Law -- Logs

The pile of information on the three deaths takes a lot of going through. Bella leaves Slate to comfort Rosie and takes it upon herself to sort through the papers, pictures and clippings, arranging it into three piles. The one on Virgil's attack is relatively small, mostly consisting of some notes Zeke scribbled down and a few lists of Judgments. The information on the homophobic Kansas minister is actually largest, possibly because the local police had a lot of files on him for activities and complaints prior to the murder. The pile on the missionary is somewhere in the middle and seems to consist mostly of financial records and a few news clippings.

Bella sits on the floor, back against the couch and reads the clippings on the missionary. "This guy... He really did do a lot of good work. Schools in Africa, charity work in the US..." She leans forward and shuffles through some of the financial records, "But this is all Greek to me..."

Rosenstern has taken the entire odeal as well as could be expected. He's pretty well worn out, not quite shivering but is curled up on the couch, nestled beside Slate. It helps a lot.

Devorael pads over and flanks him, Holly's head in his lap and the cat resting across his shoulders. It's soft. It's also warm.

Shateishael leaves one strongly supportive arm around Rosie and shifts easily to accommodate the smaller angel curling up against him. To Bella he rumbles, "That's a shame. So... who do we know who knows anythin' about finance?"

Bella shrugs and shuffles through the financial papers, "Hell, I don't even do my own taxes. I let Ian take care of it."

Shateishael considers, then puzzledly adds, "An'... was he part 'a Justice too? Doesn't sound th' type?"

Elisheba comes out from the kitchen and deposits a large mug of something minty and soothing in front of Rosie, just on the offchance. She takes a seat nearby, and leans back, pinching the bridge of her nose gently.

Shateishael chuckles at Bella, then sighs, pushing the cat's tail out of his face, "Okay, let's think... can we ask Ian to review th' financial records?"

Shrugging, the Eliite continues to sort papers, eyes squinting, "Probably. He loves helping people. But... about being part of Justice, I really don't see anything in the notes about the humans being part of Dominic's organization... but I could be missing something."

Rosenstern considers. "I'm not sure, there's so much going on here. I think he's part of justice, as well." Smiling his thanks to Ellie, he leans forward just long enough to take up the mug and holds it oin both his hands. "Doesn't Dominic have Soldiers?"

Shateishael rolls his eyes, "Bright Lord, all we need is random folks being murdered. While it's not nice, if they're at least all Justice, that'd give us someplace t' start from, y'know?"

Shateishael glances between Bella and Rosenstern and grins, "Uhmmm... okay, only one a' you can be right there, if he was Justice or not...?"

Devorael speaks up for the first time in a while, catform artfully riding Rosie's shoulder movements. "He sounds more like one of Marc's... the finance human."

Bella tips her head back to look at the folks on the couch upside-down, "Did you ask the Seneschal about that? I mean, he'd know, wouldn't he?"

Shateishael smiles and shrugs, "Nope. Be easy to do, though. Moment..." With his free hand he pulls the cell and calls Zeke.

The gruff voice answers the phone at the museum, "Dry Gulch Museum. He'p ya?" There's the sound of some sort of music in the background.

Shateishael says, "Hey, Zeke. Slate. Got a minute?"

The Seneschal snorts quietly, "Had ta close the place down. Got plen'y a minutes..."

Shateishael says, "'kay. Sorry t' hear that. So, if'n you got th' time, we can't find out for sure in the paperwork, so we thought we'd ask you -- were all the murdered part of Justice? Also, were there any in Europe before this? An' you an' Virgil -- you both not Roman Catholic? Either of you Christian? An' how come y'all used sage for purifyin'? An' finally, d'you wanna be kept in th' loop as far as our research?""

Shateishael lifts the phone enough to whisper to Rosenstern, "Take notes for me, guy, please?"

Rosenstern looks up to Slate, then nods quickly, and grabs the pad and paper.

Zeke waits for Slate to finish his litany of questions and then starts talking, "Naw. The only one workin' directly for Justice was Virgil. The other two, they're just big names in the news. I ain't heard of any other killin's on other continents. Just this one. Me, I predate ol' JC by a couple centuries, but Virgil was pretty tight with the Catholics. I believe ol' Yeshua bin Yusef had some good stuff to say, though. We use the Sage 'cause Sage has been used for purification around here long before white men every thought there was land here."

