The Girl in the Wych Elm: Part Three

 

3. The Men in the High Tower

Alexander chuckled with amusement as he waited for Solomon and his entourage to arrive. The Mayor of Wych Elm had called a meeting with the Silver Hightowers. Alexander wondered if his ancestor, Barnabas Hightower (the first patriarch of the Crimson branch), was turning over in his grave. “I’ll probably see the old bastard in my mirror tonight.” He laughed as he played with the engraved lighter in his hand.

The twin Hightower families had always despised one another. So, it was bizarre that Alexander would invite their long-time nemeses to Old Cahawba for an in-person meeting. Many of the lower ranked Crimson Hightowers were against the decision, not that their opinions mattered to Alexander. He was their family head, their patriarch. There was no democracy under his roof.

“Mr. Hightower,” a maid poked her head through the door, “Judge Solomon Hightower and company have arrived.” Alexander motioned for the maid to let them through. “Yes sir.” The maid’s head disappeared back behind the door. Two seconds later, Alexander and his men came into view.

The two Hightower patriarchs were an interesting contrast from one another. Alexander was charismatic and had a playful demeanor. But deep down, he was a crafty bastard who treated everything like a game. Toying with people’s lives was what he enjoyed the most. Everyone, even his very own family members, was disposable to him. Alexander was also a ruthless monster who would get what he wanted by any means necessary.

Then there was Solomon, the more reserved and cold-natured of the pair. He was indifferent towards everyone and anything that didn’t concern him. Solomon was more methodical compared to Alexander. He was no nonsense either. While Alexander sowed chaos, Solomon preferred to uphold order with authority.

Despite their differences in personality, both men shared some of the same traits. They could be sadistic and cruel in their own ways. Alexander was more open and shameless about it. In regard to Solomon, it depended on the circumstance. Both Hightower patriarchs looked down on the other three High Families. They also desired unbridled power.

Alexander was not a fan of Solomon’s reserved nature. He wished the man was less rigid. On the other hand, Solomon found Alexander’s prideful ways obnoxious. If Alexander was humbler, Solomon would have taken him more seriously. 

The mischievous smile on Alexander’s face widened. “How does it feel, Solomon? To return home. The original home of the Hightowers.” Solomon gave Alexander an unrepentant glare. He knew his Crimson counterpart would provoke him the second he arrived. Finding ways to get under Solomon’s skin was Alexander’s favorite hobby when he wasn’t trying to destroy the Silver Hightower family.

Solomon kept his cool, ignoring Alexander’s insulting remark. “Why am I here, Alexander?” He asked in a restrained voice. Solomon Hightower was a busy man who had more important matters to deal with. Entertaining Alexander’s nonsense was not on his agenda for the day. “Hurry and speak your peace.”

Alexander placed his hands to his chest, feigning like he was hurt by Solomon’s harsh words. “Oh, come now, Solomon. Pull that stick from your ass and have a seat. We should take this time to catch up with one another. I mean, who knows when we’ll get together like this again.”

“Blow it out your ass, Alexander. Stop acting familiar with us. And this isn’t our home either.” The outburst came from Solomon’s boorish younger brother, Florian. No one despised the Crimson Hightowers more than he did.

Historically, the Crimson Hightowers often looked down on the Silver branch. They (the Crimsons) referred to themselves as the real Hightowers. Florian and his family were inferior to the Crimson Hightowers and always would be. That insult was unforgivable.

Florian wanted to stay home. Anytime he was in the presence of a Crimson longer than a minute, he became sick to his stomach. The hot-headed man only came in support of Solomon.

“Watch that mouth of yours, Florian.” Arthur rose from his seat. He was red with anger over the disrespect shown towards his brother. “You’re speaking to our patriarch and the Mayor of Wych Elm.”

 Arthur, or Art as he was referred to, was Alexander’s older brother; he had a younger twin brother named Theodore, often referred to as Theo for short. Alexander’s older twin brothers were fiercely loyal and protective of him as Florian was towards Solomon.

Theo remained seated but chimed in after his twin. “You’ve been warned, Florian. If you insult our brother again, you’re going to find yourself without a tongue.” He pointed

Florian snorted loudly, crossing his arms over his chest. “Your brother may be the mayor of Wych Elm, but he’s not my patriarch. I would give him the same respect I would a cockroach.”

An argument broke out between the two Hightower clans, each accusing the other of having been disrespectful first. Elias shook his head disapprovingly. The two families couldn’t even make it ten minutes without a fight. “I would have stayed in my suite had I known there was going to be arguments and shouting.” Elias belonged to the Crimson branch; he was also the first cousin to Alexander and the twins. 

“Art, Florian, and Theo should never be allowed again in the same space together.” A low-ranked Crimson commented. He was correct. The three men were too ill-tempered and quick to physical violence. Nothing would ever be accomplished with them present.

