Even from the outside, the inn looked pleasant enough to familiar eyes. It had a frontage on the Road and two wings set back, and it was built on land partly cut into the bottom of the hill so that the second-floor windows were at ground level behind it. A large archway led into a yard between the two sides, and to the left under the archway was a large doorway, preceded by some steps. The door was open, and a stream of light came out. Above the arch was a lantern, and below it hung a large sign with the establishment's name on it. Many of the windows on the first floor let in light from behind thick curtains.
As they hesitated outside in the darkness, someone inside began to sing a joyful song, and many voices echoed the chorus loudly and enthusiastically. They listened for a moment to the encouraging sound before they put their feet forward. Then, finally, the song ended, and they were welcomed inside by an explosion of laughter and applause.
They made their way to the counter, where a short, fat man with a bald head and a red face stood. He wore a white apron and worked his way from door to door, carrying a tray full of pints to the top. Sirius made way for Joan, who spoke to the man in Romanian.
"Can we..." began Joan.
"One minute, please! shouted the man over his shoulder, and he disappeared in a chorus of voices and a cloud of smoke.
He emerged a moment later, wiping his hands in his apron.
"Good evening, gentlemen!" He said, bowing forward, his gaze lingering on each one of them. "What is there for your service?"
"We'd like three beds for the night and to order something for dinner, please," Joan said.
"I've got some Mititei on the grill. Would that be fine?" Suggested the man.
"That would be perfect! And three pints too!" Joan said.
"Very well, room number 15 is free, on the first floor. Make yourself comfortable while I bring you your order. It might take a little while; I'd be sorry if I didn't make you feel welcome. But there's already a crowd in the house tonight as we haven't seen in a long time!" the man said, pointing to a table in the corner of the crowded room.
"Don't worry about it. While we wait for our order to be ready, and if the room is ready, we'd rather go upstairs and put our bags down before coming back down for dinner." Joan said.
"As you wish, the stairs are that way!" Said the man as he showed them the way to the upper floors.
They went up the stairs to the first floor, turned right to the corridor where the rooms from number 10 to 20 were, and then entered their rooms. They found themselves in a small, cosy space. A fireplace was turned off, in front of which were three comfortable armchairs. There was a round table on which a white sheet was already spread and on top of it a carafe and a fruit bowl, another room with a bed for each of them and a bathroom.
They threw their bags on the floor and distributed the beds between them. Sirius got the one closest to the window. They went back down to the inn's main room, made their way with difficulty through the crowd, already drunk from the flowing alcohol, and sat down at the table in the corner of the room, the bartender had indicated them earlier. The man came quickly to bring them a drink and some food. He put a plate of grilled sausages with no fatty skin on it in the middle of the table and some bread that, the way it smelt, had just come out of the wood oven.
The meal lasted almost an hour, so much the food was delicious, they were encouraged to order other courses, concluding the end of the meal being slumped on their chairs holding their stomachs. The room had gradually emptied, leaving only them and a lone man, seated a little further away from where they were. Noticing that Sirius was looking at him, the man finished his pint, put it down loudly on his table, then got up and walked towards them, dragging his chair behind him, he stopped at their table and sat down facing Sirius and Red, paying no attention to Joan who had said something to him in Romanian. Instead, the man addressed Sirius and Red in English with a pronounced eastern accent. He stared at them, his face looking rather cold.
"Who are you? Where are you from?" He asked firmly.
"Mind your own business," Sirius said, holding his gaze.
"Sirius, let me handle this", Joan said firmly.
The man pulled out a gun and put the grip on the table, the barrel pointed at Sirius' chest.
"Okay, let's calm down! My name is Jack...Jack Mihoff," Sirius said.
The man's face turned red and slid his finger on the trigger.
"Do yourself a favour, mate, put your toy away, go back to your table, order another drink and go home because I am two seconds away from ejecting you by that window behind you," Sirius said, his wand under the table, pointed in the direction of the man.
"Do you know who you're dealing with?" The man asked, not realizing that his gun had been transfigured into a harmless wooden replica.
"Yes, we're dealing with a guy who's about to make a big mistake... " Joan said, relieved to see that the gun was no longer a problem.
"And be very sorry in the morning," Red added.
The inn owner came back into the room carrying a box, looked at them for a short while, sighed, put his box on the counter and took out a wand which he pointed at the man and shouted.
« STUPEFY! OBLIVIATE !»
