archie was right—you really are like his family. Arrogant, self-entitled…though for all of Horatio's Machiavellian efforts, he at least knew how to cover his tracks so no one knew his true intentions, AND he kept control of those in his inner circle, at least until the end. Which is more than I can say for you."

"What the hell are you talking about, (Name)?! My Justice Corps are loyal and devoted to justice, unlike you and your ilk!"

"If that were true, your Justice Corps wouldn't be using the women's prisons as improvised brothels. They wouldn't be stealing from people they arrested, or accusing others just to have the opportunity to take everything from them. If you really stood for justice, you wouldn't be punishing innocent people for their associations or what their family members have done. Nor would your deputy Mayor have tried to murder children by burning down their orphanage!"

"You dare to spread lies about—"

"Dora Umbright told me everything, how you ordered her to shut down Saint Gerolamo's which she in turn interpreted as burning it down with everyone inside. If you were any kind of Mayor, you would have known what she would do—what any of your administration would do."

"She wouldn't! I told her I had plans to train the orphans to be productive citizens!"

"Looks like she disagreed with those plans. She was also the one who gave the Justice Corps permission to rape women prisoners, before your "Prison Purge" was to take place. It's over, Lawson. You have been a scourge on this city for too long! The Flying Squad is taking a stand for the people of Concordia, and will tolerate it—tolerate you—no more."

"(Name), we've got company!" Diego shouted. (Name) looked down at the stairwell and saw a group of Justice Corps heading towards them.

"Damn." (Name) muttered. "Hold them off for as long as you can—Lawson's mine." With that, (Name) charged towards Lawson while the others fended off the oncoming Justice Corps.