Chapter 30 Cam #2
“What about later? Did you have knowledge of where they took the crates outside the wall? She scoffed. “Of course not. I didn’t suggest they take supplies to that dank mine tunnel.”
The buzz of the crowd alerted her to her misstep.
“Or wherever you found the crates.” Her pale skin broke out in red blotches.
Mayor Winters said, “We didn’t mention where we found the crates. Did you order Eli Blake, his brother and later, your son Aiden to steal supplies and deliver them to the old mine for the Slains?”
“It wasn’t stealing. It was protection.” She hadn’t answered the question. Her jaw flared as she spoke, biting off each word.
“Protection from what?” said the mayor.
“Protection from all of you,” she spat, waving her hand at the Councillors.
Several Councillors sat back, startled expressions on their faces at her sudden vehemence. Mayor Winters simply nodded. “From us? Who specifically? The Council?”
“All of you newcomers and refugees. Everyone who showed up here after the asteroid, looking for handouts and to take over. There’s a community of us who were here before. You’ve stolen everything. Including our way of life.”
“Did the original inhabitants vote on this action?”
She shook her head, her lips pressed tight.
“Did anyone take your bunkers?” said Mayor Winters. His voice remained steady.
Dolores recrossed her arms. “Not yet.”
“Did we take supplies belonging to anyone who lived here?”
“No. But you kept giving things to people who arrived with nothing.”
“You mean like the Griffiths, the Wilsons, and my family?” Mayor Winter’s voice became as hard as steel. “And more recently, the Clarks.”
Dolores appeared not to notice. “Yes. Beggars and thieves. You’re not real survivalists. You don’t belong. I’m not the only one who wants things to return to the good old days.”
There were no more “good old days.” She was delusional.
“What’s your version of what happened with the goods you were diverting?”
“I was saving you all. I had an alliance with John Slains so that when he takes this place, I’ll run it for him.”
Instead of whispers, this time the crowd remained silent. Anger radiated like a hot red mist rising over the citizens of xTerra. The hair on the back of Cam’s neck rose. This place had become like a powder keg. Another spark from Dolores and it might erupt.
“Why would John Slains make this deal?” said Kat, leaning into her mic. “He thinks women are nothing. He wouldn’t allow you that kind of power.”
Dolores switched tacks. “You have no proof I did anything. You just have Eli.” She waved a hand. “And he’s as crazy as a rabid skunk. You can’t believe him.”
“We have enough. We have your statement that you were working with John Slains. This was against the will of the Council, the Council elected by the inhabitants of xTerra.”
“The election was rigged.” Dolores shouted. To emphasize her point, she pounded the table, the sound echoing in the room. The bang jolted a pencil to the floor, which rolled into the aisle.
“In olden days, what was the punishment for treason?” said Mayor Winters.
Cam swallowed. It had been common for treason to be punishable by death. The taste of bile filled his mouth. He didn’t like his mother, but execution seemed too far.
“It wasn’t treason to protect the true xTerrans!” said Dolores, standing up. “I don’t have to put up with this bullshit. Besides, you can’t prove it.” She shoved back from her chair and marched toward the door again.
She had some nerve.
“Captain Wilson,” said Mayor Winters, his steely eyes as hard as Cam had ever seen.
“Arrest Dolores Montgomery. We have a written statement from someone highly placed in John Slains’ household that names you and your accomplices.
John Slains never intended to share an iota of power.
You were duped. He planned to execute you in his takeover.
Along with everyone he didn’t deem useful.
He was using you for supplies and the bunker codes. He wanted xTerra.”
Dolores struggled, refusing to allow Captain Wilson to put handcuffs on her.
She shoved him and made a break for the door.
She didn’t stand a chance. Four additional members of the Watch appeared.
Two grabbed Dolores, forcing her to her knees.
Her pale green eyes blazed and vitriol spewed from her mouth as she cursed everyone nearby, foam spraying from her mouth. Cam tuned out her rant.
Captain Wilson read her the Miranda rights. “Anything you say...” and so on. They’d adopted the standard wording, though this was the first time there had been something serious in xTerra. Once finished, the guards led her from the room.
Cam averted his gaze, focusing on where his fingers laced together with Lissa’s. She touched his forearm, reminding him he wasn’t alone.
“What happens now?” said Blake from the front, where he seemed all but forgotten.
“As long as you continue to cooperate, you will be on indefinite probation. You will no longer have access to buildings where supplies are stored. You won’t have codes for anything beyond your own bunker.”
“What about the former mayor?” Someone behind them shouted. Good question.
Mayor Winters stood to address the crowd.
“Dolores Montgomery will be exiled with only what she can carry and will leave tomorrow. On foot. If anyone wishes to speak to her before her departure, please contact the Watch to make arrangements.” His gaze lingered on Cam, Jed, and Nate, sympathy now written on his face.
“Anyone who’d like to say goodbye will be granted a private visit. ”
Cam had expected her guilt to come to light today, but her exile was like a hit to the solar plexus.
Even though she deserved to be cast out, having lived within the walls for almost forty years, she would have a difficult time.
Even without John Slains, the world was a harsh place.
Dolores had lived here so long, the outside world in any state would be a shock.
Cam also hadn’t realized the depth of her hatred for the refugees and new arrivals.
From the look in Dolores’ eyes when she’d been yelling, she’d believed she was saving xTerra.
Lissa leaned closer and whispered. “Do you want to speak to her?”
Cam shook his head. “There’s nothing more to say. I just wish it had turned out differently.”
“We’ll say goodbye,” said Jed, glancing at Nate for confirmation.
His brother gave a slight nod. “She thought what she was doing was right, even if she caused harm instead of helping. I’m not saying it’s right, but the flood of refugees made something inside her snap.
” He shook his head, his eyes dropping to the floor as he stood.
“She’s still my mother.” He stood, meeting Cam’s gaze.
“But I accept your position. In your place, I doubt I’d have anything more to say either. ”
“Dinner tomorrow?” said Nate, standing up. “The cafe?”
Cam shook his brothers’ hands. “We’ll be there. Count on it.” Salvaging a relationship with his brothers was worth his return to xTerra, as was playing his part in the defeat of the Slains.
Now, he just had to convince Lissa of his plan for the future.