Red Dragon Prophecy by John Hindmarsh

Author:John Hindmarsh [Hindmarsh, John]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rexon Press
Published: 2019-03-17T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Once we were settled in the living room, Angel’s house pixies brought in her version of an afternoon tea for a royal guest. I think there was enough food on display to feed all the palace people outside, as well. We all laughed. Angel had included two of Zed’s bottles of Cornish bubbly and that’s where we started.

We chatted. About the weather. The city of Londin. The megaliths. Makeup. Hair. Food. Wine. Girl things.

At last, Queenie sat back and said, “Dena, I hope you don’t mind, but I do have an ulterior motive for visiting.”

“I suspected. Although, I would also enjoy a totally social occasion, informal, shoes off, feet up.”

Morwen and Vic nodded their agreement.

“Of course, my dear. I will arrange it, at my place, next time. Hmm. No, on second thoughts we’ll do it here. Far more relaxing.” I waited. Queenie looked at each of us in turn. “I assume talking to one is talking to three, and talking to three is talking to one?”

“Pretty much,” Morwen replied. “We’re identical.” She wasn’t giving ground.

“You omitted stubborn?” A large grin accompanied the suggestion.

“Oh, and a lot more,” Morwen still wasn’t giving way.

Queenie laughed. “I already had that impression, from my conversation with your elder sister. So, I’m speaking to three. That works for me. Tell me about Finders. No fluff.”

I said, “Queenie, I can do that. Can I request a follow-up topic?”

“Certainly.”

“Tell me about royal shapeshifters.”

“Did Zed say something?”

“No. Does he know?”

“Some. Later. A lot later. Now, Finders.”

“That’s easy. We find and recover things. People. Missing ransoms. Stolen artwork and other valuables. We do corporate stuff, evaluate takeovers, check governance, investigate frauds. Large ticket items. Our fees are very high, and our success rate is higher.”

“I’d heard about the fees and successes. There was a problem with the Tir-Kiran?”

“Our senior management went rotten. They’ve been dismissed and punished. Half the ransom’s been recovered and returned to the Tir-Kiran Embassy and the other half is due today and will also be paid on.” I made mental note to check if Lucifer had sent the second payment.

“Who has replaced the rotten management?”

“Me and Morwen.”

“Ah. Excellent. I’d heard most of what you’ve told me. Zed is a delegate for the owners?”

“Yes. He has full control over the company.”

“No one knows who owns Finders?”

“Apart from Zed? No.”

Queenie laughed again. “I see the details are still held close. Not important.” She sketched a sigil. “In case of eavesdropping. Even my own people listen when they shouldn’t.”

“We have sound shields in every room. Also, we have a very secure basement, if that’s necessary?”

“Oh, no. Between both our spells, I think it would be difficult for anyone to listen. Your’s cause burnt ears? Mine cause more than that. No, we’re safe.” She thought for a moment. “Very well. In confidence, word given?”

Each of us agreed.

“You can brief Zed, of course. The same undertaking is required, though. We’ve mislaid something. Or it has been stolen. My suspicion is the latter. My advisers are hoping it’s the former. We’re at an impasse.

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