Apprentice Harry's Involvement
Master Jacob was reviewing his notes in the cramped office within the barn when the door creaked open. He looked up, mildly surprised to see Apprentice Master Harry entering the room. Harry's posture was confident, his expression composed but with a faint tension in his jaw.
"Master Jacob," Harry greeted with a small nod, a hint of authority in his tone. "Mother is concerned. She's noticed that the laborers have been on lockdown, and the work in the courtyard has stopped. She sent me to understand the situation."
Jacob stood, bowing deeply. "Apprentice Master Harry," he replied, choosing his words carefully. "There has been... an unfortunate incident that required my full attention. I believe an act of sabotage has occurred within the ranks of the laborers. Someone—" he paused, his eyes flickering with cold anger, "—destroyed Ty's new overseer uniform. I cannot, in good conscience, allow work to resume until the culprit is found."
Harry's face hardened, his expression growing stonier. "An act of sabotage," he repeated, his voice low. "Someone dared to undermine the authority of The House?"
"Yes," Jacob confirmed, his eyes darkening. "And I assure you, this will not go unpunished. I've narrowed the suspects, but it has taken time. Yesterday, I questioned each laborer and assessed their loyalty, but I still have several possibilities. I believe with your assistance, we could finally expose the one responsible."
Harry nodded slowly, his gaze thoughtful. "Very well. I'll help."
Jacob inclined his head, feeling a glimmer of satisfaction. Harry's involvement would add a weight of authority to the proceedings that might make someone slip. He picked up the list of names, handing it over to Harry.
"These three are our primary suspects," Jacob explained. "Ron, Jet, and Wenley. Each of them has a potential motive."
Harry glanced at the list, his eyes narrowing slightly at Ron's name before he returned his attention to Jacob. "Tell me about each of them."
Jacob's mouth set in a thin line. "Ron, as you know, has been difficult since he arrived. He's stubborn, with a temper that doesn't fit well with the discipline we require here. He was visibly unsettled by Ty's promotion, which could have triggered a reaction."
Harry's gaze didn't waver, but his expression grew colder. "I know Ron. He can be... prideful." He paused, considering. "But he also knows when not to overstep." He looked at Jacob. "Still, we shouldn't rule him out."
"Indeed," Jacob agreed. "The second suspect, Jet, is a different case. He's been here even longer than Ron. A quiet type, generally obedient. But he has a strong sense of pride in his work and resents anyone who rises through the ranks too quickly. Ty's promotion, I believe, bruised his ego."
"Does he have the temperament to act on it, though?" Harry asked, studying Jacob's face.
"Possibly," Jacob replied, folding his arms. "Jet hides his feelings well, but his silence can be deceptive."
Harry nodded, his gaze returning to the list. "And the last one, Wenley?"
Jacob's lip curled slightly. "Wenley is... volatile. An unpredictable sort. He's obedient enough, but he's not a favorite among the overseers. Easily overlooked, and I wouldn't put it past him to lash out in a way that would hurt another servant rather than face an authority figure directly. It's possible he felt resentful of Ty's success and saw this as a chance to sabotage him."
"Sounds like Wenley could be a likely culprit," Harry murmured, tapping the list thoughtfully. "How do you propose we narrow it down?"
Jacob's eyes glinted with a hint of satisfaction. "I believe each of them has an identifiable weakness. They all react differently under pressure. If we can bring them in, one by one, and ask the right questions... I think the true culprit will reveal themselves."
Harry's face darkened as he looked back at Jacob. "Then let's bring them in, starting with Ron."
The Interrogation of Ron
They brought Ron into the office, his face wary but set in defiance. Jacob watched as Harry stepped forward, his expression cold, all trace of the friendship they'd once shared stripped away.
"Ron," Harry began, his voice carrying a weight of authority. "Yesterday, Master Jacob had to lock down the laborers' quarters because someone destroyed Ty's uniform. You were one of the last to leave the common area last night. Do you have anything you'd like to admit?"