Shateishael nods, mumbling along with Zeke so Rosie can hear, "Only Zeke's Justice... haven't heard of other killin's... Virgil was Catholic, Zeke's not... use th' sage 'cause it's native... okay, an' th' last question?"

Devorael leans forward, ears perked. The crow mutters "Could have been Marc's and... who else's?"

Shateishael glances at the crow, then adds quietly, "Other two were jus' big names inna news."

There's a pause, "Yeah, I wanna be kep' in the loop. Cain't help out, but I want to have some idea what's goin' on with all this."

Shateishael nods, "'kay, we can do that. Listen, Zeke, we'll be back t' talk t' your compatriots in about 30 hours now. While we're there, if yer willin' I'd like t' definitively clear yer name, bein' a Seraph an' all. That okay with you?"

Zeke rumbles agreement and then hangs up the phone.

Shateishael nods, flipping the phone shut, "Okay, that was helpful. Anybody got any other questions?"

Devorael says, "Maybe they were Soldiers for other angels, and this is the first one that got attention because this was a Tether?"

Shateishael nods to Deva-crow, "Good question. Rosie, c'n you make a note of that, an' we'll figure out who to ask that?"

Devorael speaks a bit more cautiously now. "That one sounds a lot like he could have been one of Marcus's... and the other, not sure, but maybe serving someone who used to serve Purity?"

Shateishael says, "Far as I know, all 'a Purity's folks got handed off to Lawrence."

Shateishael glances at Elisheba, "You know for sure?"

Rosenstern nods to Slate. "Right. That sounds like it could apply to this. Maybe we should check on what other soldiers have been killed relatively recently?

Devorael manages to look apologetic in all three forms. It likes Conary, and doesn't want anything like this associated with the Sword.

Devorael says, "Maybe we should also check with our own and see if any of ours have died under similar circumstances?"

Shateishael glances over at Bella, adding, "Can you tell if all the murders were at night? Do they have close approximations of the time? That might offer some clues fer ritual or astrological importance?"

Elisheba nods. "I know for a fact that they all came to Lawrence."

Shateishael looks a bit shocked... then nods slowly to Deva-crow, "Uncomfortably good point there." He nods again to Elisheba, "Thought so. Thanks, Elly."

Bella pulls out copies of death certificates, "The estimated times of death are all at night, but that just makes sense. You can’t stage big elaborate death scenes in the bright light of day."

Rosenstern blinks, and looks rather horrified for a few moments, before shaking his head and taking a deep breath. "I hope we don't find anything..

Rosenstern says, "That is, I hope we don't find anything about other soldiers getting killed."

Devorael says, "We do too... oh, it would be wonderful to be misreading this."

Shateishael hmms... then says slowly, "We know anyone that knows anythin' about astrology 'r ritual magics?"

Bella chews on her bottom lip, "This... it really seems like something Kobal or, Hell, maybe Nybbas?"

Rosenstern says, "I would almost say Kobal... I can see this being a horrible sense of demonic humor. But maybe pinning blame right now isn't important. Besides the obvious things, what are the commonalities of the... crimes?"

Shateishael grins ruefully at Bella, "Don' think they're gonna be willin' to help out on this, sweetheart. I meant an angel... we know anyone who specializes in fightin' this kinda thing?" He looks thoughtfully at Elisheba, "You know anyone, mebbe?"

Rosenstern shakes his head to Slate. "I don't know anything more than what's in the newspaper about that.

Elisheba takes a deep breath and looks thoughtful for a moment.. "Well, there are angels of Michael who specialize in these sorts of crimes. I can try to get in touch with Michael, and see if he has someone to spare... "

Bella thinks, "Well... if I can give just the dates and times to this woman I know, she might pull any astrological significance out of them."

Devorael says, "Maybe if she can see a progression?"

Shateishael nods to Elisheba, "Thanks, Elly." He flips out his phone again to call Ian, and nods to Rosie, "'kay, so c'n you take notes on th' time a' death an' dates an' such, an' then Bella c'n ask her astrologer friend about it." Then he dials Ian.

