Going Legal: Black Knight Agency, #2

Going Legal

A Black Knight Agency Novel

by Cay Reet

© Copyright 2018 Text: Cay Reet

© Copyright 2018 Cover Design: Holz Vanderhuetten

All rights reserved. No part of this may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems - except in case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews - without permission in writing from the author.

This book is a work of fiction. The characters, events, and places portrayed in this book are products of the author’s imagination and are either fictitious or used fictitiously. Any similarity to real person, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

In memory of Jeff Zahn and Holz Vanderhuetten

You shall never truly die.

Table of Contents

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Twelve

Thirteen

Fourteen

Fifteen

Sixteen

Seventeen

Eighteen

Nineteen

Twenty

Twenty-One

Twenty-Two

Twenty-Three

Twenty-Four

Twenty-Five

Twenty-Six

Twenty-Seven

Twenty-Eight

Twenty-Nine

One

––––––––

That was the last one. Jane closed the cardboard box and straightened up. For a moment, her eyes wandered over the room. Most of the furniture was still there, since it wouldn’t move with her. My first real home. But then, the new place will be home, too, even a better one. She bowed down again and lifted the box off the ground. With it, she walked through the hallway into the garage and wedged the box into the backseat of a black limousine.

Is there still some space? Steven was more amused than worried or angry.

She turned around. A bit, on the other side of the backseat.

He walked past her, carrying another box. Swiftly, he stuffed it into the other side of the backseat. Then he closed the door and shot her a smirk. Ready to move out completely?

She grinned back. Sure, boss.

They turned to the open garage door just in time to see Mrs. Atwell, one of the neighbours and quite a gossip, come along the sidewalk with her dog.

The neighbour stopped and spotted the limousine with all the cardboard boxes in it. It is true, then? You are both moving out?

He nodded calmly. Yes ... it is time for Jane to move into her own place, she will be sharing it with a few friends. And I think not being all by myself will be good, too, so I will move in with some friends as well.

Jane nodded with a smile. The same friends, actually. We’re moving into the same house again, but it’s much bigger and has enough space for all members of the Black Knight Agency. I still can’t believe he really went with that name, though.

Mrs. Atwell sighed. You are selling the house, then?

He shook his head. No, I will keep it. I have found a young couple who will rent it from me. They are very nice people and looking forward to starting a family, too. I’m sure they will fit in well with the neighbourhood. Their rent will come in handy for me, of course ... since I have to pay rent now as well. He doesn’t, but how should he explain that he’s the owner of a grand, noble city house? One that he didn’t pay a penny for, too?

Their neighbour looked a little relieved at that. I’m sure they’ll fit in nicely.

I’m sure they will. He moved towards the driver’s seat. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we need to get moving.

Of course. I hope you will feel at home in your new place soon. Mr. Quinn ... Jane.

They both nodded to her once. Mrs. Atwell.

As usually, Jane slipped into the passenger seat. As Steven backed the black limousine out of the driveway, she glanced at the small house again, saying a silent farewell.

Must be a strange feeling for you. He put the car in gear and drove off.

She shrugged. It was my first home. But Hargreaves House will also be home, so it’s not that bad.

It’s not, no.

Why didn’t you buy a bigger house before? You’ve had the money since before we met.

This time, he shrugged. It was good enough for my needs ... and by living in a small house, I didn’t pull too much attention to myself.

It’s a comfy place ... not too big, in a calm neighbourhood. The new tenants will be happy there, I’m sure.

I’m sure they’ll be. It’s a good house for a couple with one or two young children.

Yes, it is. They turned the corner and Crow Lane sixty-six disappeared from view. She glanced ahead instead. You got the new house renovated very quickly, though.

He grinned. I just pointed out it was in their best interest not to pull that ‘we have a little delay here’ ploy on me.

She laughed. It was in their best interest, boss.

Of course, brat. The only thing still in disarray is the garden, but we’ll have enough time to get that sorted out. The house is renovated, the necessary changes have been made, and everything is ready.

That’s true. The house deserved the renovation, too.

Hargreaves House is a very fine building ... and it was left to decay for far too long.

And now, it will house an agency...

He smirked. The Hargreaves family has had its share of black sheep. Compared to what some of them probably did, the Black Knight Agency is a perfectly fine and completely legal venture.

