Will's report on the Branch invasion was well received by Madame. She requested a demonstration of the Reapers' defense systems, which was quickly scheduled. She brought a number of Uppers with her. Fortunately, Seniors DePoy and Brock were most happy to discuss their designs in detail. To the awe of the spectators, the great cabinets rotated to lock into a shield wall with a most impressive rummmble-THUNK!
They all joined Spears in his refurbished office, noting the scorch marks on his desk and chair, and the newness of the rest of the furniture. Bradshaw served a most excellent high tea.
The visitors were very particular in their questions. They were enthusiastic about a floor design that divided itself into a protected area for noncombatants and a killing floor for demons. They were quite pleased with the cooperation between Collections, Supplies, and Scythes. They approved the use of the portal at the end of the killing field. They praised the design, the designers and Director Spears for his foresight. They congratulated him on his victory over the Infernals.
Spears watched them leave, a little absently, because he had remembered; what was Smithfield's crew actually doing there? Smithfield, a Scythes Engineer, with a crew from Supplies? Backpacks and spray wands. Something that repelled demons.
If they had a new weapon, could it be added to this floor's arsenal? Would it require much training to use? Would Smithfield's Reaper roommate have a few details…wait…there had been a medical issue reported for Ten Hagen and his partner Terry… by Doctor Theodore Collins at the Academy, the same doctor who oversaw Humphries' health as an Academy lecturer. He would not have seen London Reapers unless Humphries had requested it. Which obviously Humphries had done, rather than send them to the London Infirmary.
Why?
Spears looked up the Doctor's report. Contamination. Scythe metal to an unusual degree. Other substances he did not recognize.
Most affected was Ten Hagen, who was Smithfield's roommate. Also Terry, Ten Hagen's Reaping partner. To a lesser extent, Bradshaw and two other Personnel clerks. Ten Hagen had come into the office and spread the contamination to his co-workers, who had been forbidden to Reap until the effects wore off. To be honest, Will had not noticed the juggling of schedules to cover for the Reapers that Collins had set down. All was back to normal in four days.
Humphries' report on that was dismissive – Humphries, who championed the well-being of every employee of the Branch, to Will's displeasure when he was attempting to enforce discipline and economy.
Humphries knew something and had hidden it. Of course he was protecting someone. Smithfield, the source of the contamination, obviously. Not surprising. But why would Humphries cover up a simple careless exposure… unless…
Was it deliberate?
What exact effect had it had on Ten Hagen? On the unsuspecting Terry and his co-workers? Humphries should have launched like a bottle rocket. But Smithfield belonged to Scythes. An Engineer of some authority and held in considerable respect. And were Scythes and Supplies conspiring to keep the same problem quiet?
That would explain the omissions in the joint report from Richards and Johns. Had they reported more fully to Madame? Best not to go there. A three-sided Divisional war could result. No wonder Humphries tried to conceal it, even if people were experimented on without their consent.
But there was something here he was missing. All of this was a massive overreaction to a mere field trial of a new function for a tool already in general use. Humphries, Supplies and Scythes were behaving as though a major crime had been committed, exposing a valued employee to a punishment well beyond a standard six months of scutwork for Maintenance.
Not malicious; nobody would have stood for that. Experimental or accidental, but still serious. Something that could not be allowed to get out. Supplies and Scythes had known something about this, hadn't seen anything wrong with their own use of the spray, were obviously still using it. Nobody had found anything amiss, except one stubborn, insubordinate, unwholesomely clever little semi-academic...
Ethics instructor.
My God.
The Law. There was a conflict with the Law. And because Smithfield's spray had been used in his Branch during the invasion, Will was now complicit in a breach of the Law.
Johns and Richards had been able to set him up, to guarantee his silence, because Humphries had not told him.
He checked his watch. Shift change. Knox would be handing over the Assistant Director duties to Humphries.
He rose from his chair, went to his door, opened it just an inch.
Knox and Humphries were standing by Wójcik's desk. Humphries looked weary, grim, and thin as always. Knox had crumbs on his cuff and cheek.
