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Tweak says, "Need blood in the cut."

Richard Summerby (en_summerby) wrote in enigma_rpg,
@ 2009-04-08 19:45:00

Entry tags:

* complete, 2004-04, character: ginny weasley, character: richard summerby, npc

Home Again

When: April 8th, 2004
Who: Richard Summerby, ?
Where: Clink St.
Private/Public: Private, unless it gets loud
Rating: All Ages
Summary: Home from another trip away

It was after mid-day when Richard rode the <i>Eurostar</i> back to London from Calais. It had taken him a while longer than he'd planned to locate a small Volvo for Lavender as well as the older Jaguar saloon he'd always wanted since he started to notice muggle automobiles. The morning had been spent finding and renting a small place to garage them not far from the train station. That, added to his extended stay in Hong Kong, had kept him away a couple of days longer than he'd planned.

He had sent Lavender a text message, giving his probable arrival time, but hadn't received anything in return. He'd written that off to her still not being really comfortable with her mobile phone. He'd been lucky enough to convince her to carry it in her purse most of the time.

He'd been careful to go through Customs on both ends, beginning to build up a muggle persona, in case it was needed with all the bad doings with Carrow and her crew. The flat was empty when he apparated into the foyer from a quiet corner of the station. Not unusual for that time of day. Richard tossed his small traveling case on his bed, and went to his 'office' area to check his email and send off a report to the new company office in Marseilles, to his father. If nobody had anything planned for dinner, there were a couple of good restaurants in walking distance, or even takeaway chicken right across the street. He just didn't feel like cooking.

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en_summerby
2009-04-11 04:40 pm UTC (link)

"Of course I pay attention to detail," Richard said disgustedly to Savage. "I just told you, I'm a salesman for the firm. I make a living knowing little things about my customers, taking care of their needs, speaking their languages. I tend to do it with everybody I meet. As to what I think you're doing, I don't use language like that in front of a lady. Suffer to say a halfway competent wand tech would be able to confirm the amount of apparition my older wand was used for recently. A telephone call to the Italian Aurors only takes a few minutes and Ravelli could confirm my transit. Another to the International Apparition Arrival Point in Hong Kong and the blokes on duty could confirm what time I logged in there, and what time I left the next day. They're pretty strict about no casual apparating around there, got to use the official points. Total time much less than an hour, so we wait out the rest of the time to see if I'm using Polyjuice, like the decree says. Bob's your uncle, and I'm on my way to get you copies of my security recordings, instead of answering pointless questions from somebody who obviously hasn't got a clue."

Richard rolled his eyes, "Have you ever been chased by Death Eaters, Savage, ever fought them? Ever been disarmed, or broken a wand in a fight? Ever needed to protect yourself and non-fighters at the same time? If I had three hands, I'd carry three wands. As to other weapons, I've got an assortment of swords and shorter blades, some of them family heirlooms, some I got to teach Lavender Brown and Susan Bones how to use. Spare wands, I've a half dozen or so, don't know how many Susan and Lavender have claimed for their own yet. Some came from Death Eaters in the last war who didn't need them any more. Those wands are keyed to me by right of conquest. Some came from fallen comrades. Kept them to pass on to family, or somebody needy if there was no surviving family. Most of them haven't been used since the Battle of Hogwarts, except where Lavender was poking around trying to find a replacement for hers. Seems she was being protected by Aurors at Dumbledore's Birthday, and hers was broken when she was injured there; she needed a new one. I offered her a loaner or two until we could get her to France to buy a new one that fit her better. Rather than making a mess of my place thrashing about, check the old suitcase in the back of my closet, and the weapons rack in my and Lavender's bedrooms."

"Oh," Richard smiled coldly. "And if you poke about in my knicker drawer, no doubt you will, you'll find a couple of old Death Eater robes and masks. Oliver Wood and I acquired them during the last war from a couple of Death Eaters that objected to the job we were doing for the Resistance. The hex damage has been carefully mended, and most of the blood laundered out. If you still have the old registry of the different masks, they belonged to known Death Eaters. War trophys and all that."

"Savage," Richard sighed, "every time you open your mouth you give more credence to my theory you worked for Voldemort's minions, or might be a Death Eater plant yourself. I never said I could use a Patronus for communication. I assure you, I can't. Ask Mr. Kingsley Shacklebolt about it. You know that name? If he trusts you, and thinks you have a need to know, he might explain things to you."

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en_ginny
2009-04-13 10:06 pm UTC (link)

Ginny closed her eyes and felt her jaw tighten. First, because Richard had mentioned the Patronus Charm to someone outside the Order. Second, because he was making things sounds worse and worse for himself.

Her eyes opened and she looked towards savage, "I've read a bit about communication Charms, it wouldn't be too difficult to combine any number of charms for communication purposes. Though it is nothing that the Death Eaters have been shown using in the past. And they do tend towards tradition."

