Chapter 70 - Dirty Laundry

Eric

I give my friend credit. He waited the entire ride back to Dauntless, as well as until we were safely behind the closed door of my office, before he started questioning me.

"Not that I don't think Zeke is skilled enough to be an asset to the investigation, but do you really think bringing Four's best friend in on this is a wise decision?" Zach asks as I sit behind my desk and he leans on the edge of the other side.

"I brought him on for exactly those two reasons." I answered him with a smirk.

I knew the answer would irk him and I'm not wrong. He rolls his eyes with a sigh of exasperation. "Would you be so kind as to explain that in a bit more detail?"

I lean back in my chair and cross my arms over my chest while I regard him. Mostly…if I'm being honest…I'm trying to maintain a bit of calm and not direct the anger I'm still seething with at my brother.

"This morning Kat and I talked a bit about her past. She wasn't able to tell me much…but what she did get around to telling me about was her friendship with Tobias Eaton. More specifically, she told me how it began as well as ended."

Zach sags with a big exhalation of relief and remains quiet for a few seconds before he whispers. "She told you." Again it's said with relief as well as a good measure of happiness.

"Yeah," I answer, looking away while rolling my shoulders and neck, willing away the misplaced anger.

My brother's reaction was enough to wipe away any remnants of resentment I might have had. I can see how much this has weighed on him, keeping Kat's secrets. We always promised to be honest with each other and I know it's taken a toll on him not being able to keep that promise.

I take a deep breath and look back at Zach.

"Look, we both know how I've felt about her going to you to talk all this shit out. We also know that no matter how much I might logically understand the need for that, I'm still not going to like it. But I've seen what it's done to her…what it's still doing to her…and I know I'm just not equipped to be able to help her like she needs right now."

"Did she have an episode this morning?" Zach asks me worriedly.

"No," I hedge at first, remembering that moment when I thought she might pass out. That wasn't the kind of episode he had warned me about before, so I decided not to bring it up. "Not this morning, but last night…she was on the edge of one that I was barely able to help her avoid."

My friend looks at me curiously for a few seconds, and for once I can't figure out what he might be thinking or feeling. Then a small smile blooms on his face, which just puzzles me even more.

"What? What's that smile about?"

"Nothing," He shrugs and then laughs a little when I give him my 'don't give me that bullshit' look. "It's just funny that you think you aren't able to help her, and yet with you she was able to avoid an episode completely. Whereas I've only been able to help talk her through the episode after she's mostly out of it. I know this hurts you and that it feels like she's turning away from you, but she's not, Eric. What you just told me is proof of that. Look…Kat might not have admitted to this, but I think part of why she hasn't talked to you about all this before now is because she's scared you'll think she's too broken to be with."

I nod with a tight jaw and look away from him for a moment to get my emotions under control while I process his words.

"That might be part of why she's afraid to talk to me about this stuff, which…just…I would hope it didn't need to be said that isn't something I could or would ever think about her…" I trail off uncomfortably and he nods, waving my assurances away as unnecessary, allowing me to continue on.

"But that's not all she's afraid of when it comes to me knowing about her past. In fact, I'm pretty sure that the biggest reason is her incessant need to protect those around her. She's afraid of how I'm going to react and what I might do. That makes her feel like she needs to protect some of those people that I might feel were partly responsible if I were to know the truth of what really happened. Am I wrong?"

"No, you're not wrong." He answers quietly and with a growing scowl. He stops then shoves away from the desk and practically throws himself into one of the chairs across from me.

"Eric…I'm barely fucking holding myself back…that's how bad some of the shit she's been through is. If you and Chase…no…when you and Chase hear everything for yourselves, there will be no stopping either of you. And honestly…I don't think I would even try to."

His reaction isn't at all what I expected. I honestly expected my friend to try and defuse me, or at least reassure me that it's not as bad as my fucked up mind has been spinning for me. The fact that he can't even muster up some kind of sugar coating to keep me calm is not at all how I thought this conversation was going to go.