Ron met Harry's gaze with a stony glare. "No, Apprentice Master. I don't have anything to admit, because I didn't do it."
Harry's expression hardened. "You seemed displeased with Ty's promotion, Ron. You can't deny that."
Ron's jaw tightened, but he said nothing. Jacob stepped in, his tone colder. "Silence won't help you here, Ron. It only makes you look guilty."
Ron clenched his fists at his sides, clearly holding back a retort. "With respect, Master Jacob, I don't need to justify myself to either of you. I'm doing my job. That's all."
Harry gave a slight nod, as if acknowledging Ron's resistance. "Very well. You may go for now, but we'll be watching. Carefully."
Ron left the room, his shoulders tense, and Jacob noted the defiance in his stride. It was possible Ron's pride had pushed him to act, though he'd left no clues. Still, he couldn't rule him out.
The Interrogation of Jet
Next, they summoned Jet. He entered with a subdued expression, his head slightly bowed, his demeanor meek. But Jacob knew him well enough to see the resentment simmering beneath the surface.
"Jet," Jacob said, folding his arms. "You were aware of Ty's promotion, I assume."
"Yes, Master Jacob." Jet's voice was quiet, neutral, though Jacob noticed the slight tension in his jaw.
"And how did that sit with you?" Harry asked, watching Jet intently.
Jet hesitated, but then he spoke, his words measured. "I didn't agree with it, Apprentice Master. Ty hasn't been here as long as some of us. I felt... overlooked."
Harry tilted his head, studying Jet's reaction. "Overlooked enough to take matters into your own hands?"
Jet's face paled slightly. "No, Master. I would never damage House property. That's... That's not who I am. I don't agree with Ty's promotion, but I wouldn't sabotage him."
Jacob narrowed his eyes, sensing that Jet was telling the truth but holding back some of his resentment. "Very well, Jet," he said finally. "You may go."
As Jet left, Jacob looked to Harry. "He has motive, but I don't sense the kind of anger that would drive him to act."
Harry nodded, crossing Jet's name off the mental list in his mind. "Agreed."
The Interrogation of Wenley
Finally, they called in Wenley. He walked in with a hint of a swagger, a defiance that Jacob found irritating. He glanced between Jacob and Harry, his smirk fading under their cold, assessing gazes.
"Wenley," Jacob said sharply, "you're aware of what happened with Ty's uniform."
Wenley shrugged, his expression shifting to mock innocence. "Heard about it, Master. Tough break."
Harry's gaze turned to steel. "Where were you last night after dinner?"
Wenley shrugged again, but there was a flicker of discomfort in his eyes. "In my cell. Didn't leave."
"Really?" Harry's voice was ice. "Funny, because one of the guards mentioned seeing you lingering in the common area long after everyone else had gone."
Wenley's face tightened, his confidence visibly cracking. "I... I was just thinking, alright? I didn't touch his uniform."
"Thinking, or waiting?" Jacob leaned in, his voice cold. "I've heard you had a history of resentment towards those who rise above you."
Wenley's eyes flashed with fear, his earlier bravado evaporating. "No, Master. I... I didn't mean anything by it. I swear."
Harry and Jacob exchanged a glance, and Jacob felt a surge of satisfaction. Wenley's reaction was enough to confirm his suspicions. He had the motive, the opportunity, and—most tellingly—the fear.
"Thank you, Wenley," Jacob said, his tone final. "You may go."
As Wenley left, Jacob and Harry stood in silence, the weight of the day's work settling over them. They had narrowed it down to the three, but Wenley's nervousness, his visible cracks under pressure, stood out starkly.
Harry turned to Jacob, his voice quiet but resolute. "We have our answer. Wenley's the one."
Jacob nodded, satisfied. "Agreed. He'll learn the consequences of crossing The House."
The two exchanged a cold, knowing look. Tomorrow, Wenley would face the full weight of his actions—and The House's justice would be delivered.