The bulky guest collapsed on the floor. Immediately, a house-elf appeared in the room, snapped his fingers, and quickly lifted him up to levitate him to another room.
"Sorry for the inconvenience, don't worry, this kind of situation is very common," The owner said to them while picking up the chair that had fallen.
"Who was that?" Red asked.
" A Muggle, most likely an agent from the Securității Statului, both of you... Especially you," he said, looking at Red, "You're obviously not from here."
"We thought this was a wizard' inn...What is the Muggle police doing here?" Sirius asked.
"Well…The police are everywhere here…And we welcome anyone who enters our establishment, as long as they pay! Gold, Leu or Rouble." Said the Innkeeper.
"Uh...We've seen customers doing magic here, the statute of secrecy, do you give a damn about it?" Joan asked.
"The statute of secrecy?" The Innkeeper asked with a laugh. "Almost all the customers, wizards or Muggle, get wasted after ten minutes! Then, if the next day any of them can remember that a shot turned into a cow the night before, they keep it to themselves to avoid ending up in an asylum."
"I see...However, aren't you afraid the rumours could spread et get an inspection from your ministry?" Red asked.
"Oh, but they do come from time to time!" The Innkeeper said, wiping the table.
"I don't want to be intrusive; how that goes?" Sirius asked.
"Well…they lecture me, they say I must obey the law, that next time they're going to fine me, take away my license, close the place...Then they order a bottle of vodka, turn a shot into a cow, and then a few months later they come back and do it again." The Innkeeper said.
"No offence, but basically, in this country, nobody gives a shit, am I right?" Sirius asked.
"Oh, you know, sir, here we like simple things! We don't like to complicate life more than it already is !" the Innkeeper said. "On the other hand, now that I see you up close, your face looks familiar! Haven't we met somewhere?" he asked Sirius.
"No, you must be mistaking me for someone else," Sirius said.
"Are you sure you never came here when you were younger, on vacation with your parents, maybe?" The Innkeeper insisted.
"Oh yes! one hundred per cent sure!" Sirius said as he finished his pint.
"If you say it…Do you need something else before the kitchen closes?" The Innkeeper asked.
"No, I think we will be fine, thanks," Red said.
"At your service! Good night then!" The Innkeeper said, leaving them.
They stretched out in their chairs, then went back to their rooms, then one after the other fell into sleep.
At eight o'clock in the morning, Kinglsey appeared on a hill that dominated the area where the victim's body had been discovered. There was a slightly morbid atmosphere here, as always in the countryside when the landscape no longer manages to mask its deep solitude with the beauty of its sites. To the west, he discerned the vertical rivers that intertwined, flaying the dark sides of the mountains with their silver clatter. In the distance, the high peaks loomed in the misty light of the stormy morning, announcing that September was not so far away. From the top of the hill, he had a clear view, from which he could see the Muggle firefighters packing up their gear before leaving the area, taking a country road, and disappearing into the trees. He scanned the landscape for a long time. He had lost sight of the river. Soon, he understood that the torrent, arrived at the hollow of the valley, spun just behind the wall of rocks. He could even see it, thanks to some stones. Suddenly he noticed another detail, in one of the rocky cracks, the fluorescent yellow cordon, specific to the police.
Kingsley descended into the rocky cleft where the curves of a narrow path were taking shape. Soon he had to stop and pass under the plastic cordon and reached the river. The course of the water was blocked there by a natural dam. The torrent, which Kingsley expected to discover bubbling with foam, was transformed into a small lake, clear and smooth. Further on, to the right, it was starting again and was probably crossing the town that appeared, greyish, in the bed of the valley. But Kingsley stopped short. On his left, a man was already there, crouching over the water. Kingsley cleared his throat. The man turned to him and smiled brightly.
"What are you doing here?" Kingsley asked abruptly.
The stranger smiled again, without answering, and stood up, dusting off his hands. He was a young man with a friendly face and sleek black hair. Suede jacket and jeans. He retorted in a clear voice.
"And you?"
"Chief Inspector, Kingsley Schaklebolt. Didn't you see the cords? I hope you have a good reason for crossing the line because..." Kingsley said.
"Detective Ravi Patil, I've been expecting you; we were told you were on your way," he said, showing him his badge.
"Are you alone?" Kingsley asked.
"Everyone is already gone; the victim was found a little farther. The perimeter is secure, and the crime scene unit finished its work thirty minutes ago." Detective Patil said.
