Salute To The General

Erwin fell silent for several seconds. He then replied slowly, "I'm acquainted with this matter, Chief Cross. Though it was the Goodall brothers' fault for launching an investigation against you without being ordered to, is it necessary to make such a big deal out of it?" "I was already unhappy about the Goodall brothers sabotaging Mr. Lucas, Mr. Holmes," said Nathan blandly, "though he only has himself to blame him for the slip-up that had allowed the Goodall brothers control over him. The ruination of his career aside, he would be considered lucky even to keep his life! The Goodall brothers' choice to have me investigated was the final straw. Shouldn't you be responsible for their recklessness as their superior?"

The color drained from Erwin's face.

Nathan's implication could not be any clearer. He was fully aware of how similar the Goodall brothers' act of sabotaging him was to the way they had used against Zion. All that was left to do was to ask if he, Erwin, had been the one to orchestrate it.

"I was unaware of this matter, Chief Cross," Erwin clarified at once. "The two of them acted on their own accord. I would have stopped them if I'd learned of it sooner."

"I'm sure you would have, Mr. Holmes," Nathan said. "Speaking of which, the matter of Braydon and Sigurd's release remains open for negotiation."

"Name your price, Chief Cross," Erwin said quickly. "What can I do to secure their freedom?"

"Correct me if I'm wrong," Nathan said unexpectedly. "I seem to recall the Cabinet convening today to discuss Mr. Lucas' crimes."

Caught off-guard, Erwin replied, "Yes, it should have been between the President and the Cabinet members. As President Woods is not feeling well, he has delegated the task of deciding in his absence to the Cabinet."

"In the absence of the Cabinet secretary," Nathan pointed out, "your voice in electing the President's replacement becomes the loudest. I think you already are the president in everything but name, aren't you?"

Erwin was about to deny it when Nathan spoke over him again.

simple. You are to show mercy to Mr. Lucas by dealing with him privately instead of publicizing it. There is no need to let him fall with such disgrace after

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unanimous decision to strip Zion of all his titles and honors and sentence him to prison for

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