The Serengeti appeared around Adam and Talib, along with the oppressive heat that seemed to beat down. The strange little doorway appeared in front of them, seeming to come from underground. It opened revealing the familiar little room, with one door and a dozen small rounded pieces of wood on either side. Talib touched the top right, and the doorway opened to a long, narrow, deserted corridor.
"I'll leave you here for now. I have to get your bodyguards ready. Luthor will be waiting." He stepped through another doorway, leaving Adam to walk to the third door and Luthor's office, or home, or whatever.
The door opened, and he found Luthor, smiling, standing in the middle of the large modern office. Luthor for once was wearing a smart business suit that wouldn't look out of place in any boardroom back in the UK.
"I knew you'd be back. It's been a long time." They shook hands warmly.
"You know why I'm here?"
"I do. I see you stirred up a whole heap of trouble."
"Which trouble would that be?" Adam already knew what he was pertaining to.
"Botilda's pregnancy. Congratulations."
"Thank you, although I'm still waiting for the real ramifications to arrive back from his holiday."
"Percy?" Adam nodded. "Don't think for one moment that anything goes on in the ministry without his knowledge. The news had angered some, and delighted others."
"If you don't mind me asking."
Luthor held his hand up. "Amanda is happy for you and Botilda. She may not show it, but she does underneath."
"That's just a nice way of saying she's not happy."
"She is happy, honestly. It's just history will always prevent friendships between them."
"But the problem is not of Botilda's doing. It never was."
"I know, and so does Amanda, but she seems unable to come to terms with it. It has been so ingrained into her personality, that it is unlikely ever to leave."
"Such a shame, they would get on so well."
"They did once, but that was a long time ago before any of them knew anything."
"I saw Amanda at Botilda's ascension to the throne."
"Yes. She was happy until she saw what Botilda looked like. That upset her a little."
"To be expected, I think."
"Anyway, down to business." Adam noticed he had changed the subject, hiding something. This told him there was more going on, whether he'd ever find out, was another matter. "Talib had already informed me of your requirements. Huxley has been living in a fishing village in Ocean. She moved there around three years ago."
"What about this Monty Nithercote."
"The ex Auror. He was living in Wood until recently, and then he dropped off the map. We don't know where he is."
"Arcadius?"
"I knew you'd ask that. He is here in Wood, at his home, where he has been since his release from Azkaban. We keep him under permanent watch, as part of his release terms. He is still in his home, as of this moment."
"So he hasn't left?" Luthor shook his head. "Has he had any visitors?" Another shake.
"Is there a connection between Huxley and Nihtercote?"
"If there is one, it isn't known to us."
"Right then. Time to do a little visiting. Which is nearest of the three?"
"A word of warning. People here, especially the Voog, are not happy about you being here. They consider it an insult for a shadow to come here and investigate."
"If I'm not mistaken, wasn't Huxley under the Voogs protection, when she went missing and then murdered. Evidence would suggest she was murdered here in the AMC."
"Perhaps this explains why you're not welcome."
A few hours later, Adam walked around an old house, surprised to find the ceilings were low. Then he realised that Arcadius, for all his apparent size, was a goblin, of sorts.
At the rear of the odd low building, he saw a small pathway. He looked around and saw his two Voog guards chatting away under a small tree. They were both sitting, paying no attention to their surroundings. He was glad no one was about to attack, as they would be unprepared for anything. He knew that the Aurors back in London were a much higher grade than these men. He shook his head and walked down the pathway, coming to a small clearing. It turned out to be an extensive garden. Many strange plants grew in neat ordered rows, the Extensions version of a veg patch.
He walked between the plants, enjoying the smells, avoiding the ones that seemed to be trying to grab him. He stopped and froze. He could see two deep glowing eyes looking back from the darkness of the undergrowth.
