Tenfold

by Mark Hayden

  Hannah turned to me. ‘Clan Flint have also written to us on the subject of Irina, and we got her fingerprints from the boat. Nothing on the prints, but the Clan say that her family was definitely from Iran. She called it Persia, and they don’t know whether she was born there or not. She’d been with the Clan for over fifteen years in one capacity or another, and been officially a Counsel for ten of them. She’d made a lot of enemies, but no more than you’d expect for a human woman in that situation. Even Lloyd said that most of her ideas were good ones, though being an outsider and a woman, he was never going to take to her. And that’s it as far as leads are concerned.’

  I’d expected as much. ‘What about that submachine gun?’ I asked. ‘That was new and government grade. They won’t have picked that up on the streets of West Bromwich.’

  Hannah shrugged. ‘We checked the bullets you recovered. None of them were on any firearms database, and that brings us to the big picture.’

  ‘The Fae,’ said Rick. ‘It took me a while, but I tracked down that Fae Count who was living at the bottom of your garden.’

  ‘It doesn’t do to make fairy jokes,’ said Francesca. A comment like that might sound prim and proper. It was nothing of the sort. Her tone made it clear she thought Rick was on dangerous ground. ‘The Fae are never a joke to us, even though we might be a joke to them.’

  Rick looked at me. At least one of the Fae was my enemy. It’s always fine to make jokes about the enemy in my book, and I let Rick know that with a smile before saying, ‘The Count got a promotion and new lands, according to Thomas.’

  ‘He did,’ said Rick. ‘And an alibi. The former count is now Queen of New York. If ever there was a prime suspect for sending over that Pyromancer, it’s the Queen of NYC.’

  I made the obvious point. ‘Did he – or she – come back in 1689?’

  Rick shook his head. ‘Whoever pulled a fast one on the Dwarf, it wasn’t him, and he didn’t become a her until 1870. Not only that, all the Works from the Codex that have shown up have been found here, not America. Thanks to the Keeper and some contacts in Glastonbury, I’ve been able to put together a list of all the Fae that we know for certain were around before 1689. Here.’

  He handed out sheets of paper to everyone. I glanced at the list – it didn’t mean that much to me, because the Fae have two identities, one magick and one mundane. The list said things like Duke Alaric, resident in Manchester. That was the name they used in the magickal world. To the world at large, they were …. Well, I can’t say. If I told you that the front man for a well-known rock band was a centuries old non-human creature, I’d either be laughed at or get a call from his lawyers.

  ‘And that brings us to our most difficult decision,’ said Hannah. She stared at her papers, then looked up at me. ‘I read your report, Conrad, and I agree. Someone close to the Codex Defanatus is leaking information, or worse than that, they’re part of the team who’ve been splitting it up and selling it. It’s the only explanation for their knowledge of your movements.’ She took out the box from Niði and showed everyone the diamond that had nearly got me – and Lloyd – killed. ‘This is our best lead. This will tie one of the Fae to the Codex, but I don’t think that we can pass that knowledge outside this group.’

  ‘I agree,’ said Rick; Vicky nodded, too.

  Francesca took a different view. ‘If we move quickly, and use people that we trust, we can bring this dreadful business to an end before there are any more casualties.’

  She had the right to say that. She’d had to see the savaged body of her brother, a brother who had saved my life.

  ‘There is one problem,’ I said. ‘Irina and the other Mage who attacked us know that we have it. Even if you let it be known that you were keeping it at the bottom of Nimue’s well, they might be tempted to grab it. They put a lot of effort into that ambush, and it came very close to succeeding. I certainly don’t want people thinking that I’ve still got it.’

  ‘You’re all right, in a way,’ said Hannah. ‘This is what I propose. I’m going to Scotland next week on official business. I shall take the box with me and make sure it’s seen when I hand it over to Napier College. By then, it will already be out of the UK. I’ll say no more than that.’

  ‘You’re putting yourself at great risk, ma’am,’ I said.

  ‘Which is why both Rick and Vicky will be with me 24/7 until then.’

  Rick did not look happy. ‘But Boss, it’s half term next week. Couldn’t Conrad do it? He’s used to working with Vicky, and now he’s got his ammunition…’

  Hannah stared at him. ‘Conrad is taking a week’s leave.’

