I hope you enjoy it, because doubtless I'll need to continue it (am in fact continuing it as we speak). Maybe it will grow into something spectacular, who knows? If anyone still checks this, let me know what you think of it.
"> Case Number Five
The first thing was to find a cigarette. It was impossible to start the day without one, especially these days. Rough times. Low income. No good drinks. Another late night spent staring at photographs and trying not to get too torn up over another wasted opportunity. Sunlight's muted, coming through the threadbare curtain of the window, casting the room in muted colors, cool and quiet. You'd never know the kind of shit that's happened in here. Lives ruined, and it all started right here.
Cigarette. Still need one. Ah, there they are.
Alister Joyce grumbled to himself as he discovered the pack of cigarettes on his table was in fact an empty pack of cigarettes, meaning that his morning smoke would have to be postponed. Rotten inconvenience. Last thing needed this morning, poor start to the day all 'round. Need a drink, if nothing else. Scotch, or whatever the hell happens to be in this bottle. Sniff. Not scotch, but close enough. Drink it fast and I won't notice the difference.
Much better now, ready to face the day. Shower. Shower first, then the rest. Alister bumped against a cabinet as he entered the bathroom, something he did every morning regardless of how careful he was. Warm water. So. Towel laying on the ground where it fell, hopefully nothing nasty growing on it. Lather, rinse, don't repeat because you're almost out of soap. Turn off the water, hop out, dry off. Towel smells a bit funky, might want to wash it.
Joyce's suit was wrinkled, but it was at least clean. No stains of any sort, and a fresh shirt and tie had him looking respectable for at least a little while. Until the day properly began, and he'd have the opportunity to go back to looking shifty and untrustworthy. Walked out of the office to see whether or not his secretary decided to show up for work, unsurprised to see she hadn't. Wouldn't if it was me. Can't remember last time I paid her anyway (three weeks ago? When was the last case? Times are rough, nobody can afford to care about who their husband's sleeping with).
Alister grabbed his hat from the stand next to the door and exited the office. His office was actually a rented house that he'd converted into an office of sorts, keeping the master bathroom intact so that he could afford to fall asleep in the office and wake up refreshed in the morning. Home was a modest apartment as far away from the office as he could manage without travel being a hassle. Cigarettes were close, a gas station at the end of the road. Walking's good for you anyway, might as well walk. Nod and smile at the folks out walking their dogs, don't want them to complain about your presence here. Police have been by a few too many times already, but it's not like this is a good part of town to begin with. Police are the least of their worries.
The sun was shining brightly now, a break in the clouds that seemed to perpetually hang over the city bringing a moment of light and warmth to the world. Alister paused, basking briefly before continuing his quest for cigarettes. The shopkeeper nodded, half asleep after the night shift, just needing to hold it together for a little longer until he could sleep. Cigarettes were obtained, and Alister deftly extracted one from the pack, lighting it with an easy motion that almost seemed rehearsed.
Much better. Smoke wafting around, nicotine bringing thoughts into focus. What was I working on last night, anyway? Feels like I was up late, but I can't remember really. Left a note for myself, I hope. A habit that has proven most useful in the past, especially given a lousy short term memory. Long term, sure—never forgot a face, never forgot a single thing done in a career in law enforcement and private investigation, but ask what happened last night and it's a no go. Never figured out why that is; doctors blame drinking but that's ridiculous. I don't drink that much.
The first surprise was the presence of his secretary at her desk, just like always. Fresh out of college with no other job prospects, saw a sign in a window and walked in. Answers the phones, makes appointments, bills customers. The office would fall apart more than it already has without her help.
“Any calls?”
“Nope. Someone in your office for you, though.” Seems she's awfully amused at that fact. Tone of her voice suggests I'm about to either get shot or get a job. I can't really tell one tone from the other.
Walking in, Alister sees the woman before him, smoking long stem cigarette holder, looking the part of the dame in distress. That veneer of detached boredom worn to cover up the agitation churning beneath the surface, dark glasses so you can't see the eyes and how nervous they are. Seen a million women come through this office, all with the same kind of problem. Makes you sad, wonder why a man could possibly be so lucky as to land one woman like that and then run around with another. Or it would if I hadn't been in this business for so damn long already.
“Can I help you?”
“You're a private eye, right?”
“That's what it says on the door, ma'am.”
“But you weren't always a private eye, were you?”
“Nobody's ever been the same thing their whole life.”
“I want to hire you.”
“What for?”
“You're the detective. You tell me.”
Alister sighed, exasperation creeping in to his voice. Nobody ever wants to just out and say it. Ever. First step is to admit you have a problem but nobody wants to take that first step. Fine, I'll say it for her.
