Chapter 523 - The Apothecary Ⅲ (2/2)
The four of them make their way up a neat little path in the countryside to a large cottage home with a neatly tended garden. The two younger Auror's glanced at the older figure of Banks, who knocks on the door and waits. The door swings open to reveal a dark brown-haired figure with pale skin dark eyes, and a hard expression resembling that of his older brother, Asclepius Belby.
Asclepius purses his lips in a very familiar family gesture, and stiffly says, ”I suppose you are all here for this,” and threw the ransom letter at them.
Banks easily catches the rolled-up parchment and begins to quickly read the note, before glancing up and saying, ”Mr. Belby, if we may ask, how long ago did you receive this?”
Asclepius folds his arms defensively over his chest and says, ”This afternoon, but I thought it was simply a joke in terrible taste. However, lo and behold I was cleaning up after myself and saw the four of you strolling up the path to my home.”
Asclepius paused, before sharply staring at them. ”So, is it true? Has my brother been kidnapped?”
”You have our sincerest grievances, Mr. Belby, but your brother has been taken hostage,” Banks sincerely said, but not before allowing Twizzle to smell the parchment letter and receiving a confirming bark in reply.
Asclepius is quiet for a moment, before roughly saying, ”Well, I can't pay the ransom. After our mother and father's death, what was little left of the family fortune went into paying father's outstanding gambling debts. All that was left was this house and a small education fund for me, and a bit of mother's dowry to pay for Damocles studies. And though my brother and I do not see eye to eye, I do not wish him any harm. So, what can be done to remedy the situation?”
”If we may come in, Mr. Belby, I believe that we can find a solution,” Banks confidently declared as Asclepius took a step back to allow them to enter his bachelor home. (Though not for long, he was presently courting a certain witch, and if luck would have it, they'd marry within the year or the upcoming year.)
The four of them step into the Belby home as Dorcas Meadows politely says, ”What a lovely home, Mr. Belby. Did you decorate it yourself or did you have help?”
Asclepius is a bit fl.u.s.tered by the question as he shuts the door behind. ”Er, it's mostly myself, though I have had some help as of late.”
”A woman's touch, I see,” Dorcas said in a warm teasing tone causing poor Asclepius to flush in embarrassment.
Sturgis Podmore is a bit in shock at Dorcas' actions, but she was known to be a bit of a tease in a good way. But that was her job usually being the icebreaker and allowing the Auror teams to connect with witnesses and others. And she was mighty good at her job.
All four of them take a seat including Twizzle, who has returned to human form. Asclepius returns with five shot glasses and a glass bottle filled with Firewhiskey. Pouring everyone a bit of Firewhiskey, Asclepius downs his in a single shot, before pouring himself another one. ”So, shall we get started?” He bluntly asked as he fortified himself with another sip of alcohol.
”Of course,” All four of them answered in unison, before pouring out ideas on how to catch the criminal fiends. Because if they had their way, they certainly would achieve their goal.