Chapter 69 - Beginning of the End
Eric
"Eric, please…you have to calm down." Kat pleads with me from where she planted herself by my door to keep me from leaving. Now I'm pacing angrily in front of my desk. I cut eyes at her with a sneer on my lips, letting her know what she's asking for isn't fucking happening.
Not after what she's just told me.
"I've put up with eight years worth of shit from that asshole. I've endured him constantly undermining my authority and spreading lies about me…but this…this Kat…the fuck if he gets to do what he did to you and just walk away clean."
"Who says he did?" She asks, causing me to turn and look at her incredulously.
She's standing there with her arms crossed over her chest, chin jutted out stubbornly, and that fire in her eyes that I normally love…but not right now. No. Right now it infuriates the hell out of me knowing that she's protecting and defending someone that, if I had my way, would be six feet under for what he's done.
"Then I guess it's a good thing that you don't always get your way." She says loudly while taking a step forward.
I look at her in confusion until I realize that I'm so angry I must have spoken that last thought out loud. Then her words register for me, and I can't help it but my anger explodes from me.
"How can you seriously expect me not to go after him for what he's done to you? Better yet…how in the hell could you sit there and fucking tell me that you hope to be friends with him again?" I see a flash of pain in her eyes before she looks away from me, remaining stubbornly silent while I can't stop myself from spewing my frustration and anger out.
I know nothing I say is going to persuade her differently, but I can't stand the thought of her being anywhere near that coward, much less opening herself up to being hurt by him again.
"Not only did he leave you there to deal with the lies he told your father and everyone else…but he left you alone with Marcus." I spit out the name with pure hate, and I see her flinch slightly before she takes a breath. Thinking that she's going to try and deny that…I barrel on. "Don't bother with trying to claim that man just left you the fuck alone after his son abandoned you. Do not insult my intelligence or try to brush this off…not after everything that's happened so far."
She takes a long shuddering breath before she turns her head back to face me. There isn't as much fire in her eyes at the moment, some of it is being replaced by a haunted and weary look.
"Eric…I know you don't understand why I can still hope for something like that. To be honest…I don't fully understand it either. That's just another one of the many things that I'm still figuring out." She sighs out softly. "But I promise that I'm not trying to deny anything…or brush it off. Not anymore. I'm just…I'm so damn tired of dealing with all of it…and feeling so alone." She whispers with her shoulders slumped, arms dropped to her sides.
Before she turns them away from me, her eyes have a look in them that causes me to react instinctively in two very opposing ways. Both of these things happen so fluidly and at exactly the same time with neither of them fighting for priority or dominance…they just blended together seamlessly.
The first thing that I notice happening is what's been ingrained into me when dealing with my feelings, and that's to shut down or shut them off so I can think more logically about the situation I'm in. I've never been fully capable of doing that to the extent that was expected of me…but I am at least able to do it outwardly. In this instance, it helps that I'm no longer she's no longer taking all the rage and hate I'm feeling towards a certain person.
The second thing that happens, is that I move forward and grab her in my arms, pressing her to my chest. I'm holding her the way I knew she wanted me to when confronted with the truth about the sins of my past.
I couldn't do this earlier, even though I needed to just as badly as she did. Because I knew that as soon as I touched her, I would say fuck it to all my plans of us talking and take her right here so thoroughly that it would erase every thought of what came before the two of us.
There's nothing stopping me now…not even Kat herself. Not that I really expected her to fight me grabbing her and holding her close.
I don't know when I'll ever stop being surprised by how willingly and effortlessly she fits her body against mine. Her arms wind their way around my waist at the same time mine wrap around her upper body.
She lightly grips the open edges of my jacket and tugs them further to the sides until there's enough space for her to lay her head against my chest then lays it there with a sigh. I swallow as I reach one hand to cup the back of her head and press it even closer.
I might be wearing my mask, however, inside I'm still just as livid. It feels like my body is vibrating with anger and no matter how much I might be trying to hide that from her, I know she feels it too. Usually her touch is enough to calm the storm inside of me. I guess the little bit of information Kat revealed about her past was too much for me to handle.
Or maybe my reaction is so much more intense because of who it involved? I guess I'm just hard wired to react that way to anything involving Four.
Listening to her tell me about how their friendship started strained my control to its limits. Hearing how it ended, how that bastard left her to the wolves, had me seeing red. But what really made me snap though, was the pain and heartbreak I saw in her eyes and that cracked her voice as she tried to hold back her tears.