Alexander and Solomon simultaneously raised their hands. “Enough with the bickering!” They said in unison.

“Florian… Settle down and take a seat.” Solomon commanded his younger brother. “I loathe rambunctious noise and stupid arguments. You out of all people know this. We came to talk, not meet them on their level.” Florian obeyed Solomon’s order, albeit reluctantly.

 Art and Theo snickered at Florian. “Just like the obedient puppy you are.”

“We should start calling him the ‘Silver Hound of Hightower.” Theo added. Florian gripped the armrests of his chair until his knuckles turned white. He wouldn’t act on his rage, however. Florian would not embarrass Solomon anymore than he already had.

“Art, Theo, be quiet.” Alexander snapped at the duo. They stopped their insults and snickering immediately. “Florian is our guest along with Solomon, no matter how irritating he may be.” Florian rolled his eyes but said nothing.

Solomon slid into the chair beside Florian’s. With a heavy sigh, he addressed Alexander once more. “Why are we here, Alexander? Let this meeting be worth my time. You know hate interruptions and distractions.” His forehead vein bulged angrily. Solomon was in a terrible mood and been so all morning. He made sure it was clear to Alexander.

Alexander chuckled again. “Is there anything Solomon Hightower doesn’t hate?” He shook his head. “I assure you, Judge Hightower, this meeting is absolutely worth your time.” Alexander sipped at his tea. “We have a threat on the rise.” A threat that required cooperation between the two Hightower families. “I want this threat crushed before it becomes a nuisance.” 

Everyone in the room gasped and mumbled among themselves. Alexander and Solomon raised their hands a second time, silencing the room. “What is this threat?” Solomon raised his eyebrow. He looked at Alexander skeptically.

“A pair of ears told me that seven families are trying to form an alliance. They’re going to call themselves the…Grand Families.” The last two words rolled off his tongue with disgust. Alexander took another sip of his tea, trying to rid the taste from his mouth.

The seven families were: the Rosenbaums, the Belleweathers, Holloways, the Monte-Sanos, the Belnades, Sinclairs, and Jirovs. Exhausted with the High Families’ authoritarian rule of Wych Elm, the Grand Families made the decision to come together in an attempt to challenge the High Families. Their goal was to rid Wych Elm of the High Families permanently. 

The room erupted into chaos. Furious words filled the air. Solomon raised his hand a third time, demanding silence from the room again. The voices settled. “Who exactly did you hear this from, Alexander?” The Silver patriarch squinted at him. “You’ve never been one to tell the truth...ever.” Alexander was lying, for all Solomon knew.

Horatio, a distant cousin to Solomon and Florian (and the latter’s right-hand man), spoke up. “Solomon is right. There’s no lie you won’t tell to get what you want. We have eyes and ears everywhere in this town and yet, this is the first we’re hearing about the Grand Families.” Horatio was suspicious indeed.

The man’s comment garnered outcry from the Crimson Hightowers. How dare Solomon and Horatio accuse Alexander of being liar (which he was). “Alexander didn’t ask you lot to come here just for you to disrespect him at every turn.”

“This is why our family will never be cordial with you slowly Silvers.” Horatio fired back at the comments. Had Alexander not intervened, another full-blown argument would have erupted.

"Never thought I would see the day where I would be agreeing with Solomon.” Alexander had reached the end of his patience with the constant outbursts and insults. “From here on out, only Solomon and I will be doing the talking. You will speak when called upon.” He stressed.

The Crimson Hightowers behind Alexander couldn’t see his full expression, but they felt a shift in the atmosphere in the room. Though calm, their patriarch was irate. Horatio and Florian cut their eyes, chuckling amongst each other. The men straightened up when they noticed Solomon’s cold side eye on them.

Alexander reclined back in his chair. “As we were.” He crossed his right leg over his left. “Arien Morgenstern.” Solomon was on the edge of his seat. He hadn’t heard the name Morgenstern spoken in over twenty-three years. It became taboo to even mention their name after what the family almost did to them.

Depending on who one asked, the Morgenstern family either garnered veneration or condemnation. Twenty-three years prior, they were the sixth member of the High Families. Compared to the other five families, the Morgensterns were somewhat liked by the residents of Wych Elm. They weren't as terrible as the other High Families, but they weren't inherently good either.

Horatio raised his hand for permission to speak. Alexander motioned to him with a nod. “What is Arien doing back in Wych Elm? His father had him and his sister sent away from this place.” That was right before the High Families massacred their entire family. Aside from Arrien and his sister, the Morgenstern family, at least within Wych Elm, no longer existed.

In truth, Arrien had been living in Wych Elm for the last seven years. Alexander kept his return a secret.

