Page 32 of Dying Truth

‘There is one amongst us that does not adhere to the rules.’

They all nodded and understood the reason for the empty chair.

Six had not been invited.

‘Which one of you explained the rules?’

Every head turned towards Seven.

‘And did you tell him about Lewis Millward?’ the Joker asked.

Seven nodded.

‘Speak,’ he instructed. It had been a direct question.

‘Yes,’ Seven answered.

Lewis Millward’s experience served as a cautionary tale that had been handed down for the last twelve years. Lewis had been fourteen years old when offered the Ace of Spades at roughly the same time one of his buddies had been invited into the Clubs.

Lewis had felt he could choose which rules he would follow and which rules he would not and continued to spend time with his former friend. Despite warnings from the Joker and all other cards he had continued to flout the rules.

One night he had been removed from his bed and taken to the shower block and placed beneath a stream of freezing cold water to recite the rules until he fully understood them. Only once his lips had begun turning blue was he allowed to get out and dry off.

Finally, he got it.

Spades and Clubs didn’t mix.

The importance of the rules was made clear to every card from the moment they were invited to join.

‘Recite them to me, Seven,’ the Joker instructed.

Seven shifted uncomfortably. His humiliation would ensure that he drummed the rules into the next new recruit.

The Joker said the words in his head as Seven recited them.

‘Respect the suit and its cards beyond all others.

Keep the secrets of the suit and all its cards.

Once a Spade, always a Spade.

Always be ready to help a fellow card.

Never aid a Club suit card.’

And that was the one they would discuss today.

‘Six helped a Club with his chemistry homework.’

A low murmur travelled around the table.

As was tradition, the person who had explained the rules was responsible for the punishment.

The responsible card raised his head. He understood.

‘Okay, Seven, you know what you have to do.’

Twenty-Two