Bella nods to Deva, "Yeah... and I'll try to coax Ian down to look at the financials for this guy. He's got nothing but lazing around with his knives and the dogs planned for the next couple of days."

Rosenstern nods to Slate. "I'll get them together right now." He starts collecting the coroner reports.

Elisheba nods. "I'll probably have better luck tomorrow morning, at dawn. I'll work on it then.. "

Shateishael rumbles as an aside to Rosie as he's waiting for the phone to be answered, "Hey, dude, check an' see if th' timin' between th' three murders is such that th' same group 'a four individuals could be travelin' leisurely on motorcycles across th' country to commit the murders?"

Rosenstern blinks, and nods to Slate, chewing his lip at the thought.

The phone in Sonoma rings several times and is answered with the usual din of dogs in the background. There's shuffling and shushing before Ian's voice comes through, "What? Y'already have me favorite lassie down there, Slate-lad."

Shateishael barks a laugh, then answers, grinning, "Well now, I'm thinkin' y'r gonna have ta blame Thea for that, although I'm never one t' turn down th' opportunity t' help her come visit. But this time I'm wonderin'... you busy, or could we talk you into comin' down here too? Got some paperwork we're shufflin' through, and none 'a us are financial wizards."

Ian laughs, "Sure, sure. I'll be on down soon as I can, lad. I only know anythin' about money because I've been doin' me own taxes since they invented paper filin'."

Devorael-cat rubs its head against Rosie's cheek.

Rosenstern idly and worriedly pets the cat as he listens to Slate on the phone, as well as copying down the estimated times of death from the coroner's reports.

Shateishael makes a disgusted sound, "Bah... taxes. I don' do my own either. Dumb idea. Anyway!" He grins a bit wickedly, remembering how obnoxious Justice is towards Creation's remaining Servitors, "Okay, see ya when y' get here, an' thanks! Figured y' wouldn't mind a chance t' have Justice owe ya one!"

Ian chuckles again, "Aye, it's a good side benefit. I'll be down in a few hours." Bella's fellow Eliite hangs up after saying his goodbyes.

Shateishael hangs up and looks at Bella, "'kay, Ian says he'll be down soon as he can." He looks curiously at Rosenstern, "Whatcha got?"

Bella takes Slate's phone and nods, heading into the kitchen with it to call her friend.

Rosenstern nods to Slate and rattles off the dates and times of death. He looks at them carefully for a few moments, thinking.

Rosenstern says, "It's possible, Slate. They're weeks apart, the first one two months ago. The second... was about a month ago."

Shateishael nods slowly to Rosenstern, "Gotcha. Interestin'..." He looks thoughtfully at Elisheba, "Y'know, Elly, Zeke didn' seem a'tall s'prised t' see us. I'm wonderin' if Justice knew we'd be the most likely 'suitable companions' for th' Kyrio t' fetch... 'specially since two 'a th' murders had guns involved, an' Stone don't use guns. So I'm wonderin'... there anythin' like that for th' War -- somethin' y'all just don't do or use or somethin'?"

Elisheba chews a lip. "There is no reason that War would not use guns... so long as it was an honorable killing. We would use most implements of war, given they meet that proviso. So, for example, we would not use a gun to kill from behind."

Shateishael glances at Rosenstern and smiles faintly, "Gotta move, Rosie, sorry..." He gently disentangles his arm from Rosenstern and the cat, then rises and paces over to the paperwork, rumbling thoughtfully, "Okay... we know th' faithless one was shot from th' front. Let's see if Virgil was too. Also, we know lovely Virgil's into hurtin' folks with his judgments... so let's see if he had any draggin's 'r shootin's recently, t' go along with his hangin..."

Rosenstern swallows a little. "Would... would justice have sentenced someone to... to 'dragging?'

Shateishael glances at Rosenstern and rumbles quietly and reassuringly, "Dunno, Rosebud, but if'n y' want I won't mention it aloud."

Rosenstern bites his lip, and then shakes his head. "No. Don't worry about me. We need to be blunt and direct about this business.

Rosie's question comes just as Bella's returning to the room, "She says just that the moon was either waning or dark on all of them, but half of everything happens when the moon is waning."

Devorael purrs again and nuzzles the Novalite's cheek. "Then it's not the moon, maybe. What sign was the moon in?"

