Chapter Eighteen
Checking In
When Ambrose came to see his mother that afternoon, he "took the long way around" and slipped into the library to find Maurice sorting through the returned books.
"He threw you out? What do you mean he threw you out?" Maurice asked blankly.
"He doesn't trust me around Beth, obviously," Ambrose said bemusedly. "It's all right, Maurice. Honestly, now that he's there to look after her, I'd rather be home anyway."
"That's not the point. It's my house, not his. What right does he have to throw you out?" Maurice asked with irritation.
"The right of a brother," Ambrose said with a smile. "What if your sister was staying with you for some reason and someone other than Severus moved in to the same house to look after her. How would you feel?"
"Father wouldn't have allowed that in the first place," Maurice said.
"Exactly," Ambrose agreed. "Don't worry about it, okay? It works out better for you since I'm closer to the school anyway, and Mike seems to be more than capable of looking after Beth now. She'll be fine. I'm still working on the museum project so I'll see her at least once a week, and it's not like she needs much hand holding any more. She can take care of herself, Maurice," Ambrose said firmly. Maurice sighed at that.
"Fine, but I'm still worried," Maurice said, and Ambrose sighed at him.
"You know, I'm younger than her and I'm out on my own. How come you're not worried about me?" Ambrose challenged him.
"You don't have a crazed brother on the loose," Maurice retorted.
"Fine, as long as that's all it is," Ambrose said.
"What do you mean by that?" Maurice said.
"Well, to be honest, Maurice, I was wondering if you were worrying about her more because she was a witch instead of a wizard," Ambrose said. Maurice gaped.
"Who, me? Don't be ridiculous!" Maurice said, more than unnerved when Ambrose still gave him a searching gaze. "Do you really think I believe that?"
"It doesn't really matter what I think," Ambrose decided. "What do you think?" Maurice blinked at him, but Ambrose had become distracted after noticing the Headmaster standing in the library door. Severus had his arms folded and was tapping his fingers in apparent disapproval at seeing the two of them standing there having some sort of an argument. "I'll Owl you later," Ambrose said quickly, then walked to the door.
"Good afternoon, Uncle," Ambrose said.
"Exactly what are you doing here?" Severus asked suspiciously.
"I needed to stop by and speak to my mother about something, actually..."
"She hasn't moved. The daycare room is on the other side of the castle," Severus reminded him, daring him to use the excuse that he was just 'passing by' the library.
"Well, I needed a quick word with Maurice also. I was staying at the Craw Mansion to help Beth sort out some things over the summer," he explained, but it was obvious from Severus' expression that he had already known that. "Well, Mike came home from Canada and threw me out this morning," Ambrose went on, still slightly amused by that.
"What an extraordinarily good idea. I think I'll do the same," Severus said, his voice even despite the warning flash in his eyes.
"I'll just let my mother know I've moved home then I'll leave straight away," Ambrose promised.
"You have ten minutes to get out the gate... and considering where we are, I suggest you hurry," Severus said, making a point to looking at his watch. Deciding rather quickly that Severus wasn't bluffing, Ambrose scurried out. Severus then walked over to Maurice, who was dutifully back to sorting out the returned books, checking for damage.
"And just what were the two of you quarreling about, and in public, no less?" Severus challenged him.
"We weren't quarreling, exactly. He simply asked me a question," Maurice said defensively. Severus raised an eyebrow at that. "I'm a fair person, am I not?"
"In what context?" Severus inquired.
"I've always tried to treat all of my companions equally... although I will admit I've favored family over friends," Maurice admitted, mulling it over.
"Yes, as we all do on occasion," Severus said impatiently, wondering where this was going.
"Ambrose asked me if I was worrying more about Beth than I would about him in a similar situation just because she was a girl," Maurice explained with agitation. Severus' expression finally changed, turning to one of understanding.
"And what was your answer?" Severus inquired. Maurice stared at him a moment before finally looking back and his current stack of books in an attempt to read the titles.
