Chapter 31 Capital Punishment

• I have been to see Vanessa a few times, and each time is less helpful than the last. She’s held up under strict twenty-four-seven guard inside a small cell on the very lowest floor of the palace, and she isn’t happy about it. Vanessa vocalizes her unhappiness with her “inadequate living quarters”, and those are just a few of the many words she’s had on the matter. Ever since the conversation we had in the courtyard, she’s been placed into custody not just for her safety, but for ours--at least, that’s what her friends and family have been told. Each time anyone tries to ask her any questions, she turns up her nose and tells them in no such terms to piss off. This time though, it’s going to be different. I bypass all the security and enter her cell. Vanessa sits by the small window she’s been provided only so she doesn’t go insane. Her dark hair is matted and her jeans and simple shirt is stained and dirtied. She looks nothing like the prim and proper lady of the Verilian Royal Court that she prides herself to be. Vanessa turns to me and scowls, giving me her best death glare. “I told you Danny, I have nothing to tell you and I demand to be released!” Her voice is dripping with venom. The heavy door closes and locks behind me as I approach the interrogation table in the center of the room. “Oh I assure you, you are in no such position to make demands. Come, sit down.” I snap back. She lets out a sarcastic chortle. “Ha! Do you seriously think you can control me like your little pet wife?” I grit my teeth. III’ve never had the urge to strike a woman before (anywhere other than the ass of course) but if she keeps pushing me, I might have to change my philosophy on the matter. I don’t like her mentioning my Annie--especially not in that tone of voice. I choose to ignore her bait and take a seat in silence. Vanessa has always been the kind of person who despises moments where no one is speaking. She always has to fill it, with herself of course. Doing exactly as I assumed, Vanessa sighs and comes to sit across from me at the flimsy table, continuing to taunt me. I resist the urge to scoff. She’s so predictable. “I keep telling those leadheads, I have nothing to say and no involement in this. I tell you Danny, when you become King you really should invest in more intelligent guards.” I keep my facial expression stoic even though I feel my blood begin to boil with every word that comes out of her mouth. I decide I’ve heard enough after a few more seconds and take the folded letters out of the pocket of my suitcoat and slam them down on to the table in front of her. “No. More. Bullshit.” I seethe. “I want answers. Now Vanessa. I want to know everything you know. Now.” She looks down at the letters with a look of absolute horror. All the blood seemingly drains from her body as her eyes flitter from letter to letter. She dares not touch them as she puts on a fake smile and looks back up at me with a wobbly composure. “Why, my love, I simply haven’t a clue what these are.” "Bullshit." She sucks in a quick breath. "I swear I-" I slam my open palm down on the letters with a loud bang that reverberates through the small room. "I'm going to stop you right there as I'm sure you were not about to say anything of importance to me." I look her right in the eyes. I want what I'm about to say next to be taken seriously. "I demand you tell me everything you know, Vanessa, not for my sake, but for your own. I don't think you quite grasp your situation here. Kidnapping a member of the royal family is a capital crime . Even being an accomplice is a minimum of 40 years in prison in Verilia, if you get let off lightly, and hear this: If you do not cooperate with me right here, right now, I promise you will not receive a semblance leniency. You will never know anything but the inside of a prison cell at the minimum. The maximim... well... Let me just remind you that Verilia still uses the death penalty in very specifc cases... I'm sure the public would not bat an eye to the execution of those responsible for this crime against their beloved Crown Princess and future Queen ." I watch the lump in her throat move as she swallows. "Now, shall we begin?"