Paranormal Police-Book 1 - Foundations

Moho’s Cafe, on the shores of Lake Burley Griffon, Canberra

ACoMP

The Australian Council of Magical Practitioners is, even among the Paranormals, a strange organisation. It tends to operate more like a university board of governors than anything else. The head is called the ‘Dean’, while all other senior members are called ‘Chancellor’. Each Chancellor is the nominated spokesperson for a particular branch of magic, such as ‘Elemental’ or ‘Nature’, and like a normal Chancellor, are mostly ignored. Grat’s Guide to the Paranormal.

Mary had spent a week playing hard to get. After the press conference, she had made sure that she wasn’t available and didn’t attend any other press conferences. This did exactly what she had predicted - it generated more and more interest. She had the final piece in her hand. The results of the genetic testing showed that both mages and shifters were, basically human. Yes, there were differences, and she was sure that there would be a lot of research done into isolating the genes for both, but all in all, they were normal. Those who knew most of the details were waiting for the next person who was intentionally changed into a shifter. If they agreed, there would be a genetic test done before and after. This should allow them to get a feel for which genes, if any, were changed.

For the third business day in a row, she had come to this same cafe for lunch. This was the dance. Her dance partner had just arrived and was trying to look innocent as he ordered, looked around and then asked if she would mind sharing her table.

“Certainly.”

“Thanks.”

“So, what’s Joseph Tabuni, famous senior reporter, doing slumming it in this part of town?”

He sighed. “You’re going to make this difficult, aren’t you?”

“I don’t know what you mean. I’ve been so busy making sure that the Australian Public is getting the truth they deserve, to answer calls from media organisations.”

He winced. That dig at her in the press conference wasn’t his finest moment, but Mary Antonopoulos, head of the AFP Paranormal Group had kept such a low public for her time at the AFP that he hadn’t known what else to do.

“OK. Not my finest moment. I’d like to talk to you, preferably interview you and end up working with you.”

“Oh, Mr Tabuni, are you flirting with me?”

Joseph’s face went blank and he went to stand up. “If you don’t…”

Mary laughed and interrupted him, “Sit down, finish your lunch and let’s set some ground rules.”

“First, I’m not going to give you exclusives in the normal sense. Also, I don’t intend to break, skirt or bends the rules. What I do, I see as important - the work I perform is helping Australia. You’re not going to get any ‘anonymous senior AFP’ quotes from me - unless I’m ordered to give them. So, given that, what can I do for you?”

Joseph thought that was interesting. His normal sources were the standard, bitter, back-stabbing bureaucrats this town abounded in – sort of like the cockroaches found in most cities. He sensed that Mary was sincere, but there was something else. Interested in him? Maybe. That would have to wait. It felt like she has standards, and blurring romance and work was going to bite, and bite badly.

“I can work with that. I’m aiming towards getting a ride-along or similar, but I’m assuming there has to be a bit of a… negotiation to get there.”

“Hmm, finish lunch and then we’ll take a stroll along the shore of Lake Burleigh Griffon.”

---***---

“So, Joseph, what are the ground rules for this chat?”

“What do you want?”

“A frank discussion of the facts, without you having the ability to use any of it, except to direct your research and form a basis for future talks.”

“You certainly know how to fight dirty.”

Mary thought, ‘He’s cute when he’s off-balance. Wait, cute? Am I attracted to him? Shit, no, down girl.’

“OK, let me be honest. I’m a long-term, senior member of the AFP who’s managed to stay out of politics for her whole career – up to a week ago. That press conference? That was my first. I’d much prefer to face a group of terrorists then you lot. At least I can shoot or taser the terrorists. I am willing to work with you so I can get help in understanding how to ensure I do the best I can for the AFP. In return, I’m willing to give you as much insight into what is happening as my conscience allows me. For the sake of full disclosure, the Commissioner knows that this is my intention.”

