by Sean Stone
The glass doors on the left slid open and a blond woman walked in. She was young, about the same age as the kidnappers, so not their mother then. She was dressed in a navy business suit — trouser not skirt and her vibrant hair was pulled into a back beehive style. She caught sight of me and stopped. Her mouth pursed and her hands went straight to her hips. “I suppose this was your idea?” she demanded of Bag-man. He shrugged.
“You said to bring him here,” he replied.
“Not against his will. Jesus, Dean. Why did you go along with it?” She turned on Kegan.
“He said to,” he replied and pointed pointlessly at Dean. She sighed and shook her head. “Get that chain off him,” she commanded.
“Sure?” he asked. She raised her eyebrows and he jumped over and began unbinding the chain from my wrists.
“I’m really sorry about this. I told them to invite you in, not kidnap you. I hope you weren’t harmed too badly on your way here,” the woman said.
“Not too badly, no. And it’s nothing compared to what’s going to happen to you.” Regardless of her intentions I did not appreciate being kidnapped and did not want to hang about to find out why I had been. As you know, I am a curious fellow, but I find in times like these it’s best to put the mystery on hold and just get to safety.
“Excuse me?” she asked, stunned.
Kegan finished removing the chain. I flashed him a cheeky wink before I snapped my fingers and put him to sleep. I snatched up the chain before it hit the floor and threw the other end across the room. Dean moved for me but a wave of my free hand sent the sofa crashing into him and knocked him down. It carried him right up to the window. I added a little magical weight to it to stop him getting up too quickly. My aim with the chain wasn’t as great as Kegan’s had been. It missed the blonde woman’s wrists but caught her on her upper arm. Luckily, you don’t actually need to bind both arms. You only need to form a circle around any part of the body. I gave the chain a small tug to pull her towards me. She jolted forwards in shock and only just avoided falling to her knees.
“Why don’t you explain what this is all about before I start throwing people through those windows,” I shouted, jerking my head angrily at the windows. It wasn’t an empty threat, I was going to do it, starting with Dean who I had developed an instant dislike for.
“I’ve read about you, Eddie. I know how resourceful you can be, especially when put under pressure,” she said calmly. Too calmly. “This effort is impressive but wasted.” She shrugged her shoulder and a ripple of light ran down her arm. When it touched the chain the metal cracked and fell from her. I still held my now useless end and stood looking stupidly at her. “Iron chains don’t work on me.” She was almost apologetic in her tone.
“So I see,” I said quietly. From what I’d learned, sorcerers who could not be bound with iron were incredibly uncommon. Less than a handful existed in the world. Meeting people like her was a rarity.
She moved her hand and the sofa returned to its original position. Dean was already on his feet behind it his face twisted in fury. Another flick of her wrist and my sleeping spell wore off Kegan and he too was back on his feet. Neither of them said a word but both scowled dangerously at me.
“Please don’t attack me again. Your magic is nothing compared to mine,” she said. I could tell she wasn’t bluffing and I abandoned any plans of fighting her. I was outdone. For now.
“Who are you, where am I and what do you want?” I asked. She might have the upper hand but that didn’t mean I was going to be all subdued and submissive. It’s just not my style.
“My name is Clara Winters. You’re in the Winters Research head office and I want to know why you and your friend hacked into restricted files earlier today?” she said politely. Each of her answers was like a fresh slap in the face. One of them wasn’t quite true though.
“The Winters Research office is not that far from Maidstone town centre and the journey here was at least half an hour so there is no way that’s where I am. Not to mention the fact that that office is nowhere near this tall,” I said. “Tell the truth, Clara.”
“The office in Maidstone is not our head office, Eddie.”
“No, the head office is in…” The penny dropped.
“Welcome to Cedarstone,” she said. Her chair wheeled itself right up behind her and she sat down gracefully.
“I do not want to be here,” I said in a low voice.
“I know that things were unpleasant here when you worked with my father but it’s a lot different now. It’s more peaceful.”
“Your father? Arthur Winters?”
“Yes.” I owed Matt an apology, apparently all Winters were related. He was not going to let me forget this one.
“How did you know I had my friend hack the files rather than him doing it of his own accord?” I asked.