It takes me doing a slow breathing/counting exercise before I feel like I'm able to speak again. When I do, my tone is low and dangerous.

"I already started to put together a picture of what could have been happening before today. I didn't need the meeting in that office to tell me the root of all Kat's pain and hurt is Marcus Eaton. The insinuation that he's connected to some of the shit with the factionless isn't so much a surprise as it is making me kick myself for not putting that together before now. I don't know to what degree…or what his objectives might be with them…but I plan to find out and put a stop to that as well as him."

Zach nods in agreement. We both sit in contemplative silence for a few minutes before he shifts in his seat a little then breaks it.

"I think we need to tread carefully from now on when dealing with the factionless. Remember that during the investigation after the capture incident we got some confirmation regarding Kat's revelation about the splinter groups in the factionless. She told us about how the other group is harassed and hunted and there were some indications from those we questioned that it's true. I think in order to find out for ourselves we need someone that can tell us what's really going on in that group. Come to think of it…is that why you included Zeke…to be able to get him to arrange some kind of meet up with Amar for us without having to deal with Four directly?"

"Fuck," I mutter, blinking in surprise a few times before I shake my head. "No, I hadn't thought of that angle exactly, but it does align with our end goals." I sigh in frustration that here is evidence of another thing I've let slip by me. I need to get my shit together. I can't afford any more mistakes. Too much is at stake. "Zach, the main reasons I included him were selfish. Because having him on the team will help Kat in the long run. You know how close she is with Uri, and even though they haven't known her as long, both Zeke and Shauna have quickly adopted both her and her sister as well. We've already gotten Shauna on our side as far as getting Kat taken care of. Having him in on this can add a layer of protection for them that I just can't offer. He can be out in the open with her and no one will bat an eye about it."

I rub the back of my neck as I continue letting him know my full thought process of bringing on the eldest Pedrad.

"Then there is her past relationship with Four. Despite what the asshole's done to her, she still seems determined to try and rebuild it." I don't even bother to hide my scowl and displeasure at this fact.

"Yeah, I'm not much happier than you are about it, brother. Maybe if I saw any sign from him that he might be willing to stand against Marcus, but I honestly haven't. And the thing that really gets me…that really pisses me off…is that he's never apologized or explained to her why he did what he did. He honestly just expected her to forgive him and not need either of those things. From what she's said…it's almost like he has Abnegation expectations of her. Which is ridiculous because this is Kat we're talking about. Yeah, she might be forgiving as hell, but she's not a pushover that's going to let someone walk all over her."

By the end of his rant I can feel my blood boiling to match his rage, but I manage to keep inside.

"His reasons make no difference to me, because no matter what they might have been, I'll still think he's nothing but a coward. Kat, on the other hand, is determined to at least try and be friends again. You can bet the instant he knows that we're together he's going to do everything in his power to drive a wedge between us. Which brings us to another point for having Zeke in on this investigation. Not only will it give her protection, but he will finally know the truth about Tobias Eaton and what he did to her…what he allowed to be done to her after he ran like the piece of shit he is. So by the time everything comes out, he and everyone else involved will know that I'm the one that's been protecting Kat. I'm the one that's bringing to justice those who've hurt her no matter who they are."

"So you look like the good guy while Four's reputation takes a dive and he makes an ass out of himself by trying to throw mud at you." Zach sums up with a chuckle.

"If he's smart, then he'll quit while he's ahead and not attempt anything like that." I say with a smirk and a careless shrug. "But that would require him to pull his head out of his self-righteous ass and finally admit he's not as infallible as he likes to believe."

"You know as well as I do that he's just as bad about going against you and starting shit as you've been about him." Zach states with a roll of his eyes.

My answer is simply a shark-like grin, letting my brother know that I do, indeed, realize this about us.

In fact, I'm actually counting on it.

**** Worth Fighting For ****

My phone laying on my desk chimes with an incoming message. That's been a constant sound for the last two hours as those involved in the investigation have been giving out frequent status updates as we slog through the information given to us by Andrew.