Shateishael grins at Rosenstern, his eyes gleaming in amusement, "Think I c'n do th' blunt part, sure, Rosebud!" He nods to Bella, "So there wasn't anythin' p'ticularly astrological about 'em, then?"

Bella shakes her head, "She didn't say, but she's going to do a little more research. I told her I was doing some research on the effect astrology has on creative ability. Told her they were the dates of some classes I was running. She's sweet, but she's also sort of a little flaky."

Shateishael smiles at Bella, "Thanks, sweetheart," then goes back to slowly sorting through the paperwork.

Research on the list of Virgil's Judgments don't show a preponderance of shooting, dragging or branding. But they don't really show a preponderance of anything except strictness. He seems to have had a slightly odd sense of Justice.

Shateishael grimaces faintly, finding Virgil a not very pleasant individual, but dutifully checks to see if the few, long-ago brandings, shootings, and draggings occurred to Roman Catholics or not.

Shateishael sighs, realizing he only has the last decade or so of judgments. Some of the types of judgments he's looking for in particular, though, did happen against Roman Catholics. He sits back after a moment, looking up at the others and rumbling, "Okay, looks like our shining example a' Justice did use those judgments occasionally in th' last decade or so, an' some a' them were against Roman Catholics. So I think we c'n say that's a consistent theme there. Now let's see where he got shot..." He continues to flip through the paperwork.

Bella walks around behind Rosie, stroking her hand down Deva-cat's back and generally just being quiet and present behind the Novalite. "From what I saw, the Seneschal was looking right at whoever did it." She mimes a gun to the forehead for herself, making sure Rosie can't see the motion.

Shateishael nods to Bella, tossing the paperwork aside and leaning back against a chair from where he's sitting on the floor, "'kay, that closes that line a' questionin' then." He considers, frowning, then looks up at Rosenstern and Elisheba, "We know any local farmers we c'n ask if they lost a pig an' a goat recently? Maybe they noticed somethin'?"

Rosenstern doesn’t notice it, fortunately, instead continuing to take notes of their discussion.

Shateishael adds to Bella, "You notice anythin' in th' paperwork 'bout th' other murders havin' th' cops run a dog through for trackin' purposes?"

Shateishael considers, then adds, "Or if Virgil'd had any connection t' th' other two dead guys?"

Devorael says slowly "A ram disappeared from a local zoo recently. Not a domestic goat. A mountain goat. Nothing of it was found, no blood or evidence it was injured."

Rosenstern blinks, looking at Deva.

Bella scritches around Deva's ears, "Mmm... nothing about scent hounds. There were some notes on the Missionary that there was some weird malfunction on the bank's security systems. No alarms. No video. But nothing got stolen."

Devorael puurrrssss loudly. "I don't remember anything about any pigs coming out of the shelter system. That doesn't mean anything, though."

Elisheba says, "Maybe it would be easier to take off with a pig from a farm without it being noticed, at least right away." "

Shateishael says, "Huh. S'prised we didn' notice that, 'bout th' horns."

Devorael says, "I think tomorrow I need to find my human and see if she can look up some things on her computer.”

Rosenstern says, "It would help if we could find something about where they'll be next..."

Rosenstern says, "I don't know... some sort of clue, or hint. Is there a particular order of the cardinal virtues that they're following?"

Bella leans on the back of the couch, head near Rosie's, close enough that she kisses him on the temple in a sisterly way, "Hmmf... Well, they're all religious figures."

Rosenstern sighs, a little more comfortably, and nods a little to Bella. "But if we could narrow it down, somehow...

Devorael says, "We have a little time, at least, if the pattern is dark and waning moon."

Bella squints slightly, "Well... hrm... check news sources? See what religious figures are in the news? These two guys were all over the papers with their work."

Devorael nods to Bella. "That's what I was thinking.

Rosenstern frowns, and nods slowly. "That... might be appropriate. We can at least have some idea of where they'll strike next, if the next one is a month away?