Elias raised his hand next and was permitted to speak. “Not to question your decisions, patriarch, but are you sure it’s wise to be working with that brat?” He suspected Arrien had returned to Wych Elm in pursuit of revenge. Elias couldn't think of any other reason why Arrien would be in partnership with Alexander.

Solomon seconded Elias’ statement. “The Morgensterns turned against the High Families. They betrayed us and nearly succeeded.” In turn, their entire family was destroyed. “There’s an end game for Arrien in this somewhere.” Solomon was without a doubt certain. “Why would you put your trust in someone with a motive for revenge?” The Silver patriarch thought the sloppy decision was unlike Alexander. His counterpart was smarter than that, so he thought.

Alexander smiled proudly. He shifted to one side of his chair. “I’m quite offended by your response, Judge Hightower.” Alexander chastised Solomon for thinking so poorly of him. “I’m many things but I’m no one’s fool. You should know that very well.” The Mayor of Wych Elm proclaimed that Arrien was nothing more than a pawn on his chessboard.

Arrien returned to Wych Elm not for revenge, but to reclaim his family's position among the High Families. Mumbles filled the room from all around. The revelation made Art and Theo snicker. Horatio and Florian looked at one another then over at Solomon. The judge's expression was unreadable. 

“He’s desperate.” Alexander continued. “And I can’t blame him in the slightest. Arrien grew up in an esteemed and affluent family, born with a golden spoon in his mouth. I’m sure his years away from Wych Elm were quite dismal.” Alexander commented that desperate individuals were the ones always willing to get their hands dirty for others. “What he’s trying to achieve is nothing more than a Fool’s Errand, but an entertaining one regardless.”

Solomon slid back in his chair. He mimicked Alexander from earlier, crossing one leg over the other. He propped his elbow on the armrest and rested his cheek in his hand. “And when he’s done all that you’ve asked of him, then what?” That was the most important question in the moment. Would Arrien actually be rewarded for his hard work?

Alexander propped his elbows on the table and leaned forward. The amusement in his eyes vanished. He was serious. “The Morgenstern Family will never return to the High Families.” The sins of Arrien’s father fell on him. “Besides…the less members we have among us, the more power and wealth we can possess.” Solomon raised an amused eyebrow. He had nothing else to say. Alexander left him speechless, something that seldom happened.

Horatio whistled loudly. “That’s cold-hearted, Alexander.” Not that the man was all that concerned for Arien. He agreed with Alexander's statement. Less was more. Since the Morgenstern family’s massacre, the High Families had been doing quite well without an extra family.

“So, is Arrien like your new Red Hound?” Florian asked, picking at his fingers. “Your lap dog Ishmael won’t like his master having another pet around. It might cause some serious problems.” Alexander chucked lightheartedly. Florian’s remark amused him even though it was an insult directed at him.

To Alexander, Arrien was a means to an end. “Once Arrien has outlived his usefulness to me, I’ll have him put down like I would a sick animal.” A chill ran up Florian's spine. Alexander was truly the monster he presented himself as.

“While we’re on the subject of Ishmael. Why was he nor the other heads invited to this gathering?” Solomon thought it was strange. The potential threat from the Grand Families affected everyone, not just the Hightowers. "Have they been looped in yet? Are we going to loop them in?" Solomon was indifferent towards the other three High Families. He just wanted to see what Alexander's response was.

The question earned a sour response from Alexander. He called the other three High Families incompetent. “Those dimwits wouldn’t know their heads from their asses if I drew them a map.” All the Hightowers in attendance nodded in agreement. The Mayor of Wych Elm had grown weary and agitated with Lucia, Mikhail, and even Ishmael, his loyal right hand. They were disorganized and had become too distracted over the last decade.

The Crimson and Silver Hightowers might have had their own share of issues internally and with one another, but they were still grounded compared to the other three families. “The Da Silva family is in turmoil. The Ellingtons are too emotionally unstable, all of them! And the Lightwoods…” Alexander groaned. He rubbed his temples. “Historically, they’ve never really been all that useful.” Alexander said aloud what Solomon had been thinking for a long time. The three other High Families no longer served a purpose to the Hightowers. Alexander wanted them gone.

There would be no more High Families. Only the Hightowers.

Solomon gripped his chin. “Hmm…” Though he welcomed the idea of only the Hightowers in power over Wych Elm, it would never happen. Two Hightower families could not coexist. When faced against a common threat, the two men could unite and cooperate. Once the outside threat was dealt with, there was still the threat of one another. “So, how are we going to deal with the Grand Families?” Solomon knew Alexander already had some nefarious plan cooked up. His devious smile only confirmed Solomon's statement.

“The boys are digging up blackmail as we speak." He threw up his hands. 

