Chapter Seventeen

Dixon's hunch was confirmed, at least in his head, when the middle Councilor, the one who looked the eldest, started by saying gravely, "Necromancer Dule, after some deliberation, it is the finding of this Council meeting that you will be allowed to go and there will be no further investigation into the explosion that killed your family. It is clear, from the lack of any evidence suggesting otherwise, that the explosion could've been caused by any number of reasons including a random accident, and you have our condolences on your loss.

"With regards to the incident regarding the raising of the dead in San Francisco, after further investigation into the reports filed by people on the ground in that matter, it is clear your behavior was blameless and that will no longer be pursued either."

The old man rested his elbows on the table and assumed what Dixon could only describe as a patronizing expression. "Lord Dule, we accept these have been difficult times for you. The wheels of our justice system can often appear slow and clunky at times, which we appreciate can cause some distress.

"However, in light of your insistence on not disturbing the dearly departed, we, that is my colleagues and I, believe that there is no need to put any further stress on your life going forward. You have proven, in the past ten years, that any headstrong behavior you might have been prone to while working in our offices, has matured with age, and the Council and I wish you well with your life with your new mate. Is there anything else you'd like to add before we close these proceedings?"

Come on, babe, you can do this. Dixon didn't send the message through their bond, but he softly stroked over Benedict's fingers with his thumb.

"Councilor Hancock, I appreciate your sentiments and those of your colleagues, although I am sure we can all agree they are ten years too late," Benedict said calmly. "While I understand how frustrating it is being hampered by a system that can move slowly at times, I think we'd also all agree that finding out what happened to a houseful of people who suddenly disappeared with barely anything left to remember them by is the solemn duty of the Magical Council. Indeed, if any wrongdoing was found, and it could hardly be considered anything else, then it is up to the Magical Council to pursue every avenue to bring the criminals to justice, wouldn't you agree?"

There was a moment's silence and then a new player spoke. He appeared younger than the others, although not by much, and his position at the far end of the table gave Dixon the idea he was the new Councilor Benedict had mentioned previously.

"Necromancer Dule, I'm Councilor Maddon. You and I haven't had the pleasure of meeting before, and indeed my tenure is still in its first year. However, I do recall, from reading the files left by my predecessor the late Councilor Paxton, that I believed you had been treated badly, particularly in light of the efforts made by Paxton to push you into going against your personal values with regards to the idea of a Council controlled zombie army."

"I am sure that in the time since, the Magical Council has realized that such an idea is not only foolhardy but virtually impossible, in my opinion." Benedict sounded so calm, and Dixon wondered if he was the only one who knew the turmoil coming through their bond.

"Modern research definitely supports your assertion, although our knowledge of life after death, and the abilities of spirits are still new frontiers when it comes to magical powers," Maddon said smoothly. "However, what did concern me, from what I'd read in the records left, is that the incident with Paxton and his insistence on forcing you to do something you consider both foolhardy and impossible could cause you to have a distrust for the Magical Council, stemming from that time. We are not the bad guys here."

"I notice it is only you voicing that view under a truth spell," Benedict said firmly. "With all respect, you weren't around at the time and had no inside knowledge of what occurred. However, the distrust you mention I might have with the Magical Council in no way overshadows the idea that I don't know what happened to my family that night ten years ago. To my knowledge, nobody here does."

Maddon wasn't a pushover. His voice took a more stern tone that made Dixon bristle. "Records indicate you refused to summon your family at the time so that the Council could find out what happened all those years ago. You can see what sort of impression that can have, especially when you left the country so soon afterward. No one on the Council can be blamed for that."

Ooh, Dixon wanted to rip the man's head off as he felt Benedict's pain through their bond. It wasn't always easy being a civilized shifter.

"You are exactly right," Benedict said, his chin going up. "However, as you've noted, I have a new mate. I'd like to secure my future going forward with my mate, without the shadow of the past following me wherever I go. I admit to my part in failing to summon my family so soon after the explosion. I defy anyone to go through something similar and not feel the crushing despair that overwhelming grief can bring. But time is a good healer, and I want to know what happened that night. I now believe the only way that information will be found is through a council-sanctioned summons for my family."

