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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: 2819609" data-attributes="member: 12815"><p>Nolan Edwards orders a glass of wine, having already had dinner with Kate earlier. "Kate mentioned it to me earlier, which shows you folks have a knack for this stuff, we need to find his lair first and make sure he can't get back to his coffin. Either that or we need to find a way to get him out to the sun."</p><p></p><p>"Well... he has a key around his neck and a magical door in his saloon. I tried and tried to get into it but I couldn't. Maybe the coffin is in there. Otherwise I guess we'll have to get into his house. Every time we've tried to visit him there it's been locked up tight. My husband is a deputy, he could get in."</p><p></p><p>"You folks think of everything don't you! Well then perhaps we should check his house first while he is tied up at the saloon like Katherine suggested. We must still be on our guard in case he has some guardians there, but I am sure I am just stating the obvious. You folks always seem to have some experience."</p><p></p><p>"Unfortunately," Ruby says, rolling her eyes. "But can we eat first? I'm hungry." Jake and Ruby dig into their food and eat as quickly as they can so they at least have something in their bellies.</p><p></p><p>As they walk over to Greely's Ruby comments to Jake, "I'll need something later, I bet you will too."</p><p></p><p>Arriving at the door Ruby says, "So, are we doing this my way?"</p><p></p><p>"Depends what your way is. If it is quiet and will not draw attention to us then I am all for it" Edwards replies with a wink.</p><p></p><p>Kate checked her weapons and mentally went through the list of spells she had ready, then waited for Ruby to get them in the door.</p><p></p><p>"Normally it is," Ruby smiles back. "You all keep guard."</p><p></p><p>Ruby carefully listens at the door. When she hears no noise she reaches her hands down her bodice with a smug smile. "Seems my friends are getting a good look at some of my hidden talents lately," she smiles and comes out with her lock picks.</p><p></p><p>First she checks the door for traps. If there are none she proceeds to unlock the lock.</p><p></p><p>Since there appears to be no imminent threat Ruby takes her time with the lock and smiles when she hears the friendly click. The door swings inward to reveal a dark foyer.</p><p></p><p>"Did anyone bring a light source?" Kate asked quietly, trying to peer into the dark room.</p><p></p><p>Ruby smiles, "I believe this one," she points with her thumb to Jake, "Has something. He brings everything and the kitchen sink when we go out."</p><p></p><p>Jake rolls his eyes. "We'll use this for now." He pulls out his dagger and recites the activation word, "Incendie." A small light comes out the tip of the dagger, casting a soft glow in the dark eerie house.</p><p></p><p>The companions begin walking in, letting Jake lead the way with the light. Ruby walks near Kate and whispers, "I'm really sorry about yesterday."</p><p></p><p>"There's nothing to be sorry about," Kate said, puzzled. "Jake and I got you cleaned up and off to bed, and I can tell your head is much clearer today. That's all I wanted."</p><p></p><p>"Kate, I tried to kill you. I think that deserves an apology. I suppose it was a good thing I was half out of my mind, or I might have succeeded. Even worse was that I had a gun pointed right at Jake. Luckily he saw me in time."</p><p></p><p>She sighs, "Yes I feel better today." She looks around, trying to see in the darkness, "I just want to get out of here. I don't think I can keep myself together much longer."</p><p></p><p>"You didn't try to kill me, they did. And as you see I came out of it just fine.</p><p></p><p>I want to go home too. Yesterday got us a lot closer to that. Not much longer, dear. I think Greely is the key."</p><p></p><p>Ruby nods. "And I'm sorry I got us all into this too. I always seem to be the cause of trouble anywhere I go. It always was that way. Anyway, getting out of here will suit all of us just fine. A stage is coming tomorrow. I only hope this is done or we can convince Minerva and Nanuet to leave."</p><p></p><p>"Maybe we can finish it tonight and we won't have to argue with them over it.</p><p></p><p>After a few days of being Maddie, I can see how that kind of trouble finds you. I've caused enough trouble for us myself, if you recall. I'm sure we all have the capacity for causing our own special kind."