We decided to stick to the cover story of Eliza recovering from a setback in her mental health and had deferred her exams to autumn. Best to keep to the story we spun to Kas before as too many lies would just confuse matters. We were lucky to have one of the best specialist mental hospitals in the country here in town, so we could easily use it as an alibi.
Next, I had to turn my attention to the Kas situation, which was delicate. I couldn't do this in front of Eliza, it would be too upsetting and it wouldn't do the mission any good to have her all emotional. Markus agreed and let Zaphire look after Eliza whilst I dealt with Kas. I wasn't looking forward to this. We had hugely underestimated Kas' love and loyalty for Eliza and his resolve to find out what was going on with her.
I enlisted the help of Brody to get Kas to our small interview room to add some gravitas. I had drawn up a contract which I had to get him to sign somehow or the other. We couldn't risk him talking about our actions, location or involvement with Eliza. Our safety and mission depended on it. I wasn't hopeful it would be resolved today, but I'd give it a go.
“Take a seat Kas." I ordered.
I pulled out the chair for him and proceeded to sit myself down on the other side of the table, putting the papers right in front of him. He reluctantly sat himself down and looked at me and Brody curiously.
“I'll be straight with you Kasper. You have two choices. You can fully cooperate with me, sign these confidentiality papers, get your driving licence back and be on your way home by tomorrow, so you don't miss your first exam. If you sign the papers you're legally bound to never speak of what you have seen, heard or experienced here, with the promise of prison if you break the terms and conditions of the contract." I looked at him intensely.
He emanated strong scepticism, which didn't fill me with great confidence for a swift resolution.
“What's my second option?" he asked defiantly.
I glanced over at Brody, who shifted his weight uncomfortably from one foot to the other. I leaned back in my chair and crossed my arms, stared at Kas and sighed.
“Your second choice is to refuse to sign these papers. This will have severe consequences for you. We'll set you up to take the blame for a crime committed which will land you in prison and a lifelong registration on the sex offenders register. You'll never get to see Eliza again and I doubt your friends and family will want to associate with you.”
Kas leant back in his chair emitting a sigh, shaking his head, looking down in his lap. But not for long. He steeled himself and got ready for his reply.
“I may only just be eighteen years old, but I'm an adult and I'm not stupid! You can't do this! I'll go to the police and tell them everything. I know my rights and what you're doing is totally illegal! I'm sure Eliza will back me up. I've done nothing wrong! Let me go home. Now!”
He threw his chair back and got up, but Brody was there already, twisting his arm and bending him over the table. Kas squirmed in pain and shouted at Brody to stop and leave him alone.
“Calm yourself down, man. Pick up that chair and sit your arse back on it." Brody ordered.
I knew he'd come in handy. Kas complied, shaking Brody's hands off him.
“Kas, fucking listen to me. I'll give you one more chance to read through the papers and sign them. It won't do you any harm to commit to them. We're being extremely reasonable to even give you this chance to get off so lightly, and that's only because you're Eliza's friend." I urged him to reconsider.
“Boyfriend." he retorted angrily.
“She'll never forgive you if you frame me for a crime I didn't commit.”
“You're probably right, Kas. But that's not going to stop us, trust me. She'll get over it. She knows when things are necessary to guarantee our safety, plus the success of our mission is paramount. Even if she doesn't forgive me, Eliza won't come to your rescue either. Make no mistake about that.”
I hoped sincerely that he would give up his fight and see sense, but it was in vain. It wasn't the end of the world to be sworn to secrecy, but the other option would be disastrous for him. However, it was clear to me he wasn't convinced we would follow through with our threat and he chose to challenge me.
“I take option two. I'm not signing any of your damned papers. You won't get rid of me that easily. I want to find out if Eliza is okay." he answered stubbornly.
It left me with no option to get Brody to handcuff him and make him stand in front of me. I studied his face for a while, his eyes growing more worried by the minute, but still showing nothing but defiance.
“Eliza is fine. I'm putting you in isolation for now. Use that time to make the right choice, or ruin not only your own life, but also that of your family. You should thank me on your hands and knees for the patience I'm showing you, Kas. You've no fucking idea what you’re dealing with.”
He flinched but was determined.
“Brody. Take him away.”
Fuck me, this guy was stubborn. I hoped he would break in the isolation cell. I may even have to get Eliza to talk to him before I see him again. If he refused to sign, his fate would be sealed. I couldn't give him more leeway than I already had. The leaders wouldn't be happy with me as it was, but I had to try and make him see
