Preys and Predators 3 Love Binds, Family Destroy Chapter 44

 

44. 

 

Shylock was not short of friendly associates at the magistrate office. He was reluctant to bribe the ones he knew, but it was a small token to give him information. He walked his way to the office of the magistrate. He was not welcomed there most times, but his generous offerings to the office paved his way, more so to that previous magistrate. It was a painful effort of his to bribe the office there, but it was one method to get the assistance of the office. It was his one mode to secure back his loans, besides employing mercenaries to pressure the debtors.

“Magistrate Javier, I was informed that Andre Bassanio Tito is in your custody.” Shylock approached the other. “I demand to meet him.”

“Obviously, you mistook me for the previous magistrate, who may be open to your requests. Yes, I have Andre Bassanio Tito in my custody, but his well-being needs a healer. Till he is fit to meet anyone, he will remain in my office.” Magistrate Javier looked at the moneylender.

“I have a good relationship with this office.” Shylock stepped up to the magistrate with his left hand offering the bag of silvers. Magistrate Javier did take the hand offering and motioned to the moneylender to take the seat.

“We have never met, Mr.….”

“Shylock, Shylock Judas, of Judas & Associates. I bridged the needs of the traders in need of silvers and ducats to ease their burden.” Shylock smiled. He had not really met the magistrate, who was new to Genoa, but most of his dealings were with the officers. More to it, Genoa has three magistrates then.

“I have reported him for the default in my loan. I can demand his presence in a judicial hearing.” Shylock handed out the judicial papers. He was adamant about getting access to Bassanio. He had retracted his offering then.

“Yes, he may be produced, but for now, he is under investigation for the murder of five men at the warehouse. It is a major crime that overrides your judicial order. Wait your turn.”

“May I see him then?” The voice belonged to Lord Gencio Capulet. “He may have some……”

“I cannot consider that now, Lord Gencio Capulet.” Magistrate Javier looked at the man standing there in his office. “Andre Bassanio Tito is a felon for which justice will be administered by the judiciary.”

“I stand with the Lord.” It was Count Paris who appeared then at the office. He then turned to the Lord and smiled. “I was caught up in some matters and am late. May we both see Andre Bassanio Tito?”

“Count Paris, we meet again.” Lord Gencio Capulet turned to look at the other. He was surprised to see the Count there.

“I was given the urgent message by the prince to see Andre Bassanio Tito. The prince has given me some needs to know of certain information.”

“Count Paris, I presume.” Magistrate Javier cut in. “We met some years ago. I am to defer your request, for the person in custody needs a healer.”

“Was he hurt?” Count Paris asked. “By……”

“He was wounded in the act, and we have a healer to attend to him. We will advise on the progress. It is not fatal, the wound, and he will live.”

Meanwhile, Shylock approached Lord Gencio Capulet.

“Shylock Judas, my Lord.” Shylock spoke. “By any chance, you met Antonio.”

“I am not his guardian, Sir.” Lord Gencio Capulet was annoyed at being asked. “Did he owe you any ducats?”

“No…… Yes, he held responsibility as surety for one other. He ……” Shylock Judas was to mention the name, but Lord Gencio Capulet shrugged off the other.

“Antonio is his own responsibility. Do not involve me.” Lord Gencio Capulet walked away. Shylock was left there without any clue of his next action. He went home and met Leah. He related the issue encountered at the magistrate’s office.

“We must find Abram to assist us.” That was Leah’s reply. “But for now, my concern is Jessica. She is fond of the ……”

“Tell her I will not sanction the union.” Shylock sat by his work desk, ignoring his lover standing there.

“I do not think you understand the issue here. Jessica is of the age where she could decide, and it may be without our blessing.” Leah reminded the father.

“What is she to do? Elope? Or leave us?” Shylock was upset that he was not paid any attention. “I have a business to operate here. Who can help me to get the loans back? The… Lorenzo kid? He is a …….”

“He is a Capulet and may be the union we need to get closer to finding Antonio.” Leah looked at Shylock. “We are without support here.”