Shateishael gives Elisheba a thoughtful look, "If th' pig was recently slaughtered, bet they wouldn't even notice th' head was gone. Most folks don't make sweetbreads any more." He looks at Deva-crow and snorts amusedly, "You're already lying on Rosie -- get him t' type for you!" To Rosenstern he adds quietly, "I'm thinkin' we're lookin' for someone for th' next victim that lives west of Arizona an' is within the US, isn't Roman Catholic -- 'r maybe not Christian atall -- an' is a bit 'dodgy' -- humans in p'ticular -- as in they're perhaps a bit hypocritical in some way? We've had murders for Charity, Faith, an' Justice. I'm thinkin' we need t' keep an eye out p'ticularly for potential victims who might 'qualify' for Hope, like someone who left th' priesthood maybe? -an' Prudence -- maybe a sex scandal? -an' Temperance -- a secret alcoholic maybe? -an' Courage -- but I got no idea there."

Elisheba shrugs. "Well, it would make sense, if it is a killing for courage, it would be someone accused of betraying his country, perhaps a deserter or suchlike."

Shateishael nods to Rosie again, adding, "Yeah, th' next murder shouldn't be for another month or so, right?" He ponders, then rumbles, "Th' scrap a' paper with 'Faith' written on it: was it from a hymnal at that Protestant church, or from a Catholic hymnal which was brought along with the' killers? What song is on the' other side -- d'you know? Can you tell?"

Shateishael nods to Elisheba, "That's a good point, yeah."

Rosenstern nods to Slate, "that's one of the things I was going to look up/.

Shateishael glances at Bella, "Did I miss your answer to whether Virgil had any connection t' th' other two?"

Bella shakes her head, "Nah. Nothing that I could see."

Shateishael sighs, "Well, then that leaves the questions I just asked, an' whether there's any astrology connected... an' that's it. I'm outta ideas, folks."

Rosenstern rifles through his notes. "Oh, here we are. Hrm. The hymnal; was right in the church. It's...." He blinks. The song on the back of the note is 'Amazing Grace.' The title that the word came from is 'Faith Is My Rock.' Hm... Wonder if there's a connection...

Bella blows her hair out of her face and stretches, "Guys. This is just a little too bleak... Let's get out heads out of it for a little while."

Rosenstern nods slowly to Bella, and sighs. "At least we should be reasonably certain that they won't strike until another month has passed, so that at least is in our favor. But the longer time passes, the further from here they are.

Elisheba sits, staring at the various bits and pieces of paper as if simply staring at them will make it all make sense. She stretches, rubbing her hands through her short fro. "I can get behind that idea, not that I am much help here. I feel like the expectant father or something. What I can do, though, is go work some of the kinks out. What do you say, Slate? Want to go work up a good honest sweat? We can muck the stables then I'll let you try to beat me in the Dojo." Her easy grin belies the arrogance of the last statement

Shateishael nods to Elisheba, unsmiling and rising abruptly, "Think I've had just about enough a' this."

Devorael says, "It's a bit late for me to go back to the shelter. Rosie, would you like some company, maybe in the garden?"

Rosenstern makes a quiet sound, and sighs. "Maybe... tending the garden would be good for a time. Yes, please, Deva, thank you."

Shateishael snorts amusedly, glancing over his shoulder, "Rosie, f' god's sake pet th' cat! Th' girl's just like every other young non-Elohite that's come here -- she's got a crush on you an' is about t' wet herself for your attention!"

Shateishael pauses to grab his gi, then nods to Elisheba, "Yeah, think that'd be kinda helpful; thanks." He heads on out to the barn.

Devorael says, "Wet...what... it'd be rude to mark up this living room!" Yep, someone's in denial. Maine Coons always have that 'eek!' look, and now it's accented. "And... and..."

Rosenstern blinks in surprise at Slate, almost petting the cat in startlement at Slate's words. "Er... what?"

Less than two hours later, Ian shows up, dogs frolicking around his heels as usual. The man is dressed in his normal attire of black t-shirt and black canvas kilt. His blonde hair and beard are braided neatly and his greetings are unusually short as he sits down and delves into the financial papers left by the missionary. While he and Bella sort through papers, muttering together about the state of the accounts, Virgil calls Slate on his cell.

Shateishael thanks Ian for coming, manages to not get knocked over by the happy dogs, cheerfully ruffles their ears, and eventually answers the cell, "Slate."

Devorael comes back in from the garden in cat and dogform just as the phone rings. It greets the other animals, then settles down while the crow sits on the back of the couch.

