"What did you say?!"
"Mr. Patrick and all the injured members of the security team were taken to St Mungo's Hospital by responders from the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes. They had the Muggle authorities control the media narrative by calling it an explosion... but it hasn't worked very well. Mr. Patrick made it into Time Magazine. After yesterday's press conference, the whole world was watching him. There's no way to cover up the attack on his home..."
But Murphy no longer cared about the media. "How is Patrick? What about his family?"
"Mr. Patrick's throat was torn open. By the time the Aurors and the department's responders arrived, he was unconscious and close to death. They managed to seal the wound for the time being, but apparently he still hasn't regained consciousness..."
"As for Mr. Patrick's family, Mrs. Audrey was scratched by a werewolf, but her life isn't in danger."
"What about Ares? Is Patrick's son all right?"
"They didn't find Ares. The Aurors think the werewolves took the boy..."
Murphy shot to his feet. "What did you say?"
"Director, you..."
Murphy did not let her finish. He suddenly vanished with Apparition.
He arrived on the second floor of St Mungo's Hospital. The moment he materialized, he saw several Aurors guarding the entrance to a ward. As it happened, the Auror captain standing there was someone he knew.
Kingsley Shacklebolt saw Murphy striding toward him and held out a hand to stop him. "Aurors on official duty. Unauthorized personnel may not enter this ward."
The other Aurors also moved to block Murphy's path.
"Get out of my way," Murphy said. "I don't have time to waste on you."
"Do you have some connection to those Muggles who were bitten, Murphy? If you admit you're involved with the Umbrella