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“I’m afraid I can’t say—audits are confidential.”
“What about my father, then? Have you talked to him as yet?”
Jenna bent to pick up the revitalizing potion. “No.”
“Why not?”
“Because we must speak to all witness and view all statements before approaching suspects. But I have no doubt it’ll happen once the board sees your memories.”
“And the chances of any prosecution being successful?” Belle asked.
Ruby hesitated. “If your father continues his attempts to make amends, it’ll count in his favor. I’m afraid many will view his behavior—in arranging a marriage, not in coercing via magic and drugs—as nothing out of the ordinary. Such arrangements have been happening for eons, after all.”
Meaning he’ll likely be handed some fines, then patted on the back and told not to do it again. Belle’s mental tone was angry.
You know what? I think I could live with that, as long as Clayton goes down hard.
Personally, I’d like to see both of them face the full weight of the law, but I guess one of them facing it is better than nothing.
It was certainly more than we’d ever hoped for.
Jenna finished her potion, then pushed the chair back and rose. “We’ll head back to Canberra in the morning. It’ll take a day or so for the full board to arrive, so don’t expect any immediate action.”
“Will you contact us once the board has made its decision?” I asked.
Ruby placed her teacup on the coffee table and began dismantling her tripod. “You’ll receive official notification of our acceptance—or indeed rejection, if that does happen to occur—of your case and then be kept updated on proceedings.”
I nodded. “Thank you both for doing this.”
The smile that touched Ruby’s lips had a slightly anticipatory edge. “Oh, trust me, it’s no hardship. Especially when it comes to Clayton Marlowe.”
I raised an eyebrow. “You’ve a personal gripe against him?”
“I wouldn’t be here if I did, as that could lead to claims of bias from his lawyers.” Ruby swung her backpack over her shoulder. “But there are many on the board who have run afoul of the man in recent years. He’s not what he once was.”
I frowned. “He didn’t seem any less powerful when he was here the other night.”
“The weight of magical power alone does not give you standing or respect in Canberra,” Jenna commented. “Actions also count.”
Which backed up Ashworth’s comments that Clayton had done himself no favors over the last few years.
“I don’t suppose you’d care to share what he’s done?” I said.
Ruby shook her head. “That would be gossiping, and not in our brief. But if you want to know, you could check out The Canberra Times. You might find some illuminating news reports.”
“I’ll do that. Thanks.”
She nodded, and the two of them left. I locked the door behind them and then said, Belle, I’m going to repair the protections and then stay down here and do some prep for tomorrow. Do you want another coffee?
No. And you should be resting.
I feel the need to cut things. Besides, I’m not going to be able to sleep just yet. The memories I’d long denied were too damn close to the surface right now.
You want me down there to help with the spells?
No, I’ll be fine.
Are you sure?