Max took the lead in organizing how things are going to proceed from here, laying out the procedure for further meet ups and exchanging of information. He agreed with Zeke's inclusion and said he would take care of briefing him. Jack decided not to bring anyone in besides himself and his secretary, which will slow down his work considerably but he feels it's necessary for maintaining security of the investigation.

Since then we've been combing through the Abnegation files and cross referencing anything we might have more details on within our own faction files. Despite having more people to help me, it feels just as slow going here as it must be for Jack. Mainly because it becomes clear with each page that more questions are being raised than answers provided.

The good thing is that Andrew was at least able to provide us with locations, dates and times for us to pull any of the vid footage we might have to help build the case further. The bad thing is having to go through all that footage with only five people to spread it out through.

With a growl of frustration I throw the paper I'm currently looking at back on the growing pile, then grab my phone to see what the others have for me.

Meeting in the ready room in ten minutes. Bring your files and everything you've found so far. ~ Max

I sigh as I put the phone down on the table and rub my eyes. When I open them back up again I glance at my watch and see it's well past lunchtime. Not only did I miss eating the meal myself, but I also missed the chance to see Kat.

I couldn't even update her like I promised I would, because Chase and Zach have been just as tied up as I've been.

Zach went right to work on the investigation along with me and the others but Chase had to arrange for someone to keep an eye on the initiates while the both of us are gone, not only today but for in the future since this will most likely require that.

Luckily today isn't a sim day. Meaning they should be in the gym, working on their physical skills for a few hours before we give them a break for the rest of the day. But tomorrow it will be right back to the sims, and it will require for one of us to be there at the very least.

I can be absent for a few of the sessions but not too many, not if we don't want to piss Jeanine off and draw her attention to what we definitely don't want her getting wind of.

A weary groan leaves me at the thought of Jeanine and my brother. It always seems to come back to them. They're like a constant noose around my neck that I'll never be free from.

I'd come to accept that before Kat came along…but now…

Another phone chime reminds me I have somewhere to be and with a sigh I start to gather everything I'm going to need so I can get to the meeting.

I might not be able to escape from my own demons…but I can damn sure Kat's free of hers.

**** Worth Fighting For ****

When I arrived at the ready room, I found that Max called in for food and drinks to be brought in for us. He's overseeing some of the kitchen staff as they finish up putting out everything they've brought.

Sandwiches, bags of chips, bottles of water and one of the big coffee urns, like the one used in the dining hall, have all been arranged on a side table set up under a bank of vid screens.

Everything to indicate that he's expecting us to be here for a while too.

I nod to him in greeting and take a spot at the table after grabbing myself a cup of coffee. Zeke comes in just after me and Max calls him over right away. I hear him lowly telling him that he'll be fully briefed once everyone gets here and giving him the whole classified spiel. By the time he's done that Zach's joined me at the table with his own cup of coffee and already looking worn out before we even really get this thing started. Chase is the last to arrive. No one here minds because we all know he had other duties to see to, but as soon as he shows up and is seated Max starts us off.

"Alright, let's get this started" He says after rising from the table and initiating a lock down of the room. This disables the cameras in here and jams any unauthorized monitoring. "As a criminal investigation that involves high ranking members of the government this will be completely classified and follow the protocols for these kinds of cases. Every piece of information collected, investigated or talked about will need to be secure. Which means that when not being worked on, it will be kept locked up in your office safes with frequent code changes. You will be assigned a secure communicator that's sole use will be for this investigation. Understood?"

"Understood, sir." I say while nodding in agreement, with the others giving their own confirmations.

Once he's gotten that from us, Max grunts and walks over to the table with all the food, going straight for the coffee. He looks over his shoulder at us while his cup fills up, in a way that indicates we might want to follow his example, if we haven't already.

Chase and Zeke scramble out of their chairs, noting that Zach and I already have our coffee. But we join them anyway to grab some food and water as well.

