Chapter 179: Don’t Be Too Evil…

"Your dad?"

Von Braun instantly figured out why the Chimera beast was here—he'd seen the prayer of the Silver Key.

"Why do I feel like you're insulting me?"

"Is that Chimera beast here for you?" Von Braun asked.

"No, I'm the one looking for it. It used to live at my grandma's house—well, okay, that actually sounds kinda reasonable…" Cohen said with an odd tone. "But I haven't run into it yet, and I haven't done any socialization training with it. So, chances are, it's still in this wild state where it can't communicate with wizards and might be a little dangerous…"

"So…" Von Braun mused, "it could be used by the Silver Key?"

"Don't underestimate the bond between me and my blood kin, you jerk!" Cohen jabbed a finger at Von Braun. "Once I find it, all this 'being used' nonsense will vanish. I'll win it over with love—what's with that look? You don't believe in the unbreakable bond between me and my kin?"

"It's a Chimera beast. They're dangerous. Plus, I've never heard of them taking care of their young—they're super rare and barely reproduce," Von Braun said seriously. "What if it doesn't recognize you? What if the Silver Key's already controlling it somehow? What if—"

"Then my fire dragon, snake monster, nightmare unicorn crew aren't exactly pushovers either," Cohen said with a nod. "You just drive. Leave the solutions to me, Cohen."

"But this is a Muggle town!" Von Braun protested. "If all those forbidden creatures start fighting here, the Ministry of Magic will put a bounty on your head!"

Clearly, he didn't want Cohen to end up at odds with the wizarding world—especially since some of the folks at the Ministry were total idiots. That's exactly what the Silver Key would love to see, and the last thing Von Braun wanted.

"How would the Ministry know it was me?" Cohen blinked innocently.

"…"

"Alright, alright, look at you getting all worked up," Cohen said. "I've got this under control. Just tell me everything you know about the Silver Key around here, then get out of dodge."

"Stop dragging your feet and spit it out already. What are you, a scared little girl?" Cohen prodded. "If those missing person cases were caused by the Chimera beast under their orders…"

"No, they weren't," Von Braun said. "I'm certain the Chimera beast didn't kill those people. The Silver Key wants them alive—for researching some kind of magical substance."

"What magical substance needs live Muggles—oh, right, there aren't many wizards around, and Muggles are easier to snatch," Cohen said, piecing together the Silver Key's motives. "But wouldn't that weaken the results? I still think they should grab some wizards first for a control group, then compare them to the Muggles—"

"Don't be so evil," Von Braun cut in, giving Cohen a weird look.

"You don't have to empathize with those people or anything…"

Why did it feel like Cohen was slipping into the Silver Key's mindset so easily? No way… he couldn't already be…

"You've got to think like a criminal to figure out what they're up to," Cohen said matter-of-factly. "If they want them alive, then it's not the Chimera beast doing their dirty work. Nabbing a few Muggles alive? A quick spell would do the trick. Their only worry would be 'getting caught by the Ministry.'"

"And a Chimera beast would definitely get noticed by the Ministry…" Von Braun caught on. "So they wouldn't want to drag one along for the job. Plus, you said that Chimera beast showed up here over a decade ago. That means the Silver Key's Muggle abductions and the rampaging Chimera beast are probably two completely separate things."

"Based on the clues we've got, yeah," Cohen said, rubbing his hands together eagerly. "My owl's already off looking for that Chimera beast. But now I've got something even better in mind—what's more fun than a thrilling detective game over summer break? I'm gonna catch those Silver Key creeps kidnapping Muggles myself. Help me narrow down some suspects—who do you think the mayor could be in on it?"

"Wait—what? The mayor's a Muggle, I'm sure of it," Von Braun said, frowning. "Why suspect him? Did he do something?"

"Of course I know he's a Muggle," Cohen replied. "I'm just picking someone random to suspect. Plus, I want an excuse to check if the widow's house has a pair of purple underwear—"

"Purple underwear? What the heck is that about?!" Von Braun said, clutching his head.

What was up with Cohen? He seemed half-crazed, half-just-being-himself.

"Got anything else to add? What was your original plan?" Cohen asked.

"Nothing more to share. I was just gonna check for magical traces around here, then swing by the church or some witnesses' houses to poke around…" Von Braun gave up trying to connect "purple underwear" to the missing persons case. Maybe the Silver Key was right—Cohen was impossible to predict or understand.

"Alright, head home then, you useless old detective. Your job's done," Cohen urged. "Go keep Mr. Von Braun Sr. company—who doesn't spend their vacation with their folks? My parents are off with my grandma—"

"Just… be careful, okay?" Von Braun started to say "watch out," but reconsidered.

Instead of worrying about Cohen getting hurt, maybe he should worry about Cohen hurting someone else.

Dumbledore was right—this kid needed to be locked up in school. It'd be better for everyone.

With a soft *pop*, Von Braun was gone.

But Earl flew back.

"I didn't find it," Earl said.

"It's only been a few minutes. Try harder."

Cohen picked up Mr. Frondo, who was still jabbering silently.

"No matter how hard I try, I'm not gonna spot a Chimera beast the size of a Muggle sedan in an empty river valley forest!" Earl shot back. "I've already tried my best, okay?"

"Trying doesn't really count—"

"Tongue-Tying Curse," Cohen said, renewing the spell on Mr. Frondo's mouth. "This is the first time I've seen one of my spells wear off on its own. What's the deal with that?"

"It's a cruel, tear-jerking story that'll make you never want to pick on me again," Earl said eagerly. "Wanna hear it? Give me two minutes to make it up, and I'll tell you."

"Nah, I've got a soft heart. Can't handle that stuff," Cohen declined. "Besides, you already admitted you're making it up. No way you're scamming your way into a 'Cohen-won't-ever-yell-at-me' pass."

"Lame," Earl said, disappointed. "I was still debating whether to go with a medieval forbidden love story or a World War I tale…"

(End of Chapter)