"It sounds like she did a fine job of making both of our nights unpleasant." I stretch my neck.
"Well, I am sorry for that," he responds. "I thought she would behave herself better. She was warned, and she has been punished for upsetting your wife."
"That isn't why you called though," I venture.
"No, I didn't call to discuss the ever-changing temperaments of women," he chuckles. "I've been digging through those files you sent and accessing some of the legal records from The Tribunal."
This information has me sitting up straighter. Judge's profession grants him access to The Tribunal's legal recordings. Something I myself do not have.
"What did you find?"
"I thought it strange that some of the names on those files you sent me are from members who have been excommunicated, so I followed those leads. As far as most of The Society is aware, they were found treasonous for one reason or another, and nobody blinked an eye when they were removed. But there was a common thread there."
"What was it?" I ask.
"Eli was the one who brought their names forward to The Tribunal in the first place. There aren't many details, but there are notes about some red flags he found in the financials linked to them. He believed there was a division taking place in that group, and it was noted that his son Abel had been helping him to investigate, a position he volunteered for."
"Of course he did," I mutter. "Any excuse to feel important. Do you suspect those members were set up by Eli and Abel?"
"I don't know. The files I was able to access didn't have complete notes, which is common with The Tribunal. What takes place within those walls is often protected, but they will have at least some notes for reference in case it does come up again. I do find it difficult to believe the members of that group went quietly. I am curious if The Tribunal has investigated a possible link to the explosion. It would seem odd if they hadn't."
What he's telling me makes sense. Any normal person could draw that same logical conclusion, but I can't help resenting the fact that he's placing doubt in my head.
"Or it's possible that Eli and Abel set them up for reasons of their own."
"That is possible too," Judge agrees hesitantly.
"You don’t sound convinced.”
"I think if those members were set up, they would be trying to claw their way back in and prove their innocence. I don't know what evidence Eli could possibly have manufactured against all of them that was rock solid enough for The Tribunal to excommunicate them. Whatever he brought forward, it would have had to be very convincing, considering his position and their authority in the hierarchy."
"Well, I suppose I will have to ask him myself," I declare.
I'm already standing up to grab my jacket and seek out a guard to drive me to the hospital.
"I figured as much," Judge says. "I'll send you a secure email with the list of names."
13 Santiago
Eli blinks at me, half-dazed as the nurse helps him to sit upright.
"What are you doing here in the middle of the night?" he croaks. "Has something happened to Ivy? I’ve been going crazy sitting here with no information, and the guards won’t even tell me if you found her yet—"
"Here, take a sip of water." The nurse holds his cup up for him. "You can talk when your throat isn't so dry."
I allow that much before I glance at her. "You can go now. We need some privacy."
She doesn't argue. As a Society nurse, she knows who I am. In this hospital, the staff doesn't question the authority of a Sovereign Son.
She slips away quietly, shutting the door behind her, and I take a seat next to Eli's bed. He seems disoriented and anxious, and I suspect whatever they give him to help him sleep is partly to blame. But he'll have to wake up because I'm not about to leave.
"Is Ivy okay?" he asks again, desperation coloring his voice.
"I'm surprised you seem to care," I answer coldly.
"Of course, I care. She's my daughter."
"Yet, what exactly have you done for her?" I demand. "What have you done for any of your children? You left them in the care of a mother who worries more about her reputation than the welfare of her own flesh and blood. You allowed Ivy to suffer from a condition throughout her life instead of seeking the treatment she deserves. You permitted your wife to restrict Eva's food, a growing child, I might add. And you've facilitated Abel’s power to terrorize his siblings along with God knows how many others—"
"Enough." Eli's jaw rattles, and spittle flies from his mouth as his face mottles with red. "You don't get to come in here and tell me what kind of father I am."
"That's exactly what I get to do." I glare at him. "Have you forgotten who you’re speaking to?"
"I know exactly who you are," he says, his voice lowering. "And I know exactly who I am. What I meant was I don't need you to point out my shortcomings. I've had plenty of time to sit here and contemplate them myself in this prison cell of a hospital room."
His words surprise me, and when I study his face, all I see is sincerity. He isn't angry with me. He’s angry with himself. Or at least, that is what he'd like me to believe. But I've fallen for that act before, haven't I?
"I didn't come here to talk about your fatherly failings." I change tack. "I came here for answers, and I won't leave here without them."
"What answers?" He searches my face as if he really doesn't know.
I'm beginning to wonder if that cardiac arrest damaged his brain beyond all reason as well. Surely, he must know why I'm here. He must not think I am such a fool I can be dissuaded
