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"Here There Be Vampires" A Promise City, Arizona Story Hour
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<blockquote data-quote="orchid blossom" data-source="post: 2819539" data-attributes="member: 12815"><p>Chester returns to his room to find everyone huddled around Ruby. "What happened?" </p><p></p><p>Jake fills Chester in on the details. "What did you find in the other room?" </p><p></p><p>Chester replies, "All I found was a cufflink with the initials 'C.T.' on it. So chances are that Turner killed the woman. The place was spooky, too. Like it was haunted or something. Do we know if the sheriff can be trusted or not? We'll need all the help we can get."</p><p></p><p>Jake describes what they found in O'Neil’s room. "For now assume you cannot trust the sheriff. Keep your wits about you though, maybe you can come up with a way to determine if he is free of Turners influence of not." </p><p></p><p>Ruby sighs with the news. "All the more reason to get him sooner rather than later," she says weakly. "The sheriff seemed a bit cold. And he's swift too, he thinks I'm having Colin's baby and figured that out all on his own." Her eyes flutter for a moment, as she tries to keep them open. "Did you find anything else Chet?" </p><p></p><p>She looks at Jake as she reaches a trembling hand out, "I have to go back. Help me please."</p><p></p><p>Chester shakes his head. "Nope. I found that under the bed. I didn't see anything else out of place. The window was open, though. He probably left that way. Are you going to be alright getting back to your room?"</p><p></p><p>Ruby bobs her head in a nod, "Sure, Jake will help me, I just need some rest. Aren't you sweet to ask?" she smiles.</p><p></p><p>Chester blushes. "You take care of yourself." He turns to Jake, "Make sure she doesn't get into too much trouble."</p><p></p><p>Kate said, "Rest is exactly what you need, Ruby. Did that chest do anything beside singe you? You seem.... faraway. As if your mind and your body are two steps apart."</p><p></p><p>Ruby shrugs her shoulders, but they rise only slightly. "I got shocked. I don't know if anything else happened, I was on my rear end and out before I knew what hit me." She looks up at Kate, "I seem faraway? I wish I was faraway. We're much too close to you-know-you for my comfort."</p><p></p><p>Jake helps Ruby stand and takes much of her weight with his arm around her waist. "Looks like we are off to rest. We should be fine until morning. The rest of you look after each other."</p><p></p><p>Once outside Chester's room and down the flight of stairs Ruby uses her meager strength to try to guide Jake back to O'Neil's room. "We have to go back in, let's go now. I need you to help me."</p><p></p><p>"You are muy loco. If that thing goes off again you will be killed! What makes you think you can open it now when you could not before?"</p><p></p><p>"Well, for one thing, my pick is still in the lock, so I'm half way there," she grins. "Course, it doesn't hurt to try again since we'll be in there retrieving it." She tries to take a little of her weight off of Jake and is wobbly. She looks up at him with her big green eyes, "I need it back."</p><p></p><p>"Damn you and those eyes." Jake checks the hallway to make certain they are not observed before putting the key ring in her hand. He picks her up again and cradles her in his arms in front of the door. "You are losing weight, but do not think I can carry you forever. Hurry up, and do not get either one of us killed!"</p><p></p><p>Ruby tilts her head and kisses Jake full on the lips. "I love you baby." She reaches down and careful not to drop the keys, opens the door. </p><p></p><p>Inside Jake turns back and locks the door again before setting Ruby down in front of the chest. She shakily falls to her knees in front of it and this time concentrates, trying to determine if there are any "special" properties.</p><p></p><p>Ruby squints her eyes as she looks at the chest. "There is magic on here. I'm too hurt from before to try it again. I'll just take my pick back." She quickly grabs at the pick, hoping not to set off any traps again.</p><p></p><p>Jake's eyes bulge and he can only utter, "Hermes!" in a low voice as she grabs at it, but he is too far away to stop her.</p><p></p><p>"What's wrong?" Ruby asks calmly but with furrowed brows, pick in hand.</p><p></p><p>"Nothing that a pint of whiskey can't cure." Jake takes the pick out of her fingers and unceremoniously drops it down the front of her dress before picking her back up. Again he listens before leaving and locking the room. Back in there room he asks, "What do we do with the keys? Should I just drop them in the stairs for the maid to find or should I find her and put them back? I don't think we should hold onto them, I'd like to minimize suspicion."</p><p></p><p>Ruby tries to pull off her own gown, having some difficulty lifting her arms. "Ooowww," she exclaims with more wincing, "Just drop them on the stairs. She'll never know." She plops down on the bed, dress half on half off. "A pint of whiskey sounds good. Get me some too when you go down."</p><p></p><p>He helps her remove her outer garment. Before he leaves the room he unties his second gun belt and hangs it on the bed post near Ruby. "Have a care if you decide you need that while I am out. It will blow a hole in the hotel and likely start the place on fire." </p><p></p><p>Jake heads down stairs to the front desk and looks for the maid he had seen earlier on the way.</p><p></p><p>The maid is no where to be found. As a matter of fact there is no one to be found at this moment. Jake listens carefully and then rings the bell, curious where the help will come from.</p><p></p><p>There is a curtain behind the desk which covers an archway. About 20 seconds after Jake rings the bell the curtains part and Victor Bishop, wearing his night robes and rubbing his eyes comes to the desk. </p><p></p><p>"Yes sir, how may I be of assistance?"</p><p></p><p>"Oh, I AM sorry Mr. Bishop, I assumed someone would still be up. I saw a maid wandering about earlier..." Jake feigns embarrassment. "Could I have a pair of additional pillows and do you have some whiskey I could purchase? My darling wife is over wrought after the long trip today and needs some extra care."</p><p></p><p>"No trouble sir, no trouble at all. I will send the pillows right up. You folks finding the rooms to your liking? Whiskey? Can't sell you any whiskey but I have a bottle of my own you could have if you promise to replace it before you go. Let me fetch that for you." </p><p></p><p>Victor Bishop turns around and walks away, his nightclothes billowing around him. He returns quickly with an unopened bottle of whiskey and hands it over to Jake. "Hope this suits your wife's needs sir. Anything else I can do for you?"</p><p></p><p>"Our room is very nice, thank you. Yes of course I will replace the bottle." Jake accepts it from him. "No, that is all. Thank you Mr. Bishop." On the way back to his room Jake leaves the key ring on a step.</p><p></p><p>After Jake leaves Ruby tries unsuccessfully to pull her ankle boots off. Her habit of double tying the laces while traveling wasn't helping, they were pulled too tight to slip off as she usually did. </p><p></p><p>In her undergarments and boots she meanders over to her jacket and her small, loved silver flask. Having only water available she puts a few more drops from the flask into the small glass of room temperature water and gulps it down. </p><p></p><p>She walks over to the window and pulls the shade open to look out into the night sky, hoping to see the stars. She opens the window to enjoy the fresh air. Kneeling with her arms rested on the sill and the glass in one hand she gazes out into the very dark night.