Old Methods + New Methods = Complete Circle Part 2

Old Methods + New Methods = Complete Circle Part 2
(OOC: Combined threads from the previous site)

Richard
Bren gave a questioning look as he said, "But Rich, Marco is not a part of the team yet."

“Marco is not part of the team, but Starling will be spending extra study time with him. All we have to do is tell him, as an Allie, she may be involved with Tia’s problems, which he knows about.” Richard knew Marco was being looked at as a possible future member, but Ari had not decided yet.



“From what you are saying we need to cover the forest also,” Richard paused for a second so he could think. “I have an idea on who to watch the forest for us. He is also not part of the team, but I would trust him with my life. Do you know Darik, Sara Puddifoot’s HouseElf, although he is much more than that? He can also, I am sure, contact the Centaur and will be able to talk Rosa into letting him get the plants she needs? The Elf also has Medjai training due to his relationship with Tarik’s family.”



“I will agree with your reasoning, but use it sparingly. If you tell Tia, she may confront Anthony at the wrong time, or not know how to judge when she needs to run. The core may take the information and start trying to figure out how to get rid of Anthony, thinking they would be helping. The children are smart and they have a good group, but they are not ready to go up against adults.” Richard knew eventually the Allies would unit completely and start taking action, his hope was they would either bring in adult counseling, or wait until they were stronger. One of their motto’s was ”Once an Allie, always an Allie” . Some of the group had graduated and were out in the world, gaining real world knowledge and abilities. These would be some of the people the Allies ran to for help Richard hoped.



Richard nodded.
The hit wizard nodded as he said, "Well they aren't the only ones. So far the notes left in the hole in the tree have been addressed to me personally. That was the reason I was wondering who left them. As only Seth, Lisa Potter and Sasha even knew that I had been assigned to Hogwarts. Yet my first note was left the day I arrived last term. That one was waiting at the gate. It told me to keep close tabs on Rosabelle Fairmont. It also told me to check the tree with the hole in its trunk. It was signed, One Like You. It also said as a P.S. If anything happened to the Allies, especially the Core on my watch that the sender would be not happy and would deal with me personally.



Richard accepted the notes from Brennan. As he looked at them his mind latched onto one fact, the same names seemed to be coming up whenever there were notes being left or circumstances in question. The P.S. had him intrigued. “Brennan I am not sure I agree with you that it is Antonio leaving the notes, although it is high on the list of possibilities. The note was waiting for you at the gate and not in the school somewhere. The ones in the knothole of the tree would have to been left by someone at the school. We may be talking about two people here.”

“Rosa was also the only one mentioned in this note,” Richard held up the first note Brennan had received, “not Tia who seems to be the main concern of all the notes floating around this school. The core is not mentioned until the P.S. It is a puzzle, Mr. Puzzle Solver.” Richard finished with a smile. Solving puzzles was not one of his greater abilities, taking care of the problems the solutions to the puzzle gave, was where his ability was strongest.

Looking at Brennan with a look of what else do you have in your pockets; Richard pointed to his desk and signaled him to empty the contents on his desk. Secretly Richard was waiting to see how much food came out of the pockets.



“No time like the present. We can continue to talk while you find what you may have hidden from yourself”. Richard sat back in his chair and watched a very reluctant Brennan, start pulling contents from pockets.



“We have several people in the group whose specialty is finding hidden information. You met Pippin English. Do not underestimate that woman. She holds on to her friendly old Aunt persona even during most of the meetings. She can take small bits of information from this person and that person and when added together, can form a very large piece of the puzzle. She can also get into areas of the Ministry that none of the rest of us would even dream on trying to enter, because everyone takes her as no threat. At our next meeting we should be able to get some information from her. If she gets something between now and then which she thinks would help us at our end she will let us know. Until then we wait. We do not ask we wait.” Richard added pointedly.

Richard was fascinated by some of the things, coming for Brennan’s pockets. He also was making mental notes on where pockets could be located. So far there was map of somewhere, 3 bags of different kinds of candy, a spy glass, a muggle Boy Scout Handbook, which looked like it had seen better days, a yo-yo and various pieces of paper in different sizes. Brennan stopped at several points looked at the scraps and carefully separated them into different piles. Richard smiled, because Brennan’s filing system would be able to tell him a lot about the kid. Richard continued to talk, as Brennan excavated, a tooth brush, comb and small bag of other personal items from another pocket. Giving a little snicker, he realized, that was only the outside pockets.

“One of the rules, Brennan is you do not bring up Caretaker business at the school, unless it is an extreme emergency. The Muggles have a saying The walls have ears, . In a wizarding school that is literally true at times.” Richard was trying to present the lessons Brennan had to learn in small bits and pieces. The kid was making progress, but he still had the working alone concept buried deep.



Richard had to try and get Brennan to understand what Brennan’s father had once told him. “I understand you have to pull emotions into your thinking, because you have to understand the emotions of others. Your father was a master at it, and he never could get me to fully understand how it worked. I do not mean this as derogatory to you Bren, but he also had age and experience to go on. He told me one time one of the pitfalls of his ability was that he would fall into the emotions of the one he was profiling so bad, he would start thinking like that person in his normal routine. I saw it happen once, and it took the skill of several of the Caretakers and a psycho-healer to bring him out of it. Just be careful!”

“By the way the rat smell which you found is being smelled by more than you. Too many people outside the Caretakers know what is happening within the group. Ari has tried to guard against this by setting up some investigation parameters, one of which, each person’s investigation is their own, and she knows her people well enough to realize if someone in the group needs to know of something which has been discovered the information will be passed directly.” Richard was staring to hone in on a possible rat, but he did not want to say anything else until he was sure.



Richard smirked, “I told you the man is an egomaniac. You have picked up fast on Tia being a challenge. The man likes to play chess, and I would be willing to believe he considers life one big chess game, with him being the King. As far as him figuring out each of his victims, you are right there also. Everything he does is tailored to the person or people involved at the time. He finds the persons weakness and rubs at it until it is raw, then keeps rubbing at it. We all have weaknesses Brennan and when he finds yours he will use it, if he hasn’t already, considering your interest in Ash’s disappearance. You, Brennan can have your weakness, but you must try and have a counter for them, because someday you will not be able to let your weakness interfere with what you need to do.”

“I can get the information you need, to you in very short order. Franco would be the one to ask about much of the details.” Franco would be able to give Brennan some of the background from a personal point of view, because of his involvement with a couple of the victims.

Richard understood Brennan’s points on the profiling. “The puzzle I have given you will stay between you and me. Many do not understand your gift, Brennan, so they will underestimate your abilities. What information you find, you give to me only, and never in writing. As far as others are concerned, you are just a trainee, trying to learn the ropes of the group. Ari will know about your gift, but she also will realize it needs to be kept secret.” Richard thought back to the Ministry meeting, “I probably should not have had you solve the puzzle of everyone’s specialty at the Ministry, but it is a puzzle normally given to new recruits to see how observant they are, so I think we can down play that one.”

