Chapter Thirty-Seven
CHAPTER
THIRTY-SEVEN
At Parliament that evening, reporters, lords, and ladies packed into the same large room where her father had given his Remembrance Day speech.
“Ready?” Elestine asked Scarlett. She’d graciously offered her the job of speaking for the Ceruleans in the press conference, given that all the revelations were Scarlett’s doing.
“I’m ready,” she said. She’d napped for an hour before coming to Parliament, but she was still exhausted. Everything that had happened had culminated in a strange sense of calm.
Reporters were noisy as they took pictures and talked among themselves while waiting for the press conference to begin.
They walked to the podium together, and Elestine stood to Scarlett’s left as Scarlett spoke about the chain of events leading up to the arrests.
“Insidious conspirators, including Lady Moira Ashworth, many of her inner circle, and several senior agents in the Soleil Bureau, were arrested today and will be charged with my father’s murder, among other things.
Evidence indicates they were also behind the kidnapping and attempted murder of my grandmother, Manon Bedivere, and myself.
If it weren’t for my brother, Beni Heroux, I wouldn’t be alive today. ”
Mostly gold smoke streamed from the heads of everyone in the room.
Many pairs of eyes were on Beni, who sat next to Cass in the front row.
Scarlett met her brother’s pained gaze. His jaw was set, his back straight.
She’d given him a pass on the conference, but he’d wanted to come and show his support.
And she was glad he was here. Flashes went off as the press tried to capture their eye contact, and Scarlett looked out at the crowd once more.
“In light of the findings,” she continued, “a retroactive subpoena was granted by a judge for the investigations conducted last night.”
This caused a stir among the press, as well as a slight uptick in black smoke, but Scarlett silenced them.
“A retroactive subpoena is unusual, but the depth of the corruption warranted it. My father was murdered by his colleagues.” She paused as a hush came over the room, but she was determined to convince them.
“The prime minister and senior members of the Cerulean Party validated my plan to break into Lord Federsin’s house and the Goldenrod Party headquarters, which was based on preliminary evidence proving corruption at the bureau.
If we weren’t dealing with high treason, such invasions of privacy would never have been considered.
I believe we saved Soleil from real corruption.
If the citizens disagree, it’s an election year, and they can stack the house with Goldenrods to put me in my place. ”
Amidst a mix of black and gold smoke, reporters shouted, and dozens of hands flew up when she called for questions. Scarlett pointed to a woman with exclusively gold smoke above her head.
“Your question, please.”
“Sarah Leeward, The Daily Missive. Your stepmother, Lady Laylani Heroux, was on the list of those arrested. Can you comment on her ties to the conspiracy against your father?”
“There was evidence she approved her sister’s plans to have my father killed,” said Scarlett. “One day, Hell will welcome her with open arms.”
There were murmurs across the room at that, but Scarlett didn’t care.
“One more question please,” Sarah said. “The press release mentioned that cash payments were received by Aaron Fox and Lady Ashworth. How are these mysterious cash payments linked to the murder of Lord Heroux?”
Scarlett had anticipated this question. “Unfortunately, we don’t have all the facts yet, as the cash payments used for these payouts are difficult to trace.
However, we believe they received regular bribes from third parties and that the desire to keep receiving that income was a motivation for having Lord Heroux killed.
The police will share more as they continue the investigation. ”
Do you think they’ll ever be able to tie that money to the black market?
Scarlett asked Nori. Moira had been vanquished, but Scarlett wanted the whole world to know she’d done it all for greed, not just for some self-righteous belief in her party’s doctrine.
She wanted her to be remembered by history as the complete piece of shit she was.
“It may take a while, but the truth will come out,” said her light.
Scarlett’s heart raced as the questions continued, but to her great relief, no one asked her about an affair between Elestine and her father. They did, however, ask about Brayden.
“Maeve Sharp, Soleil Times. Two questions, if I may. First, will pardons be issued for those who assisted with the break-in to Goldenrod HQ?”
The news had reported a wolf shifter, so Scarlett was ready for this question. “Yes, given the findings, we’ve been able to secure pardons for those who assisted the investigation, though their identities are being protected for their safety.”
She nodded, looking unsurprised. “Has there been any link formed between the events at the National Theater and what’s been revealed today?”