</p><p></p><p>"Yes, I suppose Maddie would understand, in a way. But even when I try to be really good, it still happens. It's very frustrating. That's one of the reasons I wanted." she glances at Jake. "Forget it, I'm a lost cause." </p><p></p><p>"You're not the lost cause," she chuckled. "It's those foolish men who don't think with their heads." </p><p></p><p>She gives Kate a small smile. "Hopefully his resting place is here and not that special room. Because I've tried to get into that a couple of times with no luck. Would you have any ideas, short of stealing the key, on how we can get in there?" Ruby stops for a moment and ponders. "Wait a minute... what if we steal the key?"</p><p></p><p>"You're suggesting stealing they key off his person? When you know what he is? His pocket is probably a little harder to pick than your average drunk. Do you really think it can be done? We could certainly use it."</p><p></p><p>"What else can we do? What if the coffin isn't here? Do you know a way to get into a magical room like that? I know Ja--Mr. Jacobs won't agree, but I can try."</p><p></p><p>"The only other way I know is your scroll. It might be worth it to use it at this point. Otherwise the only thought I have is to go in through a window if there is one. We might have to try to get it from him, but I hope it won't come to that. Let's see what's here before we get too far ahead of ourselves."</p><p></p><p>"A window? How do you get in a window in a...," Ruby glances around to make sure no one else is close enough to hear, "Magical room? I've been in the room behind the door. I think there is another room, a room that is only opened by that key."</p><p></p><p>"I didn't know you had been inside. I've been finding out a lot of things no one told me lately," she said quietly as they followed Jake's light. "If his coffin is here, it's probably underground in the cellar."</p><p></p><p>"All it was was a room in a saloon where whores do their job Kate. There was nothing to tell. But you're right about the coffin, it would probably be in the basement. Although not definitely." Ruby gives Kate a small smile then moves towards Jake. "Maybe we should split up? We could search this place faster..."</p><p></p><p>This house is a stark contrast to the saloon which is very neat and organized. The furniture is old and in poor repair, broken bits lying about. Clothing is strewn about the rooms as well as various bits of refuse. The first floor has a kitchen and dining area, a living room and stairs that lead up to the second floor.</p><p></p><p>"Let's check upstairs," Kate said. "I don't think anything will be up there, but then we can concentrate on the downstairs. Does it seem to anyone else that people become these monsters and forget how to clean up a mess?"</p><p></p><p>Ruby laughs, "That seems pretty true Kate. I guess once you're dead you don't care about what's lying on the floor. Wait a minute, I'm alive and I don't care what's lying on the floor..." Ruby giggles again.</p><p></p><p>Jake comments, "Let's get this over with. Upstairs first. Mrs. Jacobs?" he says while offering Ruby his arm, "Let's go exploring."</p><p></p><p>Ruby stays close behind Jake as he ascends the stairs.</p><p></p><p>Edwards offers to watch the stairs as the others head up. "Just don't want anything sneaking up on us."</p><p></p><p>The other three head upstairs and find things in a similar state of disarray. There are two bedrooms, and a bathroom on the upper floor as well as a storage closet.</p><p></p><p>One of the bedrooms appears unused as there is just an unmade bed and an empty wardrobe. An unlocked chest holds folded linens.</p><p></p><p>The other bedroom looks a bit different with a bed that has had the linens tossed aside, a broken mirror and an overturned dresser littering the floor. A bookcase is mostly intact, but only about 1/4 full with books.</p><p></p><p>The bathroom area is a mess with toiletries and refuse strewn about.</p><p></p><p>Ruby chooses the lived in bedroom to take a better look around. She searches thoroughly and Jake joins her. Kate keeps an eye out in the hallway.</p><p></p><p>The room yields little in the way of clues or more information. It appears as Greely has lost a significant amount of weight as there are several items of used men's clothing of a much larger size strewn about the room. The books on the shelf are a mix. Some historical books, probably older textbooks, some fiction, some books on gardening and several on bartending and brewing.</p><p></p><p>"Alright, doesn't seem like there is much up here. Let's go check the cellar."</p><p></p><p>Ruby waits for Jake and Kate, and they meet up with Edwards. They all look around for stairs that would lead to a basement but find only an old, long disused root cellar.