by Mark Hayden
She nodded her head. ‘Sounds about right.’ She paused, with her hand on the car door. ‘I hadn’t started doing the CCTV trawl when the call came in this morning. I’m not sure I’ll bother, now.’
‘Oh? Why?’
‘Tom messaged me the picture of you two arriving at the woods. I can’t believe it. I seriously can’t, but it’s there in glorious HD colour.’
Karina looked panicked, as well she might. ‘How did he get that?’ she said.
‘Because it’s one of the few images about the case on Twitter. He’s had to tell the media centre that you were witnesses who weren’t required, and that’s why their names aren’t on the crime scene record. Right. Do you want a break, or can we please go straight away?’
‘Let’s go. It’s been a long day.’
Elaine dropped us in the car park at Lostock Station and disappeared up the exit road. ‘Go and get two tickets to Victoria and find out when the next train is,’ I said. ‘I’m going to open this package.’
‘But…’
‘I don’t want to miss the train.’
I peeled off the packaging and looked at the box. As soon as I touched it, the runes dimmed and faded. They must have been keyed to me in some way, which was a surprise because Gnomish magick doesn’t normally go in for that sort of thing. Perhaps it was because of my bond with their First Mine. No matter.
I didn’t open it right away, because although I’m not paranoid, I am cautious: this box was the perfect size for a small bomb. I took it over to a wall, hid behind a car and used all my concentration to focus on blowing open the lid. I was still trying, and failing, when Karina said, ‘What are you up to, sir? Would you like me to do it?’
‘Thank you. That would be very good, Karina.’
She passed me the tickets. ‘Next train in fifteen minutes. Do you really think there’s something dangerous in there?’
‘When you’ve med-evacced as many IED victims as I have, you try not to take chances.’
‘Oh. Is that what happened to your leg? An IED?’
‘No. That was a rocket grenade, and it was my own stupid fault. Now then, how are you going to approach this?’
‘You were trying to use compressed air to lift the top off. The angles are all wrong with that. I’d like to smash it with a stone. Not hard enough to destroy it, just hard enough to set off a trigger.’
‘Sounds good.’
She scouted around the rough stone car park and selected a flat piece of slate, perfect for skimming on water. She shied it at the box, reminding me of a baseball pitcher who was aiming for the batter’s ankles. The stone hit the box just above the lid-line and stuck in the wood. Any magickal or mundane device would definitely have gone off with that.
She started moving and I grabbed her arm. ‘Thanks, Karina. You stay back – that was addressed to me, not you. My risk.’
I used the toe of my boot to lift what was left of the lid off the box. As expected, there was a burner phone inside.
I waved Karina over and showed her what I’d got. ‘What on earth prompted you to project an image of Seth Holgate and Lois Reynolds? Do you realise what a stink you’ve caused? Not only that, you’ve linked us directly to the suspicious death.’
‘I am so sorry, Conrad. I really am. If I’d had a bit more warning, I’d have done better. They were the only people in my head from recently. I couldn’t think of anyone else.’
‘What was wrong with doing your father and someone like Erin?’
She looked appalled. ‘I couldn’t. That would have felt so wrong. And Erin doesn’t like me anyway.’
‘Then what about Tom and Elaine? That would have been easy for them to explain to their bosses, though perhaps not to Lucy and Rob.’
‘I didn’t think.’
‘No, you didn’t, and that’s the real problem. If you were stuck for inspiration, you should have told me. As I keep saying, we’re in this together, Karina. I’ll message an apology from the train.’
She took a deep breath. ‘Shouldn’t it be me who apologises? It was my fault.’
‘In this instance, the first apology has to come from me, otherwise it will look like I don’t think you did anything wrong. You can message them yourself when we get back to the Haven. We’ll move on, shall we?’
She nodded and looked even more miserable than normal. At least the train was on time, and we couldn’t talk on the trip into Manchester. We couldn’t sit down, either. Another bloody Pacer.
I stopped to get us coffee on the trip across town to Piccadilly Station, then found us a bench. ‘What are your thoughts on the case?’