"Already?" Kingsley asked as he turned abruptly to the other man.
"Well...You should take into consideration that the body was found yesterday afternoon, and they have worked all night." Detective Patil replied with a shrug.
"Oh...sorry, it's been a long ride from London," Kingsley said; he should be more careful about what he said from now on.
"Tell me what you know about the case," Kingsley said.
The detective Patil looked up at the rock wall. "The body was encased up there."
"Up there?" repeated Kingsley, looking at the wall of aggressive landforms casting harsh shadows.
"Yes. About a hundred feet up. The killer pushed the body into one of the cracks in the wall. He imprinted a strange posture on it."
"What posture?"
The detective Patil flexed his legs, pulled his knees up, and crossed his arms against his chest. "Like a baby in the womb. We had to bring it down with the help of the firefighters...it was very tricky, trying to keep it intact, not dropping anything in the river from up there, searching the area for if the killer would have left a clue by mistake. That's why it took all night!"
"I see, I understand... I was told about wounds, burns..." resumed Kingsley.
"I have not gotten the chance to examine the body properly yet. But it seems, indeed, that there are many traces of torture. " Patil said.
"Did the victim die as a result of torture?" Kingsley asked.
"There is no certainty at this time. There are also deep cuts in the throat. Strangulation marks." Patil said.
Kingsley turned back to the small lake. He saw his silhouette, his shaved head, and black jacket clearly reflected on the water.
"And here? In the water, Did you find anything?" Kingsley asked.
"No," Patil said, disappointed. "I've been looking for a detail, a clue, for an hour, in case they would have missed something in the dark… But there's Nothing. Of course, I strongly doubt the victim wasn't killed here. The killer only hung the body up there."
"You climbed up to the rift?" Kingsley asked.
"Yes, they put all the speleology gear on me, and I went up... Nothing to report. The killer probably climbed to the top of the wall, through the other side, and lowered the body down on a rope. He descended in turn, with the help of another rope, and embedded his victim. He must have gone to a lot of trouble to put her in that position. It's beyond comprehension!" Patil said as he looked up.
Kingsley looked back at the wall, which was bristling with edges and pitted with asperities. From where he was, he could not clearly assess the distances, but it seemed to him that the niche where the body had been discovered was halfway up the wall, as far from the ground as the top of the cliff. He sighed; this was obviously not an investigation that was going to be wrapped up before lunchtime.
"I'd like to see the body. Where is it?" Kingsley asked.
"In the hospital morgue, I was just about to go there after talking to you," Patil said.
"All right, let's go!" Kingsley said as he took up the path by which he had arrived, Patil behind him.
They reached the Road where Patil' car was parked. Kingsley stopped and turned to him.
"Where exactly is the hospital?" Kingsley asked.
"Well... near the highway exit, you couldn't have missed it on your way here... How did you get here anyway? Where is your car?" Patil asked, looking around.
"I went to the police station first; they drove me here," Kingsley replied.
"You said you had a long drive from London…." Patil said.
"I don't own a car; I took the bus then walked to the police station…They brought me here." Kingsley said.
"And they didn't wait for you to come back before they left?" Patil asked.
"They must have been called for another case," Kingsley said.
"Maybe...Still rude from them...Chief Inspector Schaklebolt… can I see your badge please?" Patil asked.
"Sure," Kingsley replied, showing him the badge Scrimgeour had provided. His left hand clenched on his wand in his jacket pocket.
Detective Patil examined the badge then handed it back to him with a smile. "All right, no offence but one can never be too careful, especially in our line of work. Get in! I'll take you there with me!"
They got into the car; Inspector Patil straightened the rearview mirror before starting the vehicle. They took a national road, and Patil turned on the radio.
"Is this your first time in Wales?" Patil asked.
"Yes, it's the first time. I've spent my life between London and Scotland." Kingsley said.
"I've never been to Scotland, been to London thought, beautiful city! However, I like it more here, it is quieter! "Patil said, looking straight ahead at the Road.
"Except when a dead body is found embedded in a mountain," Kingsley said, making the driver laugh.
"You are funnier than you look! It's good for keeping your head straight in this line of work!" Patil said as he took a turn, honking, sticking an arm out the window on his side, waving it to greet a mailman who seemed to be an acquaintance of his.
"I guess...And you, what helps you keep your head straight?" Kingsley asked.