</p><p></p><p>The companions exhaustedly search the entire house. They find no doors to a cellar and no coffin anywhere.</p><p></p><p>Ruby sighs, "That leaves the saloon, and probably that magic door."</p><p></p><p>"Mr. Edwards, what do you think? Do YOU have ways to possibly get in that door without the key?"</p><p></p><p>Nolan Edwards scratches his head. "I know a trick or two when it comes to magic. Let's head over there and take a look. Can you lock up tight so that it is not so obvious that we were here?"</p><p></p><p>Ruby begins relocking any locks she had picked.</p><p></p><p>"You seem to know a lot about a great many things," Kate said to Edwards, testing the waters. "How did you learn about magic?"</p><p></p><p>"You hang around unnatural things as long as I have and you learn a lot. I'm sure if you are cursed with living as long as I have you will learn your share too," he says with a wink and a smirk.</p><p></p><p>Feeling it was safe to let her secret out Kate continued, "I have some knowledge of magic myself; it's why I'm here. I'm sure you can understand why I wouldn't want to advertise that, but if we're going to face Greely you should know that I may use spells."</p><p></p><p>"Anybody else have any secrets they want to clue me in on before we confront this devil? I am still of the idea that we should find his coffin first. Perhaps if we can't find it by searching perhaps one or more of us should stay late while he closes up and see where he goes?"</p><p></p><p>"That's a good idea," Kate replies. "Since he owns other properties in town he could be staying in those as well. It's possible he just stays in the saloon. There would be little chance of accidentally meeting the sun if he doesn't leave at all."</p><p></p><p>After Ruby is done locking up they all head over to the Saloon.</p><p></p><p>Kate sat with Nolan Edwards in the saloon, unsure of what to do next. She didn't like the feeling of uncertainty. At this point she'd rather be doing in the hopes of catching that stage home tomorrow. She missed Ginnie, and her El Parador family, and she missed Conrad. A sigh escaped her lips as she said, "I hate waiting until morning."</p><p></p><p>Edwards says, "When dealing with things like this though, patience is the key. If you do not set it up right you have no chance of success. But, if you want to leave there is no reason not to. I am here and have been hired to deal with the situation, one which I have dealt with before. So, you could leave knowing you turned the situation over to the professional, the expert, someone who was supposed to handle it."</p><p></p><p>"Do you resent our being here?" Kate asked. "I know when you are used to working a certain way, even welcome help can throw you off."</p><p></p><p>"Oh no, not at all. I have done enough things alone in my life, and I appreciate the help greatly, but I also know that this is not your chosen way of life and you have something else to return to me. To me, this is my life, it is what I do. I have a job here, I am committed."</p><p></p><p>Kate nodded. "I understand, but I also intend to see this through. One of these things came after my friend. I want to be sure none of them have any reason to come to our town again. That said, I think I will return to the hotel for a while. If you need me, ask Mr. or Mrs. Jacobs."</p><p></p><p>Nolan Edwards wishes Kate goodnight and returns to his wine, observing Greely as closely as he can from the distance.</p><p></p><p>Ruby whispers in Jake's ear, "Should we do some checking now or wait for daylight? I know you don't want me to steal that key..."</p><p></p><p>"Take a chain from around the neck of a vampire? One that very likely knows that we know what he is. That probably knows we destroyed the other three. I am hesitant about that. If I am right and he now knows, he is also more likely to add protections to his coffin. Let us keep searching before he can do that. If we cannot find it then we should follow him as suggested." Jake slowly rubs his beard, "But where? Whittaker’s house? Does the well lead somewhere?"</p><p></p><p>"Maybe his coffin is INSIDE the saloon. There are plenty of places we didn't check in there, besides that magical room. And I mean, come on, out of all places, where would he keep it? Where would you keep it? In plain sight or somewhere that no one but you could get to?"</p><p></p><p>"As for the other stuff... hopefully our friends can shed some more light on Mr. Whittaker. We should check out the well. And soon too. Don't forget, the stage is coming... tomorrow," Ruby smiles up widely at Jake with her big green eyes.