Lockwoods key

Chapter 1

Chrissy had never been very popular, but at this moment in time not a single person didn't stop to talk to her. It was overwhelming having to greet everyone in the Fittes with the knowledge that each of them had seen the photo.

That bloody photo.

For 5 years she'd been able to dip under the radar, a good enough agent but nothing special to keep her head above the others. Now however everyone was taking interest in her.

"Miss Smith? Everything okay?" The older agent asked. She had been assigned as her supervisor of sorts and in all honesty wasn't the worse person to have as company.

"Just tired." Chrissy smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes.

Understanding the older woman just nodded, not pushing any further. Despite only being early 20's she was already old news in the Fittes Agency, and so her jobs would have mostly included admin or training.

"Here we are," she declared, stopping outside a simple oak door, "I'll be back in 2 hours to take you to lunch."

"Thank you." Chrissy said, not bothering to knock as she went through.

The woman shuddered a little. It creeped her out the way the younger girl had stopped bothering to hide her telepathy. If the rumours were true, she had been assigned to guard nothing more than a corpse.

At least the bonus pay was good.

Inside the room was a long rectangle, a table stretching nearly the full length with at least 5 empty chairs either side. Silhouetted by the early afternoon sun streaming through the windows, an older man named Agent Philip Carrum sat surrounded by paper work. He looked up over his silver glasses at the young girl. She was taller than he expected, with long ashy hair and slanted amber eyes. Not exactly plain but not a beauty for the Agency to smack on the front of their weekly newsletter.

"Miss Smith. Please come sit." He motioned to the chair beside him, and after a minute she had finally walked up far enough to sit down. Her eyes scanned the documents. A few NDA's, some health and safety and an insurance agreement.
"Now, are you aware why you're here?"

"To discuss my future at the Fittes Agency after the publishing of last weeks paper."

Philip's face turned a slight grey, her voice echoing in his head without her lips moving.

"It is true then. Remarkable indeed." He nodded, wiping the sweat from  his brow and trying to smile reassuringly. It was more of a grimace however.
"That is correct, however we are aware there is more at stake here in our response than just the Agencies reputation. Today I'm here to focus on you. Not the company."

Chrissy raised her eyebrows, having expected to be tossed onto the street. Still, the company never did anything without their own interests at heart. Whatever plan they had it would undoubtedly mean a better outcome for them than her. 

Before she could ask however, he slid a document hidden under the others towards her. A security report. It was directly from the owner of the newspaper that had published the images and article, accusing the Fittes agency of harbouring cult members and being part of a diabolical scheme. She glossed over the fervent apology straight to the copy of the application for the article, as well as the names of those involved. One was insignificant, but the four others caused a lump to form in her throat.

"As you can see, Lockwood and Co. are continuing to try and exploit the company, bringing us down to their level."

"How did they find the pictures?"

"They were doing a hunt at a house. turns out it was owned by one of the previous occupants. The book they were hidden in was the source."

"Do we know who owned the house?"

"Is it relevant?"

A sharp pain suddenly stabbed through the man's head, her glare causing a shock through the link. For a moment he caught a glimpse of her pain and fury, enough to make him dizzy.

"It was a Mrs Elizabeth Dylanwell. She took up residence there and died under unknown circumstances a year ago. Presumably ghost touch as she wasn't the only ghost there."

"Batty Lizzy eh? Very well."

"Does that mean something in particular to you?"

"Could do. We'll have to see."

Philip leaned back in his chair, giving the pain a moment to dull before deciding to push forward the next document.

"This is what I'm here to talk to you about today. A little something to show the Fittes agency isn't one to be messed around with."

There was a light chuckle voiced aloud as she read the paper, biting her thumbnail.

"So? What do you think?"

"Perfect." She smiled, taking the pen and beginning to sign along the dotted line. He let out the breath he had been holding.
"However there is one small thing."

Another sharp intake of breath. "Go on."

"I want access to a private and sealed records about the Cult of Belial."

"Done." He replied instantly. That would be no issue for Penelope he knew. She had her heart set on getting this girl on board.

Once finished signing, Philip got up and motioned to another door, leading off into an alternate staircase leading up into the building. With just a cock of one eyebrow Chrissy followed his direction, the blue carpet soft beneath her boots. She no longer had a rapier on her hip but she knew she wouldn't need it. Silently wishing her tour guide well, she kept climbing. 

Even when the door was closed behind her.