Cleaning In the Swamp is Pointless

Just as this adventure is happening, part of the group is off on Still Nights...

Monday, February 4th, 1935

Reginald Van Pelt, And Marcus Wheelwither watch from a field of carnage as John Specter, and Toph and Clarise Midnight speed off in their fallen foes truck. Great.

So, First thing is first. Marcus checks on Dean Geoffry Madison. While he is no longer in the car, they do find him in the truck, tied up. They let him out. And try to explain to explain the twelve bodies scattered across the lawn, and the burning house. With Van Pelt helping the Dean on his feet, Marcus dashes inside, and moves the body of Rodger Madison through a window at the back of the house, dragging the wet corpse away from the fire as possible. He then has the idea, while unobserved, to ask this hunk of flesh some questions. The dead rarely lie, and murdered souls seek to wrong their death.

After arranging the corpse straight out, with arms folded, he knicks his wrist, and pours his precious blood into the corpses mouth. It jerks, and opens its dead eyes.

What do you seek half-man?

Marcus first ponders, then asks - Who killed you?

The Corpse responds - My rival, my hated foe gave my death blow. It was James O'Hoolahan. But, he was not alone, there was another, cloaked in shadow, that I could not see.

Marcus pauses again, then asks - Where is the device?

The Corpse responds - It was here in my basement, but as I drowned, I saw two large apes starting to attempt to move it. I know not where it lies now.

Again, Marcus pauses - What is the device supposed to do?

The Corpse looks slightly pleased at this, and responds - My greatest work, my masterpiece would be able to shift matter from one location to another instantaneously. This seems quite preposterous, but it is truth. I had already tested the machine with inanimate objects, and had great success, but was having great trouble with living organisms. Which was the true point. My employer, the one who calls himself Bigelow, wanted a matter transporter that could move a person without harm. I think that this could be beyond my machine's capabilities, but we may never know that. I have answered your questions half-man. Please. Avenge my death!!!

And with that, the corpse goes limp.

Marcus leaves the corpse in this safe spot, and with the help of Van Pelt, break the news to the Dean as gently as possible. They take him to the body, and give him some time alone.

While the Dean sits with his son, the two men start to gather up the corpses, and after a little debate, decide to let the gators take care of the bodies. They drag the stiffs to the edge of the lake, and throw them in.

As for the house, the smoke plume rises fairly high into the air, and just might attract unwanted attention. So they load the car back up, help the dean put his son in the trunk, and hightail it back to town. Dean Madison is greatful that the roup found his son, and graciously pays the group a fee of $100. He says that arrangments must be made for his son's funeral, but he would like to see them after. The two men, exhausted, make their way back to the boarding house and sleep.

Tuesday, February 5th, 1935

After a bit of rest, a message arrives in the morning at the house from Dean Geoffrey Madison. The group has been invited to the wake and funeral of Dr. Rodger Madison on Thursday.

Wednesday, February 6th, 1935

The next day, the two men decide to head down to see Noel St. Armand at Continental Investigations. They give a brief, edited version of events to Noel. who doesn't seem too happy.

"Well Boys, unless we can come up with something a bit more concrete than the missing man is a murderer, I think we are gonna loose some money on this one. Especially since someone is cleaning up their mess right in front of us."

"My advice to you both is to start back at the beginning. Maybe we missed something along the way. Its hard to hide everything when you are having to rush."

The two men agree, and start by visiting the widow again. Marion O'Hoolahan is anxious to hear news from the two men, desperate to find her missing husband. When she is told about the mistress, She barely blinks an eye, and says that her man and herself had some problems, but those were in the past, and her husband had sworn off that hussy months ago. She seems uptight, as if she wants to argue the point more, but both men back off of it quickly, and instead start to give her a brief, edited detail of events. Marion perks up when the group mentions that they had traveled towards Lake Pontchartrain. She tells them that her and her man loved going to the New Orleans Park, and spending time by the water. In fact....

In fact, her mister had once rented a space near the park to store some odds and ends, including a boat! She had completely forgotten it! She rushes to the kitchen area and digs through a drawer, pulling a key out. This keys goes to a door of a basement, that we had rented for years, and more than likely should be intact. there may be something he left there...

She practically shoves the two out the door to have the men check it out.

Seeing as the rest of their investigaton firm is on the road somewhere, the boys hold off on traveling to the park until after the funeral.

Thursday, February 7th, 1935

The wake and funeral are solomn, and as the two men make quiet conversation with the other guests, they discover that Madison was engaged to be married. But the arrangement was broken off when he began a privately funded scientific project. Madison's ex-fiance' makes an appearance, the young woman shows signs of grief and satisfaction at the same time. Madison's immediate family are a pale group of folk who, on the surface, try to resist the urge to gossip about this tragedy.

While at the wake, Van pelt catches the eyes of an acquaintance, one Victor Moreau. The two men casually nod at each other, and Van Pelt carefully makes his way over to chat with Victor. The two men make small talk, and Van pelt mentions that he hasn't heard from Victor's acquaintance as of yet. Victor sees someone else in the crowd and says his goodbyes to Van Pelt. Looking at Victor from the back, Van Pelt could swear that he sees something metallic on Victor's neck, behind that frilly high collar...

After the funeral, Geoffrey Madison makes a point to tell the two men to stop by his office this week at the university to discuss a private matter.

Well, Marcus realizes he must get to work and Van Pelt feels his stomach aching. They agree to meet back at the house that evening to discuss their next course of action.

Van Pelt stops at a local Bistro, has a cup of coffee and a pastry, and finds himself wandering the town. His hunter instincts keep coming into play. Something is stalking him. But it keeps out of sight. This feeling keeps at the hunter until he finds that he has returned to the house, and resigns himself to take a nap until his companion returns.

Friday, February 8th, 1935

A nap turns to sleep, and Marcus gets back to the house near dawn. Van Pelt wakes at the noise, and the two discuss what to do next. as they sip coffee, and munch on half stale bread, there is a knock at the door.

A large hooded figure, stands at the threshold of the door. He has an eerie stillness about him. And, softly, he asks to have a word with the two men. They hesitate, and before they can answer, Azazel bounds out of his room, and places himself between the two and the large stranger. A low growl eminates from the dog. The large man, now ignoring the other two men at the door, speeks softly to the dog, and says, "I forgot how big you were. I am after the same one as before. And, my investigation has led me to this city. I swear that I mean no harm upon you and yours, nor will I try to enter this place with out your permission."

And at these words, the dog goes silent. and sits, as if waiting for more.

The big man says, "In my travels, I have found a place where time stands still, and have met my brother there. but, unlike him, I cannot be bound to that place in the same way he was, or will be. But, my old foe is up to his old tricks again. and rumor has it that he was gifted with much currency to start his trade for a private buyer. More like me may come to this door, in the service of a new master."

He turns to Van Pelt.

"Silent men on roof tops have been following your every move. Stalking you like dangerous prey. It was only when I made my presence known that they faded into shadow. Beware, and good morning."

In the time it takes the three at the door to blink, the man is gone.

Next time, The Aftermath of Booze