The Castigate

"What?" Lorenzo said shocked to the core. He didn't even think a powerful politician like Richard would be captured.

"What? How is it possible ?" Edmondson said confused and thinking about how did he escape his men.

"I just received this letter from Ricardo telling me this," Luca said in a worried voice.

"Read it out aloud!" Lorenzo ordered in an angered tone.

"Yes sir."

" Boss,

At night when Sir Richard was about to leave for Sicily, Superintendent and other officers came to arrest sir with charges of serious criminal activities and have no intention to release him. They have the plant to present sir in the High Royal court. This time they have got enough strong evidence and witnesses against sir Richard that Sir's decision is now upon the Queen. I am afraid to say that there is no way now to save sir Richard Ross in London. But I am confident that you will find an appropriate solution.

Regards,

Ricardo." Luca said and read the letter aloud, all the officials were very worried and they loosened their collars imagining how much time would be left when the law will reach their throats.

"Now what we will do King?" One of the officials dared to ask.

"Do you have a suggestion consigliere?" Lorenzo asked in a worried tone averting the whole room's attention towards Romeo Romano.

''I do have," Samuel said while rubbing his chin.

"I would like to be aware of your idea too," Edmondson said in an annoyed tone.

"I would like to discuss this matter in private," Samuel said while staring at Edmondson.

"What do you mean?" Edmondson said while trying to come forward in anger, he was definitely in a mood to fight.

"Hmm," Lorenzo said everyone to go outside by showing such hand gestures everybody left the room at once and so was Edmondson made to do it.

"Now, break the silence," Lorenzo said while smoking his cigar.

"Mr Lorenzo Armani, Is Richard Ross that much important that for him we put our position in London at stake?" Samuel said in his deep husky tone thoughtfully.

"Hmm?" Lorenzo nodded.

"Richard Ross, as far as I know, was already trying to escape from there to avoid Edmondson Brown for some unknown reason. Richard Ross did a lot but previously his mouth is asking for way too much fruit than what he has sown. He was to become a problem for us in future anyway. In my opinion, we should not support him. And you would have another suitable person for Richard's place who would know the importance of this seat and works dedicatedly rather than enjoying and drowning in his power and money." Samuel said while putting both his hands on the conference talking and talking in a convincing tone.

"Hmm, you're right consigliere. I agree with your decision." Luca was Lorenzo's bodyguard, he came inside when Lorenzo called him inside.

"Yes sir?" Luca said while being attentive.

"We had broke all our ties with Richard, so no help would be sent," Lorenzo said in his hoarse and gruff tone while not caring a bit about Richard Ross.

"As you say, sir." Luca nodded.

"Thank you for entrusting me and respecting my decision," Samuel said while smiling lightly.

Romeo sat on his leather chair on the right side of Lorenzo. When the officials came in Samuel was sitting with one leg over another and sipping the coffee in attitude. Lorenzo was smoking a cigar and all the officials came in and seated. Samuel and Lorenzo were talking like they know each other for a long time, like long-time friends who have met after quite some time. Edmondson looked at Samuel with a look of vengeance and Samuel's look said,

"I don't care a dice about you, I have won and you have lost."

"I am sure you all might be aware of my decision. It's a lesson for all of you to see if one revolts against me then he will be abandoned and left for vultures to eat his flesh." Lorenzo said with a bossy attitude.

"It's a lesson for wise one to take and be saved from the fall," Samuel said while looking at Edmondson.

"Hmm, right." Lorenzo agreed with Romeo.

"So, the new consigliere is doing his job efficiently," Edmondson said while sarcastically smiling.

"I told you that I am fast-paced and strong-headed like a lion," Samuel said while looking right into Edmondson's eyes like a lion.

"Hmm, very well then the meeting has ended," Lorenzo said in a loud voice.

"Hope to meet soon Mr Lorenzo," Samuel said and shook hands with Lorenzo.

"Same, consigliere," Lorenzo said while smiling. All the officials stood up and left so did Samuel, Edward and Edmondson.

"Today you won but tomorrow I will so be ready." Edmondson stopped Samuel by using his sarcastic tone and challenging way.

" My defence and attack both are strong enough to crush the enemy," Samuel said in a serious tone while warning him.

"Hmm, we will see who gets crushed," Edmondson said while both were standing right in front of each other.

"Be alive to see it," Samuel said and smiled.

"What do you mean?" Edmondson's eyes widened and his eyebrow raised.

"Hmm."