</p><p></p><p>After a short while Jakes returns. "Here, from the owners private collection. Ordered you some extra pillows too." A concerned expression comes and goes across his face at the open window. "Anything interesting going on out there?"</p><p></p><p>Ruby slowly turns her face towards Jake. He is slightly blurry and she is momentarily confused. Her hair continues to flutter in the breeze and she says dreamily, "Aren't you so thoughtful baby?" She turns her face back to the window, and stares out. "I was looking for our stars but they aren't here, not really. Or I can't find them," she says with a sad tone in her voice. "It's very dark."</p><p></p><p>"Since our stars are not there to watch, you should get some rest. You are still weak from earlier. I am going to stay up a while, just to make sure your rest is not interrupted."</p><p></p><p>Keeping her arms on the window Ruby turns more of her body towards Jake. "But baby, I want to see them." She does not look like she is going to move from that spot. The expression on Jake's face says it all, and instead of arguing Ruby tries to stand. Barely getting to her feet and wobbling all over she looks at Jake with a silly smile. "Ok husband."</p><p></p><p>Jake rolls his eyes and helps her into bed. He pours a glass of whiskey and sits at the table while waiting for the extra pillows and for Ruby to fall asleep.</p><p></p><p>"Take off my shoes!" Ruby commands, kicking the blankets off herself. While she waits with her leg raised in the air she giggles, "You know, being married isn't so bad. Don't you think?"</p><p></p><p>Jake begins unlacing her shoe. "I bet that Dorita cannot wait for you and I to be married. Maria certainly told her about the last time you tried to make something in the kitchen. I imagine Dorita will herd you right into her kitchen and teach you to be baking those pies. Naturally she will teach you the basics first, especially how to clean up afterwards." He slides her shoe off and begins on the other. "Katherine will be happy to help you pick out the practical gingham cloth a wife will be needing. Your idea to have Ginnie teach you how to sew your own dresses is a nice touch too." Jake nearly turns red attempting to contain his laughter, and finally is unable anymore and nearly doubles in half.</p><p></p><p>Ruby stares at Jake with cloudy eyes before her full lips turn into a pout. She kicks Jake with the foot he has in his hand and flips away from him in the bed. Her back to him, she tries to fluff the pillow under her head to get comfortable. “You’re not funny,” she sniffs.</p><p></p><p>"Take off my shoes." He chuckles and grabs her foot to finish taking off the second shoe. "It is fine when you make a joke...." Jake sits back at the table sipping whiskey waiting for the pillows to arrive.</p><p></p><p>"Yeah well, my jokes are FUNNY." She sits up, grabs her shoe off the bed and throws it at Jake. "You are mean and hurtful." She throws the shoe at Jake then falls back into the bed. She crosses her arms and pulls the blanket up to her chin.</p><p></p><p>It is not long before the young maid that they saw before knocks on the door. "Sorry to disturb you folks, I have the extra pillows you requested," she says through the door.</p><p></p><p>Jake opens the door and takes the pillows. "Thank you Miss."</p><p></p><p>The young girl smiles and blushes. "Can I do anything else for you sir, anything at all?"</p><p></p><p>"You are just too kind." Jake makes eye contact, gives her a warm smile and steps out into the hallway. He gives her a coin and lets his hand linger just a moment too long in her hand. "I am meeting Mr. O'Neil for breakfast and I forgot to ask him what time is best for him? Have you noticed what time he normally comes down?"</p><p></p><p>The maid squeezes his hand slightly and returns the warm smile then looks away batting her eyelashes. "Mr. O'Neil? If we are thinking of the same man, then he usually returns sometime around sun up and sleeps all day. I have seen him snooping about town in the late afternoon. He is just such a handsome man."</p><p></p><p>"Late afternoon you say, while the sun is still up?" </p><p></p><p>"Thank you so much for these," Jake holds up the pillows, "and your charming conversation. I certainly look forward to seeing you again. Good night now."</p><p></p><p>"And I look forward to seeing you too," she says sweetly, letting her eyes linger on his, "Good night." She smiles before turning and walking down the hall. Jake notices her look back over her shoulder and smile at him again before she heads down the hallway and out of sight.</p><p></p><p>Jake closes and locks their door. "Here is your extra pillow," and he places it on the bed next to her head. </p><p></p><p>He takes the second extra pillow on places it under the blankets on the other bed, making it look like someone is sleeping there.</p><p></p><p>Ruby sits up, takes the pillow and throws it at Jake. "Don't bother being nice NOW." Lying back down she pulls the blankets up again and makes sure to turn her back to Jake.</p><p></p><p>Jake arranges the chair so that it is not visible through the window. He closes the window, locks it and then balances an ordinary 45 caliber bullet on one side so it will fall if the window is opened. He grabs his sawed off shotgun and places it on the floor next to the chair. Lastly he refills his glass of whiskey, extinguishes the lamps and sits in the chair with the glass in his left hand and his right resting on his Peacemaker.</p><p></p><p>* * *</p><p></p><p>As Jake and Ruby leave, Minerva turns to Nanuet, Chester and Katherine with the fatigue showing through in her voice. "I do not think that there is much more that we can do tonight. I am going to retire to my room and pray for guidance. Por favor, be careful. I do not feel that we are safe in the night. I know that it is unpleasant but do NOT remove your garlic until morning," she cautions them before she turns and finds her way back to the room. </p><p></p><p>"I think I'll come down with you Minerva, I could use some rest as well." Nanuet follows Minerva down to the room. </p><p></p><p>Once back in her room she moves to the window and looks up at the dark sky. She makes sure that the window is secured before tightly closing the curtains against the evil that lurks without. She then removes her icons of Minerva and Jupiter from her pack and pleads to her gods for help before undressing and crawling under the covers where she lies awake in quiet desperation trying to think of a way to defeat the vampire.</p><p></p><p>He unpacks his meager belongings and sets his new handgun next to the bed on the nightstand. He sees Minerva is restless as he makes his way over to the bed. He undresses as she had just done and slips under the covers, sliding over next to her and wordlessly puts his arms around her and holds her tightly rocking gently back and forth. Minerva takes comfort in the warmth of her man's arms. She is eventually drawn into a restless slumber by his gentle rocking</p><p></p><p>Katherine went quietly back to her room and shut and locked the door. She checked the window and made sure it was securely locked as well. She wished desperately to be in her own body, wearing her own face. The prospect of staying Maddie for days or even weeks was not a pleasant one. </p><p></p><p>The nightgown she changed into was uncomfortably tight until she opened the buttons at the top. The clip in her hair would probably stab her in the head all night as it had last night. At least the stinking garlic was away from her now in the pocket of her dress. She put a bit of it on the bedside table just to appease the Priestess and went to sleep.