“Because Jerri knew, and we’d find out eventually. This way, you can try to control the narrative and throw off suspicion,” Theo says drily from the sofa. “Don’t try to act like you’re not intelligent enough to come up with a plan like that. You were a politician before the world went to shit.”
“Not a very good one,” Charles mumbles before sighing. “I know there’s nothing I can say or do to convince you I’m not the traitor and would never betray us to a repulsive and violent gang like the Scourge. I just hope that you catch whoever it is before things get even worse.” He rakes a hand through his short grey hair, looking so much older and wearier than he did when he first arrived.
Even though my fury is riding me hard, I’m inclined to believe him.
While Theo is right that this could be a ploy for Charles to throw suspicion off himself, I don’t think it is. Charles has, from the verybeginning, pushed for Haven to be better and safer for everyone here, and while he’s prickly and grumpy—much like Rhys—his heart has always been in the right place. I’ve seen him work harder and longer than any of the other councillors, even if his priorities aren’t always in the right place.
Judging from the look Theo and I share, he’s coming to the same conclusion I am; Charles may not be our guy. But that doesn’t mean we’re going to fully trust him.
“Alright, we’ll take this under consideration, Charles,” Theo says, sounding far calmer than I feel right now. “But this doesn’t mean we’re automatically believing what you say.”
The older man inclines his head. “I wouldn’t expect anything less. Thank you for hearing me out. I’ll leave you to discuss this without me.” He strides out of the room, everyone watching him with tense suspicion.
“I’m out, too. I hope you guys find the bastard who did this and bring Ollie and Rhys back safely,” Jerri says, sounding almost sincere as she pushes away from the corner of the room and follows Charles.
It’s only when the door closes behind them that the tension deflates, and everyone relaxes. Harriet goes back to sit in her husband’s lap while Anthony jumps up and refills everyone’s empty glasses with more whisky.
“Who do you think is our main suspect?” Theo asks the room before taking a sip of his whisky.
I’m pretty sure he’s not supposed to be drinking with the meds he’s on, but I’m not about to stop him. He’s coping in any way that he can, just like I am. At least his way doesn’t lead to bloodshed and broken bones.
“Adam has to be up there, right?” Anthony asks as he takes back his seat on the floor. “He’s the newest member of the Council, and he’s from the Lodge. He’d be the most likely to have contacts with the gang beforehand.”
Anthony has a point. Out of the four councillors, Adam is the only one with ties outside of Haven. The other three have been here since its inception.
Theo nods slowly as he considers it. “Maybe.” He turns his attention to Tobias and Rachel. “Did either of you hear anything about Haven during your time with the Scourge?”
They both shake their heads.
“They never really spoke about their business, at least not around me,” Tobias says grimly. “They were too busy beating the shit out of me.”
His wife tenses in his lap and sucks in a sharp breath at his casual mention of abuse. Seeing her distress, he wraps her up in his arms and murmurs something in her ear while stroking her back. The scene is sickeningly sweet and only makes the ache in my chest worse, as every fibre of my being wants to hold and comfort Ollie.
I swallow around the lump in my throat and look away.
“They didn’t say anything about Haven around me, either,” Rachel says softly. Ever since her father was bitten, she’s been quiet and subdued. The boisterous, outgoing woman is gone, leaving behind a shell of a woman. I hope for her sake that Andy makes it.
“I don’t understand why we can’t just grab all of them and force the traitor to reveal themselves,” Harriet snarls, a thunderous expression on her face. Behind her, Matt shakes his head, but there’s a glint in his eyes that tells me he’s not as opposed to the idea as he seems.
I grunt in agreement. That would make things much easier.
Theo rolls his eyes. “Because the entire community will turn on us the moment they realise we tortured innocent people, regardless of finding the traitor. I don’t know about you, but I enjoy having a safe place to live where I don’t have to worry about food, water, safety and shelter.” He shoots Harriet a stern look before directing it at me.
Personally, I don’t bloody care. As long as I have Ollie safe in my arms, we can live anywhere. Maybe we could find a new settlement to live;I’m pretty sure there’s one tucked into the mountains of Snowdonia we could go to. With our skills, we’d be welcomed with open arms.
“Alex,no,” Theo snaps, apparently able to read my thoughts from my facial expression. “We’re not harming innocent people in case they’re guilty.”
I huff, but remain silent. He might rule that out, but I won’t. I’ve all but committed myself to becoming a monster as long as Ollie and Rhys are safe.
Theo’s eyes narrow and his jaw clenches.
“Alright, so we’ll focus on Adam as our main suspect,” Anthony says as his eyes flick between me and Theo.
“I don’t think we should rule out the other three,” my best friend says, tearing his glare from me to Anthony. “Or completely go off Charles and Jerri’s information. We should investigate where the Scourge came from ourselves and go from there.”
Everyone murmurs in agreement, with only me and Harriet not responding. Never would have thought I’d be the one most like Harriet, but here we are.
I knock back the whisky from my glass, grimacing at the burn, and place the empty glass on the nearest table. “I’m going to look now,” I say and leave the cabin, ignoring Theo’s calls for me to stay.