“What makes you think that Lord Gencio Capulet will capitulate to his half-son’s union? He may be of the same view as us.” Shylock turned to his lover. “Let me think. Alone, please.”

Alone was the request of Lord Dante Montague, and he hid himself in the library. He held the case handed to him by the ex-Voivode. He had not opened it and wondered how his fate was entwined by the content. He was tempted to look inside; the jewels were once his, taken from him by the deceit of another.

“Why are you here… alone? Are you not at home to be with your family?” Lady Angeline walked into the library. “What is that?”

“It was handed to me by Vlad Tepes.” Lord Dante Montague placed the case into the desk drawer. It was his personal drawer. “He wants me to keep it.”

“Vlad Tepes? The Impaler? Why did he find you? Do you know him?” Lady Angeline was distressed by the name.

“Hold your concern, my love. I had not known the man before we met. Let me relate to you the tale. I was invited to meet him, or before him, I was to meet his brother, Radu Tepes.” Count Dante Montague sighed. “It was predated to my meeting with the Sultan, then with … Gencio. It was the time I was to trade the jewels revealed by the Sultan, but Gencio stole them from me.”

“Gencio traded it to the Sultan and established the trading routes there. However, I was given the same opportunity, but it was not to my liking to be cheated by Gencio. Since then, we went separate ways, but over the years, we had hardly crossed each other’s paths.”

“Why you?” Lady Angeline quizzed the man.

“I do not know. I had never met the Tepes until recent events. I was called to meet Radu, who was dying then. He asked me to contact Vlad and handed over the letter and case. I did as request, and from the last meeting, I was told to hold the case for Vlad.”

“It is most unusual, my dear. You were never anyone’s messenger. And what is in the case?” Lady Angeline asked. “Could it be the jewels that were rumoured to be in the care of the Tepes?”

“You are well informed for a lady in Genoa.” Lord Dante Montague looked to his lover.

“I have my circle of friends, and they held their own, and yes, we talk. I knew more than what you may know at times. For one, I knew that Juliet is infatuated with the Capulet boy. The latter is in hiding from the killing of Mercutio.”

“Mercutio …… I need to resolve that too. He is family.” Lord Dante Montague sighed. “Is Juliet ……”

“She is safe with us. She had run off to see the boy on occasions, but I doubt she will betray his whereabouts.”

“Abram can guard her.” Lord Dante Montague was concerned about his daughter. “I must see her soon. What else do you know?”

“I know that one named Andre Bassanio Tito had won the hand of Portia Belmont, but their wedding was put off, for the man was involved in some issue with the authorities over some killings at the warehouse. Rumours said it was to do with the shipment of wares, but the inner words were on jewels that belonged to the Tepes.”

“You are a vixen here. How did you know so much and yet I was not told?” Lord Dante Montague looked at the lady.

“The ladies held their ears close to their lovers, and they only gossip to their friends.” Lady Angeline smiled. “I know more. Andre Bassanio Tito borrowed from Shylock Judas…”

“The scoundrel for a trader who trades in ducats instead of wares?” Lord Dante Montague hissed out.

“He may be that scoundrel, but he is a trader of sorts. He loaned ducats to Andre, Bassanio, and Tito, but the repayment was defaulted. Shylock sought to find the man.” Lady Angeline looked at the man. “However, the chase is concluded. Andre Bassanio Tito is in the custody of the magistrate over the killings at the warehouse. It was said that Lord Gencio Capulet is keen to see the man, and so is one named Count Paris. I believed all of it was related to the jewels.”

“If it was so, then the case I hold may be of another valued item or a worthless trinket.” Lord Dante Montague looked to the drawer.

“If that was so, then this conversation is ended. But if it is the jewels there, then it may be the bargaining tool for us to bring… …. Leverage on Gencio. He sought the jewels, as I was told, to get his son freed by bargaining. Count Paris may be the emissary of the royal court here.”

“If it was, why should I help Gencio?” Lord Dante Montague looked to the open window. “He is not my friend.”