Axel Light Trilogy: Wands and Shield

Chapter 15-A

'Only a few people know about Axel's trip to his house,' said Stanley quietly.

Linden looked grimly at him.

'Each one of us is a suspect, including you and I, Stanley,' said Linden.

Stanley shook his head vigorously, 'I don't believe it! Monsford, Johnson, Mintridge, Finlay... I trust everyone!'

'Or it was just pure coincidence that the box was placed in the house, pure coincidence that Axel pick it up and opened it,' said Linden flatly.

'There is a chance!' cried Stanley.

'I am not ruling that out,' snapped Linden, tapping his fingers on his desk impatiently.

'There must be someone else watching our movements all the time...' said Stanley nervously.

'We must be very careful where Axel goes. It is safest to keep him at home,' said Linden, 'At least, he should never leave Stirling.'

'But he will think that we are restricting his movements, imprisoning him,' said Stanley worriedly, 'When he knows that you had found his mother's house, he will want to go there!'

Linden sighed deeply. He had stopped tapping his fingers on his desk as they were getting sore.

They had found Natasha Wyndham's house while she was in Xeliq, but they could not enter it. Linden had tried many spells, but nothing had worked so far. But he was not going to give up.

Initially, they could not even see the house. They knew it was there, but it was invisible to their eyes. After many tries, Linden had successfully dispelled the cloaking spell. So, Linden was sure that he would get the door to open, just a matter of how and when.

The house had kept him busy for many days now and draining his energy. But he knew that there must be important evidence inside the house. Or at least something useful that could help them with Axel's case.

'He can go to the house when it is safe to do so. Not now. Not when we don't know who the mole is yet,' said Linden bitterly.

The mole.

He or she was creating havoc in Operation Lumen. Leaking information, confidential ones as well. Someone who had direct access to the schedule or planning. Or direct access to Axel.

'I want you to stick with Axel at all times, no more backups for you, Stanley,' said Linden, and he added, 'I'm sorry, but I don't trust anyone else.'

Stanley bowed at Linden, 'It is an honour to be given this task, Commissioner Linden. I understand the commitments.'

Linden nodded in appreciation, 'We will look after your mother while you are at Stirling.'

'Thank you, she will be fine. She is used to me being away,' said Stanley, grateful for the offer.

'She is a strong woman,' agreed Linden, 'A very strong woman. I'll drop by now and then to check on her. Just to say hi. No worries.'

'Thank you, Commissioner Linden,' said Stanley.

Linden was a family friend. Stanley had known him since he was a kid. His mother would not be suspicious of Stanley's proximity to danger in Operation Lumen. She might had guessed, but it was all part and parcel of being a MaxPol.

She would understand.