Four is a dead man walking as far as I'm concerned. I'm more than ready to remove one of those adjectives from his title as soon as I track him down.
I still have every intention of making him pay for hurting her then running away like a coward…I just have the presence of mind to know it will have to be handled carefully. Right now however, there's something else that needs to be taken care of…and that's Kat. I can feel her exhaustion and pain pouring off of her even though she's trying not to show it.
My mind is spinning, trying to find some way I can help…to make it better for her…but it's coming up empty.
'Fix this dammit!' A voice rages in my mind.
If her exhaustion was as simple as needing sleep, I would cancel her training then march her ass straight to my apartment and put her to bed. It's not that kind of exhaustion though, not fully.
If her pain was just physical…I would start shoving meds down her throat until she was flying with the angels. But there's not a substance in the world that can truly fix the kind of emotional pain she's in.
"You can't fix this, Eric." Kat murmurs softly enough that it took me a second of blinking to realize it came from her, and not my mind mocking me.
Just about the time I realize it's her speaking is when I realize what she actually said and the fact that my raging command once again wasn't as internal as I would have preferred.
"Kat…" Her name comes out of me all ragged and hard edged; equal parts warning, denial and pained (because I know deep down she's right).
"This isn't something you can fix for me." She sniffs as she lifts her head away from my chest and looks up at me with shining eyes.
Instead of protesting about what I can't do, I turn to what I know I can and will do instead. "Maybe not…but I can make certain someone pays." She sighs and closes her eyes, almost like she's bracing herself and I know it's because she's about to say something I'm not going to like.
"Dont," I softly bark out while gripping her shoulders, causing her to look at me again. "Do not ask me to leave him alone. What he did…it's unforgivable."
"Maybe," She says while nodding thoughtfully. "That's not up to you though."
"Wanna bet," I snarl out angrily. "I am a leader of this faction, with the rank of Second in Command. Part of my purview is the investigation of anyone thought to have committed a crime or acts of treason as well deciding, then seeing to their punishment."
"I know full well what your role encompasses, as well as the process of handling crimes committed in and by a Dauntless member. I have read the handbook, after all. As far as I can tell, the only thing Four did was tell a few lies about a friend and then ghost them after transferring to another faction. So I know that, while what he did seems cowardly to you…and would to most other Dauntless as well…it wasn't actually a crime."
I'm fuming that she's daring to argue with me about this. But what's really getting to me is her protecting him…and the fact that she's right about it not being a crime…it's not sitting well with me at all.
Then a thought comes to mind and a cruel smile twists my lips.
"True…that incident might not have been criminal in of itself, but it does open the way for an investigation into other questionable incidents. Starting with his silence regarding being abused; whether or not it made him complicit in other crimes committed by his father…or anything else I can dig up to stick him with."
She pales completely. It happens so suddenly and completely that I'm afraid she's going to pass out on me.
"Kat," I reach out to steady her when she stumbles and she grips my upper arms tightly.
"I'm okay," She gasps, shaking her head. "I just…I need to sit for a minute."
Cursing, I guide her back to the chair. When she's sitting down she asks for some water. I turned back to my desk, then realized I hadn't grabbed any water for us…just coffee.
"I didn't get any for us. Fuck. They have some outside of the conference room. I'll go grab one. Sit right there until I get back, Kat."
She nods weakly in response with her head still lowered. "Okay."
A few long strides gets me to the door and then I'm out of it, walking briskly to the conference room. I'm given a wide berth and no one dares interfere with me but it still takes too long for my liking.
When I get back with both hands carrying as many bottles of water I can, she's already looking better. Kat smiles as I try to juggle the bottles enough to hand her one, then reaches out with a chuckle and grabs one for herself.
"Thank you, Eric." She says after cracking open the bottle and taking a few small, tentative sips. She swallows, pauses then takes another one…bigger this time before sighing and closing the bottle back up and setting it aside.
All that time I'm watching her with narrowed, concerned eyes, even as I put the other bottles away.
"Better?" I grumble the question out.
"A little. I think my lack of sleep combined with my insufficient coffee levels just caught up with me." She jokes.
I look back at the thermos on my desk, but then spot the bag of food waiting for us. "It might be wise to eat something before drinking anymore coffee."
"Probably," She agrees with a smile, looking much more composed than before and with a little more color in her cheeks. "Whatever it is, it smells good."
