Hidden Hints

Wisper lifted her tea and took a slow drink as she only half listened to the secretary sat opposite her. The other woman had come to join Wisper for lunch and not wanting to be rude she agreed to her company. It was something Wisper regretted once she came to learn that the woman was Rose Cross and that she'd be spending the entire lunch break going through constant complains about her work and her boss- Barrett Rex.

"It's just so busy!" The blue eyed secretary sighed. "I have a hundred and one things to do already!"

"I'm sure it'll get better, the departments have a lot going on at the moment." Wisper gave as her diplomatic reply.

"But it's the secrecy that's annoying, don't you find?" The woman lowered her voice and leant a little over the table.

At this Wisper perked. It wasn't her interest that was peeked but rather her suspicion. "Secrecy?" Wisper shook her head in question.

"Yeah, you know like the little tasks they ask you to cover for because they're not really supposed to be doing it?" She offered as an example but gave a light shrug and eye roll as if to play down the blatant hint she was giving. "I mean, after lunch I have to go make more copies of the crime scene pictures and Rex has already given them to Aleister White, so that's another thing I have to cover for!" Rose gave an exaggerated sigh while Wisper nodded along.

She understood now. She was being baited into gossiping.

Wisper was the weak link and if Rex couldn't get answers out of her directly then he was trying to do it sneakily with the use of his secretary.

"Does Graves ever ask you to do things like that?" Rose then finished off her casual gossip by handing over the spot light to Wisper.

Wisper nodded and Rose perked.

She was annoyed Rex still suspected her of knowing more, but she wasn't shocked. "Actually, Mister Graves has done something he knows he shouldn't." She heaved a deep sigh. "He's done it a few times actually and it does get tiring covering for him, I must admit."

"Oh?" Rose perked, giving Wisper a look to disclose more and the dark haired woman did not disappoint.

Wisper kept up her air of annoyance and even made a play at checking no one else was in ear shot before lowering her voice, "Whenever he visits Dotty's in the morning for breakfast he always takes one of their mugs with him to finish his coffee on the way, and then I have to bring the damn thing back and make up excuses for him!" She huffed. "I mean, it's nothing compared to what you have to put up with but I do understand, it is annoying!" Wisper gave a firm nod to show she agreed with Rose before she then checked the time. "Oh, my break is almost over, I better get going!" She then swiftly excused herself. "It was nice talking with you Rose, let's do this again soon! It's nice to get these things off my chest!" She then smiled and hoped she was convincing in seeming like she didn't suspect anything as she waved and headed off.

Wisper walked with purpose back to the office. She would have to let Graves know about the new tactic being used to get information from her, despite how insulting it was. Wisper was obviously seen as someone rather dull, if they thought such tactics would work on her, but on the other hand it was better if they underestimated her.

"Welcome back." Came Cyrus' bored tone.

"Thanks." She answered simply, casting a quick look around the empty office instead. "Where is Mister Graves?" She then turned to the man lounging in his chair.

"Enjoying lunch in a quiet spot!" He clipped back in answer and Wisper nodded in understanding.

He was listening in on the investigation again.

She would have to tell him about Rose another time, but while she waited she did have a query and so she strode over to Cyrus' desk, "Are you free to talk?" She asked.

Cyrus straightened up in his chair, mildly intrigued by the use of the phrase. It was what they would ask one another to make sure it was safe to talk about the case they weren't supposed to be investigating. "I guess I have some time." He nodded.

"Just a query really, but say someone was heading out to make more copies of the new crime scene pictures for their boss after their lunch, would you be able to get some copies too with out anyone knowing?" Wisper traced a circle on his desk top as she spoke, seeming casual and theoretical in her question.

A thoughtful look came to Cyrus' face as he placed his arms on his desk and linked his fingers together. "It sounds like a job that would be right up my street depending on who this someone was?" He nodded along.

"Rose Cross." Wisper stated and with a confident nod the Auror stood.

"Well, I would have to say that would be an easy task, now, I'm off for my lunch break!" He then declared and Wisper nodded.

"Enjoy!" She called as he strode out.