Joseph looked at Mary with a thoughtful expression. “You’re serious. Hmm. Well, my professional ethics and male ego can handle being used by a woman.”

“Again, are you flirting with me?”

Joseph sighed. “In the name of full disclosure, I will try not to while we are working together, as it would increase your stress - plus in the back of your head would be a voice saying I’m just using you. I however do reserve the right to start flirting once our professional relationship is stable.”

Thunk.

Joseph had been concentrating on Mary, so did not see the signpost that he’d just walked into.

Mary was laughing so hard that it was actually hurting.

After a minute Joseph joined in.

“I think that’s the first time I’ve ever made a man walk into a signpost.”

They both blushed.

---***---

“So, that’s what we know at this point. Oh, there are other groups besides Shifters and at least one of them is looking like they will come out as well. But I’m not going to even hint at that one yet.”

“Have you seen any shifters?”

“Yes. I have personally seen five shifts and images of another dozen.”

“Like, are they all wolves or something?”

“From what I understand, the majority are current native Australian species. A smaller number are extinct Australian animals and there are some, well, no more than a rumour, who are supposed to be along the line of mythical creatures. Plus, if a shifter emigrates to Australia, then their animal doesn’t change, so there may be some outliers, such as wolves and bears from North America or Europe.”

“So, we’re talking Australia’s megafauna and, what, bunyips?”

“Yup.”

“I’m finding this hard to believe.”

“Should have been there when I came face-to-face with a real, live, honest-to-goodness dinosaur.”

“You’re not joking.”

“Nup. The Australian equivalent of an oversized velociraptor. It was beautiful.”

“Oversized?”

“About six metres long.”

Joseph shook his head and thought for a moment, “What do you want to happen?”

“Australians recognise these people as, well, people. As Australians and as neighbours - who can shift.”

“Are they human?”

“Yep, the DNA tests have come back. They’re human.”

They walked in silence for a few minutes.

“My advice is that you need to keep control of the narrative. You need to be open and forthcoming with the good and the bad, but you also need to spin the good as hard as you can. Are there bad apples?”

“Oh, yes. But my understanding is that if any of them start using their abilities to commit crimes, the shifter community comes down on them like a ton of bricks.”

“What don’t you want to get out there?”

“Their lifespan is two or three times longer, they are naturally faster, stronger, healthier. People can be converted to a shifter. Some terminal diseases may be cured by converting someone to a shifter, but there are issues. That’s the main things.”

“Why the secrecy?”

“Do you really want the rich and obnoxious and the career criminals finding out they can double their lifespan if they can threaten or convince a shifter to convert them? Because of the extended lifespan, anyone without a good self-image is going to end up having a greatly extended, miserable life. Not something most would actually want. Also, how do you convert a child, with say juvenile leukemia, and not convert their siblings and parents? What about their friends? It will get really messy, really quickly.”

“What’s the timeframe on all of this?”

“The PMs going to do a press conference in three or four weeks, followed by a raft of legislation changes with bi-partisan support. The changes are, well, not cosmetic, but are to level the playing field. There are about three dozen laws that could favour the shifters or non-shifters in their current format - these are scheduled to be ‘clarified’ just after the release.”

“Do you expect there to be no leaks?”

Mary laughed. “This is Canberra. The whole city leaks like a sieve.”

Joseph shook his head and said, “I can’t believe I’m suggesting this. Contact the main media players and make them an offer. Something like ’there is going to be a major policy announcement, we’re willing to work with reporters to give them access to the information beforehand so that there are no surprises. In exchange, anyone jumping the gun will be banned from any future releases.”

“And what do you want?”

Joseph was silent for a minute, deep in thought. “I want to be introduced to a ‘normal’ shifter family and, with their permission, do a ride-along with them for a week.”

“Well, shit.”

Anna had been right about how this would go. She’d just about die laughing at the signpost incident. Mary was looking forward to working with Joseph. Wait. Mary and Joseph?

She blushed.