The Mysterious Disappearance of Alistair Avery: A Finnigan Flynn Investigation

II

Flynn rarely ever found reason to enter The Fortress, though the ominous looking building had always been a source of intense curiosity. The inside was just as curious, there were countless rooms and long dark hallways, Flynn couldn't help but stare down each one and wonder what sort of business was conducted there, but MacAully kept him moving swiftly toward the lift at the back of the building.

"Very few people have access to this lift you know," MacAully said as he pulled the iron grate closed, "it's a private lift used only by Mr. Gordon himself -- and a few select members of his cabinet who are privy to his secluded quarters."

"Ya don't say." Flynn scratched his messy hair. "Well, I get to use it so it must not be so hard to access."

MacAully scoffed and pressed one of the buttons, which lit up as the elevator started to rise. "You would never be allowed in this lift if it weren't for the extenuating circumstances."

"Really? I mean, it doesn't seem like anything special. Pretty average looking lift I'd say."

"Yes, well," MacAully's curt tone cut over Flynn's words. "It is quite special and if you weren't with me the guards would never let you--"

"Guards? There were guards? I didn't see any guards."

"Well they're hiding aren't they? If you tried to access this lift without me they would have swooped in and--"

"Hiding? What kind of guards hide? They should be out in the open, you know, guarding. Otherwise they'd be called...I don't know...hides?"

"Are you really the best investigator our fine city has to offer?" MacAully asked.

"The best of the best." Flynn hooked his thumbs under his suspenders as he reminded MacAully of his own words.

"Yes, well..." MacAully's voice trailed off and they both fell silent.

The ride to the top floor took much longer than Flynn expected. He rocked back and forth on his heels while he waited in the tense quiet. The only sound was that of the various cogs and gears whose clunking rotations caused the lift to rise through the tall spire of The Fortress.

Finally there was a ding and the iron grate slid aside and Flynn laid eyes on the private office of Mr. Gordon. Everything seemed to be plated in gold and Flynn was easily lost in the extravagance.

"Ah, inspector!" A squat, chubby old man entered the room. His vain attempt at a combover had been covered with a tall purple top hat that matched his pinstriped purple suit.

"Mr. Prime Minister!" Flynn struggled with the proper etiquette for greeting the most powerful man on the continent. He inclined his head, then made eye contact for a split second before averting his gaze with an awkward half bow, half curtsy.

The Prime Minister chuckled before taking a seat in the huge chair behind his golden desk. "Please, call me Henry."

"Er, of course Mr. Prime-...I mean...Mr. Gordon...Henry...Mr. Henry." Flynn stumbled over his words and the Prime Minister just laughed some more.

"Just Henry, really, we try not to be so formal with such esteemed guests as yourself."

Flynn blushed and started playing with the collar of his shirt, unsure of how to respond. As the Prime Minister motioned to an empty chair Flynn instantly fell into it. He looked back and forth between the Prime Minister and his aide. "So, Mr. Gordon. Mr. MacAully here says you've got a bit of work for me?"

"Indeed we do! It appears as though the ambassador from the Territories has suddenly gone missing!"

"You mean, Alistair Avery?"

"That would be him." The Prime Minister shook his head as he spoke. "Such a shame really, we'd been working on some very important treaties you see, and one day he just didn't show up! We've not heard from him and it's been over a week now."

"A week? That seems like a long time. Why haven't you tried finding him earlier?"

"Well, those important treaties and such. We're quite busy here in The Fortress you know."

"Yes, of course." Flynn bowed his head and bit his lip.

"Well, needless to say Avery's people are getting quite restless. They haven't heard from the man either and they're demanding he be found."

"And you want me to find those answers?" Flynn looked up again, eager for such a high profile case.

"Absolutely."

"I'm in, when should I start."

"Well...immediately I suppose." The Prime Minister chuckled. "But don't you want to talk about your payment?"

"I trust I'll be finely reimbursed."

"Ah, I do very much love a man who trusts his government." The Prime Minister nodded and his tall hat nearly slipped from his head. "Of course, I'll provide you with a small team, not to mention use of an airship."

"Airship?" Flynn perked up.

"Yes, airship," The Prime Minister had a twinkle in his eye now. "Keep in mind that it isn't a Territorial ship; we've yet to come up with a combination of gasses stable enough to safely keep a balloon like that afloat without... combusting so you'll be using one of our prototypes. It's not quite as elegant as the Territorials, but it flies none the less."

"Sir," MacAully said to the Prime Minister from his station on the other side of the room. "I believe the others have arrived."

"Excellent," The Prime Minister grinned. "Shall we go meet your companions then?"

Flynn had been so excited about the possibility of flying that he'd forgotten about the Prime Minister's mention of a team. "I really work better on my own."

"Nonsense." The Prime Minister waved his right hand and stood up to waddle over to the lift. "I assure you, inspector, you will want some back up when you get to the Territories. The people have been growing restless and I want them to see that I've got my best men on the job...er...well...my best people? Best investigators." The Prime Minister seemed to struggle for the proper term to use.