Brennan

“Marco is not part of the team, but Starling will be spending extra study time with him. All we have to do is tell him, as an Allie, she may be involved with Tia’s problems, which he knows about.”

Brennan nodded.

“From what you are saying we need to cover the forest also,” Richard paused for a second so he could think. “I have an idea on who to watch the forest for us. He is also not part of the team, but I would trust him with my life. Do you know Darik, Sara Puddifoot’s HouseElf, although he is much more than that? He can also, I am sure, contact the Centaur and will be able to talk Rosa into letting him get the plants she needs? The Elf also has Medjai training due to his relationship with Tarik’s family.”

Bren smiled as he said, "Yea, Darik is perfect."

“I will agree with your reasoning, but use it sparingly. If you tell Tia, she may confront Anthony at the wrong time, or not know how to judge when she needs to run. The core may take the information and start trying to figure out how to get rid of Anthony, thinking they would be helping. The children are smart and they have a good group, but they are not ready to go up against adults.”

Brennan nodded as he said, "Rich, that is what I'm worried about as they are already in way over their heads, especially Tia. The main problem is The Core trust very few and Tia even less. With each attempt on Tia, the girl has been shown that she has no real protection. He is showing that he can get to her anywhere, anytime. I am scared that she has started to believe it. Rich, if that happens, who knows what Tia and the Core would do?"

“Brennan I am not sure I agree with you that it is Antonio leaving the notes, although it is high on the list of possibilities. The note was waiting for you at the gate and not in the school somewhere. The ones in the knothole of the tree would have to been left by someone at the school. We may be talking about two people here.”

Brennan nodded.

“Rosa was also the only one mentioned in this note,” Richard held up the first note Brennan had received, “not Tia who seems to be the main concern of all the notes floating around this school. The core is not mentioned until the P.S. It is a puzzle, Mr. Puzzle Solver.” Richard finished with a smile.

Brennan smiled as he said, "Last term, one of Tia's notes had a puzzle that Tia had to figure out. I didn't find out until late that Anthony helped Tia and Emilie to solve it. Shadow had decided to teach Tia a lesson by targeting Rosa. She was saved but only barely."

“No time like the present. We can continue to talk while you find what you may have hidden from yourself”. Richard sat back in his chair and watched a very reluctant Brennan, start pulling contents from pockets.

Brennan started to pull things out of his pockets. As he took each thing out he would put them into a pile. Anything he got while at home was divided into two piles, parents and Dawson. Things that were gotten at school were put into what year, and then each year was divided into what class, then lady or guy. Things gotten afterwards was put into Case Solved, personal, Case Still in Progress. The section that were things that were Still Active, were divided into personal or assignment. It looked like the Khalid case, which was personal, he divided into six piles (one for each time he missed the man), He then divided each of those piles into three piles.

“We have several people in the group whose specialty is finding hidden information. You met Pippin English. Do not underestimate that woman. She holds on to her friendly old Aunt persona even during most of the meetings. She can take small bits of information from this person and that person and when added together, can form a very large piece of the puzzle. She can also get into areas of the Ministry that none of the rest of us would even dream on trying to enter, because everyone takes her as no threat. At our next meeting we should be able to get some information from her. If she gets something between now and then which she thinks would help us at our end she will let us know. Until then we wait. We do not ask we wait.” Richard added pointedly.

Bren nodded.

Richard was fascinated by some of the things, coming for Brennan’s pockets. He also was making mental notes on where pockets could be located. So far there was map of somewhere, 3 bags of different kinds of candy, a spy glass, a muggle Boy Scout Handbook, which looked like it had seen better days, a yo-yo and various pieces of paper in different sizes. Brennan stopped at several points looked at the scraps and carefully separated them into different piles. Richard smiled, because Brennan’s filing system would be able to tell him a lot about the kid. Richard continued to talk, as Brennan excavated, a tooth brush, comb and small bag of other personal items from another pocket. Giving a little snicker, he realized, that was only the outside pockets.

Bren smiled as he put the things in their proper place. Looking at the pile that held everything he had gotten from Louis and Cassandra; he saw the Handbook, spy glass, the small bag as well as several other books(including Sherlock Holmes coll.). He noticed that every scrap of paper had went into either a class pile or into one of Khalid's piles. The candy, yo-yo, an apple core, toothbrush as well as his favorite school books went into the Hogwarts piles. The map he placed in the last of Khalid's piles which also had several of the scrapes of paper as well as a couple journals.

Once they were sorted, Bren started with the inside pockets and placed them in their proper place. Every pile had at least one item. Both things in his parents pile were given to Bren when he received the journal. One was a set of keys and the other was another journal. Taking out the last item a scroll, he placed that in the Dawson pile. Finding something to write with and on, Bren labeled each pile.

“One of the rules, Brennan is you do not bring up Caretaker business at the school, unless it is an extreme emergency. The Muggles have a saying The walls have ears, In a wizarding school that is literally true at times.” Richard was trying to present the lessons Brennan had to learn in small bits and pieces.

Bren nodded.

“I understand you have to pull emotions into your thinking, because you have to understand the emotions of others. Your father was a master at it, and he never could get me to fully understand how it worked. I do not mean this as derogatory to you Bren, but he also had age and experience to go on. He told me one time one of the pitfalls of his ability was that he would fall into the emotions of the one he was profiling so bad, he would start thinking like that person in his normal routine. I saw it happen once, and it took the skill of several of the Caretakers and a psycho-healer to bring him out of it. Just be careful!”

Bren nodded as he said, "When I profile my target, I not only have to get into their head but also their latest target's head. With Khalid it has become difficult because both have no pattern to what they do. Once I can find a pattern then I will be able to figure out how to prevent anymore attacks. The thing is that I don't believe Khalid is in charge anymore. He is too disorganized to have planned the attacks on Tia. My guess is Shadow has started planning things."

“By the way the rat smell which you found is being smelled by more than you. Too many people outside the Caretakers know what is happening within the group. Ari has tried to guard against this by setting up some investigation parameters, one of which, each person’s investigation is their own, and she knows her people well enough to realize if someone in the group needs to know of something which has been discovered the information will be passed directly.”

Bren nodded.

Richard smirked, “I told you the man is an egomaniac. You have picked up fast on Tia being a challenge. The man likes to play chess, and I would be willing to believe he considers life one big chess game, with him being the King. As far as him figuring out each of his victims, you are right there also. Everything he does is tailored to the person or people involved at the time. He finds the persons weakness and rubs at it until it is raw, then keeps rubbing at it. We all have weaknesses Brennan and when he finds yours he will use it, if he hasn’t already, considering your interest in Ash’s disappearance. You, Brennan can have your weakness, but you must try and have a counter for them, because someday you will not be able to let your weakness interfere with what you need to do.”

