Chapter 12d

“Well I presume it's largely to do with the nature of the issue and, of course, the people involved.” Marx said cautiously.

“And maybe because hasn't damned well done anything?” Toller erupted.

“Sir I can assure ...”

“No you cannot! You blundering imbecile! Not only do you get an incompetent drunk like Barnabus as physician, you don't even ensure that he does a complete job! My wife did not receive a physician's examination? You tell me this man and her have been engaging in every damned thing from buggery to mutual pain games yet she wasn't attended to by a man of medicine?! Why in shit's name not?” Toller roared loud enough to be heard all over the city.

“Sir we would never assume to take such a liberty with the Governor's wife!” Marx protested. “Lady Toller shouldn't have had to undergo such an ordeal at the hands of Barnabus.”

“How about Sillix? You addle headed streak of horse-piss, Marx, he's the governmental physician!” Toller threw the report at Marx. “There isn't a mark on her, she's as fresh as the dawn. She has not engaged in any sort of unnatural practices with this man, or any man! In fact, if you read the hell-rotten report, you'll see she hasn't engaged in any natural ones either! You damned fool.” Marx felt his colour drain as he read the report, signed by the most respected physician in Azoria. Lady Ursus Toller was intact, completely.

“Th ... this is outrageous Sir.” Marx blurted. “There's only one person who would insist on this procedure, he did the exact same thing regarding my prisoner. This isn't worth the paper it's written on because Lady Toller will have told Sillix nothing. Astrella needs jailed for insisting that the lady be questioned in this way.” Marx said firmly.

“She wasn't just questioned.” Toller snarled. “Read the bloody thing! The last page is signed by Lady Toller herself stating that her examination was physical, and by her own request.” She called in Sillux, not Astrella! Why, is what I want to know. If that report has to be released to tribunals then I'll be recognised as not willing to produce a successor to my position. Are you with me?” Toller banged his hands on Bonetti's desk. “My marriage will be annulled but far worse than that, Ursus will walk away with over three quarters of my estate. Half by legal entitlement and half again because the land I own used to belong to her drunk of a father.” He narrowed his eyes at Marx. “If that happens, I swear by all that I've ever owned in my life, that I'll see you begging on the streets of Killian within six months. That blasted librarian hasn't confessed to damn all and he's unlikely to now. You stuffed up Marx, fix it.” Toller stormed from office and slammed the door.

Marx collapsed heavily into a chair and Bonetti's head reeled. The only thing Marx had to do just then, was to say that Bonetti had authorised the investigations and arrest, and Bonetti would have been in very hot water. Luckily for Bonetti, he hadn't.

“You'll have to release the librarian Marx.” Bonetti stated the obvious. “This can't go to tribunal with so many irregularities, especially when Lady Toller herself is obviously willing to participate in the procedure.”

“Why?” Marx sobbed. “She's never participated in bugger all in all her poxy life! Why now?”

“May I remind you of who you are speaking, and in front of whom? Yes this is disastrous but we will not resort to such non-constructive language. Do I make myself clear?” Bonetti said and Marx nodded weakly. “Is there much chance of the librarian kicking up a fuss if he's freed?”

“Him, I'm not sure. His guttersnipe sister, almost certain. The shit is though, she now has enough help to do it legally and not go on the rampage as she would have not too long ago. I'd think nothing of naming names Sir, but I've nothing concrete.”

“And General Astrella will tie you in legal knots.” Bonetti reminded Marx. “Think.” He pursed his lips and rested his chin on his fingertips. Even though this had gone pathetically wrong, Bonetti still had his 'situation'. The type of situation really didn't matter as long as there was a way he could be seen to be rectifying it. The rabble in the Pit were now upset, as they were intended to be originally. If the librarian was released, then his sister would make waves, as she was intended to do originally. Leo's arrest had actually served it's purpose, but the way it was so incompetently handled, plus Lady Toller's unexpected contributions and interest meant that more than just the gladiators were alerted. Ben Astrella certainly had his arm in it, and Vespus Creed, both very reputable Military men that couldn't be just relocated without causing more unwanted attention. If this went to tribunal then the whole Military, apart from the librarian's party, would be shot down. “See to the librarian's release, Marx, you have very little choice. As for the 'evidence' you collected, the anarchistic Cadets from the Fourth Quarter who sought to malign the Governor's family by contriving such scenes, will be posted to one of the industrial communities on Plaus.” Bonetti sighed. “Far from ideal, but we are in a crisis of your making, Marx. Dismissed.” Marx glowered at the Administrator for a while before barging out of the office.

Ursus was trying so hard not to cower in front of her husband as he paced her rooms, shouting and raving. Spence had never been a violent man in all the time they'd been married, but there again, his estate had never been in serious jeopardy. It sickened Ursus the way 'settlements' were reached regarding marriage dissolutions. Spence's intolerable behaviour over the years was only that. Intolerable. Had Ursus left him for that reason, then she'd have left penniless, homeless and ultimately discredited because Spence would still be the Governor and completely unaffected. If Ursus left him because of his lack of interest in the physical aspect of their marriage, she'd be a free woman of means just because Spence would be tainted by the situation and another grabbing official would be hovering around somewhere to taint him further. No one puts wagers on a loser.

“How dare you undertake such an action without my permission?!” Toller pointed at his wife.

“How dare you disbelieve me in the first place?” Ursus shouted back and for the first time in their marriage, Spence hit her. She clutched her stinging cheek and tasted blood in her mouth. “I haven't finished!” She screamed as Toller turned to leave. “You sat there on your white, flabby arse and simply believed in those accusations just because it turned you on! You let all those people, all those soldiers, believe I was an adulteress and it bothered you not one bit about the unwarranted shame I endured. Had I pleaded with you on my hands and knees for a physician's proof, you'd have laughed at me. I did it to clear my own name, Spence. Me. Ursus, remember? I'm not a governmental accessory and I'm no man's scape goat!”

“Do you know that your stupidity has affected other people? Do you realise others are affected by Sillix's busy-bodying at your request?”

“Yes.” Ursus nodded. “It shows what a pack of liars this Military is ... don't you dare raise your hand to me again Spence Toller! It also rubbishes those disgusting charges you brought against a man who's a complete stranger to me, as well as innocent, and it saves you a full blown gladiatorial uprising when his sister demands a few answers! Use your damned brain instead of your penis for once!” Ursus screeched, not caring if the outside guards could hear or not. “You're standing there crying over potential loss of your estate, you arrogant bastard! If those fighters in the Pit rise against you, you'll have no estate left to cry over. Get out of my rooms Spence or believe me, I'll insist on exercising my right as a governmental spouse and release all that I know as a public declaration.” Ursus turned her back on her husband and let the tears flow as she looked out of her window.

“You may not have that right for much longer.” Toller snarled darkly.

“Then I'd be free to declare it where, when, and how, I damned well pleased. I said get out.” Ursus snapped savagely. Toller actually damaged the structural work with the force at which he slammed the door.