Fox Dish (Madison Wolves #6) (15 page)

"I will need to either bend down or place a foot on this fine table to finish the process."

"Angel," Lara said. "Collect the knives on her ankles."

Without a word, Angel climbed from her chair and moved around the room. I turned to face her. She looked me in the eye for a moment,
then knelt down in front of me. I offered first one leg, then the other, and she removed my sheathed knives. She set them both on the table before me, then retreated to her chair.

She never said a word. She never smiled.

She never apologized for betraying me.

"I am disarmed," I stated. "I would like to point out I did so willingly. I understand you may wish to verify I have no holdout weapons."

"That's all she carries," Lara said quietly.

"You don't know that, Alpha," I said. I held my arms away from my sides. Lara turned to Elisabeth, who got out of her chair and stepped in front of me. I turned to face her. "Be thorough," I told her. "I wouldn't want to be accused of any duplicity.
Unlike everyone else in the room."

She searched me perfunctorily.

"Enforcer!" I said. "Do it correctly!"

"Yes, Alpha," she said immediately.

"Don't call me that," I said.

Elisabeth didn't respond to that, but she searched me far more thoroughly. When she offered me deference around my more private places, I told her, "That's a prime location for a woman to hid something. Check in it properly. I could
have a garrote sewn into my bra or a gun taped to my leg."

She searched my legs higher, patting through the slacks. Then she stood up. "I would need to partially undress you, Alpha."

"I told you not to call me that. Do what you need to do."

"Yes, Alpha," she said, staring straight into my eyes. Then, with more tenderness than I would have expected, she opened the front of my blouse, unbuttoning most of the buttons.

I glanced over at Lara. Her lips were pressed tightly together, but she wasn't saying anything. Or growling at her sister.

Elisabeth searched my bra thoroughly. There wasn't anything to find, and she and I both knew it before she had started. She buttoned me carefully when she was done.

"She is carrying no other weapons," Elisabeth declared.

"Check my hair," I said. "Who knows what I could hide in this hair."

Elisabeth cracked a shadow of a smile, quickly smothered, but she stepped around Wendy and stood behind me, searching my hair carefully.

"The collar of my blouse," I said when she was done. And after that, "The waistband of my slacks."

But when I said, "My shirt sleeves," Lara said, "Enough."

Elisabeth returned to her seat.

Greg gestured, and one of his enforcers stepped forward. He had come prepared, as he had a zippered pouch ready. He held up each weapon on the table, named it, and then it went into the pouch. Greg wrote a note for each item. The enforcer reached for the belt waiting in front of Lara.

"No," I said. "If this is a list of things to return to me at some point in the future, I do not
ever want to see that belt again. I have returned it to the person who gave it to me, and she can keep it."

Lara flinched, but said nothing. She gathered the belt to her, staring down at it.

Greg stood up and moved to stand in front of me. He set the paper in front of me. "Please verify this list is accurate."

I glanced at it.

"It's fine."

"Sign it," he said, holding out a pen. I signed the list. He handed the list to the wolf holding the pouch. The list went into the pouch, the pouch was zippered closed, and then Greg produced
a metal zip tie which he used to bind the zipper closed. He returned to his seat. The wolf holding the pouch moved back to his place along the wall.

"I have disarmed," I said to Daniel. "Willingly."

"Thank you, Ms. Burns," he replied. He looked down at the paper in front of him, then over at Lara. She paused, then nodded, just once.

Daniel stood up. "Michaela Burns, Omega Fox of the Madison
Weres, alpha of the Madison Weres, formerly Michaela Redfur, alpha fox of the Bayfield foxes, you are charged with three counts of abandonment, four counts of endangerment of a valued pack asset, eight counts of insubordination, five counts of dereliction of duty, eight counts of aggravated insubordination, five counts of aggravated dereliction of duty, eight counts of extreme insubordination and four counts of extreme dereliction of duty."

I stared at him for a moment,
then collected myself.

"I see. If deemed guilty, may I know the sentence to expect?"

