Chapter 889

chapter889

He walked over and crouched down to examine Jay's leg. "He won't die."

With that, whether by accident or on purpose, he stood up and stepped directly on the wound, driving the blade another inch into the flesh.

"Aaargh!"

Jay let out a bloodcurdling scream as the bleeding, which had nearly stopped, started gushing anew.

As for the goons Fabian had brought along... they had all been swiftly subdued by the two imposing men in black who had arrived with Corley.

"Stay put, all of you!"

Jay yelled, "Who the hell are you?! You want to die messing with Malloy's people?!"

But no one paid him any mind.

Finally free, Mamie rushed forward and slapped the goon who had shoved her face against the mud wall. "What's wrong with you? Haven't you seen any action movies? There's a rule-you don't hit people in the face!"

The goon was speechless. *Then why are you hitting me in the face?*

Scales quickly stepped in to mediate. "Forget it, Mamie. You'll just hurt your hand on him."

"Exactly! Thank goodness the professor and Mr. Sullivan got here when they did. Otherwise, who knows how much more wall dust I'd have been forced to inhale!"

After a moment's thought, Scales slapped the goon himself.

The sound was much louder and sharper than Mamie's slap.

Mamie stared, dumbfounded. The goon was just as baffled.

Scales explained, "You shouldn't have to get your hands dirty. I'll do it for you."

"Caley, I'm just now realizing how good you are to me."

"... You're only just realizing that?"

"Well, I've known for a while, but today it's just so... obvious!"

"...Oh." *She's got good taste*, he thought, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

Meanwhile, Owen Reynolds and Corley, having dealt with Fabian, walked over to Roseanne in unison. They spoke at the same time.

"Are you okay?"

"Are you hurt?"

Roseanne shook her head. "I'm fine. I'm so glad you're here."

She wasn't surprised to see them. Shortly after she had sent her message that morning, both Owen and Corley had replied. They had already arrived in the nearby town overnight and were preparing to come to the village.

Roseanne had relayed the news to Mamie and Scales, instantly boosting their confidence. The three of them had then formulated a detailed plan before the Moore brothers showed up, with two main ives: stall for time and gather evidence.

First, they had Mr. Smith and

Carlson negotiate with the Moore brothers while Scales stood by. Roseanne, Mamie, and Gail hid. outside. When the negotiations inevitably broke down, Scales was to step in and provoke one of the brothers. As expected, Jay took the bait and was tured outside, ancene, he stepped through the door, he was in a public space, allowing Roseanne and Mamie to record everything and forcing the other villagers to become witnesses.

Whether those villagers would be willing to testify later was uncertain, but exposing Jay's brutality in front of everyone might serve as a

wake up call Today it was the

Smiths; tomorrowat could be.ne

Lances or the Browns. Who could say? Among so many villagers, surely one or two still had a conscience and would be willing to step forward.

The scythe... that had been an accident. Scales had only panicked for a second before composing himself. He was stopping a crimenit was self defense. Knowing that Roseanne and Mamie were recording made it all easily

justifiable. Jay had simply brought it

on himself.

Still, Mamie had a question. "Professor, Roseanne said you two arrived in town a

while ago. What took you so long to get here?"

Owen and Corley exchanged a look.

Owen gestured with his chin. "You tell her."

Corley sighed. "Fine, I'll tell her..."