</p><p></p><p>"Not sure how we search the saloon with him watching. We can try, and if we do not find anything then we can try again in daylight even if we have to kick the doors in. Check the saloon as best we can now, then to the well, and back to the saloon in the daylight?"</p><p></p><p>"Alright darling, sounds like a plan." Ruby squeezes Jake's hand as they walk into the saloon. "You tell the others, I'll get started."</p><p></p><p>Ruby finds the big bouncer. "Hello Thom, we're back. Anything exciting happen while we were gone?"</p><p></p><p>Thom gives Ruby his usual dumbfounded look. "Uh... no, nothing exciting. It has been quiet tonight."</p><p></p><p>"Thom I have a question. What else is upstairs? Anything special? I'm sooo curious." As Ruby talks she looks around the saloon for any sign of Greely. "And where is Mr. Greely?"</p><p></p><p>"I already told you, I don't know about anything special upstairs. The other pretty ladies bring the men upstairs. I only go upstairs if there is a problem. Mr. Greely is right there, he is working," Thom says dully as he points to the bar where Greely is busy cleaning glasses.</p><p></p><p>"Thanks for your help Thom," Ruby smiles at him, "You're always helpful."</p><p></p><p>About fifteen minutes after Katherine left, Madeline Anders entered Greely's saloon. She walked to the bar and ordered a glass of wine, then scanned the room for Jacky O'Neill.</p><p></p><p>Jacky is near the back of the saloon. He is watching the others play darts as he paces back and forth. He has a flask from his own hip that he is drinking from now as he wears a groove into the floor.</p><p></p><p>Maddie walked over with a swing in her hips and said, "If I'd known my absence would drive you to drink, I'd have stopped by sooner."</p><p></p><p>O'Neill stops in his tracks and spins around. Maddie notices a sparkle in his eye and he smiles as he talks. "Oh hey Maddie, good to see you again! You look like might have driven a few men to drink, well your absence anyways. I'm celebrating if you want to share a drink with me. I should probably put this flask away, don't want to deprive the bartender of his business."</p><p></p><p>"You're celebrating? You found what you were searching for then? I have to say I'm surprised, considering the pacing you're doing."</p><p></p><p>"Oh, nervous habit I guess. I am just excited, can't sit still. Figured I would come out and celebrate one last time before I split. Glad I got to see your pretty face again too" he says with a wink. "Yes, I found it, what I've searched high and low for, it's finally mine!" He realizes that he has raised his voice and a few people are looking at him so he takes a breath and calms himself down.</p><p></p><p>"Didn't I hear you offer me a drink? Why don't you make a stab at sitting for a few minutes. I can't compete with your prize, but perhaps I can distract you for a few moments." Maddie slipped her arm through his and led him away from the dartboard, walking a little closer to him than was strictly necessary. "So, where did you find it?"</p><p></p><p>"Yes, drinks are in order. Well I have the book, I just barely got to know you the other night and we hardly even got to dance. Where did I find it? You'll never believe it but it was hidden under that old spent well at the west end of town. Took a little quick construction and some digging, but I did it and it's about time."</p><p></p><p>O'Neill buys drinks from Greely, whatever Maddie asks for and takes a seat across from the bar, the area where Ruby had landed only a couple nights ago.</p><p></p><p>"You must have done it at night, I can't imagine you being allowed to rip up a statue in the middle of town in broad daylight," she whispered conspiratorially. "And it can't have been tonight, it hasn't been dark long enough. I can't believe you're still so excited."</p><p></p><p>Maddie smiled from beneath her eyelashes. "I hear the stage is coming back tomorrow, so we'll have to get to know each other tonight."</p><p></p><p>"Well well young lady! Let's just say nobody saw what I did and I plan on being long gone before they figure it out. So I 'spose that means you are leaving town tomorrow. Did you do whatever it is you came here to do?"</p><p></p><p>She let a little bit of her own apprehension through her facade. "I came to visit family. I had a letter and it came from here, but they aren't here. There's no reason for me to stay. I'd have been gone days ago only there wasn't a way to leave. And then I've been unwell for the last day or so.</p><p></p><p>You think someone would want to stop you from taking a book?" she asked quietly. "One they didn't even know was there?"