Chapter 12

Ben walked into Kevin’s office and pointed at the box. Kevin hit a switch under his desk, and a low gentle hum filled the room.

Kevin got up and asked: “Want a drink?”

“Two fingers of whatever is handy would be fine.”

Kevin asked as he prepared the drinks: “What’s up?”

Ben scowled and said: “Rudy’s pissed.”

“Who torqued his jaws?”

“We did indirectly,” Ben said.

Kevin handed his father the drink then sat down. He took a sip of his own and asked: “How did we achieve that?”

“Paul’s family decided that having mercenaries that could challenge their version of the truth wasn’t a good idea. So they had them killed.”

“Ouch.”

“Damn it, they shouldn’t have used a missile and they knew it. This isn’t some African shit hole. It worked out for Paul’s family. Because they were able to hack the other family’s accounts to make it look like they paid for it. They leaked that to the feds too.”

Kevin flashed a slight grin and said: “Sounds like they’re having fun.”

“They’re fighting for their survival like we are.” Ben laughed and said: “You should have seen Henry’s face when we gave up that twenty million. He looked like somebody shot his dog. It took everything I had not to laugh. “ He scowled again and said: “Rudy’s mad because he worried we wouldn’t be able to get top-level teams anymore. I told him if that’s top-shelf we’re better off doing it ourselves.”

Kevin nodded and said: “If that is what we’re buying, I’d say so. What’s the situation on the block?”

“Henry said the Feds came in and tried to run over his staff. He had to set them in their place and remind them there is a rule of law and they had to follow it. He had to get the State Attorney General on a conference call with him before they would back down.”

“He had to place armed officers outside the file room to keep them out until they followed proper procedure.”

“If they’re going to get in any way why not let them in?” Kevin asked.

“There’s several reasons,” Ben replied. “The first is the county government has rights. The state and the federal government have to respect them. Like a person’s rights. If you let them run over you they believe they can do whatever they want to you and that leads to tyranny.”

“Another reason is the documents that the United States is founded upon guarantees the right to be free from unwarranted searches and seizures. An investigation is a form of search. Simple logic tells you if we exist then we have infiltrated the local government, which we have. The feds know this and were investigating the Sheriff Department itself. The feds have to have warrants to define exactly what they are looking for. They didn’t because they were fishing.”

Ben smiled and said: “The third reason is their boss is a dick and Henry gave him a hard time because he could.”

“I bet Henry was delighted,” Kevin said.

“He was. He was so happy he forgot to call me butt nugget when he told me. The feds seem to be altering the direction of their investigation. The influx of community workers has decreased in the poor parts of town. It’s a shame.”

“They were actually accomplishing some good with their medical checks. I’m going to talk to Henry and Paul and see if we can get something going down there for those people.”

“It’s not much, but I can put five thousand in the kitty for starters,” Kevin said.

Ben nodded and said: “Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind if we can get something going. Don’t worry about the amount. Many eighteen-year-olds would have to search their parent’s couch for enough change for a cheeseburger.”

“I know, It’s just all I’ve spent on Meghan and Carly this year and adding three rooms to the house. By the time we get through with decorating and furniture I’m going to be about one hundred grand in. That’s almost my entire personal savings.” Kevin laughed and said: “I’ll be living on the block.”

Ben chuckled good-naturedly and said: “It won’t be that bad. You do need to let them know the purse strings are going to be tighter once the house is set up and the pantries stocked. They better be sure to get good solid furniture they like. Because it’s not being replaced for at least fifteen years or more.”

“I did,” Kevin said. “You should have seen Carly’s eyes bug out. I asked her what the problem was. She stuttered that she was sixteen so she would have to wait until she was thirty to get furniture again.”

“When I told her other than for the kids, yes. She started bawling. It took Meghan and me ten minutes to get her calmed down. Her shopping gene took a crushing blow just as it was getting started.”

Ben shook his head and said: “Poor girl, I understand. She’s never had much and then she finds herself living like a princess. To find even a princess has an allowance was too much. She’ll get over it.”

Henry Tulane scrutinized the faces of each of his clan leaders and then spoke. “Let’s come to order. Good evening, there is a backlog of issues, so we need to get to it. I want to start with the one that has everybody up in arms. Gentlemen, the lady beside me is Meghan Patel. She is to be treated like a lady at all times. Am I clear?”

A chorus of “Yes” and “Yes, Sir” filled his ears. “Thank you, gentlemen. Mrs. Patel is being brought before the council as a candidate to replace Rebecca Hallwood.”

Larry Ridges the leader of House Uruz said: “The Rebecca Hallwood? The witch? I thought we finished with all that.”

Henry gave a small grimace and said: “I understand your feelings on the matter. Please don’t use that tone. Our ancestors decided there is room for both faiths and that we would keep Frith. If you believe that you cannot make a balanced decision for the welfare of our people, you may recuse yourself from this part of the meeting.”

Larry paused a moment then shrugged. “I’m not the biggest fan in the world, but I’m here to take care of all our people Heathen and Christian alike. I apologize for my attitude.”

Henry nodded and said: “Thank you, sir.” He looked around the table and said: “We have the following events and evidence to consider. Kevin Rogers states he had a vision. His dead best friend Donnie Langston told him that the All-Father had a message for Kevin’s mother. She was to open a book Mrs. Hallwood left in her possession. Mrs. Rogers did, in fact, have a book from Mrs. Hallwood who had made her promise not to open it until told.”