“I’m a sorcerer, Eddie,” she said and I realised the foolishness of my question. “You guys can sit down,” she told the blokes behind the sofas. They both sat, but Dean glared at me the whole time.
“Have I done something to offend you?” I asked. I didn’t see what I could have done considering I’d never met him before and he was the one who’d kidnapped me.
“I hate warlocks,” he said grudgingly.
“But natural sorcerers are fine?” I indicated Clara.
“She didn’t kill for her power.”
“Neither did I. I was born this way,” I told him.
“Alright, Madonna,” he said with a grunt.
“Gaga,” Kegan said.
“What?” asked Dean.
“Born this way was by Lady Gaga, not Madonna.”
“Shut up, Kegan,” Dean said.
“So, Eddie, why did you hack our files?” Clara asked.
“Hang on, hang on.” I raised a finger to pause her. “Your files? You’re Winters Research not SIT and either way, I thought SIT was gone?”
“You’ve done your research. SIT is gone. We’re something else now.”
“Still with MI5?” I asked.
“You don’t ask the questions,” Dean snapped.
“Dean, please.” Clara raised her hand. “After SIT was… destroyed, the three of us created a new organisation. A better one. We work with the government and their agencies when we need to. Not for them. And that’s about all you need to know for now. Now, I’ve answered your questions, you need to answer mine,” she said pleasantly enough. It was hard to refuse her when she was being so polite and reasonable. She still hadn’t told me why I was here. I was sure we’d get to that though.
“I’ve been hired to work a case for the police,” I told her. She nodded along as I spoke. “I needed the restricted Panomie files.”
She nodded. “My dad told me about you a year ago. At first I wrote you off as a bit of a muppet. A low-level warlock just out to make some money. I kept an eye on you to make sure you didn’t cause any problems and then something happened. You got yourself into trouble with Killian Myers. I had no idea he was a seer until your incident with him. Then you impressed me. You wrote a ritual to create invincibility and super-strength. You did then give it to the worst possible person which was stupid. But you did then defeat him. Impressive again. After that you carried on impressing me. You defeated a warlock much more powerful than yourself and made her unable to take on magic ever again. That was super impressive, I really liked the final touch. What I’m saying is I was wrong about you. And I think you might be useful to us in the future. That’s why when I heard that Panomie was active in Maidstone I used my contacts to make sure Detective Inspector Richards was given the case and I sent him files that were above his clearance. I knew he would bring the case to you.”
“I am very confused,” I said. “Why did you want me on this case? How am I useful to you?” I asked. I had no vested interest in their little organisation or doing anything for them.
“I want you on this case to see how good you really are. Defeating Killian and Rachel were things you were forced to do.
You didn’t have a choice, it was win or die. With this Panomie case you aren’t in any danger. You have no real motivation. I want to see if you can solve this case, the case that no-one else could solve. And if you can then I have a use for you in the future,” said Clara.
“That all sounds thrilling, the whole test of my abilities and all that like I’m in some sort of Greek mythological legend. But seriously, why would I help you?” Maybe if her buddies hadn’t kidnapped me I would’ve been more willing to help.
“Rachel Lecon,” she said simply.
“Rachel’s in prison.”
“Rachel is awaiting trial. We’ve reviewed the evidence against her and it’s weak. Not to mention she has a fantastic solicitor. If the case goes to trial as it is she will walk free.” She had a very compelling argument. The only evidence was a few witness statements. Nothing more.
“So what can you do?”
She shook her head. “I can take care of it. I have contacts in the government.”
“So what do you want my help with?” I asked.
“Our intelligence tells us that something big is coming,” she said ominously. I hate it when people talk in riddles. Why can’t they just say what they mean?
“Go on,” I said.
“I’d rather leave it at that for now. I want to see how you do with this Panomie case. Solve it and we’ll be back in touch.”
“If I want to get in touch with you again I know you work here so I can just swing by,” I told her.
She gave me a sympathetic smile. “I don’t think you will, though.” She was right. I hated Cedarstone. I wasn’t coming back willingly. “Good luck with Panomie. Kegan and Dean will take you home.”
We took an Audi back rather than the van and I was given the privilege of not being chained and bagged. I asked several questions during the drive but not one of them was answered. Kegan politely told me he couldn’t give me any information whereas Dean completely blanked me. They dropped me off outside my house and I paused just outside of the car.