</p><p></p><p>"Well like you said, the dismantling of the well might not win me any votes. I didn't exactly stop to put it all back together when I came back up if you get my drift. Well, bottoms up! To Thomaswell, may I never see her again."</p><p></p><p>"I'll drink to that," Maddie said and took a sip of her drink. It was too soon to ask for a look at his prize, but she was sure he was carrying it on his person. She watched O'Neill drink, trying to gauge how drunk he was.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="orchid blossom, post: 2819609, member: 12815"] Nolan Edwards orders a glass of wine, having already had dinner with Kate earlier. "Kate mentioned it to me earlier, which shows you folks have a knack for this stuff, we need to find his lair first and make sure he can't get back to his coffin. Either that or we need to find a way to get him out to the sun." "Well... he has a key around his neck and a magical door in his saloon. I tried and tried to get into it but I couldn't. Maybe the coffin is in there. Otherwise I guess we'll have to get into his house. Every time we've tried to visit him there it's been locked up tight. My husband is a deputy, he could get in." "You folks think of everything don't you! Well then perhaps we should check his house first while he is tied up at the saloon like Katherine suggested. We must still be on our guard in case he has some guardians there, but I am sure I am just stating the obvious. You folks always seem to have some experience." "Unfortunately," Ruby says, rolling her eyes. "But can we eat first? I'm hungry." Jake and Ruby dig into their food and eat as quickly as they can so they at least have something in their bellies. As they walk over to Greely's Ruby comments to Jake, "I'll need something later, I bet you will too." Arriving at the door Ruby says, "So, are we doing this my way?" "Depends what your way is. If it is quiet and will not draw attention to us then I am all for it" Edwards replies with a wink. Kate checked her weapons and mentally went through the list of spells she had ready, then waited for Ruby to get them in the door. "Normally it is," Ruby smiles back. "You all keep guard." Ruby carefully listens at the door. When she hears no noise she reaches her hands down her bodice with a smug smile. "Seems my friends are getting a good look at some of my hidden talents lately," she smiles and comes out with her lock picks. First she checks the door for traps. If there are none she proceeds to unlock the lock. Since there appears to be no imminent threat Ruby takes her time with the lock and smiles when she hears the friendly click. The door swings inward to reveal a dark foyer. "Did anyone bring a light source?" Kate asked quietly, trying to peer into the dark room. Ruby smiles, "I believe this one," she points with her thumb to Jake, "Has something. He brings everything and the kitchen sink when we go out." Jake rolls his eyes. "We'll use this for now." He pulls out his dagger and recites the activation word, "Incendie." A small light comes out the tip of the dagger, casting a soft glow in the dark eerie house. The companions begin walking in, letting Jake lead the way with the light. Ruby walks near Kate and whispers, "I'm really sorry about yesterday." "There's nothing to be sorry about," Kate said, puzzled. "Jake and I got you cleaned up and off to bed, and I can tell your head is much clearer today. That's all I wanted." "Kate, I tried to kill you. I think that deserves an apology. I suppose it was a good thing I was half out of my mind, or I might have succeeded. Even worse was that I had a gun pointed right at Jake. Luckily he saw me in time." She sighs, "Yes I feel better today." She looks around, trying to see in the darkness, "I just want to get out of here. I don't think I can keep myself together much longer." "You didn't try to kill me, they did. And as you see I came out of it just fine. I want to go home too. Yesterday got us a lot closer to that. Not much longer, dear. I think Greely is the key." Ruby nods. "And I'm sorry I got us all into this too. I always seem to be the cause of trouble anywhere I go. It always was that way. Anyway, getting out of here will suit all of us just fine. A stage is coming tomorrow. I only hope this is done or we can convince Minerva and Nanuet to leave." "Maybe we can finish it tonight and we won't have to argue with them over it. After a few days of being Maddie, I can see how that kind of trouble finds you. I've caused enough trouble for us myself, if you recall. I'm sure we all have the