</p><p></p><p>* * * * * *</p><p></p><p>The night goes by uneventfully, at least for the companions. Nanuet goes into reverie shortly after he feels Minerva is sleeping, Jake remains awake in his chair a myriad of thoughts passing through his mind as the time slowly passes. The others sleep fitfully despite the comfortable beds and soft sheets and blankets. It is that predawn time when the sun, soon to expose itself again to the world when Jake stands up to stretch. <em>"O'Neil should be coming back soon,"</em> he thinks to himself as he washes up a bit. "Ruby, you getting up? Are you joining us for breakfast?"</p><p></p><p>Ruby grumbles, "Yes, I told nice Mr. O'Neil I would be there." She pulls herself up, her head pounding. Dragging herself out of bed she dresses, taking care to look extra special. When she is ready she waits by the door.</p><p></p><p>"Heh, last night he was a bastard. Maybe you ought to hide those burns on your hands."</p><p></p><p>She scrunches her face at Jake, "At least HE didn't do it deliberately and to someone he says he LOVES." Ruby doesn't wait for Jake to answer and she starts down the stairs.</p><p></p><p>Jake straps on his second gun belt, dons his duster, shakes his head and shambles down stairs with hat in hand.</p><p></p><p>Kate woke as the sun was crossing the horizon. As she suspected, the magical clip that kept Madeline here had poked her in the back of the head all night, making sleep fitful at best. </p><p></p><p>She sat at the vanity and looked in the mirror. It was becoming less and less surprising each time she saw her altered appearance. Soon she would just expect to see Maddie. She sighed, dressed in a plain skirt and blouse, and went down to breakfast.</p><p></p><p>Nanuet stirs, his reverie completed. He gets up and stretches then looks to the window waiting to greet the sun. "Minerva, that man will be coming soon to meet the other's for breakfast. Are we to join them?"</p><p></p><p>Minerva climbs out of bed and unselfconsciously walks to the dresser and begins to light the candles in preparation of her morning ceremony. "Si mi amor, I would like to hear what he has to say and then I am going to meet the Padre to see if he will share with me what he knows of the monster." She silently prays and then blows out the candles and dresses for breakfast. She and Nanuet descend the stairs in search of the others.</p><p></p><p>Kate descends the stairs before any of the others and then follows the sign to the dining room. There, sitting in a back corner table sits Jacky O'Neil, looking the same as he did the previous night in the saloon except now a lit cigarette dangles from his mouth.</p><p></p><p>Kate plastered Maddie's bright smile on her face and said, "Good morning, sir. I saw you in the saloon last night, didn't I? Haven't you been to bed yet?"</p><p></p><p>Chester reaches the dining room and says, "Good morning all. Did you all sleep well?"</p><p></p><p>"I'll answer that question after I get some,” O’Neil says. “Didn't realize it was going to be a full house down here this morning, usually if I eat this time of day I beat the early risers to bed. Have a seat, coffee here is especially bad, don't recommend it. Grits are pretty good though, maybe a little heavy on the butter but not bad." </p><p></p><p>"Don't mind if I do." Chester pulls up a chair. "So you stayed out all night, huh?" </p><p></p><p>O' Neil turns to Maddie and says "I made a promise to myself a while back, never to leave a saloon that's still open without good cause. Seems like I found myself a good one here, Greely's stays open all night."</p><p></p><p>Jake meanders in, "Hi O'Neil." He looks around the room and says, "How do I get some coffee?"</p><p></p><p>"Well, we girls need our beauty sleep. Can't spend all night out without suffering for it the next day. I see you have company, I'll leave you to them," Kate said with a smile and went to sit a few tables away.</p><p></p><p>A homely looking middle aged woman, wide in the midsection comes out to the dining area. She is wearing an apron which is splattered with flour and some sort of batter or dough. She licks her fingers as she makes her way towards the companions. </p><p></p><p>"Good morning folks. Victor said we had some new guests so I made sure to get up early this morning and get everything ready for you. Anything special that you'd like?"</p><p></p><p>"A whiskey," Ruby blurts out. Then she adds with a smile, "Please."</p><p></p><p>"Make me something that looks like meat to go with this coffee and a shot of whiskey." He sits across from O'Neil. "You stay up every night?"</p><p></p><p>"Depends on the town and what kind of trouble I am looking for. Generally a night person though. You always ask so many questions?"</p><p></p><p>O' Neil stands up when he sees Ruby enter. "Sorry Miss Constance, had everybody talking at me at once. My evening has been fine so far, sorry to hear that yours was troubled."</p><p></p><p>"That's alright Mr. O'Neil, they can't all be perfect star filled nights, now can they?" She continues to smile at him and avoids looking at Jake. </p><p></p><p>"But you must be exhausted, being out all night like that, and starved no less. But I must admit," she says while taking a seat, "I do miss nights like that."</p><p></p><p>"Well I sleep pretty late, most of the day actually. Starved? Well yes, I generally get pretty darn hungry this time of day."</p><p></p><p>Minerva and Nanuet enter the room and take a seat at the table. "Buenos Dias everyone." Minerva says without much enthusiasm. She looks up at the woman who has entered to take their order. “A full breakfast please and double for my friend here," she says pointing to Nanuet.</p><p></p><p>The "cook" takes everybody's orders and retreats again to the kitchen. The group can hear her crashing around in the other room as she puts together their morning meals.</p><p></p><p>Chester winces and asks O’Neil, "Is she always like that?"</p><p></p><p>"Yeah, pretty much. Hasn't made me sick yet though, so I don't mind too much."</p><p></p><p>"So why don't you tell us about your adventures last night? I'm so curious," Ruby asks.</p><p></p><p>"My oh my, you are a curious lot aren't you,” O’Neil says. “Nothing too exciting last night. Lost some money at cards, spent some money on whiskey and women. That good enough for you?"</p><p></p><p>The smile drops off Ruby's face. "Just making polite conversation."</p><p></p><p>"You said you do not know how to play poker, what kind of business opportunities do you find staying out every night?" Jake sips at the coffee. "I met another man recently who only came out at night."</p><p></p><p>Ruby drinks down her whiskey as soon as it arrives. Her head still pounding, the conversation boring her and annoyed just sitting near Jake without an apology she decides to entertain herself other ways. She stands from the table, "Excuse me, I think I'll get some air." She doesn't wait for an answer as she heads for the stairs.