"I don't really know, honestly," Maurice admitted at last. "It's true that I am more worried about Beth than I would be if Ambrose was in a similar situation. But it could simply be that they are different people with different strengths and weaknesses. I could say that about anyone, really, since everyone is different, and yet... maybe there is something there. If there is, I don't want it to be there. Or do I? I feel it's wrong, but is it wrong? To feel different about it? Or is it just natural to feel different about it? You know what... I don't want to think about it anymore. I'm getting myself confused."
"Very well," Severus said with a gentle nod. "But if you don't mind some brotherly advice, I suggest that you keep asking yourself that question every now and then, because in this case, I believe it is the question that is more important than the answer."
"Well, what do you think the answer is?" Maurice asked desperately.
"You expect me to know?" Severus countered, and Maurice felt deflated. "I have been asking myself that question for nearly forty years now... more often of late than I ever have in the past. And I am no closer to getting an answer than you are, short of specific case-by-case instances. Perhaps we'll never know the answer," he added with a slight shrug, then lowered his voice even more. "But if you do ever figure out a good one, let me know." Maurice smiled thinly at that, getting back to work as Severus continued on his way.
Mike walked into the Auror office and stopped short with a dropped jaw when he saw what used to be the reception area. Laura was doing forms, finishing her set early when she did a quarter turn and noticed him standing there.
"What in craters happened in here?" Mike asked in surprise.
"Harry and Snape changed it," Laura said dourly. "Snape convinced Harry that the desk served no purpose except giving the Auror on duty somewhere to fall asleep at."
"Oh. Well, they have a point," Mike admitted. Laura gave him a dirty look. "Is Rel or Harry in?"
"No, Rel's off duty and Harry, Tonks, and Jamie are working on the Briar case," Laura explained. "I thought you weren't on duty until Friday."
"I'm not, but I wanted to let them know I was back. Harry told me that I was breaking in a new partner and I was wondering who it was," Mike said.
"You don't know yet?" Laura asked flatly.
"I just said I didn't. So who is it?" Mike asked. Laura opened her mouth, and then she closed it again.
"You know, I think I'll let Harry tell you about that," Laura decided.
"If Harry's working on the Briar case, he'll probably be gone for hours," Mike said impatiently.
"Oh... well, you could always come back and find out on Friday," Laura decided, looking over the flag board carefully.
"You won't just tell me?" Mike said with exasperation. "Is the new recruit as bad as all of that?"
"Um... well... better you partnered with him than me," Laura said and went back to doing her forms. Sighing, Mike reluctantly gave up, leaving to meet his sister at Coventry Suites to support her at a stock holders meeting.
It ended up, in fact, a rather heated meeting. Because of it, his last few days before work were completely absorbed in helping his sister, going to meetings with Beth and her lawyer and dealing with accountants. He regrettably never had the time to get back to the department before his first shift that Friday.
When he arrived, Professor Snape was studying the flag board, while Aurelius stood nearby with some papers in hand, talking about something having to do with the new board layout. They both looked over when Mike came in, so he waved.
"There he is, right on time," Aurelius said, glancing at the clock.
"Yes, sorry. I was planning on checking in earlier but I've been busy helping my sister with some company stuff," Mike explained.
"It's all right. Laura said you checked in," Aurelius replied, unconcerned. "I need you to take Auror Severus and head to Cardiff for some welfare checks on both Wizardday and Oracle's main offices. Feel free to linger long enough to poke around a bit... long enough to make Longbottom nervous."
"That shouldn't be too hard," Severus said dryly.
"Auror... Severus?" Mike repeated uncertainly.
"Nobody bothered to warn you?" Aurelius asked critically. "My father is filling in on the weekends as a new recruit. Laura and Harry already gave him an orientation on the flag board and basic procedures but you're in charge of the rest; he'll be your partner on the weekends. Because of it, your flag board shifts are earlier in the week now."
"Oh," Mike said flatly.
"Just remember to treat him the same way that you would any new recruit. Don't you dare make it easy on him," Aurelius said firmly. Severus smiled thinly in a way that Mike decidedly didn't like. "I mean it... I'll know if you don't."
"I understand," Mike said with a sigh.
"Good. And good luck," Aurelius said dryly. "See you later, Father."
