Page 77 of Huntress

She explained the state of things when her squad had arrived, and the mapping process. The maps were passed over to Roz and the men on Harlan’s side to inspect.

Elsie took out several more papers from the file. “These are signed statements from the members of my squad, each detailing their own experiences from our arrival until this morning. They will swear under oath to the validity of these accounts.”

There were entire paragraphs in that testimony critical of her due to her handling of Saint, but she left nothing out. She’d accept punishment for her actions, so long as she was guilty of them.

“I also have statements from Juarez and Talbot, the two surviving members of Oasis’ squad. I’m sure their testimony alone should be enough to clear up any questions you may have, Marshal, though I’m not sure why you haven’t spoken to them yourself. You had three days to do so while I was out cold.” She added those to the pile, raising her eyebrows.

“I think you’ll find Juarez’s account particularly interesting, especially as he details a rapid decline in Franklin and Jeshua’s health over the past three months. A decline that he reported directly to you, Marshal.”

Harlan paled, then turned bright red. Elsie could see the gears turning furiously in that bulbous head of his. He wouldn’t be able to pass the blame for everything onto her, as he’d anticipated.

“The original documents and proof of transmission are included, along with time stamps,” Elsie said calmly. Mordane grabbed that paper and started reading.

“I also gathered statements from the nest’s witches, chronicling orders to close the barrier while we were fighting for our lives against an army of rat demons outside the nest. Franklin’s previous orders were to leave a gap in the barrier on specific evenings.” Elsie laid each of them out for everyone to see. “The last statements are from the four human women who stayed behind to assist my squad after the fight ended.”

“We believe that the pipers killed Franklin first and brought Jeshua under their control later. And I have proof that Jeshua requested assistance three months ago, when the first squad sent here was reported missing. Then again three weeks later, when the second child was taken. Both were ignored by you.”

She took a second folder from Saint.

“These are the documents provided by Roz. Our report states the missing squad hadn’t returned from their mission, but the nest’s squad was led to believe they’d left because they hadn’t found anything dangerous. Why would Franklin or Jeshua tell them such a lie, unless they were already possessed?

While I was still in my hospital bed, you accused us of killing seven hunters and dozens of humans. Are you prepared to take personal responsibility for the ineptitude that led to their deaths? Or for the nine hunters who are still missing from before we even arrived?” she asked, blinking up at Harlan.

“We found a nest run by demons, who were luring hunters in for a tasty meal for the pipers. By your own admission, we successfully fought nearly 200 demons that day, not counting those who broke rank and ran, and still we continued to fight until over half of my squad were pounding against death’s door. We saved eighty-seven humans and two hunters. We also retained control of the nest itself, which, as I understand, holds an outdated asset your colony insists it needs.

We risked our lives to clean up your mess. So I believe, Marshal Harlan, that the words you were looking for when you visited me this morning were thank you.”

“Ha! This is why you’re number one, Chantraine,” Mordane praised.

“You woke up a few hours ago, how did you put all of this together so quickly?” Harlan asked through gritted teeth.

“Don’t be too disappointed. I know you were counting on me being disoriented, but after our chat over the radio, I had a feeling I needed to prepare some protection against your corrupt bullshit. I mentioned that I’d need to start gathering information and making copies to my ‘wild’ demon. He gathered everything but the witness statements while I was unconscious. We were ready for you.” Elsie held his gaze.

“You know, he also discovered that you were responsible for reviewing the dangers of putting a nest here and put your personal seal of approval on the project in spite of the proximity of a rat hoard. The fingerprints of your mismanagement are everywhere we looked. I’m looking forward to attending your court-martial.” Her gaze bore into his. “Is the oil worth all this loss?”

He jumped to his feet, the chair falling over behind him. “What the hell are you implying right now?” he shouted, his finger in Elsie’s face.

Saint was there before the marshal could move another muscle. The demon grabbed Harlan’s wrist, bending it backward. He glanced at Elsie for her approval before breaking his bones. She shook her head slightly, and he sighed, shoving Harlan back hard enough to make him crash over the chair.

Harlan was up in a second, face thunderous, but Mordane set his glass down with a clunk and cleared his throat. He stood and clapped a hand on the marshal’s shoulder, roughly pulling him back a step before he made a mistake he couldn’t fix.

“Let’s not lose our heads, Harlan. Did you know the demon you’re so worried about was given to her by Angus Cornick?” Mordane said gruffly, his face close to Harlan’s.

“I was unaware.” The marshal paled.

“She’s special, this one. You picked the wrong soldier as your scapegoat. Captain Chantraine is a reaper, and she’s got friends in higher places than you and I. If Elspeth says your guys were dead when she got here, I believe her.”

“Good work, kid. Too good. Apparently you’ve graduated to giving me homework these days. I’ll review your evidence.” He gripped the Marshal’s shoulder a little tighter. “It seems I’ll be doing an investigation of my own. I’d advise you not to leave the nest over the next few days, Harlan.”

“Are you seriously siding with this child?!”

Mordane laughed and gave him a little shake. “You can give me your version of events when I’ve finished my homework. You’re free to go, girl. Get some rest. We’ll talk soon.”

Elsie nodded, pivoted on her heel, and walked out, her people trailing behind her. “You guys put in a lot of legwork for that. Thank you, truly,” she said once they were out the door. She walked toward the large double doors leading outside, but Marley took her elbow, steering her back toward her room.

“You need more rest, and we need to have a private discussion,” the healer explained.

“Right. Just because we helped you doesn’t mean we’re straight,” Trenton added. Morgan didn’t say a word; he simply followed along.