He entered the museum through the employee entrance on the lower level; his ID badge still worked, so they hadn't fired him yet. He was met by one of the Director's assistants and escorted to the reception area outside the boardroom. "Wait here, and they will come for you when they begin." She handed him a cup of coffee and left.
Thomas sat waiting, going over in his head the situation and wondering what all Dr. Ferris was going to try to accuse him of doing or being or whatever. Just then, Dr. Ferris entered the reception area and noticed Thomas sitting by the wall. He could not resist starting something. He walked over to stand in front of him and scoffed.
"You're finished here, Thomas. This is just formalities, the board must appear to be taking the proper steps, but your dismissal is already being drawn up." He bent forward, getting into Thomas' space, when he was suddenly yanked back and away from him.
"Stay away from him." Came the hard tone of Riggs's friend Errol. Thomas sat still and watched as Errol took Dr. Ferris by the arm and walked him to the other side of the waiting area. He was saying something, and Dr. Ferris was clearlyfurious, but he walked away without bothering him again. Errol returned and stood by his chair.
“I didn’t know you stayed.”
"Riggs asked me to watch over you. He had a feeling Ferris might try something." Errol remained standing by his chair until Thomas saw Riggs get off the elevator with a tall, menacing man, and his power reverberated through the area. Thomas recognized him as a vampire, and instinctively knew he was Master Conall Rose.
Riggs looked over at him and nodded with just a ghost of a smile gracing his lips. They walked into the boardroom, and the door closed behind them. Several others arrived, and they also filed into the boardroom. Thomas then watched Dr. Ferris walk in with Mandy by his side. Mandy had the gall to look back at him and smirk. That little bitch was selling him out. Errol stayed until Thomas was brought into the boardroom.
"Good luck, Thomas." He said.
"Thanks," Thomas responded and followed the assistant into the room. It was large, and the table was long, just as you expect a museum boardroom to look. Everyone was seated around the table except for Dr. Ferris and Mandy, who were seated by the wall. Thomas was taken to a chair on the same wall but several feet away. He ignored them, but Mandy kept shooting him little glances and shuffling the papers in her hands like they were important. What a bitch.
Riggs stood behind Master Rose, who was seated at the table. He loved the shock on Ferris' face when he entered the room with Conell Rose, the most influential board member at the table. It was obvious he'd assumed Thomas would be aloneand at his mercy, but things changed. Suddenly, the nobody in the bow tie had connections, and the bartender was much more than met the eye.
Ferris glanced frantically around the room, and his gaze fell on Thomas, who was seated off to his left, close to the door. The hatred in that gaze was sickening, and even with the situation clearly stacked against him, Ferris still dared to look down on Thomas. He wanted to wipe that fucking sneer off Ferris’ face with his fists, but this had to play out. Master Rose had a plan.
He kept his eyes on Thomas, channeling strength and resilience in the face of the shit show. He sat there back straight and features schooled, but Riggs could feel his tension through their bond. Thomas had nothing to worry about because the Coven had his back. Thomas' eyes held his unwaveringly.
The meeting began, and Thomas was the first order of business. Dr. Ferris was called to present his case for the immediate termination of Thomas Carter, with Mandy as a corroborating witness to Thomas's supposed debauchery. He made several inflammatory accusations with little proof, but he presented them with confidence and implied pain to the institution and Thomas.
"He was with coworkers at a sort of team building get together, and all he did was flaunt himself to the staff and end with taking a bartender into a backroom. It was disgusting, and everyone saw and knew what was happening." He was about to have Mandy present her proof when Master Rose raised his hand.
He reached back, and Riggs placed a flash drive in his hand that Westley had prepared. He then passed it to the recording secretary. Master Rose turned to Dr. Ferris, who stoodopposite him. "The crimes you outline are primarily moral in nature, along with several accusations of mismanagement of time and resources, which were not adequately demonstrated.”
"The moral issue is the most egregious considering the reputation of the museum, the staff, and our basic standing in the community locally and at large is at stake." Ferris repeated his statement, even more forcefully; he knew he was losing. Riggs watched Thomas, who remained calm and steadfast in the face of this attempted character assassination.
"You claim that Thomas Carter lured the bartender Riggs McClain into the back room for lascivious purposes." Master Rose referred to Riggs standing behind him. "This is Riggs McClain, one of my personal guards. Does he strike you as someone who could be taken advantage of?" Ferris was at a loss for words for a moment but tried to gather a response.
"It was the looks of it all, not that Thomas was taking advantage of anyone. He went into the backroom after fawning all over the guy, and his intent was obvious. It was just all around a distasteful incident." Ferris tried to switch emphasis.
Thomas was asked if he had anything to say about the allegations. He looked at Riggs and smiled. "I love you, Riggs." He said very clearly.
"I love you too, sweetheart," Riggs responded. Thomas didn't need to say anything else.
Master Rose nodded to the recording secretary to present the contents of the flash drive on the screen at the head of the table for all to see. "It would seem that you have quite the reputation yourself, Dr. Ferris." Master Rose commented as the videos began.
The videos were from the year before the fire at the Blood Rose, and one from the same night Thomas supposedlyembarrassed himself. They all showed Ferris in positions of sexual decadence unbecoming of a department head. Ferris glanced around the room, and his anger was growing. He looked over at Thomas with death in his eyes. Riggs took a step to his left, ready to intervene if Ferris even thought about harming his beloved.
Thomas stared at the screen with his mouth dropping open, obviously shocked by the images before him. His pure heart had never considered the depravity that lived and worked around him.
The last video showed Dr. Ferris off to the side of the main room in full view of anyone who cared to look. He was having sex with another customer with only a shadow to cover him.
"At least Thomas had the good manners to take it to the backroom." Master Rose finished, and the room felt deadly silent for a few seconds. Riggs couldn't help the subtle smile that crossed his lips, but that moment of amusement was immediately shattered when Ferris let out a screech and dove for Thomas. The entire room erupted, but Riggs was ready.
He leapt over the table and came down on Dr. Ferris, slamming him into the floor with Riggs' hand on his throat. Thomas moved away with his back to the wall, his eyes trained on Riggs.
Master Rose appeared before Riggs could finish him and placed his hand on his shoulder. Riggs eased off but still held him to the floor. He understood they were among humans, and this was no place to be killing anyone. Master Rose bent and placed his fingertips on Ferris' forehead. To others, it looked as if he were attempting to calm him, but Riggs knew what he was doing. He was clearing his memory, whether it would leave hima babbling idiot or if it was more focused and specific, Riggs did not know.
Dr. Ferris went limp, and Riggs released him just as security arrived. They helped Ferris to his feet as everyone stood around silently watching. Riggs moved to where Thomas stood and quickly pulled him into his arms, tucking him securely to his side.
“He lost his mind.” Thomas gasped and moved as close to Riggs as possible.
"He certainly has." Riggs did not elaborate on that point. Ferris looked over at Thomas, and the anger was gone; only confusion remained. He did not speak, just kept looking around, trying to figure out where he was and why he was there. The Master didn’t destroy him, but he punched a lot of holes.
