Post by Markus von Wolfram on Apr 7, 2013 23:05:26 GMT -8
January 10, 2012
8:15 p.m.
He entered his office feeling perhaps slightly less stressed out than when the day had started. A few good things had gone in his favor; Rika Lefcout was proving to be a capable investigator and now that he had gotten over the initial shock of Lord Williams’ letter, he had no doubt she would be nothing but an asset to the investigation. Then of course Anne had been reassigned to Hogwarts and that brought a huge amount of relief to the Captain.
Ever since that one time their jobs had crossed and he had the chance to work with her on a professional level, he found they had been coming to each other quite a bit when each was having troubles with their respected investigations, or to just talk, and in Markus’ case, vent on rare occasion. To be honest, Markus enjoyed spending time with her. Anne was someone her could relax around while at work, and she was what he considered a good friend. As far has he knew she got along well with Kirsten and his boys, his boys enjoyed being around her and surprisingly enough, Anne didn’t seem to mind them too much.
He chuckled to himself and ran a hand through his hair; Anne’s last parting words when he had left her to settle in flitting through his thoughts. The Captain had every intention of doing nothing but looking through case files and all the evidence gathered from this morning’s murder. Technically he was on his two days off to get himself switched back over to days, however he didn’t think sleep would be coming anytime soon considering he had slept through his alarm earlier and slept an extra three hours longer than he should have.
Markus took a moment to take off his uniform jacket off and un-tuck his shirt so he would be a little more comfortable. He doubted anyone would be bothering him for a while at least. He moved over to his chair and tossed his jacked haphazardly over its back. That was when he noticed it. Had the Captain been at his desk back at the Ministry, Markus probably wouldn’t have noticed it, but here… here he had nothing adorning his desk except case files and letters. There shouldn’t have been a picture frame… the only picture he had brought with him was of his family during last summer, and he kept that in his top desk drawer…
Closer inspection brought a frown to the Captains face, especially when he noticed the red heart surrounding his wife and kids. Was that… blood? He moved to pick up the pictured, smudging some of the red stuff off with his thumb, before bringing his thumb to his mouth. The metallic taste was all he needed to confirm his suspicions. Markus spat the offending substance out of his mouth and onto the floor, only then noticing the scroll that had been sitting under the picture. Hesitantly, he set the picture down on a stack of files and picked up the scroll, un-rolling it so it could be read. What he read caused his stomach to drop.
Not one of you will see the day if you insist on playing one by one by one you'll fall away and die.
That son-of-a-bitch. That son-of-a-bitch had been here! Knew that he had family in the school and was effectively leveraging them as a threat against further investigation. In a fit of rage unbecoming of a von Wolfram, Markus kicked the corner of his desk hard enough to move it a few feet to the side, knocking various files and papers to the floor. ”You bastard,” he shouted to the open air before crushing the letter as he balled his fists and brought them up to his forehead before dropping into his chair heavily. It took him a long time to get a hold of himself, and when he finally did, he lowered his hands, dropping the crumpled paper to the floor.
Markus didn’t know how long he mulled over the letter, the risks of keeping his boys here or sending them over to Kirsten’s mom and dad in Germany, the fact that whoever he was, knew of his family bothered the Captain even more. It had become personal. And if the killer thought that would deter Markus from this investigation he was sorely mistaken. If anything, the killer provided a more urgent drive and focus. As far as Markus was concerned, he now had everything to lose by not solving this case.
”Dad…”
At first Markus thought he was hearing things. Why on earth would one of his guards be calling him dad? No, it couldn’t be a guard; the accent was decidedly familiar, very, German.
”Daaaaaad? I know you’re in there!”
The door creaked open and the site of his twelve year old slipping in brought a smile to his face though it was quickly replaced by that of curiosity. How had a twelve year old managed to slip by 20 or so guards that were between the great hall and his office? Merlin did he even want to know? His youngest was a Slytherin after all.
”Erik. What’s up? You ok?”
