Chasing Grindelwald

10: Top Krup

TINA
    The angry knot in Tina's chest slowly loosened. She needed to focus, get her thoughts straight. Right now, it didn't matter who Leta was, or what she had done; what mattered was the Animagus hiding as a rabbit somwhere in the store. According to Leta, magical defenses had gone up preventing anyone from Apparating in, or Disapparating out.
"So there's no way she's getting out of here on her own terms," Leta said after she explained the defensive spells. She folded her arms in her amethyst satin robes. "So who's got a plan?"
"I'm thinking," Tina said, only a little irritated at her impatience. "we could pinpoint her location and surround her. Reveal her, tie her up."

"Then we get the information we need and take her to the Ministry," Newt said. He looked upstairs with a sort of grim determination in his eyes that Tina could definitely appreciate.

"Right," Queenie said, gripping her wand so hard her thin knuckles were white. "What should Jacob do?"

"Yeah!" Jacob added enthusiastically. "I could stand guard by the door or-"

"Yes!" Tina said suddenly, realizing just how helpful Jacob could be. "Keep watch by the door, just in case bunny rabbit up there decided to signal her friends." 

"Sure thing," Jacob said, his face serious as he grabbed a couple of books for weapons\shields as he glanced both ways down the deserted cobblestone street. "I'll holler real loud if I see anything."

"You got this, sweetie," Queenie breathed, kissing his cheek. 

"You guys stay safe," he said.

"Don't do that," Newt ordered, his lips pressed tightly together.

"Do what?" the no-maj asked, confused. 

" Don't act like you have to tell each other good-bye," Newt returned. "You have to believe we'll all come downstairs. Everything will be all right in the end, but for the time being, Tina; I need your help." He set his case on the table with a slam and flicked the latches down. "I'd ask you, Jacob, but krups aren't really fond of Muggles."

"You have a krup in that case?" Leta yelped, looking both amazed and confused. Apparently, her love for magical creatures was still alive somewhere inside her dark soul. 

"Among other things," Newt replied gravely before turning t casting her a dark look before turning to Tina. "Coming? If you help, it will only take a few minutes, and most my creatures are familiar with you now."

"Coming," Tina agreed, trying (and failing) to ignore the hurt look on Leta's face.

     Downstairs, Newt called, "Dodgy!" and immediately, a small Jack Russel terrier came bounding through all the different biomes of the case, straight into the shed. He tracked snow and desert sand around the wooden floor as he padded around excitedly, wagging his forked tail happily and licking his master's hand as he stroked his head. 

"What did you need my help for?" Tina asked. "Are there more than one?" 

"What?" Newt seemed lost in thought. "Oh, no. I just wanted to tell you. . . I know what you're thinking. About Leta,  I mean."

"What do you mean?" Tina said. Newt winced, and she realized she'd snapped at him. "I'm sorry." She stroked the little dog's head.

"You don't trust her," Newt said carefully. "I can tell by the way you look at her. Of course, I don't trust her either,  but. . ."

"But?" Tina said expectantly.

"But she can't be working for Grindelwald," he said. "If that were the case, we'd already be dead or captured."