"Very well," Severus replied. He glanced at Mike, who reluctantly led him back out again,
"Once we're out of the Ministry, we should Apparate straight to the Oracle office so that Amadeus doesn't have a chance to run when he gets wind a couple of Aurors are on his doorstep. In fact, he does make a habit of it when it comes to these sorts of random checks, since technically he doesn't have to talk to us unless we've got a warrant or direct permission from his parole officer," Mike said. "The rest of them won't be happy to see us but they won't give us any trouble... most of them are bothered about the disappearances as much as anyone since they involve fellow coworkers."
"Yes, and according to Aurelius, none of him that he interviewed seemed to have any indication where any of them have gone... not even Amadeus," Severus mused.
"Right, but that could change at any time. Any of the missing wizards may have found a way to get in touch with the office," Mike said, Severus nodding in agreement. "Unfortunately, the last time Rel went poking around down there, Amadeus complained to his counselor and his parole officer about 'Truth Seeker harassment.' Harry decided it was better not to fight it and the rest of us have been doing the welfare checks instead. Still, it's really easy to tell when Amadeus is worried about something," Mike said, snorting softly.
"He's always been like that," Severus agreed. "However, I wonder if having me along would be counterproductive. If he has any sort of enemy detection devices at all in his office, every one of them will go off the moment we arrive."
"Maybe we can use his fear of you to our advantage," Mike schemed with a slight grin. "I have one of those devices the Accidental Magic department uses to seal houses against Disapparating during raids. If we time it right, maybe we can use his own cowardice against him."
Friday was one of the few times that both the weekend crew and some of the weekday crew were at the Oracle were at the same time; the weekday crew were running off the last copies to send out with Owls and special stands the Imps delivered to businesses, while the editors and layout team came in to approve advertisements and fillers and plan for potential news stories for the next day.
Amadeus was in his office with the layout editor when there was a frantic knock. The door quickly opened and the copy editor peered in.
"Auror Coventry is out here poking around," he warned. "He said he was 'checking in' to make sure nobody else has disappeared and is asking all sorts of nosy questions."
"Go out there and keep him busy!" Amadeus snapped. "He doesn't have a warrant, does he?"
"No..."
"Then I don't have to see him. Chip, you go out there too. Tell him I already left," Amadeus said.
"Fine, but I doubt he'll buy it," the layout editor warned, following the other wizard out the door.
Cursing softly to himself, Amadeus grabbed his wand and slid open the window to his office as quietly as he could. But just as he slipped one leg out and was about to pull the rest of himself through, he heard someone clearing his throat. Startled, Amadeus looked over to see Severus learning against the building with his arms folded and his wand in hand.
Screaming in terror, Amadeus leapt back in so fast he hurt his head on his way in, breaking the window when he slammed it shut. Howling, he darted into the front room where the rest of the crew looked up at him with alarm. Mike stood near the door, the only calm person in the entire room.
"Snape! Snape is out there! He's here to kill me!" Amadeus wheezed.
"No, he isn't. Well, not unless you try something incredibly stupid at any rate," Mike said in the same relaxed tone. The door opened behind him, and Severus stepped into the office. Amadeus immediately pointed in protest, unable to squeak anything else out.
"My partner, Auror Severus," Mike introduced casually.
"Snape is an Auror?" Chip asked curiously.
"I am in training, Mr. Yates," Severus replied.
"Which means, of course, he is allowed to be here in an official capacity despite the restraining order," Mike explained. Amadeus' lips turned as white as his face. "We're not here to arrest you, Amadeus, we're simply checking in since one of the missing wizards we're investigating worked here. Has anyone heard anything from Tucker Hardcastle or his family yet concerning his possible whereabouts?" Mike asked, glancing around the room at the rest of the office workers as well.
"I already told you. I don't know anything about it," Amadeus snapped angrily. "Why don't you ask Arnett? He should be here soon."
"He probably should have already been here, actually," commented another wizard.
"Your name is Cid, right?" Mike recalled, gazing at him.
"Cid Strato, Auror Coventry, the assistant editor. I have been helping to fill in for Mr. Hardcastle and in charge of weekend editions," Strato explained. "Arnett Hardcastle is my assistant. Shall I go after him?"