”Ya I’m fine. Am I not supposed to be,” his youngest quipped back as he made to clamber into Markus’ lap without so much as an invitation from the man. Then, much to Markus’ amusement, Erik then continued on as if there was nothing wrong with this whole situation. ”You’re doing it again. Working too hard.” The boy reached into his robe and pulled out what could have been a very mangled chocolate frog and handed it to Markus.
”That’s for you. Ma gave it to me to give to you if you were working too hard again. I mean Toff has seen you lots since you got here but I haven’t. You’ve been busy and I’ve been doing school stuff. Did you know I got to try out for the Quidditch team?! I didn’t make it but that’s ok. I like charms, it’s a fun class and there are lots of guards around! Are they all yours-”
Markus put a hand to his sons mouth and couldn’t hold back the laugh that had been threatening to break out since the boy had started talking.
”Whoa, whoa, whoa. Slow down there bud, one thought at a time ok?”
”Sorry dad, I forgot…”
”Now what has you so worried huh? And don’t try to tell me it’s nothing. Your Slytherin wiles won’t work on your dad since he was one back in the day.”
The smirk on Markus’ face was undeniable. Ever since his youngest had been sorted into the house of green and silver the boy had gone out of his way to live up to the houses reputation. Some days it was a challenge. Christof had all his mother’s smarts and was a handful in his own right, but Erik… Erik had his own kind of smarts that had made the last few years interesting to say the least.
At Markus’ question the twelve year old had the grace to look at least a little bit sheepish that his dad had saw through him so easily. He guessed that’s why his dad was his dad after all, and a captain of the guard to boot.
”Are you going to catch the bad guy?”
The question was asked with all the innocence a twelve year old could give. Markus gave the boy a tight lipped smile. Of course the kid would be worried, and understandably so. It wasn’t like Markus had had a chance to actually stop and be a dad since he got here, and with Kirsten out on her own assignments, the boys really had no one to talk to lately. Markus looked down at his youngest and felt a surge of determination flow through. He would catch that bastard who was roaming for the school, he had to!
”You better believe it sport. This killer has nothing on your old dad. I’ll catch him, I promise. But I don’t want you running around when you should be in your common room ok? And keep an eye on your older brother, you know how he gets.”
Erik puffed out his chest at the last bit knowing his older brothers penchant for getting into things he shouldn’t. Toff was always going on about joining the guard when he got older and other such stuff. The boy nodded in response to Markus, giving his dad a tight hug before sliding back down to the floor.
”Sure thing dad…”
The boy took a few steps away before hesitating, looking for all the world like he just got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Markus eyed his son with a wary glance.
”What are you up too?”
”Um… can I borrow your pocket watch? You know, the one you always have with you?”
Markus looked at the boy, trying to understand why on earth he would need his watch for anything.
”Why?”
”Jarod Finley dared me to sneak in hear to swipe it… I don’t think he realizes you’re my dad though. So, I mean, if I could borrow it… just till breakfast! I’ll give it back I promise!”
It took the Captain a minute to register what his son had just said but when it clicked he laughed and laughed hard. Maybe Kirsten was onto something when she said Erik was like a miniature version of himself. Go figure though, the kid was smart enough to kill two birds with one stone and a dare was the perfect way to cover his tracks if he got caught. Once Markus got a hold of himself he sat forward and reached behind him to fish the pocket watch out of his jacket pocket and handed it over to the boy, who had a grin that he was sure matched his own, and ruffled the kids hair with his free hand.
”Don’t you dare tell your mother about this or we’ll both never hear the end of it.”
”Promise! And thanks dad!”
That said the boy took off, slamming the door behind him on his way back to the Slytherin common room, prize in hand. Markus sucked in a deep breath and ran a hand through his hair. It was moments like these that he lived for and reminded him of why he fought for the side he did. He gaze absently wandered to the floor and settled on the crumpled letter. There was no way he was going to run. No way! Come hell or high water he would catch this killer before he could kill anyone else or his family. That or die trying.