“Your husband's running around on you, or you think your husband's running around on you anyway. You want to hire me so that you can know the truth, and then do whatever it is you plan to do.”
“I'm disappointed in you, Joyce. You're wrong. I'll bet that doesn't happen too often. Go on, guess again.”
Smirking now. Smirking? Why smirking? Something's not right, why didn't I notice that smell before. I know that smell. That rotten egg sulfur brimstone oh shit not now last thing I need today is this.
“I got out of that game a long time ago.”
“Nobody ever gets out of the game, Joyce. You know that more than I do. I know what squad you worked on.”
“I don't do tracking anymore, not that kind of tracking.”
“My husband's been odd lately. But you knew that.”
That smell, that fucking awful smell seems to grow stronger how did I not notice it before. Stay calm walk to the desk pour a glass of water its on the desk right where I keep it, old habits die hard.
“Yeah, I figured. Would you hold still for a moment?”
Eyebrow raised so I've still got time now throw it now now now no—loud.
Screeching filled the office, the woman flailing about and smoking, the stench of sulfur growing stronger, so strong it threatened to overwhelm him, window, he had to open the window, fresh air rushing in, the stench dissipating quickly. The woman collapsed on the ground.
Alister stood, brushed himself off. Undignified, collapsing on the ground like that. Probably should tend to the woman. The door swung open, secretary looking at me like I've done something wrong.
“You could tell, couldn't you?”
“I...had a suspicion?”
“Sarah, next time you have a suspicion...”
“Hmm?”
“Let me know about it, would you?”
“From what you've told me, I figured you'd notice yourself.”
“Been a while. I almost didn't.”
“Well that's no good. You still owe me money.”
“Yeah well, I don't think we're going to get paid by this one.”
This one chose that moment to sit bolt upright.
“GET OFF OF M—Oh I'm terribly sorry, who the? Where the? Er.”
“Hi there. You must be tired.”
Brow wrinkled in confusion. “Well yes, I am a bit...wait, who are you?”
“Alister Joyce, at your service.” For a modest fee, of course. I don't add that bit. Best to let it be for now. Besides, someone was looking for me, and that usually meant I'd be doing some work gratis.
Her face changed upon hearing the name. “I had to...find you. But I can't remember why, or even where I'd heard your name before.”
“You probably never have heard my name before, Miss...?”
“Parker. Katerina Parker. I'm afraid I'm not sure what you mean.”
“I mean that you've been possessed, and whatever was possessing you wanted to find me.”
“Possessed?” Denial. There's always denial in their faces when they learn about it for the first time. Most people never know the things that go bump in the night, but once you know it's hard to sleep at night. I know. I haven't slept well in years. “That's ridiculous. There's no such thing.”
“The holy water I doused you with would beg to differ.” I need a smoke. Clear my head. I offer one to Parker, but she shakes her head.
“I don't smoke.”
“Cigarette in your hand would also beg to differ. Then again, most demons need a little smoke around them to feel more comfortable. It's one of their tells.” Her eyes widen as she watches me light up. That's amusing.
“So even if I was...possessed,” funny how she seems to have trouble saying that word. Like if she admits that she could be possessed she's got to admit something else. I should probably find out what that is. “How did it happen? And why me?”
“Not sure.” Alister chuckles and refills his glass, this time with something that isn't holy water. “What do you remember before you woke up here?”
There it is. She's hiding something, and she hasn't got the sense to know how to hide it properly. Her breath hitches and she looks down, then looks back up and says the words that make my job so much easier.
“It was my husband.”
“What do you mean?” Guess it's not 'miss,' then.
“He held me down while this...shadowy thing came at me.”
“Why did he hold you down?”
“I don't know, I came home from work early and wanted to surprise him...”
“Had he been acting oddly lately? Late nights, maybe going off with friends more than he used to?”
“You think my husband was cheating on me?”
“No, I think your husband was either possessed or became a member of a cult without telling you.”
“But he wasn't acting oddly at all! He's never acted oddly since I've known him!”
Ouch. This is going to cause her some pain. The sort of thing that I do for a living, but now I'm doing it for free and the fact I'm not getting paid for it makes it worse. “Then your husband's been part of a cult since you've known him. Probably a lifetime member of some sect dabbling with unspeakable evils or something.”
“You're crazy! He's a good man! He'd never--”
“Mrs Parker, if your husband didn't start acting oddly, that means that he's been acting oddly since you knew him—and since you met him whilst he was acting oddly, you accepted it as normal behavior. Hell, I doubt you'd even be able to see the signs if someone else pointed them out to you. I blame the human mind.”