Silence settled a moment and Wisper headed over to her desk. She was alone in the office and thought she may as well get some work done- work that they were actually supposed to be doing. Her mind was quick to wander to how Cyrus would get on with the task. It was a great opportunity to get some copies of the new crime scene pictures and it wasn't worth missing out. The team needed everything they could get their hands on to be able to find a decent lead to follow.

Wisper could only shake her head at Rose's attempt to get her to open up and gossip, so much so the blue eyed woman gave away more information than she received. Rose had obviously thought if she told Wisper a little secret then the dark haired woman would relate and share one back.

That of course didn't happen.

Wisper had spent too long in the presence of the secret investigation team to not be on constant guard.

"Ah, Wisper!" A voice called so suddenly it caused the woman to jump.

The pile of files Wisper was balancing in a high stack teetered and she was unable to correct the motion. Various papers slipped from their files and kicked up a storm till the woman held her hand out with a concentrated frown and all the papers stilled.

With a simple turn of her hand and motion towards herself the papers then retraced their steps and came back to their respected files before sorting them selves back into the pile. Wisper then threw her irritated gaze towards the person who'd startled her and was surprised to find Barrett Rex. The investigation meeting must have ended. "Oh!" She chirped in shock, "Can I help you, Sir?"

Rex stood back up straight from where he had all but thrown himself forwards to try and catch the pile of files. He brushed down his jacket, cleared his throat and straightened his tie. "I'm looking for Graves, do you know where he is?"

Wisper paused. What ever Rex wanted Graves for was not something she was concerned about, it was about how she told him where he's not. She'd noticed the other chiefs seemed to have formed a team and at some point or another they had all asked about Graves' whereabouts. She was starting to see a pattern and suspicion gripped her. "Lunch I believe!" She answered with a smile.

She was going to start cutting back on the information she was giving out because part of her was growing to believe that the other three chiefs were working together to catch Graves out with his pretend alibis. All it would take is for one of them to go to the place the dark haired Auror was supposed to be at, to then put their suspicions to an all time high.

"Ah!" Rex nodded, seeming understanding but a little annoyed. "I don't suppose you have any idea where?" He asked hopefully.

"Sorry," Wisper shook her head. "I went to lunch before him and he was gone by the time I got back." She passed him an apologetic smile then jumped to dismiss him. "I'll tell him you stopped by when I do see him though!"

Wisper gave a single determined nod and started to potter about with her work once more.

"Th-thank you!" Rex could only lift a hand in a half wave in goodbye while Wisper held in her triumphant feeling. She'd been successful in avoiding his prying!

"Bye!" Wisper smiled in parting as Rex gave a nod and started his slow walk out.

She only peeked over at him once. Wondering why he was going at such a casual pace and looking about. There was nothing that would give the man clues and yet he still dawdled as if he may find one.

A short sharp whistle caught both their attention and barely seconds after came the desired man himself, "Ah Graves!" Rex smiled. "Just who I was looking for!" He walked over to meet the man and stopped him from going any further.

Wisper watched Rex in suspicion. She didn't want to seem paranoid but she was pretty sure that whistle had been from someone on look out. Of course this was all theory and part paranoia but Wisper couldn't help but feel more and more convinced as the days dragged on.

A frown came to Graves' brow the moment Rex cornered him and his gaze was quick to flash to Wisper. She looked annoyed and he could tell. It made him wonder and worry about what had been said; but he wasn't to know the secretary's look of annoyance was because she too, wanted to talk with him.

"I don't suppose I could take some of your time?" Rex asked while steering the other man back out.

Graves didn't have much of a choice and could only throw an asking look to Wisper in hopes she'd give him all he'd need to know.

She only shrugged.

Annoyingly no one returned back to the office other than Cyrus. It left only the sly Auror and Wisper to get overly excited about the photos he'd managed to swindle and the pair wasted no time in locking them selves in Graves office to take a look.

"Why is everyone out when we have new evidence to look over?" Cyrus huffed.

"To be fair, no one knew we were going to get our hands on it." Wisper shrugged, coming to hover over his shoulder as he spread the new pictures over Graves' desk.

With a sly looking grin Cyrus turned to glance back at her. "And won't they all be surprised!" He quipped, "Quite the opportunist, aren't you Wisp!"