She sniggered. Are you sure? It’s led by you, after all. And I’m your second-in-command.

We are reformed, brat.

Are we?

Technically, we are. And there’s a lot of grey area between ‘lawful’ and ‘criminal,’ anyway.

Ah, the wonderful life of a law-abiding citizen. We will enjoy it, won’t we?

Yes, we will.

She leaned back in her seat. We definitely will. It’s a big change for both of us, but the gain is worth it. She pulled her phone out and checked it. No message from Cynthia, but we exchanged some this morning. I hope she can come over tonight, so we can ‘christen’ my new bed.

The car made its way through London and arrived at one of several big city houses in a row. Steven pressed a button on the dashboard and the large, solid gate opened automatically. He steered the car to the eastern wing, where a second button opened the large garage gate on the ground floor. The limousine rolled into the garage and stopped at its designated spot. The garage took up the whole ground floor of the wing and held a large variety of vehicles from two motorbikes to a small van, from an old Nissan to a new SUV. Both Steven and Jane left the car and pulled out the first two boxes.

Edith walked down the few steps which connected the garage to the main building. Shall I give you two a hand?

Steven nodded to her with a smile. That would be nice.

Edith turned back towards the door. Hey, Brock! They’re here! Come along and help!

Afterwards, she went to the car and pulled one of the boxes out. On command, Brock also walked into the garage and grabbed another box.

Steven mustered the boxes. Let’s put them in the entrance hall, so we can sort out which boxes go where.

Both Edith and Block nodded. Yes, boss.

* * *

In late afternoon, Jane had a message from Cynthia, announcing her girlfriend’s arrival. She finished unpacking boxes, walked down the back staircase which led up to her apartment under the roof, and settled in the large entrance hall. While the common parts of the house had been planned out, Steven had insisted on putting a few armchairs and a low table in the entrance hall, so possible clients would have somewhere to sit and wait. She took one of the chairs and made herself comfortable in it with her phone. A little time later, the buzzer from the front gate rang. She went into the small vestibule which had been cut off from the entrance hall during the renovations to form a lock chamber of sorts between the inside and the outside. The small camera well-hidden in the left gate post showed her Cynthia’s car, so she opened the gate and stepped outside. Cynthia parked the car on the gravel driveway which had been cleaned up just a few days ago, right before they had all started moving into the house. Cynthia walked up to the main entrance, looking at the house with wide eyes while she did so. Jane hurried down the steps and met with her girlfriend of seven years on the bottom.

It looks really different ... even though it’s only been a couple of weeks.

Jane grinned. You know the old man and how people react to him. If he tells the workers he wants the house done as quickly as possible, it will be done as quickly as possible.

Cynthia smiled. Yes, no doubt.

Besides, under the grime and dirt, the colour was still in good shape ... they only had to touch up a few areas.

That’s good, then. Suddenly, Cynthia shivered. Still, coming back here after the last time I was in the house...

Jane glowered for a moment, remembering that time, then she wrapped her arm around her girlfriend’s shoulders. You were in the basement and my apartment is in the attic ... as far away as is possible in this house.

Cynthia sighed and rested her head against Jane’s shoulder. You’re right. How about you give me a tour of the house?

Of course, milady.

They entered the entrance hall together and Jane remembered the first time she had seen it herself: grimy, dirty, dark, derelict. With a new coat of paint for the high ceiling, new wallpaper, a renovated parquet floor, and a few carpets, it looked completely different.

Cynthia stopped in the middle and turned on her heel once. This is amazing ... it looks much better than Wilmington house. It’s both impressive and comfortable.

Well, the old man knows what he does...

Definitely. The little corner with the chairs looks comfy.

They’re for future clients.

Ah, so this is the waiting room.

Jane sniggered. Yes, it will be.

Where to next?

I think we shall start our tour in the eastern wing. Jane led Cynthia in the right direction. She opened a door they passed. Here we have the formal dining room, by the way.

Cynthia glanced inside. Very nice. Where did you get the table? It fits perfectly into the room.

It came with the house ... a lot of furniture did.

They walked a few more steps. Jane knocked on a door, then opened it and pushed her head inside for a moment. And here we have the study of the master of the house ... currently empty.

Cynthia took a look around. Amazing ... all those bookshelves and that huge desk.