“Is there anything you can tell me that might help with the Panomie case?” I asked. Clara had been part of the team that had worked on the original case so they might know something. Kegan shook his head.
“There’s a pattern,” Dean said without looking at me. “Look closely and you’ll see it.” Before I could reply he drove away.
7
I was tired when I got in but too intrigued to sleep. I pulled out the files and got to work looking for the pattern Dean had told me about. It would have been helpful if the old SIT guys had included a copy of the pattern in the files but I assumed the pattern had only been discovered after their demise. It didn’t take long for me to realise that actually they pretty much had included it. There was an A3 map of Kent folded in a clear plastic wallet. When I unfolded it and laid it over my bed I saw that there was a number representing each kidnapping that had taken place in Kent in order. They only went up to 2014 so I had to add all the kidnappings that had taken place over the last two years. Once I was finished I looked over the map and the pattern was blindingly obvious. It was also unusual. The last three kidnappings had all taken place in Maidstone but not just anywhere in Maidstone, they were all near Penenden Heath. Before that six kidnappings had taken place in Folkestone, all near Radnor Park. Before that Gillingham, all near Medway Hospital. The kidnappings seemed to spring up in random places with no apparent connection but then they would all take place in one localised area. I got a map of the country off Google and plotted the kidnappings that took place outside of Kent. The pattern continued. For some reason Panomie was targeting very specific areas in each town before moving on. The question was, what led him to each town and what made him stay in those small areas? The time between his appearance in each area varied from a couple of weeks to several months.
I fell asleep still thinking about it and when I woke it was to the familiar sound of Doris and Gavin seeing who could shout the loudest. It was a wonder the neighbours never complained about the amount of noise coming from their constant arguments. I climbed out of bed and jumped straight in the shower. By the time I was out and dressed the arguing had stopped. They must have gone out. I headed out too, in the direction of Penenden Heath. Something had drawn Panomie to the area and hopefully I’d be able to find whatever it was. If it was still there.
I jumped a little when my phone started ringing and broke my concentration. I pulled it out and saw it was Matt. I still felt a bit awkward after what had happened with his neighbour but I answered all the same. “What’s up?” I asked. The best course of action was to behave as though I’d done nothing wrong.
“I told you I shouldn’t have done that hack for you,” he said at once. He was not a happy Matty.
“What happened?” I asked with dread.
“I have a meeting with Clara — fucking — Winters. The fucking CEO!” he yelled. That was concerning. What could she want with him? I’d assumed that it was only me she was interested in.
“Did she say what it was about?” I asked.
“Of course not. She didn’t deliver the fucking message herself, Eddie! My supervisor did. He just said Miss Winters has something she wants to discuss with me.”
“Where is the meeting, Matt?” There was absolutely no way I was going to let him go to Cedarstone. I didn’t care if there’d been peace for a long time. The place was dangerous and that was that.
“At work, why?”
“Just wondering,” I said with relief. “Listen, Matt, I’m sure it’s going to be fine.” I reluctantly told him everything that had happened after I’d left his yesterday. Then I waited for the tongue lashing. Instead he just sighed resignedly.
Eventually he did speak but it was in a quiet and defeated voice. “Every time I help you I manage to get caught up in whatever mess you’re in. Every time.”
“Matt—”
“No. Just listen,” he snapped. “I help you every time you ask. Even though it puts me and Emma in danger. Yesterday I asked you for one thing. I asked you to help me build a shed and you wouldn’t do it. It wouldn’t have put you in danger. It wouldn’t have cost you anything but an hour or two of your time. Do I mean that little to you that you can’t even spare me a couple of hours?”
“It’s not like that, Matt,” I said. He was right though. I hadn’t acted the way a friend should. There was nothing I could say to redeem myself because I was in the wrong and I knew it. Not that I was going to admit it. Pride often gets in the way of doing the right thing.