Inspector Patil pulled a photograph from his jacket and passed it to him. "My girls! Padma on the right and Parvati on the left. They turned five last April."
"Twins?" Kingsley asked, looking at the two little girls smiling in the photo.
"Yes!" Patil replied proudly.
"They are beautiful; they must take after their mother," Kingsley remarked, making the other man burst out laughing.
"That hurts! " Patil said as he tucked the photograph into his jacket. "How about you? Are you married, any children?"
"Let's just say I'm married to the job," Kingsley said.
"I see..." Patil said.
"Anyway, who's singing?" Kingsley asked as he pointed to the radio.
"Are you serious?" Patil asked as he raised his eyebrows in surprise.
"Yes, I like it; who is it?" Kingsley asked again.
"It's Freddie Mercury, of course!" Patil said.
"Oh, the first time I heard of him…." Kingsley said.
"You are really strange...Or maybe you work too much?" Patil said, joining the main Road.
"Yes, that must be it..." Kingsley said.
Soon after, they arrived at the hospital. First, Detective Patil parked his car. Then, they entered the hospital lobby to walk straight to the desk, where a nurse put the phone down hurriedly and greeted them.
"Hello, I am detective Patil, and this is the chief inspector Schaklebolt. We would like to have access to the morgue and a chat with the forensic regarding the body that was found yesterday afternoon, please," he said politely to the nurse.
The nurse looked at each of them in turn, embarrassed, before speaking.
"Yes...One moment please, gentlemen." Before retreating to a room behind her, they heard her whisper hastily to someone else: "There are two men, one black and one Indian, at the reception desk. They claim to be policemen and ask to see the body that came last night." Before returning to the reception.
A few seconds later, two prominent men came to the front desk. One of them asked.
"Can I help you?"
Kingsley pulled out his badge and held it up to the two men. "Yes, as my partner said, we want to see the body that arrived last night and require the presence of the doctor right now."
The men looked at the badge and gave each other a confused look. A loud voice emerged out from down the hall.
"It's fine! Make way!"
The two men stepped aside to let Kingsley and Patil pass. As they passed, Kingsley glared at the young nurse, who seemed to be trying very hard not to look away from a blank piece of paper on her desk.
They went to meet the man wearing a white lab coat who was waiting for them at the end of the dimly lit hallway. He couldn't have been older than Kingsley, shorter in stature, with his hair cut short. He introduced himself to them, holding out a hand to greet them.
"Good morning inspectors, I am Dr Gavin. I was expecting you sooner."
"Good morning, let's go to the morgue; please, we're in a bit of a hurry," Kingsley said curtly.
"Sure, let's go...follow me." Dr Gavin said as he led the way.
Detective Patil let the doctor lead the way and whispered to Kingsley.
"Don't get upset about this kind of things Chief Inspector...This is a small village; people are not used to this kind of situation..." Patil said.
"I didn't complain...Let's continue..." Kingsley said as he followed the doctor.
They went down a staircase, through a corridor and then turned right before entering a room where the temperature dropped significantly. Metal cabinets lined the wall, a sink on one side, and in the centre a metal table with a human-like form lying on it, next to which Dr Gavin stopped and invited them to join him with a wave of his hand.
"Do we know his identity?" asked Kingsley.
"Yes. Marlon Roy reported missing three days ago. A representative of an insurance company, he was expected in Cardiff for a meeting but never arrived." Said the doctor.
He uncovered the body. The victim's abdomen and chest were riddled with deep, black wounds. Cuts with purplish lips, iridescent burns, clouds of soot. Shallower lacerations stretched around the arms and wrists as if the man must have been bound with wire. Kingsley walked around the table to get a better view of the victim's back. He discovered a long, thin wound.
"What is this?" Kingsley asked the doctor.
"His entire spine has been extracted...From the first cervical vertebra to the coccyx." Dr Gavin said.
"Did he harvest any organs?" Patil asked.
"Yes...All of them actually, the guy is empty...He was even castrated. His murderer also pulled out his teeth." Dr Gavin said.
"What can you tell us about the process the murderer followed?" Kingsley asked.
"Well, the wounds on the body point toward a torture session; the murderer wanted to have some fun before ...But the rest...the incision in the back, the removal of the organs was done with surgical precision...He knew exactly what he was doing and where to find each piece." Dr Gavin said.
"You said that he was tortured for fun; what makes you say that?" Kingsley asked.