"Good afternoon, Mr Croft. Seems this is to be out first proper meeting." The eyes moved upwards to look down at Adam before Arcadius stepped from the undergrowth. Adam saw that he had been sitting on a wooden bench, tucked away. He assumed he hadn't been watching and waiting. If he was, he was in trouble.
"Mr Darnell." He replied as the giant walked up to him, his hand held out before him. He remembered the day in Diagon Alley and handshake he had that day. Reluctantly, he took the hand and received a gentle handshake. "I can't say I'm surprised to see you, Minister."
"News travels fast in this world." He replied. Puzzled by his actions.
"You have been a minister for five years now. News isn't that quick, especially out here."
Arcadius turned away, stepped through the undergrown to the bench, and sat down. He gestured for Adam to follow.
He took a deep breath and followed. On the other side was another garden, this one looking ornamental, Japanese, with a large pond and exotic plants and flowers, all crowding each other for space. Small white smooth rocks stood out from pools of bright green moss.
"Wow." Was all he could say as he stared.
"I'm glad you like it. My garden, that is. It gives me great peace to sit here and while away my time."
"What else do you do with your time?"
"I still teach, although the honour of teaching in that most illustrious of schools is no longer possible." He saw what seemed a genuine smile come from him. "You might be interested to know this. I was asked to teach a few youngsters near here. A shadow woman came to meet me. A most lovely woman, friendly. You are a very lucky man Mr Croft." His great head turned towards him. There was nothing threatening in the eyes.
"I assume you mean Gwen?" He nodded as he smiled. "She and I are no longer together."
"That I didn't know. Shame, she is a lovely woman."
"Seems your comment about news being slow is true."
"Why would that be?"
"There is other news."
The smile dropped from his face. "The death of Argonia Huxley. This I know, and if I didn't, I would guess, because of you being here."
"She was under Voog protection."
"Voog. Rubbish compared to Auror's. Your Garrett was a bloody good Auror, regardless of the things I called him."
"He's no longer an Auror."
The head came back again. "Can't say I'm surprised. I expected it to be him sitting here chatting."
"He left five years ago. The same day I joined the Ministry."
"Good grief. He told me and didn't believe him." He shook his head, grinning to himself. "So, if you're no longer with the lovely Gwen, who are you with, or are you like me now, destined to be alone."
"No, I have a new partner."
"Good to hear it. You humans thrive well with a good partner. We Goblins, not so much. Very insular beings."
"So you are a goblin?"
"Yes. My father was a goblin, from here in the Extensions. My mother was a human. She came from England. I miss them both."
"Why?"
"They're both dead, Mr Croft. They were murdered."
"I had no idea," Adam said, feeling he was being told something important.
"Fifty years ago, things were not going well in our world. I was twenty and setting out on my own. I went travelling. You see, we Goblins have always known about the Extensions. There many of us living here. We not as bad as people think, Gringotts has given Goblin kind a bad name." Arcadius stood up to his full seven feet tall, dropped his huge coat around his ankles. He changed and shrank, and with moments was only four feet tall. He smiled at Adam.
"Few people see me like this. Mr Croft."
"Why do you hide?"
"It was easier teaching people who had to look up at you and were a little scared of you. How could they be scared of this?" He gestured to himself as he sat down.
"I find goblins scary. Hiding away seems common in this world."
"And it doesn't happen in your world, Mr Croft." Adam smiled, realising the truth in his comment. "I had my reasons, as you've heard. I was unusual for a goblin being a Metamorphagus, because of my mother's side. She was small, only five feet. My father was tall for a goblin, at the same height."
"I remember you trying to kill Tony a few times."
A big grin appeared on the long grey face. "I'll tell you something that might surprise you. I knew that I could use everything I knew against young Garrett, knowing I could never kill him. I could hurt him, yes, but kill, no."
Adam looked at him, surprise on his face. "Can you explain that?"