Brennan nodded as he said, "That is why I believe it is Shadow and not Khalid. Khalid trained Shadow and as such him planning the attacks on Tia is as if we were dealing with Khalid when he was at his best. Even Tarik has that view of life. I am glad that Louis and Cassandra gave me that then. It looks like I am finally going to play again. The last time was two years ago. Richard, you are right about weaknesses and Shadow. He probably already knows of my connection to Ash. That is one of the reasons I don't want him figuring out that I have changed targets. I already believe he has her as a hold over her twin. Rich, if he finds out that I am profiling him... well he could decide that she is even valuable and never let her go. I fear that if Tia came back the way she did, just think of what Ashley has gone though. He had Tia two days, Shadow has had Ash since the students came back from Christmas break last term. Richard, the longer he has Ash, the more he will learn concerning Tia. They are too much alike." Brennan was not going to think about if he ever had to choose Ashley or his job because for him it was not as cut and dry as it was for Richard. He just prayed that he never had to make that choice. He had to save his cousin before he went full force after Shadow.

“I can get the information you need, to you in very short order. Franco would be the one to ask about much of the details.” Franco would be able to give Brennan some of the background from a personal point of view, because of his involvement with a couple of the victims.

Brennan nodded as he said, "The sooner the better as I am worried that Tia's actions will get Shadow to act. We are against the clock, so to speak."

Richard understood Brennan’s points on the profiling. “The puzzle I have given you will stay between you and me. Many do not understand your gift, Brennan, so they will underestimate your abilities. What information you find, you give to me only, and never in writing. As far as others are concerned, you are just a trainee, trying to learn the ropes of the group. Ari will know about your gift, but she also will realize it needs to be kept secret.” Richard thought back to the Ministry meeting, “I probably should not have had you solve the puzzle of everyone’s specialty at the Ministry, but it is a puzzle normally given to new recruits to see how observant they are, so I think we can down play that one.”

Brennan was more than relieved as he said, "Louis said that Arianna had chosen me long ago and had even told him about my specialty. That means she has known for quite awhile what I can do."

The hit wizard stopped remembering a pocket he had not checked. Picking up his old school hat from the Dawson pile and using his wand, only one note fell out. Reading the note outloud he had gotten two days after Louis' death.

"Brennan,

Somebody in your family has something that belongs to me.
I get it back and no more deaths
I don't and the game continues
Get into Louis Dawson's head
Find what he hid
Or wait and I will
ask the only member connected to both of us.
Her survival is in your hands.
Be In Touch!

P.S. Tell anybody about our game and the baby will die too. I wonder if you are as good as he was. Time will tell."

Richard


“Good, I will contact him as soon as I can, and we will decide where the best places would be to watch.” Richard was planning on getting in touch with Will Fremen to see what he could do with the Dark Forest. “Darik can get in touch with Will Fremen also and they should be able to coordinate something.” Richard smiled broadly, “By the time this is over we will probably have every creature in the forest looking out for the children.”



Richard knew exactly what the Core would do. “The Core is over their heads, and they also have the confidence of youth they can handle whatever plan they come up with which is the main problem at the moment with them. Bren you are closer to their ages than any of the rest of us. You need to see if you can get them to listen to you as maybe an advisor. Tarik, I think can help you there. Tia will be your hardest obstacle, but I think I may be able to talk to a couple of the Core, who trust me.”



“See you have already had some practice, and maybe that will give you a point you can use to strengthen your contact with them. I know there are a few different personalities in the Core, but use you talent and see what you can come up with.” It would be interesting for Richard to see how many scenario’s Brennan could handle at once because he would have to get into the heads of the students.



“We still need to keep on Khalid, because he has some control. If he orders something and Shadow, who more than just you believe in becoming the head of the family, is not there, those orders will be carried out no matter how ridiculous they are. So do not lose focus on him also. I agree we should concentrate more on Dark Shadow though.” Privately Richard wondered how long Khalid would last with the way he was handling things. Brennan was right when he said things were being done haphazardly with the family.



Richard smiled at the enthusiasm of his partner. He had never been very good at chess, although he knew enough to know what moves the pieces made. Maybe he should bone up also.



Becoming serious, Richard realized Brennan was again talking as if he was alone. Richard needed to find out a way to convince the kid, he was in a group now. “Brennan, finish up what you are doing and come sit down……..”

“I know you were listening when your father was talking in the letter. Think…..one of the things he said was ‘….. Bren listen to Rich and stop believing you are alone in this’ . Remember….it was the last line of the Post scrip section? We are going to all try and get Ash back as soon as we can, but if you go off on your own you could get caught and thus put others in danger, when they attempted to rescue you. We do not need to give Shadow another pawn in his game. You are a part of us now, and must think as a part of a group. Think hard on this Bren…..keep thinking about it until your mind and your sub-conscious accept the fact.” Richard would just have to keep trying and hopefully before something happened Brennan would learn to not go off on his own.


(Richard) “I can get the information you need, to you in very short order. Franco would be the one to ask about much of the details.” Franco would be able to give Brennan some of the background from a personal point of view, because of his involvement with a couple of the victims.



“I will send out a message to Franco and get his information from him, some of which I know. I want to make sure I have my facts straight though.” Richard would owl Franco as soon as their meeting ended.



Richard laughed. “That is the way Ari works. She chose me when I was a lot younger and did not even know I had a specialty. Thru her and the Caretaker Group, I was trained to use what I know best, how to solve and take care of problems, sometimes before they become a problem.”

Just as Richard finished talking, Brennan reached over to the desk and picked up a school hat and used his wand.



“Looks like they started a long time ago,” Richard thought to himself. “Bren it looks like they have been going at this a while. When did you put the note in the pocket of your hat?” Richard hoped the letter was not pointing to Miranda. But the feeling was taking over his thoughts.

Brennan

“Good, I will contact him as soon as I can, and we will decide where the best places would be to watch.” Richard was planning on getting in touch with Will Fremen to see what he could do with the Dark Forest. “Darik can get in touch with Will Fremen also and they should be able to coordinate something.” Richard smiled broadly, “By the time this is over we will probably have every creature in the forest looking out for the children.”

Brennan nodded.

“The Core is over their heads, and they also have the confidence of youth they can handle whatever plan they come up with which is the main problem at the moment with them. Bren you are closer to their ages than any of the rest of us. You need to see if you can get them to listen to you as maybe an advisor. Tarik, I think can help you there. Tia will be your hardest obstacle, but I think I may be able to talk to a couple of the Core, who trust me.”

He nodded as he said, "The Core will get even more protective and secretive. Richard, Tia could do a few things. One is bolt. Another is she could think she could take him on with the help of the Core. The one that I fear is her deciding that she has no choice and makes a deal. Another thing I am worried about is Tia breaking all contact with Rufus. He seems to be the type that will make her regret it. He is already starting to bully some of the first years."

