chapter 16

“Yes mom. This is who I am going to house share with. And yes, I am aware of Ruby’s status at the agency.” I quickly added in my head, just how much I knew of her status. I surreptitiously sent a glance towards my father. I wonder if he knew who Ruby really was? He did used to be a senior agent, after all. But saying that, I knew my father thought Gabe was the big boss. So maybe not.

I looked around at the others, who still looked like deers caught in headlights. I addressed my mom’s questions first.

“Yes mom. This is who I am going to house share with. And yes, I am aware of Ruby’s status at the agency.” I quickly added in my head, just how much I knew of her status.

I surreptitiously sent a glance towards my father. I wonder if he knew who Ruby really was? He did used to be a senior agent, after all. But saying that, I knew my father thought Gabe was the big boss. So maybe not.

I pushed my thoughts away, and focused on the job at hand.

“Okay, guys. Ruby and myself. And Remus.” I amended, irritated that the bloody cat was so demanding, “will go over to the library, ask some questions and have a look around. As Ruby said, we will then head home. So I can drop my things off, then we can all meet back

here, around four o clock?”

I looked around, and saw everyone nod their heads in approval of my plan. But I noticed the tight look on my moms face. And made a mental note to speak to her later, just the two of us.

She clearly had concerns about my living arrangements. I would just have to spend some time trying to alleviate any worries she had.

Ruby said goodbye to everyone, which caused Jace to blush to the roots of his hair. I chuckled at that, then gave everyone a small wave. And left. With Remus trotting along behind me, and Ruby blazing a path to the library doors.

I chuckled too myself at Ruby’s excitement. It was infectious and I could feel myself get caught up in it. I skipped ahead of them both, reaching the door to the library first. My hand turned the handle, without any thought, I pushed at the door so I could walk in.

Instead, I pushed the door, it didn’t budge. But due to my momentum, and my stupidity at assuming the door was merely shut, not locked. I found myself face planting the door instead.

Remus snickered, Ruby looked concerned. I tried to brush it off, as if it had never happened. But my face betrayed me, as it glowed scarlet. I even think my ears turned red. I was trying to be a professional, and instead, I end up looking like an ass.

Remus, was still chuckling, “suave.” Was all he said. All the while flicking his big bushy tail, back and forth.

I knocked on the door, which was answered at once by a very unhappy William. “Please, come in.” He said with a weary tone to his voice.

I hissed at the bloody cat to hurry and get inside. It made Remus walk slower. This cat was going to end up as a hat, if he wasn’t careful.

“Get in, quickly.” I demanded. Ruby was already inside, and looking around. An expression of great interest on her face.

I almost slammed the bloody cat’s tail in the closing door. Something he did not miss. He gave me a scathing look, then marched over to the counter, jumped up and placed his ‘royal pain the in backside’ self, on some papers that were strewn all over the top.

“William, please sit down and explain what has happened. And please, leave no detail out. However insignificant it may be. Okay?”

William lifted his head up at my words. The way he looked up at me, and his reaction to us all sitting together, was rather alarming.

William had no recollection of letting us in. He was surprised to see us all sitting around one of his reading tables.

I sent a thought out to Remus, who did as I bid, without any problem.

Now, that surprised me!

Anyway, I looked at William more closely. I noticed the tension within his body, in the way he was sitting. I saw the off colour, of his skin tone. More importantly though, I saw a look in his eyes I had never seen before, but had heard of. Remus was back and told me he hadn’t found any sort of drug or herb in the back room. Williams mug, which Remus also checked out, held nothing suspicious, as well.

Remus, please go and fetch my father. I watched the cat hurry to the door, which Ruby had opened for him. Few minutes later there was a light knock on the door, it opened to reveal my father standing outside.

I beckoned him in, and closed and locked the door behind him.

I quickly explained what we had found. My father frowned for a second, then strode over to squat in-front of William. He address the other man in a quiet, soothing voice.

After a few minutes, my father walked back to us to give us his appraisal of the situation.

My father did not allude to anything he had heard or witnessed, regarding William. He simply, walked past us, casually asking that we follow him back to the bookstore, as soon as we could.

“Dad, I have not finished my preliminary sweep of the scene, yet. We will come to the bookstore when we have finished here.”

I held my head high, as I could feel my fathers eyes, burning into me. This was the first time I had ever gone against his wishes.

I could see he wanted to challenge me. But Ruby was standing next to me, so he said nothing.

He just nodded at us all, shouted a goodbye to William, and left.

I blew out the breath I had been holding. I bit my lip, worried that I had pushed my father too far. He was always the one in control, of any situation. Be it at home or at work.

Ruby gave me an appeasing smile. And put both her thumbs up, indicating that I had done the right thing. That helped calm my jumpy nerves. I managed a crack a small smile back to her.

Then told them both to look around. Remus, of course, grumbled loudly at this. But did it, nonetheless.

After an hour, we all had to agree that nothing was out of place. There were no clues here, nothing, that could help me find old Mr Frogget.

All the while William has sat in the seat I had asked him to sit in, earlier. It looked like he hadn’t moved a muscle. It was so weird.

I bade him, farewell. Then we all made our way back over to the bookstore.

Upon entering the said store, I found a flurry of activity, My mom was shouting out numbers, to an unseen Jace. While my father sat at the table, already a stack of books sat on the table in front of him.

He looked up as we entered, sitting down on the opposite side of the table.

Jace walked out from one of the book cases, his arms full of books.

“Hi Dess. Umm, hi Ruby.” He said quietly. He had gone a little pink. It was adorable. My father looked at Ruby, not me. And said two words.

“It’s back!”