Even though it sounds like she's all for us having breakfast…neither of us make a move to actually do it. Our interrupted conversation is still hanging heavy in the air between us. I had my suspicions that Kat might want to use that to discontinue it altogether.
Honestly, that interlude of a few minutes had given me time to realize that announcing my plans to Kat probably hadn't been the best way to go about resolving things between us. Clearly, she still cares about the bastard enough that threatening to do anything to him wouldn't go over well.
Did it mean I wouldn't do what I had just threatened to do? Fuck no. I'm just going to need to make sure it's done quietly…and try to arrange it so that it can't come back to me.
"Eric…," Kat calls my attention to her and she's looking at me worriedly. I guess a little of my anticipation was showing through. That's quickly replaced with a concerned frown when she stands shakily then shuffles a little, looking uncertain.
"What's wrong?" I ask as I move closer to her.
"I was just thinking back to what you said earlier…about you needing to fix this." She says with a shrug. "It's still not something that you can fix for me…that's not how it works. But that doesn't mean I don't need you or that you can't help me in another way."
She moves so that she's standing in front of me with her hands sliding under my jacket, letting them rest against my chest. My hands go to her hips and pull her so that most of our body is touching. Even while I'm doing this though, I can't help being suspicious of this change. Like maybe she's just trying to defuse the situation and distract me.
I also feel all kinds of other things about her saying she needs me.
"How can I help, kitten?" I get out after it takes me a minute to sort myself out enough to respond.
'Don't be about to ask me to promise to stay away from fucking Four.' I think, with a sense of foreboding, that it's exactly what she's about to do.
"I think you already know at least one of things I would like to ask, Eric." She sighs and looks up at me still looking weary and haunted, but she's also silently pleading with me.
"I refuse to make any promises." I growl out, shaking my head and gritting my teeth. She might not have said the words I dreaded but she might as well have.
"And I can't ask you to…," she hesitates then frowns. "Not about that anyway. I know your history with him and I understand it might be too much to expect from you. What I am asking is that you give me time."
"Time for what exactly, Kat? No amount of time can change what he did to you. It sure as hell won't allow you to hide if he's helped his father or not." I seethe.
"Eric…do you really think if I thought Four had done that or was even capable of it, that I would do anything other than try and bring him down regardless of our prior friendship?" Kat asks me heatedly, pulling back enough to look at me.
Her expression is a cross between anger and hurt. It takes a little of the wind out of my sails. I take a deep breath and let it out while shaking my head.
"No, I don't." I confess honestly, then continue on in the same vein. "However…I do think that you are very protective…as well as stubborn…and that there is a very good fucking chance you've decided that you alone need to be the one to handle certain things…or certain people.
"You're right," She admits after a lengthy pause then she tilts her head to the side for a second with a small smile. "I am protective…and I hate the thought of anyone I care about getting hurt if I can prevent it." She trails off and chews on her bottom lip.
All I have to do to get her to finish whatever she was about to say is to reach out and use my thumb to pull her lip from her teeth while quirking an eyebrow at her.
She doesn't answer right away, instead she focuses her eyes on my chest, about the same time she starts to slide her hands over my chest again, parting the jacket even further. I resist her attempt to remove it completely by briefly capturing her hands in mine.
She sighs and looks back into my eyes again.
"That night we had dinner alone together at your apartment, you said something that's stuck with me. You told me you wanted someone that would stand beside you…and that you wanted me to be that someone. I don't know if I said it then…I don't think I did…but I want that too, Eric." She pauses as she leans in and nuzzles her face against my chest.
I close my eyes and grunt out an approving groan. My eyes open up again when she pulls away, only to reach up and wind one arm around my neck while she lays her other hand on the left side of my chest.
"You also said that you didn't want to change me. That you accept me as I am. I felt the same way then and I still feel that way now. I accept you as you are, Eric. I know we aren't always going to agree, that we have different ways of looking at things or handling them. I think it's been proven, this past week especially, that one or both of us is bound to get angry or upset with the other person at some point. Considering that you're just as stubborn and protective as I am, that's probably a guarantee."
"No comment," I snark out while rolling my eyes.
She smiles wryly at me and I smirk back at her, pulling her closer to me… barely breathing with the intensity of the moment passing between us. Her smile turns softer and she moves her fingers lightly over my chest.
"There's something else that I know without a doubt." She says with her eyes trained on her fingers as they move and her forehead slightly wrinkled as if in thought.
"What's that?"
Kat's eyes flick to mine again and she lays her hand flat directly over my quickly beating heart..then moves the hand and leans in to press her lips against the spot instead.
