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Hildebrand clears his throat. Jericho and I exchange a glance. I reach for the wine and pour for my brother and myself wishing it was whiskey.
“What I’m saying is this is not the way we do things,” Hildebrand continues. “There are proper channels to follow, customs to be obeyed.”
“Of course. Of course.” Girard focuses on eating, nodding his head, considering. “I appreciate custom when appropriate.”
“Once Montrose and I have reviewed the files, correct action will be taken. Remember that this was Tribunal business of the Boston chapter. This is all new to me.”
“I know you were not involved in the verdict that led to myjudicial amputation.I believe that’s what he called it then. My old friend made sure the evidence he brought forth would be damning, irrefutably so. For my part, I was unsuspecting and unprepared. Never again. You, and your counterparts in Boston, are safe from me. However, correct action will be taken, and it will be taken tonight with or without your blessing, Councilor,” Girard says as he takes his time finishing his plate. When he’s done, he scans our faces, his gaze settling on me.
“Did you know, Ezekiel, of the evidence The Tribunal collects about its members?”
I shift my gaze to Hildebrand, then to Girard. “I have learned, and I suppose I’m not surprised.”
Hildebrand clenches his jaw. He’s neither above nor is he sorry for the collection of information about members of IVI that, if necessary, could prove useful. But he’s not unique in this. Not in our circles.
“The files I included in that email were incomplete,” Girard continues. “I reserved some. Yours included Ezekiel. If you think about it, what you did and what I will do aren’t so different. You punished one who deserved punishment.” He turns to Hildebrand. “There are more files. Files that will not show The Tribunal in a positive light, Councilor. I’m sure you’ll want to avoid all of that unnecessary…” here he gestures with his handless arm like he’s trying to think of the word. “Sullying of things. It's a simple matter. The push of a single button can either execute the mass sharing of said files or the destruction of them, am I right, Trea?” he asks of the man standing by the television. “A single button?”
“Yes, sir, you are.”
“I only have to give the word. There is an order you’ve kept, Councilor, and I’m not opposed to things continuing as they have been. In fact, your life need not be interrupted more than it already has. I do so dislike upheaval. But I suppose that’s up to you. You’ll need to make a choice.” He wipes his mouth with a napkin and stands. He faces us. “The sentence I have rendered upon Councilor Augustus will be carried out within the hour. You, Councilor, will choose how that message is delivered. Do the good members of The Society see the great Tribunal overruled for the first time ever? And what happens if that is the case? What power remains for you? What credibility when the rest of those files are released? It is up to you, Councilor.”
“This is a coup,” Hildebrand says.
Girard leans toward him. “It is the right course of action. It is the only course of action. And you know it. The event will be streamed live. Given the number of views on the first video, I am expecting an excellent showing to a flawlessly executed, pardon the pun, event.” Girard turns to us. “Gentlemen. If you’ll excuse me. I must ready myself.”
Soldiers come to stand guard at the table where the three of us remain.
“Did you know about the bribes?” I ask Hildebrand. “They go back all the way to Councilor Augustus’s grandfather.”
He takes a deep breath in and exhales. He nods. “I began to suspect some years back.”
“And yet you did nothing.”
He looks from Jericho to me. “We all have blood on our hands, isn’t that right, Ezekiel?” This man is hard as nails. He sighs. “Reparations will be made. Preparations are already underway. However much I do not like being made a puppet it appears as though my strings will be pulled tonight.” He looks at Girard who is outside discussing camera angles by the looks of it.
Hildebrand stands. He takes a deep breath in then walks out to meet Girard. We can’t hear their conversation but Girard smiles, pats Hildebrand’s shoulder.
“Looks like he’s getting that blessing.”
* * *
As night falls,Girard and his men prepare for the macabre events to come. Hildebrand rejoins us. I wonder if he feels any guilt for his condemnation of his colleague. I don’t think they are friends. Hildebrand is a practical man. Augustus will lose his hand tonight. That’s happening. The army collected outside will ensure Girard has his way. Hildebrand simply chose the path of least resistance. In taking control of the narrative, he will save himself, save order within IVI and remain in power. Perhaps he will become even more powerful than ever.
“So, who will replace Augustus?” Jericho asks, taunting the Councilor.
“That’s premature, isn’t it?”
“I don’t think so,” Jericho makes a point of looking out at the audience being ushered toward the staging area. They’re Augustus’s men. Their clothes are in tatters, their hands are still bound behind their backs and on their foreheads is the burnt mark of the coda.
Hildebrand turns away with a look of distaste which is surprising, considering the sentences he hands down.
A sound at the front of the house draws our attention. It’s out of place and when I look out of the floor to ceiling windows beside the front door, I see why. A tired looking work horse is dragging a small carriage. On top of that carriage is a cage big enough to hold a large animal and inside it are two men. One is crouched looking around wildly, the other seated, taking in the scene with a keen eye, but giving away nothing of the dread he must feel. They’re Blue’s father and Councilor Augustus.
Girard enters from a bedroom where he was apparently getting changed into his executioner’s robe, the pointed hood hanging at the back of his head. He looks at the caged men. I watch his expression. It’s probably the most sane I’ve seen him look.
“Animals will be treated as such,” he says to no one in particular. He tugs to adjust the sleeve of his robe.
Following the horse drawn carriage a Rolls Royce pulls up. The soldier on the passenger side climbs out as soon as the vehicle comes to a full stop. He opens the back door. He extends his hand and I watch Ines Augustus step out. Emerging from the other side is Blue.