  Rick either had to say that I didn’t deserve it or back down. He backed down.

  Hannah checked her watch. The others were taking a taxi to Salomon’s House and the official oversight committee for Project Talpa. I had told Hannah that nothing would stop me meeting Mina off the train at Euston. That and picking up my new uniform.

  ‘The line I’m taking is this,’ said Hannah. ‘We’ll say that Niði sold the Codex to an anonymous Fae in 1689. We’ll put together a series of polite questions to ask the Fae on that list, and I’ll seek authority for further discreet enquiries. For now, we’re done. Anyone else?’

  We all shook our heads.

  ‘Good.’ She picked up the diamond. ‘Right now, this is going down to Nimue’s well. I’ll see you this afternoon, Conrad.’

  It’s only when I see her from a distance, in a crowd of people, that I realise how Mina must seem to others. She was the first out of the carriage when the doors opened, and a man in a suit passed her case down to her. Then waves of travellers washed over her, and for a second she disappeared. When other people see her, what do they notice first? Her (lack of) height? Her unusually long shiny hair? Her light brown skin? Her slightly pointy nose? The lines round her eyes that shouldn’t be there? The glint in those eyes that says they see right through you? They’d have to look for a long time to see her smile, that’s for certain, because she’s very slow to smile amongst strangers, unless she’s putting on a show.

  I don’t see any of those things. I see a Mina shaped package round the essential Mina who fits the hole inside me. I knew that’s what she was the first time we met, when she pushed my wheelchair and tried not to let me see the damage to her face. If Joe Croxton hadn’t murdered her husband, would we be together? I try not to think about that, because Miles Finch was a good man. If I get eaten by a Dragon or skewered by a Hell-horse, I hope she finds a better man than me.

  ‘Are you going to stand there like Nelson’s Column for ever?’ she asked. ‘And don’t tell me he was a sailor, because that’s not the point.’

  We kissed for a long time, until well after the housekeeping carts had boarded the train. Finally, I picked up her case.

  ‘This is light. Have you left another on the train?’

  ‘No. I gave away all my prison clothes last night. All that’s in there are things I’ve only ever worn outside the gates. Oh, and I left some things with Kelly Kirkham last weekend. We can pick them up when we collect your puppy. Where are we going now?’

  ‘The Waldorf. I’ve paid extra to check in this morning so that we can get changed. Are you going to wear Indian for the ceremony?’

  ‘No! I don’t want to meet your parents like that. Tell the taxi driver to go to Oxford Street.’

  We headed down to the taxi rank. ‘Have you decided where we’re going for our break?’ she asked.

  ‘We’re staying at the Waldorf until Monday. After that, I have no idea. It can wait.’

  We began in Selfridges (don’t worry, I’m not going to give you a blow-by-blow account of the shopping trip). Mina held up her hand. ‘Cherise did my nails last night, so whatever we buy has to match this colour.’ She started gathering dresses from the petite collection and said, ‘Who do I need to impress most? Your mother or your father?’

  ‘Dad thinks you’re gorgeous, and that’s just from photographs. When he’s seen for himself
how clever you are, it’s game over for him. Mother’s more of a challenge.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Because she’s a bit different. Just remember, no matter how odd she seems, I’m her only son.’

  ‘Hmm. You are no use. Wait there. Do you think I’ve put on weight?’

  ‘Not since Christmas.’

  ‘So you do think I’ve put on weight?’

  ‘Don’t forget Rachael. She’s joining us for lunch.’

  She whirled round. ‘Since when? Why didn’t you tell me?’

  ‘I said we were having a family lunch. She’s family.’

  ‘That changes everything. I need to rethink this. When are we eating? Which does she look more like, Kate or Meghan, and why have you never shown me a picture of her? And have you found out which member of the royal family this Duke of Albion is?’

  ‘I’m giving you half an hour,’ I said. ‘Then I have to collect my uniform.’

  29 — Of the rest of our Lives

  Lunch was a great success, and not just because Rachael cried off (she sent Mum a selfie from the first class lounge in Heathrow to prove that she really had been ordered to the USA). If you’re wondering, Mina chose a royal blue dress in the end. I won’t tell you how much the matching bag cost.

