His team members were spread throughout the entrance hall. Some checked the window latches, some crouched to examine footprints on the floor, and some rummaged through the cluttered cabinets in the corners. Everyone deliberately avoided looking at one person—Morgan, standing by the door.
The Auror captain waited until his team was more or less in position before speaking. His voice was normal, yet loud enough to carry through the entire hall. "Starting today, your work proceeds as it did before. Handle shift records according to the usual rules. Once patrol times and rotations are arranged, post them on the duty room wall. Other than that—"
His gaze tilted slightly toward Morgan. The movement was small, but enough for everyone in the hall to sense whom he meant. "—do not interfere with the Special Inspector's actions. After all, none of you have important people backing you. Just do your jobs. No need to report anything, no need to pay attention to him. Just do what you're supposed to do."
No one in the hall responded to their leader's deliberately pointed remarks.
But that silence was itself a response. No one stopped what they were doing. Some nodded so faintly that it was barely noticeable, while others received and acknowledged the order through silence.
Morgan leaned against the doorframe at the entrance to the corridor, his hands in his pockets. His eyes rested on the freshly brewed cup of tea still steaming beside the duty desk—the Auror captain had made himself a cup when he came in and set it at the corner of the desk.
He stood there for a while, then turned and walked deeper into the corridor. His footsteps gradually softened against the stone floor, and after he turned the corner, the walls swallowed the sound, leaving no lingering