"Where it matters…we're the same, Eric." She says softly, her breath and lips brushing against me with every word. She lingers there for a second before pulling back and looking me in my eyes again.
"We want the same things. There might be a difference of opinion on how to go about accomplishing them, but they are the same goals." Her hand moves back over my heart, and I can't help but reach up to cover it with one of my own while swallowing heavily. "I think in the end…our differences are going to make us stronger…and we will make damn sure we get what we want…together."
My brow furrows and my chest heaves with the sudden influx of emotions. I need to say something in return, I know that much at least, but fuck all if I know what I can say.
"Kat…I…I…" I'm tongue tied…and more than a little miffed with myself.
"I know." Kat whispers and raises on her toes slightly while pulling my head to hers until our lips brush together lightly at first. "It's okay, Eric," she breathes out and then she presses hers to mine gently.
Interrupting me…silencing me?
No.
Accepting me.
Knowing me.
With a soft growl I take control of the kiss…just like she was waiting for me to. Because she knows that while I might not know what to say to her…I have my own way of expressing things.
**** Worth Fighting For ****
It's much later than I anticipated when I finally get the chance to tell her about what I have planned for our training sessions together.
I lost control, like it seems I always do when it comes to her, and took things further than I probably should have considering where we are right now. After all, I did decide to talk to Kat here for a reason, and that was to prevent exactly what happened anyway.
I can't bring myself to regret it though, not when it left her purring and smiling.
We're at my desk now, with her sitting in my lap, humming as she slowly eats a danish and listens to me lay it all out for her. I'm trying my damndest to stay on task and not let her distract me again, but it's hard because she keeps insisting on sharing via breaking off pieces and feeding them to me.
"The first stage would be learning to defend yourself against an armed person as well as disarming them. Eventually I would like to be able to move towards both of us being armed…but I'll have to wait to see about that. I promised Zach we wouldn't take it too far."
I sigh in exasperation as she interrupts me once again "Kat," I go ahead and take the piece offered then chew while trying not to scowl. "I need you to take this seriously or you're going to get hurt. "
She puts the rest of the pastry onto the bag then grabs a napkin to wipe her fingers. With a slight frown she turns to face me and nods, letting me know I have her full attention. Not that I don't think I had it before, but knowing how wrong things can go has me on edge and admittedly being a bit of an ass about it.
I go to open my mouth to try and explain that, to apologize for being so short with her, but before I can my phone goes off.
I look at the screen, growling slightly when I realize it's Max and there's no way I can ignore his call.
"Max," I gruffly answer.
He didn't waste time informing me that he needed me to go to Candor and meet with Jack Kang although he wouldn't tell any more that it had priority over anything else going on right now.
As I gather my things, Kat's cleaning up from our breakfast with a small frown. I can tell she's disappointed…and a bit worried about me suddenly being called out of the compound.
I pull her into my arms, knowing I can't make any promises but I can at least make assurances that I'll be as careful as I can, as well as to make sure I keep in touch with her via Zach or Chase.
"I'll be fine," she sighs and nods at the same time, pulling away so I can finish getting ready to head out. "It's just…I know I didn't seem like I didn't take you seriously earlier, but I did. I was so happy and excited that we would be starting it again. Only, now you have to go and…" She trailed off, pouting but trying her damndest not to.
I couldn't help that I was secretly pleased as fuck about it or that it made me laugh. Apparently that wasn't the right thing to do because she sent me a foul as hell glare, then for a split second her eyes flicked towards where she knows I keep one of my knives in my vest.
That stopped my laughter pretty quickly and although she didn't go for the knife, I couldn't help thinking maybe I needed to stop carrying them on me so often. Considering she's already managed to lift one off of me and used it on someone else.
Then again, that person was Four…so…
I shake my head with a smirk and grab my phone in a split decision. While she's standing there looking at me all confused and irritated, I hit a button that initiates a call then I lift the phone to my ear.
"What's up?" Chase answers.
"Max just gave me orders to report to Candor for a meeting with Jack Kang."
"Any clue what for?"
"No, but whatever it is he thinks is important enough that he wants it to be a priority. Even said he'd handle Jeanine should she beckon."
"Fuck," He breathes out, worriedly.
"Anyway, about what I called you for." I clear my throat and hedge away from that line of conversation after catching Kat's eyes narrowing and with definite worry increasing in them. "I might have to leave, but there's no reason the plan for this morning has to be canceled."
