The Devil's Claw

Dina's Speech

This recent incident was more of a horrible mystery, rather than some normal unfortunate happening, because there was not even a single survivor. There were so many unanswered questions and unsatisfied comprehension of the event. First question was whether it was an incident or someone plotted it, because carbon monoxide cylinders were already there, to facilite domestic purposes like generators, stoves, grills etc. Second question was based on the answer of first one, if it was someone who did it, then is it someone from basement or could it be someone outside the basement. Third question was why there was not even a single survivor, because there was a certain possibility that alarms and other CO detectors would turn on automatically. Fourth question was the most common one, that whether all these events one after other were connected or were these just coincidences. All these uncertainties were creating hype and panic not only among Janes but also all others residents and workers of that mansion. Rumors were spreading like fire, news were being broadcasted, journalists and reporters were gathered around the closed gate of mansion asking questions over questions, security team including all newly hired hackers and analysts were investigating the matter, articles regarding decline of Janes were being published on newspapers, along with diminishing of Janes business and trading, pausing of all social interactions with other elite' families including meetings, conferences, parties and so on. With the loss of entire Entrusted class, all banking system stopped because Main bank Accountant was also one of Entrusted class, Media handler entrusted to deal with media reporters and journalists was also dead so there was no one to deal with their raising questions, Hospital services were in bad shape, because most of the doctors were part of same Entrusted class, workers, maids, chefs started resigning because of fear and panic, military soldiers got disputed because of the loss of commanders.. Thus, everything was hell. There was only one discussion going on everywhere inside the mansion, and that was obviously who did this, how could someone do this, why no one survived, why didn't alarms turn on, why is the killer against entrusted class, is it someone from entrusted class, and is it even someone's doing or just unfortunate happening... Things had painfully got out of Micheal's hands, he started losing his health and sleep, worked the whole time along with security department to solve the riddle, investigating each and every matter there with only few people he could trust the most, while all other people were resigned. These selected people were only five members, three from within, and two were those who were hired from other elite families. They differed in their abilities, like there was a hacker, forensic scientist, spy agent, biochemist, and Mr. Floyd who was simply a Micheal's secretary. Out of these, only hacker and biochemist were hired from other families in the past time crisis. All the other staff was suspended sparing only 5 maids, 4 chefs, 7 doctors, 3 bank accountants, etc. along with sealing the major area of mansion.

As Micheal could no longer trust anyone, he decided to handle over some important tasks to his own sons. Jason was entrusted to handle the military soldiers, so that their internal disputes and conflicts could be satisfied because of presence of one ruling authority. Keith was made incharge of all banking transactions, so that all workers and residents still there could be paid. Dina was already the owner of household workers like maids, servants and chefs, but at this time of crisis, she started answering the media questions by attending the conferences, meetings and writing articles in response to defaming and rumorous articles that were being published as rapidly as spreading fire. 

After few days... 

"Dear World! 

Today, I want to answer your all questions in this speech... Janes family is going through extremely harsh times as you all already know, but did we ever give up? Did you see any of us mourning over things and becoming hopeless? Some of you say that Janes family has lost in dealing with its internal affairs! Tell me, which internal affair in the world begins with cameras being hacked? Whenever there is some murder, rape or any crime, all elite families use the same cameras to capture the killer, don't they? What if some genius killer begins with hacking those cameras in which we all rely that much?! Some of you say that Janes family couldn't protect even their own Entrusted class, so Listen! Basement was the most safe place installed with all safety measures like fire and smoke detectors, CO detectors, automatic water sprinklers, highly advanced ventilation system, cameras and all security measures were also made. But still, it all happened out of nowhere like a misfortune which was always destined to happen! Now, we don't want to waste our mind and time thinking how it happened, rather we've decided to protect what's left. Our sons are working all days and nights at their such young ages and we are paying double and triple salaries to our workers who are supporting us in this time of crisis! So whoever thinks that we have lost, must be informed that we will soon come back with even more strength and pride!". Soon after, there was a lot of clapping and slogans and some journalists and reporters were emotionally moved so much that they offered donations from their minute earnings. "Dina darling, you've done great job" said Micheal while clapping and moving towards her with a thankful smile. "I am lucky that I have a wife like you.." said Micheal while his eyes were brightly tearful. "Stop it Micheal, you're making me embarrassed.. It's nothing.. I will stand with you till the end" said Dina while putting her head on his shoulder. Because of Dina's such loyal efforts, an Elite family from which she belonged originally, named Frenz before getting married to Micheal, decided to offer help at all levels. It was not only a big achievement at such terrible times, but also gave brightest hope to the future of Janes, however, it undoubtedly could not be what Keith wanted...

On next morning... 

"Mom, I wanted to talk to you about something.." said Keith in a low tone. Dina was writing an article at that time, "What is it Keith?" asked her calmly. "Mom, first I want to appreciate your efforts you're doing for Janes, you really love us so much.." said Keith while sitting on the comfy sofa in front of center table on which his mother had placed her papers to write on them. "Oh dear, it is what every mother does, don't embarass me" said her with chuckles. "But I think you should not involve Frenz with it, because any outside help at this time would only aggravate the situation, we still don't know who's the killer, inviting new people would make an opportunity for killer to enter.. Don't you notice how after suspending more than half of the staff and sealing major area of mansion, killings have stopped?" said Keith in a concerning tone. "You're right son, but why are you so sure about killing of people in basement were really someone's doing, and not merely an incident?" asked mother. "Because it just couldn't be! Look Mom, if we assume that for some unfortunate moments, our alarms and detectors actually stopped working, then why at that same unlucky moments, ventilation system switched off? Moreover, why in that same exactly unfortunate moment carbon monoxide cylinders started leaking? Do you still believe that it was all just an incident, and not someone's doing?" asked Keith in a serious manner. " Now I know why your father offered you to be an Analyst but as much as I remember, you rejected it. Today after hearing all this, I am proud of you, Keith, I will recommend him to offer you again, this time I know you won't reject it" said mother. "I will reject it as many times I will have to" said Keith in an aggressive tone. "Why? Don't you care for all those people who were killed?" asked mother. "No, there must be some valid reason for that" said Keith again aggressively while standing up from sofa, "You better stop father from inviting Frenz at such dreadful times, we can't afford any foreign presence or else it will only aggravate the situation" said Keith in strict tone. "Wait Keith, if you think there's some valid reason for murderer to murder all those people, then why are you even supporting us by being incharge of bank transactions, sitting in front of laptop screen all day and night.. I mean why are you working so much hard for us?" asked mother as now she had got worried. " I'm doing that for you and Watson.. Mom.. You both are the only ones I love here in this family, I don't like father and big brother, they're so proudy and mean to low class people.. I can't forgive them!" said Keith in shrieking voice. "Low class people! Low class people! What the hell do you keep blabbering all the time?! Your father is working so hard that he can't join us in meals, he can't sleep properly, he can't even smile, and all you care about is low class people?! Is it even a time to care for such pigs?! Your family needs your support, Keith, try to be mature and understand your fucking responsibilities!" said mother filled with anger. "Family doesn't come before humanity, if you are my family, it doesn't mean you can do whatever you like to all other people. I thank you Mom.. for supporting me in my darkest times when I was in hospital, only you were there staying all nights awake for me to get recovered.. But you never know how I became so much mentally exhausted, do you?" asked Keith with successfully controlled tears in his eyes. "Go away Keith, this isn't time to discuss your beleifs, we'll talk about them some other time, I have so much work to do" said mother in stiff tone and continued writing an article. Keith became so much broken that he couldn't speak a word and left, though he never knew that it was the last conversation he was having with his mother.