The Muggles Surprise
Book One of the Muggle and Auror Series.
Prologue.
A door opened and a huge man, dressed in a long shaggy overcoat entered. A second much shorter man, already in the room, looked around the man mountain at a woman standing in the next room.
"Why the hell did you bring her here?" He whispered in an American accent.
"She's the replacement for the one we've lost?" He replied, his deep voice echoing around the room as he looked down at the much smaller man.
"She's a bloody witch you fool."
"No, she's not, she's a muggle."
"I saw her in the Ministry the other day." A look of concern appeared on the much bigger man's face.
He stepped back into the panelled room. "Who are you?" He snapped at the odd-looking woman, standing against the far wall, dressed in neat, fussy clothing of all colours.
"Argonia Huxley. I demand you let me go now, or you'll be sorry."
She reached into her bag and pulled out a short stick. Seconds later the huge man had copied her movement.
'Expelliarmus.' He thought. The stick in the woman's hand flew across the room.
"How dare you?" She screamed in anger at the man. She ran towards her wand.
The man raised his wand again. "Avada Kedavra." He yelled. A bright green flash caught the woman, throwing her into the wall where she slid down, slumping onto the floor, her eyes wide open, staring vacantly at the ceiling.
The first man ran into the room. "Hell's teeth, this isn't some muggle you've just killed, this is a witch, you bloody fool?" He walked over to the dead woman.
"Don't you dare call me a fool." The American realised the wand was still in his hand and pointing at him. "This solves the problems, doesn't it?"
"What now?"
"I'll put her body with the other two."
"But she's a witch. The Ministry could get involved."
"They won't bother. They'll leave everything to the muggle police who will find nothing as usual."
"I hope your right because this whole business is getting out of hand."
"You American's worry too much."
Chapter 1.
The Muggle.
Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.
Arthur C. Clarke (Author and Visionary)
Magic used correctly, can be indistinguishable from technology.
Pereguin Ledford (Author and Wizard)
Monday, August 20th, 2040 was supposed to be my penultimate days' work as a Detective with the Metropolitan Police. Had I known what was about to happen this day, I would have stayed in bed, until someone came to get me, but I didn't. As I look back on these last twenty-two years, age creeping up on me, maudlin, a little, I wonder, have I made the slightest difference to this world? What could I have done to change what will happen in the next few weeks? The strange thing is, if I want to know, all I have to do is ask, I'm just too scared to.
Monday, August 20th, 2040.
The sound of screeching metal on metal assaulted his ears as he stared back at himself in the dirty window, the tube train speeded up along the grubby tunnel towards Victoria station. He took a deep breath as the carriage rocked from side to side, looking at the cropped dark, peppered grey hair, deep-set eyes, with dark circles under them from another poor night's sleep. Something was worrying him, the something that kept him awake most of the night, the something that wormed its way into his head. He took another deep breath as the train's lights flickered and the speed bled away. He prepared himself for the onslaught of commuters about to scramble onto the carriage. The brightly lit station blinded him for a moment as the train came to a savage halt, throwing the standing commuters around like marionettes. The doors opened and a small group rushed into the carriage although a few commuters still had to fight their way off. He had expected the carriage to fill, crushing him into a corner, but commuter numbers grew smaller every year and by the time the carriage doors closed, he noticed that the carriage was little more than half-full. They plunged back into the dark tunnel, the carriage lights flickering.
A few minutes walking in the early summer sunshine, past Big Ben and along the Thames had removed the anger and frustration of the tube ride, even though the tube ride had nothing to do with his current bad mood. He strode past the electronic barriers and into the police station's main entrance; the cameras had seen and recognised him as he walked up the street, preparing the doors in readiness as he arrived. Being a mere mortal like the other officers, he had to use the rear entrance and not the shiny foyer that faced the Thames.
The station's rear entrance, recently remodelled and cleaned yet again, looking shiny and clean, which he knew would not last long. A row of large display screens sat above handle-less metal doors ranged along the long wall, opposite, a row of uncomfortable steel chairs bolted to the floor, already showing signs of damage. The displays showed different messages, pertinent to what lay behind each door, aiding people to reach the destination, whether by their own will or not. He headed for the display at the far end next to the last heavy metal door, signed, a 'Desk Sergeant'.
He waved a tablet at the door, hearing a beep and the sound of a lock opening. The door opened on small motors.
"Message for you." Came from the display. Adam stopped and turned back to looked at the desk sergeant. "Chief Superintendent Marchbank wants to see you as soon as you arrive."
"Must be about my retirement." A broad smile reappeared on his face as he shrugged off his light jacket, straightening his white shirt, checking the press-stud at the collar.
"You won't retire. What would you do with yourself?"
"I have a home in Wales, an extension to finish building, and the whole place needs decorating. There are different places to walk and discover every day." He said as he passed through the open door for the second time. "More importantly, no one to tell me what to do all day and nobody fucking swearing at me." He shouted back strolling along the corridor.
"Who the hell ever told you what to do?" The sergeant shouted after him, Adams laugh echoed down the corridor. "See you at the Christmas do then?" The sergeant finished as the door closed.
