Chương 148: Chapter 147 – Actions Have Consequences

Elios pushed the last of the packages down the hall. He was so pleased with himself that the wobbly wheel that normally irked him escaped his notice. The yelling was muted, but was still music to his ears as it flooded the hallway. Elios began to whistle, making his way toward the office. He paused outside Jethro's office door, leaning on the cart. The air was thick with tension, even out here. He knew what was happening inside. He'd planned it, after all. Dance Monkeys Dance.

He thought, trying to peer in through the space between the blinds and the window casing. Elios jumped as the door suddenly swung open.

"…And another thing…" Mordak screamed from the doorway.

"Your little spectacle last night went far beyond…" Elios felt a wave of disappointment as Mordak slammed the door, making the rest of his statement unintelligible. Aww! Come on! That's not fair! he thought as he inched toward the door. I wanna know what he did last night! His mind screamed. Elios turned around abruptly as he felt eyes on him.

He scanned the room and caught sight of two other employees standing near the back wall of the office, pretending to be busy with tasks, but their eyes darted nervously in his direction. He turned back toward the door as he heard the familiar squeak of the hinges. He picked up one of the packages and pretended to inspect it as Mordak opened the door slightly.

"…repeated mistakes, Jethro," Mordak was saying, his voice low and even, but carrying a sharp edge.

"I'm starting to question your judgment." Hardscrabble stammered, "Sir, I can assure you, I have everything under control, it was just a slight miscalculation." Elios made sure to make a bit of noise with the cart as he rolled it further from the door. The last thing he wanted was to incur any fallout from Mordak's tirade. It was important to show he was there and busy, not simply lingering, desperate to watch the fireworks. Mordak cracked the door another six inches, causing Elios's heart to drop.

He looked toward the door, his eyes meeting Mordak's. Oh shit! he thought, feeling the adrenaline course through his veins like a rocket being shot into space. Mordak's eyes were cold, empty, and filled with rage. His focus flicked to Elios for a moment, then back to Hardscrabble.

"Don't tell me you have it under control when you obviously do not, Jethro!" he screamed, his voice echoing through the lab.

"All of this because you couldn't be bothered to check your mail?" Hardscrabble sputtered, "Elios did it! I know he did, he's been jealous…" He broke off, trying to shift the blame.

"It's… it's… it's not my fault, sir!" he stammered. Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

"Who is the one in charge? You? Or Elios?" Mordak asked, his voice now steady and in control.

"It was your responsibility, Jethro. He is your subordinate and, like so many things, was left unchecked. You can't blame your underlings for your inadequacies, Jethro." Elios felt a flicker of satisfaction. His plan was working perfectly. Mordak was not about to play the blame game; it never ended well. He stood off in a corner and pretended to examine the labels on the boxes, all the while tuning in to every word spoken. He could taste the bitter irony of the moment.

He was supposed to be the one under fire, but he had expertly maneuvered Hardscrabble into the direct path. Mordak was silent for a moment, and then, with a chilling calmness, he spoke, "Jethro, it seems you are not the man I thought you were," he said, looking him up and down.

"You don't measure up at all, I'm afraid." He sighed as he opened the door wider and stuck his head out. He waved and pointed to the two armed guards waiting by the exit door of the facility.

"Jethro…" he paused before turning to him.

"I have made a decision to terminate our relationship," Mordak said coldly.

"I have no purpose for you any longer. Your personal effects will be sent to the house along with the foreclosure papers." Hardscrabble's eyes widened.

"But, sir…"

"Malik, Thorne!" Mordak called sharply.

"Escort Mr. Hardscrabble out."

"Mordak, please… I can do better!" Jethro pleaded. The two guards stepped forward and stood on either side of Jethro. Hardscrabble looked around, his desperation growing. His eyes landed on Wentworth, who had entered the room unnoticed, standing silently in the corner. Wentworth avoided eye contact as he walked closer to Elios. Jethro then looked to Elios, and Elios kept his face blank and his eyes on the packages. As Jethro was led toward the door, Mordak beckoned Malik back with a flick of his wrist.

Malik quickly let go of Jethro and moved closer, eyeing Thorne, who wordlessly stood gripping Jethro's arm. Mordak leaned in close to Malik, whispering something. Elios couldn't hear the words, but he saw Mordak's lips move, and Malik nodded sharply, his face hardening. An icy stillness fell upon the room. The other two employees seemed to shrink into the walls, avoiding eye contact.

"See to it," Mordak said, his voice flat.

"Screw it up and you'll be next." Malik returned to Jethro's side and took hold of his arm, leading him to the exit. Mordak went into the office and closed the door. An almost unnatural silence fell heavy on the room, while the remaining employees stood looking from one to the other. Elios felt like all the air was being sucked out of his lungs. Elios tried to maintain his neutral demeanor, continuing to organize the packages, but inside, his mind was racing. One down. Two to go.

He couldn't bring himself to look at, let alone acknowledge, Wentworth's presence. The memory of Trula's body flashed in his mind. He wondered what "see to it" meant for Jethro, but the truth was, he didn't care what happened to Jethro. It wasn't personal, it was business, and he had messed with the wrong employee. He took a deep breath, his gaze landing on the door where Jethro had disappeared. It had begun.