"Yes," He said. "Endangerment of a valued pack asset carries a maximum sentence of death. In this case, due to the nature of the asset, there would be a lesser sentence. Abandonment, insubordination and dereliction of duty are relatively minor offenses that are typically punished through some form of pack service. Aggravated Insubordination is more severe, and the punishment must include some period of incarceration. Aggravated dereliction of duty is even more severe and carries a longer period of incarceration. Extreme insubordination and extreme dereliction of duty each carry a required sentence of death."

I already knew the punishment for extreme dereliction of duty. Listening to the list, however, my heart had climbed back into my throat, pounding mercilessly, and I knew I stank of fear.

"Who-" I croaked. I tried again. "Who brings these charges against me?"

Lara stood up. "I do."

I stared at her. Her expression was grim, but offered me nothing.

"You want to kill me?" I asked. "You want to kill me? Why? Why!" I screamed the last word, then my emotions caught up to me.

She hated me. She hated me so badly, she wanted to kill me.

The woman I loved hated me so badly
, she wanted to kill me.

The mother of my babies hated me so badly
, she wanted to kill me.

I began to hyperventilate and to sob. My knees grew weak, and I slumped to the floor before Wendy or Cameron could stop me. I bent down to the floor and
sobbed.

"We understand these revelations are unexpected," I heard Daniel say from some distance away. "We will recess while the prisoner collects herself. Secure her."

I didn't resist when strong wolf arms clasped my wrists and shackled them behind my back. I didn't resist when strong bands were wrapped around my arms, pulling them tightly to my sides, and locked in place. I didn't resist when I was lifted by my secured arms and half carried, half dragged from the room.

They didn't take me very far. We went out the room, turned back towards the entrance, and crossed in front of the staircase up. We crossed to the other side, and I discovered a cell waiting for me.

I didn't resist when Wendy and Cameron dragged me into the cell. They set me gently on a waiting cot.

I didn't even look at them when the left me there, the heavy steel door banging closed behind them.

I fell onto my side and wailed.

I do not know how long I lay there. Eventually I curled into a ball, my grief overwhelming.

Lara wanted to kill me. She wanted to kill me for doing what she should have done in the first place. She wanted to kill me for protecting my babies, for protecting myself, for fulfilling the promises I had made to rid the world of a group of wolves the world very much need to be rid of.

They should all be thanking me.

And instead, they were going to kill me after their sham of a trial.

They were supposed to be my friends. They were supposed to be the people who I could most count on.

But they were wolves. I should have known better.

It was some time later when my cell door opened. I didn't even look up.

"Michaela,"
Wendy said. "I am allowed to read a brief statement to you. As Mr. Freund stated earlier, every space on this level of this building is being continuously recorded. The audio sensors are highly sophisticated and can pick up the slightest of noises. No discussions regarding your hearing are to occur outside of the hearing room. No personal discussions of any sort are to occur within your hearing. You may ask me questions regarding your treatment outside of the hearing room. You will be offered food and water and reasonable access to sanitary facilities. You will be offered fresh clothing daily or as required. Do you understand what I have read to you?"

I looked up at her. "Go to hell. Fuck the mock proceedings and kill me. Get it over with. That's what's going to happen in the end."

She didn't react, but stared at me for a moment before saying, "I repeat. Every space on this level of the building is being continuously recorded. Do you understand what I have read to you, or do you need me to repeat it?"

"Yes, I understand what you read."

"Your hearing is set to resume in," she checked her watch. "Thirty-four minutes. I have food and water for you, and you may use the facilities if required."

"Yeah, because all that will be so much fun with my arms bound," I told her sarcastically.

"If you are calm and promise to remain reasonably calm, I am allowed to release your arms."

I looked up at her. "This was to prevent a suicide attempt?"

"Yes," she said. "Or other forms of damage."

I laughed at her. "Ask Lara if these bonds would stop me."

"You are currently calm. If I release you, will you remain calm?"

"I am sure there will be more fits of despair, but I am not suicidal, nor will I become suicidal."

Wendy stepped further into the room. She helped me sit up then pulled me to my feet. She released the straps binding my arms then stepped behind me and removed the shackles.

"If you become violent, these will go back on."

"Then you better keep Greg well away from me." I stared her in the eye. "And fuck you, too."

