The Codex

Chapter 2

Molly seemed upset to have to be the apprentice once more but she said she would try to look for some connections.

As I rounded the corner to my apartment there was a car parked right outside. I pulled up to get out of the car and was greeted by a 5.5 woman with dark brown hair.

She had a police badge on her belt and she wore a leather brown jacket with dark blue jeans.

She looked like someone's favorite aunt but Karrin Murphy was definitely more then she seemed.

"Dresden," she said as she got out of her car "Where have you been? I have been calling and calling so I just decided to drop by."

"Sorry Murph, I was out with Molly on winter business and we just got back.

What's up?"

"I got something I want you to take a look at," she said. "Oh," I said. "Not Something from SI?"

"Yeah, Rawlings said that this is something out of the realm of SI." Translation something he doesn't want to deal with. There is a magician in town, Madson Golthu. Apparently, he knew your father."

"My father??" I said. My father Malcolm Dresden had been a magician here in Chicago. He died when I was very young from a car crash. Another magician who knew my father? How could this be? I mean I had a feeling that Dad had known other magicians but I never thought I would actually meet any of them.

"How did he know my father?" I asked Murphy.

"Oh, well according to Rawlings, Madson mentioned that your father and he had been in a three man show at one point in his career.

"They were called the "Three magic men" and they had their last show a few years before you were born."

I just stood there dumbfounded.

"Uh ok Murph, lead the way, I definitely have some questions for this magic man.."

I guess contacting Elaine would have to wait for now,

The Dunsop Circus of Thrills and wonders was situated in the middle of a field on the outskirts of Chicago.

Murphy drove as we pulled into the parking lot.

The tent was at least 5 stories high. Around the exterior of the tent there were various carnies doing a variety of tasks to get the circus ready. Several men were securing a few lines on the tent.

An elephant was being led into the back of the tent by several others.

A group of acrobats were warming up stretching on the left side of the tent. As well as a group of fire swallowers were practicing their fire swallowing on the fright.

At the entrance to the tent was a robust looking gentleman with a striped suit, bull whip, and top hat. It was clear that he was the ringmaster. Behind him was a 7 foot tall strong man, whose muscles were bulging through his similarly striped onesie.

Murphy and I approached the ringmaster.

"My name is Karrin Murphy and this is my consultant Harry Dresden. We are looking for Mr. Golthu, Detective Rawlings sent us."

"Hello Miss Murphy. My name is Felix Dunsop and I am the ringleader of this fine establishment. This is my associate Flex."

Flex lived up to his name and flexed his entire body in response with a wicked smile.

"Flex, would you show them to Mr Golthu's trailer," Felix said.

Flex grunted and began to walk away. Karrin and I proceeded to follow him into the tent.