Author's Note: Hello all. As promised, this chapter has some answers...some, not all. It will also raise a bunch of new questions as well. The song is by Muse (they rock) and it is just perfect. Thanks to Peter who is betaing for me while my regular beta deals with some family issues. Please check out his new novel, available through Amazon called "Acting Obsessed". For anyone reading "Before the Brew" a chapter was posted yesterday on that story as well. I am back in my groove. MNF
Chapter 28:
Butterflies and Hurricanes
POV: Unknown
Place: Unknown
Walking into the hotel lobby I immediately spotted him. In the message I'd told him to be inconspicuous; sitting there he was anything but. It wasn't something specific, like if he'd worn a red waistcoat or trainers with his leisure suit. It was just his entire demeanour. He couldn't hold his body still or concentrate on the newspaper in his hands. He looked undignified in the well-appointed room; even his sitting on the leather sofa appeared somehow antithetical in the space.
It was also obvious he didn't spend much time in Muggle society. He appeared uncomfortable in the trousers he had on, and it made me wonder if he wore robes everywhere and for everything. I always thought it shortsighted for wizards not to know how the other ninety percent of the citizenry lived. In my field, it was imperative one could function in both cultures.
When I first decided on this course of action, I had been reluctant to invite him to participate, but I was convinced by his wife. I'd never tell him it was because she was quite adept in the bedroom. I somehow doubted she was educated in his bed. I was surprised by their mutual deep disdain for our target. I thought I was the only one whose life had been ruined by our enemies' actions.
Perhaps I should slip out before he sees me. The wife was definitely the more clever of the two, more entertaining as well. I wasn't at a place where mistakes could be tolerated. I had the lot of them on the run. There were only a few more steps to complete and the death knell would toll for the family as a whole. I would finally be rid of the one who turned their back on me. The only thing my father taught me was to never turn your back on anyone; doubly so if you were unaware of their capabilities. I refrained from travelling farther down the emotional path which I had set my feet upon. Emotions were dangerous, and would cloud one's thinking and actions.
In my associate's favour, he did complete his menial task adequately. There were aspects of the upcoming stages which would require his connections. He was certainly motivated enough, although I'd refused his insistence at telling me the specifics. The less we knew about each other personally, the better. If we were caught and given Veritaserum, I didn't want him privy to my personal motivations. He didn't even realise he'd never seen my real face; neither had his wife. Faces were far more memorable than dialogue, accents, or even other physical traits.
This was not my first tryst connected with bringing my enemies down. After the war I ensured those who'd betrayed me were met with my wrath. The beautiful thing about their downfall was how easy it was to deflect attention from me and onto government officials. A system with that much corruption is perfect for diversion and misinformation. This task required a bit more work. Popularity and celebrity had never made sense to me; then again, I'd never had either.
My ruminations were cut short by his noticing me and then waving. I sighed aloud. We'd need to have another conversation about keeping a low profile. Waving did not constitute low profile. Without acknowledging him, I walked across the lobby, dropped the key card into his lap, then continued on to the bar. I hoped he remembered our protocol; after a few moments he would go to the elevators and enter, getting off on a different floor and then climbing or descending to the correct one. Once on the floor, he'd walk to the correct room. He would enter the room, and using the small bit of spell-o-tape I'd left on the back of the door, tape down the flapper to keep my later entrance from registering. I'd already tested it and was assured their computer programs weren't that sophisticated.
Muggle security had made such activities a bit more difficult, but I had worked out how to use them to my favour. It was to my benefit that so few wizards bothered to make themselves familiar with Muggle technology. I don't think most of them realised how easy it was to protect the electrical circuits from overload due to magic. There were few countries as backward and stymied as the wizarding United Kingdom.
As for my part of our ruse: I'd enjoy one drink in the bar or restaurant in the lobby. I'd make meaningless small talk if required and then take the elevator directly to my room. Once I'd entered, I would remove the tape and allow the door closure to register. I wanted my 'face' on the security tape; I'd also made sure I wasn't in a room near another camera, while still being situated near the stairs. On occasion I needed to have alibis at the ready.
I sat down at the bar and ordered the house red wine. When it arrived, I forced a sip down. I refrained from showing my considerable distaste for this swill. Ordering my preferred vintage would be memorable, and memorable was something which could be tracked. I took another three sips, and when the bartender's back was turned, put the glass below the bar and stuffed it with cocktail napkins. I quickly put my cash on the bar, leaving an average tip; again being unmemorable. The money was next to my near-empty glass, the soiled napkins were in hand. As I passed a table yet to be cleared, I dropped the napkins onto one of the empty plates. It was impossible to be excessively cautious.
Immediately upon crossing the threshold, the man was ready to talk. I gave him a harsh glare while holding up my hand. Had nothing I taught him become available for recall? What I knew of his career, he was obviously intelligent; but he lacked the common sense which was provided any number of street urchins who lived in London.