</p><p></p><p>"Who said it was poker?” O’Neil says, answering Jake’s question. “We played blackjack if you must know and I still have no idea what I'm doing. Business contacts can be made anywhere my friend, but most of that gets done in the afternoons. Did I commit a crime against your kin that I am not aware of? I didn't realize I was meeting you for breakfast so you could scrutinize everything I said and did. I think I'll be retiring for the day now." </p><p></p><p>Jacky gets up and pushes his chair in hesitates a moment.</p><p></p><p>"Tell you what Mr. O'Neil, why don't you sit back down and eat something. Then you and I can take a short walk and I will not ask you any more questions until then, but I'll trade question for question and you get to go first,” Jake offers.</p><p></p><p>"Hmmmph. Well since I haven't eaten yet I will at least go that far." O'Neil sits back down and nods his head as he thinks to himself. "Did you folks know any of the people that got killed here recently? Strange things, I mean the deaths, all strange circumstances it seems to me."</p><p></p><p>"Not really. I just got into town yesterday. They were burying some poor woman when I got here,” Chester says.</p><p></p><p>O’Neil says, "Right, Sally Anne Fuller. Found dead in her sleep, just like the other few whores, just like the mayor and his wife. And those are the folks who met what I believe to be untimely ends since I've been here."</p><p></p><p>"Whoa there. You mean more people have died like that? Why hasn't the sheriff done anything about this. The mayor and his wife were killed."</p><p></p><p>"You want to count that as your question next time it's your turn?" O'Neil says with a sly smile.</p><p></p><p>Chester shrugs, "Yeah, sure. I figure you look like you know what's going on in town and you're here." His food arrives and he starts to eat.</p><p></p><p>"Well then to answer your question, yeah from what I understand at least a dozen people have died like that. And as far as I can tell the Sheriff has tried all that he can. Supposedly hired some occult priest to come out and take a look at things. He is only one man with a kid as a deputy. I think he's got his hands full. Mayor and his wife were found dead last week, in their beds."</p><p></p><p>Chester pauses to swallow. "What makes you think that these deaths are strange? Maybe it's a disease. If it is, I should get out of here."</p><p></p><p>"I suppose it could be a disease, but doc doesn't think so,” O’Neil says. “Talked with him about things a few nights ago over at Greely's. Can't say I ever seen anyone who needed a drink more than him that night. Doc certainly didn't think it was a disease though, but I know he doesn't have a clue as to what it could be."</p><p></p><p>"Kid working here said the lady that was buried yesterday was naked and pale when they found her." Jake has some more coffee. "I have only met one person from Thomaswell, and I have not seen him since we got in yesterday."</p><p></p><p>O’Neil nods. "OK, well then I guess you answered my question, now what do you want to know besides how my evening went?"</p><p></p><p>"Where did you come in from before coming here?" Jake asks.</p><p></p><p>"Spent some time working the silver trade west of here in a good size town aptly named Silver City. Nice folks and all, but I kinda wore out my welcome there. Before that, spent some time in the jail in Alamogordo." </p><p></p><p>Minerva interjects "You mentioned an Occult Priest? I s that the man that buried that poor unfortunate girl at the crossroads?"</p><p></p><p>O'Neil acknowledges Minerva. He smiles brightly as he looks at her before speaking. "Don't know who was at the crossroads, could have been him. Siam York is the town priest, he might know more about the specialist they have coming in."</p><p></p><p>Minerva returns his bright smile with an equally brilliant one of her own. "Perhaps I will pay a visit this morning. I apologize for my rudeness. Allow me to introduce myself," she says extending her hand palm down. " I am the Priestess Minerva Garcia Florencia."</p><p></p><p>O'Neil stands up and removes his hat with one hand, taking Minerva's hand with the other he lifts it and gently kisses it. "I saw you at the saloon last night but didn't have a chance to meet you then. I apologize for the oversight and I am sure it was my loss." </p><p></p><p>Nanuet shuffles a bit in his seat glaring at the man. O'Neil clears his throat then continues releasing Minerva's hand. </p><p></p><p>"The priest here in town is nice enough, knows his day to day stuff."</p><p></p><p>Minerva smiles sweetly at the compliment before addressing his comment about the priest . The smile drops from her face to be replaced by hard resolve. "Well Senor O'Neil that will not do. I need someone that will be able to assist me in destroying this monster. Do you know who that someone would be?" she says looking him directly in the eyes.</p><p></p><p>"Whoa, if looks could kill!" O’Neil says with a half hearted chuckle. "I ain't in the monster killing business lady. I'm here for something else and when I find it I'll be moving on. Sure there is something strange going on here but it don't concern me. I would just like to get my business done and move on. Maybe this other priest the sheriff hired can help you out." O'Neil sits down again and begins rolling a new cigarette.</p><p></p><p>Minerva Chuckles "Harness you ego Senor O'Neil, I was not suggesting that you would be able to help me, personally. Just that perhaps you knew whom I should be addressing. You seem to be an observant fellow."</p><p></p><p>"I usually am. Sorry if I misunderstood.” O' Neil takes a drag from his cigarette before continuing. "My turn," he says. "What do you think is going on around this place? I got my theories but I'm interested to hear what sharp folks like you think. Besides being from out of town seems to give a different perspective too."</p><p></p><p>"A man was killed and his body found behind my saloon,” Jake says. “He was pale. I think all the blood was drained from his body."</p><p></p><p>"I think you might be right Mr. Jacobs. I think you might be right. And I know just the creature who could do such a thing."</p><p></p><p>"This man here found something in room 308 last night," Jake says pointing to Chester, "maybe he'll show it to you. The man I met in my town was named Colin Turner. He only seemed to be around after dark. Two people died while he was in town." Jake pauses. "I was there when they dug up one of them. Pretty surprising what we found." Jake goes back to drinking his coffee.</p><p></p><p>"Turner you say? I have heard of him before. I think he came back into town just a couple days ago. As far as what you found, I am not sure you could shock me, I have seen a few things in my day Mr. Jacobs." O'Neil then turns to Chester. "What did you find? Something special about that room, 308?"</p><p></p><p>Chester says, "Yeah. It's a cufflink with the initials 'C.T.' on it." He reaches into his pocket and pulls out the cufflink. He pushes it towards O'Neil. "Here it is. Seen anything like it before?"</p><p></p><p>O'Neil looks at the cufflink closely, holding it up towards the window towards the light for only a second before handing it back to Chester. "Well I've seen personalized jewelry like that before, but I can't recall seeing that specific piece of it. C.T. might be the guy your looking for? And what about that room number? 308, you mentioned it, why does that ring a bell?"</p><p></p><p>Chester slips the piece of jewelry back into his pocket. <em>In for a penny, in for a pound.</em> "308 was where they found Miss Fuller, from what I gathered."