A lift ride and a short walk brought him to the Chief Super's office, he rapped on the door.
"Enter." A crisp educated voice came from behind the door at the same time he could hear chairs scraping across the carpet as the door slid open.
"Commissioner Nugent, this is Detective Chief Inspector Adam Croft." Said the Chief the moment he entered the room. Adams mistrust lurched and formed a stone in his stomach as he asked himself what the commissioner of police could want in the Chief Superintendent's office. He wondered how he even knew it existed; let alone how to find it.
"Adam and I have known each other for many years." The two men shook hands and immediately tried to size each other up. The Commissioners face, like the rest of him was rakishly thin. He looked weak, but Adam knew from experience, he was like a rock and he would stamp on anyone who got in his way. "I hear you were looking forward to your retirement?" A knowing smile appeared on his face, the large stone in Adams' stomach sank a little lower.
"We both know that's not true." There was a little disdain in his voice. "Am I to assume something about my retirement is about to change?" His stomach churned, everyone had stopped talking about his retirement, which meant everyone knew about this, but him.
"A temporary setback, nothing more." His voice was friendly enough, but Adam could hear a strained quality in his voice giving him away. "I assume you have handed over all your current cases?" He sat on the chair, pointing at the third chair for Adam to sit.
"Last one was handed over yesterday afternoon to D.I. Metcalf." Adam said, knowing something was coming, although he could not understand why the commission wanted to know about his cases, the information was available in seconds on the police net.
"We have had a request from a Minister." Again, Adam could hear something in his voice, then he realised what it was, the man was embarrassed.
"I assume you know my stance on religion." Adams confusion now grew as a smile appeared on the Commissioners face.
"A Government Minister, no name and no idea of the department he's from, has requested you," he pointed at Adam, "personally, work on one last case." The commissioner leaned forward looking straight into Adams' eyes. "This has come directly from the PM's under-secretary." He paused for a moment. "Which means the request has come directly from the PM."
"Why me"? He asked, not expecting a straight answer.
"I don't know and as you'd expect, I'm not thrilled about it." He sat back, a perplexed look on his face. "You'll be working with a man called Anthony Garrett. Here's some information on him." The commissioner passed over a yellow cardboard folder, something Adam had not seen in quite a few years. He opened it up, took a single yellowed handwritten page out, and scanned the content.
"He has no work history since he left some private school?" He looked at the commissioner who nodded back. "What police experience does he have?" Again, the commission said nothing, giving a shake of his head.
Adam sat back in the chair and closed the folder. "The man's a fucking spook."
The commissioner closed his eyes and said. "I have nothing else to add."
"What the hell are you getting me into?" Asked Adam, the anger he was feeling now coming to the fore as he looked at both men, the Super was staring at the Commissioner who looked neither of them in the eye that told Adam all he needed to know.
"We, they," he corrected, "want you to look into some murders; we think we have a serial killer on the loose." He said ignoring Adams question.
"I've heard nothing in the news about this?" The commissioner nodded.
"This has been kept out of the press's reach and will continue to do so until all parties are ready. We don't want to start a panic."
"And I am the sacrificial lamb if it all goes wrong."
"No." The commissioner spat angrily. "If I had to put any police officer on this job, it would have been you. You are the most dogged annoying pain the arse I have ever had the misfortune to command." He paused for a moment, his own anger getting the better of him for a moment. "I've had more complaints and threats because of you than any other officer." His voice still betraying his anger. "But your accomplishments are second to none." He added in a softer tone.
"And that's the only reason you haven't fired me." Adam started to get out the chair the commissioner waved him back into the chair.
"If I wanted you fired, you'd have been out on your arse years ago." The commissioner's voice betrayed his anger again. Adam was puzzled why the man was so angry.
"No, but giving me a onetime offer of retirement has made life so much easier for you hasn't it?"
The commissioner gave him a hard glare for a moment weighing something up in his mind. "You were asked for by name." He ignored Adam's comment again. "Apparently you worked on a case a few years ago that were politically sensitive.
Adam thought for a moment. "What, the MP kidnappings?" The commissioner nodded. "I spent months on that case, I got the MP's back, I built up the evidence needed to go to the prosecution, the perpetrators were under arrest and it stopped, the whole bloody case was closed. Every single bastard was released without charge. How the hell is that in any way good?" The commissioner nodded.
"That was the case that got you your DCI."
"Which I didn't want." He almost spat the words.
"Bollocks, you threatened and pissed off so many politicians, I'm still surprised they didn't invent a new law to have you locked up, but no, you got a promotion." The commissioner's voice had edged up in loudness and anger again.
"I was about to put several high-ranking MP's in jail. What happened, they walked away. Two of the fuckers are still in the government at the very highest level to this day." The anger in Adams' voice had risen to match the Commissioners, who looked away, waiting for Adam to finish.
"I can't discuss the case." He whispered, his anger subsiding.