8:15 p.m.
He entered his office feeling perhaps slightly less stressed out than when the day had started. A few good things had gone in his favor; Rika Lefcout was proving to be a capable investigator and now that he had gotten over the initial shock of Lord Williams’ letter, he had no doubt she would be nothing but an asset to the investigation. Then of course Anne had been reassigned to Hogwarts and that brought a huge amount of relief to the Captain.
Ever since that one time their jobs had crossed and he had the chance to work with her on a professional level, he found they had been coming to each other quite a bit when each was having troubles with their respected investigations, or to just talk, and in Markus’ case, vent on rare occasion. To be honest, Markus enjoyed spending time with her. Anne was someone her could relax around while at work, and she was what he considered a good friend. As far has he knew she got along well with Kirsten and his boys, his boys enjoyed being around her and surprisingly enough, Anne didn’t seem to mind them too much.
He chuckled to himself and ran a hand through his hair; Anne’s last parting words when he had left her to settle in flitting through his thoughts. The Captain had every intention of doing nothing but looking through case files and all the evidence gathered from this morning’s murder. Technically he was on his two days off to get himself switched back over to days, however he didn’t think sleep would be coming anytime soon considering he had slept through his alarm earlier and slept an extra three hours longer than he should have.
Markus took a moment to take off his uniform jacket off and un-tuck his shirt so he would be a little more comfortable. He doubted anyone would be bothering him for a while at least. He moved over to his chair and tossed his jacked haphazardly over its back. That was when he noticed it. Had the Captain been at his desk back at the Ministry, Markus probably wouldn’t have noticed it, but here… here he had nothing adorning his desk except case files and letters. There shouldn’t have been a picture frame… the only picture he had brought with him was of his family during last summer, and he kept that in his top desk drawer…
Closer inspection brought a frown to the Captains face, especially when he noticed the red heart surrounding his wife and kids. Was that… blood? He moved to pick up the pictured, smudging some of the red stuff off with his thumb, before bringing his thumb to his mouth. The metallic taste was all he needed to confirm his suspicions. Markus spat the offending substance out of his mouth and onto the floor, only then noticing the scroll that had been sitting under the picture. Hesitantly, he set the picture down on a stack of files and picked up the scroll, un-rolling it so it could be read. What he read caused his stomach to drop.
Not one of you will see the day if you insist on playing one by one by one you'll fall away and die.
That son-of-a-bitch. That son-of-a-bitch had been here! Knew that he had family in the school and was effectively leveraging them as a threat against further investigation. In a fit of rage unbecoming of a von Wolfram, Markus kicked the corner of his desk hard enough to move it a few feet to the side, knocking various files and papers to the floor. ”You bastard,” he shouted to the open air before crushing the letter as he balled his fists and brought them up to his forehead before dropping into his chair heavily. It took him a long time to get a hold of himself, and when he finally did, he lowered his hands, dropping the crumpled paper to the floor.
Markus didn’t know how long he mulled over the letter, the risks of keeping his boys here or sending them over to Kirsten’s mom and dad in Germany, the fact that whoever he was, knew of his family bothered the Captain even more. It had become personal. And if the killer thought that would deter Markus from this investigation he was sorely mistaken. If anything, the killer provided a more urgent drive and focus. As far as Markus was concerned, he now had everything to lose by not solving this case.
”Dad…”
At first Markus thought he was hearing things. Why on earth would one of his guards be calling him dad? No, it couldn’t be a guard; the accent was decidedly familiar, very, German.
”Daaaaaad? I know you’re in there!”
The door creaked open and the site of his twelve year old slipping in brought a smile to his face though it was quickly replaced by that of curiosity. How had a twelve year old managed to slip by 20 or so guards that were between the great hall and his office? Merlin did he even want to know? His youngest was a Slytherin after all.
”Erik. What’s up? You ok?”