  Mother asked a few pointed questions about HMP Cairndale until she realised that Mina was neither proud nor guilty of what she had done, then after that the talk very quickly turned to Clerkswell, Elvenham House and, “What is that Myfanwy woman really like?”

  At a quarter to two, we approached the back door to Newton’s House and Dad said, ‘Is there really no other place to have this? Won’t it be a bit morbid?’

  ‘No, Dad, is the short answer. I’m not going to give you the long one.’

  The Counter-Terrorism squad were out on the pavement, and we were all given a thorough check. We were still being searched when Vicky arrived with her parents. There was an awkward moment in the Duke of Albion’s Room when John Robson dragged me to one side and said, ‘Are you sure you got the bastard who killed them lasses and the Warden?’

  ‘Yes, and we’re on the trail of his paymaster. Don’t worry, John, I’ll never forget them.’

  He clapped me on the back. ‘Good lad. That lass of yours is canny and no mistake. I think you’re batting out of your league there, Conrad.’

  ‘Good job I’m a bowler.’

  He found that hilarious for some reason.

  Shortly after, Maxine gave me the nod. I’d told her to tip me off when Tennille and Desirée were on their way down the corridor. I left Mina getting a crick in her neck talking to Dave Kelly (“If we get married, he cannot be your best man. I would look like a dwarf.” “You look nothing like a Dwarf. Too tall and no beard”), and headed out to face the music.

  Tennille was pushing the wheelchair, of course, and slowed down when she saw me.

  ‘Good afternoon, Mr Clarke,’ she said. Her voice had blown straight down from the Arctic. No wonder Desi had always done her homework if that was the alternative. ‘I hope your parents are well and had a good flight.’

  ‘Mum! You promised,’ said Desirée. She braced herself on the arms of the chair and rocked up. Then she saluted. ‘Sir.’

  I gave my crispest salute. ‘Lieutenant. How are you?’

  Desirée sat down again before replying. ‘Getting better, thanks. What have you got on your head? Under your hat, I mean?’

  I carefully lifted my cap to show her the scarf. Mina had tied it for me; it’s harder than you’d think.

  ‘Please tell me you didn’t buy that. It’s hideous.’

  ‘But functional, and it was a gift from the Constable.’

  Tennille wasn’t going to have this. She cleared her throat and said, ‘Just tell me why. Why did you drag my girl into your world of pain and death? Why?’

  ‘Leave it, Mum. It wasn’t Conrad, it was Hannah. Your boss, remember?’

  Tennille wasn’t going to blame Hannah if she could find another candidate. She looked at me. ‘You didn’t have to say yes. You could have spared my girl. Why did you do it?’

  I looked at Desi. ‘Shall I tell her?’

  She nodded. ‘I still think you’re an over-privileged white guy, but you got us out of that mess. You and the Gnome. Tell her, ’cos she wouldn’t believe me if I told her, and besides, I have no idea what you’re on about.’

  I looked from daughter to mother. ‘I said yes because of what she did last time we were here. She recovered first, and her instinct was to chase the bad guys because no one else could. That’s why I said yes.’

  Desi looked down. We’ll find out soon whether she still has that instinct, because Hannah processed Desirée into the Army Reserve. She’ll get paid that way, and we can call on her again if we need to.

  Tennille sniffed. ‘Move out of the way, Mr Clarke. We’re late as it is.’

  I had great fun watching Desi get out of the chair a few seconds later to salute Vicky.

  Mina was making friends with Maxine, the parents were swapping stories and I checked to see if anyone else had turned up. They’d roped off a different corner today, and I saw Francesca staring bleakly at the spot where Roland had fallen.

  I went over and said, ‘I’d forgotten something. Something he said just before it happened.’

  She gave me the tiredest smile. ‘Really?’

  ‘Yes. Do you know of Sister Theresa of Lunar Hall?’

  She frowned, a stabbing frown. ‘She’s a monumental shit, I know that, and you’ll know I wouldn’t describe another woman like that without reason. How on earth did her name come up?’