"Look up my notes and case reports, the crooked bastards names are still there in black and white. Even the little men at the bottom got away. Half of them can't be found anymore. It's as if they have disappeared off the face of the planet."
"Your notes, evidence, and everything related to the case has been sealed, directly from the PM's office. I tried to look the other day after my meeting with the PM's undersecretary. I received a phone call from someone asking me to refrain from looking at things that are above my pay grade." The commissioner looked down at his hands for a moment. "I understand a veiled threat when I hear one."
Adam paused for a moment, trying to get some sense from what he was hearing, realising the man's anger was not directed at him, but the position someone was putting him in.
"What, everything?"
"Yes, the whole case has top secret stamped all over it."
Adam shook his head while he looked at the floor. "Something is wrong with our government and you know it."
"Adam." Said the commissioner quietly, making Adam look up at him. "I have been talking to some very senior people about that particular case."
"What, do they think it's a cover-up as well?" He asked disdainfully.
"Yes." Adam sat up in his chair surprised at the admission; the chief had also sat up and was looking at the commissioner.
"You agree with me."
"Someone has blocked everything to do with that case." The commissioner paused for a moment, which did little to help the unease Adam was feeling. "They are not the face of the government we know, they are from behind the scenes, and I am sure they are the same people that have demanded you work on this case."
Adam frowned. "That makes no sense."
"No, it doesn't."
"Is it because I am retiring?" Adam asked after a moment.
"We both know the reasons for your retirement." He took a deep breath. "I was asked, no, I was threatened that I had to find a way of talking you out retirement." The commissioner paused for a moment. "And if I couldn't talk you out of it, I was to apply any level of pressure I wanted." The commissioner smiled.
"But you have used it for your own ends?" Adam asked wryly.
"I didn't get to be commissioner by ignoring gift horses that are placed in front of me."
"That has to be the most honest thing I have ever heard you say," Adam replied surprised at his honesty.
He ignored Adam's comment. "I'm advised that your pension rights have been extended, which will benefit you when you do retire."
Adam sat in the chair, looking at the floor for a few moments, thinking furiously. Finally, he looked at both men. "When do I start?" He asked with a resigned voice. "I hope you have more information for me than this?" He waved the single sheet of paper under the commissioner's nose.
"You've already started. I'm told that DCI Garrett will have all the information you require."
"DCI"? He shouted in disbelief. The commissioner's head dropped down again, Adam could see he was not happy.
"One of the requests the Ministry would not budge on. You are to be equal partners at all times. All information is to be shared." The commissioner carried on before he could speak. "You are to meet your new partner at this address at three this afternoon." He handed Adam an old-fashioned Post-it note, again something he hadn't seen for many years, with the address of a café he used quite often. "That should give you plenty of time to get yourself organised." The commissioner stood up, Adam and the Super followed suit.
"What resources will I have to call on?" Adam asked, knowing he had no way out.
The Commissioner had stopped in mid-stride. It was obvious that he did not want to answer this question. "That is the other demand from the Ministry." He said quietly. "You have your partner; nobody else is to be involved"
"Seriously, two DCI's working together on a case, I've never heard of anything so stupid."
"I have nothing else for you, only that your expenses are unlimited, within reason. You have a car or transport for when you need it, everything else you can pay for on your notebook. Don't worry about receipts." He paused as he opened the door about to leave. "Give the Chief a ring when you need something, he'll sort it out for you." He looked at the Chief and received a nod.
"Yes, sir." The chief snapped after a moment's hesitation.
The door opened, and the commissioner strode down the corridor, as the door slid closed. The Chief sat down.
"Sorry about this." He smiled grimly for a moment. Adam retook his seat. "Is it true what he said about your retirement"? He asked as he walked back around to his desk and sat down.
"Yes, I have no choice, but keep it to yourself. If it gets around that you know why I'm going, your own career could be in jeopardy."
"I'm shocked, deeply shocked."
"What of, that I pissed a lot of people off and now I'm paying for it."
"That's what we do, that's the nature of the job."
"Not anymore it isn't."
Both men descended into silence until Adam broke it.
"Flights, unlimited expenses, what the hell am I Involved in?"
"I have no idea; I knew nothing about this until he showed up fifteen minutes ago, for a chat, scared the shit out of me. Check a gun and ammo out as soon as we've finished here." The chief looked him straight in the eyes. "When you get to grips with the case, let me know what resources you need, I'll get them brought in, sod the Commissioner. I've set up incident room four for you to use."
"Gun?" Adam asked after a moment.
"I checked, you're up to date with your firearms certificates. I'd suggest you get both types of ammunition, for your own protection."
"You think I need protection"? Adam was starting to take all this in and the anger he was almost suppressing threatened to come out, at the wrong person.
"I have no idea, but a comment you made earlier about your new partner and the fact that two DCI's are doing the job of a DS or a DI, would suggest that nothing about the case is normal or above board."
Adam shook his head. "The further up the political tree you get, the dirtier the crimes."
"And the harder the job." The Super finished as he stood up offering his hand to Adam. "Watch your back Adam and keep me informed through our usual channels."