She didn't say anything, but she averted her eyes. I wondered if she was ashamed at her part in these things.

"When did you know this was the plan, Wendy?" I asked her.

"Questions of that nature may only be asked in the hearing room," Wendy stated.

"And if I ask in the hearing room, will you answer there?"

"Questions of that nature may only be asked in the hearing room," she repeated.

"Fine," I spat. I sat back down on the cot. "Go away."

"You must eat," she said. She paused. "If you do not eat or drink, I am obligated to take steps you won't enjoy."

"The prisoner must be healthy when she is executed?" I asked.

"Questions of that nature-"

"Yeah, yeah," I said. "So is this lunch or dinner?"

"A late lunch," she said. "Will you eat willingly?"

I sighed. "Yes."

"Bring it in, Cameron," Wendy said, raising her voice.

Cameron appeared in the doorway carrying a tray. Behind him was another wolf, one I didn't recognize. The second wolf set down a small table in front of me. Cameron added the tray of food and then the second wolf set a bottle of water on the table. The two of them stepped back outside, and I reviewed what I was offered.

There was enough food for a wolf, and it was heavy in protein and starch. There were no greens and no fruit.

"If it is not to your taste, you may make reasonable requests," Wendy said. "We will strive to fulfill them."

"Am I obligated to eat all of this?" I said with a gesture. "I am fox, not wolf. You have eaten with me before. You know how much I eat."

"The cooks don't," Wendy said. "As long as you appear to be eating in a healthy fashion, I will be satisfied."

I picked up the plastic spoon. I ate some of the chicken, choking it down, then some potatoes. I opened the bottle of water and rinsed everything down.

Wendy didn't say anything but simply watched me dispassionately.

I ate maybe a quarter of what they brought me. I couldn't choke down anything more. I pushed it away.

"Finish the water," she ordered. I nursed it slowly.

"Fruits and vegetables," I said. "A variety." I looked up at Wendy, and she nodded.

"Anything else?"

"Nothing fried, greasy or heavy."

I took another sip of water. Wendy checked her watch.

"Do you have somewhere to be?" I asked her.

"Ten minutes," she said. "I thought perhaps you would prefer to use the facilities."

I climbed to my feet and finished the water.

"There is more water in the hearing room," she said. "Leave all that here; someone will take it away. Cameron and I will accompany you whenever you are outside your cell or the hearing room."

"So Cameron is going to watch me use the toilet?"

"No. But I am."

"Lest I club myself over the head with the seat?"

"Yes."

"I wouldn't want t
o steal your pleasure," I said. "I know how wolves feel about abusing foxes. I should have known I was wrong when I thought any of you were different." I didn't bother to even look at her to see if she reacted.

I held out my arm.

Wendy took the offered arm then said, "Cameron."

He was waiting outside. He stepped into the cell, took my other arm, and the two of them marched me out of my cell and down the hall, opposite the hearing room. The room at the end was a bathroom, complete with shower, sink and toilet. There was no curtain over the shower.

"Is this room recorded?" I asked.

"All spaces on this floor are recorded," Wendy said.

"Fine. Fuck you both," I said. I dropped my slacks and sat down. Cameron turned around quickly, but Wendy watched me carefully. I finished and washed up.

"I imagine I stink," I said. "Do I have time to clean at the sink?"

"Four minutes," she said. "So no more than two. You will arrive on time whether you are ready or not."

I unbuttoned the blouse and used a hand towel to wash what I could quickly wash, ending with my face. I dried with another towel and buttoned quickly.

"May I bring this towel with me, Wendy?" I asked. She studied me for a moment then nodded.

I stepped forward. Wendy and Cameron took my arms, and I was marched back to the hearing room.

Everyone was waiting for me, and there was even a chair waiting for me at the end. Wendy and Cameron led me to the chair, waited until I sat, then stepped away.

Daniel waited a moment then said in a firm voice, "If everyone is ready, I believe we may proceed."

"I have questions," I said immediately. "Am I allowed to ask them?"