  ‘Theresa told me she’d known your brother. When I mentioned it to Roland, he seemed to think that he’d been sent a coded message. He was quite agitated, for Roland, and said he’d have to go and see her.’

  ‘Are you sure?’

  ‘All my short term memories came back in good order.’

  ‘Then I shall have to go. For his sake, not hers. Ursula Forton. That was her name. Is she old and in pain?’

  ‘No more than you, Keeper.’

  ‘That’s more than she deserves.’

  ‘Would you allow me to escort you, if you go?’

  ‘You’re up to something, aren’t you?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Then I’d be honoured.’

  Ian Drummond had replaced Tennille behind the scenes. He came out and asked us to take our places, then returned behind the closed door.

  Vicky wheeled Desirée, and the three of us took our places in front of the lectern.

  A door banged, away in the gloom, and Hannah’s voice said, ‘Attention!’

  We stood, and the royal party made their way forwards. Hannah, as the host, was in the lead, looking as uncomfortable in her uniform as ever. The bright red RMP cap sat on top of a matching scarlet headscarf, and she had just the one medal: the Queen’s Gallantry Cross. That one put all of mine into the shade.

  On her right was the Duke of Albion, Rector of the Invisible College and royal patron of all things magickal. To the mundane world, she is the Princess Royal, and was wearing her uniform as colonel-in-chief of the King’s Royal Hussars. Behind them came Ian Drummond and Michael Oldcastle, the Deputy Warden/Chaplain of Salomon’s House. I don’t like him.

  Bringing up the rear was Annelise van Kampen, and leaning on her arm was a very old Mage – the Senior Doctor of Chymic. His morning suit was decorated with the medals he’d earned during a distinguished career in the Watch.

  Hannah stood in front of the lectern and I gave my best salute. Vicky and Desi (from a seated position) joined in belatedly, and Hannah glared over my shoulder until Eddie and Oscar realised we were waiting for them. Finally, she returned their salute and asked us to be seated.

  She glanced at a piece of paper and placed it on the lectern. ‘Welcome to Newton’s House and a very special ceremony. Those who were here last time don’t need to be reminded of what happened, and we should never forget those who died. If you are abl
e to rise, please rise and join me in a minute’s silence.’

  We bowed our heads and Hannah read the three names.

  At the end of sixty seconds, she cleared her throat and spoke up. ‘Thank you. Please sit.’ She checked the piece of paper again and continued. ‘I nominated Conrad and Vicky for these medals – gallantry medals – not for the Watch, but on behalf of those whose lives were saved by their actions. We can’t know how many would have died if they hadn’t done what they did. I am certain that it would have been a lot, and they both put their duty ahead of their personal safety. Both were injured, and Vicky nearly didn’t come back. Nominating them was not only my duty, it was a personal privilege and a pleasure. Again, on behalf of the innocent, thank you.

  ‘Since then, there have been more sacrifices, and once again Conrad and Vicky stood up for the Watch. This time they were joined by Desirée Haynes, and I was again proud to mention her in my report. She will also be honoured today.’

  She bowed her head for a moment, then looked up and gave me a wry grin. ‘There are some small changes to the advertised programme. These awards were signed off at cabinet level, I assure you, but the Distinguished Flying Cross has to come from the Air Ministry. Believe it or believe it not, they wouldn’t let us have one unless I signed an affidavit saying that Conrad was flying a plane during the incident. I couldn’t do that, because he wasn’t, so today the Duke of Albion will be presenting not one but two Military Crosses and an oak leaf. Thank you, Your Royal Highness.’

  Hannah stepped back, and the Princess Royal stepped forward. Hannah said my name and rank.

  The rest you can guess. It’s strictly against the rules to repeat what royalty say on these occasions, and who am I to get in trouble? How did I feel? Proud. Happy. Did I well up when Vicky got her medal and the well-deserved ovation that went with it? Yes. 100%.

  When Desirée had her oak leaf, Hannah returned to the lectern and pulled out the box I’d been given by Lloyd Flint at Birmingham Station. ‘The final change to the programme is another presentation. It gives me great pleasure to report that Conrad has been appointed to an honorary position with the ancient and noble company of Clan Flint in Worcestershire. By special dispensation, he is now allowed to bear this with his uniform.’