”Ya I’m fine. Am I not supposed to be,” his youngest quipped back as he made to clamber into Markus’ lap without so much as an invitation from the man. Then, much to Markus’ amusement, Erik then continued on as if there was nothing wrong with this whole situation. ”You’re doing it again. Working too hard.” The boy reached into his robe and pulled out what could have been a very mangled chocolate frog and handed it to Markus.
”That’s for you. Ma gave it to me to give to you if you were working too hard again. I mean Toff has seen you lots since you got here but I haven’t. You’ve been busy and I’ve been doing school stuff. Did you know I got to try out for the Quidditch team?! I didn’t make it but that’s ok. I like charms, it’s a fun class and there are lots of guards around! Are they all yours-”
Markus put a hand to his sons mouth and couldn’t hold back the laugh that had been threatening to break out since the boy had started talking.
”Whoa, whoa, whoa. Slow down there bud, one thought at a time ok?”
”Sorry dad, I forgot…”
”Now what has you so worried huh? And don’t try to tell me it’s nothing. Your Slytherin wiles won’t work on your dad since he was one back in the day.”
The smirk on Markus’ face was undeniable. Ever since his youngest had been sorted into the house of green and silver the boy had gone out of his way to live up to the houses reputation. Some days it was a challenge. Christof had all his mother’s smarts and was a handful in his own right, but Erik… Erik had his own kind of smarts that had made the last few years interesting to say the least.
At Markus’ question the twelve year old had the grace to look at least a little bit sheepish that his dad had saw through him so easily. He guessed that’s why his dad was his dad after all, and a captain of the guard to boot.
”Are you going to catch the bad guy?”
The question was asked with all the innocence a twelve year old could give. Markus gave the boy a tight lipped smile. Of course the kid would be worried, and understandably so. It wasn’t like Markus had had a chance to actually stop and be a dad since he got here, and with Kirsten out on her own assignments, the boys really had no one to talk to lately. Markus looked down at his youngest and felt a surge of determination flow through. He would catch that bastard who was roaming for the school, he had to!
”You better believe it sport. This killer has nothing on your old dad. I’ll catch him, I promise. But I don’t want you running around when you should be in your common room ok? And keep an eye on your older brother, you know how he gets.”
Erik puffed out his chest at the last bit knowing his older brothers penchant for getting into things he shouldn’t. Toff was always going on about joining the guard when he got older and other such stuff. The boy nodded in response to Markus, giving his dad a tight hug before sliding back down to the floor.
”Sure thing dad…”
The boy took a few steps away before hesitating, looking for all the world like he just got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Markus eyed his son with a wary glance.
”What are you up too?”
”Um… can I borrow your pocket watch? You know, the one you always have with you?”
Markus looked at the boy, trying to understand why on earth he would need his watch for anything.
”Why?”
”Jarod Finley dared me to sneak in hear to swipe it… I don’t think he realizes you’re my dad though. So, I mean, if I could borrow it… just till breakfast! I’ll give it back I promise!”
It took the Captain a minute to register what his son had just said but when it clicked he laughed and laughed hard. Maybe Kirsten was onto something when she said Erik was like a miniature version of himself. Go figure though, the kid was smart enough to kill two birds with one stone and a dare was the perfect way to cover his tracks if he got caught. Once Markus got a hold of himself he sat forward and reached behind him to fish the pocket watch out of his jacket pocket and handed it over to the boy, who had a grin that he was sure matched his own, and ruffled the kids hair with his free hand.
”Don’t you dare tell your mother about this or we’ll both never hear the end of it.”
”Promise! And thanks dad!”
That said the boy took off, slamming the door behind him on his way back to the Slytherin common room, prize in hand. Markus sucked in a deep breath and ran a hand through his hair. It was moments like these that he lived for and reminded him of why he fought for the side he did. He gaze absently wandered to the floor and settled on the crumpled letter. There was no way he was going to run. No way! Come hell or high water he would catch this killer before he could kill anyone else or his family. That or die trying.