‘Well, sir, I know we’re meant to think it was the Fae. You do know that they like to keep packs of Dual Natured wolves, right?’
‘Do they? Even in England?’
She nodded. ‘The Prince of Arden doesn’t, because he prefers to hunt on foot, but I know he’s been invited to a couple of hunts where they run Mannwolves.’
‘One of them wasn’t in the North West, was it?’
‘No. He doesn’t have anything to do with the Queen of Alderley’s line.’
‘Damn and blast. That wasn’t in any of the Merlyn’s Tower reports. I wonder why not?’
She looked very uncomfortable. ‘I couldn’t say, sir. It’s not something I’d talk about if we didn’t have this problem.’
‘Put it in a report. Something like that really should be on the system.’
‘Do I have to? It’s really not my place to say.’
‘You’re a Watch Officer, Karina. The fact that you grew up in Arden is just that – a fact. What about the new guy, Andy, who grew up in a city and who might need to know that?’ She looked so upset that I took pity on her. ‘Write the report for me, and I’ll submit it under my name. How about that?’ She nodded uncertainly. ‘Good. Go on, you were saying?’
‘We’re meant to think it was the Fae. We’re meant to think it was a revenge attack. I don’t think it’s a coincidence, though. Do you think the Gnome was from Clan Blackrod?’
‘I have no idea. That’s why I need to get in touch with Lloyd. Forget about the wolves. What does that leave us with?’
‘The flowers. The ski mask.’
‘Yes. Good. What about them?’
She risked a glance up at me. ‘Gnomes don’t go on a hot date with a ski mask, do they? You’d know more about that than me.’
‘More about Gnomes, or more about hot dates? Don’t answer that question. You’re right, though. The mask was a mistake. They were trying too hard to make a point. There’s one other thing: the actual presence of the body.’
‘In what way?’
‘It was meant to be found by the mundane police. Why? If it were Gnome-on-Gnome violence, that’s not how they do things. I’m desperately hoping that a chance remark by Tara Doyle isn’t as ominous as I think it is. She happened to mention that Big Wayne has a number of police officers on retainer.’
She pulled a face. ‘Do you have to call him Big Wayne?’
‘You’re right. It’s not an image I want to conjure too often. Are you ready for another Pacer experience?’
‘No. They’re horrible. And Manchester is even worse than Birmingham, and I hated that.’
I shook out my leg and started walking. ‘How did you get on in London, then?’
‘There’s a hotel opposite the Tower. I stayed there.’
‘Except for your trip to Norfolk. How did you get on with Cora?’
‘She was very disciplined. She worked me really hard.’
‘How was she?’
‘Sad, I think. She didn’t talk about herself a lot. She seemed a bit happier after she went out on Saturday night. She said she was going out for dinner and didn’t come back until the next morning.’
Curiouser and curiouser. We entered the Piccadilly concourse and scanned the departure boards. ‘Come on, Karina. There’s one in on Platform 2.’
‘Was she that bad?’ said Mina when we finally curled up in the Deputy’s suit
e at the Haven. Priority One when I’d got back was taking Scout for a walk, just to reassure him, and Mina had been helping Evie in the kitchen. When the dinner was in the oven, I’d made tea and carried it up to the very chintz but very comfortable sitting room in our little suite.
‘It’s hard to say. She did get quite animated when she was with the forensics officers, and she’s definitely getting more used to talking to me. Unfortunately, she’s still in fear of Elaine Fraser.’
‘That is quite understandable. Having met Karina properly, I don’t think she’s autistic. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. I do think she has a problem with social anxiety. Now tell me about this dead Gnome.’
When I’d finished, Mina looked very thoughtful. ‘I think I might have something, Conrad. Bear with me. After you rushed off, Merry Telford put me with some of the younger Mages. Younger as in under forty. Every day with you I feel older. You are a bad influence.’ She waved her hand around as if warding off premature ageing. ‘They were all agog to hear about Princess Birkdale, aka Tara Doyle, but I had to give a little to get some back.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘They all know that she must have been visiting us for magickal reasons. I had to think on my feet, so I said that I’d seen Tara spend a long time talking to Cador Mowbray, and I dropped hints that she needed a top lawyer.’
