Several shoppers carrying elegant little bags hurried toward the restroom. Before they could get close, they saw the entire area cordoned off with yellow caution tape bearing the words "Do Not Cross."
Men in black suits with stern expressions stood guard nearby. Whenever anyone approached, they displayed identification bearing badges and photographs and said in an unquestionable tone:
"FBI! This is a restricted area. Please stay back."
The women peered over curiously and, from a distance, saw two young agents enter the women's restroom. Before they could look any longer, they hurried away under the FBI agents' icy stares.
"What happened?"
"It has to be a murder! Someone died in there!"
"Maybe it was suicide... Did you smell that?"
"But why would the FBI get involved?"
"Maybe it's a serial killer! Like the Green River Killer... Or maybe the victim was some high-ranking government official!"
The clueless shoppers discussed it curiously, quickly finding reasonable explanations for the unusual sight of the restroom being sealed off, as well as the faint scorched smell in the air.
On the floor of one of the stalls, ashes from burned clothing lay quietly piled in a corner.
Outside the stall, several items that the Acolytes who had burst in had managed to "rescue" in time were neatly arranged on the floor: half a boot, a necklace burned black, a pocket watch whose glass face had completely shattered, and so on.
When Wade and Antoine entered, one Acolyte stepped forward and held out his palm. Resting on it was a metal badge with melted, warped edges, though the pattern of a starburst crossed with a wand remained clearly visible.
"This is..." Antoine examined it, then said in surprise, "A Chairman's badge?"
"Yes." The man reported quietly, "It was found in the ashes as well."