</p><p></p><p>"Oh is that right? I thought I remembered that number for some reason." he says finishing his cigarette rolling. "Well I can walk you to the door then I am headed upstairs. Perhaps I will see you this evening back at Greely's."</p><p></p><p>"That'd be nice. I don't anyone in town, so it'll be nice to see a friendly face. Maybe we can swap war stories." Chester heads for the door.</p><p></p><p>"I am ready to take a walk out to the crossroads,” Jake says. “Interested in coming O'Neil? How about you Martin?"</p><p></p><p>O’Neil says, “I think actually I will enjoy this last smoke of the day and then hit the sack. My time is the nighttime if you catch my drift."</p><p></p><p>Chester says, "It would be a fine time for a constitutional, Mr. Jacobs.”</p><p></p><p>Jake finishes his coffee and then stands. "Well then, Mr. O'Neil, perhaps we will see you tonight." He walks to the door and waits for Chester, who follows.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="orchid blossom, post: 2819539, member: 12815"] Chester returns to his room to find everyone huddled around Ruby. "What happened?" Jake fills Chester in on the details. "What did you find in the other room?" Chester replies, "All I found was a cufflink with the initials 'C.T.' on it. So chances are that Turner killed the woman. The place was spooky, too. Like it was haunted or something. Do we know if the sheriff can be trusted or not? We'll need all the help we can get." Jake describes what they found in O'Neil’s room. "For now assume you cannot trust the sheriff. Keep your wits about you though, maybe you can come up with a way to determine if he is free of Turners influence of not." Ruby sighs with the news. "All the more reason to get him sooner rather than later," she says weakly. "The sheriff seemed a bit cold. And he's swift too, he thinks I'm having Colin's baby and figured that out all on his own." Her eyes flutter for a moment, as she tries to keep them open. "Did you find anything else Chet?" She looks at Jake as she reaches a trembling hand out, "I have to go back. Help me please." Chester shakes his head. "Nope. I found that under the bed. I didn't see anything else out of place. The window was open, though. He probably left that way. Are you going to be alright getting back to your room?" Ruby bobs her head in a nod, "Sure, Jake will help me, I just need some rest. Aren't you sweet to ask?" she smiles. Chester blushes. "You take care of yourself." He turns to Jake, "Make sure she doesn't get into too much trouble." Kate said, "Rest is exactly what you need, Ruby. Did that chest do anything beside singe you? You seem.... faraway. As if your mind and your body are two steps apart." Ruby shrugs her shoulders, but they rise only slightly. "I got shocked. I don't know if anything else happened, I was on my rear end and out before I knew what hit me." She looks up at Kate, "I seem faraway? I wish I was faraway. We're much too close to you-know-you for my comfort." Jake helps Ruby stand and takes much of her weight with his arm around her waist. "Looks like we are off to rest. We should be fine until morning. The rest of you look after each other." Once outside Chester's room and down the flight of stairs Ruby uses her meager strength to try to guide Jake back to O'Neil's room. "We have to go back in, let's go now. I need you to help me." "You are muy loco. If that thing goes off again you will be killed! What makes you think you can open it now when you could not before?" "Well, for one thing, my pick is still in the lock, so I'm half way there," she grins. "Course, it doesn't hurt to try again since we'll be in there retrieving it." She tries to take a little of her weight off of Jake and is wobbly. She looks up at him with her big green eyes, "I need it back." "Damn you and those eyes." Jake checks the hallway to make certain they are not observed before putting the key ring in her hand. He picks her up again and cradles her in his arms in front of the door. "You are losing weight, but do not think I can carry you forever. Hurry up, and do not get either one of us killed!" Ruby tilts her head and kisses Jake full on the lips. "I love you baby." She reaches down and careful not to drop the keys, opens the door. Inside Jake turns back and locks the door again before setting Ruby down in front of the chest. She shakily falls to her knees in front of it and this time concentrates, trying to determine if there are any "special" properties. Ruby squints her eyes as she looks at the chest. "There is magic on here. I'm too hurt from before to try it again. I'll just take my pick back." She quickly grabs at the pick, hoping not to set off any traps again. Jake's eyes bulge and he can only utter, "Hermes!" in a low voice as she grabs at it, but he is too far away to stop her. "What's wrong?" Ruby asks calmly but with furrowed brows, pick in hand. "Nothing that a pint of whiskey can't cure." Jake takes the pick out of her fingers and unceremoniously drops it down the front of her dress before picking her back up. Again he listens before leaving and locking the room. Back in there room he asks, "What do we do with the keys? Should I just drop them in the stairs for the maid to find or should I find her and put them back? I don't think we should hold onto them, I'd like to minimize suspicion." Ruby tries to pull off her own gown, having some difficulty lifting her arms. "Ooowww," she exclaims with more wincing, "Just drop them on the stairs. She'll never know." She plops down on the bed, dress half on half off. "A pint of whiskey sounds good. Get me some too when you go down." He helps her remove her outer garment. Before he leaves the room he unties his second gun belt and hangs it on the bed post near Ruby. "Have a care if you decide you need that while I am out. It will blow a hole in the hotel and likely start the place on fire." Jake heads down stairs to the front desk and looks for the maid he had seen earlier on the way. The maid is no where to be found. As a matter of fact there is no one to be found at this moment. Jake listens carefully and then rings the bell, curious where the help will come from. There is a curtain behind the desk which covers an archway. About 20 seconds after Jake rings the bell the curtains part and Victor Bishop, wearing his night robes and rubbing his eyes comes to the desk. "Yes sir, how may I be of assistance?" "Oh, I AM sorry Mr. Bishop, I assumed someone would still be up. I saw a maid wandering about earlier..." Jake feigns embarrassment. "Could I have a pair of additional pillows and do you have some whiskey I could purchase? My darling wife is over wrought after the long trip today and needs some extra care." "No trouble sir, no trouble at all. I will send the pillows right up. You folks finding the rooms to your liking? Whiskey? Can't sell you any whiskey but I have a bottle of my own you could have if you promise to replace it before you go. Let me fetch that for you." Victor Bishop turns around and walks away, his nightclothes billowing around him. He returns quickly with an unopened bottle of whiskey and hands it over to Jake. "Hope this suits your wife's needs sir. Anything else I can do for you?" "Our room is very nice, thank you. Yes of course I will replace the bottle." Jake accepts it from him. "No, that is all. Thank you Mr. Bishop." On the way back to his room Jake leaves the key ring on a step. After Jake leaves Ruby tries unsuccessfully to pull her ankle boots off. Her habit of double tying the laces while traveling wasn't helping, they