Later that day, Pardi was in his office writing up his latest proposal when a news alert flashed on his screen. He clicked on it. The headline read, ‘Chaos breaks out in Adoy as crowd falls for cheap trick.’
‘Yes, you did it, you did it,’ said Pardi as he leaped out of his chair. ‘Time for a celebration,’ Pardi said to himself as he clicked on the Ueban Company website. ‘The Cabas Branch has the finest meat in the world.’
He sat back in his chair. ‘I have an amazing idea for Orcille,’ he said to himself. He started filling in the details on the website when he received a message alert from Joselin in Adoy. The message read, ‘We have the girls bagged and ready to go.’
‘Excellent, move as planned tonight. Make sure you are caught on every Carvaress camera, but do not let the cameras pick up your faces,’ instructed Pardi in a responding message.
‘I have my Victor mask. Should I still wear it?’ messaged Jarlint.
‘Absolutely, I want you to get caught on just one camera. Let it pick up three-quarters of your face for about two seconds tops,’ messaged Pardi.
‘Got ya,’ messaged Jarlint.
‘You will hold the girls in a container at the back of the train station. Make sure it’s soundproof,’ messaged Pardi to Jarlint.
In the evening, Pardi returned to his home. Shortly after getting home, the Cabas Branch meat arrived. Pardi began to cook. He seasoned and cooked the meat. He also prepared a bowl of exotic vegetables. He was just about finished when the doorbell rang.
‘Here at last,’ he said to himself. He opened the door. It was Collingswaggle.
‘We finally have something to celebrate,’ said Pardi as he opened his arms to hug Collingswaggle.
‘Well, today’s events in Adoy could indicate a change in the tide, but we are still on the back foot,’ said Collingswaggle in a cautious tone.
‘It is just the first domino,’ replied Pardi. ‘Look what’s happened now.’
Pardi turned the news on. The headline read, ‘Two sweet girls go missing as a nightmarish day in Adoy continues.’
‘This is insane. That place is falling apart,’ replied Collingswaggle.
‘This has been brewing for a long time,’ said Pardi. ‘Now, it is getting exposed all at once.’
‘The expansion of “rights” has just been feeding their desire for more,’ said Collingswaggle sternly. ‘Now they are starting to believe they can just take what they want.’
‘Not anymore. It is time to bring down the Government,’ said Pardi.
‘Tomorrow, I will gauge if there is an appetite for change. If so, we can debate a vote of “no confidence”,’ said Collingswaggle.
‘We have a strong hand. Let’s not waste it. I have plenty of notes you will find incredibly useful,’ said Pardi as he ushered Collingswaggle to the table where he had prepared the meal.
Thirty minutes later, ‘This meal was amazing. We’ll have to have it again and soon,’ said Collingswaggle as he rubbed his stomach.
‘Well, there will be even more to celebrate soon,’ said Pardi.
‘Mind if I make myself comfortable on your sofa?’ asked Collingswaggle.
‘Go ahead; I’ll join you in a moment. I just need to make a quick business call,’ said Pardi.
Pardi entered another room. He pulled out his phone and called Orcille. ‘Bravo, what a show! You put Adoy on the map for all the wrong reasons,’ said Pardi in an upbeat tone.
‘True, but the exposure I gave the Inquisitives has been overshadowed by the disappearance of two children,’ replied Orcille.
‘Not at all. The two stories are connected,’ said Pardi.
‘I don’t think I like where this conversation is going,’ said Orcille in a frustrated tone.
‘You are going to frame Victor for their disappearance,’ said Pardi.
‘This is taking things way too far,’ replied Orcille. ‘This could destroy his life and the lives of many of the others.’
‘You act like that’s a bad thing,’ said Pardi nonchalantly.
‘They are decent and good,’ said Orcille, with increased emotion in his voice. ‘I will bring down their cause, but I can’t bring myself to hurt him in this way.’
‘Don’t tell me you have a thing for Victor,’ said Pardi as he chuckled to himself.
Orcille didn’t respond.
‘Sweet, sweet Orcille. He doesn’t care about you. He is using you for his own means,’ said Pardi calmly.
‘You can’t say that you don’t know him,’ said Orcille in frustration.
‘I don’t know him personally, but I know Sapiens just like him,’ said Pardi as he softened his tone. ‘You have to trust me. I only want what’s best for you.’
‘What would I need to do?’ asked Orcille in a sad tone.
‘I have ordered the finest Sape meat from the Cabas Branch. You will collect the meat from the station,’ explained Pardi. ‘You will then prepare an amazing meal for all the rebels. Make sure they all show up. At some point, get Victor alone. Pretend that conversation was his confession. Call the enforcers with that information.’
‘There is something you are not telling me about the missing girls,’ said Orcille.
‘The girls are safe. They will be found safe soon,’ said Pardi in a reassuring tone.
‘When they are found, Victor will be in less trouble. He might have to go to rehabilitation for a bit, but he will be safely returned to society,’ explained Pardi.
‘I understand what you have done. It really disgusts me,’ said Orcille angrily.
‘Sometimes we need to make a few small short-run sacrifices for the greater good,’ said Pardi. ‘Besides, everyone will be better off in the long run.’
‘I don’t know if I can do this,’ replied Orcille.
‘If you don’t do it, I’ll find another way of framing Victor,’ said Pardi coldly. ‘However, I won’t be able to guarantee a safe outcome for him.’
‘I have no doubt you will,’ replied Orcille. ‘You have always been very good at getting your own way.’
‘I haven’t been a good father to you. Life has been difficult for you because of me,’ said Pardi as he began to fake sob. ‘When this is over, I will make things right. I promise.’
‘Okay, I will do as you ask,’ replied Orcille reluctantly.
They ended the conversation. Pardi smiled to himself as he headed back to entertain Collingswaggle.
‘Back at last,’ said Collingswaggle as he looked over to Pardi as he entered the room.
‘Some freaks are very difficult to work with,’ replied Pardi angrily.
‘I assume you still got your way,’ said Collingswaggle.
‘Of course, eventually, I always do,’ said Pardi flirtatiously. ‘I feel like getting my way with you right now,’ said Pardi as he kissed Collingswaggle.
‘I was hoping you would say that,’ replied Collingswaggle.
