Chapter 48: Liars, Cheaters, and Bastards
If there was one thing Wil was thankful for, it was that soon he’d no longer have to provide updates to Cloverton. Writing in the damned journal had seemed so interesting and cool when he first did it, but it had become tedium. All that remained was one update today, and then another the night before the President and company were expected to arrive, for last minute instructions.
He didn’t drag his feet this time. Not too much, anyway. After doing some work orders and growing plants for Bram’s land, he sat down in front of the journal and opened it. Like usual, Wil scanned the previous conversation as he collected his thoughts. Then he picked up the pen and began writing.
Hello Cloverton! Master McKenzie for the last real report. How’s it going on your end, Cloverton?
Like usual, he had to wait a minute or two before receiving a reply, but then the blue ink appeared beneath his greeting.
Master McKenzie, we have received disturbing reports regarding your research and attacking other researchers in Harper Valley.
Oh. Oh no. The writing continued, and so did the sinking feeling in Wil’s stomach.
In addition, we have a claim that your success is not your own, and an equal amount of credit belongs to Master Thomas Elliot, who is among those attacked. Please give your accounting of events.
That son of a…
One minute, Cloverton.
Wil took a deep breath and strangled the scream in his throat before it was big enough to carry to Darlene upstairs. The anger bowled him over like a rogue wave, and it was like losing control of himself. Thomas couldn’t walk away and leave them alone. He had to pick a fight. Any sympathy or pity Wil had dried up in a flash.
Master Elliot turns out to have been giving our research to employees of Ferrovani, who used my work to create weapons and pass them out among the rural population irresponsibly. As for the attack, we had a bad disagreement that resulted in them breaking into my home and threatening my family.
I have no problem with rivals or other people doing the research. If you had alerted me of the other researchers, I might even have helped them.
That was a blatant lie, but Wil was past caring.
I’m going to be honest, Cloverton, I’m not happy right now. This other group has gotten in my way, harassed myself and my pregnant girlfriend, threatened us, and broke in, and now I hear that they’re blaming me for it and trying to take credit? This is a load of crap, and I am not willing to tolerate their lies. Especially not after they broke the law and got themselves kicked out of town.
It wasn’t as if Wil had anything he could do, if Cloverton decided to just go along with it and cut him out of things. Nothing legal or healthy, at least, and he didn’t like how his thoughts went to finding those bastards and really letting them have it. It scared him, how much he wanted to lash out and drive them away and out of his life permanently.
A few minutes passed as Wil fought to control his breathing and racing thoughts. Eventually, the blue ink returned, coming more slowly this time as the person on the other end took their time on their wording.
You must understand the difficulty we face, Master McKenzie. We have no way to corroborate either your claims or theirs. As of now it is the word of several respectable employees of one of Calipan’s greatest minds versus the word of someone under investigation for negligence and poor judgment. In addition, your reports have been inconsistent at best. It is enough to make some of us at the office inclined to trust this other report.
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If you have any additional evidence or proof you can offer up to help your case, we are listening. More than anything, our goal is the success of this research project, regardless of who it is from.
It figured that they only cared about results. Wil swallowed hard and wrote, slowly, trying his best to not lose his temper.
My team has kept an extensive journal of our research and attempts and prototypes. When President Bullworth and his associates arrive, I would be happy to turn a copy of that journal over for examination. While I haven’t been the best at reporting in, the journal contains all the proof we need that this is our research. And while Thomas Elliot was a part of that research in the beginning, he no longer is a part of this team, on account of being an admitted spy who gave our research away. When we prove ourselves, I expect our group to receive full credit for purposes of credit.
The response took twice as long this time, long enough for Wil’s anger and anxiety to throw a party in his head. When it finally came, Wil sighed. It could’ve been better, but it could’ve been a lot worse too.
Your terms are agreeable, Master McKenzie. Both groups will have a chance to offer proof and a demonstration of your inventions. From there we will clear up this misunderstanding, and those in the wrong will be punished for the trouble they caused. You have our word.
There was more, but it didn’t matter. The gist of it was that he didn’t have to update them. The presentation in a week would serve as that, and determine his guilt. Thomas knew what was at stake for him, and apparently was willing to let him burn if it meant getting back at him.
Wil must have been wearing his mood on his face, because the moment he left his office for the kitchen, Darlene asked, “Are you okay? What happened?”
“Thomas happened.” Wil made himself some coffee, added a shot of whiskey, and told her what he’d just found out. When he was done, she shared in his fury.
“That two-faced, lying, rat bastard!” she shrieked as her face turned an awful shade of purple. “There’s no way we’re taking this lying down. Get in the car.”
“Where?” asked Wil. “We don’t know where they are now.”
“Only one place they could be,” said Darlene. “If they’re not allowed in Harper Valley and they need to be close enough for the presentation, then they’re in Gallard Springs. It’s the only place close enough. You mapped out the leylines there, right?”
Wil nodded. “I did. And there are only a few places they could be, now that you mention it. I think it’s time Thomas and I had a little talk.”
Darlene’s eyes flared with shared, angry passion, but her sense hadn’t left her. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? We know they’re out to get us and undermine us. If you confront them and it leads to a real fight, it might look bad for us. I’d really rather you not get arrested when I’m not too long from giving birth.”
“So what do you suggest I do, Darlene? I’m open to suggestions, but right now I want to go over there and punch Thomas in his stupid face.”
“Talk. Tell him off. Warn him against further interference, and then leave. If you can promise me you will behave, you can talk to him about this.” Darlene’s expression turned sour. “Maybe he can be convinced to play nice, or at least not try to screw you over like this.”
Wil tried to picture that. He thought Thomas had been his friend, but more than ever it felt like a lie. Part of him still wanted to give the jerk another chance to make things right. He nodded. “Fine. I won’t fight Thomas, but if that McGinnis gets in my face again, I will not tolerate it.”
Darlene sighed. “If that’s all you can promise, then I guess it’ll have to do. Go find him, and don’t cause a scene if you can avoid it. Okay? No picking fights, but you can defend yourself if they attack. And for the love of the gods, don’t destroy their stuff.”
“I promise,” said Wil. He finished his coffee and raised enough to kiss her forehead. “I love you, and I’ll be safe. But they will understand how upset I am.”
“Good enough. Now get going!”
Wil got on his Thunderhawk and headed east. He was fairly close to the border Harper Valley shared with Gallard Springs, but he still had to find where they were staying. It wouldn’t take more than a couple hours to pull off, and he could push himself in the meantime.
The wind whipped through his hair, and he was glad he hadn’t taken his staff with him this time. The anger had faded into a simple, dull throb in his head and heart that drove him on like the march of a drum. It was still better than the raging river inside him from before. Wil knew he’d have to keep that dammed up if he was going to do this right. And he had to do it right.
Although he promised himself no violence, Wil did promise himself one thing: Thomas would regret everything.