capacity for causing our own special kind." "Yes, I suppose Maddie would understand, in a way. But even when I try to be really good, it still happens. It's very frustrating. That's one of the reasons I wanted." she glances at Jake. "Forget it, I'm a lost cause." "You're not the lost cause," she chuckled. "It's those foolish men who don't think with their heads." She gives Kate a small smile. "Hopefully his resting place is here and not that special room. Because I've tried to get into that a couple of times with no luck. Would you have any ideas, short of stealing the key, on how we can get in there?" Ruby stops for a moment and ponders. "Wait a minute... what if we steal the key?" "You're suggesting stealing they key off his person? When you know what he is? His pocket is probably a little harder to pick than your average drunk. Do you really think it can be done? We could certainly use it." "What else can we do? What if the coffin isn't here? Do you know a way to get into a magical room like that? I know Ja--Mr. Jacobs won't agree, but I can try." "The only other way I know is your scroll. It might be worth it to use it at this point. Otherwise the only thought I have is to go in through a window if there is one. We might have to try to get it from him, but I hope it won't come to that. Let's see what's here before we get too far ahead of ourselves." "A window? How do you get in a window in a...," Ruby glances around to make sure no one else is close enough to hear, "Magical room? I've been in the room behind the door. I think there is another room, a room that is only opened by that key." "I didn't know you had been inside. I've been finding out a lot of things no one told me lately," she said quietly as they followed Jake's light. "If his coffin is here, it's probably underground in the cellar." "All it was was a room in a saloon where whores do their job Kate. There was nothing to tell. But you're right about the coffin, it would probably be in the basement. Although not definitely." Ruby gives Kate a small smile then moves towards Jake. "Maybe we should split up? We could search this place faster..." This house is a stark contrast to the saloon which is very neat and organized. The furniture is old and in poor repair, broken bits lying about. Clothing is strewn about the rooms as well as various bits of refuse. The first floor has a kitchen and dining area, a living room and stairs that lead up to the second floor. "Let's check upstairs," Kate said. "I don't think anything will be up there, but then we can concentrate on the downstairs. Does it seem to anyone else that people become these monsters and forget how to clean up a mess?" Ruby laughs, "That seems pretty true Kate. I guess once you're dead you don't care about what's lying on the floor. Wait a minute, I'm alive and I don't care what's lying on the floor..." Ruby giggles again. Jake comments, "Let's get this over with. Upstairs first. Mrs. Jacobs?" he says while offering Ruby his arm, "Let's go exploring." Ruby stays close behind Jake as he ascends the stairs. Edwards offers to watch the stairs as the others head up. "Just don't want anything sneaking up on us." The other three head upstairs and find things in a similar state of disarray. There are two bedrooms, and a bathroom on the upper floor as well as a storage closet. One of the bedrooms appears unused as there is just an unmade bed and an empty wardrobe. An unlocked chest holds folded linens. The other bedroom looks a bit different with a bed that has had the linens tossed aside, a broken mirror and an overturned dresser littering the floor. A bookcase is mostly intact, but only about 1/4 full with books. The bathroom area is a mess with toiletries and refuse strewn about. Ruby chooses the lived in bedroom to take a better look around. She searches thoroughly and Jake joins her. Kate keeps an eye out in the hallway. The room yields little in the way of clues or more information. It appears as Greely has lost a significant amount of weight as there are several items of used men's clothing of a much larger size strewn about the room. The books on the shelf are a mix. Some historical books, probably older textbooks, some fiction, some books on gardening and several on bartending and brewing. "Alright, doesn't seem like there is much up here. Let's go check the cellar." Ruby waits for Jake and Kate, and they meet up with Edwards. They all look around for stairs that would lead to a basement but find only an old, long disused root cellar. The companions exhaustedly search the entire house. They find no doors to a cellar and no coffin