Okay, said Molly. Someone needs a whole load of stiff drinks, and possibly a nice lie-down in a cool dark room. You re in shock, Eddie. Let s get out of here.

Not yet, I said. I m not finished here yet.

And what if the enemy isn t finished? What if they come back?

Let them, I said. Let them all come. And there was something in my voice that actually made Molly shudder briefly and look away. Anywhen else, that might have bothered me. I looked steadily at what was left of my home. My thoughts kept going round in circles, and returning to the same impossible situation.

How could anyone have got past all of Drood Hall s centuries of layered shields and protections? It s just not possible!

Well, we did, said Molly.

I looked at her. What?

We got in. That time you came back to overthrow the Matriarch and take control of your family.

Well, yes, I said. But we only managed that through my insider knowledge and because we had the Confusulum. Whatever or whoever that annoying alien thing was. And since the Blue Fairy isn t around anymore, I don t see how anyone could acquire another one. But I see what you mean. This was no sneak attack. This was a carefully planned open assault. Which raises even more questions. Look around you, Molly. Look at the grounds. None of the robot gun positions have been activated; they re still sitting in their hidden bunkers under the lawns. And I can t See any trace of the force shields and magical screens that should have slammed into place automatically the moment the Hall came under threat. It s as though the enemy caught my family with all their defences down. Which should have been impossible

Could someone have lowered the shields, from inside? Molly said carefully. Sabotage, in advance of the attack? We never did identify the traitor inside your family, the one who s been working against your interests for so long.