“My meeting with Clara is this afternoon. If I lose my job or if anything bad happens to me then we’re done. What do I need with a one-sided friendship anyway?” He hung up without another word and I stood on Boxley Road feeling very small. As I stood thinking about it my shame started to fade away and I began to care less about what Matt had said. He could blame me for his own misfortune if he wanted but actually I never forced him to do anything. He decided to help me of his own free will. I was not responsible. And if he wanted to terminate our friendship then fine. I’m sure he wasn’t the only hacker in Maidstone. I’d just find another. He wasn’t just a hacker though, he was my friend. My best friend. But then, does a twenty-seven year old man really need a best friend? Not really. All people were expendable. Rachel taught me that. I slid my phone back into my pocket and carried on towards Penenden Heath.
I found a position that was sort of in the middle of the three kidnap sites. I’m not good enough at maths to get the location perfect. I passed Ashley’s house on the way and felt a pang of sadness. I hadn’t been up this way for months. Not since she’d ended our friendship. It was tempting to go and knock. I did miss her. More than I wanted to admit. I hadn’t even seen her since she’d told me we couldn’t be friends anymore. I’d expected her to relent after a week or so like she had before, but she never did. She stuck to her guns. Hadn’t called, hadn’t texted. Not even an email. Nothing. I was noticing a pattern; one by one my friends were starting to associate me with
trouble. Oh well, who needs friends anyway? I did just fine before I had them, I’d do fine again without them. A lot of the time they were a burden anyway. Just something your enemies could use against you.
I found the middle point and sat down on someone’s garden wall. I did all the usual stuff to help me concentrate. Clear the mind, deep breathing and all that. Then I felt out and extended my magic into the world like thin magical tentacles. If there was anything magical that had lured Panomie to this location then I would hopefully pick it up. I got nothing. Well, I did get something. Loads of somethings. There were sorcerers all around the area but I didn’t think they were what had drawn Panomie in. The trouble was I didn’t know what Panomie was looking for so it was too difficult to know what to feel for. Just searching for magical stuff was like looking for a fish in the ocean. There’s loads of them but is it the right one? Nobody knows. I needed more specifics. Then a better idea came to me.
In Harry Potter, Voldemort put a spell on his name so every time someone said it he would know. If I could do the same to Panomie’s name then maybe I would find him next time he targeted a little girl. Now, because I am not Voldemort I do not have the power to encompass the whole world with the spell. Or even the whole town. But I knew the area Panomie was working in and I could put the spell on that no problem.
I headed to my storage unit to get some supplies. I kept an old chest of drawers near the front of the unit and what I needed was inside. The drawers were filled with a variety of magical stones. Stones are very useful in complicated rituals. I needed lapis lazuli and obsidian. Both had psychic and intuitive powers. The first load of lapis lazuli I pulled out were green. I’d taken them from Killian Myers who’d been using them to enhance his psychic abilities. Usually lapis lazuli was blue but he’d had his spelled to make their purpose more specific. That made them useless to me, I needed the more general lapis lazuli, the blue ones. I found the box which contained them and then grabbed some obsidian as well. I grabbed myself a large mixing bowl that I’d stolen from Doris’ kitchen and never returned. I know, I’m very naughty. I put four of the rough glassy black obsidian stones into the bowl, followed by four light blue lazuli stones. I concentrated on the name Panomie and infused the name into the stones. I taught them to recognise it when spoken. The more I poured magic into the stones the brighter they shone and when the bowl looked like it was holding a small sparkly treasure I knew the spell was almost done. There was just one more thing. The stones needed to know who to alert when they heard the name. I took out my knife and slid the blade down my palm. The sharp pain was instant but this wasn’t the first time I’d done it. Magic numbed the pain and once I’d dripped a sufficient amount of my blood into the bowl I rubbed my hands together and healed the wound. I looked at my palm. As good as new. I always like to make sure I’ve healed myself properly. I had to wait for the blood to dry on the stones. It’s one of those things that has to happen naturally too, it can’t be sped up with magic. I don’t know why, that’s just the way it is. Once it was dry, I put one of each rock into small velvet bags. I then returned to the kidnap area. I placed one bag, each containing a pair of the bloody stones, at the points of the compass surrounding the Penenden Heath area. If the name Panomie was mentioned inside the radius I would know immediately. Unless I’d done the spell wrong in which case I didn’t know what was going to happen. I assumed that I had not messed the spell up and returned home to wait. I really hoped that Panomie hadn’t already moved on.