The caller is Virgil, "Got everyone that was around here all rounded up if you want to bring people down." He drawls.

Shateishael says, "Ah, good. Yeah, we'll be down inna bit. Thanks." He hangs up, then looks around the room. Bella, Ian, and Rosie are head-down in financial records. Connor and Elly are out in the dojo working out, and Elly'd asked to be called only when something physical cropped up. That leaves only Deva, who's likely going to wish to stay next to Rosie. Slate nods to himself and starts to leave -- then suddenly remembers Kyriotates can be in two places at once. He studies the crow thoughtfully for a few moments, then rumbles, "Hey, Deva... wanna come along t' talk t' th' folks mannin' th' Tether? They're all there now.""

Devorael stands up as Holly. The crow flies over and perches on the dog's back. "Ready."

Shateishael raises a thoughtful eyebrow... dog and crow, hmm -- that cuts out the bike, since he has no sidecar. A moment later he nods, "Okay, we'll take th' pickup." About an hour later the noisy, bouncy, rattletrap old pickup pulls into the little museum's parking lot, the engine dying with a small gasping groan. Slate grins lazily, patting the dashboard with amused affection, "Not dead yet, eh? Everybody out."

Inside the museum, Virgil is waiting with three people. Two of them look as if they could be twins, young men with coppery skin and blue-black hair. The third is an older woman with grey hair, short and plump. All three wear dour expressions and Virgil looks half-amused.

Shateishael strides into the room, looking around in faint curiosity as to what the issue is for these folks. "Afternoon. Name's Slate. Th' Ky-" he remembers at least two folks here are human, and amends slightly, "Th' dog's name is Holly, and she's with me. Y'all got somethin' t' say?"

Shateishael is momentarily glad Deva's still shy of being anywhere close to him -- since it means he doesn't have to explain a 'pet' crow.

Devorael keeps close to Slate's side, in "well-trained dog" mode. The crow remains outside, naturally.

Shateishael considers... Holly will need to be able to scent everyone. He pats the golden gently, and then says, "Off heel now, Holly -- good girl!"

The men turn out to be brothers who work around the little ghost town, doing odd jobs for most of the businesses, including doing whatever repairs and such the museum needs. The woman owns and runs a small diner in town that caters mostly to what little tourist trade the place gets. The three of them tell very similar stories of not noticing anything unusual in the last few days and of being extremely upset over Virgil's death. It seems the Dominican was well-liked even if he did have a reputation as a curmudgeon. Slate gets no feel of untruth from any of them and Zeke answers the question of his innocence with a restrained dignity. He had nothing to do with it.

Shateishael nods quietly, thanking them for their time. He'd guess the woman's the other celestial, but doesn't see any need to push the issue. Instead he looks to see if Holly appears to need any more sniffing-around time, and if Zeke has anything he wants to say in private.

Devorael sniffs them over thoroughly, if with a bit more of a sense of propriety than most dogs would display.

Zeke escorts Deva and Slate outside and speaks to them both in a low voice, "Listen, I bin readin' up a little bit on mortal serial killers... 'cause this just ain't the sorta thing I see Celestials doin'. There's this thing called escalation... you familiar with it?"

Shateishael nods silently -- he'd been worrying about that also.

Devorael cocks its head, then growls low. Escalation... it's seen that with the poacher. It's why the Kyriotate owed the favor in the first place.

Zeke looks around as if he's making sure that they aren't being watched, "These are comin' faster. The first one was near dark 'o the moon." Apparently he's researched the astrological significance as well.

Shateishael nods again, and pulls out a battered notebook from behind the sunshade of the pickup, scribbling the notes in it with a chewed pencil as Zeke talks.

The Dominican continues on, "The next one was a little earlier in the wanin' moon...." His face is tight, brows drawn together, "Virgil's murder was just about three days after the full moon. It's comin' quicker in the cycle. An' it means they got almost two full weeks before dark o' the moon."

Shateishael sighs quietly. He'd hoped they'd have a full month or so to try to hunt these creeps down... but it looks like they'll not be so lucky.

Shateishael glances down at Holly, "Anythin' weird 'bout their scents in there?"

Devorael shakes its head. The crow swoops down. "Clean!" it croaks softly, before flying up again, in case the humans are watching.