“See you have already had some practice, and maybe that will give you a point you can use to strengthen your contact with them. I know there are a few different personalities in the Core, but use you talent and see what you can come up with.”

Again Bren nodded.

“We still need to keep on Khalid, because he has some control. If he orders something and Shadow, who more than just you believe in becoming the head of the family, is not there, those orders will be carried out no matter how ridiculous they are. So do not lose focus on him also. I agree we should concentrate more on Dark Shadow though.”

Brennan frowned as he agreed saying, "Khalid's head is one mind, I am not looking forward to getting back into. I don't if I could lose focus of him. I profiled him most of my life, very in-depth since I turned 17. I came extremely close to stopping him six times. I even found out where he was hiding the last time. Khalid had left about thirty minutes before I got to Seven Deaths, last summer."

“Brennan, finish up what you are doing and come sit down……..”

Bren sat down.

“I know you were listening when your father was talking in the letter. Think…..one of the things he said was ‘….. Bren listen to Rich and stop believing you are alone in this’ . Remember….it was the last line of the Post script section? We are going to all try and get Ash back as soon as we can, but if you go off on your own you could get caught and thus put others in danger, when they attempted to rescue you. We do not need to give Shadow another pawn in his game. You are a part of us now, and must think as a part of a group. Think hard on this Bren…..keep thinking about it until your mind and your sub-conscious accept the fact.”

The hit wizard nodded as he said calmly, "I know what Louis said about being a part of a group. Richard, I can't fail her like I failed years ago. If I get Ashley location, I will try to inform you or one of the others but I will have no more blood on my hands." He had finally remembered that first note but what had he done with it, then he remembered and started to look at the piles. He had been too young at the time and his parents had not believed that she had been in danger. Then she had been found dead and he begged for his parents to bring his cousin into their home. His mother instead made a phone call. He went to Hogwarts at eleven and hid the note.

“I will send out a message to Franco and get his information from him, some of which I know. I want to make sure I have my facts straight though.”

"I would rather us meet him somewhere." ,Bren said as he was still worried that somebody was still checking the owls.

“That is the way Ari works. She chose me when I was a lot younger and did not even know I had a specialty. Thru her and the Caretaker Group, I was trained to use what I know best, how to solve and take care of problems, sometimes before they become a problem.”

Brennan nodded.

“Bren it looks like they have been going at this a while. When did you put the note in the pocket of your hat?”

Brennan cringed as he said, "I got the note along with that chessboard on my seventh birthday. I think I put it into the hat when I got the hat, my first year."

"Brennan,

Somebody in your family has something that belongs to me.
I get it back and no more deaths
I don't and the game continues
Get into Louis Dawson's head
Find what he hid
Or wait and I will
ask the only member connected to both of us.
Her survival is in your hands.
Be In Touch!

P.S. Tell anybody about our game and the baby will die too. I wonder if you are as good as he was. Time will tell."

"Richard at first I thought it was a mental exercise from Louis. Then I overheard that Louis was M.I.A. and Cassandra had no clue as the books were Louis' gift.,” Bren started. He had to get Richard to understand why he could not fail again. Continuing he said, "I started to work on the note as Louis never missed my birthday. Then about six months later, Cassandra was found murdered and Louis was thought to be the killer. Richard, my dad loved her too much. I knew that whoever had sent me the note had followed though. I had not found the item so he had killed again. I started fearing for little Mir and so tried to get my parents to raise her. Instead my mother made a phone call. Once that happened, I did the only thing that could insure her safety. I hid the note and continued to work on it. As the years passed and I was no closer to finding it. Then right before Miranda's fifth year, I broke my part of the bargain. Franco Spellman asked me during a chess game when I started profiling. I told him. After that Franco has kept a very close eye on me."

Bren stopped as he remembered what had frightened him most. As the memories came flooding back he finished, "Rich, the very next day, Franco heard about Tia and Miranda being missing."

Richard


Sitting forward in the chair and resting his elbows on his knees, Richard listened to Brennan, then commented, “I think with growth, Tia is starting to think of herself as being head of the Core. I know most of the members have been treating her like that. As she grows older her running days are slowing reducing. She wants people to stop treating her like a small child, and she is bright enough to realize with that respect comes responsibilities. I would be willing to bet even if she makes a deal, it will be to buy time to get the group together and make a plan.



“You think he is going insane, because of your past studies?” Richard was worried because although a lot had happened with Khalid in charge, having Dark Shadow in charge could be much worse. “Brennan, since Khalid trained Dark Shadow, can you use some of what you know about Khalid to start planning on what Dark Shadow may do?”



It was not what Richard wanted to hear, but at least it was something. “Fair enough, Bren. If I have your promise that if you cannot wait, you will let someone know where you are going then I will be satisfied with that for now. But we will talk more on this subject….”



“Good idea. Would you like to set up the meeting? You can use my office or Franco can set up a place where everyone can be safe. Maybe back to the Shadow Lounge. Let me know when you decide how you want to handle it.” Richard was going to let Brennan handle most of the details. He needed the experience and how he handled it would give Richard details about possible strengths and weaknesses. “Keep me informed one what is going on, partner.”



"Richard at first I thought it was a mental exercise from Louis…… I started fearing for little Mir and so tried to get my parents to raise her. Instead my mother made a phone call. Once that happened, I did the only thing that could insure her safety. I hid the note and continued to work on it. As the years passed and I was no closer to finding it. Then right before Miranda's fifth year, I broke my part of the bargain. Franco Spellman asked me during a chess game when I started profiling. I told him. After that Franco has kept a very close eye on me."

Bren stopped as he remembered what had frightened him most. As the memories came flooding back he finished, "Rich, the very next day, Franco heard about Tia and Miranda being missing."

“Bren, you were not at fault for anything that happened to any of those people.” Richard said as he slowly got up and put his finger to his lips, asking Brennan to be quiet. He continued as he walked over to the desk and picked up the chessboard. “These people, and I think at this point we can take it for granted it was Khalid and/or Dark Shadow, have been giving a very young person, impossible deeds to prevent. They wanted you to feel guilty, even though they would have done what they did anyway. Cassandra was a trained agent and knew what could happen as we all do. Profilers do not totally prevent deaths, they just allow the odds to go up, more people can be saved or someone can be stopped before destroying things.”

Taking the chessboard and sticking it in the wall compartment he closed the door and sealed the cabinet for sound proofing. “Now that is taken care of. Bren the blood on your hand has activated a recording system in the chessboard. Either someone can retrieve the recording or it is being fed somewhere.”

“I think Louis had an idea, or he was just hoping you would take after him and was trying to strengthen your mind. He worked hard on teaching you how to profile. You say you have profiled Khalid for many years to try and catch him, and you have actually come close several times. Instead of trying to figure out where he is and where the group will strike next, try concentrating on what they are doing psychologically to people, including you. By letting them make you go here and there and then back again, they are controlling you. Brennan, you my lad are a profiler profiling a profiler.”