Solomon had a better idea; Alexander was all ears. “Hear me out before you respond.” He cautioned with his hand. Judge Hightower suggested they offer one of the seven Grand Family members the seat that belonged to the Morgenstern family. “The Grand Families say they want to overthrow us, but I don’t entirely believe that claim.” Whispers from both sides filled the room. “Some of them may want that, but not all of them.” Alexander was intrigued; the grin on his face stretched further. “The Grand Families want the power, wealth, and influence we have.” They wanted to be equal to the High Families, Solomon stated. 

Art was insulted by the idea. "That will never happen." He snorted arrogantly. No one would ever be equal to the High Families, especially the Hightowers.

“And it won’t.” Solomon replied sharply to the man, which made him grimace.

Solomon never wanted his hands dirty or got them dirty. Like Alexander, he used others. That was his intention with the place. The alliance would destroy itself if he and Alexander waved the offer of the Morgensterns’ seat in their faces.

Alexander liked Solomon's plan more. He thought it was brilliant. It was not because the plan was craftier, however. The mayor was excited over the chaos that would ensue. Watching seven families tear themselves apart and betray one another over a seat they would never get, made for excellent entertainment. Solomon saw the arousal from senseless bloodshed in Alexander's eyes.

“We’ve come to terms then, yes?” Alexander stood up and offered his hand to Solomon who refused to shake it.

Solomon slid away from the table. “Let me make this clear, Alexander Hightower. I don’t trust you.” And he never would. Solomon only agreed to cooperate in order to eliminate the threat of the Grand Families. “I’m neither an ally nor a friend.” He cautioned Alexander not to get too comfortable. They were still enemies.

Alexander placed his hands in the pockets of his blazer. “You couldn’t have made yourself any clearer.” He smiled cheekily at his counterpart; Solomon scowled in return.

“If that’s all there is to discuss today, we’ll be leaving.” The Silver patriarch made a circular motion with his pointer finger. Florian, Horatio, and the rest of their party rose to their feet. Before Solomon headed out the door, he asked Alexander about one more topic. “That body that was found in the tree on this property last week-”

 “-is nothing you need to concern yourself with.” Alexander rudely interjected. He told Solomon the incident was under control and that it wasn’t important. Solomon wasn't pleased with Alexander's response. The scowl on his face deepened. Was Alexander hiding information from him or lying?

The judge pushed the matter further. “Did you kill her? Or have Ishmael do it? Who was she? Who was she to you?” Alexander was bombarded with question after question. Solomon had to know why the mayor was avoiding the topic.

“It wasn’t me.” Alexander replied, nonchalantly picking at his nails. “I have no idea who she is or could have been.” As for who killed the girl and stuffed her body inside that tree. “There’s no telling.” The man shrugged indifferently. He asked why Solomon was so eager to know. "Maybe I should be asking the questions here?" He mouth widened into an unsettling grin. 

Irritated with Alexander's run around, Solomon knocked over the chair he sat in. The mayor nearly squealed with excitement. Solomon was about to lose it. That aroused him too. He loved pushing an usually reserved Solomon to his breaking point.

Florian grabbed Solomon's shoulder. “We should go-” His touch was swatted away by his brother. Florian became upset over the action. He loathed when Solomon lashed out at him. Nothing destroyed or hurt Florian more than that. Solomon was everything to him; he valued his brother more than his own existence. 

To Alexander's dismay, Solomon regained his composure after several deep breaths. “People around Wych Elm have been talking about it.” Solomon replied in a calm tone. The other patriarch frowned.

Alexander came around the table, perched on the table before Solomon, and leaned into the man's space. Horatio moved between the men. He was subsequently asked to stand down. "Solo-" The Silver Patriarch raised his hand. Horatio moved back, but stayed close to Solomon's side.

“When aren’t those miserable rats talking or stirring up rumors in the streets?” Alexander was neither concerned nor cared about the gossip and whispers. "Their lives mean nothing to me anyways. Let them talk as much as they want." He commented that there were a lot of bodies littered around Wych Elm. One dead girl in a tree was just another body. “She’s of no more importance than the other ones.” No matter how much scrutiny Alexander received from the town over the body, he still had the sheriff in his pocket.

 

Soon as their car rolled off the Old Cahawba estate, Florian and Horatio spoke freely. “Why are we even getting in bed with a sneaky bastard like Alexander?” Florian didn’t understand his brother’s decision at all. He felt terrible over questioning the patriarch but was adamant to know Solomon’s reasoning. 

Horatio backed Florian. “I think we’re more than capable of dealing with the Grand Families without their involvement.” His loyalty to Solomon was unwavering. That would never change, even when he questioned Solomon’s choices.

Solomon’s gaze was fixed to the window. “I’m aware that Alexander can’t be trusted.” Florian and Horatio looked at each other with the same puzzled expression. “He’s plotting something.” Alexander didn’t need Solomon when he already had the Da Silva family at his disposal. It was all a sham. Solomon merely played ignorant.

Alexander had his schemes, but so did Solomon.