"I can. Prophecies showed that Tony does something that is very important to our world. If I could kill him, then the prophecies would be wrong. If you know about prophecies, you know that they are never wrong. So, I knew, I could hit him with everything I had and he would walk away. What I wasn't expecting was how good he was with a wand and his sheer bloody power."
"A friend of mine back at the Ministry looks after the Prophecies."
"Maldue Leford. A good man."
"No. Maldue retired. Botilda Grimworthy is now in charge."
"Bloody hell." He exclaimed. "The Memory Thief." Adam smiled and nodded.
"Now, you think I hide things, you have no idea what she is hiding."
"Oh, I do."
Arcadius's head swung around to look at him. "You do, what is it?" He asked his voice full of delight.
"I'm not at liberty to tell, but she is no longer hiding."
His large eyes looked at Adam. "Does she look like Jewel?" He stopped. "I'm sorry; you don't know what I'm talking about."
"I do, and apparently she does."
"Jewel Grimworthy was the most beautiful of creatures. She could charm anyone, including Goblins, which, I assure you, is unusual." He took a deep breath. "I met her just before I left for the extensions, the first time. I heard she and her husband were killed a few months later. An awful lot of people I like and respected died around then." Adam could see the sadness in his face. "Jewel almost persuaded me to join, you know who. Do you know who I mean?"
"I have read the history books and I know who Voldermort was."
"Jewel introduced me to him, and I ran to the AMC, hoping that whatever was going on would pass me by."
"I can't imagine you being the type of person to run?"
"I had never been so scared in my life, and I haven't been since. You think young Garrett is good with a wand, because he is probably one of the best alive, five years ago. Don't tell him I said that. I don't know what's he like now, but against Voldermort, he wouldn't have stood a chance. Tony lacks something, which makes him… someone to be trusted, but a killer, no. It's not in him." Adam went to ask why, when Arcadius continued. "I know this for certain because I was trying to bring it out in him and I failed. Something I might add, I was against doing."
"If he had, you would have died." Again, the grey face turned towards him. This time he nodded, saying nothing. "What the hell were you up to?"
"Not what you or anyone at the Ministry was thinking."
"Explain that comment?" He asked, anger rising.
"No, Mr Croft. I've told you more than I should. I will tell you one thing though." He took another deep breath. It was clear to Adam that this conversation was hurting the goblin, why this was so, was bothering Adam. "Argonia and I were best friends, we had been for years. We were working together right until you caught her. Well done."
"You couldn't have been, I saw her memories of you two together, and you don't do that to a friend?"
His head spun towards Adam. "Unless those memories were planted, Mr Croft." Adam felt the world move around him as the ramifications of his comment hit home. "A question that someone should have asked. What would a goblin want with a human woman? I can understand you not asking that question, because of your background." He paused, watching Adam. "One more thing. You have no idea how much it hurts me to hear of Argonia's death. She really was a dear friend of mine."
"You lying. Those memories couldn't be fixed, they were checked."
Arcadius slipped a wand from inside his jacket, placed the tip on his temple, and pulled out a pearlescent droplet of liquid. He had taken a small bottle from another pocket. He slipped the memory into the bottle, stoppered it, and handed it to Adam.
"Get the Memory Thief to look at this and then look at the old ones, she might see them differently now. That's if she talks to the likes of you, now she's the boss."
"What makes you think she'll see them differently now?"
"If you get the chance to talk to her, tell her it takes two to tango. Isn't that a muggle term?" Adam nodded. "I am happy for you to see those memories and I look forward to our meeting again, but for now, I have said enough, probably too much. Although Argonia being dead, rather removes that problem. Good day, Mr Croft." He stood up and walked away, disappearing into the shadows, leaving the huge coat on the floor.
Adam walked back from the garden, finding the Voog fast asleep near to the boat. He opened a locker and then slammed it shut. Both of the Voog leapt up, looking around in surprise.
"You two, remind me next time I'm here, to bring some proper Auror's with me, or better yet, I'll bring Messi." He stepped up onto the boat, sat down and waited for them to join him.