The way she said 'tradition' made it seem like something foul in her mouth.

She looked at Richard, wondering why on earth anyone would want to keep Death Eater robes. As a war trophy? She almost shuddered. She still had some issues with dark magic, over ten years since the Tom Riddle incident.

"Mr. Summerby, none of these questions are pointless regardless of what you think. If you would answer them instead of telling us how we'd better do our jobs or bringing up how you think Savage is a Death Eater, we'd get along a lot more quickly."

Ginny honestly hadn't heard anything from Savage that seemed Death Eater. Pompous, gruff, old, slightly arrogant Auror, well... yes, very much so.

Richard was confusing her. Most of what he said didn't make sense. Why would he continuously try to bring up Savage being a Death Eater? Why was he constantly berating them? And most wizards and witches worth their salt knew that their wand was more powerful the more it knew you, and if it was on its own. Spare wands were used only in emergency situations, and a second wand wouldn't work as well even if it "choose" you, if your first ahdn't been destroyed... And if he was really concerned, he'd just cooperate. Sure, she knew the Ministry was going through difficult times, but she knew she'd be as honest as possible about the situation. Something here, something didn't seem quite right.

She gave Richard a suspicious glance, "You kept Death Eater robes?" The question came out stiffly and somewhat exhaustedly, but it came out.

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en_summerby
2009-04-14 10:14 am UTC (link)

Richard shrugged, "Given how easy my movements from Sunday would be to confirm, if you'd only try, they seem pretty pointless to me. I'm guessing you haven't even looked at any other evidence, and here it is a couple of days later. If I don't happen to be guilty, how much time have you wasted on me when you should be after some Death Eater, eh? He said something about a Dark Mark? Who would benefit from mis-directing the investigation? I've told you, Ms. Weasley, why Mr. Senior Auror Savage's behavior bothers me. Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean there might not be someone out to get me."

"Savage asked if I had any other wands or weapons, I offered you full access to my flat, and told you exactly what you'd find and where to find it. How much more can I cooperate? And its more like I didn't throw the robes out than anything else. They were in storage in my parent's attic since the war, with a number of the other things I told you about. Now, they're the only memento I have of the time Wood and I spent together in the Resistance. We actually used them a few times to infiltrate the enemy lines during the war. They were just another tool we used to get the muggleborn and half-bloods out of the country ahead of the Snatchers."

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en_ministry
2009-04-18 01:14 pm UTC (link)

Savage felt like he was speaking to a wall. Not that it mattered, the information would come eventually anyway and there was nothing this man could do to prevent that.

Writing down a list of the suspicious and questionable items Summerby mentioned he slid over the paper to the man. 'Would this be the items you have in your possession?' he asked curtly. 'All of them,' he added sternly. He didn't bother to answer the man's other question, between the hunt for the attackers on the Dionysia centre and this, every Auror was involved in the hunt for Death Eaters.

The question remained if Summerby was one of them.

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en_summerby
2009-04-18 01:49 pm UTC (link)

"That's enough of this foolishness," Richard replied curtly, sliding the paper back across the table without even bothering to look at it. "I've told you what to find and where to find it, offered Ms. Weasley full access to my flat, offered to submit to the Imperius and Veritaserum without resisting if you bring in another investigator, and you still play little paperwork games. You know as well as I that three drops of Veritaserum would have me answering everything you ask, just as honestly as I've done before, but you'd have your proof, since my word doesn't seem good enough for you."

He slapped one hand down on the table in emphasis, "Unless you think I've somehow smuggled the Vertaserum antidote and Polyjuice in with me, and have been taking them all along here, you know good and well that would quickly resolve any questions you have. You're just enjoying playing your little power games. You can be assured I'll file a complaint about you with your supervisor, and with the Minister too, if I have to."

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en_ministry
2009-04-18 02:07 pm UTC (link)

Grinding his teeth, Savage pushed the paper back over the table. 'Yes or no, Mr Summerby,' he pushed forcefully. 'It's a simple question - is this all there is?'

He snorted at the idea of Veritaserum, as it was obvious that Summerby could resist its effects. 'We're checking your alibi as we speak, Mr Summerby, as are we checking your wands, we need an answer on this and then we'll decide on the next course of action.'

Which he hoped would mean Mr Summerby behind lock and key, he was convinced the bastard was guilty.

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en_summerby
2009-04-18 02:57 pm UTC (link)

Richard crossed his arms and sat back in his chair. "That's it, I told you. We'll wait for the results of your check on travels Sunday, and results on my wands, to come back before you give me your apology, since you don't seem to want to speed things up with Veritaserum and the Imperius. Especially since all you'd have to do to get my cooperation with both is to bring in another examiner, one that I could trust."

