AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY: GRANT MARSDEN WIDOWER BEFORE THIRTY
—American Gazette
The tie felt like it was choking the life out of Grant. He sat in the waiting room, an armed guard watching over him. It was obvious this young man was meant to intimidate Grant, but he had little effect. The suit was more bothersome.
It had been twenty-four hours since Amelia Morrissey and her two lost boys bested him. The memory made Grant’s insides burn. It wasn’t his fault though. The RAG agents who had raided the Rowe house, where she had been hiding, were responsible. Grant had seen to it that they received their punishment: death by his hand.
Grant was sure this hearing was only a formality. After the emergency, escape crews were on the scene in seconds. Grant’s injuries were minor. A few bruised ribs and some scrapes. He had gone to the hospital mainly to get showered and to ready a private plane for his return. He was shocked when an armed guard met him there.
Instead of his luxurious jet, Grant was forced to travel up to the capital in a military helicopter, one of his designs that he was trying to improve. Even though Grant’s residence was less than an hour outside the city, his request to change into his own clothing was denied. This cheap suit had been brought to him instead. It barely fit and the fabric irritated his skin.
The door to the courtroom opened up. A man dressed in the same attire as Grant held the door. Grant rose and was waved inside the tribunal. The room was dark. There was one long bench; he went to stand behind it. Leonard, the head RAG agent, who had done little to help Grant in capturing Amelia, was already standing there. He wore a smug look on his face. Grant wanted to slap it off.
Grant took his place next to Leonard and looked at the judges. He recognized four of them immediately. They were the heads of the army, air force, navy, and marines. Grant had dealt with them personally on many occasions. He was on a first-name basis with all the older men. His eyes stopped when he saw the fifth judge.
Without hesitation Grant lowered his head and dropped to one knee. It was the grand commander himself. Now Grant’s nerves kicked in. This was more serious than he had thought. Never in his life had Grant imagined being in the same room as the grand commander, let alone on the wrong side of the bench from him.
“Please rise,” the grand commander said.
Grant stood up but didn’t raise his head. This man deserved every bit of respect he could muster, and Grant was going to honor that.
“Grant Marsden,” the grand commander said. “Your wife fled the country. According to this Recovery of Abducted Girls agent you had multiple opportunities to stop her and chose to ignore your options.”
Fire rose through Grant. How dare Leonard try to pin this on him? Grant thought about moving the blame back to where it was most deserved but didn’t think the grand commander wanted a game of he-said.
“Please respond to these allegations.”
“Amelia Morrissey did not flee,” Grant said. “She was abducted by a deranged truck driver and tragically lost her life in the rescue attempt.”
Grant thought about the trucker who had died by Andrew’s hand. He made the perfect scapegoat, giving Grant the chance to blame Mia’s disappearance on someone. The room was quiet. Grant raised his head and looked at the judges. He was certain they knew he was lying, but this story would be easier for them to spin than one involving Mia’s escape over the border. Grant felt a rush of boldness and decided to speak further, making sure the group was aware of his true plans.
“With your permission I would like to recover her body.”
There was some discussion among the judges at this point. Their chairs were on a platform several feet high. The only light in the room illuminated their faces, giving them a commanding presence.
“It is true,” the grand commander said. “Amelia did lose her life in a rescue attempt. It is wise of you to realize this.”
The man looked down at Grant with raised eyebrows, indicating he knew this was a charade as well. The grand commander gave a wave of his hand. Leonard let out a small groan before slumping over the bench. His body continued to fall and then hit the ground. Grant’s eyes went back toward the door. The man in the suit was putting his gun away.
“That, Mr. Marsden, is one of my favorite toys,” the grand commander said. “The silent bullet. Before there was the silencer, but it still had that small whizzing noise. Now there’s no sound at all, making it impossible for the victim to have even one second’s notice of his fate. How did you create that?”
Grant felt his lips curve into a smile. The grand commander knew of his inventions.
“I’ll have to take some with me to help bring my wife’s body back,” Grant said.
“No,” the grand commander said. “Her body was destroyed in the rescue attempt.”
Confusion started to work its way into Grant’s brain. He didn’t appreciate the lack of understanding; it wasn’t something he was familiar with.
“There is no need to speak in codes any longer,” the grand commander said. “You were partly at fault in this situation and you will receive a fitting punishment.
“Taking into consideration the advancements you have made for your brothers and country, along with the failure of the RAG bureau, a decision has been made. You are forbidden to leave the country. All travel is suspended.”
Grant braced himself for the rest. But no other sound was made. If this was all he was facing, Grant was getting off light. He didn’t appreciate that though. Knowing that Mia was out there living after betraying him was infuriating. She needed to be punished as well.
“Sir,” Grant said, “I think it is in the country’s best interest that Amelia be killed. What if she makes a public appearance elsewhere?”
“You think one little girl is going to make any difference?” the grand commander said. “Most likely she died trying to land that contraption you built. It would be a waste of our resources. Get her out of your mind. She beat you; move on.”
Nobody beats Grant Marsden. He scowled at the comment.
“There was some media attention drawn to her abduction. You will play the role of the grieving widower. Talk about how you loved her and what a sad end she met. Young girls will swoon over you and they will take heed of Amelia’s story. You’re a public hero now. Congratulations.”
This did not sit well with Grant. Grieve? Over a woman? Never.
“Once a sufficient amount of time has passed you will announce your engagement to one of my daughters,” the grand commander said.
Grant’s mouth hung open. All the men seated in this room were married to the spawn of the grand commander. It was an honor and meant the groom was slated for big things.
“That is all for today,” the grand commander said. He rose and the rest of the panel followed him toward a door at the back of the room. He ushered them out, leaving Grant speechless.
“Someone will be in contact with you shortly,” the grand commander said. “Your first appearance is scheduled for tomorrow. Close your mouth.”
Grant snapped his jaw shut. The door slammed closed and a side door opened. He walked back out into the waiting room, giddy with what the future had in store for him. His happiness was facing a small obstacle though. She beat you. The words stung. The game wasn’t over yet, and Grant knew just what he needed to ensure victory.