were pulled too tight to slip off as she usually did. In her undergarments and boots she meanders over to her jacket and her small, loved silver flask. Having only water available she puts a few more drops from the flask into the small glass of room temperature water and gulps it down. She walks over to the window and pulls the shade open to look out into the night sky, hoping to see the stars. She opens the window to enjoy the fresh air. Kneeling with her arms rested on the sill and the glass in one hand she gazes out into the very dark night. After a short while Jakes returns. "Here, from the owners private collection. Ordered you some extra pillows too." A concerned expression comes and goes across his face at the open window. "Anything interesting going on out there?" Ruby slowly turns her face towards Jake. He is slightly blurry and she is momentarily confused. Her hair continues to flutter in the breeze and she says dreamily, "Aren't you so thoughtful baby?" She turns her face back to the window, and stares out. "I was looking for our stars but they aren't here, not really. Or I can't find them," she says with a sad tone in her voice. "It's very dark." "Since our stars are not there to watch, you should get some rest. You are still weak from earlier. I am going to stay up a while, just to make sure your rest is not interrupted." Keeping her arms on the window Ruby turns more of her body towards Jake. "But baby, I want to see them." She does not look like she is going to move from that spot. The expression on Jake's face says it all, and instead of arguing Ruby tries to stand. Barely getting to her feet and wobbling all over she looks at Jake with a silly smile. "Ok husband." Jake rolls his eyes and helps her into bed. He pours a glass of whiskey and sits at the table while waiting for the extra pillows and for Ruby to fall asleep. "Take off my shoes!" Ruby commands, kicking the blankets off herself. While she waits with her leg raised in the air she giggles, "You know, being married isn't so bad. Don't you think?" Jake begins unlacing her shoe. "I bet that Dorita cannot wait for you and I to be married. Maria certainly told her about the last time you tried to make something in the kitchen. I imagine Dorita will herd you right into her kitchen and teach you to be baking those pies. Naturally she will teach you the basics first, especially how to clean up afterwards." He slides her shoe off and begins on the other. "Katherine will be happy to help you pick out the practical gingham cloth a wife will be needing. Your idea to have Ginnie teach you how to sew your own dresses is a nice touch too." Jake nearly turns red attempting to contain his laughter, and finally is unable anymore and nearly doubles in half. Ruby stares at Jake with cloudy eyes before her full lips turn into a pout. She kicks Jake with the foot he has in his hand and flips away from him in the bed. Her back to him, she tries to fluff the pillow under her head to get comfortable. “You’re not funny,” she sniffs. "Take off my shoes." He chuckles and grabs her foot to finish taking off the second shoe. "It is fine when you make a joke...." Jake sits back at the table sipping whiskey waiting for the pillows to arrive. "Yeah well, my jokes are FUNNY." She sits up, grabs her shoe off the bed and throws it at Jake. "You are mean and hurtful." She throws the shoe at Jake then falls back into the bed. She crosses her arms and pulls the blanket up to her chin. It is not long before the young maid that they saw before knocks on the door. "Sorry to disturb you folks, I have the extra pillows you requested," she says through the door. Jake opens the door and takes the pillows. "Thank you Miss." The young girl smiles and blushes. "Can I do anything else for you sir, anything at all?" "You are just too kind." Jake makes eye contact, gives her a warm smile and steps out into the hallway. He gives her a coin and lets his hand linger just a moment too long in her hand. "I am meeting Mr. O'Neil for breakfast and I forgot to ask him what time is best for him? Have you noticed what time he normally comes down?" The maid squeezes his hand slightly and returns the warm smile then looks away batting her eyelashes. "Mr. O'Neil? If we are thinking of the same man, then he usually returns sometime around sun up and sleeps all day. I have seen him snooping about town in the late afternoon. He is just such a handsome man." "Late afternoon you say, while the sun is still up?" "Thank you so much for these," Jake holds up the pillows, "and your charming conversation. I certainly look forward to seeing you again. Good night now." "And I look forward to seeing you too," she says sweetly, letting her eyes linger on his, "Good night." She smiles before turning and walking down the hall. Jake notices her look back over her shoulder and smile at him again before she heads down the hallway and out of sight. Jake closes and locks their door. "Here is your extra pillow," and he places it on the bed next to her head. He takes the second extra pillow on places it under the blankets on the other bed, making it look like someone is sleeping there. Ruby sits up, takes the pillow and throws it at Jake. "Don't bother being nice NOW." Lying back down she pulls the blankets up again and makes sure to turn her back to Jake. Jake arranges the chair so that it is not visible through the window. He closes the window, locks it and then balances an ordinary 45 caliber bullet on one side so it will fall if the window is opened. He grabs his sawed off shotgun and places it on the floor next to the chair. Lastly he refills his glass of whiskey, extinguishes the lamps and sits in the chair with the glass in his left hand and his right resting on his Peacemaker. * * * As Jake and Ruby leave, Minerva turns to Nanuet, Chester and Katherine with the fatigue showing through in her voice. "I do not think that there is much more that we can do tonight. I am going to retire to my room and pray for guidance. Por favor, be careful. I do not feel that we are safe in the night. I know that it is unpleasant but do NOT remove your garlic until morning," she cautions them before she turns and finds her way back to the room. "I think I'll come down with you Minerva, I could use some rest as well." Nanuet follows Minerva down to the room. Once back in her room she moves to the window and looks up at the dark sky. She makes sure that the window is secured before tightly closing the curtains against the evil that lurks without. She then removes her icons of Minerva and Jupiter from her pack and pleads to her gods for help before undressing and crawling under the covers where she lies awake in quiet desperation trying to think of a way to defeat the vampire. He unpacks his meager belongings and sets his new handgun next to the bed on the nightstand. He sees Minerva is restless as he makes his way over to the bed. He undresses as she had just done and slips under the covers, sliding over next to her and wordlessly puts his arms around her and holds her tightly rocking gently back and forth. Minerva takes comfort in the warmth of her man's arms. She is eventually drawn into a restless slumber by his gentle rocking Katherine went quietly back to her room and shut and locked the door. She checked the window and made sure it was securely locked as well. She wished desperately to be in her own body, wearing her own face. The prospect of staying Maddie for days or even weeks was not a pleasant one. The nightgown she changed into