Samuel smirked leaving behind a worried, flustered and furious Edmondson and sat in his car on the way to his home. He reached his mansion which gave a black gate, brick stone flooring, gardens on the side, and a giant white-coloured, conical-shaped blue roof mansion. Which had long rectangular framed windows and beautiful balconies. In between was a long wooden door through which Samuel entered his splendid mansion. Several servants came by offering him tea. He thanked them kindly as a gentleman and took the tea to the lounge. Edward also came behind Samuel and took his cup of coffee inside the lounge.

"What was happening in the council?" Edward said in an angered tone.

"Are you upset about me becoming the consigliere?" Samuel asked Edward.

"I am furious, it is because last night you just told me that there is a meeting held in the Lorenzo Mansion but didn't tell me why it was held. How can you become his consigliere without hesitation when knowing what he did with you, us, Brother Francisco? I know something is in your mind, tell me." Edward said in a lowered tone.

"Edward always keeps your friend close and your enemy closest," Samuel said while looking at Edward.

"Hmm, I agree." Edward nodded.

"We know we can't defeat him by Law and order but to finish him we need to get close to him. " Samuel told him and dipped his tea.

"Okay I trust you, just don't risk your life much. I don't want to lose my brother I met after a decade." Edward said in a concerned tone like a little brother.

"Nothing will happen to me, I just need all information about Lorenzo's closest official so one by one we will get rid of them and then finally Lorenzo's turn will come," Samuel said and smirked.

"What about Edmondson? Will we leave him just as it is?" Edward asked.

"No, he will also pay for his crimes," Samuel said in a serious tone and sipped his tea. The scene zoomed in on his face.

[Richard's office in London]

Chaos was everywhere in Richard's office. People were packing their luggage to leave as soon as possible after seeing the massive arrests in the mansion since last night. Police officers are raiding everything in Richard's office, his room, his business sites even his servant's quarters. They are sure to look at every nook and corner and collect as much evidence as they can against Richard Ross. Richard was a very awaited guest for the prison. Police on High posts were feeding on bribes from Richard, and the honest ones were in inferior posts and lacked the power also evidence to capture Richard because Edmondson used to save him from the hands of the law. But fortunately, this time the Superintendent was honest and had good supporting evidence to put Richard behind the bars. Ricardo posted the letter earlier and Alessio was there witnessing everything and remembered what happened last night,

Richard was having dinner peacefully, the dining table was filled with roasted chicken with vegetables, different flavoured pies such as apple pie, walnut pie, cherry pie and other luxurious warm and comforting food. Richard tore off the chicken from the chicken leg and kept on eating until he was full to his throat. He was happy as after dinner the plan was to leave Britain for Italian boundaries.

"Ricardo!" Richard called from the dining room.

"Yes sir!" Ricardo came in rushing.

"Is everything ready?" Richard asked in his rude and arrogant tone.

"Yes sir, your luggage is also placed and now we are ready to leave," Ricardo politely informed Richard.

"Very well then let's leave," Richard said while drinking water.

"Okay, sir the carriage is waiting for you," Ricardo said.

"Go on I am coming," Richard said in an ordering tone.

"Right, sir."

Ricardo said and went outside, Richard wiped his face from the napkin and stood up. Richard went outside in his lobby. He was seeing the paintings on the lobby's wall and decoration pieces placed there. Richard stepped outside the building and reached the carriage, where he last time looked behind him at what he has done until now. He sighed and went inside the barrel.

"I'm trusting you, new boy, don't let me down," Richard said.

"I won't sir," Alessio said while smiling at Richard and closing the lid. The others barely were also loaded and as they were about to leave, police came and one of them said,

"We are London Police, where is your boss Richard?"

"Who are you to ask this?" Alessio said in an angered tone.

"Answer me politely." The police officer said in a serious tone.

"Sir is out of the kingdom, he is in Italy," Ricardo replied.

"Oh really? Check inside." The Superintendent and all the other officers went inside to find Richard. They went to all the rooms, offices, and servant rooms everywhere possible in the building but couldn't find him.

"See I told you he left," Ricardo replied.

"Do you think we are Edmondson's men? Check these barrels." The Superintendent said and the officers came forward but Ricardo took out his gun and pointed it towards the Superintendent.

"Stop it right now!" He said.

"Oh looks like something is in there, check thoroughly!" Superintendent said while the officers started searching.

"I said stop." Ricardo pulled the trigger.

"I am Superintendent, not an ordinary constable lower your gun and don't disturb the investigation if you wish to live." The Superintendent pointed his gun towards Ricardo's chest and said a warning with an extremely offended expression.

"Let them continue sir," Alessio said in a hasty voice.

"Hmm?" Ricardo looked at Alessio in an amazed tone.

" He is younger but wiser than you."

"Sir!" An officer shouted from behind.

"Yes, found something?" The Superintendent said.

"Yes sir look at him." An officer removed the barrel's lid, and Richard was inside drenched in sweat and shivering.

