Chapter 21
Henry pulled up in the van at the turning to the driveway. The back of the vehicle was packed with boxes of computer equipment and technology only he knew what to do with. He hopped out at the sight of Magnus and Will at the gate trying to get in.
Magnus looked relieved to see him. "Henry, thank god, we're locked out. There's a maximum security lockdown. All external systems are down."
"There's no answer from inside the building," said Will, hanging up his phone.
"What's going on?" asked Henry, a little anxious at the agitation radiating from the unflappable Magnus.
"Ashley's not answering her phone either. Henry, your security system may be a little too effective," said Magnus. "Can you get us in?"
"Never fear, The Foss is here," declared Henry. "We'll have to go in the old fashioned way is all." He ripped off the cover to the security panel. "I am good," he said, admiring his workmanship, and pulled out a handful of wires. "I can't override the security programme from this panel. It's all controlled by the main server now. But, I can do this." He glanced at Magnus. "I swear Ashley taught me to do this, I would never usually know how to hotwire anything."
He ripped out two wires and stuck them together. A huge bang and a puff of smoke later and he shot backwards, flying through the air as an electric current ran through him. Will and Magnus rushed over to him. No one noticed that the power had been cut to the gate.
"Are you alright?" asked Will.
He sat up, dazed. "I'm never listening to that girl again."
Magnus quickly checked him over, other than a faint smell of singed fur he seemed unhurt. "Can you tell me what today's date is?" She asked him.
"I'm not sure, I lost track with the zombie movie marathon, which went on for 48 hours and then I had a lot of sugar but that was only to stop Ashley eating my special cereal, she should get her own. Ask me another one," he babbled.
"How many fingers am I holding up?" Magnus asked, impatient to get into the Sanctuary, but unwilling to leave Henry until she knew he was all right.
"Five. Four and one thumb to be exact."
She smiled, relieved, and ruffled his hair as though he were still the young boy she had brought home from the moors. "You'll do for now. When we've sorted this mess out I want to see you in the lab for a full check up."
He gave her a smile in agreement. "Sure thing boss."
"Hey, the gate's open," said Will in surprise.
"Of course it is, said Henry struggling to his feet. "I told you we'd get in."
A solid steel shutter denied them access to the main door. Will looked to Magnus, "The lockdown is supposed to keep us safe inside the building, not lock us out, right?"
Magnus walked to a plant pot at the side of the step up to the door. She tipped it over and pulled out a key.
"You're kidding," said Will. "It's that easy?"
Magnus put the key in the small lock at the side of the steel door and turned it. With a click the steel barrier retracted into the wall and the front door lay before them. Henry pulled his front door key out of his pocket and unlocked the front door.
"Simple yet effective," said Will, appreciatively.
"Some people are easily impressed," smirked Henry.
The trio walked inside and stopped, aghast at the sight that met them inside the door. It is said that when the mind sees a terrible thing, the soul stands still. They found this to be true as they stood in horrified silence surveying the scene ahead.
A large pool of blood lay in the centre of the main hallway. It was splattered up the walls, the furniture and even on the ceiling. There was no sign of life, or death. No body, no owner of the blood.
"Should we assume the worst?" Will asked quietly.
Worse case scenario was Druitt.
No one answered him.
Magnus hurriedly tried phoning Ashley again. A distorted ringing noise came from the pool of blood. Henry ran over and picked up a smashed phone, valiantly trying to ring.
Magnus flew into action. "We have to split up. Henry, get to the computer server and get the security systems back in control. Find out if there's anything in the system about what happened here. And Henry, be careful." She stressed. "We don't know what's done this. Will, you and I will search the building. Check on the residents as you go and find Bigfoot. Hopefully most were in their quarters when the security lockdown occurred. Henry, are you all right?" she asked. He was looking a little unsteady on his feet.
"Yeah, just a bit woozy, the shock is wearing off I think."
"I'll keep an eye on him," said Will. "Go and find Ashley." Henry frowned at him and resisted as Will took his arm.
"Go," said Magnus, understanding his hesitation. "Don't worry Henry. I can handle John Druitt." Her voice rang with steel. She gave him a nod letting him know it was all right to go.
Will looked worried as he led an unhappy Henry to the security door of the main stairwell and punched in a code. The door opened for them and closed again behind them.
"Dude, what the hell?" asked Henry, turning on him, his eyes blazing.
"We have to get the security systems under control. Face it Henry, she can handle Druitt. We can't, and you're in no fit state for a fight. We're more useful doing this."
A dark shadow crossed over Magnus' heart as she considered the possibilities ahead.
She followed the trail of blood leading from the front door. It went the length of the hallway to the far end of the building and down the stairs leading underground to the lowest level of the Sanctuary.
She was furious with herself. If anything had happened to Ashley she would never forgive herself. So soon after the worst six months of her life. This time, she wouldn't miss. This time, he wouldn't get away with it. She mentally kicked herself for ever allowing him back into their lives. She had known this day would come and she had still trusted him with Ashley. The son-of-a-bitch. She would hunt him down like the animal he was. It was time to finish this.
Gun drawn and resolve set, she walked purposefully down the stone steps, entering the large underground chamber and on to the old well at the centre of it.