was uncomfortably tight until she opened the buttons at the top. The clip in her hair would probably stab her in the head all night as it had last night. At least the stinking garlic was away from her now in the pocket of her dress. She put a bit of it on the bedside table just to appease the Priestess and went to sleep. * * * * * * The night goes by uneventfully, at least for the companions. Nanuet goes into reverie shortly after he feels Minerva is sleeping, Jake remains awake in his chair a myriad of thoughts passing through his mind as the time slowly passes. The others sleep fitfully despite the comfortable beds and soft sheets and blankets. It is that predawn time when the sun, soon to expose itself again to the world when Jake stands up to stretch. [i]"O'Neil should be coming back soon,"[/i] he thinks to himself as he washes up a bit. "Ruby, you getting up? Are you joining us for breakfast?" Ruby grumbles, "Yes, I told nice Mr. O'Neil I would be there." She pulls herself up, her head pounding. Dragging herself out of bed she dresses, taking care to look extra special. When she is ready she waits by the door. "Heh, last night he was a bastard. Maybe you ought to hide those burns on your hands." She scrunches her face at Jake, "At least HE didn't do it deliberately and to someone he says he LOVES." Ruby doesn't wait for Jake to answer and she starts down the stairs. Jake straps on his second gun belt, dons his duster, shakes his head and shambles down stairs with hat in hand. Kate woke as the sun was crossing the horizon. As she suspected, the magical clip that kept Madeline here had poked her in the back of the head all night, making sleep fitful at best. She sat at the vanity and looked in the mirror. It was becoming less and less surprising each time she saw her altered appearance. Soon she would just expect to see Maddie. She sighed, dressed in a plain skirt and blouse, and went down to breakfast. Nanuet stirs, his reverie completed. He gets up and stretches then looks to the window waiting to greet the sun. "Minerva, that man will be coming soon to meet the other's for breakfast. Are we to join them?" Minerva climbs out of bed and unselfconsciously walks to the dresser and begins to light the candles in preparation of her morning ceremony. "Si mi amor, I would like to hear what he has to say and then I am going to meet the Padre to see if he will share with me what he knows of the monster." She silently prays and then blows out the candles and dresses for breakfast. She and Nanuet descend the stairs in search of the others. Kate descends the stairs before any of the others and then follows the sign to the dining room. There, sitting in a back corner table sits Jacky O'Neil, looking the same as he did the previous night in the saloon except now a lit cigarette dangles from his mouth. Kate plastered Maddie's bright smile on her face and said, "Good morning, sir. I saw you in the saloon last night, didn't I? Haven't you been to bed yet?" Chester reaches the dining room and says, "Good morning all. Did you all sleep well?" "I'll answer that question after I get some,” O’Neil says. “Didn't realize it was going to be a full house down here this morning, usually if I eat this time of day I beat the early risers to bed. Have a seat, coffee here is especially bad, don't recommend it. Grits are pretty good though, maybe a little heavy on the butter but not bad." "Don't mind if I do." Chester pulls up a chair. "So you stayed out all night, huh?" O' Neil turns to Maddie and says "I made a promise to myself a while back, never to leave a saloon that's still open without good cause. Seems like I found myself a good one here, Greely's stays open all night." Jake meanders in, "Hi O'Neil." He looks around the room and says, "How do I get some coffee?" "Well, we girls need our beauty sleep. Can't spend all night out without suffering for it the next day. I see you have company, I'll leave you to them," Kate said with a smile and went to sit a few tables away. A homely looking middle aged woman, wide in the midsection comes out to the dining area. She is wearing an apron which is splattered with flour and some sort of batter or dough. She licks her fingers as she makes her way towards the companions. "Good morning folks. Victor said we had some new guests so I made sure to get up early this morning and get everything ready for you. Anything special that you'd like?" "A whiskey," Ruby blurts out. Then she adds with a smile, "Please." "Make me something that looks like meat to go with this coffee and a shot of whiskey." He sits across from O'Neil. "You stay up every night?" "Depends on the town and what kind of trouble I am looking for. Generally a night person though. You always ask so many questions?" O' Neil stands up when he sees Ruby enter. "Sorry Miss Constance, had everybody talking at me at once. My evening has been fine so far, sorry to hear that yours was troubled." "That's alright Mr. O'Neil, they can't all be perfect star filled nights, now can they?" She continues to smile at him and avoids looking at Jake. "But you must be exhausted, being out all night like that, and starved no less. But I must admit," she says while taking a seat, "I do miss nights like that." "Well I sleep pretty late, most of the day actually. Starved? Well yes, I generally get pretty darn hungry this time of day." Minerva and Nanuet enter the room and take a seat at the table. "Buenos Dias everyone." Minerva says without much enthusiasm. She looks up at the woman who has entered to take their order. “A full breakfast please and double for my friend here," she says pointing to Nanuet. The "cook" takes everybody's orders and retreats again to the kitchen. The group can hear her crashing around in the other room as she puts together their morning meals. Chester winces and asks O’Neil, "Is she always like that?" "Yeah, pretty much. Hasn't made me sick yet though, so I don't mind too much." "So why don't you tell us about your adventures last night? I'm so curious," Ruby asks. "My oh my, you are a curious lot aren't you,” O’Neil says. “Nothing too exciting last night. Lost some money at cards, spent some money on whiskey and women. That good enough for you?" The smile drops off Ruby's face. "Just making polite conversation." "You said you do not know how to play poker, what kind of business opportunities do you find staying out every night?" Jake sips at the coffee. "I met another man recently who only came out at night." Ruby drinks down her whiskey as soon as it arrives. Her head still pounding, the conversation boring her and annoyed just sitting near Jake without an apology she decides to entertain herself other ways. She stands from the table, "Excuse me, I think I'll get some air." She doesn't wait for an answer as she heads for the stairs. "Who said it was poker?” O’Neil says, answering Jake’s question. “We played blackjack if you must know and I still have no idea what I'm doing. Business contacts can be made anywhere my friend, but most of that gets done in the afternoons. Did I commit a crime against your kin that I am not aware of? I didn't realize I was meeting you for breakfast so you could scrutinize everything I said and did. I think I'll be retiring for the day now." Jacky gets up and pushes his chair in hesitates a moment. "Tell you what Mr. O'Neil, why don't you sit back down and eat something. Then you and I can take a short walk and I will not ask you any more questions until then, but I'll trade question for question and you get to go