"No, send an Imp to do it then get back to work," Amadeus interrupted irritably. "Auror Coventry, as I already told Auror Potter before, I do not associate with any of the Hardcastles. They have never liked me, and the feeling is mutual. Tucker was here before I took over, and he happens to be in charge of hiring copy assistants, so he hired his son. The only reason they still work here is because they happen to be good workers and know when not to get in my way. And since I have nothing to do with this whole thing, you have no reason to talk to me and no legal paperwork to make me, so I'm going back into my office." Amadeus stormed back into his office and shut the door, using his wand to repair the window before making himself a stiff drink to calm his nerves.
"What about you, Cid? I don't suppose you ever associate with them outside of work?" Mike asked.
"To be honest, I really don't have the time," he said, pointedly helping the Imps reset the press. Chip decided to do the same, helping the others get the last of the newsstands prepped. "I have other obligations to worry about."
"So you do," Severus said quietly. The tone in his voice caused Cid to look up, since it was the first time Severus had spoken since he had arrived. "And as such, it would probably be in your best interests to give us or one of the other Ministry departments working on the case any information you may receive on their whereabouts."
"I will inform someone if I hear anything," Cid said evenly. "But I am fairly certain others are more likely to hear about it before I do. Ah, here comes Arnett now. It would seem he's still with us."
"Professor Snape!" Arnett said with surprise from where he stood in the doorway.
"Mr. Hardcastle," Snape acknowledged in return. "Not printing any more rumors about my wife's involvement with our new guest professor, I hope?"
"I don't report that column, Professor," Arnett protested. "Did we need another retraction?"
"I'm certain that if Professor Craw wanted a retraction, she would be down here expressing it better than I could," Severus decided. Arnett let out a nervous chuckle then.
"How very true," Arnett acknowledged, stepping inside and noticing Mike. "Did someone else disappear from the staff?" he asked with a frown.
"Apparently not," Mike said. "We came to check in and find out if anyone had heard anything from your father."
"No closer to finding them yourselves, then?" Arnett asked critically, but didn't expect a reply. "Father hasn't spoken to anyone in the family as far as I know, not even our mother. Instead of 'checking in' with everyone, how about going out and trying to find a new lead?"
"Sometimes finding a new lead requires going backwards, Arnett. Every bit of extra information we get will aid the case," Mike explained.
"Well, you won't find anything by hanging out here that you can't find out by just reading the Oracle," Arnett said firmly, then handed him one off the stack. "Here, have a free copy. Mind if I get to work now?"
"Thanks. We'll keep in touch," Mike said, glancing at Severus before stepping out. Severus nodded to Arnett, then followed the other Auror outside. "Let's walk to Wizardday Publishing," Mike immediately suggested.
"That sounds reasonable. It isn't far, and no one is likely to be jumping out windows when we come calling there," Severus decided. Mike smirked at that.
"Not likely, no," he agreed. "And it will also give us a chance to talk as we walk. So what observations did you make while we were there?" Mike asked. It was standard to ask new recruits to find out how much they had noticed; but Mike couldn't privately wonder if he was setting himself up to be outdone.
"I suppose the first thing I realized was that Amadeus doesn't have anything to do with what's going on," Severus said. "He was terrified when he saw me; but once he heard why we were there, he was immediately bolstered. His guilt is wrapped up in what he has done to my family in the past; it subsided when he realized our inquiry was about Hardcastle. He wouldn't have behaved like that had he known something; that false confidence he had thrown up trying to get rid of us would have faltered."
"Yep, I agree with you there," Mike replied with a nod.
