"Eli was the one who brought their names forward to The Tribunal in the first place. There aren't many details, but there are notes about some red flags he found in the financials linked to them. He believed there was a division taking place in that group, and it was noted that his son Abel had been helping him to investigate, a position he volunteered for."

"Of course he did," I mutter. "Any excuse to feel important. Do you suspect those members were set up by Eli and Abel?"

"I don't know. The files I was able to access didn't have complete notes, which is common with The Tribunal. What takes place within those walls is often protected, but they will have at least some notes for reference in case it does come up again. I do find it difficult to believe the members of that group went quietly. I am curious if The Tribunal has investigated a possible link to the explosion. It would seem odd if they hadn't."

What he's telling me makes sense. Any normal person could draw that same logical conclusion, but I can't help resenting the fact that he's placing doubt in my head.

"Or it's possible that Eli and Abel set them up for reasons of their own."

"That is possible too," Judge agrees hesitantly.

"You don’t sound convinced.”

"I think if those members were set up, they would be trying to claw their way back in and prove their innocence. I don't know what evidence Eli could possibly have manufactured against all of them that was rock solid enough for The Tribunal to excommunicate them. Whatever he brought forward, it would have had to be very convincing, considering his position and their authority in the hierarchy."

"Well, I suppose I will have to ask him myself," I declare.

I'm already standing up to grab my jacket and seek out a guard to drive me to the hospital.

"I figured as much," Judge says. "I'll send you a secure email with the list of names."

13

Santiago

Eli blinks at me, half-dazed as the nurse helps him to sit upright.

"What are you doing here in the middle of the night?" he croaks. "Has something happened to Ivy? I’ve been going crazy sitting here with no information, and the guards won’t even tell me if you found her yet—"

"Here, take a sip of water." The nurse holds his cup up for him. "You can talk when your throat isn't so dry."

I allow that much before I glance at her. "You can go now. We need some privacy."

She doesn't argue. As a Society nurse, she knows who I am. In this hospital, the staff doesn't question the authority of a Sovereign Son.