first,” Jake offers. "Hmmmph. Well since I haven't eaten yet I will at least go that far." O'Neil sits back down and nods his head as he thinks to himself. "Did you folks know any of the people that got killed here recently? Strange things, I mean the deaths, all strange circumstances it seems to me." "Not really. I just got into town yesterday. They were burying some poor woman when I got here,” Chester says. O’Neil says, "Right, Sally Anne Fuller. Found dead in her sleep, just like the other few whores, just like the mayor and his wife. And those are the folks who met what I believe to be untimely ends since I've been here." "Whoa there. You mean more people have died like that? Why hasn't the sheriff done anything about this. The mayor and his wife were killed." "You want to count that as your question next time it's your turn?" O'Neil says with a sly smile. Chester shrugs, "Yeah, sure. I figure you look like you know what's going on in town and you're here." His food arrives and he starts to eat. "Well then to answer your question, yeah from what I understand at least a dozen people have died like that. And as far as I can tell the Sheriff has tried all that he can. Supposedly hired some occult priest to come out and take a look at things. He is only one man with a kid as a deputy. I think he's got his hands full. Mayor and his wife were found dead last week, in their beds." Chester pauses to swallow. "What makes you think that these deaths are strange? Maybe it's a disease. If it is, I should get out of here." "I suppose it could be a disease, but doc doesn't think so,” O’Neil says. “Talked with him about things a few nights ago over at Greely's. Can't say I ever seen anyone who needed a drink more than him that night. Doc certainly didn't think it was a disease though, but I know he doesn't have a clue as to what it could be." "Kid working here said the lady that was buried yesterday was naked and pale when they found her." Jake has some more coffee. "I have only met one person from Thomaswell, and I have not seen him since we got in yesterday." O’Neil nods. "OK, well then I guess you answered my question, now what do you want to know besides how my evening went?" "Where did you come in from before coming here?" Jake asks. "Spent some time working the silver trade west of here in a good size town aptly named Silver City. Nice folks and all, but I kinda wore out my welcome there. Before that, spent some time in the jail in Alamogordo." Minerva interjects "You mentioned an Occult Priest? I s that the man that buried that poor unfortunate girl at the crossroads?" O'Neil acknowledges Minerva. He smiles brightly as he looks at her before speaking. "Don't know who was at the crossroads, could have been him. Siam York is the town priest, he might know more about the specialist they have coming in." Minerva returns his bright smile with an equally brilliant one of her own. "Perhaps I will pay a visit this morning. I apologize for my rudeness. Allow me to introduce myself," she says extending her hand palm down. " I am the Priestess Minerva Garcia Florencia." O'Neil stands up and removes his hat with one hand, taking Minerva's hand with the other he lifts it and gently kisses it. "I saw you at the saloon last night but didn't have a chance to meet you then. I apologize for the oversight and I am sure it was my loss." Nanuet shuffles a bit in his seat glaring at the man. O'Neil clears his throat then continues releasing Minerva's hand. "The priest here in town is nice enough, knows his day to day stuff." Minerva smiles sweetly at the compliment before addressing his comment about the priest . The smile drops from her face to be replaced by hard resolve. "Well Senor O'Neil that will not do. I need someone that will be able to assist me in destroying this monster. Do you know who that someone would be?" she says looking him directly in the eyes. "Whoa, if looks could kill!" O’Neil says with a half hearted chuckle. "I ain't in the monster killing business lady. I'm here for something else and when I find it I'll be moving on. Sure there is something strange going on here but it don't concern me. I would just like to get my business done and move on. Maybe this other priest the sheriff hired can help you out." O'Neil sits down again and begins rolling a new cigarette. Minerva Chuckles "Harness you ego Senor O'Neil, I was not suggesting that you would be able to help me, personally. Just that perhaps you knew whom I should be addressing. You seem to be an observant fellow." "I usually am. Sorry if I misunderstood.” O' Neil takes a drag from his cigarette before continuing. "My turn," he says. "What do you think is going on around this place? I got my theories but I'm interested to hear what sharp folks like you think. Besides being from out of town seems to give a different perspective too." "A man was killed and his body found behind my saloon,” Jake says. “He was pale. I think all the blood was drained from his body." "I think you might be right Mr. Jacobs. I think you might be right. And I know just the creature who could do such a thing." "This man here found something in room 308 last night," Jake says pointing to Chester, "maybe he'll show it to you. The man I met in my town was named Colin Turner. He only seemed to be around after dark. Two people died while he was in town." Jake pauses. "I was there when they dug up one of them. Pretty surprising what we found." Jake goes back to drinking his coffee. "Turner you say? I have heard of him before. I think he came back into town just a couple days ago. As far as what you found, I am not sure you could shock me, I have seen a few things in my day Mr. Jacobs." O'Neil then turns to Chester. "What did you find? Something special about that room, 308?" Chester says, "Yeah. It's a cufflink with the initials 'C.T.' on it." He reaches into his pocket and pulls out the cufflink. He pushes it towards O'Neil. "Here it is. Seen anything like it before?" O'Neil looks at the cufflink closely, holding it up towards the window towards the light for only a second before handing it back to Chester. "Well I've seen personalized jewelry like that before, but I can't recall seeing that specific piece of it. C.T. might be the guy your looking for? And what about that room number? 308, you mentioned it, why does that ring a bell?" Chester slips the piece of jewelry back into his pocket. [i]In for a penny, in for a pound.[/i] "308 was where they found Miss Fuller, from what I gathered." "Oh is that right? I thought I remembered that number for some reason." he says finishing his cigarette rolling. "Well I can walk you to the door then I am headed upstairs. Perhaps I will see you this evening back at Greely's." "That'd be nice. I don't anyone in town, so it'll be nice to see a friendly face. Maybe we can swap war stories." Chester heads for the door. "I am ready to take a walk out to the crossroads,” Jake says. “Interested in coming O'Neil? How about you Martin?" O’Neil says, “I think actually I will enjoy this last smoke of the day and then hit the sack. My time is the nighttime if you catch my drift." Chester says, "It would be a fine time for a constitutional, Mr. Jacobs.” Jake finishes his coffee and then stands. "Well then, Mr. O'Neil, perhaps we will see you tonight." He walks to the door and waits for Chester, who follows. [/QUOTE]
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"Here There Be Vampires" A Promise City, Arizona Story Hour
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