"I also found it interesting that Arnett was calm, well rested, and healthy in general. He also picked his words very carefully," Severus said, Mike looked at him thoughtfully. "I would be surprised if an interview with his mother didn't show the same inconsistencies. I know first hand how much of a strain a missing family member takes on the rest of the family... standing there in front of Amadeus reminded me of that full force," he added dryly. "Despite the fact that Arnett was the one who was originally concerned about his father's appearance, that concern seems to have faded somewhat. The stress of not knowing what happened to a family member is a constant pressure... no matter how much time passes, it never goes away until an outcome is reached, regardless of whether it is positive or negative. The fact that it is not there means that he undoubtedly has had some sort of confirmation that where ever his father is that he is alive and well. He probably was being truthful that he has not directly spoken to his father in any way, but that doesn't mean he hasn't gotten word about his safety. Considering that he didn't immediately ask for an update tells me that. If anything, he was a tad defensive."
"Yes, I noticed that as well," Mike agreed. "What about the others? I noticed you singled Cid out for some reason... perhaps because he took over for Hardcastle?"
"No, it is more complicated than that, actually. Cid Strato is one of Bagman's Inner Circle. He's a plant," Severus explained. Mike blinked.
"How do you know that?" Mike asked.
"Alexandria told me about Bagman's plants after I was sworn into the Mysteries department," Severus explained.
"Oh. Then should you be telling me?" Mike wondered.
"It's already been revealed to the LE Department, so it's perfectly safe to tell anyone relevant to the case now," Severus explained. "That bit of information came out when it was revealed that Coventry's butler, Tibalt, was also a plant from Bagman. Apparently he has a man in arm's length of every witch and wizard in notable leadership positions within both the Collection Society and Equinox."
"I've heard everyone say Equinox is still around, even Alex and Harry, but I've never seen any evidence of it," Mike admitted.
"Yes, it's still around, although much smaller in number than it once was; they are the members that never left when Bagman took his followers one way and Balmweed and your father formed the Collection Society. None of the members are likely to admit they're still a part of the order but it exists just the same, and for the most part they keep to themselves. It is the splinter group that your brother is in that I wonder most about... especially lately, although they've been around for some time... perhaps since just after the Society formed... at the very least it's been around over five years."
"So my brother had nothing to do with its formation of the unknown splinter group," Mike murmured.
"Extremely unlikely; he would have been too young. He was probably recruited not long before the Olympics because he was Abraxas' heir at the time," Severus said. Mike sighed softly. "Thought he might be the ring leader, did you?" Severus asked in a lower voice.
"Worried, rather," Mike admitted. "Especially considering this started with my Father's death."
"Did it?" Severus said, as if questioning it himself. "Perhaps it did, but perhaps it started with something else. I believe it is too soon to come to that conclusion, unless you have more evidence than I don't."
"No, it's probably just based on my connection to the case," Mike concluded reluctantly. "You know, I was pretty steamed when Harry decided to send me to Canada to train... only Jamie was going to go originally. But by the end of the trip, I had to admit it was probably the right thing to do, even if I do feel off balance and out of the loop now that I'm back. One part of me is flustered about all of the current cases I need updates on. The other part of me... I just don't know how I feel about my brother right now. I just can't seem to get a handle on it."
"Understandable," Severus replied, looking thoughtful. "I was separated from my sister for a long time after our parents died. I wonder now how she might have felt watching me go through my years under Voldemort's thumb. Knowing her, she probably would have rushed in and gotten us both killed," he admitted, thinking back on it. "But perhaps I know someone suitable for you to talk to about this, Mike... my daughter, Alexandria. After all, Aurelius too has looked over that dark chasm; and although he didn't cause death as I had done, he did destroy some lives, as he will readily admit. Alexandria knows what it is like to question a sibling's intentions and may offer some advice. But whether or not you decide to confide with her or anyone else, you will have to face your feelings on this issue... the love, the hate, the hope, and even the loss if it proves that he is irredeemable. The path in front of you is hard, Michael, very, very hard, and unavoidable. You can only choose where your own path will take you... and no one else. However, with the right approach, wisdom and reasoning, you may be the stronger for it, just as I, Aurelius, and our other children have become stronger after similar struggles." Severus slowed and Mike looked up, realizing that they were already nearing the Wizardday building. It was a much larger building than the Oracle with a bookshop and a newstand on the ground floor.
"I don't suppose I can do a quick browse when we're done?" Severus inquired. Mike sighed at that, suddenly remembering that he was supposed to be training Severus and not the other way around.
