Serendipity's Shadow
Rated T
Chapter 43
Step 6: Release the anger of the co-conspirators on the weak.
"Mr. Jones? Mr. Trill?" Nick addressed the two casually. "Anything you have to offer to our current…dilemma of betrayal?"
Sick 'em, you power-hungry imbecile!
A silence had fallen again amongst the group. Everyone's eyes were on the two beings who sat at the end of the table. Nick's implication of Mr. Jones and Mr. Trill filled the room with so much pressure no one felt safe enough to breathe. Many had accusatory eyes while a select few held their temper. Again, Nick took special note of them and the way their eyes betrayed them. Outwardly they matched their peers, but their eyes matched the fear of Mr. Jones and Mr. Trill.
"What is the meaning of this?" Mr. Wilson, a tiger, who also had a long history with the family but questionable loyalty spoke aloud. "Has someone betrayed the family? Betrayed you? The Shadow!"
Nick remained silent keeping his gaze on the mink and cheetah. Silently he was betting on who would crack under the pressure first.
It would almost be ironic if it was Mr. Trill, the cheetah, who cracks first.
"To betray the family is to betray our oath!" Mrs. Tao, a panda, was relatively new to the family but pulled her weight more compared to others with exceptional loyalty.
Which oath are you referring to? There are too many for me to remember that members have made both privately and publicly. However, I'll take your word for it, Mrs. Tao.
"Whoever did something have to speak now!" Mr. Quill, a porcupine, demanded, slamming his fist against the table.
Feeling guilty Mr. Quill?
He was one of the few That could not hide their emotions in their eyes very well.
Mr. Jones looked at Mr. Quill in alarm.
Got 'cha!
Immediately the mink, Mr. Jones, stood up and raised his hand like a schoolboy.
Step 7: Mercy to the first. Hell to all who followed too late.
"Yes, Mr. Jones?" Nick asked in a soft hum.
"I request a private audience with the Shadow to make my claim."
"Private audience?" Nick paused in thought before smiling a cruel smile. "I'll allow it. Friends, my family, I ask of you to please go to your respective rooms. I will call you again shortly I imagine." Nick looked to Mr. Trill and Mr. Quill during this statement.
"Sir!" Mr. Trill stood abruptly. "I would also like to make my claim!"
Nick lost his smile and stared at the cheetah blankly before speaking in a cold manner.
"Mr. Jones asked me first. It would be rude of me to hear you before him. I'm sure you understand how one must react to the action of others with fairness. You do understand this…don't you Mr. Trill."
All hope and strength left the cheetah's body as he slumped back into his chair. He knew what Nick's words meant. At first, you didn't admit your faults, why should I help you?
"Now then." Nick put back on his business smile. "Friends, please. I will call on you soon."
Mrs. Tao was the first to lead the loyalist out of the room after bowing to the Shadow. Mr. Wilson followed soon after with a quick bow, leading the remaining members of the family. The last to leave were Mr. Big and Mr. Teal who sent a suspicious look to Mr. Jones.
As soon as the doors closed with a soft thud Mr. Jones fell to his knees.
"Forgive me, Sir." The mink pleaded with his head down. "In search of my own greed, I betrayed you and the family."
Never would have guessed. Nick rolled his eyes dramatically in his mind. But to Mr. Jones, he remained calm and stoic.
"How so Mr. Jones?"
Mr. Jones began with a sob story about feeling insecure and how he thought he was better than certain members of the thirteen families. Then about how Mr. Quill and Mrs. Loon, a bobcat that Nick took mental notes of, requited Mr. Trill and Mr. Jones into supporting Ermine. It was supposed to be a win-win situation with Ermine on top and the four betrayers by his side.
"You are making some large claims against Mr. Trill, Mr. Quill, and Mrs. Loon. I'm sure you understand that I'm going to need more than just your word for it Mr. Jones."
"I-I have proof…my-my laptop." Mr. Jones paused, trying to regain his composure. "I have multiple email exchanges between me and the other as proof of our planned betrayal."
Nick stared at Mr. Jones for a tense second before pressing a button placed on the underside of the table.
Immediately a set of guards walked in ready to obey the Shadow's command.
"I have an errand for you two. Go to the address of Mr. Jones and retrieve his personal electronics and drop them off at my hacker friend's place."
The two guards nodded in obedience before leaving the room.
Nick finally stood from his chair before approaching Mr. Jones. With each soft thump of his steps, Mr. Jones heard his heart beat louder and louder as the Shadow approached. Nick stood at Mr. Jones's side before placing a reassuring hand on the mink's shoulder.
"I appreciate your honesty, Mr. Jones. I must ask one more favor of you."
"Anything, Sir. Anything to repent for my sins against the family. And for the harm, I did and could have caused you."
"I just need you to sit in your chair and not move for a while and speak when I tell you to."
Mr. Jones nodded obediently before resuming his position at the table.
One by one Nick called in members of the family from their personal rooms. He had Mr. Jones explain everything to others word for word one by one. It was by the ninth and last innocent member that Nick received a text from his hacker.
"You should be ashamed of yourself." Mrs. Tao scolded Mr. Jones as Nick read the text.
"Don't worry Mrs. Tao I'll take care of everything." Nick patted her hand in a comforting manner. "Please return to your room for now. I'll call you again shortly."
"Of course, Mr. Wilde." Mrs. Tao bowed before leaving.
Once again Nick pressed the button under the table that immediately summoned two new guards.
"I'd like to speak with Mr. Quill, Mr. Trill, and Mrs. Loon. And I need a few armed men to…escort them."
Again the guards nodded obediently to execute the Shadows order. Nick took this time to address Mr. Jones one more time.
"You have a cousin about your age, Mr. Jones?"
"Yes, Sir."
"Is he loyal?"
"Yes."
"More loyal than you?"
"…Yes." Mr. Jones mumbled in shame.
"As easily swayed as you?"
"…No…Sir."
Nick hummed in thought once again fixing his cufflinks.
"When this is over I think it would be best we have a chat with you, me, and your cousin. You agree?"
"Yes, Sir."
Mr. Jones didn't know what Nick was planning but he knew he was being allowed to live and that was enough.
A knock sounded at the door before the three betrayers walked in with armed guards escorting them.
"Mr. Wilde, why is this betrayer still alive?" Mrs. Loon yelled as her fur bristled. "It would be best to weed out the flower bed sooner than later."
Nick had to laugh for a moment at her comment.
"How right you are Mrs. Loon." Nick nodded his head before signaling to his guards. "But some weeds are beneficial while others are just…useless alive."
Immediately the guards shoved their guns into the back of the three betrayers' heads.
"Sir!?" Mr. Quill yelled in panic. "What is the meaning of this?"
"It is as Mrs. Loon said." Nick sat in his chair before looking back at the three. "I'm clearing out the weeds."
With a snap of his finger, the sound of three gunshots erupted from the room.