Chapter 19 - Message in a Bottle
John sighed heavily as the phone rang once more. Despite being the head he still had his duties as a policeman. It was his turn on nightly patrol and for some ungodly reason Artoria had become adamant about accompanying him. She must have been getting bored by the lack of action. He had grounded her since her little tirade in Canons Park, preventing her from leaving the building. So she had spent the day holed up in his office, he knew she had only intended to protect him from Saber, but the destruction she had left had endangered his family. He shook his head once more, taking a drag from his cigarette before making his way over to the balcony. Glancing at his phone screen he forced a smile, hitting the answer button as the device buzzed with its obnoxious jingle.
'This is Commissioner John Smith speaking, what is your business?' He answered monotone. 'Burglary?' He went silent as he listened intently. 'I see I'll get right on it.' With a sigh he closed the phone hanging up, turning to Artoria he nodded, gesturing for her to come closer. The servant had been slouching in the corner like a scorned pet, becoming visibly enthusiastic as she rose to her feet. 'Artoria looks like we've got a job to do.'
The servant quickly approached him, she was shaking slightly like a dog happy to see its owner. John rubbing his head smiled, though he wouldn't say it she did have her cute moments, even with her immense size. He had always thought himself a man on the larger side until he met Artoria. The woman towered over him by a good half foot.
'There has been a burglary in a nearby block of flats and I have to go investigate it.' Artoria shuffled in a sulking manner, she had clearly wanted to join him. The man only sighed in defeat. '...Fine…you can come along but you cannot go dressed as that. You will stand out too much.' His words cut Artoria. His commands were cruel, not being allowed to wear her armour was a large concern. Taking a moment to ponder the offer she began to glow, her armour evaporating. Stood before him was a very imposing woman indeed, decked head to toe in riot gear. Artoria's piercing yellow eyes shone through her visor sending chills down John's spine. He couldn't help but chuckle, she had technically met his commands. 'I…' He was speechless. 'Alright let's go.' With an exasperated sigh he stubbed his cigarette before tossing it over the balcony.
The pair shuffled into a police car, the servant excitedly turning on the sirens, John wincing at the sudden blaring noise. With a skidding start the car hurtled out of the station as the pair shot off.
'Artoria, check where the report came from on the GPS and bring it up for me.' John commanded as he quickly turned a corner, the servant somehow unmoving. Quickly she began tapping at the screen, as the GPS sprang to life. In seconds the pair were now in hot pursuit, sliding around a corner as the car hurtled down the road, earning a disapproving look from the servant as John flew past a pedestrian. John grinned ignoring her looks as he continued down the road full throttle, he didn't like to admit it but driving gave him a thrill. Poking at the GPS screen once again he turned the corner, traffic parting as he ran through a red light. Artoria sat there sulking, getting increasingly wound up by his driving, clenching her hands lest they grab the steering wheel from him. Screeching around a junction, sirens blaring she couldn't help but get a little excited. Quickly the pair were approaching the target. The car skidded to a halt as they reached the house, Artoria bursting out the car with great ferocity, aggressively brandishing shield and baton. John in turn lazily crawled out the vehicle as a tired groan escaped his lips.
'Artoria put that away will you?' John rolled his eyes. 'You'll scare the witnesses with it, remember the robbery already happened.' Silently she sheathed the baton, her shield dipsering into the wind before giving an affirmative nod to her master. Looking up at the building John looked unimpressed.
'Apparently they're on floor 15, hopefully the lift is working.' John's voice had an almost joking tone as the pair awkwardly shuffled over to the elevator, making a ding sound as Artoria pressed the button. Patiently they waited, the door opening to a poorly lit room. The rear mirror had been long shattered and graffiti was scrawled across the interior as the faint smell of tobacco wafted through the air.
'I think I'll take the stairs.' John promptly gestured to a staircase beside them, a resigned look on his face as he began ascending the building. Artoria obediently following behind. It must have been heavy in all that gear he thought to himself. He'd have offered to carry some of it but something told not to. With a shrug he continued to climb the staircase.
Finally they both reached the floor, making their way down the open hallway. The wind had seemingly picked up a little since they arrived, John shivered slightly as a gust of the chilling wind blew across the courtyard and up the side of the building.
'Bugger it's cold. You alright Artoria?' He questioned turning to face the servant who gave him a blank look. 'I see…...good, good.' Knocking on the door of the apartment, they were greeted by a somewhat timid looking woman, dressed in a large shawl which she had tightly wrapped around herself.
'Good evening miss, my name is Detective Inspector John Smith and this is my partner Detective Sergeant Agatha Pendleton, we are aware you phoned concerning a recent robbery?' John's voice was uncharacteristically calm and concise. The usual gruffness was replaced with an immediate calm and fatherly aura. Artoria blinked in what John could only assume was shock, as the timid woman nodded nervously. 'May we come in to discuss the matter with you miss? Agatha will make you a cup of tea.' Opening the door the woman gestured for the pair to enter. Graciously John in turn entered for Artoria to enter, the woman silently thanking the pair. 'Apologies in advance Miss, Sergeant Agatha recently lost her voice due to a throat injury, so I will have to ask many of the questions. Are you comfortable with that? Agatha here will be my chaperone of course, however should you wish for someone else you may accompany us to the station.' John gave a warm smile as Artoria set about making tea for the pair. Personally she didn't like the stuff, she couldn't see the appeal of hot water with milk and leaves in it, especially when there was such drinks as mead and ale on the menu. Despite resisting all urges to pour the pair a cold one, Artoria hesitantly and delicately placed a cup and saucer in front of them both before taking a seat next to John, intently listening to the conversation at hand.
John sat in silence for a moment as the women opposite him explained her story, rapidly making notes as he flicked through pages on his notepad. The situation was almost slightly surreal for him. King Arthur. The king of legend had not only sulked in the car ride but had also made him tea. It was honestly quite bizarre to say the least. As he finished the last of his notes he slowly got up. An audible crack coming from his back earning a concerned look from the other two.
'Thank you for your patience Miss. You were most helpful. We will get to investigating this once we have returned to the station. For now, please make sure all your windows are closed and your doors are locked, sleep with the lights on if you have to. We'll get to the bottom of this.' With a reassuring look John gestured for Artoria as the pair made their way to the door. The woman let them out as they politely thanked her once again. The cold wind hit the pair with a sudden shock causing John to shiver as he promptly zipped up his jacket. Artoria unflinching as she gave John a concerned affirmative nod. Only easing up once, John smiled back. As they made their way back the stairs snow began to lightly powder the hallway and ground. Lighting a cigarette as they trundled along John revelled in the smoke, taking a moment to inhale the nicotine as he focused. Tonight marked the second night of the Holy Grail War. From what intel they had, several masters were now active in London, though it was early days this meant tonight could be eventful. For better or worse.