The trip back to the Atrium was in silence.
He stepped off the Voog boat onto the deck leading to the atrium, finding Talib coming out to meet him. He gave the two Voog an angry stare as they set off for Float.
"How was your trip?" He asked a smile coming to his face.
"Confusing and enlightening in equal measures. I need to talk to Botilda, privately. Is that possible?"
"Does it affect the AMC in any way?"
"No, but it could piss a few people off in England."
"Are you sure it doesn't affect the AMC?" He asked again.
"Talib, if it was a problem for you, you would be the first I would tell. No, this is private to two people, which could cause a great deal of embarrassment."
Talib looked down, thinking. "The only way I can guarantee your privacy is to take you back to London."
"Would it put you out to do that?"
"No."
"Have you ever been to Wales?" He shook his head. "Pity. It's where I have a back door into the Ministry."
"Isn't that rather dangerous?"
"The AMC had more holes than a fishing net." Talib shook his head. "There are safeguards on this entrance, put in place by Botilda."
"If I knew where this place was, I still couldn't take you. I can't apparate that far, I'm not Tony. I use the Ministry's official route."
"Messi can do it."
"She can't, not in one go. If she uses the ministry route, yes, but on her own, it takes her several steps."
"Does Tony know this?"
"Probably not. Those two won't admit any form of weakness to each other." He saw a smile come to Talib's face. "The aid station has a link to St Mungo's."
"Pointless. I still have to get from St Mungo's to the Ministry and then find Botilda. She's in great demand at the moment, meeting after meeting." He thought for a moment. "St Mungo's will be fine, I can use the underground."
Botilda's head came up from the pensive. She walked around her office room, her eyes distant, deep in thought. She stepped into the small cottage, Adam and Gwen's former home, stepping out into the dank day. Her mood matched the dark grey clouds that clung to the nearby hills. It looked as if someone had taken all the colour out of the day. Then the rain started, big fat drops hitting the ground. Instead of heading indoors, she held her wand up and formed an umbrella. She stood in the same spot for some time as the rain poured from the sky, bouncing from the ground. She thought through the things she and seen. A rumble of thunder made her lookup. She headed inside, going straight to her office.
She tapped on the desk twice with her wand. The door opened and Thrulesques walked in.
"Yes, Minster."
"Where is Tony Garrett?"
"He's on Aunt Matilda I assume."
"Why do you assume?"
"I can't find him and that is the only place that I can't see into."
"He really is too good for his own good. Go get him. You can climb up through the wand maker's shop. Bring him here on his own, understand."
"Yes, Minister." He stepped back out the door, pulling it closed.
Tony stood in the empty office, angry at the sudden summons. The door to one side opened, and a voice called out. Puzzled, he stepped through, finding that he recognised where he was, but not why. He walked through the small house, stepping out into the bright sunshine. The bright sun reflected from the enormous clouds that towered over them. The day was now humid and warm. The thunderstorm had soaked everything, bringing out the warm fresh earthy smell.
Botilda was standing under the tree at the bottom of the garden. Tony went to join her, as he realised that this was Adam's house and garden in Wales.
"Why are we here?" He asked, confused. "Is this an extension?"
"No, this is Adam's house in Wales. We live here now."
"What would Gwen say?" He was angry at being summoned. He turned away and went back into the house, into the living room. On one side was the alcove with its strange book. He walked over and looked down, seeing the page open on the life of Professor Arcadius Darnell. Botilda stood beside him.
"Do you know that I used to spend part of my summer holidays in this house?" This comment took the anger from him. "I was an orphan. The ministry used to get us to stay with wizarding families during the summer holidays. I came here." He was becoming more confused. "Myfi Corrain was my friend; her parents lived in this house. When her parents moved, she moved in here with her muggle husband and they had a daughter called Haf. You might remember her. Myfi's husband died in a car crash. Long story, she remarried another muggle. His name was Olwen Price, and he adopted Haf. He also owned a pub called the Canu Cochran, which they live in, to this day. They sold this house to a police detective who was smitten with a young welsh girl."