Once we're settled back at the table we take time to eat a bit before Max launches into an explanation of why we're gathered here. This is for the benefit of the other two who haven't been brought up to speed. Neither myself or Zach had been able to tell Chase much. Mostly because there hadn't been time to. All we had been able to tell him was that there was going to be an investigation into Marcus.

"Just after Visiting Day I got a request for a private off the books meeting with Andrew Prior. He came to me with concerns that he began to have about a certain person within his faction and rumors that seem to continuously follow them." He pauses and takes a sip of his coffee before leveling all of us with an intense stare while pausing and holding Zeke under inspection the longest. "Everyone at this table has some kind of relationship with people that are or will be, at some point, brought up during the course of this investigation. Whether that relationship is good or bad doesn't matter one damn bit to me. What matters is that you keep your shit out of this investigation. Am I understood?"

Once again we all give our agreement, though Zeke looks unsure for a second when he does so, considering how long Max focused on him.

"Good." Then he sets his coffee cup down and runs a hand over his jaw and sighs. "Everyone here remembers when Dauntless had its first Abnegation transfer in years. Not only was it a big stir because of the faction this person came from but also because of who he is…or rather who his father is. I'm also sure everyone remembers the rumors that went around about Tobias Eaton and the fact that he was allegedly abused by his father, Marcus."

Zeke blinks in surprise at this revelation of who the investigation would obviously involve, and Chase tenses up slightly, but otherwise they remain quiet and Max continues on.

"Nothing ever came from those rumors. The first time it was brought up Marcus was able to get it dismissed when it was pointed out that his son was mentally and emotionally unstable after the death of his mother. There had been a few recorded incidents that were believed to be the result of self-harm, not abuse as others claimed. No further evidence was ever produced and even Tobias…or Four as he's chosen to be known now…never stepped forward to substantiate the claim."

"There was one witness, though, who tried to come forward. They went to the Abnegation elders with the claim they had witnessed Marcus Eaton in the act of assaulting his son. Unfortunately, at the time those allegations were once again dismissed because of the fact that the witness themselves were being accused of inappropriate and unwanted attention towards Tobias Eaton. Evidence was presented that gave those allegations merit and suggested that the person was only coming forward as retaliation for being rejected. Since then the matter has all but disappeared other than the occasional resurfacing of the old rumors from time to time."

Zeke is still looking stunned with just a little bit of growing anger now that he's connecting that there is more to the situation than just Four not getting along with his dad or fitting in back in Abnegation.

Chase is past looking stunned, instead he's looking full on angry. He won't need to be told who the witness that came forward is, he's already connected it. My brother also understands what Max isn't saying, that Marcus and Tobias made Kat out to be some revenge seeking slut as far as her old faction would be concerned.

I grab my bottle of water to take a drink in an attempt to cool my own anger and calm down.

"That's a lot of evidence that seems to present itself at the most convenient times." Chase snarls out quietly.

Max nods in agreement and Zeke spares a brief glance at Chase before turning back to our senior leader. "Was the evidence not real?"

I stiffen with the urge to call it all the bullshit it really is but stop myself at a look from Max. He once again takes the lead.

"Yes and no. Regarding Tobias, he did take his mother's death hard and had a few incidents at school that were recorded stating he had emotional outbursts on occasion or was uncooperative. There were never any actual witnesses to him harming himself, only the aftermath. The dependent who came forward saying they saw Marcus hitting his son did have a relationship with him, but only one of friendship. And the supposed evidence was pictures of them standing close together and another one with an arm around each other's shoulders. For any other faction this would be far from scandalous and seen for what it really was, nothing but two kids who were close friends. It didn't help that both Tobias and the other person had reputations that worked against them. I've already told you what was being said about him, but the other person was considered a bit of a problem child who didn't like to follow the faction rules."

"In other words, the evidence had just enough truth backing it up for it to be believed or at least so no one would question him further." Chase sums up with a sneer of disgust.