I watch it dawn on Kat what I'm talking about around the same time it takes Chase to catch on as well. Her eyes light up as she smiles and throws herself against me with a happy squeak. My friend, hearing it from his end, laughs out an agreement.
"Do you want me to meet you guys at your office?"
"Nah," I grunt out, looking down into Kat's eyes…getting the distinct impression she wants to express her thanks to me. "We'll meet you in the training room we decided to use from now on."
"Roger that. See you soon."
Kat's arms snake around my neck with a smirk on her lips and gleam in her eye when she overhears Chase.
"Maybe not that soon," She purrs lowly…but it's still loud enough for him to hear on the other end of the line.
I grunt as her body slides against mine. I can hear my friend chuckling as I scramble to hit the disconnect button before her lips meet mine.
**** Worth Fighting For ****
An hour later I'm finally heading out of the compound to catch the train to Candor.
I wish that all of that time had been spent alone with Kat in my office, but unfortunately I couldn't do that.
First, I needed to get Kat to the training room where I laid out what I wanted Chase to work with her on while she was doing her warm up exercises. It shouldn't have taken as long as it did, but no matter how many times I tried to lock down the unease and jealousy I felt at handing her over to Chase…I just couldn't easily let go.
It took my friend reassuring me that they would only be doing the normal work out crap along with maybe some light sparring. All the other stuff would be put on hold for when I'm there.
The second thing that delayed me was following Max's suggestion to make it known I would be out of the compound in Candor for the day and to contact him or one of the others if it was urgent. This unfortunately required me to make a call that I would rather have not. It went better than I expected because Jenaine didn't complain. In fact she sounded pleased. No doubt thinking my call was out of some kind of loyalty to her first and foremost. I couldn't disabuse her of that notion, even though part of me is raging to let her know how much she disgusts me. How badly I want to see her burn.
But that wouldn't be smart, because for right now…she needs to believe I'm still her good little soldier boy. That I still believe in her mission and I'm willing to do her dirty work. So as much as it galls me to act like her puppet, I will for as long as I have to in order to protect Kat.
By the time I've jumped onto the train any traces of the good mood I had from those precious few moments with Kat in my office are gone.
All that's left is the rage from knowing how badly Four hurt her emotionally, the hints at what that bastard father of his did to her, and the reminder of the threat Jeanine poses.
My current emotional state and the thoughts of how to resolve them properly needs to be put on hold. Whatever I'm going to Candor for must be important enough that Max has essentially put all my other responsibilities on hold until I can get this handled.
If that wasn't worrying enough, the fact that he couldn't or wouldn't give me any hint to what it's about before coming here has me on high alert. Zach being there waiting for me as soon as I entered the building didn't lessen any of that for me one bit.
**** Worth Fighting For ****
Zach meets me in the lobby of the Candor's Administration section of their complex.
"I wasn't expecting you to be here too. What's up?" I ask him lowly as soon as we get close enough to each other.
On the surface he might not look it, but I can tell something is really worrying him. He doesn't answer right away, he just turns so that he can walk beside me as we make the way towards Kang's office. After we've passed through the heavier populated lobby area and have a bit more privacy he answers me.
"Max called me earlier, told me to meet you here for a meeting but wouldn't tell me what it was about, just that he's declared it both a priority and classified. The only other information he gave me is that the meeting isn't just with Jack and that there will also be a leader from another faction here with us."
I manage to keep my face clear of the worry I'm feeling as I respond to him. "He told me the same about it being a priority but not about it being classified. Did he say who the other leader is or from what faction?"
"No, but…" He takes a breath and looks at me as we stop at the elevators to take us up to Jack's office. "I did see someone enter the building just before me."
I raise an eyebrow in the question I don't voice.
"Andrew Prior." While I'm blinking away how that name seems to hit me like a ton of bricks he continues on. "I could be reading into things, but honestly, I can't think of another reason he would be here right now if it isn't for this meeting."
I'm frowning in thought along with him. There aren't many reasons that any Abnegation leader, much less him specifically, would be here in Candor by themselves. It could be just a coincidence that he's here right now and might not be meeting with Jack at all. But I don't believe it's a coincidence and I can tell my friend doesn't either. In fact, I'm pretty sure we're both thinking the same thing, that this is going to be about Kat in some way.
There's a ding signaling the arrival of the elevator and I slip into my mask after giving a curt nod. "Let's get to it then."