‘Clever. And Cador will neither confirm nor deny that.’
‘That’s what I thought. Once they thought they had some gossip, they were keen to top each other’s stories about the Princess. One or two had been to the Sídhe, another had produced some special orchids for a party. That sort of thing. Our favourite Fae has a lot of property, it seems. Including a cottage in the Forest of Bowland. That sounds like a good place to hide a pack of werewolves.’
Mina is exempt from the prohibition on the w* word. She has faced down a Dual Natured cobra and won. She can call them what she likes.
‘Any clues as to where it might be? That’s a big area.’
‘Someone said she bought it when she was the Count of Salford, also known as James Ash. I looked him up: he was a big player in the music hall business. I had to look that up, too. He once owned theatres all over Lancashire.’
I leaned over to give her a kiss. ‘I knew there was a reason I’d proposed to you. Apart from your being gorgeous, of course.’
‘Of course. I’m going to get out of this saree and have a bath before dinner. What about you?’
‘I’m going undercover.’
She started pulling her hair up and walked towards the bedroom. ‘Don’t spend too long undercover, Conrad. I want you under the actual covers later.’ She gave me a smile and disappeared.
I sent a short message to show that I’d got the phone and waited.
Back came this reply, almost immediately: Sandbach Services, Southbound, tomorrow, 11:00. Bring the Anvil.
I did groan a little. Did it have to be a motorway services? No matter. There’s an outdoor seating area behind the Costa Coffee.
Karina was looking better at dinner, and couldn’t wait to tell me that she’d apologised to the candidates.
‘How did they take it?’
‘Seth said he owes me one and that he’s going to use the image in his campaign. Was he being serious?’
‘No. Well, probably not. What did Lois say?’
‘She accepted the apology on condition that I go to a masterclass in Glamours that she’s running at the Alchemical Society. Should I go?’
‘I think that’s an excellent idea. And you can have tomorrow morning off. Sunday dinner’s at two o’clock, unless there’s an emergency.’
Karina turned to Evie, who was opening a bottle of wine. ‘Do you think your mother would like some help with the cooking tomorrow?’
Evie paused. ‘I think she’d like you to offer.’
Karina looked at me again. ‘Are you and Mina going out in the morning?’
‘I am. On business. Going to see a Gnome. Just me and Scout. Mina’s going to do nothing, or so she says.’
‘I am perfectly capable of doing nothing,’ said Mina. ‘You get a lot of practice doing that in prison.’ She looked more closely at Karina and put her hand on her shoulder. Karina almost jumped out of her skin. Mina kept her hand where it was and said, ‘You want to say something, don’t you? Conrad will tell you that keeping quiet costs lives. I agree with him.’ Only then did she take her hand away.
‘I just wondered, sir, if you’ll be all right on your own with the Gnome.’
‘That’s a good question, and if it were any other Gnome than Lloyd, I’d want you with me. Him, I trust. Sometimes in life you have to trust people.’
‘But he’s not people. He’s a Gnome.’
‘Even so, Karina, even so.’
Evie carried the casserole dish over and used her substantial hip to bash me further down the bench. ‘You’re on washing up, Conrad. I’ve got a date. Pass your plates.’
18 — Gnome Advantage
I hadn’t lied to Karina. Nor had I told her the whole truth. Yes, the only Gnome I trusted was Lloyd, but how did I know that he was the one who’d summoned me to Sandbach? I’ll tell you.
It was after eleven o’clock when I sauntered into the restaurant and made my way to the Costa Coffee concession at the back. There were a number of high, stand-up tables and I went to stand by the one with dirty crockery, putting my old cricket bag on the floor. One of the staff was going round clearing tables and came up to me. Her name badge said Sammi.
‘The badge looks very authentic,’ I said.
‘It is, I’m an Artificer, remember darlin’?’
