Amaryllis monitored the ten friends, sleeping in Tweldor's infirmary. She caught Libuse's eye and smiled. "They are all safe and sleeping soundly now."

"Thank God! I cannot break my promise to Annette," Libuse said.

"You haven't. You won't. We will keep her safe, Domina," Amaryllis replied. "I'd best get back to the hospital. Knowing Frank, he'll be panicking right now. I am rarely late."

Libuse nodded. "Yes, we both have work to do."

Opening a portal directly to Rosemonde's room at the hospital, she sent Amaryllis through before proceeding to the council chambers. She was surprised to find Rhys and Myrddin, among those gathered.

"I hear the dreamwalk was successful," Rhys remarked.

"Yes, all is well this end. What are you two doing here?" Libuse asked.

"Constantine does not have a temple in his house. We have searched thoroughly, even magically. We cannot find anything. Also, I realised that Myrddin not participating in the dreamwalk may have been an error on our part. Asmodeus is sure to query his absence. He may have already concluded that they are no longer a couple," he said.

"That is not necessarily bad thing," Agatha reflected. "Consider, Rosemonde is supposedly unaware of his whereabouts, his guilt, or his innocence."

Rhys nodded. Perhaps they could use that to their advantage. He was about to speak when, a gong sounded. It was lower, deeper and louder than usual.
Indeed, they felt as well as heard it. The sound reverberated inside them, causing them to vibrate at what seemed to be a molecular level. The immortals had heard this gong before, but it was a first for the humans. Instinctively they knew what it was — the Warriors' distress signal.

The gargoyle guards, Aoife and Balthazar rushed into the council chambers. "Domina, the Seelie Queen is here, seeking an audience. She brought with her, a-a companion," Aoife said.

"Tallulah and Chantal also returned with her, wounded," Balthazar added.

"Everybody arm yourselves, just in case!" Rhys warned.

"It begins!" Libuse closed her eyes briefly. "The Holy One warned me, that this would come. I admit, I didn't think it would be so soon." Addressing the gargoyles, she said, "bring them all to the Great Hall.

"Evangeline wake the others. Tell Christian what occurred with Andrea Craig. Both of you are to meet with the Chief Detective Inspector. I no longer want you to go alone. Ylva, you know what to do as well."

"Yes, Domina." Ylva took Evangeline's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

Evangeline gave the pretty werewolf a frightened look. "Ylva, what does this mean?" she asked. "I was going as an envoy to Romaine, on Theodora's behalf."

"I know," Ylva replied.

"But now she is here, the Seelie Queen. Romaine actually seeking an audience with our Domina. Why now? She has always hidden from and avoided contact with, Tweldor. She hardly even talks to Frank!"

Ylva swallowed. "Well, we knew that something big was coming. Looks like whatever it is, has arrived at last. This is what we have been training for."

Evangeline looked at her Councillor, determinedly. "Let's do it!" she said.

They hastened towards the infirmary together.

☆☆☆☆☆

As soon as the business day had begun in the outside world, Christian was standing before Chief Detective Inspector Gerald Dougherty, his boss. He explained that Evangeline Lesage had contacted him, because she had felt harassed by Detective Craig.

"The security footage at her home puts the time that Detective Craig approached her at 0340. I mean seriously? What was she doing out there at that hour; and with him?"

"Him? Who do you mean Berg?"

"Charles Du Malum, Chief. He was in the police car with her. Why? Ms Lesage said that he told her, he had asked Detective Craig to keep him personally updated with any developments. It's not a good look for us, sir. The ambulance had barely driven off and suddenly there they both are, demanding that Ms Lesage let them into her home to answer their questions. Was that authorised by you, Chief Inspector?"

"Of course, not Berg! Have you proof of this?"

"Oh yes. She recorded the conversation."

Gerald Dougherty groaned, "Were they aware that they were being recorded by Ms Lesage?"

"The security cameras around her property are recording continuously inspector. There is no disputing that they were both there. Feeling unsafe however, she took it upon herself to further record the conversation. Given the recent events involving Du Malum Corp., you can hardly blame her for that."

"Well, you're right about that, but I'd like to hear it from her directly. Where is Ms Lesage now, Berg?"

"She's waiting in the public area."

Gerald nodded. "Bring her in and stick around. She seems to trust you."

Christian exhaled. This was it. They were almost there. He briefly left and returned with Evangeline in tow."