He doesn't reply, just joins me in the elevator and we ride up together in thoughtful silence. Zach takes the lead as we go right to the office, only stopping to nod at his secretary who barely gives us a second glance as she waved us in before resuming whatever work she is in the middle of.
I don't have to personally deal with Candor all that much. A fact for which I'm grateful.
All of the five high ranking leaders have factions assigned to us as the main point of contact. My assigned faction is, of course, Erudite. However there have been occasions when I was the only one available to attend either a council meeting or if it was being held at Candor for one matter or another.
Generally during those instances the person I worked with was Jack Kang even though I wouldn't normally since he's a higher level than I am.
Jack holds a similar position in his faction that Max holds in ours as the main leader. The name is different, Chief Justice, and is better suited to the primary function Candor serves for our city. Though the title is pompous as hell, I've always found him to be decent enough. He's a bit more reserved and quiet compared to many in his faction, which has made it easier for me to deal with on those rare occasions I've had to work with him directly.
His office is what someone might expect for a position that basically amounts to a lawyer or judge but with a slightly more modern edge. The color scheme is the black and white of Candor. Black carpet and white walls. The bookshelves are a mixture of the two colors in cube style arrangements. His desk is a slight break from the monochromatic palette of the rest of the room. It's basically made of a long piece of crystal clear glass balanced between two marble columns that have swirls of black and white in the otherwise shiny dark gray stone.
There were two people already there when we made our entrance. Behind the desk, sitting in his plush white chair is Jack Kang. On the other side of it, in one of the three black chairs meant for visitors sits Andrew Prior.
Both men stand as we enter, with Kat's father being the first to make a greeting. He nods his head to each of us, as well as reaches out to shake our hands. I see his appraisal of me just as much as I'm appraising him. So it's not hard for me to catch the same determined and fired up gleam I've often seen in his youngest daughter's eyes.
I share a look with Zach, both of us realizing this is another tick in favor of our suspicions being right.
After repeating the greeting with Jack, we all get settled back in our chairs and the Candor leader gets right to the heart of the matter.
"I'm sure Eric and Zach are wondering why we're meeting today. I myself only know that it's a matter both you and Max felt was of some urgency. I also believe it was at your insistence that Eric would be the best to take the lead for Dauntless. While it is surprising, I trust both yours and Max's judgment. If you would, tell us what brought this on?" Jack motions with his hand towards Andrew, who nods in return.
"Before I go any further, I need to stress that everything we say and do here from this point on will need to be confidential. Only the people in this room, along with Max, know anything about what we discuss. Should we require anyone else's help those people will need to be approved beforehand and will be expected to remain quiet as well. To help drive home how serious this is, I'll tell you that no one in Abnegation knows of my visit today and it will remain that way, as I frankly do not know if anyone within the councilship can be trusted."
There's a brief moment of shock coming from Jack, while my brother and I just share a knowing look.
"I…" Jack stops and shakes his head. "That's rather disturbing. What exactly is your concern and what brought it about?"
Andrew hesitates for a brief second as he glances in my direction.
"In a nutshell, I began to believe and suspect that one of the leaders of my faction, in fact the top leader in charge of Abnegation as well as our city's government, is no longer fit for those positions."
Zach leans forward a small smile tilting his lips. It's not one of his normal smiles, inviting or good natured. It's purely predatory with a smidge of satisfaction for the opening we're being given here.
It matches everything I'm feeling inside, but I don't allow it to show.
I let him and Jack take the lead from here in questioning Andrew further, trying to draw out more details from him on how he came to the determination he did. When he alludes to the old allegations and rumors of abuse I have to rein myself in even tighter, although some of it still breaks through my mask.
How he goes about bringing that up is so fucking brilliant.
He casually remarks that he was at Dauntless for visiting day, and that while there he discovered some more information that hinted at the fact that the allegation had merit. With this new information, it could no longer be dismissed as an attempt to malign the person being accused. Then he mentioned that a personal interaction with the person suspected of being abused further heightened the suspicion and he knew it could not be so easily dismissed this time.
Not once did he bring up his daughter. In fact, he didn't give names at all but I'm sure Jack believed the person he's referring to is Four.
Zach and I, however, know differently.
We remember all too well the tense conversation he had with Kat when they were left alone during the visit. I remember an instance where Andrew was looking at Four before the coward fled the pit, there was an expression of anger mixed with pain before he turned his attention back on his daughter. Whatever they talked about after that didn't make the pain and anger leave the man's eyes completely. When he and his wife walked out of Dauntless it was still there, but so was an expression of grim determination.