"Wounds that could be attributed to torture tend to have a ''controlled'' impact on someone, the man should be able to stay conscious and answer your questions…For example, it will hurt if I break one of your fingers, but you could still talk…It's not the case of this one." Dr Gavin said.
"Are you saying that the murderer is probably a doctor specialized in human surgery?" Detective Patil asked.
"Yes..." the doctor said.
"Yes, but what?" Kingsley asked.
"Well... I can't explain it, but the victim was alive and conscious the whole time." The doctor said.
Meanwhile, thousands of miles away, Sirius and his two companions had just emerged from their night of sleep and were having breakfast in the inn's dining room. Unlike when they had arrived the day before, the room was relatively quiet. Apparently, at this time of day, it was only frequented by overnight guests. Sirius had already finished eating and examined the region map, drinking his coffee while Red and Joan finished breakfast. Turning his eyes away from the menu for a moment to drink his coffee, he was stopped by Joan, his mouth full, pointing to something behind him. Sirius turned and realized that a man was standing behind him. He was of average height, pale complexion, and seemed shy.
"Hello, I'm sorry to bother you, Mr Black, but I couldn't come and shake your hand." He said in English, with an accent indicating that he too was British.
"Oh, hello there!" Sirius said as he put down his glass and held out a hand to shake his.
"I am Quirinus Quirrell! Nice to meet you!" Quirinus said.
"Likewise, these are Red Russell and Joan Zoega. Please sit down with us. It's nice to see a fellow countryman and get to speak English !" Sirius said as he pointed to a vacant chair to Red's right, which he sat down in.
"Do Joan and I speak Chinese?" Red asked Sirius.
"I think he means that English with the accent nobody can understand," Joan said
"You look familiar. Were we at Hogwarts at the same time?" Sirius asked Quirrell, ignoring Red and Joan.
"Yes, we were! I was in Ravenclaw, three years younger than you!" Quirrell said.
"I thought so...weren't you a teacher at Hogwarts?" Sirius asked.
"Yes, until very recently, I was the Muggle Studies professor. However, I have resigned." Quirrell said.
" Why?" Sirius asked.
"Well, the job locks you into a routine and having to deal with teenagers is exhausting after a few years...So I decided to leave, travel, learn more and maybe write a book." Quirrell said.
"And what brings you so far from home? What exactly are you interested in, Romania?" Joan asked.
"Nothing! I'm headed to Albania, looking for a Vampire colony in the black forest." Quirrell said.
"If it's Vampires you're interested in, we'll have met you a little earlier; we'll have introduced you to one," Red said.
"Oh, what a shame...However, it kind of you, but as they say, it's the journey that counts." Quirrell said.
"You want to study them?" Sirius asked.
"I'd be satisfied if I could make contact with them and maybe get an interview with their leader."
"That's a pretty big leap from studying Muggles to studying Vampires, don't you think?" Sirius asked.
"Yes, I'll give you that, but I've always wanted to specialize in the dark arts. But, to be honest, and if you promise not to tell Professor Dumbledore about it..." Quirrell said.
"We won't say anything. I promise!" Sirius said.
"Alright...The only reason I applied for the Muggle Studies job was to have unrestricted access to the Hogwarts library reserve. Something I didn't get when I was studying there since I wasn't admitted in the Defense Against the dark arts NEWT class." Quirrell said.
"You know what? I would have done the same thing! Professor! I would have had three months of vacation in the summer plus fifteen days at Easter and another fifteen days for Christmas! "Sirius said. "Besides, now that Remus is there too, I would have spent my free time pissing him off and blame Peeves!" Sirius said as he pounded his fist on the table.
"That's your dream job?" Joan asked.
"You can! The schools need urgently a defence against the dark arts professor, again. They say you had the highest grades on your NEWt in the subject, you could apply." Quirrell said.
"Really? Again? they can't keep one teacher two years in a row." Sirius asked.
"Unfortunately…However, you should probably be competing with Severus; he applies every year, Dumbledore promises him the job if no one applies a week before classes start. If you are interested, you better hurry!" Quirrell said.
"Severus?" Sirius asked, his eyebrows furrowed.
"Yes, Severus Snape, the Potions Master. You must know each other; he was in your class but at Slytherin." Quirrell said.
"Severus Snape is teaching at Hogwarts?" Sirius asked.
"Yes...for a little over five years now," Quirrell said.