anywhere. Ruby sighs, "That leaves the saloon, and probably that magic door." "Mr. Edwards, what do you think? Do YOU have ways to possibly get in that door without the key?" Nolan Edwards scratches his head. "I know a trick or two when it comes to magic. Let's head over there and take a look. Can you lock up tight so that it is not so obvious that we were here?" Ruby begins relocking any locks she had picked. "You seem to know a lot about a great many things," Kate said to Edwards, testing the waters. "How did you learn about magic?" "You hang around unnatural things as long as I have and you learn a lot. I'm sure if you are cursed with living as long as I have you will learn your share too," he says with a wink and a smirk. Feeling it was safe to let her secret out Kate continued, "I have some knowledge of magic myself; it's why I'm here. I'm sure you can understand why I wouldn't want to advertise that, but if we're going to face Greely you should know that I may use spells." "Anybody else have any secrets they want to clue me in on before we confront this devil? I am still of the idea that we should find his coffin first. Perhaps if we can't find it by searching perhaps one or more of us should stay late while he closes up and see where he goes?" "That's a good idea," Kate replies. "Since he owns other properties in town he could be staying in those as well. It's possible he just stays in the saloon. There would be little chance of accidentally meeting the sun if he doesn't leave at all." After Ruby is done locking up they all head over to the Saloon. Kate sat with Nolan Edwards in the saloon, unsure of what to do next. She didn't like the feeling of uncertainty. At this point she'd rather be doing in the hopes of catching that stage home tomorrow. She missed Ginnie, and her El Parador family, and she missed Conrad. A sigh escaped her lips as she said, "I hate waiting until morning." Edwards says, "When dealing with things like this though, patience is the key. If you do not set it up right you have no chance of success. But, if you want to leave there is no reason not to. I am here and have been hired to deal with the situation, one which I have dealt with before. So, you could leave knowing you turned the situation over to the professional, the expert, someone who was supposed to handle it." "Do you resent our being here?" Kate asked. "I know when you are used to working a certain way, even welcome help can throw you off." "Oh no, not at all. I have done enough things alone in my life, and I appreciate the help greatly, but I also know that this is not your chosen way of life and you have something else to return to me. To me, this is my life, it is what I do. I have a job here, I am committed." Kate nodded. "I understand, but I also intend to see this through. One of these things came after my friend. I want to be sure none of them have any reason to come to our town again. That said, I think I will return to the hotel for a while. If you need me, ask Mr. or Mrs. Jacobs." Nolan Edwards wishes Kate goodnight and returns to his wine, observing Greely as closely as he can from the distance. Ruby whispers in Jake's ear, "Should we do some checking now or wait for daylight? I know you don't want me to steal that key..." "Take a chain from around the neck of a vampire? One that very likely knows that we know what he is. That probably knows we destroyed the other three. I am hesitant about that. If I am right and he now knows, he is also more likely to add protections to his coffin. Let us keep searching before he can do that. If we cannot find it then we should follow him as suggested." Jake slowly rubs his beard, "But where? Whittaker’s house? Does the well lead somewhere?" "Maybe his coffin is INSIDE the saloon. There are plenty of places we didn't check in there, besides that magical room. And I mean, come on, out of all places, where would he keep it? Where would you keep it? In plain sight or somewhere that no one but you could get to?" "As for the other stuff... hopefully our friends can shed some more light on Mr. Whittaker. We should check out the well. And soon too. Don't forget, the stage is coming... tomorrow," Ruby smiles up widely at Jake with her big green eyes. "Not sure how we search the saloon with him watching. We can try, and if we do not find anything then we can try again in daylight even if we have to kick the doors in. Check the saloon as best we can now, then to the well, and back to the saloon in the daylight?" "Alright darling, sounds like a plan." Ruby squeezes Jake's hand as they walk into the saloon. "You tell the others, I'll get