At the time, I hadn't been able to figure out what the hell that look had been about. When we questioned Kat about that, she only said that her father had apologized about his handling of the situation. I realize now that while that was truthful, but in typical fashion for her it wasn't the full truth. She probably sensed her dad figured things out, and given this meeting right now she was exactly right.
Still, using Erudite's smear campaign along with the fact that it is widely known among leaders just where Marcus' son went to bring the point up is admittedly a stroke of brilliance.
It just isn't going to be enough to warrant an investigation of the leader of our government.
"Andrew, I understand and share your concern, but our hands are tied unless we have proof as well as someone willing to testify. From what I remember the young man you're referring to was unwilling to come forward or even acknowledge those suspicions."
Jack Kang speaks up, mirroring my thoughts. His words leave me scowling heavily. I hate that he's right. Without proof nothing can be done through the official channels. Which is why I had already decided to exact my own personal brand of justice on both father and son.
Andrew sighs heavily in agreement, looking older for a second before he reaches down to grab the messenger bag that was sitting on the floor beside his chair.
"I realized that my belief or suspicions would not be enough to do much of anything about it, so I began to do my own internal investigation in order to have proof. As disturbing and disgusting the matter of abuse of a child is, that isn't what truly brought me here today." He informs us, his tone tinged with what I can only imagine is anger being tightly held in.
Opening his bag he begins to pull out folders, then once he has everything out, he sets the bag back on the floor and distributes them between each of us, keeping one for himself.
"In those folders you will find documents that are my proof for several areas of concern that merit further investigation. They list decisions and policies made for both the running of the Abnegation as well as the government that have been made over the last ten years; ones that are either highly suspicious or are against the city's founding charter. Hence bordering on possibly illegal. Then there are other documents highlighting severe discrepancies with the city's stores, division and distribution of said supplies." Andrew informs us even as the three of us started to immediately flip and riffle through the thick files he's provided us. "I believe this is, as they say, just the tip of the iceberg. What I found made me realize that I would need assistance…which is where you three come in."
I have to fight to stop my hands from shaking. Some if it is in excitement to be handed at least Marcus Eaton's head a silver fucking platter, but mainly from anger as things start connecting for me.
Kat has only really hinted at shit with a comment here or there, a disgusted look whenever certain topics regarding her former faction have been mentioned. I don't know just how much she knows for certain about Marcus Eaton and his obvious corruption, but it's becoming clear that she knows enough.
From beside me I can hear my brother struggling to calm himself. It's not really noticeable to anyone the other two and I probably wouldn't have noticed either if I hadn't already been looking his way. I can't help wondering if this is part of what she's talked to him about. If I hadn't already accepted that he's trying to help her, not intentionally keep things from me, then I would be pissed.
I look at Andrew next, my jaw tight with anger. I'm finding it very hard not to let some of that anger be directed at the older man. Her father…the man she adores and respects…looks up to and admires. The man who should have known what was going on with her, what was happening to his little girl, and protected her.
Despite the anger I feel my mind is still engaged enough to look at things logically. Andrew Prior might have been unaware before but it's obvious that is no longer the case. The man might be mostly Abnegation in attitude, but he came from Erudite and that's part of him too.
I've heard it said before that sometimes the only difference between my old faction and new one…besides the color of their clothes and rugged lifestyle…is the manner in which they let their ruthless side out.
Kat's father might not be using his own hands to tear apart anyone who's hurt his family, but that doesn't mean he can't be just as ruthless by having someone else do the dirty work for him.
I have every intention of being that person.
I'll let Zach continue helping Kat sort through her memories and feelings about everything. I've just been given a way to help her that's right in my wheelhouse and I couldn't be any fucking happier about it.
"Well then, gentlemen," I say with a toothy smile, "I believe this has officially become a criminal investigation. Do you three agree with that conclusion?"
They all give their own nods of agreement, though I see Zach roll his eyes slightly at my rhetorical question before nodding as well.
"Though Max is not here and has chosen to let Eric take the lead, I'm still required to keep him informed and to make this official. I realize that this needs to be kept as quiet as we can, but I rather think just the four of us won't be enough given the scope of investigation it seems like it will require. Is there anyone else you would like to include, Eric?"
"Chase Oldham and Zeke Pedrad." I informed him almost immediately.
I don't have to think too long and hard about who I want to include. Chase is a given, there's no way I can or want to leave him out of this. Zeke's inclusion is a calculated risk on my part but not a bad one as far as I'm concerned.