"Large group of Uppers visited to see our defense arrangements. Leftovers in the break room. Supplies has a new set of maps for Will. I didn't get around to retrieving them. Scheduling's chart, here, no real problems, just minor adjustments. They are giving short shifts and rest periods to those returning from 'flu collections or that big explosion in Hamont, Belgium, on the eighteenth. Some kids built a bonfire down by the tracks. Two munitions trains blew up, destroyed three hospital trains and most of the town. We sent three teams over to help. Caro reports quiet overnight. Some demon action down by the docks. Nobody hurt."
Will opened his door wide. "Humphries. In here."
"Good afternoon, Will, should I bring up your new maps first?"
"Knox, go get the maps and put them in the Map Room. Do not leave. You are on duty for the next shift."
"Awww, maaaan –"
"Humphries, get in here."
The door slammed. Knox shrugged at Wójcik, whose façade of granite dignity never slipped, yet somehow communicated worry. Abruptly, Knox turned and headed for Personnel. Wójcik picked up his phone and dialled.
As Knox arrived at Senior Jacob's door, Avram hung up his phone. "I know, Ronnie. Go get the maps and stay well away from Will when you come back."
Knox fled. Avram called Terry. "Spears has Humphries on the carpet. Tell ffoulkes to find Slingby. Warn Admin to be ready to draw back into the Stacks. If we are lucky, Humphries may talk his way out of this. If we aren't, he won't try."
The grapevine sprang to life.
It would have been easier if Will had shouted; bearable if he had risen, summoned his scythe and struck. Shouting, screaming, the throbbing blood vessel at his temple, all that was familiar and would have been so much easier to bear.
Alan stood before the scorched desk as Will's quiet, deadly words flayed him.
"I have no questions to ask you. I know how easily you can justify any action. You will leave immediately, Humphries. I will give you the references you deserve; I will recommend you for diligence, skill, and cleverness, but not for honesty or loyalty. By the end of this shift, Housing will be closed to you. As will this building and all associated Services and Divisions of London. Due to your bond with Slingby, I cannot require your execution. He knew and did not tell me. However, I cannot prove it, and so cannot order his demise. Take him with you; I will not have him in this Branch. Send your resignation to Senior Jacobs. Give your keys to Knox. For years I overlooked your many schemes and manipulations; I trusted you, and you betrayed me. I will not agree to see you again for any reason. Be sure that your next employer knows that. Get out."
Alan left. He walked by Wójcik, handing over his keys as he passed. He entered his own office as Ten Hagen moved to guard the door. On his desk he laid his spectacles, his scythe and Dutch's Angel blade. He added his pre-written resignation letters, summoned his new scythe, and ported directly into his apartment kitchen.
Eric was already there, packing up Alan's blanket and the teapot. Alan stepped into a hug. "Are ye well, me Light?"
"We're fired and banished, but not condemned. We have to leave before Will changes his mind and notifies Judicial. Have you dumped everything London can track?"
"Aye. Here's your new glasses. Get out of that uniform. I asked Smitty to move his portal lock up to our door here. That should slow 'em down if they decide to restrain us. It's still set to the Flowerin' Bushwhack. A band of javelinas has just moved in."
Alan ran to the bedroom, pulling his jacket off. "Will's telling Housing to lock us out of London by midnight," he called, dropping his jacket and vest on the bed. He dressed hastily in the clothes provided by Chandless, filled his pockets with newly issued tools of his trade, and ran back to the kitchen. "Let's get over to the Lab before he thinks to warn off Cole."
Eric picked up his duffel and Alan ported them both to the London Lab. Senior Cole was waiting for them. "Hurry, the word is already spreading. The portal's live. Go on, go! They'll never learn a thing from us. I'll purge all traces of your travels. Good luck!"
"Thank ye, Donnie. We'll buy ye a drink when the heat's died down." They stepped in and were gone.
The portal hummed smugly. Cole shut it down, zeroed its settings, erased the preset destination, and left the testing room whistling. Franklin, on the phone, raised an eyebrow. Cole grinned at him and flashed a thumbs-up.