Early the next morning, the Silver Lightning Trading Company was rattled by a loud banging on its door. Alan, dressed in casual clothes, calmly walked out and found seven or eight Ministry of Magic employees standing outside, all with serious expressions and a wary stance.
"Gentlemen, why so early? My shop doesn't open for a while," Alan said, opening the door and looking at the group with surprise.
"Sorry, Mr. Wilson, we're not here to shop today. We suspect you're involved in a serious case and need your cooperation with our investigation."
The leading Auror was Mavis, who had visited once before. She was dressed in a tight-fitting uniform. She first unfolded a document in front of Alan, scanned the shop's interior with a glance from the corner of her eye, and then stated their purpose. Alan quickly replayed last night's actions, confirmed he had left no loose ends, and then offered Mavis a friendly smile.
"Alright, no problem. You're too kind. If you need cooperation, just call me to the Ministry. Why bother coming all the way here?" Alan stepped aside, then gestured indoors. "Please, come in. Many of you haven't been here before, have you? Come on in and take a look."
While Alan spoke, Mavis observed his expression but detected no flaws. After receiving Alan's invitation, the Aurors behind her hesitantly entered the shop, glancing at the various dazzling goods inside while maintaining their composure and vigilance.
"Why is everyone so serious? Did something happen?" Alan asked Mavis, his expression puzzled.
Seeing Alan act completely unaware, Mavis felt a slight relief. It didn't seem to be the worst outcome they had predicted. However, as an experienced Auror, she didn't fully relax her guard. She subtly warned a few complacent subordinates with her eyes before turning back to Alan with a stern face.
"It's like this: I have a few items here, and I hope Mr. Wilson can explain to us why they appeared at a crime scene, in the hands of a suspect." Mavis took an Anti-Apparition Jammer and a Shielding Jammer from her pocket and slapped them onto the shop counter.
"These are... my jammers? Are you saying these items were found on a suspect?" Alan picked up a jammer, examined it, and looked at Mavis with surprise. "That's impossible! I only supplied one batch of these jammers to your Ministry, and since opening, I haven't sold a single one. You know these are dangerous restricted items. How could an outsider get them? Did someone acquire them from the Ministry? Perhaps picked up on a battlefield, or stolen?"
"Impossible," Mavis shook her head. "We've inventoried every jammer within the Ministry. Even damaged equipment has been recovered; there are no missing items."
"That's strange, then. Besides the jammers I delivered to you last time, I really haven't sold even one more. You know these are contraband; without Ministry documents, I would absolutely not sell them to anyone." Alan took out the company's ledger from behind the counter and pushed it toward Mavis. "See for yourself. Every transaction for high-level equipment is recorded here."
During this time, Mavis kept observing Alan's expression, but he genuinely seemed unaware. After reviewing the ledger, she found no discrepancies.
"Besides the jammers you sold to the Ministry, do you have any other stock?" Mavis asked suddenly.
"Yes, I always keep some in reserve. If you truly need them one day, it would be too troublesome to produce them on short notice," Alan nodded, then seemed to realize her implication. "Wait, you mean...? Impossible! I keep those jammers under extremely strict security. Ordinary people simply cannot steal them!"
"Oh?" Mavis raised an eyebrow. "Where do you store that inventory? You don't mind showing us, do you?"
"This..." Alan's expression showed a hint of uncertainty, but he nodded and led them into the back room. He opened the storage cabinet containing the safe.
"You keep them in this safe? How long has it been since you checked your inventory?" Mavis glanced at the seemingly intact safe.
"A few months, I guess. Besides the Ministry, I can't sell these things. This safe is a specially made magic item; no one can open it except me," Alan said, reaching for the handle. "I have five of each type of jammer in here."
He placed his right hand on the safe and slowly channeled his magic. But the safe showed no reaction. Alan's expression immediately turned grim.
"What's wrong?" Mavis asked quickly.
"Something's wrong. The safe isn't reacting to my magic. It should open easily. There's another spell on it... I need to try a counter-charm." Alan drew his wand, but Mavis stopped him.
"Let us do it," she said, nodding to someone behind her.
A wizard stepped forward, crouched in front of the safe, and carefully prodded its surface with his wand.
"How is it?" Mavis asked.
"It seems to have been Transfigured. The magic is very strong, and it's likely been active for over ten days," the wizard reported.
"Undo it."
At Mavis's command, the wizard cast a Reversal Spell. The safe's true appearance revealed itself, and the Aurors were all visibly alarmed when they saw the jagged, corroded hole in the door.
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