Nine of Wands

by Mark Hayden

  ‘Thank you. You’ve been most helpful. Is there anyone else in her room?’

  ‘Her boyfriend came in with her and left before the scan. What are you going to do? Do I need to see a warrant for her arrest?’

  ‘No warrant needed. She’s escaped from custody, so I can just walk in. I’d prefer to do it quietly for obvious reasons. We’ll take her away in a private ambulance.’ My phone pinged. I checked the message. ‘My colleague has the room under observation.’

  He shot out of his chair and went to a monitor on another desk. He pressed a button, and live CCTV images flickered into life. ‘Where are they?’

  ‘I don’t know. Could you take me there immediately.’

  I moved so that he could get to the door but couldn’t get back behind his desk. He nodded and led me back to reception and then down the corridor. We passed the expensive consulting rooms and came to a wide corridor with a nurse’s station to the left and half a dozen recovery rooms on each side. The right hand end was a pair of double doors to the car park that had yellow hatching in front of them.

  ‘This way,’ said the director. He stopped and pointed to one of the rooms.

  ‘One second,’ I said. I touched the Hammer and brought up my Ancile. When I did so, the director caught a glimpse of the gun. I covered it with my jacket, and said, ‘I won’t be needing it, I’m sure. Thank you for your help. I’ll take it from here. If the surgeon turns up, tell him to wait.’

  ‘Right. Yes. I’ll be in my office or in reception.’ He paused. ‘What if the boyfriend shows up?’

  ‘My colleague will deal with him.’

  When he’d gone, I took out the Hammer and pushed open the door.

  Irina Ispahbudhan was a sorry sight when I opened the door. She looked a lot worse when she recognised me and saw the gun. She jerked upright on the bed, and did something to her leg that made her flop back down again with a strangled cry.

  I checked the room for any surprises, such as the Master lurking in a corner. The only surprise I got was from the window, where Sammi winked at me. I moved to the bed and levelled the gun at her chest. Tears were forming and spilling at the corner of her eyes, wrecking the makeup she must have spent a long time applying this morning. She’d never made much of an effort for the Gnomes, and she’d dyed the grey out of her hair, too.

  ‘Do you have any Artefacts?’

  She shook her head. ‘Can’t take them in the scanner. I thought I was safe in here.’

  I checked her for magickal hot-spots, then moved to the window and cracked it open as far as it would go. Saffron hopped over the flowerbed and came to listen.

  ‘All good here. The Master came earlier and may come back, so watch the car park. Have you heard back from the Boss?’

  ‘All sorted. About an hour.’

  ‘Good.’

  I went back to the bed. ‘You are safe in here, and you’ll be just as safe in the Undercroft. There’s an ambulance on the way.’ I holstered the gun. ‘And if you tell me where I can find your boyfriend, we can let you go back to Oak Tree. According to the clinical director here, your knee’s just about shot, I’m afraid.’

  She cried and cried. I took some tissues from the nightstand and pressed them into her hand. I stepped back and opened the door, keeping one eye on Irina in case she did something really stupid. I held up my ID and shouted to the nurse. ‘Sorry to bother you, what’s the procedure for room service?’

  ‘I’ll sort it. What do you want?’

  ‘Two teas. One with sugar.’

  While I waited, and to give Irina time to pull herself together, I called Vicky. I’d just finished updating her when the director himself appeared with the teas, putting himself in harm’s way to protect his staff. I bet he’s a good boss. I thanked him and took the teas to the nightstand, then pulled up a chair.

  ‘Yours has got sugar in it,’ I said.

  ‘You’re all the bloody same. Tea. Nothing but tea for the pain. Sod off.’

  ‘Can’t do that, I’m afraid. You don’t have to drink the tea, but you do have to talk to me.’ I took a sip. ‘Actually, you should drink the tea. It’s good, for a hospital, which is where you need to be, for your sake and the baby’s. You have to think about him first.’

  ‘What do you know about it?’

  ‘I don’t know if you’ll make a good mother; that’s for certain. Believe me, Irina, I really want to give you the chance to find out. As things stand, they’re not looking good.’

  ‘I’ll recover. One way or another.’