Looking offended now, drawing herself up despite the fact that she's wet and confused and probably scared, casting an imperious look that would cow the devil himself. “Mister Joyce, if you mean to imply that I'm some kind of simpleton--”
“Nope, sure didn't.” Alister was unfazed by this display. Seen it all before anyway. “The human mind can't notice everything, after all, and if it wasn't immediately obvious when you met the guy that means that he's been incredibly careful about what he does and when. How long have you been married?”
“Two years.”
“Hmm. Bound to happen sooner or later, I guess. He was just lucky for longer than most.”
“What do you mean, 'lucky?'” Sounding rather irritated. That's not surprising, I figure she's got a right to be irritated at this point. “If I were you, bucko, I'd reconsider describing any of my life's events over the past...what day is it?”
“Tuesday.”
“I was wandering for two days?”
“The fourteenth.”
“Ten days?”
“Er, of May.”
“I need to sit down.”
“You are sitting down.”
“I meant in a chair, not on the floor.”
“Ah. Right, of course.” Alister lifted the (now very) distraught off of the floor and walked her to his desk chair. “Is that better? I'm afraid I don't have much in the way of good furniture, and you—or rather, the thing possessing you—saw fit to ruin the chair I normally offer clients.”
“Ah. Sorry about that.”
“It's not your fault.” The response came quick and forceful. “Listen, you're going to probably find out that you've done some...well, let's just say questionable things as a result of your possession. You need to know right now that it's not your fault.”
Ergh, that sounds corny as hell. Things are settling down a bit, or at least the initial shock is passing. Katerina took a few deep breaths, trying to calm down. The enormity of what was going on was sinking in, and that was going to cause a lot of trouble sooner or later...
“So...should I report myself as having been a victim of fraud?”
“Hmm?”
“Well, it's just that these are definitely not my clothes. It stands to reason that I must have purchased them, and as I most certainly do not have the kind of money that clothes of this quality would require laying around, it stands to reason I was writing checks. I do not want to pay for something that was not my fault.” It made perfect sense. Bring it back to money, something you can deal with. Something practical to worry about rather than all this 'you've been possessed by demons' business.
Impressive. She's handling this better than most. “So long as none of the shopkeepers recognized you, I think you'd be in good shape.” The next question is probably going to garner a bad reaction. “So, what are you going to do now?”
“Well, I suppose I should call the police about my identity theft. Then I'll...” Go home? Can I go home now? What if my husband's just waiting to possess me again...or worse, what if he's going to kill me?
Alister sat quietly and watched realization creep across her face. That slow understanding that nothing could ever be the same. Most people try to go back to a normal life after their brush with the unknown, but it never works. The lucky ones figure it out quickly. Looks like she's one of the lucky ones. Think I've still got some cards in my desk.
“Look,” rummaging through his desk, Alister found a card with names and numbers on it, “if you get in touch with these people they'll help you get back on your feet.”
“What about my husband?”
“That depends. There's not a lot law enforcement's going to do for you. I recommend forgetting about him or contacting the Vatican. They're always interested in that sort of activity.” Leaving out the other obvious option (hire me) somehow makes me feel better. This isn't my game anymore.
“What do you mean 'interested?'”
“In the 'we can hunt it down and exterminate it' sense of the word.”
“So you're saying I should have my husband killed, is that it?”
“Well, not exactly.”
“Ah, I get it. You're using some form of the word 'exterminated' that doesn't imply killing and/or eradicating.”
“Your husband might not be responsible. In that case, we—er, the Vatican, rather—would have to figure out who was. Works out well for me, because it will take care of whoever sent you here after me.”
“You said 'we.' Did you work for the Vatican once?”
“Not exactly.” And I'd really prefer not to get into it, Alister thought to himself.
“Well how do you know all about the Vatican then?”
Exposition. I hate having to explain all of this. “Look, there's other people that could explain this a lot better than me...”
“Yes, but you're the only one who's going to explain it to me.”
“You're awfully demanding.”
“I'm also tired and cranky. I don't think whatever possessed me stopped to eat. Or shower. All that aside, I'd like to know what your role in all this is, Mister Joyce.”
“Fine.” Rise up, light a cigarette. You'll feel better that way. Collect your thoughts, cast them back. “I worked a special division of the police force that dealt exclusively with the paranormal. We were underfunded and unappreciated by the vast majority of the community—but then again, we weren't known by the vast majority of the community, so it didn't matter.”
“The police have a special division that deals with the paranormal?”