“In the book were two letters. One addressed to Mrs. Rogers and one to the chieftain. In my letter, there were instructions that the clan was to finance the ladies’ ceremony to help the dark-haired woman married to Mrs. Roger’s son. The letter also said once healed she would be a Volva and Seidr woman. It also said the new Volva would prove her power by turning the wolves against a friend’s enemy. I have the letter here if anyone wants to read it for themselves.”

“My wife and some of yours were in that hut and witnessed the miracle that occurred. Mrs. Patel went on a spirit journey for two full days and woke up fluent in our language.”

“Mrs. Addison formally presented Mrs. Patel as Volva and Seidr woman as a gift to us from the All-Father and Freyja. Mrs. Patel came up with and designed the plan to get the feds off of our ass and onto one of our associate’s enemies.”

“Based upon what I have seen, read, and heard I have no choice but to bring her before the council for consideration. Choose carefully. Meghan.”

Meghan took a deep breath then spoke. “Thank you, Sir. Before we get going I want to lay all my cards on the table. That way there can be no misunderstanding of who or what I am. My full name is Elizabeth Meghan Patel. It is soon to be Elizabeth Meghan Patel-Rogers. I’m in my mid to late 30s. I am a widow and have a daughter from my previous marriage. Her name is Carly Ann Patel.”

“Here’s the juicy bits, I spent the last two years or so of my previous marriage as an alcoholic crack whore. I have not sold myself, been drunk, or smoked a rock since the day my first husband died. As you can imagine, I had severe emotional issues. I believed my addiction had caused his death.”

“How did he die Ma’am?” Larry asked.

“He died in an auto accident taking our daughter to a sitter, so he could take me to rehab.” Meghan took another look around the table and took another deep breath. “Here’s where it becomes unusual. About ten years later, my daughter and I met Kevin Rogers. You might want to take a deep breath here. By my own choice, I am his slave. That’s why I wear this.” She lifted her chin and pointed at her collar. “My daughter and I are also married to him.”

Derrick Grahm of House Wunjo spoke sharply. “You can’t do that.”

Henry said: “Actually, according to Clan history, Grams Hallwood and a ruling, I made as Chieftain, not only can they, they are. Mrs. Addison and I presided over their marriage in the old way.”

Derrick sputtered: “That’s not Christian!”

Henry sighed and spoke with the patience one gives a slow child. “Other than the fact that it may or may not conflict with your faith can you give me one solid reason that would harm the clan?”

“The children would be inbred.”

Henry shook his head and said: “Derrick, they would not be inbred. Kevin will be the father. It doesn’t matter if Mrs. Patel and her daughter are the mothers. The genetic lines would be clean. There can only be inbreeding if both parents are close genetic relations.”

“I don’t like it.” Derrick spat.

“You are free to not like it on a personal level. As a member of the council, can you deny her place as Volva among our people?”

“If news of a plural marriage gets out, we’ll be hip deep in reporters. We’ll get exposed.”

Henry pointed at him and smiled. “See, that is a legitimate, actionable concern. One I had to think hard about for a long while. I couldn’t even ask Ben because we both agreed he needed to recuse himself due to conflict of interest.”

“It is not uncommon now and days for people to have affairs. Some of the best gossip at the coffee shop is about who is doing who. People can and do speculate as they will. Hell, Derrick, last year they were saying you fathered a baby with that cute redhead who was waitressing at the truck stop.”

“I ... um...” Derrick blustered.

Henry held up his hands and said: “I don’t know. I don’t want to know, and it’s none of my business. I was demonstrating how the rumors fly. So what’s one more? I affirmed their marriage with the provision that Mr. Rogers has a public marriage with one of them. If anybody asks we have a marriage license, newspaper announcements and eyewitnesses to the ceremony. Anything else is a rumor.”

Derrick tapped the tabletop. “I’m speaking for the Christian side of the house when I say we can’t go for this.”

Meghan stared at Derrick and said: “Did you know that the redhead, the one with the star on her hand, can barely put food in her child’s mouth?”

“That doesn’t concern me.” Derrick huffed.

“It should. That baby has a birthmark on his back over his right kidney like his father. Your seventeen-year-old son bears the exact mark.”

“I offered her three thousand dollars to leave us alone,” Derrick said.

“Liar.” Meghan spat. “You offered her three thousand dollars to kill your grandchild.”

“He was only sixteen and in high school. There’s no way he was ready to be a father.” Derrick said.

Meghan held her head up in pride and said: “My master was seventeen when he took my daughter and me under his wing.” Meghan slapped the table when Derrick looked away. “Don’t turn your head. Look at me! I am a grown woman with only a high school diploma. I could barely afford to feed my child and myself. Yet, you’re willing to let your grandson, and his mother suffer. Because you’re afraid of how your neighbors will see you.”

Meghan pointed at him. “You say that my husband, sister wife, and myself are immoral. You don’t want to know how you look by my lights. Before you say anything, I’ve never met you, your son, or the redhead. Nobody told me anything. Before you try to tell me something is against your religion make sure you are living it first.”

Derrick puffed up and said: “How dare you!”

Henry broke in with: “That’s enough. Mrs. Patel gave a brief demonstration of her abilities. Derrick, you were out of line and you know it. There is no Heathen faction or Christian faction on this council. There are only council members who are seeking to do the best we can for our people. To be straight forward with you Derrick, you do not speak for the Christian side of the house.”

He continued: “The evening I was deliberating on the validity of Mrs. Patel’s marriage. I took testimony from Mrs. Kathy Rogers. She is known for being as devout a Christian as they come. Heathens and Christians value her rock-solid common-sense advice.”