Wisper looked to him with a slightly offended frown. "Hardly!" She scoffed before motioning to the Auror. "Besides, I merely mentioned it to you and here we are with the results, so who's the real opportunist here?"

"Hey, you want me to take credit for this, then I'll take credit!" He held his hands up with a laugh and Wisper rolled her eyes.

"I'll go make some tea!" She huffed.

"I'll take coffee!" Cyrus called after her. "You're a doll!"

She shook her head as she left the office but she had to admit the air between them did seem less tense now, and it was thanks to the new photos putting a pause on the stress of getting no where.

Their last patch of inspiration had been two weeks ago when Wisper gave her theory. But of course it was just that, a theory. The original investigation had been done so poorly that it was like starting from scratch. Even back then the Scarlet Scandal had never officially been solved, just simply closed with the arrest of Jones Handal.

Not only were the team investigating the new sting of murders but also the old. They were stuck between the copy cat theory or the partner theory, but they were limited in what they could do with out the normal free rein to investigate.

On the plus side they still held the most important files about the original case which gave them a head start and hindered the other teams investigating.

Wisper strode back into the office and set Cyrus' coffee next to him and moved herself to one side of the desk so she too could nose over the photos.

"They have literally taken photos of everything." Cyrus huffed as he shifted through the pictures. He'd created three defined sections on the desk. The majority of the photos consisted of the crime scene and the victim and then the remaining pictures were odd ones taken though out the investigation that included the victims home.

"Well, you can never have too much information I suppose." Wisper offered as a positive while Cyrus grumbled in reply as he searched through the photos.

The pair could only desperately hope that the photos would give them something new to focus on, but as the minutes ticked on and their drinks grew lukewarm, their hope started to fade.

"These photos have absolutely nothing new to offer!" Cyrus scowled. Throwing down a picture in frustration.

"Drink your coffee and take a few minutes." Wisper sighed as she put down one picture and picked up another. She was starting to grow used to his stressy out bursts and she her self was starting to form an unflappable calm about herself. "Nothing will jump out at you straight away!" She said to sooth him.

It was true. The pictures could take a few inspections to spot something that was missed before and even a different pair of eyes could spot something someone else missed. Perhaps she was still being a bit hopeful but she just didn't want to rule out the pictures yet.

Silence settled and Wisper lifted her tea to her lips as she scanned the picture. It was of the latest victims living room. As far as she knew the original crime did not take place in the home, just like all the other murders, but the home was broken into after. Again like the other murders nothing was taken and the only thing left behind was more questions.

She took a quick sip of her tea while trying to guess who had been photographing. The shot of the living room included the fire place and above it was a mirror that the photographer had caught them self in.

Wisper soon grew bored and accepted she'd never figure it out so her gaze found another focus point. She tilted her head and gave a small bob in approval at the ornament sat on the ledge above the fire. It was a beautiful figure head of a woman who gave a look of delicate beauty but Wisper could tell it was a double sided figure head. In the mirror was reflecting the other side and although she couldn't quite make out the details of the other face she could see the lips were painted dark unlike the bare lips of the forward facing woman.

Wisper stared at the black and white photo and wondered what colour the figurines lips were as she brought her tea close to her lips for another sip.

A thought flashed to her and the penny dropped.

Wisper opened her mouth wide and sucked in such a deep and violent gasp that she'd both managed to startle Cyrus and in-hail her tea. Panic and excitement filled her as she flapped the photo around while coughing up a frenzy.

"What!?" Cyrus frowned as he opened his arms, lost. "What, what, what!?" He barked in a range of emotions. He was intrigued, concerned and annoyed all in one.

Wisper abandoned her tea and slapped the photo down so she could then furiously point to the figure head in the picture. She coughed a few more times and ignored the tears in her eyes as she sobered from her choking.

"What am I looking at?" Cyrus shook his head.

"This!" She wheezed, pointing to the ornament again before rummaging through the old files and bringing out the photo she had been inspecting weeks back at Graves' apartment.

She slapped the older photo down next to it and pointed to the similar figure head.

"Yeah, alright," He nodded. "They're similar but not the same?" He wasn't following.

"These men have absolutely no connection other than being male!" Wisper reminded and he nodded. "What are the odds they all have similar art work?" she then asked and slowly the cogs started to turn.