  I shook my head. ‘We did a deal. I kept my side of the bargain. You broke yours. You lied about the Master. You assaulted a Bailiff. You absconded. All bets are off, I’m afraid.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘I mean that you could find yourself giving birth by C-Section and never even holding your child before its taken away. Not once . And then you could find yourself in a Limbo Chamber for three years. I think they send the rescued babies – that’s what they call them, by the way – I think they send the rescued babies abroad. We have a reciprocal deal.’

  ‘Empty threats,’ she said. Her eyes contradicted her. She was rattled, and nearly ready to give in. ‘I’m not saying anything until I’ve seen a lawyer, and definitely not here. You said it yourself, I need medical attention.’

  I held her gaze until she broke it and reached for the tea. ‘Your boyfriend has abandoned you, Irina. You won’t see him again.’

  She slammed down the tea, slopping it over the surface. ‘He’s not my boyfriend!’ She scrabbled in the nightstand and brought out an old tin. ‘He’s my husband. I had to take these off for the scanner, now I’m putting them back on. See?’

  She twisted the tin lid and took out a set of rings: engagement, wedding, eternity, all in rose gold with emeralds for the stones. Nice. I was more interested in the tin.

  Granddad Enderby was a Lincolnshire countryman turned Lincolnshire mechanic after serving in the tank regiment. He was pleased as punch when his daughter got into grammar school and thrilled beyond words when she got into Cambridge. He was less thrilled by her choice of husband, but he came round in the end. I can remember him walking up to the well at Elvenham not long before he died, trailing a cloud of thick, rich and spicy pipe smoke behind him and telling my father that it was going to be a good year for tomatoes. He filled his pipe from a tin exactly like the one Irina kept her wedding bands in, and the only other person I’ve ever known to do that was the Geomancer who set up the Dragon’s Nest in Wales.

  When Vicky and I headed in to stop the Dragon Brotherhood, three people escaped. They weren’t part of the Brotherhood, but they’d enabled it and they knew where the magick had come from. When Helen Davies and I searched their abandoned vehicle, the same smell permeated the air. No wonder the Master wanted to keep himself well away from us.

  Irina tried to shove her rings on to fingers that had swollen since she last wore them regularly. I put my hand on hers to hold her back. ‘Stop. You’ll make it worse. I’ve got the message.’

  She stopped trying and gripped the rings in her hand. She was clearly devoted to him, but I got the feeling she was protesting a little too much.

  I mopped up the spilt tea and settled down again. ‘I spoke to Lloyd this morning. He says that Wesley gave you a token when you were made clan counsel. He reckons that you and your husband could use it to get into the First Mine. If you were willing to take a few risks.’

  ‘So?’

  ‘What does that say? For the chance of getting into the mine, he’s moved you out to this place, damaged your knee and risked his child. For what? For gold? Come on, Irina. What does that say about the man?’

  ‘It’s our gold! We made it, and it’s ours.’

  ‘Then why didn’t you just walk away with it? You could have been in and out of the First Mine and we’d have shrugged. Why did you attack me? Why put yourselves on the wanted list?’

  She started crying again. ‘Because of her.’

  ‘
Which her?’

  ‘The Fae. She forced Ivan and Eilidh to attack you for that diamond. We had no choice.’

  ‘You’re doing well, Irina. What’s Ivan’s family name?’

  A look of pure horror spread across her face. I hadn’t tricked her out of giving her husband’s name, she’d got so worn down she couldn’t cope any more. She started shaking her head, pressing her lips together.

  ‘One more name, Irina, and you can go. Just one more name and I’ll walk out of that door and take Saffron with me. You and Ivan can leave the country in peace and raise your child somewhere safe. Just tell me the name of the Fae and I’ll go.’

  She shifted on her pillow and grabbed a ladies’ handkerchief. It was edged with flowers and looked hand-sewn. The initials in the corner were in Arabic. An heirloom? A piece of juvenile craft work? She shoved it in her mouth and bit down. The message couldn’t be clearer, neither could the sliver of black that had peeped out from under her pillow. I was going to search her, but she’d saved me the trouble.

  ‘Excuse me, Irina, I’ll just take that.’