Shateishael nods to the crow, then ponders Zeke's belief that the murderers are human, then slowly asks, "Not sure they're humans, though, Zeke... would humans've known 'bout Virgil's judgin', or 'bout th' sentence of brandin' 'n hangin' he pulled down on that crazy priest?"

Zeke scuffs his boot on the wooden planks of the museum's front porch, jaw still tight, "I think they'll try again this rotation. I think they're gettin' into whatever they're doin'. It's gettin' crazier. They're workin' up to somethin' beyond awful, I think."

Shateishael tilts his head curiously at Zeke, wondering if the man heard him correctly.

The Seneschal shakes his head, "They gotta be Celestial.... but I think they're gettin' close to a Fall. They're losin' control." He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a piece of paper, "I didn't put this in with the other stuff. 'Cause I was told to stay out, but... you might find it useful."

Shateishael accepts the paper, studying it carefully as he murmurs thanks.

Devorael lets its tail thump the ground, the only thanks it dares give right now. It does hope that its clearing the workers gives the Seneschal increased peace.

Shateishael glances down at Holly, then murmurs, "C'n put th' crow on my shoulder if'n you wanna read along, girl."

Devorael shakes its ears. Either it thinks you'll tell it later, or it has the crow already sitting where sharp bird eyes can get a good view.

Shateishael is already reading the paper -- he made the suggestion; it's up to Deva to take it or not. He murmurs thoughtfully as he reads, "What was th' fuss when we walked in, Zeke? Folks were upset 'bout somethin'...?"

The paper is a list of names, ten of them. By the titles of Reverend and Father sprinkled through, it's a list of religious figures. Zeke watches the pair of you reading, "They all been in the paper several times in the last six months. All of 'em got some little scandal goin' on. Be a good place to start, I thought." Glancing over his shoulder, Zeke says with a wry smile, "They're insulted that you might suspect 'em is all. Specially Elsie." He touches the brim of his hat, "Speakin' a which, I need t'get back in yonder and smooth some feathers."

Shateishael glances up at Zeke, stuffing the paper into a shirt pocket, "Thanks, Zeke. Good luck. Reckon they'll figure out quick enough it's nothin' personal." He shakes hands with the Cherub, watching silently and thoughtfully as the older man walks back into the building.

The Dominican walks back into the building with nothing further said.

Shateishael just stands for a few minutes, thinking... then he turns, rumbling quietly to the dog, "Get into th' truck, Deva. We're headed back to th' house."

Devorael jumps back in, the crow swooping in a moment later.

Shateishael will, as he's driving, lay the paper down on the truck's front seat so the dog or crow can read it.

Devorael looks up, and the crow speaks. "The scents were nothing close to what I smelled before. Which still bothers me... I wonder how they scouted out the Tether?"

Shateishael is silent for a moment, considering... then rumbles, "Maybe they gotta shapeshifter too?"

Devorael considers. "I didn't smell anything, but maybe through insects..." it says reluctantly.

Shateishael nods, concentrating for a bit on steering the temperamental old vehicle... finally he growls quietly, "Kinda worried 'bout stoppin' th' next one."

The ride passes fairly quickly with the thoughts and suspicions back and forth between the Seraph and the Kyriotate, and when they arrive home, they're greeted by a tired Bella and a relaxed Ian. "The git with the missions was divertin' money for his overseas work to domestic stuff. Improvements to his main church an' hirin' extra staff for it. Somethin' like forty percent of the money meant for overseas was goin' there."

Shateishael nods a touch grimly, handing the paper to Ian and giving Bella a gentle hug, "Sounds 'bout par for th' course with this pack. Y'want some tea, lovely?"

Devorael settles down on the floor, thumping tail softly.

Bella wraps her arms around Slate's waist and shakes her head, "No. I think I want to go outside and lay down and watch the sky for a little while."

Shateishael nods quietly, rather understanding. "Y'want company, sweetheart? Thea or I'd both be happy... so'd anyone else here, I'm thinkin'."

Ian snorts and stands up, stretching, "Aye, I think everyone would enjoy that... an' after that, ye can come back to contemplatin' your hypocrite assassin."

Shateishael glances sharply at Ian, "What?"

Ian blinks, "Wha'? Wha'd I say, laddie?"