"How brain-damaged is Dumbledore for agreeing to give a job in a place wherein six years, Harry Potter will be living!" Sirius spat.
"A friend of yours?" Red asked.
"What the hell is Remus doing! Why doesn't he take the job! He already lives there!" Sirius said.
"Forgive me if I said something that upset you; that was not my intention," Quirrell said.
"No, it's not your fault," Sirius said. "Well, if you two are done eating, I'd like to remind you that we have a long way to go!"
"Leaving already?" Quirrell asked, disappointed.
"Yes, we have an important appointment later today...It was a pleasure to meet you Quirinus, I hope you find what you are looking for in Albania." Sirius said as he stood up and shook Quirrell's hand ink once.
After breakfast, the three companions went upstairs to get their backpacks and gather more supplies for the journey they were now expecting. It was well after eleven o'clock when they finally set out. Whether it was because of the route they had chosen or for some other reason, they saw no sign or heard no sound of any other living creature that day: neither two-legged, except for the birds, nor four-legged, except for a fox and some squirrels. The terrain had been descending steadily since they left the Road, and they now entered a large, flat expanse that was much more difficult to traverse. At first, they moved fairly quickly, but their passage became slower and more dangerous as they continued on their way.
"The ground is getting more and more complicated! That's a good sign!" Sirius announced to them.
"Why?" Red asked.
"It's done on purpose! It's a modified road to force the muggles to choose another route that will take them away from the rock that gives access to the reserve." Sirius said.
"You know what, Sirius, even the wizards don't take this route! They fly there because they're not idiots!" Joan says.
"When are you not winging Joan?" Sirius asked.
Joan didn't answer, just gave him the finger.
The land began to rise steadily before them again. In the distance to the east, they could now see a range of hills. The highest one was on the right, a little apart from the others. It had a conical top with a slightly flattened ridge.
"We're here!" Sirius announced, pointing his finger in the direction of the hilltop.
"FINALLY!" Joan and Red cheered.
An hour later, around noon, they were at the top of the mountain facing a vast, smooth-walled rock, precisely as Ludovik Balasko had described it to them.
"Go ahead, Sirius, open the door! Red said.
Sirius walked towards the rock and put the sole of his hand on the wall, looking for the lock. He did not find it. He took a few steps back and pulled out his wand, and pointed it straight at the rock.
"Revelio!" he whispered.
A spot on the rock lit up, and they moved closer to it to find a small crack that could only be what they were looking for. First, Sirius searched his pocket, then the other, before putting down his bag and hastily searching its contents.
"Shit!" he said slowly.
"What's going on?" Joan asked.
"I lost the key!" He said to them.
"WHAT?!" Joan and Red exclaimed, their faces red.
"I must have dropped it somewhere this morning when I took out the map or my bottle," Sirius said.
"YOU BASTARD! PIECE OF SHIT!" Joan shouted at him, his face red with anger.
"WE'VE BEEN WALKING ALL MORNING FOR NOTHING!" RED CRIA.
"YOU MOTHERFUCKER, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO NOW?!" JOAN AJOUTA.
"I'm kidding!" Sirius said as he pulled the small silver key out of his back pocket, his lips shaping a wide smile. "I put it in my back pocket because when I walk, it scratches my butt and makes me feel good. You should see the look on your faces; you guys look like two trolls trying to figure out an arithmancy exam."
"I don't know what's stopping me from..." Joan began.
"Scratching my butt?" Sirius finished his sentence with a laugh.
"You know, if we kill you here, nobody will know! Joan can go back to Russia; I can go to the United States..." Red said.
"Yeah, sure! If I want, I'll beat you up with my hands tied behind my back. Sirius said with his back to them. "Are you ready?" Sirius said as he put the key in the lock.
"Open it!"
After examining the body at the morgue, Kingsley and Inspector Patil headed back to the police station. The detective led him into the building, introduced him to his colleagues, and then went into his office. They sat down; the inspector took off his vest and glasses and put them on his desk, sighing, running a hand through his hair.
"I had time to think while driving; the first thing to do is to ask for a counter-examination of the body," he said.
"Why?" Kingsley asked.
"Er...because the coroner said the victim was still alive while he had his spine and vital organs ripped out, perhaps?" The detective asked.
"Sure, I can ask the central to send someone else here..." Kingsley said his voice low. "Is there a way I could contact my hierarchy?"
"Be my guest." inspector Patil said, nodding toward the phone in front of Kingsley.