Max just grunts his agreement, with only a slight tightening of his jaw showing his own anger.

"If there hasn't been enough evidence to get him prosecuted before now, why bring it back up."

"While he was visiting his daughters here in Dauntless, Andrew Prior happened to encounter Four and recognized him as Tobias Eaton. He also remembered that it was his own daughter, Kat Prior who had come forward with her testimony that she witnessed Marcus abusing his son."

"What!" Chase loses it. His anger is palpable and he's not even trying to temper it. Not that I blame him. It's one thing to think something might be going on, but to hear it confirmed and all laid out for you like that is another thing.

It takes Max leveling a look at him to calm down so he continues but by this time Zeke has found his voice.

"It was Kat?" He whispers in disbelief. Then something must hit him because his expression changes and his eyes snap over to Max. "You said it was believed she said what she did for revenge after Four turned her down, but what did he say about that at the time?"

It's hard to suppress the shit eating grin of absolute anticipation for the hit Four's reputation is about to take…and with his best friend no less…but I manage.

"He agreed with Marcus. The story he told to all the elders that day was that she tried to kiss him, but he stopped her. Afterwards, she got angry and promised she would get him back for embarrassing her."

Zeke sits there in disbelief for a few seconds before the anger starts to cloud his eyes. "That's bullshit. She would never do something like that." He hisses out angrily while shaking his head a little.

"Regardless, they believed his story and supported Marcus over Miss. Prior." Max informed him coldly.

He settles back into his chair, the anger in his eyes hardening to a steely determination. All I can think is that Four might have just completely lost the oldest Pedrad as a friend.

"As you all know we're limited in what we can do with those types of scenarios, so that wasn't enough for me to be able to sign off on getting Dauntless involved." Max continues on as if those outbursts had never happened.

He launches on to explain what Zach and I have already heard for ourselves straight from the source.

After leaving here on visiting day, Andrew and his wife decided to gather as much information as they could about all the rumors that involved Marcus. It started by talking to other Abnegation members, as well as a few of the factionless members he and his wife have a good rapport with.

It was at this time that the matter of his wife, Evelyn Eaton, and her death came up. There had been more than just accusations of abuse or mistreatment against his son, but also some of a similar kind regarding her well before her death.

There seemed to be a pattern developing because those same rumors were dismissed after evidence was presented regarding her emotional instability after the birth of Tobias. Official medical documents showed she had been diagnosed with postpartum depression but was apparently refusing the prescribed treatment.

"Let me guess, everyone just assumed that any further issues were all related to that without any further evaluation?" Chase snarks out, interrupting Max as he's retelling this.

He doesn't even bother replying before he continues on with the story. This time, it's not just a retelling but where Chase and Zeke get to see the first piece of condemning evidence against Marcus.

"Further questions led Andrew to the time of her death…and this is where the first piece of solid evidence of any suspicious activity or wrongdoing appears." He indicates the file opened in front of each of us as we follow along.

"It's been officially recorded that she died during childbirth but the problem is that there was a discrepancy in her medical records due to several of them found to be missing. According to what was available, Evelyn had late-term miscarriage less than a year before her death. While she was receiving after-care for that pregnancy loss her doctor informed her that she should not try again. Evelyn then petitioned the council ship and was given permission by them to have a birth control implant to prevent future pregnancy. With the reasoning that it was medically needed to allow her to recover fully Abnegation had no choice but to allow it. According to these records she got the implant and it was not removed, at least not in time for her to have been as far along in her pregnancy as it was claimed when she died."

"When Andrew tried to find the records of her actual death it was found that there were none, and the one document recording her cremation was in fact placed two years after the fact. Conveniently coinciding with the first claim of abuse against his son and when it was recorded that he was having difficulties with her death."

"What the hell is the matter with that faction that they can be oblivious to how shady this shit is?" Zeke asks, scowling and flipping back and forth between the first few pages.