“Had a special division. Underfunded, remember? We kept having to call in for help from the Vatican—that's how I know all about them—and eventually the top brass decided that if we had to rely on the Vatican so much the Vatican could handle the cases themselves.” Not the whole story, of course. There's a lot of dealing with devils that went on as well. She doesn't need to know why you quit, or about the internal affairs investigations that spelled the end of the department. She gets the short version, and she's damned lucky she gets even that. Emphasize the development with a shrug. “So I opened up shop here and decided that divorce cases were safer.”
“Obviously not.” Katerina snorted. Not buying it. There's more to the story, of course. He's not talking. “After all, something came after you, didn't it? What's more, you don't seem unprepared for such a thing. That means whatever you did on the force earned you some enemies. Enemies that require holy water.”
Observant little thing, isn't she? Sarah's leaning on the door frame with a smug grin on her face, as if to say 'you really thought that was going to satisfy her curiosity?' There's curiosity in her face too, of course, she knows a little more but still not the half of it. She at least knows one of the reasons the other side might have business with me of the bloody retribution variety. “Ten points, but then again you didn't ask for my personal history and I'm not in the business of giving it out. So you're out of luck, kiddo.”
“And you're just going to shove me out the door with some numbers to call and advice to get in touch with the Vatican? You know this is all your fault, right?”
“All my fault? Hey lady, I'm not the one married to some occultist jackass who thinks that using his wife as a vessel for possession is a good way to spend his time!” Whoops. That's probably not the greatest thing in the world to say. Too bad. My fault? Hardly.
“And my occultist jackass of a husband wouldn't have used me if some demon or...whatever it was needed to look you up and kill you. 'Find Alister Joyce,' that's the last thing I remember thinking. Now if you think I'm going to just sit back and let you ignore this thing on your doorstep, you're wrong. I'm hiring you.”
“Who the hell do you think you—I beg your pardon, did you say 'hiring?'”
“Yes, that's right. I'm hiring you, Mister Joyce. I want you to find out what happened to my husband, and why I wound up in your office.”
Huh. Do I turn down work? Can I even afford to? Sarah making murderous eyes doesn't seem to think so at all. I should probably. But this is not my line of work anymore. Hmm. “Well. Sarah, would you draw up a contract for Mrs Parker here? One of the expensive ones, due to the fact that I may get set on fire before this is all over.”
“Right away, Mister Joyce.”
All business now. “My rates are as follows: A minimum of $1500 for up to two weeks' and a further $500 a week for every following week. If at any time you are unsatisfied with my services, you are free to terminate them. If you terminate them before a Wednesday, you will not have to pay for that week. Further expenses as necessary will also be invoiced, including hospital bills. If my investigation leads me out of state or country, travel expenses may also be assessed, depending on how expensive they are.”
Katerina responds with equal business. “Done. I'll pay an additional $50 a week to stay in the office, seeing as how I haven't got a place to live.”
Kid deserves at least one break today. “Stay here for free. On the house.” Should have probably taken the case for free, but if she's willing to pay I'm not going to stop her. “But you call those numbers anyway, you hear? I'm not equipped to get you back on your feet anymore.”
Sniffs rather haughtily, “You needn't worry about me, Joyce. Worry about solving this case. I'll be able to get back on my feet without any of your help, I'm sure.”
That's what they all say, but possession's a tricky thing. You feel fine for a while, but there's flashbacks to things you didn't do (which depending on what sort of demon possessed you can range from the embarrassing to the downright horrifying) and you become far more sensitive to the things creeping about behind the proverbial veil. To say nothing of the fact that sooner or later the fact that you've been used in just about the most horrible way possible catches up to you and hits a lot harder than you'd think possible. Saw a lot of suicides in my day. Couldn't handle the implications—or the magnitude of what they'd been made to do.
“Of course.” Respond brightly, keep her confidence up. Maybe have Sarah keep an eye on her while I'm out doing my job. She should at least talk to someone with experience in these matters—more than I've got, anyway. “But call the numbers anyway. Instead of paying me for the room.”
Quizzical glance from Sarah, who's just returned with the contract. Showing a little more compassion than usual, she seems to be saying. “Here's the paperwork, ma'am,” she says instead.
“Huh. There is a fire clause in your contract.”
“I wasn't joking.”
“Huh.” They never believe me when I say I might get set on fire. All she's experienced and she still doesn't think that's a legitimate concern. Demons. Hellfire. Hellfire on me. Hence, fire clause. I hand her a pen. Sign it and I'm on the job. Sign it and Sarah might actually get a paycheck. Food that isn't rotten. Maybe some of the expensive whiskey (probably not, I need to save my money for important things). She signs. I try to keep myself from pumping a fist into the air in triumph.
Glance over the signature in a businesslike manner, and then: “Well, Mrs Parker, it appears that you just hired yourself a private investigator. Congratulations.” Handshake.
Now. How to begin?