“For now you need to concentrate on using your specialty on tracking people and trying to give us a heads up on what may happen. You will not be responsible if people do not listen to you, or ignore you suggestions. I will promise, Bren, I will always listen. If I cannot play ‘devil’s advocate’ enough to put holes in what you suggest, I will pass the information on or try and help you with what you have planned. “Richard had to be careful on what he promised, but he was a little older and had a bit more experience.

Brennan

Sitting forward in the chair and resting his elbows on his knees, Richard listened to Brennan, then commented, “I think with growth, Tia is starting to think of herself as being head of the Core. I know most of the members have been treating her like that. As she grows older her running days are slowing reducing. She wants people to stop treating her like a small child, and she is bright enough to realize with that respect comes responsibilities. I would be willing to bet even if she makes a deal, it will be to buy time to get the group together and make a plan. Brennan I may be wrong about this. You need to work up a little tougher scenario, if you can.”

Brennan nodded.

“You think he is going insane, because of your past studies?” Richard was worried because although a lot had happened with Khalid in charge, having Dark Shadow in charge could be much worse. “Brennan, since Khalid trained Dark Shadow, can you use some of what you know about Khalid to start planning on what Dark Shadow may do?”

He nodded as he said, "Khalid as been heading that way for awhile now. I could use what I have learned about Khalid to profile Shadow. The problem is that he would have to goals. If he is just Khalid's pupil then Shadow's goals are to finish what his mentor's wishes. Though Rich, if he is somehow Khalid's heir then Shadow's goals will be to prove that he is worthy of that honor. Either way, Khalid's medallion and control of Tia would be at the top of his list. It would just be which is first, the medallion or Tia?"

“Fair enough, Bren. If I have your promise that if you cannot wait, you will let someone know where you are going then I will be satisfied with that for now. But we will talk more on this subject….”

Brennan nodded.

“Good idea. Would you like to set up the meeting? You can use my office or Franco can set up a place where everyone can be safe. Maybe back to the Shadow Lounge. Let me know when you decide how you want to handle it.” Richard was going to let Brennan handle most of the details. He needed the experience and how he handled it would give Richard details about possible strengths and weaknesses. “Keep me informed one what is going on, partner.”

Again Bren nodded as he said, "Of course Richard. Maybe he could bring the other notes so we can work on them?"

“Bren, you were not at fault for anything that happened to any of those people.” Richard said as he slowly got up and put his finger to his lips, asking Brennan to be quiet. He continued as he walked over to the desk and picked up the chessboard.

The hit wizard sadly nodded as he wondered what Richard had figured out.

“These people, and I think at this point we can take it for granted it was Khalid and/or Dark Shadow, have been giving a very young person, impossible deeds to prevent. They wanted you to feel guilty, even though they would have done what they did anyway. Cassandra was a trained agent and knew what could happen as we all do. Profilers do not totally prevent deaths, they just allow the odds to go up, more people can be saved or someone can be stopped before destroying things.”

Bren listened and put a questioning look on his face. He mouthed, "What do you mean they wanted me to feel guilty? I shouldn't have waited in trying to solve the puzzle. If I had working on it then maybe they wouldn't have tried to force Cassandra." He had never told anybody that the morning after Cassandra's death, he had received an owl that show a picture of what Shadow had done to her. He didn't know if he still had the picture. By this time, his eyes had tears in them.

Taking the chessboard and sticking it in the wall compartment he closed the door and sealed the cabinet for sound proofing. “Now that is taken care of. Bren the blood on your hand has activated a recording system in the chessboard. Either someone can retrieve the recording or it is being fed somewhere.”

Brennan heard Richard and looked at his hands. Remembering back he said, "Richard, when me and Franco played it was on that board. Shadow knows what we been talking about including that I am profiling him. I really messed up this time." Brennan started to worry about what Shadow could use of what he had said. He wondered if he had helped Shadow in his quest for the medallion, stopping the Caretakers or worst controlling Tia.

Shaking his head sadly as he said, "Richard, what if I just gave Shadow what he needed to finish his goals? My profiling could have just sealed Tia, Seth Lucas and Ashley's fates?"

“I think Louis had an idea, or he was just hoping you would take after him and was trying to strengthen your mind. He worked hard on teaching you how to profile. You say you have profiled Khalid for many years to try and catch him, and you have actually come close several times. Instead of trying to figure out where he is and where the group will strike next, try concentrating on what they are doing psychologically to people, including you. By letting them make you go here and there and then back again, they are controlling you. Brennan, you my lad are a profiler profiling a profiler.”

Brennan still could not connect what Richard was saying. He understood the fact that Shadow had the skills of a profiler. He just could not understand what that had to do with his actions in going after Dark Shadow. His father had asked him to trust and listen to Richard. Nodding to Richard, Bren started to do what his partner asked. He said calmly, "Well with Tia, Shadow started with threatening notes against her and her friends. These I think he did for a couple of reasons. The first was to scare her. Then when she took off, he used it to weaken her. By having the notes show up in different places, I think Dark Shadow was trying to show that he could get to her at anytime. Though Rich, what does that got to do with me? Shadow is breaking Tia down, where I have only gotten stronger and better at profiling. I don't see the connection." He prayed that Richard could show him what he was missing.

“For now you need to concentrate on using your specialty on tracking people and trying to give us a heads up on what may happen. You will not be responsible if people do not listen to you, or ignore you suggestions. I will promise, Bren, I will always listen. If I cannot play ‘devil’s advocate’ enough to put holes in what you suggest, I will pass the information on or try and help you with what you have planned.“

Bren nodded and then said, "Well at least they didn't hear us work on your note. Maybe, we can start on that. I will keep in mind to also think of what the emotional attack is as well."

Richard


“Whether Franco brings the notes or not will be up to him. Everyone is getting really leery about bringing hard evidence out into the open. He will probably also set up the meet at the Shadow Lounge because it is one place he can control the environment to some extent. We will see what he says. Leaving a message with his brother at the lounge would be the easiest way for you to get in contact with him.” Richard had become very cautious himself about having hard evidence out in the open.



“Bren, they never expected you to be able to solve the puzzle, you were only seven years old, but even at that early age they saw your potential. They needed something to maintain a hold on you, a button they could push. They needed a weakness they could control. They have you feeling guilty about Cassandra, your father and now protecting Tia. Bren, you are running around in circles, which can be used to keep you away from any small facts which may show up you could use.” Richard noticed the tears starting to form. Even though Bren was now in the Caretaker Group and was expected to act like an adult, there was still a lot of youth in him.

“I told you once Bren, emotions can get you killed or put others in danger, if you react to them without taking the time to think of the consequences.” Richard hoped he was getting through to the boy.