I can tell by Zach's expression that he's surprised, confused and a little bit concerned. But he saves his thoughts for when we're alone and can talk about things.
**** Worth Fighting For ****
The meeting wraps up not too much longer after making it an official investigation and detailing who else would be involved. There weren't many other things that could be discussed right now. While Andrew was able to provide us with a good amount of information, it was all more of giving us general ideas for where we should concentrate on.
I do learn a few interesting things. Namely that Max and Andrew have already had a meeting, it was apparently what Max was out of the compound for. I'm not sure what all they discussed but it is clear that they at least talked about what to do with this information and who would be leading the investigation.
Andrew apparently requested me and Max agreed.
"Could I speak to you for a moment, Eric?" The Abnegation man asks as we're wrapping up and getting ready to leave.
After a brief look, and getting permission to use his office, Jack dismisses himself. Zach follows quietly along after him after only the slightest hesitation.
After the other two have left, Andrew sighs wearily then turns towards me.
"Eric, I feel that I owe you an explanation and an apology." He pauses for just a second and I remain stonily silent, trying to hold in the anger directed at this man.
"I'm not sure how much my daughter has told you about the past, or the role I played…the mistakes I made. Knowing her, she probably hasn't said much at all or at least tried to downplay things. But I can and do admit to them. The reasons for my actions at the time don't matter. I can't change what happened. All I can do is make things right from here on."
"It's because of this that I requested you to be in charge of this investigation. I wish I could say it was for anything other than selfish reasons, but I can't. I apologize for the position this puts you in, I just knew you would be the best person to handle this. Not only because of your connection to my daughter, but also because of the reputation you have for being able to get things done no matter what you might personally feel. The day you came to me I encountered a very different man than I believed you to be. That being said, there is one thing that I don't believe I got wrong about you, and that's your dedication to your duty as well as this city. I knew from the start I wouldn't be able to be objective about this, and despite my own feelings, I knew there needs to be someone that can and will put duty before anything else."
I want to be mad at the man. I want to rage at him, throw his inability to protect his daughter in his face. I want to tear through his faction for believing the lies of that asshole Marcus Eaton and allowing him to get away with what he's done.
I want to do all of that and so much more…but I can't. Not just because I can see the pain in Andrew's eyes, and how much he means every word he's said. Not just because I know doing any of that would hurt Kat more than she already has been.
I can't because I see myself in her father and the situation he's in.
There's a strange coincidence going on right now, between his situation and mine. The two of us have had our share of mistakes made and not just in regards to his daughter…but she seems to be the catalyst in bringing them to light.
Then there's also the fact that Andrew's given me what I wanted most in this world at the moment…the means to put an end to Marcus Eaton. For that alone I'm willing to overcome this until I can let my rage out in a more productive manner.
"As much as I like to think I'm infallible, that I'm always right, I've recently discovered that is not true. People make mistakes, myself included, it's inevitable no matter how careful or meticulous we are. In fact, I've been confronted with a few big mistakes I've made in my life. I can't change the past and that's not something I dwell on wishing for. All I can do…what I will do…is make every effort to correct them going forward." My words are stilted since I'm still too angry to be completely sympathetic to his situation.
Instead of being upset about my tone or the fact that I don't try to reassure him of anything he seems almost appreciative and thoughtful.
He nods slowly, with his head tilted to the side slightly before he looks me in the eye again. "Thank you for understanding."
"I was just speaking the truth. Rather fitting given our current location." I reply with a slight smirk, and he returns it slightly. The moment turns serious once again when I let the smirk drop and maining eye contact with him.
"You weren't wrong about my reputation. I am still the man you've heard about and I do take my job and duty seriously. With that being said, however, I also have no problem admitting that when it comes to protecting Kat, there aren't any lengths I won't go to. Even if it means putting her before anything else."
Andrew doesn't seem upset or surprised by my words. If anything he looks pleased as hell by them for a second before his Abnegation kicks in and there's a hint of guilt for feeling that way. But when he shakes my hand in parting, he holds it and my eyes firmly for a few seconds.
In those seconds we share an unspoken agreement to unleash hell on those that have hurt her.
Stepping outside of the building I can't help but look towards the direction of the heart of the city. Right now Marcus Eaton is sitting in his office unaware that the beginning of his end has just taken place.
"Let's get home and get to work." I declare then stride towards the jump point for the train, eager to put my thoughts to action.