Page 25 of Knot All Is Lost: Part 2

“What else would you call it when he refuses to let us expand our resources? Shearia’s new leader reached out to us and wanted to foster a friendship, but Alton blocked it every chance he got,” Fredrick challenged, slamming his fist on the table. “Our country needs to expand outside our own borders to grow beyond what we already are. There isn’t enough of a population to do the work, so we need to outsource it. Shearia was willing to work with us if we were willing to give something in return.”

Utterly confused, I had no idea what either of them were referring to. The talks we’d had with Shearia’s new leader Vikas had gone well. Alton didn't like the man, but the old bastard didn’t like many people, so I didn’t take much stock in that. Of course, I knew Cambrie was taken from us to be sent to them so clearly, they’d had other conversations but I couldn’t just say that outright.

“Fredrick, you make it sound like you’ve had more conversations with Chancellor Vikas than I’m recalling,” I said, trying to push him into admitting to the secret meetings.

The portly man opened his mouth to speak, but paused looking at Yoram as if worried he’d spoken out of turn. When he didn’t get what he was looking for, he just muttered under his breath and narrowed his eyes at me. “You’ve only been an Official for a short time and attached to Alton’s tit, so there might be some things that you’ve been left out of. When it comes down to it, we know whose side you're going to take when it’s time to make a decision.”

Shoving back from the table, I stood glaring at the buffoon. “When I make a choice, I do what I think is best for the people who live in this city, not what will make the most profit. Besides, you’re one to talk being on someone’s tit. Everyone knows you’ll do whatever Yoram says, no questions asked, and you expected me to fall in line right beside you. Too bad for everyone, I happen to have a mind of my own and can choose where to put what weight I have behind a choice.”

“Gentleman,” Yoram cut in. “Enough, we have important matters to discuss. Marius, if you would please take your seat.”

Gritting my teeth, I sat knowing right now I needed to be in this room. The longer I stalled, the better, not to mention the information I was finding out. Our people’s reaction to this move was unexpected and had thrown them off their game. Right now, I needed to play into that and let them dig their own graves.

“Has Eric said anything other than what he announced on live TV?” I asked, directing us back to the main topic.

Yoram let out a sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. “No, he was out there on the steps of his home spouting off for the world. Once we got him back here, he’s been as tight-lipped as a monk.”

“I didn’t listen to the statement he made, but what information did he have to pin it on you?” I ventured.

Asking this put me in a precarious place, it would tell me if he knew more than he was saying about my time at Alton’s, or it could put me in a cell next to Eric. Before I could move forward with a plan, I needed to know what information was known and what I had to bring to light.

Yoram dropped his hand and pinned me with a look that told me he was more worried than I’d realized. “The bastard claimed that I sent Alton a get-well basket once a week with a tea that seemed to help with his illness. Everyone knows I hate the bastard. Why wouldIsend him something like that?”

“It came from the PR office with a tag saying it was from us,” Fredrick added. “They have been doing that for years to make sure the appearance of us all getting along is there. None of us have any clue what they send in those baskets. So, if something was poisoned, that’s where I think they should start looking.”

“We need to get ahead of this somehow,” Yoram muttered. “The Chancellor is already getting cold feet after hearing about this. No one wants to get dragged into a situation, and if we can’t calm everyone down this could be blown way out of proportion.”

Fredrick cleared his throat aggressively, as if trying to signal to Yoram that he'd slipped up in his anger. “What’s the matter with you?” Yoram barked, shooting to his feet, and started to pace once more. “Are you getting sick as well? Coming down with a mysterious illness that you plan to blame on poison? How could everyone believe a hack like Eric? He gave up his position in the world of science to deal with herbal remedies. If you ask me, it would be quite simple to turn this all on him.”

I needed to turn this around fast, before Yoram settled on that course of action. “All that needs to be done is for the public to know we are looking into the situation. Staying silent isn’t going to gain us any favor. Why don’t I handle this press conference, explain our plan to have an investigation into the matter, before we choose to do anything? Eric will remain in custody until the events have been evaluated, for his safety as well as ours.”

Fredrick was nodding his head, agreeing with me, which I found odd. Did he realize that Yoram wasn’t thinking clearly right now? Whatever the case if we outvoted Yoram it didn’t matter why he chose to do it.

Yoram stopped pacing to face me. “You.”

“It has to be me,” I reasoned. “If they are siding with Alton, it’s common knowledge we are friends. If I say something is being done, then they will believe it, since I want what’s best for him and his pack. The last person they need to hear it from is you. Forgive me for being blunt, but currently they view you as evil.”

Fredrick puffed up his chest and pointed to himself. “Why not me?”

Both Yoram and I simply looked at him, and he deflated. “I know, I know, what Alpha gets stage fright and passes out in front of the cameras. He’s right though, if it can’t be me, it has to be him.”

The world must be spinning backward.There is no way Fredrick would side with me so blatantly in front of Yoram.

“Fine, you can be the face of this, but I will look over whatever script you are going to read. I’m not going to have you use this to screw me over because we are making you give up your Omega,” Yoram announced. “Even though you put on a brave face, I know that wasn’t the answer you wanted. So don’t even consider using the public while they are this fired up to force our hand.”

Slowly, I stood and brushed my hands over my suit, trying to calm myself before I spoke. “No matter what happens in my personal life, I am an Official of Oscad and my duty is to the people. Right now, they need someone they can trust to make the right choice when it comes to people’s lives. Never would I manipulate the people just so I can get something I want. There is more than one way to handle things, and I’m not you. Now, if you will excuse me, I have a press conference to prepare for. I think it would be best to do it at five o’clock and have you all there as well. Keeping a united front will be crucial, even if it’s just for show.”

Before either of them could stop me or give me more reasons to go against what I just said about manipulating the people, I left the room. Rick was waiting outside and walked me back to my office, where I closed the door and switched on the scrambler.

“Did you get a hold of Savo?” I asked.

“Not exactly, I got the message to my other guy that is there now. It’s just if he can get the message to him,” Rick answered. “What might work best is if you keep me updated on the plan, then I can get things rolling the second I hear back.”

Taking a seat at my desk, I studied Rick. “Why does Yoram use your men, your company for almost everything? To me, it seems odd that you would be so willing to turn against him when you profit so greatly.”

Rick let out a bitter laugh. “You think I’m profiting? Damn, I must be putting on a better act than I thought. Yoram uses my company because he has dirt on every single one of us, and we will do whatever it takes to make sure he can’t use it against us. Yes, we get paid from government funds but the cost for the work is higher than any of us are truly willing to pay.”

Everything I feared that might be happening right under my nose was coming to the surface. Yoram wasn’t lying when he said he had control over everything to do with law enforcement. He’d single handedly managed to manipulate the whole system to be under his thumb. What Yoram didn’t realize was all it took was one man standing on the steps of his home and being brave enough to say enough was enough. Once people saw they could stand up for themselves, the tide would turn faster than anyone, including myself, thought was possible.

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