“Let me guess, you were playing Wizards Chess and you won, which would have opened the board and allowed the recorder to be activated. At the moment you are not even totally sure what was said between you and Franco. Franco apparently saw the board open and at that point you became someone to watch, not because he did not trust you, but probably because he knew you were going to need help and he wanted to be ready. You can trust Franco, Bren.” Richard realized he was going to have to talk with Franco somewhere along the line. Franco had not told him anything yet, so whatever he had learned was not important at the moment, or he was still gathering information. “If Franco sees a problem which could have been prevented festering he will let us know; if we can correct a problem then he will let us know. Bren, you will find a lot of what the Caretakers do is ‘wait’ which is one of the hardest parts of the job. We have to wait and watch for opportunities.” Richard cringed inside, the inpatients of youth was not going to be an easy hurtle for Brennan to get over.

“If Shadow knows you are profiling him, your game could get really interesting, because you are both now trying to second guess the other person.” Richard tried to think what to tell Brennan, but profiling was definitely not one of his strong points. “Bren, you have to give this a lot of thought, and let me know what you think. We will not discuss it now, because you have to take some time to figure this out.”



Looking at Brennan, he asked, “Brennan your abilities may have gotten stronger, but have you as a person grown stronger, or are you still the scared seven-year-old, looking for answers? Your abilities to do better profiling have come with experience you have gained over the past years. Your emotions are connected to other circumstances. You said you have to use your emotional side in order to help with profiling, your emotional side is now clogged up with memories and regrets of the past, so you cannot use it to its full capacity.” Richard stopped talking, “We will talk about this more when you have a chance to have a long talk with yourself and see what answers your sub-conscious can give you.”



Richard was fine with the change of subject. Brennan had a lot to think about.

Taking out his wand he erased all the words on the air-board he had created and wrote what had been in his note. The words hung in mid air.

To the Caretaker.
I can find you where ever you go.
Tread lightly Caretaker;
You are making too many marks on the rice paper.
See you soon.”

Putting his wand back in his sleeve, he looked at the message. “Not very much there I am afraid. The mention of rice paper is interesting. Ok, Bren go for it.”

Brennan

“Whether Franco brings the notes or not will be up to him. Everyone is getting really leery about bringing hard evidence out into the open. He will probably also set up the meet at the Shadow Lounge because it is one place he can control the environment to some extent. We will see what he says. Leaving a message with his brother at the lounge would be the easiest way for you to get in contact with him.”

Brennan nodded as he said laughing, "Neo is the only one that I know that could tell Franco no matter what he looks like. Rich, I don't mean the actual notes. I just need the wording, and that also means how each was addressed. Any symbols."

“Bren, they never expected you to be able to solve the puzzle, you were only seven years old, but even at that early age they saw your potential. They needed something to maintain a hold on you, a button they could push. They needed a weakness they could control. They have you feeling guilty about Cassandra, your father and now protecting Tia. Bren, you are running around in circles, which can be used to keep you away from any small facts which may show up you could use.”...“I told you once Bren, emotions can get you killed or put others in danger, if you react to them without taking the time to think of the consequences.”

Bren nodded as he said, "Richard, look in the Dawson pile for a picture of Cassandra. Then tell me that I couldn't have bought her at least some time by at least showing that I was working on it. It was sent two days after she was murdered. The baby laid next to her is Mir. Richard, it is not that I react to my emotions because I don't. I react to theirs. As for the picture, I never read the back as the front was enough."

“Let me guess, you were playing Wizards Chess and you won, which would have opened the board and allowed the recorder to be activated. At the moment you are not even totally sure what was said between you and Franco. Franco apparently saw the board open and at that point you became someone to watch, not because he did not trust you, but probably because he knew you were going to need help and he wanted to be ready. You can trust Franco, Bren.”... “If Franco sees a problem which could have been prevented festering he will let us know; if we can correct a problem then he will let us know. Bren, you will find a lot of what the Caretakers do is ‘wait’ which is one of the hardest parts of the job. We have to wait and watch for opportunities.” Richard cringed inside, the inpatients of youth was not going to be an easy hurtle for Brennan to get over.

Bren shook his head as he said, "We never finished the game. We had been working on how to open the compartment. I foolishly thought that my father had left stuff in there as there were files missing concerning cases that they were working on. That secret compartment has never opened in the 150 games that I have played on it. Franco and I thought to reach a stalemate, thinking that would work. Franco got called away. Rich, I know I can trust Franco or I would have never played him. The thing I can never trust again is that board and that means we will never know what secrets it holds."

“If Shadow knows you are profiling him, your game could get really interesting, because you are both now trying to second guess the other person.” Richard tried to think what to tell Brennan, but profiling was definitely not one of his strong points. “Bren, you have to give this a lot of thought, and let me know what you think. We will not discuss it now, because you have to take some time to figure this out.”

Bren smiled and then nodded.

Looking at Brennan, he asked, “Brennan your abilities may have gotten stronger, but have you as a person grown stronger, or are you still the scared seven-year-old, looking for answers? Your abilities to do better profiling have come with experience you have gained over the past years. Your emotions are connected to other circumstances. You said you have to use your emotional side in order to help with profiling, your emotional side is now clogged up with memories and regrets of the past, so you cannot use it to its full capacity.” Richard stopped talking, “We will talk about this more when you have a chance to have a long talk with yourself and see what answers your sub-conscious can give you.”

Brennan listened and still didn't see the connection. Then something Richard said clicked and Brennan realized the reason he didn't see the connection was because he was not looking at it right. He started looking at it as another profile case.

A kid, age seven get a note that threatens more killings if he can't find what his father hid. The boy has no start point and so waits. Six months later, his aunt is tortured and murdered. The boy finds out with a picture being sent to him...

Brennan went though the case pretty quick and realized that what Richard was trying to get him to see. The only difference between him and Tia was the age. He had been seven and Tia had been two or eleven. It all depended on whether Tia received any threats between the time she got the scar and the time she came to Hogwarts. After all this time Bren had Shadow's MO. Brennan smiled as he said, "Rich, the attack on Tia is far from done. Shadow, is testing her. Like me, they want to see what she does. First under pressure, then when they had her and now when it seems she safe. Since her chessboard is back, it is most likely that her and Shadow played a game. Richard, it will need to be checked but no for evidence as that is by now destroyed. Though now we know what else Shadow can do with those boards. Thing is we can't tell Tia or remove the recorder. But at least we can use both boards to give Shadow some false information. To tell Tia or remove the recorder would alert Shadow that we are on to him. If that happens, then he might move up his time table. Those boards are his one mistake and I think we can use them to set a trap. Knock holes in this plan if you can, partner."

Taking out his wand he erased all the words on the air-board he had created and wrote what had been in his note. The words hung in mid air.



Putting his wand back in his sleeve, he looked at the message. “Not very much there I am afraid. The mention of rice paper is interesting. Ok, Bren go for it.”

Bren smiled as this was short and so would not take too much time. He nodded as he studied the note.

