answer to her question.
He hesitated but eventually answered, “Lea thought I hired you to kill Lieutenant Donner.”
“Did you tell her that?”
“No, of course not,” he answered with a convincing stare. “She was seeing him. I found out. I did hire someone to take care of him. She thought it was you. So, she went to the police and told them.”
“I lost a year and a half of my life over a lie, Xavier.” Coraset stated with restrained anger.
“And I did everything in my power to ensure that’s all you lost. The judge was going to sentence you to death, but I convinced her that you did not kill the lieutenant.”
“But she sent me to jail, anyway.”
“She had no choice. Lea is my wife, and I am a Senator. With those facts alone, the judge could not disregard her accusation.”
“Ridiculous! Why didn’t you tell the judge who actually did it?”
“Because I had to protect the operative, Coraset,” Xavier explained.
“And what about me,” Coraset asked as she pointed a finger at herself.
“I took care of you. I made sure you were looked after while you were in there.”
“I was nearly raped twice, Xavier!” Coraset stepped away from him in disgust. “That’s a hell of a way to look after me!”
“I’m very sorry you had to go through that, but I worked hard to keep you alive. The warden wanted you dead. Lea wanted you dead, but I wouldn’t allow it. I saved you.”
She chuckled and remarked, “No, you didn’t.”
Xavier exhaled in aggravation. He wanted so much to move on from the subject. He remarked, “I know you’re mad, but there are more pressing matters. I need your help.”
“You got some nerve, Xavier.” Her voice shook from her anger, “I’m not going to help you.”
“Will you let me say my peace before you make your final decision?”
“No,” Coraset started for the exit.
“Then listen to me instead,” A feminine voice stated from a darkened corner.
Coraset turned back towards the unfamiliar voice. She glanced at Xavier with uncertainty as she gripped the gun tighter. A woman stepped from the shadows. She was statuesque and blonde. Coraset thought she looked familiar. She couldn’t place where she saw the woman before.
“Who are you?” Coraset asked as she kept her distance.
“Malie Levendro,” she answered.
Coraset finally recognized her. She was the woman from the elevator the day she was arrested. She’d seen her many times going home or going to work. They never spoke. Malie didn’t look so harsh this time. She presented herself with an easy smile and a welcoming demeanor.
“Coraset, Malie is my assistant.”
She stared at Xavier uncertain about the woman’s presence and intentions.
“Why don’t we all have a seat in the conference room?” Malie slim hands waved towards a door near the large fireplace.
“No,” Coraset plainly stated.
Malie’s voice was determined as she spoke, “Coraset-”
“I’m. Not. Interested.”
“Would you be interested if I said you helped spread the virus?”
“Malie,” Xavier exclaimed as he cut his eyes at her disapprovingly.
Coraset looked at her like she was losing her mind and asked, “What did you just say?”
“I didn’t stutter.” Malie answered smartly.
Coraset started for Malie, and Xavier blocked her by grabbing both of her arms. She pushed away and pointed the gun at Xavier’s head. At that moment Coraset heard numerous clicking of rifles coming from unseen places in the room. Laser lights appeared one at a time and were being aimed at her. Ten men in black combat uniforms were moving towards her at a fast pace. Her heart raced as she watched the men surround them all.
Several dark pupils focused directly on Coraset, and with a single motion, she spread her arms out letting the pistol hang on her fingers. One man approached her quickly and snatched the gun away.
“That’s all I want you to do is hear us out, Coraset, please.” Malie stated in a calm manner.
“Well, I guess I don’t have a choice now,” Coraset remarked.
Malie led Coraset and Xavier towards the door near the fireplace. Two members of the team followed behind them. They went down a short corridor, and Malie opened another door to a rectangular room. In the center was an empty oval wooden table and on the wall was a large flat screen television. Coraset sat down in the nearest chair, and the two men stood behind her on either side. They held their weapons diagonally across their bodies, with their feet shoulder width apart. Xavier sat on the long side of the table close to Coraset, and Malie remained standing. Malie pressed an invisible button on the bottom of the television.
Chancellor Katherine Erato appeared on the screen. She was a woman with white hair curled sensibly at ear length. She wore pink lipstick and soft blue eye shadow. Chancellor Erato didn’t smile. Her close up shot showed her as being proud with a faraway look.
Malie remarked, “You know who this is.” Malie picked up a remote from a small square table in the corner and pressed a button.
Another picture appeared, and it was a man in his fifties. He had dark hair. Signs of grey were beginning to show on the sides. The man was smiling, looking handsome and confident. Coraset saw the family resemblance between him and the Chancellor.
Malie looked at the picture and stated, “This is Dominic Erato. He is the youngest son of the deceased Chancellor.”
“Deceased Chancellor,” Coraset inquired making sure she heard correctly.
“Yes,” Xavier answered. “She died last week while she was in surgery.”
Malie continued, “When she appointed herself as Chancellor over Erato in 2025, she named Dominic Erato as her successor once she was dead or incapable of ruling. Unfortunately, Dominic will continue the political and social policies of our current state. We were hoping she would have chosen Sergei Erato. He is the oldest son, and he shares the same views as me, Xavier, and many others in Erato.”
Coraset asked impatiently, “What does this have to do with me spreading the virus?”
“We will get to that.” Malie remarked.
“No,” Coraset pointed to Malie and continued, “I want to hear why you think I’m responsible for spreading the virus. I could care less about who’s the Chancellor.”
“Tell her,” Xavier ordered.
Malie sighed and tentatively asked, “Do you remember when you were in charge of international aid at Erato?”
“Of course, I remember. That’s a ridiculous question.”
Malie continued, “The water supplies you used to help disaster victims were a means for Erato to spread the virus.”
Coraset didn’t believe it and snapped back, “You’re lying.”
“It is the truth,” Malie emphasized. “The N12 Virus was in the bottled water.”
She tried to read Malie’s expression, to see if her eyes would fall left or right. She did keep eye contact with Coraset, but still Coraset wasn’t convinced of Malie’s accusation.
She continued, “Every single bottle that you and your staff handed out was infected.”
“Where is your proof?” Coraset asked angrily.
Malie looked away as an answer. Coraset looked to Xavier, but he simply stared at his hands
“That’s all I’m asking is for you to show me the proof.”
“We cannot provide proof.” Xavier responded.
Coraset shook her head, laughing angrily.
Malie spoke up, “The water was tested.”
“Then I want to see the results.”
Malie looked at Xavier and said quickly, “Coraset, that information is unavailable.”
Xavier pleaded, “We will provide it to you, but-”