They walked on and came to the door separating the garage from the main building. Jane walked down the few steps first. Here we have the garage, as should be obvious.

Very obvious. Cynthia giggled. You have quite some vehicles in here.

Well, we might need them ... and we’re six occupants, too.

They took a modern spiral staircase up to the first floor. The garage was slightly higher than the ground floor of the main building, so the first floor of both parts of the house was at the same level. The eastern wing only had two floors overall, being the shortest one. The staircase ended in a large training room fitted with several fitness machines and enough free space for other kinds of training.

Cynthia smiled. This place looks more professional than the gym I sometimes train at. Perhaps I should come here for training from now on.

You’re always welcome.

Through a door in the back, they went from the training room into a large workroom which took up the rest of the floor. Liam was inside, smiling brightly at them both. Hi Jane ... hello Cynthia!

Hello Liam. Cynthia glanced around the room. That’s a nice workroom, very big.

He nodded. Yes. I have a lot of space and I have all I will need to work comfortably in here.

Jane grinned. And you’re already starting your next project, aren’t you?

He scratched his head for a moment. Yes ... I want to make the camera design from the gate even smaller. That could come in handy.

I’m sure it will. It usually does. Liam is very good at constructing useful little gadgets. Out of the corner of her eyes, Jane spied the cutting laser, the only project from before the Agency which they still had in their possession.

And this place is much better than the last one. He beamed brightly. But then, the house we rented before was just a normal residential.

Yes, it was. Well, I’ll see you later, I’m sure ... showing Cynthia around the house.

Yes, see you later ... it’s a huge house, so there’s a lot to see. He turned back to his workbench.

They went back to the training room and through the second door into the main building, reaching the gallery running along two sides of the entrance hall. It was new, even though it didn’t look that way.

Jane wrapped one arm around Cynthia’s middle. This is our connection to the main staircase, because the rest of the first floor is the old man’s.

How did they stabilize the gallery? There are no columns on the ground floor.

Jane pointed to the columns reaching from the floor of the gallery to the ceiling, embedded in the banister. It’s anchored to the ceiling instead. Perfectly safe, we could transport the machines from the gym this way.

It looks great! My house in Park Lane is too small for something like this, but I would love to have this kind of gallery.

Yes, it looks great ... and it was a good solution for traversing the first floor. They reached the main staircase where two doors breached off. Jane pointed to the one on their right. This is the old man’s apartment and the reason for the gallery, so he could make use of the rooms as they’ve been constructed.

And the other one?

Leads to the back staircase ... former servants’ staircase ... and the western wing. We’ll take the main staircase upstairs, however.

They did so and looked down the open hallway there. The second floor was larger, since it included the space the entrance hall took up underneath. Cynthia turned to Jane. What is up here?

Currently, only two guestrooms. The other rooms have been cleaned and repaired, but not yet renovated. We’ll see what we’ll need them for.

Through the door in the back, they reached the back staircase. It was mostly still the same, only a few steps had been replaced, because their wood had been too worn out. Through another door there, they walked into the western wing.

Clever way to get in here. Cynthia glanced around. We’ve gone from one staircase to the next.

Jane grinned. It was like that already ... so the servants could also get into the western wing easily. We’ve just made use of the connection.

Nice. What’s up here?

Nothing at the moment, as with the main building, we only cleaned and repaired the rooms. They’ve not been renovated yet. We didn’t need the space so far.

What’s here in general?

The apartments for Brock, Edith, Frank, and Liam. The build of the wing made that easy, because the staircase is in the middle and both sides have the same size and can be split up into the same number of rooms.

They walked down two sets of stairs, Jane pointed out the apartments of Edith and Liam on the first floor and the apartments of Frank and Brock on the ground floor as they passed them. Again, they went to the back staircase, then they walked directly into the kitchen.

Cynthia looked around with wide eyes again. This is so different from what I remember!

Of course, Sir Thomas dragged her in through the kitchen, it’s where the basement stairs are. We did a lot of renovating here ... new appliances, new tiles on the walls and the floor, new table and chairs. This place was a mess and it simply wasn’t up to par for modern times.

It looks like a great place to eat.

Jane grinned. Which is why our dining room is for formal dinners. I guess we’ll all end up eating in here often, even though every apartment has its own kitchen.