Benedict might have just as easily declared he was an alien from outer space from the silence that followed as the Councilors quickly tried to gather their thoughts. "That is definitely a change of heart, Necromancer Dule." Jefferson sounded nervous. "The misfortune happened ten years ago. There's no evidence pertaining to what might have happened and no precedent…"

"Langley?" Benedict didn't even let Jefferson finish.

"Actually, learned Councilors…" Langley got to his feet. "While there is no precedent as indeed no other family has suffered such a tragedy since records were kept, there is no statute of limitations on murder.

"Under the Magical Council Justice Policy, article fifty-two, subsection forty-five, points A through E, the duties of the Magical Council when it comes to investigating the murder of one of their own is clearly laid out. In particular, section E in the policy mentioned previously specifically states that the Magical Council must use absolutely every tool at their disposal, at any time necessary, to secure the evidence required to pursue a conviction against the perpetrator of that crime. Put simply, sirs, it's your job."

Throw that man a party. Dixon wanted to cheer, and he could scent Terrence's amusement wafting through the air.

Another long silence. The Councilors were clearly not good at thinking things through quickly. Finally Maddon said, "All of our policies were written as guidelines only, and any decision regarding the pursuit of justice is always made at a Councilor's level. This can be for matters of expediency, or the Council might decide against any form of action to save the feelings of the surviving victims. In light of the length of time that has passed, and the enormous toll it would take on your client as a Necromancer to summon so many people at the one time, we can't in good conscience pursue this matter any further."

Langley slapped the pages in front of him. "You have been pursuing my client for ten years. Just in the past three months you have threatened to charge my client with the murder of his parents if he did not return to England – repeatedly. I have written records, on letterhead from the Magical Council, reinforcing the slurs against my client's name, again repeatedly.

"My client has come here at great inconvenience to himself, only to find the York office of the Magical Council complicit in a plot to have his family estate and title stripped from him. Lord Dule has faced verbal insults and direct attacks from people in his own family who can't believe he isn't behind bars, and this all stems from the information being put out by the Magical Council.

"That kind of slanderous and libelous behavior cannot be overlooked. Necromancer Dule has offered, under the truth spell, to summon his deceased family members with the Magical Councilors as witnesses. The only reason any sane person could think of why the Council would not agree to this is if they condoned the negative press surrounding my client.

"You can be sure, sirs, that if I find out that is the case, then the negative press I will be spinning will keep your legal team tied up for decades and very quickly empty the Magical Council's coffers. You'll be reduced to going to the Shifter Council for a loan by the time I'm finished."

Dixon wanted to jump to his feet and shout "encore," he truly did. Langley might be the most unassuming man he'd ever met, but that man knew his stuff. His performance was truly brilliant.

"Mr. Jones," Jefferson said, looking down his nose, "Your disrespect for the Council is showing."

"No, Councilor Jefferson, my defense of my client is neither disrespectful nor untrue. I am stating the facts as I know them. You have repeatedly requested Lord Dule to summon his family on the Council's behalf. Necromancer Dule has offered his services. I am failing to see what the hold up is."

There was a bit of muttering between the Councilors, before Jefferson said, "Convening the whole council again so soon will require some preparation. We'll notify you when we are all available for the summoning."

Langley looked at Benedict, who nodded. "My team and I will be available Thursday," he said. "I have a dinner with my family prior to that and will be traveling, but ten o'clock Thursday morning works for me. Any objections?"

Turns out, when Council members are sitting under a truth spell, they couldn't come up with any credible objections at all.

"I need a drink," Benedict muttered as they got up to leave.

"Oh, babe." Dixon held Benedict close murmuring in his ear. "Drink as much as you like. I'll be there to hold your hair when you throw up."

"You're such a romantic." But Benedict chuckled and after the morning they'd had, Dixon was taking that as a win.