I made sure the door to my room was again functioning properly, I cast a silencing spell, as well as a notice-me-not charm to the door. Anyone who might be interested in knocking would lose their compulsion. When the charming was complete, I turned to my associate. He chose to speak first.
"You were late," he snipped. "I was afraid you wouldn't come."
"I assured you I would be here when we last communicated. Why were you worried?" He sat on the edge of one of the club chairs, away from the window.
"Because you weren't here at our arranged time. I have a lot at stake here," he whined. While he was speaking, I had removed a case from the closet and non-verbally performed the unlocking charm. Inside were a trio of bottles, carefully enchanted and resting in velvet so they would not break in my travels. There were few places which I could purchase my desired bottles. Having them rupture while away would undoubtedly sour my mood.
In the case: a twelve year-old Riesling, a twenty-two year-old Beerenauslese and a four year-old Spätlese. I selected the first, as well as two glasses. I charmed the cork out and then made it the most acceptable temperature for consumption. It was a good wine, not a great wine but immensely higher in quality than the red at the bar. I assumed my company's palate was not terribly refined, and the subtle notes and flavours which the others contained would most likely be lost on him. Taking the other seat, I handed my fidgeting associate a glass.
"Had I been unable to attend, the desk clerk would have alerted you upon your arrival," I reminded.
"How would you have been able to tell him what I looked like?" he nipped like a puppy wanting attention. This exemplified why I usually worked alone.
"If I am able to do surveillance on multiple homes and two businesses simultaneously, what makes you think I don't know of your comings and goings?"
"You're watching my family?" Now he sounded indignant. This question alone demonstrated his naiveté.
"Yes," I answered simply. "I never play a game where I am not assured of the placement of all players."
"This isn't a game," he reminded me, taking a gulp of the wine. I couldn't even be slightly surprised by the crass action.
"Of course it is," I said darkly. "The entire game is currently being played by my rules, which is why the other side is constantly scrambling to counter my advances."
"I don't know, I haven't seen any of them for a week," he told me.
I sighed. "Their physical location is irrelevant. If we're successful in our next action, they can be anywhere and still be wounded." His lack of confidence worried me. Too much of the next action sat upon his shoulders. "Remember, friend," I tossed the word in to bolster his confidence, "you are integral to the next development."
"I know," he stated, hesitantly. "I just wonder, won't it be obvious they should look for me? It's like a glowing path that will lead right to me." He was right, but I wasn't going to confirm that. If he continued to be troublesome, or his wife no longer enjoyable, I was prepared to cut them loose. Conversely, if they proved themselves worthy, I had ways to make their marks on the task just disappear. I had endured a similar conversation regarding threatening so many in our last action. There's nothing better than stretching your opponents' resources too thin. Trying to protect so many will lead to holes in the defensive line. Simple military history teaches of this; oh, that's right, wizards here only study wizarding history and not Muggle. Shortsighted fools.
"It will only lead to you if you don't follow my directions," I reminded. "You do what's asked of you, all traces will be erased."
"What about you? What's your part in this? It seems that I'm the one putting myself at risk all the time." His voice was ingratiating, as was his attitude. I leaned forward and grasped his thigh, digging my fingers into the flesh. He actually winced; as if that was pain. He was too pampered to have ever survived my life.
"Are you questioning my dedication to bringing them down? You have no idea what was inflicted upon me because of their actions," I hissed. He also wouldn't ever be told. It was imperative he'd never have a way to identify me, in case of capture.
"Have you forgotten, it was I who walked through the dragon preserve and implanted the device which outraged the redhead's pet dragon. I also had to slip back into the preserve to remove the device before it was detected.
"As for our last little bit of diversion, I secured the photographs and did the charming. I ensured delivery of said photos. I was the one who disrupted the security charms on the various residences. It will also fall to me to put the final piece into play. Never doubt my commitment." I released his leg and sat back. "Give me the parchment. I want a final look at it."
He reacted to my sternness and I wondered if he'd piss himself, or perhaps vomit from fear. He reached into the breast pocket of his coat and withdrew a foot or so of parchment with his bare hands. Idiot; he really was making it too easy for me. I summoned the pair of cotton gloves I kept in my kit and donned them before reaching for the scroll. I opened it and was pleased with the results. His wife must have penned it, for it read well. Comfortable with its contents, I rolled it back and handed it to him.
"You may proceed on our prescribed date. Is there anything else you think requires discussion?" I paused for a moment, not really giving him the opportunity to answer. "Excellent," I said as I removed my gloves and stood. He followed suit, thankfully. I picked up the ice bucket and nodded at the door. We would leave together, he would turn to the stairwell and I would very publicly walk past the security cameras.
Returning to the room after my ruse, I dumped the ice in the tub, charmed my bottle of wine closed, I'd finish it in my true hotel room later tonight. Never would I stay in a place as pedestrian as this. I banished the glasses, closed my case and transfigured the luggage which was by the door back into the pillows they truly were. Taking one last look around, assuring myself I'd left nothing behind, I Disapparated to somewhere truly safe, and more to my liking.