So we can have a nice, private breakfast tomorrow morning, too?

If you want one, we can have one. Ready for my apartment?

Yes, ready.

This time, they climbed the back stairs to the top, the attic on the third floor of the main building. Jane opened her apartment door and let her girlfriend go first.

Cynthia gasped. There’s so much light up here!

Due to four skylights. Jane stepped inside herself and looked up. The hallway was pretty dark when I came up here for the first time, but with the skylights, it’s all nice and bright now. The servants’ quarters used to be up here, but we halved the number of rooms and now they’re all pretty big.

Even your bathroom?

Yup. I have a very luxurious bathroom now and the tub is big enough for two.

Aw, I want to see everything.

As milady wishes. Jane opened the first door on the left. This is my kitchen ... notice the nice, cosy breakfast nook.

It’s really cosy ... great for two. And the window is so big!

All windows up here are big. I made sure of that, because the view is so amazing.

Even in your bathroom?

Jane sniggered. Yes, even there. You can have a nice soak and watch the lights of London.

I really have to do that this evening then!

We can do it together ... you’ll see. Jane opened the door on the right side. My personal office slash study.

Why do you have a wardrobe in there?

Because I keep the tools of my trade in it ... the wardrobe came with the house and Liam rebuilt it for me. Now it has a false back. Some stationery and books in front, the real stuff behind.

Cynthia sniggered. Aren’t you reformed?

I am ... but I’m not stupid enough to think I’ll never need an automatic or a cosh again. They walked a few more steps and Jane opened the next door on the left. My bedroom, since it looks out over the garden.

This is so nice! And you really have a huge bed in there!

It has come from downstairs ... quite some of my furniture has. I also got my hands on some nice armchairs and a heavy couch for my living room.

And the door there leads into the bathroom?

Of course it does. But so does the one straight ahead. Jane opened the door in question.

Oh my God! This tub is a dream!

And big enough for two.

Cynthia nodded enthusiastically. Definitely big enough for two. This is a wonderful bathroom. So bright ... and all that space!

Let’s finish with the living room, then. Jane didn’t just open the door, but led Cynthia inside.

I love it! Cynthia took a few steps forward and dropped down on the heavy couch. This is so comfy! I could have a nap here!

That was one reason why I chose this couch ... so I can nap here when I feel like it.

I’m surprised at the style, though ... this all looks so elegant, much more Steven’s style than yours, normally.

Well, I always planned to take quite some of the furniture from downstairs for my place and since that stuff is old-fashioned I thought the wallpapers and rugs should mirror that. It all came together very nicely, though.

I agree. Cynthia glanced out of the window. And you have such a great view from up here!

I do, yes. Jane sat down next to her girlfriend. That was what sold me when the old man made his plans. I knew I would have a terrific view from my new apartment. Besides ... all the stairs make for a nice additional training.

Two

––––––––

A few days later, Jane and Edith were doing a round in the garden. They walked slowly, checking the overgrown bushes and trees.

Edith looked up into a gnarled oak tree. Looks pretty depressing, compared to the house.

Well, we had a lot of work done in the house ... it should look good now.

That’s true ... the boss must really have scared the companies he employed.

Jane sniggered. He just made his point, I’m sure.

They reached the back wall. Edith glanced at the bushes growing there. They are seriously overgrown and need to be cut back severely.

Yes ... but we’ll have to wait until autumn for that. We can cut them back a little, though ... or have someone do that.

Suddenly, something close to them started growling deeply. They both spent a few minutes looking for the source of the growl, then Jane spotted a large cat with a long, mackerel coat in browns and greys. It was sitting between two bushes with a twitching tail and its ears flattened against the head.

That’s a huge critter! Edith bowed down slightly, since her six-foot-two body meant she was higher above the ground than Jane herself.

Yes. I wonder why it’s so aggressive.

The cat still growled, but Jane and Edith went silent for a moment. They both heard soft sounds from within the right one of the two bushes the cat sat between. Edith took a step forward, trusting her jeans and her height to keep her relatively safe from the claws.

She pushed a few branches aside. There’s a nest in here ... two ... three ... five kittens.

Hers, most likely. Jane mustered the cat. It moved towards its nest with a strong limp. I think she’s injured and can’t get up to her kittens again. Wait a moment, will you?