"Let's check the backgrounds of all the pictures!" Cyrus suddenly encouraged.

The pair worked in an excited frenzy and within no time had gathered a collection of photos from all the victims homes, old and new, and sprawled them across the floor. In each one of the pictures was hidden a similar figure head and Cyrus and Wisper could only sit back on their knees in a moment of stun as they admired their work.

"We found something!" Wisper whispered.

"Yeah, we did!" Cyrus whispered back and slowly the two turned to grin at one another.

"We need to get Mister Graves and the others!" she gasped in excitement.

"We should find out who makes these figure heads first!" Cyrus shook his head. "It may give Graves enough leverage to take this case on if we find a connection!"

"But all the old victims houses have been emptied and nothing has been released from any of the new victims houses yet?" Wisper shook her head but Cyrus just grinned.

"So we get Graves and go to one of the houses?" He shrugged. "Graves will have the authority to dismiss anyone stood guard."

"But what if this is just another a dead end?" Wisper countered, "Then we would have given our selves away and could all get in deep shit!"

Cyrus hung his head back and gave a long groan in annoyance, "Well what do you suggest?"

"Well, I think Mister Graves is defiantly under close watch by the other Chiefs-"

"What makes you think that?" Cyrus interrupted.

She threw him a quick side eye, unimpressed with his manners but she answered him any way. "They keep asking for his whereabouts!" She stated. "They're always subtle about it, but I have noticed that when they ask they are persistent in getting a precise location. Perhaps it's a coincidence, but if it's not it'll be difficult to get past them all."

Cyrus gave a groan of annoyance and lifted his hand to rub his face as if it would rid him of the irritation he felt. "We'll need to test this theory then." He huffed.

"How?" Wisper shook her head in question.

"Obviously we'll have to inform Graves of everything-" He started and Wisper's voice piped in for a short interruption.

"Obviously!" She agreed.

It was Cyrus turn to throw her a quick look, but he too kept on track. "Then we set the other chiefs up by telling them where Graves is and see if they go." A frown came to his brow as he thought more on it.

"But if they are working other another one might turn up instead?" Wisper countered.

"So we'll spot the other Chiefs!" He shrugged. "Scarth, Jinx, and myself will shadow them and you'll be the one to give Graves' location away."

"Alright, and if it turns out they are all watching him, how do we get around it?" She asked. "They are so suspicious of him already and the longer Mister Graves avoids them the more they think he has something to hide!"

Cyrus nodded in agreement. "We need to show that Graves is where he needs to be and lessen their suspicions!"

Wisper lifted a hand to pick at her bottom lip as she thought. "What if we did a polyjuice swap?"

"A what?" Cyrus frowned, he knew what polyjuice was but he had no clue what she was on about.

"Well we can't have two Mister Graves walking around! So, we get one of the team to be him and then Mister Graves can hide as one of the team!?" She offered with a shrug.

"Good idea!" Cyrus nodded, a grin spreading on his face. "That way the Chiefs can follow fake Graves and leave the real Graves to his freedom!"

"Exactly, then while the chiefs are distracted, we can sneak to one of the houses and check out the figure head!" Wisper then gave a finalising nod and a smile.

"We?" Cyrus quirked a brow.

She frowned, "Problem?"

"No offence but-" He started but Wisper held a hand up to pause him.

"If you have to start your sentence with a disclaimer, then you are obviously trying to offended me!" She clipped. "So, no offence, but I don't want to hear the end of that sentence!"

Cyrus could only recoil from her sarcasm and it took him a moment to regain his composure, "Come on though, Wisp, what can you do?" He shrugged and shook his head.

"Be a look out?" She shrugged and shook her head back. "After all, you would be an Auror down!"

Cyrus came up blank at that and reluctantly gave a nod, "Alright, fine!" He huffed before pointing towards her in warning. "But we're running it by Graves first, he'll have the final say!"

"Of course!" Wisper nodded, that went without saying.

A wide smile found it's way to her lips and the excitement she felt had her bobbing on her knees. She knew she wasn't supposed to be getting involved and she was reluctant too, but that wasn't because she didn't want to be involved. She just didn't want to cause problems, but she was growing more and more invested, and interested in the case the longer the team was secretly working on it.