started." Ruby finds the big bouncer. "Hello Thom, we're back. Anything exciting happen while we were gone?" Thom gives Ruby his usual dumbfounded look. "Uh... no, nothing exciting. It has been quiet tonight." "Thom I have a question. What else is upstairs? Anything special? I'm sooo curious." As Ruby talks she looks around the saloon for any sign of Greely. "And where is Mr. Greely?" "I already told you, I don't know about anything special upstairs. The other pretty ladies bring the men upstairs. I only go upstairs if there is a problem. Mr. Greely is right there, he is working," Thom says dully as he points to the bar where Greely is busy cleaning glasses. "Thanks for your help Thom," Ruby smiles at him, "You're always helpful." About fifteen minutes after Katherine left, Madeline Anders entered Greely's saloon. She walked to the bar and ordered a glass of wine, then scanned the room for Jacky O'Neill. Jacky is near the back of the saloon. He is watching the others play darts as he paces back and forth. He has a flask from his own hip that he is drinking from now as he wears a groove into the floor. Maddie walked over with a swing in her hips and said, "If I'd known my absence would drive you to drink, I'd have stopped by sooner." O'Neill stops in his tracks and spins around. Maddie notices a sparkle in his eye and he smiles as he talks. "Oh hey Maddie, good to see you again! You look like might have driven a few men to drink, well your absence anyways. I'm celebrating if you want to share a drink with me. I should probably put this flask away, don't want to deprive the bartender of his business." "You're celebrating? You found what you were searching for then? I have to say I'm surprised, considering the pacing you're doing." "Oh, nervous habit I guess. I am just excited, can't sit still. Figured I would come out and celebrate one last time before I split. Glad I got to see your pretty face again too" he says with a wink. "Yes, I found it, what I've searched high and low for, it's finally mine!" He realizes that he has raised his voice and a few people are looking at him so he takes a breath and calms himself down. "Didn't I hear you offer me a drink? Why don't you make a stab at sitting for a few minutes. I can't compete with your prize, but perhaps I can distract you for a few moments." Maddie slipped her arm through his and led him away from the dartboard, walking a little closer to him than was strictly necessary. "So, where did you find it?" "Yes, drinks are in order. Well I have the book, I just barely got to know you the other night and we hardly even got to dance. Where did I find it? You'll never believe it but it was hidden under that old spent well at the west end of town. Took a little quick construction and some digging, but I did it and it's about time." O'Neill buys drinks from Greely, whatever Maddie asks for and takes a seat across from the bar, the area where Ruby had landed only a couple nights ago. "You must have done it at night, I can't imagine you being allowed to rip up a statue in the middle of town in broad daylight," she whispered conspiratorially. "And it can't have been tonight, it hasn't been dark long enough. I can't believe you're still so excited." Maddie smiled from beneath her eyelashes. "I hear the stage is coming back tomorrow, so we'll have to get to know each other tonight." "Well well young lady! Let's just say nobody saw what I did and I plan on being long gone before they figure it out. So I 'spose that means you are leaving town tomorrow. Did you do whatever it is you came here to do?" She let a little bit of her own apprehension through her facade. "I came to visit family. I had a letter and it came from here, but they aren't here. There's no reason for me to stay. I'd have been gone days ago only there wasn't a way to leave. And then I've been unwell for the last day or so. You think someone would want to stop you from taking a book?" she asked quietly. "One they didn't even know was there?" "Well like you said, the dismantling of the well might not win me any votes. I didn't exactly stop to put it all back together when I came back up if you get my drift. Well, bottoms up! To Thomaswell, may I never see her again." "I'll drink to that," Maddie said and took a sip of her drink. It was too soon to ask for a look at his prize, but she was sure he was carrying it on his person. She watched O'Neill drink, trying to gauge how drunk he was. [/QUOTE]
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"Here There Be Vampires" A Promise City, Arizona Story Hour
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