Sure. Edith nodded.

Jane hurried across the freshly-mowed lawn and entered the shed at the other back corner of the garden, where she checked the shelves. Soon, she spotted both a small cardboard box and an old blanket. She pulled the box from its shelf and folded the blanket to put it inside. Then she returned to Edith and their unknown lodgers. She set the box down and carefully grabbed the cat on the ground to put it into the box. It hissed, but didn’t try to scratch or bite her. Not feral ... she was a pet until recently, I guess. Perhaps her owner didn’t like her getting pregnant.

Edith put the kittens into the box as well, one by one. What do we do with them now?

We take them to a vet. The mother is injured and the kittens should be checked, too.

And then?

If they’re all healthy enough, we take them back home. Jane glanced at Edith. Or do you think I enjoy killing small, furry creatures? Killing humans is much more fun ... and more challenging.

Edith grinned. No, I never took you for a person who liked killing small animals.

Jane picked the box up. Go and get a car ready ... you’re the better driver.

Edith nodded and jogged towards the eastern wing. Jane followed more slowly, glancing into the box to make sure none of the cats tried to jump out. But the mother seemed very happy to be reunited with her kittens, she was lying on her side and purring while the kittens drank. The mother looks like a wild cat ... at least she has the mackerel coat of one, but with a white belly and white socks on her feet. The fur is pretty long, too. I wonder what kind of cat she is. Her kittens all look different, only one of them looks like her, but I once heard kittens take more after their fathers in most cases. She reached the garage and walked inside. Edith had already backed the Nissan out of its space.

Jane slipped into the backseat and put the box down beside her. I’ll keep an eye on them during the drive.

Good idea. Edith steered the car out of the garage, down the driveway, then out into the street.

They drove to the nearest vet and sat down in the waiting room. Apart from them, only an elderly lady with a Pomeranian was waiting. She was called in only minutes after they’d sat down and soon after that, another assistant came and called them in.

An elderly man greeted them. Now, what do we have in that box?

A cat with five kittens. Jane placed the box on the examination table. We just found them hidden away in our garden ... and the mother’s left front paw seems injured, so we brought them in for a check.

You want to have them treated? Or do you want me to take them to a shelter?

We want them treated. The kittens can stay until they’re old enough to find new homes ... and the mother can stay as long as she wants. Unless, that is, we find the previous owner.

The doctor took a small device and ran it over the mother. No chip, which seems strange.

Edith cocked her head to the side. Why is that strange?

Well, if I’m not completely mistaken, this is a purebred Norwegian Forest Cat. They are quite expensive, so every regular owner would have them chipped. He checked the cat’s neck. It even seems as if someone has forcefully removed the chip ... not a doctor, this wasn’t done by a professional.

Someone didn’t want her any longer... Jane mustered the cat who seemed much more relaxed, now that she was reunited with her kittens. But that doesn’t matter, she can stay with us.

Very well... Then let’s see how you are. The doctor carefully lifted the cat out of the box and checked her over. Her left paw is injured, seems like she stepped into a few thorns ... roses, perhaps. Or blackberries. The injury is inflamed, which is why she can’t put weight on the paw. I would like to open it and get the pus out, that should make her feel better. Since she is feeding her kittens, I would like to avoid giving her too much medication. A little local anaesthetics, so I can open the wound, but nothing more, unless the inflammation comes back.

Jane nodded. If you think that will work.

I think it will ... cats are strong. He called an assistant in and turned to Jane. If you would take the kittens off the table for a moment?

She did so, looking down at the five kittens which moved curiously around inside the box. The assistant carefully held the cat down, the doctor gave it an injection, made two small cuts, removed some pus, and bandaged the paw.

Afterwards, he waved her over again. Let’s have a look at the kittens. He lifted the cat back into the box and pulled out the kitten which looked like its mother first. A little tomcat ... if I’m any judge, that one is going to grow up as big as his mum. He set the kitten down again and lifted the next one, the red tabby. A female ... she might stay a little smaller. Next, he took out the black kitten which growled at him. Careful, young man ... that one will be a big one, too, if I’m any judge, even bigger than his mother. The grey tabby followed. Another tomcat ... might take after the mother in size as well. Finally, he lifted the white kitten with black spots