"Called Gwen." She smiled.
"Do you think it strange that a muggle like Adam would buy a house that has been lived in by witches and wizards for hundreds of years?"
"Does he know this?"
"Of course. Myfi is happy, so is Haf. We all met up at the weekend at their pub."
"Did you know Gwen when she was growing up?"
"Now, Mr Garrett, that is another story, one best left untold, for now."
"Why are you telling me this? Or not telling me this?" He asked, confused.
"It's called evasion. I need to show you a memory, which you're not going to be happy about."
"Whose memory?"
"Arcadius Darnell. Let us look at it together."
Tony's head came back up from the Pensive. "That's a false memory." Was his first comment as he stormed around the small office.
"I would agree with you, but I have spent some time looking at the earlier memories used in the trial of Arcadius and Huxley."
"If that's true, then those memories are false, and Arcadius is innocent."
"Correct Mr Garrett."
"I saw Huxley put her memories into a bottle at her house in Wales."
"Did you?" Her voice sharp, making Tony look at her. "Your partner's memories tell a different story." Tony moved to one side and sat down on the nearest chair. Botilda continued. "I have seen your and Adam's memories from the times you collected those memories. You were standing some distance away from Argonia when she gave the memories to Adam."
He nodded, thinking back. "But we had two conflicting sets of memories from Huxley, both showed Arcadius and Huxley were guilty."
"The memories we have today show otherwise."
"How come you didn't notice this at the time?"
"Time is the issue. I always tried to check the veracity of all the memories coming into the Ministry. That is why I put together a team to do the checking I thought was necessary. However, in this case, the memories were taken straight to the court, looked at by the prosecutors and a decision was made. I or my team have never checked them, until today."
"Where did you get this memory from?"
"Adam acquired it from Arcadius Darnell, in wood, where he lives."
"Surely, this puts in doubt the prosecution of the two Macusa members?"
"No. From other information we have gained, the Palace of Fun was organised by those who were tried, and found guilty. We assumed because of the two sets of conflicting memories, that Arcadius and Huxley were involved and guilty."
"I can't get my head around this. Why?"
"I think we need to spend some time with Arcadius, luckily Adam is with him, or at least nearby."
"Is that safe?" He asked concern in his voice.
"Talib has given him two Voog as guards."
"The Voog are next to useless. I need to go to him." He stood.
"No." He stopped moving and lowered himself back down, Botilda's voice commanding.
"You have a few days yet, to look after your sister and her family. Then you need to finish your holiday with Messi. After that, you're back to your job as a Detective Sergeant."
"But he will need help in the Extensions?"
"Yes, he will get all the help he needs, just not from you, who no longer works for the Ministry."
"That's not fair?"
"You left of your own free will. Adam is now a Minister within this government. It is our job to protect him, not yours."
"If that's the case, why the hell did you bring me in here to see those memories?"
She smiled at him. "Just because you have left the ministry, does not mean your troubles have gone. Information given to me shows that someone is manipulating your actions, or at least trying too. You've already said you think this is the case, remember our discussion?" He nodded. "I'm giving you this information, so you can be on your guard."
He looked down, avoiding her piercing eyes. "What do you mean, Detective Sergeant?"
"Your new rank." His eyes came back up, the angry look replaced with a warm smile. "Do you remember your conversation with Maldue, when you left the Ministry?" Tony's eyes dropped again as he thought. "Would you like me to remind you?" Her voice gentle again.
"Would it be the one about having someone to trust in the AMC and in the Police?"
"Good day, Mr Garrett."
He stood up, headed for the door, more confused now than when he entered.
"Congratulations Botilda."
"Thank you. We'll have another chat soon before you and Messi go off together."