The Enchantments: Book 4 - The Key of Mulastef

Chapter 15: Battle of Willow Creek

The doctor and Fin stood at the precipice of the large gates staring in amongst the thick foliage to the large estate standing majestically in the distance. They had come amongst the gates hoping to gain an audience with the assistant manager of the bank. Their brows soaked with sweat looking upon the huge chain locking the huge gates from the entrance.

"What the hell is going on with this man?" Fin asked as he rattled the large lock on the gate.

"Someone who locks their gates has something to hide." The doctor whispered as he looked around the length of the gate and beyond.

"Do you think Mr. Guiles plan will work?" Fin asked watching the breeze from the ocean softly blow the large trees on the estate into a frenzy. He peered into the sky and watched the clouds build ever so much more ominous than they had been a few minutes before. The rain was coming, and if the plan was going to work, they needed to initiate the plan before the heavens opened up. Fin looked back at the doctor remembering earlier that day.

Mr. Guile feels that the time had come to tell the doctor and Fin of what he knew he directed them into a small room at the back of the bank. As he ushered them in, he looked back suspiciously at the movement of the other employees then closed the door softly.

"What is all that about?" The doctor asked the waiver in his voice giving Fin pause. Something was up, and he didn't want anyone to know what he was about to tell them.

Mr. Guile turned and motioned for them to sit in the chairs behind a large wooden table.

Guile plopped himself into the nearest chair and rubbed his face tiredly.

"What I'm about to tell you is between us if the bank heard me tell you this my ass would be in the fire." He hesitated a moment then continued. "A month ago I became suspicious of Mr. Crabapple's demeanor. He became belligerent to fellow employees, and when that continued to clients, I placed a detail on him. Mr. Marchaud told me to forsake that as he would talk to him. I was going to drop the torrid affair, but his demeanor only became worse after Marchaud talked to him. That's how I became suspicious of him as well. I placed the guards on high alert knowing something was going to happen and as you can see I was correct."

He stepped away from the table bringing forth a manila envelope from his breast pocket and threw it on the table. The doctor snagged it up and opened it to the first loose leaf paper in the folder.

"As you can see Marchaud hid many things under the watchful eyes of the assistant manager. Money has been going missing and although hidden well we've been able to decipher the leaks were coming from Marchaud himself. I believe Crabapple became suspicious of these accounts and confronted him. Their many days when the heated discussions coming from Marchaud's office were about these indiscretions."

"So what have your investigations come up with?" The doctor asked as he looked up from the folders.

"Small amounts of cash have been taken from each account in the bank. Not enough to become suspicious of but enough that couldn't go unnoticed any longer." He rested his hands on the table and sighed.

"I believe these minions threatened Crabapple with harm and the money for which Marchaud had stolen was to aid in this so called god-like creature of yours entering this world. Marchaud is a very greedy man, and I wouldn't be surprised if they promised to make him a very rich man when all is said and done. Men like Marchaud are never satisfied, and he would trade in his only mother if it gave him a fortune in the process."

"So what do you suggest?" The doctor said closing the files.

"I believe Crabapple knows where he is hiding out, if we can get to him first, he could lead us to Marchaud." Guile said with a spark in his eyes.