She was working. She didn’t have any demands made on her. She wasn’t being bothered by anyone. She had a roof over her head, clothes to wear, and food to eat.
Even though, Barbados sounded wonderful, she decided not to get involved. Whatever political environment Xavier and Malie was trying to attain wasn’t worth her life. She was the only one going into the fire. Coraset didn’t see any positives coming from trying to kill the Chancellor of Erato.
“Malie, I know you and Xavier are dedicated to helping society. I get it, but I’m not going to do this. You have to find someone else.”
They stared at one another, but Malie was the first to turn away. Her expression showed her clear unhappiness with Coraset’s decision.
“Brecco said you wouldn’t do it.”
Coraset didn’t answer.
“You’re not leaving me any choice, and I hate going this far with you. I was hoping to avoid it.” Malie stood and signaled for one of the soldiers from her protection team.
He stepped out into the path in their view from behind a tall wall of vines and flowers. The soldier had on the same black camouflage uniform, and he held a pistol in his hand.
Coraset didn’t move from where she sat. She asked, “What is this? Are you going to kill me now?”
“No, but I will have your stepfather pulled from the labs he works in, and I will see to it that he goes to prison for stealing highly classified documents.”
“You’ll have to do more than just make up lies in the computer to hang him with those charges.”
“I can tip off Federation Constabularies that he has lab reports belonging to Erato in his apartment. Taking his work home is forbidden, Coraset, and he could get in a lot of trouble. They might even sentence him to death.”
“You would do that to him because I refuse to help? He believes in this so called cause you and Xavier have created.”
“We’re willing to make whatever sacrifices there is to exact that cause including sacrificing Brecco.”
“Sacrifices,” Coraset scoffed. “You and Xavier aren’t making any. It’s me and my stepfather you’re asking to step into the fire.”
Malie asked ignoring her last statement, “What is your answer, Coraset?”
She approached Malie in a calm manner and said, “I’ll do as you want.”
“I thought you might,” Malie remarked with satisfaction.
Coraset walked passed Malie into the house, leaving her and the soldier outside in the garden. She rushed into the hallway leading into the foyer and out the front door. Brochudo’s car was still parked in front of the house, and she tried to get into the car only to discover it was locked. Brochudo appeared in the front door of the house.
“You need a ride?” He asked as he smacked on an apple.
“Please,” Coraset responded.
Brochudo reached in his pants pocket, pulled out the remote to unlock the car doors, and he strolled over. He asked where she wanted to go, and Coraset requested for him to take her back to the Barat Region. She needed to see her stepdad.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Coraset stood at the window staring down at the city. Brecco Jefferson relaxed on the sofa with his pipe. His thick white hair was combed back, showing an aged pale face with blue eyes, a wrinkled medium size nose, and thin lips. He was a tall man. His legs looked like bent sticks, with one resting on the other. He rotated his ankle as he looked straight ahead. He considered what Coraset told him about Malie’s plans, not really having a reaction to the news.
He pulled the pipe from his dry lips and noted, “I have warned Xavier of his visions. He is convinced that if the head is removed, the body will die. He fails to realize there are others who believe in the totalitarian government, and that body will continue to fight for the current state. He won’t be able to set forth what he wants so easily.”
Coraset turned slightly, catching a quick glimpse of Brecco, and returned to her view. No one was on the street below. The identical building across the street was dotted with lighted apartments. Some was as dark as night, like no one ever lived in them.
“Malie told me you believed in their cause.”
“I do believe in it, but that doesn’t mean I’m blind to the reality of trying to attain the goals of democracy. America had to fight for freedom in its beginning. The act of freeing slaves almost ended the United States during the Civil War. They forget that change is made through blood.”
“Maybe, they don’t remember or don’t know.” Coraset remarked.
“They remember, Coraset. They haven’t forgotten about American history in the least.”
“Malie threatened to kill you if I didn’t agree to help them.” Coraset joined him on the sofa. She crossed her legs and leaned against the back of the couch.
“She did, huh?” Brecco chuckled inwardly. “Her threats are empty.”
“I’m not taking that chance with her.”
“This is absolutely crazy. If Dominic Erato figures out what you’re trying to do, he’ll kill you.”
“I’m very aware of the danger.”
Brecco continued to drive the point home, “They will not arrest you. They will not take you to trial. Your sentence will be played out immediately.”
“I know,” Coraset commented.
“Go into hiding,” Brecco stated in a low voice.
“I can’t. Malie will take you away from me, and I’ve lost too much as it is.”
“I’ll deal with the consequences.” Brecco remarked.
“No, you’re not going to deal with anything. I’m going to do this and hope I get out of it alive.”
Brecco asked sadly, “If you succeed in the mission, will you come back to Barat?”
“If my life is in danger, no,” she answered.
Brecco nodded, accepting Coraset’s decision. He stood from his seat and went to his desk. He opened the top drawer and brought out a flat blue canister. Brecco returned back to the sofa and placed it in her hands.
“Is this it?” Coraset held it gently.
“Yes,” Brecco answered. “It looks just like the insulin vial Dominic takes for his diabetes.”
She opened the canister. Inside were three needles and three vials. She closed it back up and set it on the sofa.
“Coraset, I wish you would reconsider.”
“You’re my only family. I can’t let anything happen to you.” Coraset patted his hand gently.
“There’s something else on your mind,” Brecco noticed.
“Malie says that you’re not yourself. What’s going on?”
“I’m fine,” Brecco managed a quick smile, but it faded quickly. “I work. I come home. I live like always.”
“Please, don’t keep secrets from me. If you’re not feeling well, I need to know.”
“No secrets, Coraset,” Brecco remarked as he threw his hands up in mock surrender.
“Are you going to be alright?” Coraset asked. It almost sounded like it was a final question.
“I’ll be right here. I’ll be alright.” Brecco tried to hide his tears. He was afraid for Coraset.
She leaned over and kissed him gently on the cheek, took the canister from the sofa, and rushed out the door without saying good-bye. She entered the elevator. Once she was enclosed inside, she leaned against the back mirrored wall and closed her eyes.
When she got back to the car, she told Brochudo she was ready to leave. She sat in the passenger seat this time. Her thoughts consumed her as he drove them out of Barat to Bel Air once more.
