The Eighth Court (The Courts of the Feyr - By Mike Shevdon Page 0,8

there’s only so much I can do.

Please come,

Claire Radisson, Chief Clerk to the Queen’s Remembrancer.

Picking up the phone, I dialled the number on the letter. The phone rang twice.

“Royal Courts of Justice,” said a voice. “How can I help?”

“I’d like to speak to Claire Radisson,” I said.

“One moment, I’ll put you through.”

The phone went quiet for a moment, and then rang again. It continued ringing. Eventually the voicemail picked up. A recording started: You are through to the Queen’s Bench Division of the Royal Courts of Justice. Unfortunately there is no one available to take your call. If you would like…

Katherine watched me from the doorway as I dropped the call and pressed redial.

“Royal Courts of Justice,” said the same voice. “What can I do for you?”

“I called a moment ago,” I said, “I was trying to reach Claire Radisson in the Queen’s Bench Division. Can you tell me if she’s in today?”

“I’m afraid I can’t give out details of people’s whereabouts,” said the voice. “I can take a message if you’d like me to ask her to call you, or I can put you through to her voicemail?”

“No, it’s OK,” I said. “Thanks for your help.”

“That’s OK. Have a good day.” The call dropped and I put the phone back on its cradle.

“Would you like some tea?” asked Katherine.

“That would be nice, thanks,” I said. Katherine headed for the kitchen and was replaced by Alex in the doorway.

“What’s up,” she asked.

“Nothing, I hope. While you’re here I want you to look after your mum. No one knows you’re here, and let’s keep it that way, but take some precautions. Set wards on the doors and windows, that kind of thing.”

“Against what?” she asked.

“Unwelcome visitors,” I said, tucking the letter into the inside pocket of my jacket and moving back into the hall. Next to the stairs there was a mirror. I placed my hand on it. “Claire Radisson?” A stillness crept into the hallway, broken only by the sound of a kettle boiling from the kitchen. “Claire, are you there?”

The sound wavered in the mirror and then set up a jarring vibration so that I pulled my hand away sharply before it damaged Katherine’s mirror. “She did say she was taking precautions,” I told Alex’s enquiring look.

“Who did?”

“An old acquaintance.”

“What does she want?” she asked.

“I’m going to have to go,” I told Alex, as I went to the front door. “Give my excuses to your mum.”

“She’s making you tea,” she told me.

“You drink it.” I watched Alex made a face. “Look after each other,” I told her.

“You’re not going to start with the whole, don’t talk to strangers thing, again are you?”

“It’s good advice,” I said, “especially at the moment.” I reached out for her and she gave me a brief hug. Then I slipped out of the door and headed for the tube station at a brisk pace.

TWO

The Royal Courts of Justice has a portal entrance of pale stone on the north side of the Strand opposite the church of St Clement’s Dane. It has iron railings along the front, which are opened to allow the public inside, but if you’re fey they still make your teeth ache when you walk between them.

Joining the file of people going through the metal detectors and full-body scanners, I walked through without raising any alarm. Once past security, I strolled past the central reception confidently and mounted the steps to the first floor. I turned right at the top of the steep stairway and followed the corridor to the end. The door to Claire’s office was closed. I tried it, finding it locked. I placed my hand upon it.

“Can I help you?” The voice came from a young woman in a doorway I had passed. I let my hand drop from the door.

“I was looking for Claire Radisson,” I explained. “This is her office, isn’t it?”

“Claire isn’t here today,” said the woman. “If you’d like to make an appointment I’m sure reception can help you.”

“She asked me to come and see her,” I explained.

“She’s not there,” the woman said, bluntly.

The woman was telling the truth as she saw it. “May I leave a message for her?” I asked.

“I’m sure reception could help you with that.” She had emerged from the office and was now standing in the corridor.

“Perhaps I’ll go and ask them,” I said.

“I think that would be best,” she said.

She watched me head back towards the stairway. I took three steps down and waited out of sight for a