"You don't seem to want to do this the quick way, so I can go check on Ms. Brown, so we'll just wait. It will just be one more thing to include in my complaint about your behavior, Mr. Senior Auror Savage," Richard went on quietly, speaking distinctly as he got more disgusted with the situation. "I'm a gentleman with a good reputation, and a proven record fighting Death Eaters in the last war. The people I met with in Mumbai and Hong Kong are gentlemen of good reputation who have known me for years. With the restrictions and monitoring in place, you know I haven't portkeyed in and out, and its a four-hour trip from Hong Kong if you can apparate more quickly than most, which is also being monitored. You can just shuffle your paperwork elsewhere for a while, until the results come back on your checking. I'd like my keys back, and my mobile, too, right promptly then, when things are resolved."

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en_ministry
2009-04-18 04:24 pm UTC (link)

Savage took the parchment, taking out his wand and spelling it away to the proper desk to be handled before addressing Summerby.

'Why would I need either Veritaserum or the use of the Imperius if you're telling the truth, Mr Summerby?' he asked, giving him a level stare. 'Besides, you've already informed us that you're trained to resit one, why would you then not be trained to resist the other? Either way, it's needless. As for your cooperation, I hardly need it since I have the authority to force both on you if I feel it's needed.'

He looked over at the young Weasley, wondering if she'd be uncomfortable if he did. For now he had no reason, but all the man had to do was give him one.

'I've told you, you will not be allowed to see Miss Brown while she's in our care. Not until you're completely cleared, and again as I said, we do have a witness naming you and not even your girlfriend clears your name when asked.'

There was a knock on the door and Savaged opened it, taking the papers he was handed. With a frown he realised that neither wand had been used in the attack and that the contacts checked out. He nearly swore under his breath, but held it for now, until he turned around.

'It seems at the moment your story checks out - however-' he added forcefully. 'As you just pointed out, it takes only hours to Apparate, less to portkey if you have the skill to create an illegal portkey - even a combination would be simple enough to pull off. We have yet to check out the flat and your other wands and weapons. Until we have, you're not to leave the country nor will you have access to your flat or to Miss Brown until we're done with those parts of the investigation. You'll be notified when that happens.'

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en_summerby
2009-04-18 05:07 pm UTC (link)

"Should we get somebody to play your recording back for you, Savage?" Richard asked coldly. "I told you I wouldn't resist either to speed things up so you could get on to finding out who the real attacker was. All you need is to let Ms. Weasley, who I trust, supervise some other investigator. As to you forcing anything on me, if you're as incompetent at your spellwork as you are as an investigator, that's hardly a worry, now, is it?"

"So my story checks out, does it? And if the Ministry is monitoring apparations, you know I didn't apparate home, and my passport proves I didn't travel by muggle means. So I couldn't have been in two places at once, could I. So you have no grounds to search my flat, bar my access, or keep me from going where I please as is the right of any wizard of good repute. Ms. Weasley, or Harry Potter, or any of a number of Aurors I trust, or that they trust, are welcome to travel with me, or come over and visit and look through my flat. You, I want off this case." Richard nodded, "You've decided me that it is necessary to file a complaint about your behavior, and on that basis, I don't trust you do to a fair or competent job of the investigation. Now, I'll have my keys, documents, and my mobile back."

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en_ministry
2009-04-18 11:53 pm UTC (link)

'Mr Summerby, you can file as many complaints as you want, but fact remains that while these two wands were not used in the attack you've already admitted to owning several others which we have yet to check. There is also the small fact that a witness placed you not only at the scene of the crime, but actually committing the crime.'

'As for who investigates matters, that is hardly up to you. Now, what will it be Mr Summerby, either you leave here and comply with our terms, or we have a lovely holding cell we can keep you in until we've done the necessary investigations.'

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en_summerby
2009-04-19 09:09 am UTC (link)

"So my story checks out, and I was either in Mumbai with witnesses, or in Hong Kong with witnesses - nobody has told me the time of the attack - but somehow a wand in storage in my closet that hasn't been used in over five years might be responsible? Some eyewitness, the least reliable source of evidence, says it was me and you'll go with that rather than reliable witnesses that I was not even in the country? Why are you working so hard to stick this on me and avoid going after the obvious Death Eater lead if there was really a Dark Mark used?"

Richard glared at Savage, "Our terms? Royal We? Face the facts, Savage. Either I'm cleared because I was out of the country, as your research shows, in which case I want my personal effects returned now, or you have grounds to hold me, which you just said you don't. Your new directives only give you the right to hold me for an hour without cause. That time is about up now. What's next? Throwing the Crucio at me just to impress us all with your petty power?"

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en_ministry
2009-04-19 10:07 am UTC (link)

Savage rolled his eyes even as he was gathering his papers. 'What I said was that you're not fully cleared yet, Mr Summerby, just that for now we have no reason to hold you.'

He sighed, looking over at the young Weasley. 'Miss Weasley can finish this up, I'm sure,' he said. 'If you want to stay and argue or leave is up to you. I, however, have an investigation to get to. Goodbye, Mr Summerby, that will be the end of this interview.'

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