Axel Light Trilogy: Wands and Shield

Chapter 28-B

'Lieutenant Stanley, can I have a word with you?'

Monsford was at the entrance of the dining room of the safe house at Stellar Street. He smiled at the faces staring at him from the dining table. The Greens, Stanley, Johnson and Axel Light. Monsford's heart clenched at the sight of Axel, who looked pale and more troubled that he used to.

Monsford had not seen Axel in a while. He had not backed up for Stanley because Stanley was not allowed to take leave, even for a few hours. Johnson's backup was Beatty, so even when Johnson took leave, it would be Beatty who would be in the house with Axel.

Since Monsford was tasked to go through every report about Axel's case from his parents' cases from sixteen years ago, he felt like he knew Axel inside-out, probably even more than Axel knew about himself. The more he knew, the more sympathy he would feel for Axel.

Stanley stood up from his chair and gave Monsford a curt nod. Axel gave Monsford a smile, and he returned it.

'Excuse me,' muttered Stanley, as he made his way towards Monsford.

'We'll talk outside,' Monsford gestured to the foyer.

Stanley gave him a quick glance, he returned a quick nod.

They stood right outside the gates of the safe house, under a tall tree. Monsford could see Axel's head bobbing in the window – he must had just got back into his room. Stanley casted Tacitus that enclosed both of them inside, including a few branches of the tall tree.

'Larson, Riley and Pickard are clear,' muttered Monsford, his eyes darted around, wary of any eavesdroppers.

Stanley took a silent deep breath and he nodded grimly. He looked glad. Pickard was Stanley's rival and friend, Monsford was sure that Stanley had been worried that Pickard was a mole.

'So...' Stanley frowned worriedly, 'three left.'

Monsford nodded.

'There is a chance that it is none of them, isn't it?' asked Stanley, hopeful.

Monsford shook his head slowly.

'Oh, come on! I can't believe this!' cried Stanley frustratingly, 'Mintridge... seriously?! She was your trainer, Monsford! You should know better!'

'Not Mintridge,' Monsford shook his head, 'She should be cleared soon. Commissioner Linden is at Wisthurter himself for some final checks on her. He should be back later tonight. He did not send me any warning, so, I think Mintridge is not.'

'Johnson and Beatty too!' cried Stanley, 'They are both in our department! I had seen them become Sergeants since the Academy years! You work with them too!'

'Do you think that I like to dig into their personal lives and find out all their dirty secrets?' said Monsford grimly, 'Believe me, I don't enjoy that at all.'

Stanley sighed and held his shaking head in his hands, 'I know it is not easy for you. None of us is having the best times of our lives.'

'But none of our lives are worse than the one Axel has,' said Monsford shortly.

Stanley stared at Monsford, stunned.

'What did you find out about Axel?' whispered Stanley worriedly.

Monsford looked at Stanley, contemplating his answers.

'I took the vow, I can't say anything about Axel,' said Monsford, 'But I'm here to inform you about the others.'

Monsford glanced at the house before he looked at a heated Stanley, 'Beatty just got married and bought a new house, in a swanky neighbourhood. Not one for a low-ranking MaxPol. He needs a lot of money...'

'He had been saving hard! He even worked during his day-offs! You know that!' cried Stanley incredulously, 'What about Johnson?!'

'Her father had always been giving her problems, asking her for money while she was on duty. He was always drunk and many times, he was brought into Headquarters for being a nuisance and Johnson had to bail him out,' said Monsford, 'But it had stopped suddenly...'

'So, Johnson is a suspect because her father had decided to become good and sober?' Stanley slapped a hand on his forehead, 'What kind of logic is that?!'

'People don't change overnight, unless something drastic had happened to them,' said Monsford shortly, 'He lost a leg recently, attacked at a back alley. He was warned not to give trouble to her daughter anymore.'

'Lost a leg?' gasped Stanley, 'Johnson never... mention...'

'She is hiding something from us,' said Monsford, nodding slowly, 'Beatty too. I had found out that his house had been paid off just last month. He had stopped his part time work as well.'

'Last month? About the time... Axel...' Stanley hesitated.

Monsford continued to nod.

'Watch out for them,' said Monsford quietly, 'That's what I came here to warn you. They are both here most of the time. Commander Rowen is worried that maybe there is more than one... of them...'

'COME OFF IT!' cried Stanley angrily, 'Either one of them is bad! Not both!!'

'I am not saying that it is both, but there is a chance,' said Monsford grimly, 'When Commissioner Linden is back, we need to change the rotation. They can't be each other's backup, too risky. I will speak with him tomorrow. In the meantime, you must stay constantly vigilant.'

Stanley nodded understandably but shakily. Monsford sighed and patted his shoulder.

'Just hang in there. We are getting closer to discover the mole in our Operation. Once we get back to Stirling, it will be easier for us, safer for Axel,' said Monsford encouragingly, 'But as long as he is in Xeliq, we must be very cautious.'

Stanley continued to nod wearily, rubbing his eyes.

'I know you are very tired, Lieutenant Stanley,' sighed Monsford, 'We all are.'