Chapter 6: A Good Man

The next place they went to was Gringotts Bank. Carts of jewels were being hauled to and fro, goblins behind desks scribbled ferociously at account books and the floors gleamed, as if they had just been mopped. The hallowed halls of treasure protection were running in an extremely business like manner, so much so that Amelia paused her thoughts to compliment the goblin way of doing things; if they were effected at all by the current war, then they weren't letting it show.

Amelia led the way up to one of the desks and asked to speak to the person in charge. She was introduced to a goblin named Gornuk, who was taller than most of his kind and wore a well pressed business suit. He took them through to a side room.

"Now, Ms Bones," Gornuk said, sitting in a chair, staring up at the wizards, "what exactly can I help you with?"

"We are here to make enquires into the death of Kieran Swann," Amelia replied, choosing to stay standing.

"But I have already discussed this with your people," Gornuk said, flexing his fingers, "I talked to a young wizard only a few weeks ago."

"Mitchell Williams?" Amelia asked.

The goblin shrugged.

"He had a name. I don't remember what it was."

"My unit has taken over the investigation, so we're going thorough it again," Amelia explained, "Sorry for any inconvenience, but your time is appreciated."

So Gornuk recounted all he knew about Kieran Swann and the time leading up to his death. Which wasn't much; he couldn't say exactly when he had seen him last, only that he had seen him at some point and Swann had seemed fine then. He didn't know the names Bartholomew or Dyer and their faces meant nothing either. If they weren't clients, then he wasn't terribly interested.

"You should speak to Matt Demming," Gornuk suggested, "He was Mr Swann's partner in the human relations office. His testimony will undoubtedly be more profitable than mine."

The same goblin that had taken them to Gornuk took them to Matt Demming. His office was a small, square room with no interesting features to speak of.

"If only he was a Curse Breaker!" Fabian whispered as they entered, "I bet their offices are awesome!"

Matt Demming was a tall man, with pale skin, short black hair and a beard that was neatly groomed. He wore a business suit, similar to ones that both Gornuk and Swann wore, giving him the respectable appearance that seemed to be standard in the bank. He rose as they entered.

"Hi," he said, with a bright smile, "Who do I have the pleasure of addressing?"

He held out his hand to Amelia, who gave a firm shake and then let it go. His smile looked genuine enough, but there was something in his eyes, something that made her not trust him. He seemed like the kind of person who could charm you out of your savings.

"My name is Amelia Bones, Mr Demming, I'm an Auror" the witch said, "Perhaps you'd like to sit down. We've got some questions to ask you."

"Not in trouble I hope?" the banker said heartily, taking a seat.

"No, Mr Demming," Amelia said cooly, "We want to know about Kieran Swann and the word around the bank is you're the man to talk to."

"Kieran?" Matt said, sounding surprised, "He was my colleague and a close friend. I thought his case was closed? At least, I thought I wasn't needed for anything."

"We are re-interviewing all concerned," Amelia said.

"That's not a problem is it?" Fabian asked, a menacing tone in his voice.

"Of course not," Matt said with a weak smile, "It's just been a bit painful is all."

Amelia nodded her understanding and let the man get ready before she began the interview.

"When was the last time you saw Mr Swann alive?" she asked.

Matt thought for a bit then said, "it was the day before they discovered his body. When was that?"

"About a month ago."

"We left work together," Matt nodded, "and I asked if he wanted to grab a drink, but he said he couldn't, so we went our separate ways. The next morning, I hear something's happened to him and this young Auror, Williams, comes to talk to me." "And there was nothing out of the ordinary about him?" Amelia said, "He wasn't stressed from something at work or maybe from his home life? Was he meeting with people who you hadn't noticed him with before?"

"Kieran was always on the top of his work," Matt said, shaking his head, "I used to tease him about it, all the people in HR did. He didn't have much of a home life; he was unmarried, as far I as I know he didn't even keep an owl."

As the interview progressed, Amelia became more and more confused. Kieran Swann was apparently loved and adored by all who met him, by all accounts a good guy. There was nothing that pointed to anyone wanting to hurt him. She took out the photographs of the other victims, as she had done for Rowan, hoping Matt could tell her what the connection was.

"Do you recognize either of these people?" she asked.

Matt glanced at the photos.

"No, sorry," he replied, "They might have accounts here, but I've never had to deal with them."

"You never heard Mr Swann mention a Fredrick Bartholomew or a Francesca Dyer?"

A pause.

"Those names don't ring a bell."

Amelia picked up the photos and slipped them back into her jacket. She thanked Mr Demming for his time and ushered to the rest of her team to leave. Just as she herself was turning to go, Matt said, "you will find them, won't you? The people who did this to Kieran?"

"I'll do my best, Mr Demming," Amelia said solemnly, "That I can promise you."

And she walked out of Gringotts once again wondering how a man with good friends, a respectable job and no apparent enemies could end up dead, sprawled out on a London street. Perhaps that was just what the world was coming to.