Chapter 648 - Accord Ⅲ (1/2)
After the uttered sentence of Sanderson, Minister Jenkins stiffens rigidly in understanding at exactly what that meant. ”And if that is indeed the case, Mister Sanderson, then why have you come here? Surely, you would know that you would be delivering yourself into the very hands of the law.”
”Improbable,” Sanderson instantly replied. ”There is no proof that I have ever committed a crime. Believe me, when I state this for Ogden has tried on more than one occasion, since the very start of his career as an Auror, but still has never managed to convict me.”
”That's because the proof or the witnesses always vanish at the end!” Ogden roared back.
”Control yourself, Ogden,” Minister Jenkins said with a frown. ”It is most unbecoming of one of your stature.”
Ogden flushes with anger and embarrassment. ”Yes, Minister,” Ogden grumbles, but not before flashing Sanderson a hate-filled glare.
Minister Jenkins studies Sanderson for a moment, before walking over to take the open seat beside him. Ogden moves to protest, but a stern glance from the Minister keeps him silent. ”If what I have learned in the last few minutes is true, you are an extremely dangerous wizard, Mister Sanderson. But what do you want with me?”
”Respectability,” Sanderson immediately replied. ”I wish to become a legitimate business. In exchange, I will turn in all small-time criminals, illegal dealers, including outing any wizard or witch, wanted for a felonious crime. And I will cease to commit any transaction that is not strictly condoned by the law on said premise and will even go as far as to permit Auror's to routinely check the ledger, so to speak.”
Naturally, he would have his own bookkeepers cook the account books in such a way that off-book transactions could never be traced. And he had no problem turning in murderers it had been many years since he actively sanctioned hits. Rather he was an intermediary that facilitated the meeting of two parties that shared an equal interest in matters of the heart. It was a public service, really.
”You can't believe in anything that this monster says, Minister,' Ogden roared as he pulled out his wand, pointing it right at Sanderson. ”I should have killed you, where you stood that day, Murderer!”
”Put your wand away, Ogden,” Minister Jenkins sternly ordered. ”Don't make me repeat myself twice, Ogden.”
Gashing his teeth together, Ogden finally puts his wand away, but not before saying, ”He's the devil, Minister Jenkins. Nothing this vile brute says can be taken for granted, there is always a catch!”
”That may very well be the case, Ogden,” Minister Jenkins said as she critically assessed the elderly ma before her. ”But he is old now, and an evil brute like him will have made plenty of enemies in his lifetime. And a lion sooner or later is always taken down by a newer foe.”
”How very perspective of you, Minister Jenkins,” Sanderson said with a thin smile. ”I knew that I liked you for a reason, and that's exactly why I voted for you to remain in office.”
”Do not attempt to patronize me, Sanderson,” Minister Jenkins sharply retorted. ”I am in no mood to hear such empty flattery.”
Leaning back in her chair, Minister Jenkins crosses her legs in front of her. ”Very well, let us get down to business. Hypothetically speaking of course, if I accept such an offer, when will the transaction take place?”
”Within three fortnights at the latest,” Sanderson instantly replied. ”I will see to it that every single last scrap of information is delivered. And will personally wrap them all up for you with even a neat bow and tie if the Minister would prefer?”
Minister Jenkins taps her finger against the arm of her chair, before saying, ”If said information can be corroborated, then you will receive an official business license from the Ministry to deal in rare goods not typically available on the open market. However, it will be tightly regulated and subjected to spontaneous visits.”
”Naturally,” Sanderson said without a trace of fear. ”But if that is the case, I request that I have a friendly pair of Auror's sent to check the premise. I would hate to imagine the kind of damage that could be done to my shop or customers by Ogden and his lackeys.”
Minister Jenkins purses her lips, but not before saying, ”I can arrange that. However, there are no illegal transactions to occur on the premise nor sanctioned hits.”
”Of course,” Sanderson said with a pleasant grin.