"We'll see, as long as nothing unexpected happens," Mike said, taking the side door up to the offices on the second floor. Delia looked up from the reception desk in an open room next to the stairs, blinking when she saw who it was. "Hi, Delia. Still no luck getting a job interview, I take it?"
"Would I still be here if I had?" Delia said. "Anyway, I oughtn't be talking to you. You didn't Owl me once while you were in Canada."
"Sorry, Delia. I'll make it up to you when I have time..." Mike said, and was about to explain while they were there when he was interrupted.
"Isn't it a pity?" Severus said expressionlessly.
"Isn't what?" Mike asked with a frown.
"That Delia doesn't have a friend who knows the right people," Severus explained. "Or perhaps a friend with a sister who just inherited an international hotel empire who seems to be rattling some cages. Or perhaps a friend with a disgustingly famous boss... neither of which who would be willing to be interviewed by anyone... except perhaps by a young reporter the Wireless channels may not have acknowledged in the past. If that were the case, any of the stations you may have applied to may miraculously find out where they misplaced your resume."
"Well, I think I can definitely get my sister to agree to something like that," Mike decided, Delia brightening hopefully. "But I seriously doubt I could talk Harry into it."
"Maybe you can't," Delia said, glancing at Severus. "I don't suppose you'd be willing to do me a favor, Professor?"
"You already owe me one," Severus reminded her, but Delia grinned.
"It'd be much easier to collect if I got a job at a reputable wireless station, wouldn't it?" Delia pointed out.
"Oh very well! I suppose I could put in a word if Michael isn't up to it, but it's hardly the point of our visit," Severus said.
"Right... we need to get in there and talk to a few people, Delia," Mike explained.
"Now, Mike, you know Tubbins doesn't let anyone in without an appointment unless you have a warrant," Delia began, then saw the even expressions on both of the wizards faces. "You know... I think I might just step out for a cup of tea or something... yes... it's past my break... we have a union, you know," she explained, getting up and walking towards the stairs.
"Thanks, Delia," Mike said, Delia giving him a smile before quickly getting out of sight. "Come on. Tubbins may be a little irked, but he's not likely to sack her for letting us in." Severus nodded in agreement, following him into a very large workroom filled with desks and old black typewriters that made quite a racket in the room. Some of the desks were spaced away from the others by walls of books that served as low cubicles. Many of the desks were occupied, although a few weren't; but even at those desks, many of the old Royales were far from silent, glowing from dictation and distance charms that indicated that some of the employees were still working while they were out of the office. A pair of Imps were there, flitting about as they delivered papers, supplies, and drinks to different employees.
"I don't think I'd be able to get much work done in such an environment," Severus commented loudly.
"I'm sure they're used to it," Mike replied, then wondered why he had sounded so loud in his own ears. He looked back around to see that the typing stopped and everyone in the room was starting at them.
"Did someone else turn up missing?" One of the undersecretaries asked.
"Just checking in to see if anyone has heard anything about Cliff Meyers," Mike explained.
"Oh. Did you have an appointment?" he asked, glancing back at the hallway leading to the private offices.
"Yes, with Deacon Aldus," Severus said before Mike could reply.
"Oh. Go ahead then," he said, deciding it was none of his business.
"Thank you, Mr. Hale," Severus said, then gestured for Mike to go first. At the reminder that he was supposed to be in charge, Mike nodded to the secretary in thanks and they made their way past them and into the hallway, the timid sound of typewriters becoming more robust as they stepped out of their view.
Mike had intended to go straight to Ted Tubbins office, but as it happened, the door of Aldus' office happened to be be open, and he looked up when he noticed movement by his door.
"Auror Coventry. Auror Severus," Aldus said without missing a beat, finishing the sentence he was on before pausing his writing. "Not here to arrest me, I trust?"
"No, just a follow up to see if anyone here has heard anything," Mike explained. "We were going to Tubbins office."
"He's in there talking to one his counselors, but feel free to interrupt... as long as you don't tell him I said so," Aldus said, looking back at his work. "In fact, you might find it enlightening."