  I grabbed her left hand and used it to pin down her right. It only took a second to slip the phone out from the pillow. I pressed the button and the screen came up. It wasn’t even locked. I let go her hands and stepped back. It was a brand-new Samsung Galaxy. Very expensive. There were only two contacts in the book: Ivan and Isaac.

  My heart lurched in my chest and the screen went out of focus for a second. I stumbled back to the window and shouted for Saffron. Then I shouted again.

  She bounded along the path, with Scout hard on her heels. ‘Sir? What’s up?’

  ‘The Master was here this morning. He’d use a Glamour, yes, but what about his car? He was in here with Irina for some time.’

  ‘Change the number plates, probably. It’s mega-hard to change the appearance of cold iron when you’re not in it.’

  ‘I need you to check the CCTV. Come back in here when you’ve finished and tell me what car he was driving.’

  ‘Sir.’ She looked down. ‘Scout, stay.’ Then she sprinted back towards reception.

  Irina had retreated into herself completely. I forced myself not to pace and checked the messages and browser history on the phone. There was a heartbreaking exchange between Irina and Ivan where she told him what the clinical director had said to her, and she’d lapped up his promises to get her the best surgeon in Paris. Bastard. There was nothing on the log for Isaac.

  Saffron slipped into the room and closed the door softly. ‘He was driving a big black Mercedes saloon. One of the really expensive ones. Scout was sniffing about all over where he’d parked, and he never barked once, so there’s no residual magick there from a Glamour.’

  My heart squeezed itself and all my ribs compressed. This was bad. Very bad. ‘Go and get all your kit out of the car. I need to get off. This is bad, Saff, and you’ll have to stay with Irina until she’s under lock and key. I’ll tell you why when you get back from the car.’

  As soon as she’d gone I went and towered over Irina. ‘Your husband is a bastard. A first rate shit. I hope there’s someone with me when I catch him, because otherwise I may kick him to death. Not for my sake, or Vicky’s. For Carole. And as for you, how could you go along with that? How could you let him seduce her and propose to her?’

  She cowered back in to the pillows for a second until I’d finished, then she took the handkerchief out of her mouth. ‘She is nothing but a cheap tart. He’s not the first man to use his PA as cover.’

  ‘PA? Is that what he told you? Carole Thewlis is a professional woman. Ben was right, she deserves so much more than your slippery shit of a husband.’

  I wheeled away in disgust and called Mina.

  ‘Hi. Hang on, let me save this,’ she said. ‘Done.’

  ‘Where’s Vicky?’ I said.

  She heard the urgency in my voice. ‘Lying down in her room.’

  ‘Get Myvvy and Erin and get up to her. Get Myvvy to find out where Ben is. There’s a big problem. I’ll call Vicky in a minute and explain it to her.’

  ‘Are you OK?’

  ‘I am. Myfanwy won’t be when she hears what’s been going on.’

  ‘I’m on it, Conrad. Love you.’

  Saffron returned with her rucksack and her holdall.

  I passed her Irina’s phone. ‘We’ve identified the Master. Real name Ivan. Also known as Isaac Fisher.’

  Her mouth opened in shock. ‘As in the fiancé of Ben’s sister? Are you sure?’

  ‘Yes. Irina confirmed it. If he texts, can you pretend to be Irina and forward any messages to me. Can you fill in Hannah and get Ruth to try tracking both of those numbers. I need to get on the road to Clerkswell. We don’t want a hostage situation to develop. They’ve tried just about every other shitty trick in the book.’

  ‘Right. The director said something while I was looking at the CCTV. He said the driver of the private ambulance complained about the roadworks on the M5.’

  ‘That’s good to know. Well done. There’s one more job before I go.’

  I stood with my back to Irina and showed Saffron the restraints. She nodded and we moved quickly to tie Irina to the bed. She didn’t put up a fight.

  ‘Take care, sir.’

  ‘And you.’

  I jogged out of the room and through the double doors. Scout left his post guarding the window and scampered along. The Nine of Wands was definitely not finished with me yet.

  28 — The Master

  Myfanwy swore loudly and longly in Welsh when I broke the news. Vicky had put me on speaker, and when Myfanwy had run out of steam, Mina’s smaller voice broke through. ‘Conrad, I know you’re sure, but are you sure sure?’

  A small part of me inside smiled. ‘Yes, I’m sure. Irina admitted it.’