"The way it is addressed,To the Caretaker., tells us that he might be thinking if he can beat you the rest will be no problem.", Bren said smiling.

"This part I can find you where ever you go. worries me as it seems you have been on their radar for some time. It could also be that you have a tracking spell on you.", Bren said as he wondered why they seemed so interested in Richard. Asking he said, "Rich, what is your link to Shadow and Khalid? The reason I ask is that they seem to have a special interest in you and wanted you to know that they have been and are tracking you. It seems to have started before you joined the Caretakers."

Tread lightly Caretaker;

Bren frowned as he said, "Somehow you messed up and showed how much of a threat you could be. Maybe the next part will tell us."

You are making too many marks on the rice paper.

Brennan smiled as he said, "I agree that this piece is very important. Question Rich, are you a master of Shaolin? The mention of this test could explain it all. Either the writer is a master, you are and this writer knows it or both? You are being challenge partner. Have you ever been in contact with the Tong? I know just who we can ask about any connections and lucky for us she is here at Hogwarts. Her name is Wei. Though any info you can give will help when we ask her."

See you soon.”

Bren smiled as he said, "Expect a visitor and one that thinks you will know him or her. No symbol or calling card means that like mine the writer expects you to know by the clues he provided. It also seems this note is your only warning. And you said it was not much, Rich."

Richard


Richard chuckled, because Franco had fooled him several times with his disguises. He was a master at it. “When you leave your message, tell Franco what you need.”



As Richard made his way to the stack of pictures, he said, “Bren, I am just starting to understanding what happens when you profile someone. Is there someone you can talk with who can give you some ways to distance yourself from the emotional side of the profiling once you have gotten into the peoples head? You are going to have to tell me how I can help you with your expertise.”

He reached down and picked up the picture in question of the murdered Cassandra. It was not a picture which a child should see. Many adults would not be able to handle the carnage shown. Turning it over he slowly read the back out loud.



There was no signature. Richard looked at Brennan because he knew what his partner was thinking. “Bren, I tell you again. You could not have stopped this. They did not expect you to be able to stop them. Remember all they wanted was control of you and have a way to have you react and not be looking for information.” Richard’s heart really went out to Brennan. The boy was trying to be a man and the man was still emotionally living as a boy in some respects.



“Bren someday when it is supposed to happen, the board will open for you. By the way in all the games you have played, did you every use your father’s favorite move? One thing you are going to have to check and double check in any information in the board. If someone is getting into it, incorrect information can be placed there to try and get you to think one way or another.



“Sounds like you are thinking again. Remember though Shadow will be profiling you also. When you set the trap, make sure there is an unexpected back door. You plan it and let me know what your plan is, partner. Oh, and Brennan when you let me know about your plan, let’s do it out in the open where no one can listen or even be close.”



Richard walked over to the kitchenette and refreshed his mug of tea. Walking back, he nodded and motioned for Brennan to continue.



Looking at Brennan, Richard took his time answering. Before I became an official member of the Caretaker Group, I worked as a finder. This is between a private eye and a locater. I would be given an item to find, or a person and I would work on my own to find the item or person. I worked for Ari, finding things her brother Tarik, needed and finding information which would help. During this time, without realizing it I worked for the Caretakers. I was being tested.”

“There were times I not only had to find an items location, but I had to retrieve the item from people who did not want to give it up. I prided myself on solving the problems with minimal damage to others. It was my game and my specialty. I know I have found several items, for Ari, which Khalid wanted me to turn over to him and I refused. Khalid knows what I can do, but how much he has told Shadow is the question.”
Tread lightly Caretaker;



Richard signaled for Brennan to keep going with his explanation.
You are making too many marks on the rice paper.

Brennan smiled as he said, "I agree that this piece is very important. Question Rich, are you a master of Shaolin? The mention of this test could explain it all. Either the writer is a master, you are and this writer knows it or both? You are being challenged partner. Have you ever been in contact with the Tong? I know just who we can ask about any connections and lucky for us she is here at Hogwarts. Her name is Wei. Though any info you can give will help when we ask her."

Richard smiled, “I have studied several different forms of meditation and combat. I could probably hold my own. Seems to me the Shaolin disciplines may have been one of those I studied. ” Richard added this with a smirk, because he was known as a master of the art.
See you soon.”



Richard smiled broadly, “Bren you are really good at this. As far as expecting a visitor, I am always expecting one. I am pretty sure it is either Khalid or Shadow who is sending the notes. If it is someone else they will keep trying to hint and eventually give themselves away. It will be interesting to find out whom beside, you, myself and Ari received notes. I think your theory that all of the Caretaker Group received notes will be proven correctly. The person wants us all to wonder who can get in contact with each whenever they want.”

“Bren I have a question for you,” Richard said as he put down his mug and folded his arms in front of him. “If there are a lot of notes, and we can get all of them together, do you think you could tell if they were all written by the same person? Could you profile the person from the notes?” Richard was wondering how far profiling could be taken.

Brennan

“When you leave your message, tell Franco what you need.”

Bren nodded.

As Richard made his way to the stack of pictures, he said, “Bren, I am just starting to understanding what happens when you profile someone. Is there someone you can talk with who can give you some ways to distance yourself from the emotional side of the profiling once you have gotten into the people's head? You are going to have to tell me how I can help you with your expertise.”

Bren frowned as he said, "There was one that could but he was murdered. He was a psy-healer named Jake. We were in Hufflepuff together."

Turning it over he slowly read the back out loud.



Bren listened to the note and realized that he had been able to profile the next target by just the picture. He smiled as he had not even realized that he could until now.

Richard looked at Brennan because he knew what his partner was thinking.

He had known from the picture that Mir would be next if he could not find the item the writer wanted. Bren also knew that the writer might leave Mir alone as long as he was trying. He had gotten other pictures but never one of Mir until right before he was assigned here. Each had a note on the back. He had never read any of the notes, except the one of Mir.

It had said,



He had talked to Lisa Potter the next day about the Hogwarts assignment. He was pretty sure he had placed all the pictures in a journal that was in Khalid's pile.

“Bren, I tell you again. You could not have stopped this. They did not expect you to be able to stop them. Remember all they wanted was control of you and have a way to have you react and not be looking for information.”

Bren shook his head as he said, "Richard, there is a journal in Khalid's pile that is full of reasons that make me regret not being able to find that medallion sooner. The last picture is of Mir."

“Bren someday when it is supposed to happen, the board will open for you. By the way in all the games you have played, did you every use your father’s favorite move? One thing you are going to have to check and double check in any information in the board. If someone is getting into it, incorrect information can be placed there to try and get you to think one way or another."

Bren shook his head as he said, "I never played Louis, so have no clue as to what his favorite move was. Though I am pretty sure I have tried every finishing move and starting move, I could think of. Why, do you know it?"