"Oh?" Mike asked, but when Aldus didn't answer right away, Severus nudged him, and Mike curiously went further down the hall and knocked on Tubbin's door.
The door opened and Arnold Jeffers peered out in surprise, opening the door further so that Ted, sitting at his desk, could do a double-take as well.
"How did you two get in here without an appointment?" Ted asked flatly.
"Nobody was at reception," Mike shrugged.
"I had an appointment with Aldus. Mike just happened to be with me," Severus ventured.
"Right," Ted said. "I heard a rumor that you were moonlighting as an Auror now, Severus. Is it true?"
"What?" Arnold exclaimed, even more surprised.
"Partially," Severus said calmly. "I am simply in training... and I had the board's permission," he added, cutting off Ted's next question.
"I knew Auror Potter was desperate for help, of course, but I didn't know it was so bad that he was calling in favors," Ted said, distractedly waving them in and pointing gesturing to Arnold to shut the door behind them.
"I can see how one might believe that," Severus said vaguely, stepping in dutifully behind Mike. "If you care for an interview when I am off duty, I'm sure that might be arranged. However, my calendar is rather full at the moment."
"Fine, I'll have my book contact your book," Ted said, writing it down. "Why are you really here?"
Severus gestured at Mike, who then remembered he was supposed to be in charge.
"We're here on a welfare check concerning the missing wizards. Have you heard anything from Cliff Meyers or any of the other missing wizards you have associated with in the past?" Mike asked.
"Going somewhere, Mr. Jeffers?" Severus interrupted, as Arnold tried to slip past him and had turned the handle.
"This has very little to do with me, Professor. Unless you were planning to arrest my client for something?" Arnold inquired.
"We're only checking in," Mike assured him.
"As you can see, I'm still here," Arnold asked curtly, turning the handle despite the fact that Severus was leaning on the door.
"Haven't left the country, then?" Severus inquired.
"When could I possibly find the time? Mike Coventry himself could tell you that I have had my hands full dealing with his sister and that silly museum of hers. Any spare time I have left after that has been spent checking in with other clients. As such, I'd like to get something to eat now if you don't mind," Arnold snapped angrily.
"Let him go, Severus," Mike sighed.
"Very well, Auror Coventry," Severus said obediently, doing the honors of holding the door open for the irate counselor.
"You can both show yourselves out as well, next," Ted suggested firmly.
"Fine, we'll leave, but not until I have your word that if you do hear anything, you'll inform the Auror department before it goes to print," Mike said firmly. Ted sighed.
"Fine. You have my word I'll inform the department first," Ted said in resignation. "Now, get out of my office. Apparently I need to speak with some of my employees about security protocols."
"Yes, you probably do," Mike agreed. "Let's go, Severus."
"After you, Auror," Severus said politely, holding the door for Mike and then following close behind. Neither said a word as they left the building. In fact, they were so quiet that they could hear Ted yelling at his clerks for allowing them in without an appointment.
"Well that was a waste of time, wasn't it?" Mike said, turning towards the bookstore. But Severus had paused, gazing at him in apparent surprise.
"Do you think so?" Severus replied curiously. Mike stopped and looked at him.
"Wait... why don't you think so?" Mike asked. Deciding to pick a better time to return to the bookstore, Severus gestured and the two of them began walking back down the street.
"Well, you did get Theodore Tubbins to promise he will come to the Ministry with information before informing the Oracle. Ted may not care for me, but I have known him for a very long time, and he is a man of his word."
"Good to know, but I hardly think of that as an accomplishment. It was meant more as a warning," Mike said. "I did find it interesting that Mr. Aldus wasn't surprised that you were an Auror, Severus."
"Aldus still speaks to me on occasion, and he's been in and out of the Ministry since he's been appointed as the Trade Union's Steward," Severus said. "I was wondering more about what you thought about Arnold Jeffers, really."
"Do you mean how he ducked out the moment we came in? He always does that," Mike snorted. "He goes out of his way to avoid Aurors and Enforcers unless it's an official proceeding or a client needs to be interrogated."
"Yes, so he has, to protect some of his more questionable clients," Severus agreed. "He's also quite adept at dodging direct questions."
