Ralph Baines sat behind his newly constituted desk in the repurposed front parlor of Rookskill, his eyes glued on Leo. Leo was the only one of the children he could trust, not the least because Leo’s father was very high up. Someone who was important to know.

“I know you’ve said you don’t believe in magic,” Leo said, “but it’s quite possible.”

Baines shifted and took a sip of his strong tea. “Magic is possible,” he echoed, not believing a word of it. But he didn’t want to contradict the boy. He smiled, trying to encourage him. Must make Leo trust him.

“I’ve seen it myself,” Leo said. “Kat works spells, like the warding spells. Amelie can speak to spirits, and Colin can speak to animals. And Isaac has a time machine, and he’s carrying a map he picked up in ancient Egypt, a magical map of the castle. And that helped us find a really strange, well, bracelet. And the time machine is in the shape of a skull. Rather creepy, if you ask me.”

Baines wondered whether the boy had suffered a head injury. “A time machine?”

“Kat said it was called a Death’s Head watch and that Mary Queen of Scots had one like it,” Leo went on. “So, anyway, magic really does exist and we’re all learning to use it. I thought you should know so you won’t send us away from Rookskill.”

Completely barmy. Baines looked into his teacup, wondering whether there was something in the water here or whatever the children ate. He was pleased he’d brought a few days of rations along, which would do for the moment. He wasn’t at all certain how the children were getting their meals since no other adults were present in this crumbling ruin of a castle.

Leo said, “I’m hoping that you’ll put in a good word with my father.”

“Aha.” Just what Baines was hoping for from Leo.

“My father doesn’t understand all this,” Leo said, gesturing. “Magic and such. He’s never understood really what I can offer king and country. Even when I was invited here to join this special unit because of my abilities, my father was disappointed that I chose to come to Rookskill.”

Leo was definitely soft in the head. Baines began to wonder how he’d approach the boy’s father unless he reported to Falstone Senior that he would help stop the boy from making any further mistakes.

“So, I’m hoping you’ll keep an open mind,” Leo finished. “About me. About us, here.”

Baines nodded. “Always. Open.” Right. Bonkers. “Can you tell me, please, why the telephone is not working?”

“Oh,” said Leo. “It’s been down for a while. We really don’t need it.”

“I see. Then how do I contact my superiors?” Baines looked the boy in the eye.