Judas remembered very little of the remainder of his return journey to Scotland Yard, and Black Maria was true to her word and got him back as soon as she was able, and she was not offended in the slightest when Judas vaulted out of her sidecar and disappeared inside the building without thanking her or saying goodbye. This was a time for action, not for pleasantries.
Judas took the back stairs two at a time to the 7th floor. He could not wait for the lift. The magical wards that had been placed on the only door that opened onto the Black Museum gave way as he approached, as if they too knew that something was wrong. He ran down the corridor and barged into his office, but Sergeant Lace was not there. He called her on her mobile but was sent directly through to her answerphone. This wasn’