  Vicky spoke up. ‘Where are you and what the fuck are we gonna do?’

  ‘I’m on my way to Clerkswell. It’ll take over an hour, but unless I hear otherwise, I think he’s in our neck of the woods.’

  ‘What makes you think that?’

  ‘Irina was taken to Tettenhall by private ambulance, and it went up the M5. Where’s Ben? Where’s Carole?’

  Myfanwy spoke up. ‘Ben’s standing in a field of Barley near Tibberton, wherever that is. He’s also wondering whether I’ve gone mad. Carole is in Amsterdam.’

  ‘Tell him to get to Elvenham as soon as he can. Just tell him it’s urgent.’

  Vicky said, ‘I hate to say this, Conrad, but can Saffron cope on her own if he turns up?’

  ‘We’ve restrained Irina. I’m going to call Saff in a second and tell her to move Irina to a different room. I’ll also tell her to run if Fisher turns up.’

  ‘You’d better make that a direct order,’

  ‘Don’t worry, Vic, I will. I’ll keep you posted.’

  I rang off and gave it a few minutes before I called Saffron. She sounded a little worried and a very much up for it when I gave her the orders. She also said that Hannah was going to put her wig on.

  ‘What on earth for?’

  ‘She said, and I quote, “So that I can tear out my hair at Conrad Clarke and all his works.” She also sounded a bit pleased. I think.’

  ‘That’s about right. You get on with the relocation.’

  ‘Will do.’ She paused. ‘When our ambulance turns up, where should I take her?’

  ‘Get hold of Xavi. He can be at the Oak Tree Milton Keynes waiting for you. I loathe and detest Irina Ispahbudhan, but if she doesn’t get remedial surgery soon, she may never walk again without crutches. I did actually once say that I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy, and Irina is not top of that list.’

  ‘Right. I’ll get on to it.’

  I disconnected and focused on the road. I’d opted to miss out the M5 roadworks and take the old road down to Worcester. At this time in the afternoon, it should be twenty minutes quicker. As I crossed the boundary into Worcestershire, I had a vision of the Nine of Wands shoving a lorry into the crash barrie
r ahead of me and blocking the road. It’s a good job I don’t have any skill in Divination, or I’d really worry. Then my phone rang: Ruth Kaplan.

  ‘I’ve got some news. Good news for a change.’

  ‘Tell me.’

  ‘The number for “Ivan” is switched off. The number for “Isaac” however is very much active. It’s pinging off a mast just north of Tewkesbury. Do you want me to authorise a hack? We might get the geolocation.’

  ‘Too risky. Just let me know the minute it moves or goes dark.’

  ‘Will do. Are you going to tell Hannah, or shall I?’

  ‘I’ll do it. Thanks, Ruth.’

  Hannah was waiting for my call and gave thanks when I told her the news. ‘What’s your plan?’

  ‘We’ve got a tiny window, ma’am. If we don’t move now, we could lose him forever. He’ll soon find out his cover is blown and he’ll scarper.’ I took a deep breath. ‘I know you’re not going to like this, but I want to use Ben, Erin and Mina as spotters. We know that Fisher isn’t hiding his car. Four pairs of eyes will be better than one. Don’t worry, I’ll only move in if I can do it safely.’

  ‘Don’t worry? You want to take one and half civilians and a woman who threatened Vicky with a shotgun?’

  ‘I’ll tell Mina you said she was half a civilian. I trust them. I don’t see a better plan.’

  ‘Mina, reluctantly, but yes. Erin if you say so. Mr Thewlis, I’m not sure about.’

  ‘If he finds out I’ve arrested Fisher and that Myfanwy knew about it first, it will cause a lot of problems you don’t need.’

  ‘Why should it cause me problems. Remember that your problems are not necessarily my problems.’

  ‘You’ll need to find Myfanwy somewhere else to live. You don’t need that.’

  ‘I don’t. You’re right, Conrad. Catching Fisher could lead us straight to the Fae who’s behind all this. Hashem guide you.’

  Knowing that Tewkesbury was the target area would save nearly half an hour. I called Mina and told her to to grab some maps and head for the Starbucks roadhouse just east of Junction 9 on the M5. Then I told her to pass the phone to Erin.