He pursed his lips. "Perhaps I can anticipate some and answer them. This is an informal hearing. The evidence against you will be presented. You will remain quiet. When all the evidence has been presented, you may offer your defense. This is not a human court, and we do not follow human proceedings. You may ask questions of anyone in the room. If you require anyone not present, we will make all reasonable effort to present him or her. That may be via telephone. If you require evidence you are unable to obtain while in custody, you may describe the evidence you require and where it may be found. I will decide whether we will take your word for the existence of this evidence or require it to be collected."

"Will anyone not currently in attendance be later presenting evidence against me?"

"Only if it is in response to your defense."

"Will everyone currently here remain available until these proceedings have completed?" I asked.

"Yes."

I studied the room for a moment.

"I have other questions."

"You may ask them. I will not be pleased if you waste our time or use your questions for speechmaking."

"I would like to understand why I am not allowed reasonable privacy outside these hearing rooms."

Daniel looked at Lara for a moment then turned back to me. "We will not suffer charges of collusion in your defense."

"In other words, I am on my own, and you are afraid someone would coach me."

"Yes."

"And when I am alone, or using the facilities?"

"We understand there is a severe emotional trauma associated with these hearings. We do not wish that emotional trauma to end these hearings precipitously."

"In other words, you're afraid I'll kill myself?"

"Not afraid," Daniel clarified. "Simply cautious."

I smiled at him. "Well then, perhaps you would indulge me for only another moment or three."

He cocked an eyebrow.

"No," said Lara. "Alpha, if Michaela wishes to kill herself, there is no power on earth that is going to stop her. Give her whatever privacy seems reasonable."

"No," said Greg immediately. "Lima Consulting is responsible for the prisoner's well-being until the completion of these hearings, and we will not take chances."

"So you intend to drug me?" I asked. "I guess if we're all admitting these hearings are a sham, drugging me won't matter to the outcome."

"These hearings are not a sham!" Daniel thundered. "You question my honor!"

I studied him and then said very clearly, "Given the way I have been treated so far, I question the honor of everyone in the room.
Every single one of you. But you are wolves; what else should I expect? I should have known you weren't any different than the ones who once killed my babies. None of you."

"Michaela," Angel said, almost a whine.

"Silence!" Daniel bellowed.

"With the exception of some of the less notable names present," I stated, "I have been treated with extreme dishonesty by everyone in the room, you not least of all, Alpha. Yes, I question your honor!" It was my turn to yell.

The room grew silent. Daniel studied me, not saying anything, but his face was flushed and his jaw drew tight.

Brooke put her hand on his arm. He glanced down at her, and they exchanged silent communication. He nodded to her, and when he faced me, he was notably calmer.

"Your complaint is noted," he said. "And understandable. I will state clearly and simply: these are honest hearings. You have not been pre-judged. You will be tried based on the evidence presented here."

We stared at each other. "Well then, if I am to receive a fair hearing, and I am the only voice to speak in my defense, then I believe drugging me would be inappropriate. Are we agreed?"

"Greg," Lara said. "Let this go."

"No," he said. "I am responsible for her."

"No, Mr. Freund, you are not. I am responsible for my own safety. I do not know why all of you continue to argue with me on that point." I turned back to Daniel. "Alpha, are we agreed I will not be drugged?"

"Of course you will not be drugged," he said. "But if you are a danger to yourself, you will be restrained."

"As if that could stop her," Elisabeth said under her breath.

"Silence!" Daniel ordered her.

"Well then, I guess we are left with a demonstration." I was still holding the towel. "Greg, how many of your wolves will it take to prevent me from injuring myself?"

"Cameron and Wendy are sufficient," he stated.

Elisabeth shook her head.

"Madison Alpha," I stated. "I believe I am about to demonstrate a pack secret. Will this add to my charges? If so, then I request you resolve this without my demonstration."

"Greg, please, you can't stop her," Lara said.

"I am responsible for her safety," Greg repeated.

I sighed.

"Madison Alpha, I request immunity from prosecution for what I am about to demonstrate."

"Michaela," Lara said. "Please don't do this."

"I won't kill myself," I said. "I request immunity."

She sighed and nodded.

"I need to hear you say it."

"You have immunity," she said.

"Boulder alpha, do you also guarantee immunity?"