“We’re looking for ties, but so far, we’ve found none.” Scarlett forgot where she was for a second as she pictured Brayden still sitting in jail. He might not even be aware of all that had transpired today.
Elestine came closer, brushing against Scarlett’s elbow. “Can I make a comment, Scarlett?” the prime minister whispered in her ear.
Scarlett moved out of the way, grateful for a momentary reprieve.
Elestine said into the microphone, “I’d like it known that I’m well aware Lady Heroux has lost her father to a Soleil-based conspiracy and her husband to an outdated, bigoted anti-magic law.
I’d like nothing more than to see Lord Maddox set free.
I can’t promise anything yet, but it’s possible he’ll be pardoned. ” She stepped aside.
Scarlett grasped Elestine’s shoulder as she passed in a brief show of gratitude.
Her words meant a lot, even if a pardon would depend on the courts.
She wasn’t sure a pardon for Brayden would get the necessary support, even with public sympathy at an all-time high, and she couldn’t let herself hope too much when disappointment might follow.
“Next question,” she said, pointing to another reporter.
“Ben Johnson, The Financier. You’re in the midst of a remarkable first month in office, Lady Heroux.
You’ve shocked the country with your choice to not only plan but be present at the raids for evidence, but many Soleil citizens will admire the risks you took for yourself and your country.
Any plans to follow in your father’s footsteps and run for prime minister? ”
Scarlett raised her eyebrows. She hadn’t expected that question, nor a string of compliments from a traditionally Goldenrod-leaning publication. “While I appreciate the compliment, we’re only taking questions about the arrests at this time.” She gave him the smallest of smiles.
After the press conference had finally drawn to a close, Scarlett, Cass, and Beni rode to House Heroux in silence. Boats filled with press followed them all the way.
“Please give the Heroux family some space,” Cass shouted as they disembarked.
Scarlett put her arm around Beni in an attempt to shield him from view as they walked up the dock to her home. “This press feeding frenzy is painful,” she said as she followed him into the house.
“It’ll probably be like this for a while,” said Cass from behind her.
Inside they found Tyler watching an action movie on the film projector in the living room.
“I had to take a break from the computer after the past twenty-four hours,” Tyler explained as he paused the movie. “And it takes a lot for me to say that.”
Scarlett nudged Beni. “He’s been on the computer for most of the past twenty-four hours too. It’s probably a good thing school is starting soon. Since I’m your guardian now, it’s my job to keep you from staring at a screen all day.”
Beni made a comically disgusted face.
“Meh,” said Tyler. “I used to game all the time as a kid, and it worked out for me.”
“See?” said Beni.
“If you’re hungry, Martin made chicken and raviolo,” said Tyler. “I already ate. It’s in the warmer on top of the oven.”
Beni headed for the kitchen.
“You go ahead,” Scarlett said to Cass, who was waiting for her reply. “I’m going to call Brayden again.”
This time the officer patched her though to Brayden without argument. She melted at the sound of his deep voice. Scarlett walked upstairs as she told him everything she could with an officer listening.
“Scarlett, that’s incredible. You’re incredible. I can’t believe what you’ve achieved. But the risks you took—Goddess, I should have been there. Why did you go with Cass? She’s got military training you don’t have.” His voice held a touch of reproach.
Scarlett flopped onto her bed, staring up at her painted ceiling.
“You’re right,” she admitted. “I was a liability. But I couldn’t sit at home while others took these massive risks for me.
Besides, with Cass out, I would’ve had no security.
Beni had to stay with Elestine, and I didn’t want to wait there all night. ”
He sighed. “You know, I would have done the same thing in your shoes, if I’m honest. You were really brave. I’m relieved you’re safe. And Beni was at Elestine’s the entire time? Like, all night? Did he hate being left there?”
She smiled softly at his concern for her brother. “Yes, that’s right. Beni was fine. He gamed in their guest room all night.”
“And so, what, you picked him up afterward and went home with Cass last night?” he pressed.
Scarlett’s smile faded as she took in the frown in his voice. “Well, no. We stayed up almost all night at Elestine’s reviewing everything we found. Beni slept while we worked. I napped briefly in his room.”
“So there weren’t any more nasty encounters?” he asked, somewhat appeased. “You slept in the room with Beni, and he left you alone?”
Brayden didn’t have to clarify who “he” was.