Sinner

He just killed a man. He just killed a man. He just killed a man for me.

Eventually I grew tired of standing and staring into nothingness. My leg was throbbing, my body hot. I felt uneasy in my own skin and the scene at breakfast was no better.

When I climbed down the 2 flights of stairs to the living room the Riders were all gathered at the breakfast table. As poised and polished as ever. Each one of them dressed in brighter tones than the other. Red, grey, black leather and stripped suits.

Lev was late to the party, descending the stairs right behind me, in an all black suit, again.
As he passed me he handed me a cane that he had picked up from Jamie's collection he kept in the umbrella basket by the front door.
I took it gratefully, shifting my weight on the stick helped ease the pain.

In the living room, Jamie stood up from his chair at the head of the table, strode across the room towards Lev and slapped him across the face. The strike sudden and sharp. I gasped, stumbling back unnerved.
But Lev is indifferent to anything. His face barely moves. "What's wrong, grandpa?"

Had he ever called him that? I didn't quite recall, but in that moment the lack of offence on Lev's face made the word all the more sincere.
Like he was well past that point where mere slaps offended you. Or you had simply submitted to those above you and whatever orders they sent or however they treated you, you simply obliged.
Perhaps you loved them enough to not care.

"You shot Tim Bohen?!" Jamie demanded.
I let myself sink to the ground.

He just killed a man! He just killed a man! He just killed a man for me.

Jamie's gaze cut to me for a second before returning to Lev. He grabbed him by the collar and gave him a strong jerk. "Answer me!"
Lev was still detached, as if not understanding what could possibly be the problem.

"It won't be an issue." Nicolas stepped in. "It was pure defence."
"Pure defence?" Jamie spat turning to him.
"He attacked Lucrecia last night!" Teresa added helping me back to my feet. Her gentle hands brushing non-existent dust from my clothes.

"I informed Christian Archibald about Tim Bohen last night but he wanted me to steer clear of the matter." Lev said pulling out of Jamie's grip.

"Turns out Archibald was keeping Bohen out of prison, he's been reported a dozen times, how did that not seem suspicious to the Lieutenant is beyond me." Nicolas said walking up to the floating shelves and moving a crystal Pyramid of Giza ornament so it aligned perfectly with the other two. "He hired Bohen as his personal thug, using him to kill Jared Bullard."

"Last night Tim shot Bullard 'cause Archibald had some personal grudge with him and wanted to use that as an opportunity to take them both out because he probably realised the lieutenant was suspicious of him."

"So Tim killed Jared and now that he had killed somebody, plus the assaults and the robberies. He was definitely gonna get hanged." He said. "But when Christian told Bohen he won't keep him out of jail anymore, he shot Christian at which point Lev got to the scene and shot him. It's all on tape, on 3 different CCTVs. Why does everyone in our street have cameras now? Anyway, Lev doesn't even need to testify, I'll handle it."

Jamie listened patiently. Looking back and forth between the two cousins.
"I won't have the lot of you tarnish my name any further." He said. "Make sure this doesn't get to the news."
"Yes, sir." said Lev.

"I was right there Jamie," Teresa said. "You have nothing to worry about on Lev's end."
"I better not."
"Alright! Breakfast then!" Teresa cheered, interlocking her arm with Jamie's and leading him back to the breakfast table. "You have to try these new croissants I found, I know you hate croissants but these are so good." She told him giddily.
"I had one last night." Nicolas said following behind them, but Lev remained standing back for a moment.