I winced at the exaggerated Essex-type accent. There was work to be done there, but otherwise Saffron had inhabited the persona of Sammi brilliantly. On a mission to Litchfield, we’d created a disguise that transformed her – wig, outfit and, how shall I put this, some silicone inserts to enhance her natural assets. I’d told her to work at it, and she had. The visuals were good, but the key was the magick. She’d messaged me from the car park to say that it was Lloyd and another Gnome, and that they hadn’t rumbled her disguise.
All humans have Lux flowing through them, as does every living thing except bacteria. The key to going unnoticed if you’re a Mage is to damp down emissions of Lux to the point where you look mundane. The downside is that you can’t use magick to scope people out or sense trouble. It’s very, very hard to pull off on someone’s doorstep, but in a crowd…
‘The younger one is getting restless. I went to clean outside five minutes ago and he was moaning to Lloyd about being cold. Shall I get you a cappuccino? Medium with an extra shot?’
‘Thank you, Sammi. What do your new colleagues think of you?’
She grinned and flashed the perfect replica of a Midland Counties Police warrant card. ‘I promoted myself to Detective Sergeant,’ she said. ‘I’m on undercover training. They think it’s good fun, and they aren’t going to say no to having an extra pair of hands, are they? One cappuccino, coming up. On the house. I’ll get in position when it’s ready.’
One of Saffron’s new colleagues made the drink and put it on the counter by the fire door leading outside. When it was there, Saffron took a bucket of soapy water and went ahead. I counted to ten and followed her. Outside, the tang of metal wafted over from a table at the far end. The next time I go inside a First Mine, I may need to wear breathing apparatus.
Lloyd’s companion was very young for a Gnome and looked barely past puberty. ‘Morning, gentlemen. Sorry I’m late.’
Lloyd stood up and embraced me, then said, ‘Conrad this is Albie – Albrecht Adams of the Second House of Clan Flint, to give him his full title.’
We shook hands and I made myself as comfortable as possible on the metal chair. Underneath their warm coats, both of the lads were sporting the old gold of Wolverhampton Wanderers. ‘Is there a game today?’
‘Yeah,’ said Lloyd. ‘But not until four o’clock. Plenty of time to get back t
o Molineux.’ He leaned forward and looked around, making sure that the woman washing the tables couldn’t overhear. ‘Conrad, there’s stuff going on. I don’t think it’s safe for you to be the Swordbearer any more. I think if you don’t surrender it, someone’s likely to challenge you.’
This had been on the cards since I’d accepted the sword in Niði’s Hall. I only had one issue with what Lloyd had said. ‘What about you? Surely this puts you at even more risk?’
‘Don’t worry about me, Conrad mate. It actually makes me safer. There’s a new kid on the block, and it ain’t Albie.’
‘I ain’t a kid,’ said Albie. He kept looking at Saffron – or was he looking at Sammi?
‘Yes you am,’ said Lloyd. ‘It’s Saunders. He’s decided to adopt an heir.’
When Lloyd’s uncle was forced to step down as chief, the clan had chosen an irascible old Gnome called Saunders as the safe (if abrasive) pair of hands to lead them through the crisis. Saunders was childless, unmarried and the last of his house, and therefore had no incentive to get rid of Lloyd. This changed things.
‘Surely you’re in worse trouble now?’ I said.
‘It’s a stand-off. He adopted a nine year old from the Seventh House. That will guarantee the future of Saunders’ house and means that he’ll need me to carry on as Clan Second. If you stay as Swordbearer, there’s a good chance that someone would challenge you, and you’d have no support except me and Albie. This way, I can choose a new Swordbearer.’
‘If you’re sure…?’
‘I am.’
‘Then what do I do?’
‘Pick up the sword, feel the pattern inside, then dip the tip in Mother Earth and let it drain away. Easy as that. You can do it now, and Albie will take it back to the First Mine. We could do it here, only we’ve got an audience. I’ll put a Glamour on you, but that waitress is a bit too close. I think she might have a bit of latent talent.’