"I'm sure that talent also comes in handy as a counselor," Mike said.
"Yes, well, he was a Slytherin after all... one who has always respected me too much to ever lie to me, attempted dodge or not," Severus explained.
"So you're saying he was truthful when he said he didn't have time to do anything except attend to his clients lately," Mike concluded.
"Correct, but he attempted to use that fact to help cover his dodge... a bit of a mistake, that," Severus decided.
"Dodge?" Mike prompted.
"I asked him if he had been out of the country. He did not provide an answer to that question; he simply gave us a plausible excuse as to why he may not have had the time... he has only had time to see his clients. Since I know from experience that he tries not to lie to me, the true answer in the matter is clear; one of his clients is probably out of the country," Severus explained. Mike stared at him.
"That is an awfully big leap," Mike said dubiously.
"Do you think so?" Severus said, glancing up at the cloudy sky. "You know, ever since the days of Ciardoth, I've been particularly sensitive to the passing of weather, and it has been particularly rainy since the start of the school year... more so than is typical for early fall."
"Yes, I suppose, but I don't see what that has to do with anything," Mike said impatiently.
"Arnold Jeffers had a tan," Severus explained. "Perhaps even a touch of sunburn, if his cuff line and the side of his collar are any indication... a recent one... else there would be no collar line at all. One tends not to wear a formal collar when on vacation."
"What?" Mike said, wondering if Severus might have a point after all. "Wait, I can't go to Harry with that! It's all too speculative to be of any use, no matter how brilliant the observation is. It's too circumstantial... it's not like we can do anything with that information."
"Aurelius perhaps?"
"Jeffers won't get anywhere near Aurelius," Mike assured him. "Even if I do think you're onto something... hell, Harry might agree you're onto something too, but he'll also be the first to tell you that it's not enough for us to act on it... including trying to question him further."
"I understand what you're saying, Auror Coventry," Severus said calmly. "Fortunately for me, I have another avenue I can take."
Alex listened to her father intently as he dutifully gave his report on his activities that day, a spark in her eyes when he finished telling her about his observations.
"This may be just the break we're looking for," Alex decided immediately. "I'll get an agent to get me a list of his clients. There's also a possibility that it's one of his father's old partners since their his clients too... Grandfather has been researching them up to this point. I've been working on the cold case."
"Cold case?" Severus prompted.
"Yes... Rummert," Alex explained, unsurprised when Severus made a sour expression. "Honestly, the reason it's gone unsolved for so long is partially my fault, actually."
"Oh?" Severus asked.
"Well, the moment I proved to myself that whoever killed him wasn't a family member, I lost interest and set it aside," Alex explained. Severus smirked softly. "But considering that both of his father's partners are missing, it's high time I looked into it."
"It sounds like your plate is full," Severus said, getting up.
"My plate is always full... not as full as yours has been, though," Alexandria commented. There was something in the tone of her voice that indicated that Alex still had a lot of questions about that.
"I'll be staying at the house on Friday and Saturday nights from now on when I'm not on duty," Severus offered.
"I'll send Dodger if I need anything. Nobody will think twice about that. If it's an emergency, I'll send Austere," Alex said.
"Finally got that winged serpent trained, did you?" Severus asked with interest.
"It's still touch and go at times," Alex admitted with a sigh. "If I didn't have two familiars already, I'd be training him at home."
"I am no one's familiar," came a hiss from somewhere that Severus didn't see. "I am simply an agreeable participant."
"The agreeable part is a bit of a stretch," Alex replied. "And just because you are a very distant relative to dragons doesn't mean you're not a familiar of sorts."
"I am a god," the hiss replied.
"Well, I will leave you to that," Severus said with a smirk. "I have a lot of experience training difficult familiars, and I know this is going to take a while. If you want my advice, I would suggest that you teach Jay how to take care of Dodger. He's old enough to start learning and Dodger will be patient with him."
"That's a good idea, actually," Alex admitted. "Thanks... for both the tip and the advice."
"Just doing my job," Severus said glibly, taking his key back to the house. Shaking her head, Alex got back to work.