Shateishael says, "Oh. Assassin a' hypocrites, not a hypocrite who assassinates." He relaxes a bit... then muses slowly, "Then again..."

Shateishael frowns thoughtfully, "Ian... you recognize any a' th' names on that list? Wonder if any a' them could be the assassins too...?"

Shateishael says, "That'd sure explain th' murderers bein' near Fallin'."

Devorael lifts up its head. "Maybe we should also check to see if any of them are considered important enough to be guarded?"

Ian frowns at the list and taps a name or two, "This guy's one a' those pro-lifers that advocates blowin' up abortion clinics, an' this one... this Father O'Brien, he's a big anti-divorce fella."

Shateishael nods a touch grimly, "All right, let's start with those two." He glances at Bella, checking to see if she wants company or solitude.

Bella kisses Slate's shoulder, "I think I want to be alone for a few minutes. Join me later, though?"

Shateishael smiles quietly, "Be strong, lovely. See you soon." He watches Bella leave, still smiling... then turns back to Ian and Deva, a more considering look on his face, "Okay. Any idea how we might track their locations in th' last few months? Either of them fond a' bikes, or have a pack a' friends they usually hang with?"

Ian snorts and shakes his head, "O'Brien's almost local. He's about 84 an' he has his so-called ministry 'bout three block from Bella's house."

Shateishael says, "Well, if he's Celestial his age won't be an issue. Has he been steadily there for th' last coupla months, or out gallivantin' around somewheres?"

The big Malakite rubs his bearded chin thoughtfully, "Been out doin' a speakin' tour for six weeks or so… back in town now, though. For the last week, anyway. Been a witness in a murder case. He counseled this woman t'go back to her thug… I mean her husband and the lout beat 'er to death."

Shateishael unwittingly closes one hand into a fist as he listens... then takes a slow breath, deliberately opening his hand again. "Okay. So he could've done it. How 'bout t' other one -- th' lifer crazy? Any idea on him?"

Ian smiles tightly, "He's not th'one. Been in jail for three months. Got caught with three half-built bombs."

Shateishael nods again, crossing that name off the list, "Okay. Unless he's shiftin' t' Celestial form or a Kyrio himself, he's not th' one. Let's take a moment 'n track down th' location of th' other eight names, an' cross off all th' ones we can due to their not bein' able t' physically be where they'd need t' be in th' last months. Then we can focus on th' remainin' names."

Ian looks at the list again and shakes his head, "If ye've got a buncha angels out there killin' hypocrites, this list is more like a hit list than a list of suspects, laddie."

Shateishael says, "True, but even if they're th' hit list, knowin' where they've been means we'll know where they are... an' I'm guessin' th' next victim'll be west of here."

Shateishael says, "Th' murders've been headin' steadily west so far, after all."

Ian nods and appropriates the computer, futzing around for several minutes and finally nodding, "Well... ye've got two folks, then. They might go after the anti-abortion goon or they might go after the priest. The rest of these folks are all East coast."

Shateishael says, "Okay. Long as they stay on th' East Coast, I think we're okay t' ignore 'em for now. So..." he frowns, "that narrows down our potential targets, an' makes things much easier for us." He sighs quietly, adding, "Gotta admit, sometimes it's hard t' wanta help folks so determined t' hurt others."

Shateishael says, "So... th' one's in prison, 'n th' other's out loose? Let's put Deva on watch on th' prisoner, since he's not goin' anywheres, an' we'll try t' figure out what t' do about keepin' th' other one safe too."

Ian nods, "Sounds like a plan, lad."

Shateishael sighs quietly, still feeling vaguely dirty at helping such sick people, then firmly reminds himself that community helps heal the sick as well as protect the healthy. He thanks Ian, then wanders outside to find Bella, still vaguely wondering how to keep an eye on O'Brien. Then he spots Bella and stops, a quietly happy smile lighting up his face as he watches her for a moment... he puts all thoughts of the priest out of his head for a bit, and goes to settle in silent companionship next to her.

[Previous Log] [Index] [Next Log]

Last modified: 2006-Aug-27 20:09:50

All material on this site is
Copyright © 2006-2024 Reality Fault
unless specifically indicated on each document.
All Rights Reserved.
Administrated by Reality Fault Webmaster