Parking Garage; London, England
Rex Matheson stood on the bottom floor holding a takeaway bag for Lorren. The lizardman called again, this time with photographs of the military in the sewers. Rex adjusted the modified com that looked like mobile earpiece. With Cardiff's cell phones compromised, and Dublin's suspected, all offices stopped using them as much as possible.
"Director Matheson." Matt hesitated. "Hoggle isn't cooperating."
"Hoggle?"
"He named himself after a character in the movie Labyrinth."
Rex wondered if that somehow explained Legrae and Avent saying they'd been rescued by the Goblin King. "What's the problem?"
"He's a teenager with authority issues. Able to manipulate reality."
There was a time he would have dismissed the possibility. Rex shook his head. "Why doesn't he leave?"
"Free food and Internet access."
Rex wanted to groan. They had another ridiculously powered kid. "Is he self-absorbed?"
"No." Matt sounded unsure how to explain. "He's protecting someone or something."
"What about the void and the woman?"
"No. He looked confused when I asked." Matt gave it a moment. "Hoggle has no reason to lie. There isn't anything we can do to him."
The Underground access door creaked open. Lorren peaked out.
"Contact Nessa and ask if she has ideas on getting him to cooperate." She had experience with her sister, brother, and his girlfriend.
"I will." The connection clicked off.
Lorren offered a camera in exchange for the bag. "Thanks."
Rex changed out the video cards and handed the camera back. "Do you know a kid called Hoggle?"
Lorren looked uneasy. "He's dangerous."
"Why?"
"He's not a kid." Pause. "He's one of the gods."
Remember the source of information, Rex told himself. He suspected Lorren had been created by Hoggle or someone with a similar ability. "God?"
Lorren nodded. "What do you call someone that can magically make changes to the Underground?"
Rex then wondered if Hoggle was an ancient. That would potentially explain his ability. But it created more questions than it answered.
Visionary Beans Coffee Shop
DCI Lacene Harpham claimed a table in the back corner with her view of the room and small crowd. No one sat near her. She'd had an uneasy feeling all day. At least one person was following her and knew enough about her abilities to stay hidden. Either someone from her past or with knowledge of the brothers. After talking to Icelus, it was possible it involved them. Whatever the Bacchus situation was, it attracted a lot of ancient attention in one area. Icelus considered it as unusual as being unable to find an ancient.
A few minutes later, Chief Inspector Caradine crossed the room. He sat next to her with his back to the other wall. "Your profile was wrong," he said quietly.
Lacene kept her voice down. "It was based on the information available." She was unaware the supernatural aspects of the cases.
"Burrow's error."
"No. We disagreed on interpretation. Her investigation was solid." Lacene gave it a moment. "Like my behavioral analysis, it was based on known facts."
Caradine nodded. "What went wrong?"
"I don't know." She had no frame of reference for entities using hosts to murder. Psychics, Rift abilities, ancients, aliens, and one possible demon possession.
"One part of the profile was accurate."
"A female offender."
"No," Caradine said. "The offender fixated on Burrow. The arrest stressed him and he attempted to kill her."
That took Lacene a moment. "The woman I arrested implied there were more people involved. That is inconsistent with the available information, but it could explain the attack on Burrow." Pause. "The serial offender Burrow investigated is female."
Another person continuing the profiled behavior supported the host theory. With normal investigations, means, motive, and opportunity generally led to an offender. Abnormal psychological was an added complication. Behavioral analysis was based on known offenders. With education and training, it was possible to adapt it. Without knowing what the host was, it would be nearly impossible to know what it wanted.
"No proof."
Lacene stated matter-of-factly. "I was still in uniform the first time I was asked to evaluate a possible female serial offender. Since then, I have consulted on possibles. I've never been wrong when I stated it with certainty." Pause. "The offender is female." Although the inconsistencies could be explained if the host was masculine. But human traits wouldn't necessarily apply to a different life-form.
"The attack on Burrows…"
Lacene interrupted. "Is a separate crime."
"Why?"
"Is Burrows alive?"
"Yes."
"That's a definite inconsistency. The known victims had no chance." Lacene wondered if the entity, or whatever, needed time to adapt to a new body. That could result in everything from hesitation marks to MO change.
"None were trained investigators."
Lacene couldn't argue that without insulting DC Burrows. Psychology was often more valuable than street knowledge when it came to certain types of offenders. Two of the victims had psychology degrees. One was a couple's therapist. Another was a life coach that handled everything from dietary changes to exercise motivation. It was the only possible connection between victims. From Burrow's investigation, both were legit.
"Whatever the situation is, she needs security until it's figured out." Lacene needed to make additional arrangements. Protecting Burrows might offer an opportunity for more information.
"Already arranged."
The deaths in Cardiff added to the paranoia and loyalty. The volunteer list would be as crowded as the signatures on the get-well cards. If for some reason there weren't enough volunteers, the social pressure would make sure she never had a moment to herself.
"Good."
"It's been suggested that your involvement in the case makes you a target."
For different reasons, Lacene thought. Icelus had her back. "Doubtful." She smiled to make her point.
Caradine disagreed. "You attract crime groupies. A female offender might find you challenging for similar reasons."
"She might target the groupies." Or Bree. That was not a conversation Lacene looked forward to.
"Or your girlfriend." If he was making a judgment about the relationship, Lacene wasn't sure. "I will notify Director Matheson."
Lacene nodded in agreement. She would contact Rex herself. "Thank you."