"I think it's a case of the Abnegation factions belief system and ethics working against them." I supply as calmly as I can, trying to paraphrase and sum up Kat's explanations of her old faction and what I've seen of her myself. "It's a faction full of people who believe in being selfless in every aspect of their lives. They lead simple lives by filling their time either in work or worship in their faith. No one there locks their doors at night because they honestly believe no one would steal from them, not when they wouldn't even consider that as stealing when they would just give it away if asked to."

"Eric's right, for good or bad, Abnegation don't believe one of their own would be capable of the kinds of things he's done. Marcus has always been able to easily manipulate people even before he took over from the old leader of the government. I'm not just talking about being able to manipulate his own faction, but even the others. There always seems to be just enough truth to back him up and even I've been hoodwinked by him a time or two." Max grudgingly admits.

"But that's what we're going to stop. We might not ever get true justice for Evelyn Eaton or know the truth of what happened to her. For all we know she could have left of her own free will, but the circumstances of her supposed death are giving us the opportunity we've previously been denied. It gives us a chance to look into other questionable things that have occurred as a starting point, but where it ends we won't know until we go through what we already have."

At this he stops and looks at me to finally take over, with a nod I begin to go into an outline of the plan we've decided on for now.

"Everything in those files is our starting point. In them there are several incidents listed that we believe we might have vid footage of and locations that are indicated to be places of interest. We'll try and get through as much as we can tonight, but plan for this to be doing it for the foreseeable future at least. There's a shit ton of footage to go through with there being several different cameras for one area and only five of us to go through it all."

Everyone gives their own versions of agreement, all tinged with varying degrees of dread for the pending workload. Then Max just has to go and add to that.

"I also expect everyone to maintain their normal workload as much as we possibly can. This is top priority but we also need to maintain the image that everything is business as normal here in Dauntless. Gossip travels fast and if anyone gets wind this group is working on some top secret project it will draw unneeded attention."

Max sighs after getting this all out, not seeming much happier about what needs to be done than any of the rest of us. But to his credit, he's never been one to hand off the really important shit to someone else unless there was a good reason.

Sure he might use his rank to get out of the little annoying shit, like he did at visiting day, but even then he was still there and keeping an eye on everything with the rest of us.

So after a pause to grab himself another cup of coffee and a bathroom break, we dive right in, with him passing the lead back over to me.

**** Worth Fighting For ****

It's a few hours after we broke for the night, which happened to be around an hour after lights out for the initiates. I was too wound up to sleep and completely done with talking about anything with anyone, even my brothers.

They suggested grabbing a beer together, either in the Pit or at one of our apartments but I wasn't even up for that. Instead I decided to go to one of the training rooms that aren't used all that much. It's smaller and doesn't have quiet the variety of equipment one of the bigger ones has but what it does have suits my mood just fine.

All I really need right now is the peace and quiet of the room and the sting of the punching bag on my knuckles.

With each hit I land I'm trying to escape the feeling that's slowly been creeping up on me. I've always been a wary, even slightly paranoid kind of person. I don't think anyone could blame me considering how things go in Erudite. Always under the microscope being judged, criticized, and analyzed. The only reprieve I had from that was with my parents at home, but once that was gone there was nothing…no one…to save me from it anymore. Not when my brother, with Jeanine in command, led the charge in being my torturer. I know…have always known that I'm never going to be able to escape them no matter what.

I accepted that as a fact of my life, as unavoidable as my eventual death. I also accepted that they would most likely be the cause of my death when it came right down to it. I was mostly okay with this, probably because I'd become numb to everything before Kat.

And now….

Now I'm still okay with it, just not for the same reasons.

So many truths have come to light today, that I guess it's fitting that another one be added to it.

Because while today marked the beginning of the end for Marcus Eaton and we all knew it, what the others didn't know, not even my brothers, was that it also marks the beginning of my end.

I will take Marcus Eaton down, but he's only the first on my list. There are others…and the very end of it will be Jeanine and Damon…even though I know to do that I'll have to go down with them.