December 2003: Stifled

"Escape you say?" 

Maxwell was gobsmacked at what Rolo had accused him of doing. The man didn't consider his actions to be in the wrong in light of how he was being treated by the people in power. He viewed it as a common phenomenon wherein an employee was trying to avoid additional workload for themself. If only he knew that he was putting his family in a perilous situation by decamping out of trouble all alone, would he still do it? Well, he was perfectly aware of the repercussions of his actions. 

It's only a matter of whether his conscience was in the right place or otherwise. 

In this case, it wasn't.

"Right, escape, you do it every time you're being summoned. However, you're not as stealthy as you think, Rosenfeldt." 

Role Varendel put one of his gloved hands on top of the man's shoulder, stroking it twice as if petting a fragile puppy. He then leaned his head near Maxwell's right ear and whispered the words that he ought to say.