“Sounds like you are thinking again. Remember though Shadow will be profiling you also. When you set the trap, make sure there is an unexpected back door. You plan it and let me know what your plan is, partner. Oh, and Brennan when you let me know about your plan, let’s do it out in the open where no one can listen or even be close.”

Brennan nodded.

"Before I became an official member of the Caretaker Group, I worked as a finder. This is between a private eye and a locater. I would be given an item to find, or a person and I would work on my own to find the item or person. I worked for Ari, finding things her brother Tarik, needed and finding information which would help. During this time, without realizing it I worked for the Caretakers. I was being tested.”

The hit wizard knew that his partner was holding back.

“There were times I not only had to find an items location, but I had to retrieve the item from people who did not want to give it up. I prided myself on solving the problems with minimal damage to others. It was my game and my specialty. I know I have found several items, for Ari, which Khalid wanted me to turn over to him and I refused. Khalid knows what I can do, but how much he has told Shadow is the question.”

Bren nodded as he said, "Richard, what aren't you tell me?"

Richard smiled, “I have studied several different forms of meditation and combat. I could probably hold my own. Seems to me the Shaolin disciplines may have been one of those I studied. ” Richard added this with a smirk, because he was known as a master of the art.

Bren nodded as he said, "What about the Tong? Any connection?"

Richard smiled broadly, “Bren you are really good at this. As far as expecting a visitor, I am always expecting one. I am pretty sure it is either Khalid or Shadow who is sending the notes. If it is someone else they will keep trying to hint and eventually give themselves away. It will be interesting to find out whom beside, you, myself and Ari received notes. I think your theory that all of the Caretaker Group received notes will be proven correctly. The person wants us all to wonder who can get in contact with each whenever they want.”

Brennan nodded as he said worried, "Yea, but it also means that we are now known. Richard, that will make our job a lot harder!"

“Bren I have a question for you,” Richard said as he put down his mug and folded his arms in front of him. “If there are a lot of notes, and we can get all of them together, do you think you could tell if they were all written by the same person? Could you profile the person from the notes?” Richard was wondering how far profiling could be taken.

Brennan gave a sly smile as he said, "I can even do better as the picture of Cassandra shows that I can do the same with pictures of crime scenes. Though yes, as I am already thinking that it is either Khalid or Shadow. Most likely Shadow, though why sign Tia's and not ours?"

(OCC: Preplanned!)

Richard

As Richard made his way to the stack of pictures, he said, “Bren, I am just starting to understanding what happens when you profile someone. Is there someone you can talk with who can give you some ways to distance yourself from the emotional side of the profiling once you have gotten into the people's head? You are going to have to tell me how I can help you with your expertise.”



The back of Richards’s neck was starting to prickle. The hair was standing up. Something was wrong in the room. Richard picked up a piece of parchment and wrote the following message. The information I am going to give you is not to ever be said out load in an enclosed structure, so I am writing this information. We will talk about it later. Jake is alive. He was only put into a ‘death’ sleep. He is at a safe house. I will give you directions later. I will not go in case there is a trace on me. Destroy this once you read it. Richard handed the paper to Brennan, and signaled for him to read it before he said anything else. It had been agreed upon by everyone in the Caretakers not to ever verbally mention anything about anyone in the Safe House, within an enclosed structure because of possible listening devices which had been planted. To fill up the silence Richard kept talking, “Oh, I am sorry to hear that. I will help you find someone else. We can check with the operatives at the Ministry and just say you are taking extra training.”



Each picture Brennan had received over the years had been of a crime scene with gory details on what had been done. Many were not did not show things you would want children to see. There was one of Jake’s murder that had been planned by his friends to look like he had been killed. On the back was written:

“The count keeps going up, boy
Are you still looking for the item?
I hope so, because now I am on to another.
Will make sure to take a good picture for you.”

It bought back memories Richard preferred not to think about.

The last picture was of Mir which sparked an idea in Richards mind, This was picture of where they had been during the two days they had been missing. “Bren, have you profiled this picture of Mir, Will and Tia? Can you get some clues of where it might be?”



“I was lucky enough to watch a couple of games between Louis and Ari. They were both very interesting, because of the level of play. If you never played Louis before, than you were constantly wondering what his game was, because he seemed to not care where he went on the board, but after a while, you figured it out, because he always preferred capturing the queen as soon as possible. The only pieces on the board not safe were any trying to guard the queen.”



“Bren we all do things we are not proud of…we all rationalize what we do with various reasons, to convince ourselves we are doing the right thing at the time. Let us just suffice to say I have been involved in some altercations which were not pleasant and ended with several people I cared deeply for losing their lives. The rationality I used then, does not cover memories I still have. Maybe someday when you are older, with more experience I will explain to you the consequences which came from my actions.” Richard picked up his cup and took a long drink. The past was in the past and it was what kept him sane.



“I was never directly affiliated with them. I did work for an attorney named Wallace Ward though, who had dealings with the Bing Kong Tong, I located information for him. But now things are different in most of the organizations, they try and help communities, which was their original reason for forming.” Richard had been a little more than an information gatherer, he had went undercover for about a year in the group.



“Yes it may make it harder, but I prefer to think of it as more challenging,” Richard added with a quick smile. “Also it may turn out to be a mistake of the sender, because with multi notes, it could give us a clue which can be used, by us and the group. We shall see.”



Richard was also puzzled by this aspect. “Maybe Shadow is not the one physically writing them. If he is having other write them and they signed Shadows name then we could get a clue who the second person is.” Richard was just throwing the information out there. “Bren, my idea may be totally wrong, but I have found if I throw out information, then it may give someone else a starting point to come up with an idea. If you think my ideas are wrong, partner, feel free to tell me so.” Richard smiled at the young man.

Brennan

Richard handed the paper to Brennan, and signaled for him to read it before he said anything else.

Brennan nodded as Richard handed him a paper.

The information I am going to give you is not to ever be said out load in an enclosed structure, so I am writing this information. We will talk about it later. Jake is alive. He was only put into a ‘death’ sleep. He is at a safe house. I will give you directions later. I will not go in case there is a trace on me. Destroy this once you read it.

Brennan read the paper. He could not believe it. Jake was alive and safe. Bren nodded with tears in his eyes. Bren had thought for so long that he had gotten Jake killed. When he had first come to Hogwarts at eleven, Jake who was thirteen seemed to be the only one that understood him. Bren had looked up to the older Hufflepuff.

The hit wizard destroyed the paper and mouthed, "I don't want to lead them to him."

To fill up the silence Richard kept talking, “Oh, I am sorry to hear that. I will help you find someone else. We can check with the operatives at the Ministry and just say you are taking extra training.”

Brennan smiled as he played along, "The ministry might know who I can talk to."

There was one of Jake’s murder that had been planned by his friends to look like he had been killed. On the back was written:



It bought back memories Richard preferred not to think about.

He noticed that Richard was remembering some painful memories.