"Please take a seat, Ms Lesage. This is Chief Detective Inspector Gerald Dougherty." They shook hands. "Let me assure you that Chief Dougherty is taking your concerns very seriously. He just needs to ask you a few questions for clarification. Is that okay?"

Evangeline answered affirmatively and Gerald Dougherty smiled. Christian Berg was one of his best. Despite his large size and a demeanour that screamed plain clothed cop, there was something about him that was calming, reassuring. He often got people to open up, when the other detectives or police officers could not.

"Ms Lesage. Thank you for bringing your concerns to Detective Berg. I just need to know why you felt the need to record the conversation between yourself, Detective Craig, and Charles Du Malam. Detective Berg said that you felt unsafe. Can you explain why you might have felt that way, Ms Lesage?"

"I live alone in the bush, inspector. As if it was not disconcerting enough to find a semi-conscious woman on my property in the early hours of the morning, I was then confronted by two strangers demanding entry to my home. I think it was perfectly reasonable to record such an interaction, don't you?"

"What do you intend to do with it, Ms Lesage?" The chief gave Evangeline a stern look.

Hannah had warned her that she had to be careful here. Recording people without their knowledge could be seen as entrapment. Far from setting a trap for Andrea Craig, she could end up being the one in trouble.

"I merely wished for the police to view it. You need to be aware of what your employees get up to." The chief inspector stiffened. Evangeline continued. "The security footage is another matter however. I am quite prepared to release that to the media. There is considerable interest in Du Malum's involvement in this case and it might be in the public's interest."

"That won't be necessary, Ms Lesage-"

"My lawyer now has copies of both of course," she said matter-of-factly.

"Er, lawyer?" Christian feigned ignorance.

"Yes, Detective. The search for Rosemonde Durand ended on my property. I am likely to be asked for my testimony if, or rather when, the case goes to trial." Evangeline turned to address the Chief Inspector. "The question is, what will I say about Detective Craig and Charles Du Malum's involvement? You can see my dilemma, I'm sure?" Evangeline peered at him from beneath her dark lashes, demurely.

Gerald Dougherty looked at Christian Berg who gave him a well what did you expect look. She had them, and the Chief Inspector knew it. What's more, he knew she knew it.

"Thank you for bringing this to our attention, Ms Lesage. The matter will be investigated, I can assure you-"

"Oh no, you're not doing that!" Evangeline scoffed.

"Doing what, Ms Lesage?" The Chief Inspector asked. Christian gave her a warning look. They couldn't muck this up now.

"Fobbing me off!"

Christian began to panic, "Ms Lesage, we are not-"

"This is serious, Chief Inspector, Detective Berg. The implications for you and your team are serious! Several bodies were found on Du Malum property. Now one of your detectives is getting mighty cosy with Du Malum himself. Does that seem right to you? You need to do more than take a cursory look into this. You need to fix it!

"The public already have mixed sentiments about our police force. This won't help your cause. Du Malum Corp. have already had to issue an apology to the family of Myrddin Thomas. They are not checking their facts. You should be! You're the cops for crying out loud! Can you afford to be associated with gung-ho spin doctors? Will the public ever trust you again if you get it wrong?"

There was no arguing with anything she said, however neither did one argue with Gerald Dougherty; at least none of his detectives ever could. His ego often resulted in bad decision making. Was it possible that concerned citizen Evangeline Lesage could get through to him?

"I think that difficulty would be remedied somewhat if Detective Craig were removed from the case," Dougherty replied, soberly.

"Thank you, Chief Inspector, but you need to go even further. Please, she needs to be investigated." She appealed to his love of the limelight, "If she is innocent, fine. As her boss, you will be seen to have behaved in an exemplary manner by removing a possible threat of corruption from your team. If guilty, well...you can imagine the accolades that you will receive."

Christian was struggling not to laugh now. To his knowledge, this was the first time that the Warrior had met his boss, but she certainly had the measure of the man. Damn, she is good!

The Chief Inspector nodded seriously. "You are right of course, Ms Lesage. Effective immediately, Detective Craig will be suspended from further duty pending investigation. The media will be notified today."

"Thank you, Chief Inspector. The public can feel safe, knowing a man of your integrity oversees this investigation." She gave him her most alluring smile.

"Thank you, Ms Lesage. Detective Berg, please help Ms Lesage file an official report. Return to me, once you're done."

Christian cleared his throat to prevent himself from laughing out loud. She must be part fey and using a glamour charm, he thought. Gerald Dougherty is blushing. "Yes sir," he answered.