The Salem Concord Book 1: Interview for a Wizard
Page 14
***
“I will have you arrested.” Beifar warned.
“You will not, agent Mahgo.” Lord Alex smiled, sliding his hands repeatedly over the staff. “You were trespassing. Breaking the law.”
“You have Brimstone without a permit!” Beifar gestured with his head to the smoldering rock. “That is a federal crime. Now let me go.”
“I don’t think so.” Lord Alex walked around the wizard. “Now why is a secret agent from the Department visiting my office? Have I done something wrong, agent?”
“Right now you are,” answered the wizard. “Binding a government official with a hex is a federal offense. Of course, you don’t live by the law, do you? You never have.”
Lord Alex took the staff in both hands and swung it high over his head bringing it down hard at Beifar just inches from his feet. The wizard jerked back in his chair. Lord Alex smiled. “I can kill you, agent wizard. Why are you here?”
“You kill me and the Department will be notified immediately of the location of my death. You won’t get away with it.”
Lord Alex paused, “Your advancement in modern wizardry never ceases to amaze me. Very well then, let’s get back to the question, why are you here?”
“Fragile boxes sent to Alivan’s Wizards and Witches Corner Store from your mailing address. Why?”
Lord Alex thought for a moment. Then he smiled again. “You don’t expect me to give you any information, do you?” He moved around, pulled back another chair and sat down. He placed the staff on the center of the huge conference table.
“Raven Fidgewidge?” inquired Beifar.
Lord Alex sat quietly thinking, reviewing his options. Beifar waited.
The cell phone rang again. “Excuse me, sir…”
“Take a message, Jeeves.” Beifar instructed.
“Yes, sir” the phone responded.
“Someone is trying to reach you?” Lord Alex finally spoke. “Is it your wife?”
Beifar squinted.
“How has she been? It has been so long. You know, sometimes I still find myself thinking about her, so beautiful.”
Beifar sat silent just staring, attempting to look cool under pressure, but the throbbing vein on the side of his neck gave it away.
“Maybe when I get rid of you once and for all, I’ll pay her a visit. That would be nice, I think. Rekindle old memories, hmmm.” He smiled as he gazed up towards the large vaulted ceilings.
Beifar stayed motionless holding in the anger that was building up fast.
“Business is business, agent Beifar. And this was very good business. How could I turn my back on such a generous offer? By the way, isn’t it your job to stop the bad guys? I just help them become a little more evil. Don’t get me wrong, Mr. Secret Agent Man, I am not a businessman, I am the businessman.”
“What did you sell him, Alex?”
Lord Alex rose from his chair, “Oh, very well, if you insist.” He walked around the room waving his hands like a proud painter explaining his work of art. “Glass, non-shatter cylinders - - very strong stuff, very expensive, and capable of containing powerful magic. I expect he plans to blow something up with it. What do I care? He was a very good paying customer. Oh, yes, and glass mixing containers, very fragile.”
“Dragon Breath - - he’s using Dragon Breath.”
Lord Alex turned and faced Beifar from across the room. He was far and hidden in the shadows. “So, what does that have to do with me? That’s your problem, keeping the peace and all that stuff. Not mine.”
“You’ve gotten worse,” said Beifar more to himself. “You haven’t gotten over it?”
Lord Alex laughed out loud. “I married into a very reputable wizard family, Beifar. Did you forget? I have a gorgeous witch wife, and a beautiful witch daughter. I am considered by Folk as an ideal role model in this community - - wealthy, charitable, handsome, and I’m respected in the wizardry community as well. What do you have -- a Folk wife and Folk children? Your family line is ruined. You’re a sales rep by day and a government agent by night. You have nothing. You can keep her, I have much more.”
Lord Alex paused for a moment. “You and I are so different. You are so simple, so ordinary. I never really understood what she ever saw in you. I could have given her the world, but instead she chose you. You broke the rules, you know. I give you that. You are very daring. Case in point, here you are. However, you’re not very smart. I suppose that when all is said and done, I will be the one remembered for my greatness and you – well, nothing more than this.”
Lord Alex smiled, “I can kill you now, you know. I would tell the Department that you were trespassing, harassing me again. I would show them your staff and say you tried to use it against me and based on the history between us, they would most assuredly believe me.”
Beifar remained quiet. This was going all wrong. Lord Alex was an underground trafficker of illegal, enchanted items and other illicit things, but there was never any way to prove it. For years Beifar tried uncovering Lord Alex’s illicit dealings and criminal acts, but his investigations were futile. He was finally ordered by the Department Chief to cease pursuing Lord Alex. The well-respected and contributing wizard requested for Beifar to be removed from the Department on harassment allegations. The matter was considered, and taken to court, but luckily thrown out on a minor technicality. Beifar knew that if he was caught inside Lord Alex’s company, without a search warrant, his career would be over, and here he sat, caught. Foolishly, he entered the building not expecting an Emunio Concutio; the magic security system used against Wizardry to keep them out. In his rush to follow up on his wild hunch, he found himself in the clutch of his old foe.
“I know what he’s up to.” Lord Alex continued. “And I don’t like it.” He pulled out an extremely long, black wand with a gold tip from the inside pocket of his suit jacket, and pointed it at Beifar. “However, I dislike you more. You’ve been more trouble to me than I care to remember.” He switched his wand and said, “Laxo!”
Beifar felt the tension of the ropes loosen and disappear. He was free. He outstretched his arm summoning his staff and it obeyed. Lord Alex swung again and blocked it.
He grinned, “I’m much faster than you.”
He pointed again at the wizard. “But my little daughter would be greatly disappointed if Fidgewidge’s plan is successful. I can’t have that on my conscience.” As he spoke he made his way to the great double doors, all the while keeping his wand pointed at the wizard. “Go and do your job Secret Agent Man, or the greatest vacation spot in the world will be destroyed.” The doors slammed behind him.
Beifar wasted no time. He reached out and his staff flew into his hand. He took his hat and placed it back on his head, pulling down on the brim until it almost covered his eyes. Then he tapped the staff on the floor and - - FLASH!
The wizard Beifar was gone.