THE WALKER RANCH

"I'm already on that," Robert said, not sure he wanted to go into it in front of John. "You have nothing to worry about. Trust me. Those children you heard, John, are already back in safe hands--every one of them. I already took care of that. They're being very well taken care of. I promise you. You don't need to worry about them anymore." He knew he was leaving things pretty much as an enigma for Steven, who would undoubtedly have more questions, but he wasn't answering anything in front of John. He refused to place that boy in anymore danger.

John nodded letting go of Steven he wiped his eyes he jumped when a boom happened but after closing his eyes he node to Robert “you promise?” he asked softy knowing that if he made this promise it was true.

Steven just looked at Robert “if you can read my thoughts I want to talk to you once he’s happy and gone back to Andrew.” he thought his face thought smiling showed his concern for the other children and he had lots of questions the first was what was he going to do to keep his promise to John.

"I promise, John. Why don't you go get two of Kate's giant chocolate chip cookies from the jar on the counter--one for you and one for Andrew? She made them early this morning, and they're enormous. You two ought to enjoy them," Robert said. He watched John's attentions turn immediately to cookies and watched him race out of the room.

"And yes, I did hear you," He looked at Steven. "I knew you would have questions, but trust me, I knew about those children at the same time I knew where John was, and I got them all out. I did not leave one behind. "

steven watched John run back to the lay room and he crossed his arms " you knew there were more and yet you lead me to belive only John was taken " he said looking at him "and what of those who were before John?" he asked walking ovver to the fire place to rest his arm on it "God Robert, is this an international thing or just here ?" he asked "and how many more children are there going threw what he went threw" now he could not help himself he lightly thumped the fireplace rattling some of the ornaments on it as he did.

"Its an industry, Steven. Human trafficking. Its been going on since at least Dumbledore's day. It isn't new. Its just been very much international, underground, and black market. They generally kidnap wizarding children just as their magic starts to show and sell them to muggles. Black market teachers teach the kids only enough magic to make muggles richer and more powerful. The kids are sold as easily as you can buy a newspaper. Trust me when I tell you, I left no child behind." He deliberately looked at Steven to let him know that Robert was far more powerful than anyone knew and was far more than anyone ever believed. He simply didn't believe in making it common knowledge.

Steven looked at Robert seeing deep in the man the power he held and he nodded “I should have known “he said his voice monotone lifting his hand he flexed his fingers “all this time I have been just selfish thinking of me and not of the others out there in johns place “once more he looked into Roberts eyes he wanted to help. Now more than ever he wanted to make sure john and other kids like him were safe. And not stay around the farm doing nothing he wanted back in the field, one way or the other

"The next batch we go after, you're welcome to come along, so long as you agree to obey my every command whether you agree to it or not, and as long as you don't breathe a word of it to anyone about anything you see or hear," Robert said, agreeing, basically, to test him. He liked Steven, but he could not risk the many many lives that could be at stake every time he took on a new recruit. "Make no mistake. If you choose this, you do put your life at very high risk. Being an auror is nothing compared to the risk in this. I suggest you make a backup plan for guardianship for John and Andrew. Perhaps Katherine and me. Just in case. There is always a chance something can go wrong, and it does every rare blue moon. And before you ask, yes, Khaat is one of my operatives. And she's damned good. We trained her to be. You may see things in her you do not like, but she had to learn to survive. Rob Dent drastically underestimates how accomplished his wife really is. If you get into trouble, follow her lead. Oh, and one more thing, if you have any inhibition to killing those useless bastards that will kidnap, brainwash and even kill children, lose that inhibition at the door. It sometimes just has to be done to save the kids."

Steven listened to him now knowing what he had suspected was true “Sir any one who hurts or takes kids from their families deserves to die. “ he said his voice slightly cold but for a reason “I will make the necessary changes to my will , and don’t worry I will not let you down , this is personal , very personal “ He thought about all the children john and heard while in captivity he though about the parents and the pain they would be going threw just as he had . Then he pushed it away locked it up knowing one day like a bomb it would explode but for now it just ticked away counting down to the day he would find the leader and then that day would be his day . some part of him hoped it was Rob then he would have the satisfaction of pummeling him into the ground for Khaat and Abbeys sake.

Robert smiled slightly, "That's the new part of Khaat that no one understands but me. She has found that there is a part of her that enjoys that type of revenge killing. It helps her release her rage and pain at Rob in a safe way. In that way, you and she will see eye to eye, and that will be good for you both. I know she is pregnant, but I had to put her to work to keep all that rage and pain from killing her. It really isn't a new part of her. Think for a minute of who trained her--Remus. Remus believed there were times when killing was justifiable. He just didn't broadcast that view much, and that made it easier for people to see him more saintlike. But he and I both knew Khaat would have to learn to be a killer and to not be eaten alive by her actions. We did drill into her not to kill innocents and not to ever kill without it being justified. Rob just is being stupid. He thinks I'm just some dotty old man that runs off every so often to pretend I'm a pirate with my mates. He is an egotistical, immature idiot. This is so much larger than his little mind can even begin to comprehend. Kate knows, of course, but only a small amount--to keep her safe. If you work out well, I will show you more than even your well trained mind can comprehend--not just the negative side, but the positive as well."

Steven listened to him talk now he knew this was what he needed “If you say jump I won’t ask how high, I can’t be a ranger but I still can make a difference this way, I will do every thing you ask with out question, except one, who else knows, who else is apart of this?” he asked looking at him “jack black heart?” he asked “ you said he staid with his wife was he told, because if not from what I have been told he is a good man and you need men like him on board particularly with his Auror back ground” he sighed and took his cola from the mantel now warm he chuckled “doesn’t matter how cold your country gets it always becomes warm where colas concerned, and don’t worry not a word will pass these lips , beside who do I have to tell anyway I’m ether here or at home alone”