Jo

"Gods, how long is he going to make us stand out here?" Haley raised her hand to wipe her brow and Jo slapped it down.

"Shut up," she hissed. "And stay as still as possible."

Haley made an ugly face but did as Jo asked. Jo shifted and silently cursed Vance. They had barely made it back to the meeting area in time, only to be kept waiting on the man. Jo knew why Vance hadn't started yet. She just hoped the two guards he had dispatched wouldn't find Rye and Devin.

Haley's comment after they killed the guards had caused Jo to first giggle, then lose control. The two laughed until they cried, then discussed how to get rid of the bodies. The solution, when it finally came to Jo, had been both simple and a fitting way for the two to be disposed of. Her proposal was met with more laughter as well as enthusiastic agreement.

They each grabbed a body and dragged it out of the. Jo took the lead. Haley followed, remaining silent until they reached the latrine pit. Holding their breaths against the stench, they had rolled the bodies in, then hustled away. Jo sent Haley ahead, not wanting to arrive back at the meeting area with her. She then circled around, coming at the group from a different direction. Finding a spot in the back, she wasn't surprised when Haley came alongside.

The two guards Vance had dispatched returned and she could see the defeat on their faces. Vance slammed his whip in his palm as his face reddened. He had changed and now wore a black suit with a blood red tie. Jo figured he had bathed as well but wondered how he could stand in the blazing sun dressed the way he was. She was having trouble staying upright and bit her cheek several times to bring herself back when she felt like she was going to pass out. If this went on much longer, she was pretty sure the bites weren't going to be enough.

Vance turned to the group and it was evident he was furious. Jo wasn't at all surprised when he lashed out with the whip. She knew his lack of a target was making matters worse.

"If anyone has seen Rye and Devin, now is the time to speak up. If I discover anyone here knows where they are and is remaining silent, the punishment will be death."

Haley snickered. Jo sent an elbow into her side. The sound cut off and she sighed inwardly. As much as she was beginning to like Haley she was concerned she didn't understand the seriousness of their situation.

Vance was flicking the whip as one foot tapped the ground, raising small puffs of dust. She heard several people shift uncomfortably but the group remained silent. Vance gave them a couple more minutes, then turned to Wolf and spoke quietly. Wolf nodded, gestured to Jeb, and the two left.

"I see no one has anything to say. I hope for your sakes that you're all being honest." Vance coiled the whip and his hands disappeared behind his back.

"From this day forward, no guard is to rape any slave. No guard is to assault any slave. No guard is to punish any slave without discussing it with me first."

There were several gasps from the group, quickly stifled. Jo saw the guards react with shock. Several started to speak and Vance held up one hand, silencing them.

"As I said, this plantation is mine, as is everything on it. That includes all of you, slaves and guards alike. The plantation has been profitable and I intend to keep it that way. To do that, I need to make sure there is minimal waste. Upon reviewing the losses the plantation is incurring, I have determined that we can no longer treat anything as disposable. That includes the slaves.

"If any slave comes up dead, an investigation will be launched. If it is determined the slave died of natural causes, such as sickness, the matter will be closed. But should there be any indication it was anything other than natural, the matter will be handled as a crime and the punishment will be both swift and severe.