Peeper, Jakie, Ranie and Anura stood by the body. Peeper spoke, "This man called Patrick lacked courage; he lacked rectitude: he lacked responsibility. He deserves nothing from us."
"Without accountability he did immeasurable harm not only to us but to all the residents of the world. Justice has been done."
"We tell no one of our part in this." Peeper breathed in, breathed out, filling the bubble in his throat. "Swear on your lives," he said, "Swear on your very lives that no word of how this evil man met his end will ever be made known."
A universal "We swear!"
One by one they left the bank of the pond on which Patrick's inert body lay, face down in the backwaters free of flora and fauna-- a result of his chemical farm practices.
Patrick's death was investigated, and re-investigated, and determined an accident. His one hundred acres were willed to his nephew, Carlos. (Patrick had no children; Patrick deserved no children or no child deserved Patrick). Carlos like his uncle saw his legacy in terms of DOLLARS, as profit. He sought the advice of a local land developer. Advice -- "Get rid of the mosquitoes! Build high end houses, and you're looking at a nice profit."
Peeper, Jakie, Ranie and Anura met.
"Carlos must go." Peepers said.
"Carlos must go,' the others chanted.
Two days later Carlos's inert body, face down in the pond's breakwater was found.
Investigation said, "Death by accident."
Croaks filled the night air. Peeper, Ranie, Jakie and Aunra dared dream of the future.
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