"Ahh look what we have found, take him." The Superintendent said while officers dragged Richard away, Ricardo and Alessio stood stationary by the current situation.

"I will sue you! You don't know me yet! You will pay for your crimes!" Richard said in a loud voice but the officers didn't get affected a bit.

"Take him," Superintendent said in a sneering tone.

"Sir wait! you!" Ricardo resisted.

"He doesn't have any right to a lawyer. Queen will decide what to do with this horrendous man." The Superintendent said in a serious tone and went in his car.

"Stop!" Ricardo called from behind.

Alessio remembered and smiled lightly at what happened last night, that he succeeded.

"Alessio you should leave too!" Richard said in an alarming tone.

"No, I would stay here!" Alessio said.

"I am saying you to leave, everybody is and I have got the news that after some time there will be a shootout by police to kill us intentionally," Ricardo said in a worried tone and came towards Alessio to make him understand the sensitive situation.

"What? Now I won't ever leave you." Alessio resisted even more rigidly.

"Alessio if you once think of me as your big brother then leave right now," Ricardo said in an angered tone.

"Okay, but you should come with me too," Alessio said while Ricardo was constantly packing some documents and clearing the hidden board behind the painting.

"I am coming let's go quickly," Ricardo said while taking a leather bag and Alessio wore his saddle bag too.

"Let's go," Alessio said and went outside the door of their room.

They both went outside, Ricardo went in a carriage somewhere and Alessio left Mr Matthew's house but when he was leaving the alley he saw many officers who were taking their guns and were headed towards Richard's mansion. When he went a bit more inside the main market of London, people were campaigning saying:

KILL RICHARD!

KILL THE TRAITOR!

NOW IT'S TIME TO PUNISH!

KILL RICHARD KILL HIM!

Richard was being dragged in between the crowd toward the Birmingham Palace but people who respected him a lot were now ready to kill him. People were throwing stones at him, saying such slogans, they wanted to see justice and many who were infuriated were appointed from the opposing parties.

"Nobody can escape from the hands of justice," Alessio said.

[Back in Sicilia]

The room was dark only a beam of light coming from the roof made some people come into the spotlight. Those all people were in black, faces hidden only those curious eyes visible. A wooden table cracked from the side and Samuel along with Edward looked at the person who was coming from the door behind. The light came from that door and enlightened the entire dark room. There was an instant pin-drop silence, which broke from the sound of heels. A lady came wearing a red silk dress, and covering her face, her brown silky hairs fall on her elegantly. As her face became visible when she stepped into the middle of the room.

" Is she?" Samuel said as his eyes widened.

" I am the lady you met in London Mr Samuel, good to see you here." That lady said in a dignified voice.

" So you're the strength, the voice, the boss of this Detective Council?"

" Indeed I am" She nodded.

"This is the map of Armani Mansion, here are the entryways or I should say hidden entry inside the mansion." Edward spread the map on the table and explained it.

"Hmm, How are we going to enter? they would be loaded with guards" A member of the Council asked.

" We are going to distract them, it is obvious with the army of guards we couldn't go inside. I would need some men as backup, one band of men in the forest behind the Mansion and..." Samuel explained the entire plan.

" Very well then, Mr Sameul can I talk to you in private?" The lady said.

" Yes." He said and everybody left The Dark Room.

" I am going to leave soon for another sea calls me." She said in a subtle tone.

" But why are you telling this to me?" Samuel asked in a curious tone.

" I want you to lead the Armani Mansion Mission now, you are quite experienced. You deserve this and are the most preferred choice for this." The lady said

" I'm afraid my opinion differs from yours, this mission has a very important part in my life. I did lose a lot for this but." Samuel said

" But?" Her eyebrow raised.

" There is a person who deserves this more than me," Samuel said in a definite tone.

" Who might that be?" She asked in a curious tone.

{outside the dark room}

" Madame is going to leave soon. Who do you think will be head now?" a member said.

" Nobody will be better than Mr Edward." Another member said.

" Oh! that would not be fair, Mr Samuel is better than me. You don't even know what he did for the mission. " Edward said.

" Well you both are quite eligible, we saw him shining through the darkness today. His charm impresses everyone." The member said.

" Neither of us does this for a post, it's for our people," Edward said and smiled.

The Lady came outside and said,

" As you all know that I would be leaving soon. The new North Star would be.." A breeze of curiosity spread around.

" Mr Edward."

" Thank you so much, Madame." His eyes sparkled and he took his honour and congrats.

When Edward and Samuel were heading back Samuel said,

" This Honour is fully yours, Boss" He smiled.

" Thank you, Consigliere," Edward said and smiled.