"And some privacy..." Kingsley added.
"Sure." Inspector Patil said as he stood up. "Take your time...I need a coffee anyway," he added as he left his office.
Kingsley waited until the office door closed behind him to take out his wand and lock the door before silencing the room. Then, he picked up the phone and turned the dial to "121181518" and a few seconds later, a female voice rang against his ear.
"Welcome to L.C.N. Company, where we plan for the unexpected; please tell us the purpose of your call."
"Rufus Scrimgeour," Kingsley said.
A few seconds later, he heard the voice of his superior.
"Schakelbolt! Where are you? I've been waiting for you for an hour!"
"My apologies, boss, but the situation here is more serious than we thought," Kingsley said.
"How serious?" Scrimgeour asked curtly.
"After taking a look at the first elements, examining the body, absolutely Nothing hold water… I have no doubt that a wizard is involved in this case. I will stay here and investigate." Kingsley said.
"Very well, shall I deploy your team?" Scrimgeour asked.
"No, ask them to make a full list of all the witches and wizards living in the area, with their professions, criminal record if any..." Kingsley said.
"What else?" Scrimgeour pressed him.
"Their Hogwarts school records and qualifications, specifically O.W.L.s and NEWTs in potion", Kingsley finished.
"Their school records?" Scrimgeour asked.
"Yes...The state of the body and the information the Muggle healer provided proves that the job is the result of a skilled and meticulous individual, not just someone who can use magic." Kingsley said.
"Very well...noted," Scrimgeour said.
"I've spotted a hotel near a gas station on the avenue that leads to the hospital...I'm going to get a room there and set up a headquarters for the purposes of the investigation, where you can directly contact me." Kingsley said hurriedly before hanging up as he heard footsteps approaching. He unlocked the door just as it opened, letting Inspector Patil's head pass through.
"Chief Inspector Schaklebolt! Sorry to interrupt, but the C.P.S. it's time to brief everyone."
"Sure, Let's start," Kingsley said as he joined him.
He followed him to a room where all the police officers were sitting, like students in a classroom.
Inspector Patil pinned a picture of the victim to the board, cleared his throat and spoke.
"Gentlemen, you will understand that this case may be difficult and... unusual. That's why the prosecutor and I have requested reinforcements in the person of Chief Inspector Kingsley Schaklebolt. We don't know anything yet about the motives of the murder, but it might be a sexually motivated crime or organ trafficking. A maniac, in any case. And Mr Kingsley's experience will be advantageous to us... Very well. I suggest that we start by interviewing all the people who live near the roads leading to the river, that they also visit the gas stations, the train stations, the houses near the bus stops... I want you to launch inquiries in the whole area. I want you to get a list of all the lurkers, marauders, and hobos in the area before 6:00 pm. I want you to check for recent releases from prison within a two-hundred-mile radius...Car thefts and robberies. I want you to interview all hotels, restaurants. I want to know about every strange occurrence, every suspicious arrival, every sign. I also want a list of all the events that have occurred here in the last twenty years or more that could be related in some way to our case... Mr Schaklebolt, do you want to add anything?" The inspector asked as he turned to Kingsley.
"Yes...I want a list of cults, gurus and all the weirdos in the area. Ask the local bartenders if they've seen any strange people hanging around or seen anything that seemed curious." Kingsley said.
Detective Patil nodded before adding. "Also, ask the local prostitutes if they had any suspicious customers this month. Come on, move it! I want to see everyone here at eighteen o'clock to take stock of the situation!" clapping his hands loudly as the police officers rushed out of the briefing room to begin their work. Leaving Kingsley alone with Detective Patil.
"So, this is your plan?" Kingsley asked.
"Excuse me?" Patil asked.
"Why didn't you tell them you were looking for a surgeon?" Kingsley.
"Oh...I figured, however, this is probably very interested in the progress of the investigation, how he's disposing of the body, where he's leaving it, he wanted it to be found...Sooner or later, he'll make a mistake that will give him away." Inspector Patil said.
"You want him to think you don't know what you're looking for to not alarm him and conduct the investigation quietly...Very clever..." Kingsley said.
"Timing will be crucial in this case…." Patil said.
Hello everyone! I hope you're having a great weekend! These last two weeks have been quite boring so I got time to write faster! I hope you'll like this chapter! Please read, enjoy and review!
Thank you Dima1995 for the fav and follow!