November 4, 2003 – 23:00
"This is indeed an interesting idea you have. You know the UK also wants me 6 feet under, right?"
"I am aware yes, but according to our records, you live in the UK, so I can reasonably assume you know your way around the city."
"I should not be admitting that to you. If dear Vladina is planning something against me, I do want to take her out myself before she comes for me, so what you're suggesting is worth consideration. However, I will be out of the country until Thursday night. I can't get caught or seen by your agents, and I don't want to walk into a trap. You would need to follow my plan."
"Valid concerns. Blue, if you decide to do it, you can use me to transmit information to him. Agent DeMarco, if my girl does it and you're not respecting the plan she gives you, deals are off."
"Understood," said Dimitri.
"Here is what I am going to do. For the next 2 days, I will be doing my research. In 48 hours, I will communicate the game plan to our contact. Get your men ready for Friday, but I will not be telling you when at this point."
Hendrick called her back right after they ended the conference call.
"I suppose your research consists in assessing the probability of walking into a trap and that Sebastian was the one listening to the call?"
"Hi, Prince Hendrick!"
"Hendrick. It's Hendrick to you both."
"Yes, among other things. I do want to take down Vladina and I do need to know what I'd be walking into. I have a home game on Saturday, so I can't be wasting too much time in London. The quicker I can get it done, the better. Wanna do it in a way she won't see me coming."
"If your name ends up in their people of interest list after this, because they believe you to be M. Blue, we'll know that this agent isn't to be trusted," said Sebastian.
"Correct. If the M. Blue information got to the CIA and Agent DeMarco believes I am him, he will leave it alone if he is smart. That being said, Blue, you do realize Father will be expecting an invitation to your wedding, right? Same for me and my siblings, to be honest. Are you guys going for the elemental binding?"
"Yes. Frank thinks it'll make it easier for me to track him down if my foes get to him."
"Do you still have the living dead from the Vase of Blue Sky in your dungeon?" said Sebastian.
"Yes, we do. You should see what Veronica did with them. It almost looks like they're having a tea party in the dungeon. It's creepy, I love it. However, I heard that those who were in London have been burned down for space reasons."
Sebastian was laughing when Coralis ended the call with Hendrick to reach out to Erik and Henry.
"What joke did we miss?" said Erik.
"Don't mind him, he's having wet dreams about some vampires stored in some Chicago dungeon."
"Sebastian, bro, please share with the class," said Henry.
"You missed an interesting call with Prince Hendrick," said Sebastian, wiping off a tear.
"Ooooh, let me guess. The spawns of Plurio are still sleeping?" said Henry.
"Yes. After hearing Hendrick's description of them, I would go to Chicago just to take a picture of their dungeon if I could. It's been what… almost 2 years?"
"Almost 2 years, yes, but it's not the reason I was calling you guys. I have a mission for you for the next 48 hours and a tip regarding Fart in the Sea."
Two days later, she called back Hendrick. Once again, Sebastian was there, ready to record the conversation.
"Girl with a plan?"
"You know it."
Hendrick added Dimitri to their call. He answered after the first ring.
"Agent DeMarco."
"Here is how it will go down. Are you ready to hear it?"
"Yes."
"I will be leaving shortly to head back to London. When I arrive in town, I will collect what I need to execute the plan, including a disposable camera. According to the information collected, Vladina Murita has been gathering bodies to summon a middle-rank demon, so finding Vladina's bodies might also solve some local cold cases."
"Are you serious?" said Hendrick.
"Yes. It is unclear if she was planning to use that demon against me or if it is for something else, but the witch needs to be destroyed regardless, that bit is clear. Rumours are that she still needs three more bodies to be able to do that, but I don't know how quickly she's been collecting those she has and I don't know yet which demon she wants to summon."
"Can you give me evidence of that?" said Dimitri.
"I will leave a nice bundle gift of evidence for your agents to collect. Once the witch is dead, I will text our contact the address. I will be out of there before they arrive, but watching from somewhere to make sure no one else stumbles in there. Get the crew ready for late evening."
After she ended the call, she reached out to Erik and Henry. Gus was there.
"All right guys, the plan is in motion," said Coralis.
"Excellent. I will be monitoring her lair. If she's been warned, I will let you know," said Gus.
"We will play with the CCTV in the area. No one will ever know you were there," said Erik.
"I'll be there to keep shit contained if things go south and ward the place to make sure no one comes in or comes out. Seems like burning and leading naughty witches to their doom is becoming a beloved sport of ours," said Sebastian.
The next day, in Montreal, Frank was having lunch with his mother at his apartment. On a shelf, disguised as a vintage gumball machine, was a device meant to receive important communication sent to her at her UK address.
Coralis had explained to him if the fake coin holder turned to a rust-looking colour, it meant there was a message in it. She told him if she was outside the country, it was better for him to collect it before they had to explain anything to anyone or to put it in their bedroom if he was having unknowing guests.
Suddenly, the gumball machine turned bright red and emitted a high-pitched sound, startling them both. Frank was confused. It wasn't like Coralis explained to him and he never saw this thing in action: people were communicating with her by hologram and would send her payment checks by regular mail.
He got up to collect the mail the way she explained to him, but it spat out a letter before he could get to it.
'Blue Thunder,
You are formally accused of the murder of Minister Luke Massina, which occurred on October 16, 2003.
You are to surrender to our London headquarters as soon as you receive this and face trial.
May the gods and goddesses be with you.'