Heart of Gold

Inspector Paul's eyebrows rose. 'Take him to the station,' he said to his men in Gallian. 'Find out what he knows. Do not harm him, but brook no nonsense.'

The two burly officers bustled their charge toward a police wagon.

Now they were in a bubble of solitude. About forty yards away to the east, medics had set up a station and were attending to those injured by the charge of the aurochs. Most of the police had clustered there, smoking and laughing at those who'd been hurt, as if it was their bravery that had saved them from being trampled rather than luck.

To the west, the barricades were manned again. Constables were talking to a group of elderly gentlemen who were staring with dismay at the Academy of Sciences. Behind them, two or three men with notebooks were scribbling furiously. Journalists, Aubrey thought, and this was confirmed when a motorcar screeched up. A photographer leapt out and, in an instant, had a camera mounted on a tripod. For a split second, a flash of brilliant white light turned the darkened street into daylight. Aubrey tensed, but the photographer was evidently of the mundane variety, for the police – after blinking – went about their duties unharmed.

'So,' Inspector Paul said, in a low voice. He'd pocketed his notebook, but he still held his pencil. 'What dirigible field are you talking about? The Lutetian airfield is south of the city, as everyone knows.'

'Well, you'd hardly keep experimental airship designs at the public airfield, would you? Prying eyes and all that.'

Inspector Paul studied Aubrey for a moment. 'Come with me.' When Caroline and George followed, he held up a hand. 'Please. I wish to speak to him alone.'

Caroline shook her head. 'I don't think so. We were at this airfield together. We all saw the sabotage.'

'Sabotage?' Inspector Paul raised an eyebrow. 'Very well.'

He took them to the middle of the crossroads, well away from the scene of activity that had once been the Academy of Sciences, the queen of Fortitude Street. In the other direction, Charity Avenue led to the heart of the city.

'Now no-one will overhear us,' Inspector Paul said.

'Wait,' Aubrey said. Despite his tiredness, he called his muffling spell to mind. He held up a hand and began to roll out the elements, but was dismayed when he stumbled over a simple nexus-defining term.

'Old man?' George said.

'Sorry,' Aubrey said. 'Seems I'm rather more tired than I thought.' He took a deep breath. 'I'm sure we won't be heard here anyway.'

Caroline frowned. 'Are you all right?'

'Of course. It's been a long day, that's all.'

Inspector Paul shrugged. 'Tell me about this mythical airfield.'

'One of your experimental airships has been lost.'

'Why should I believe you?'

'I saved Captain Saltin's life in Albion. He will vouch for me.'

Inspector Paul sucked air in through his teeth. 'Saltin? Is he back on duty already?'

Aubrey liked his opponents to be on the back foot, so he followed this with another short-pitched delivery. 'And how does a police inspector know about personnel in the Dirigible Corps?'

Inspector Paul's face hardened. 'I have a cousin who works at the St Martin airfield.' He clamped his lips together. 'It is no matter. You say that there has been destruction?'

'Much destruction. I'm sure the police will be asked to investigate. And be on the lookout for a bear.'

'A bear? There are no bears in Gallia.'

Aubrey shrugged. 'Your men were just run down by an ox from the dawn of time and you think a bear is impossible?'

The Inspector made a note in his journal. 'I will investigate this.'

Aubrey knew the Inspector would be in a hurry to get back to headquarters to make the most of his information.' Now that I've told you something, I hope you will be able to help me in return.'

'What is it?'

Aubrey pointed at the Academy of Sciences. 'What have you found out about this?'

The Inspector scowled. 'You see the green jackets? They are from our Bureau of Exceptional Investigations.' Two men wearing the anonymous dark-green uniforms were standing near one of the pillars at the front of the building. They were rubbing their hands against the pediment.

Aubrey could see the ambivalence that Inspector Paul felt for his magician colleagues. 'What have they told you?'

'Very little. But they say that the building was affected by a very powerful magical artefact.' Inspector Paul looked keenly at Aubrey. 'They would give me no details, but I think we know what they were talking about.'

'They say it was here?'

'They were not sure. It may simply be that, having been dislocated from its resting place, it is affecting the city in erratic ways. I have reports of deranged men, running around breaking street lights. Another was arrested trying to cut down the bells in the church of St Catherine.'

Aubrey had a final thought. 'Have you any news about the Soul Stealer?'

Inspector Paul rolled his eyes. 'This photographer is not as important as other matters. He can wait.'

I hope you're right, Aubrey thought, but he had a nagging suspicion otherwise. He held out his hand. 'Thank you, Inspector. Good luck.'

They shook. 'I think we should stay in touch, no?'

'Yes.'

THEY DECIDED TO LEAVE THE LORRY WHERE IT WAS. THE police would be bound to notice it sooner or later and return it to the airfield. As George, Caroline and Aubrey walked through the quiet streets, he wondered about Saltin and hoped the airman had not been hurt again. He liked Saltin, with his passion for the airships.

At one point, they were followed by a pack of mongrel dogs that appeared from nowhere. Growling, they advanced until driven off by a few stones, well thrown by George.

They reached the Isle of the Crown and Caroline's apartment building. She stood at the door and studied them, seriously. 'I suppose I'm committed, now.'

'I beg your pardon?' Aubrey said.

'I may as well see this thing through, now that my studies have been taken from me.'

Aubrey started guiltily, but managed to hide it with a yawn. 'Sorry. Of course, we'd be glad to have you along, wouldn't we, George?'

George played a straight bat to this. 'Of course.'

Caroline nodded. 'You're not the only one who's tantalised by a mystery, Aubrey. Besides, I'm finding this sort of thing has some appeal. I may have to talk seriously to the Special Services.'

'What about your science studies?'

'I'm not saying I've made up my mind yet. About anything.'

With that, she was through the door and closed it behind her.

George shook his head. 'You know, old man, if I were you –'

'Don't finish that sentence, George. Please.'

'My advice on romance has been sought by thousands, you know.'