THRESHOLD | Part 1 "Dead Man's Mouthpiece"

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You must have been close. Thank you for stopping by so late. Hello. Who's there? I said who's there? I said who's there? You think you're fucking funny? Do you know who the fuck I am? You have any idea who's fucking door? You're banging on. You got one chance to piss off before I end you. All right. You bang on my front door in the middle of the fucking night. Yeah, show me. Get the car. Over time tonight. Clean up duty. What? What the fuck? Uh, no. It's you. Stay away from me. You stay away from me. Come on. Come on. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. No, no. Where am I? In the car. You got to sleep. In the car. The Arnett farm. The stakeout. Our case. Oh, right. Right. I uh... How's it going? As well as it's been going for the last few hours. Well, thanks for keeping an eye on it. Yeah, for four goddamn hours while you dozed. Remind me again. How exactly is this fair? How? You want a full refresher? Okay, well, let's see. Last year I opened a mysterious book that was delivered to my office. And when I did, a fragment of an eldritch guard known as the King in Yellow. That's you, John. Was somehow transferred into me. I meant... Leaving me completely blind. However, he... Again, that's you. Got control of my eyes. So when we do stakeouts, or after tail a client, or health, or after tail a client, or health have to file a police report, you're sadly the one who watches. Well, I... I get to nap. It's the napping I'm talking about. Feels like I have to work while you get to rest. It's exactly what it is. Hurry, Har Har. Oh, come on. You get plenty of time to rest too. Do you not? I don't rest. I... What I mean is when I sleep, you get your time to relax, to pursue your own endeavors. And you do the same. When you want time alone, I let you put me in timeout. Willingly. You said you enjoy that space. You said it's like sleeping for you. It is. I'm not complaining. In moments like this, shouldn't we both be working? What am I supposed to do here? We're stuck, staring at the broad side of a barn. And the fields surrounding. How am I supposed to know? I mean, you could review the case with me. Keep me company. I know, but it's so boring. Like it isn't for me. Ugh, fine. The Annette case. He hired us because he suspected someone of nefarious nature was living in his barn. It wasn't just him who hired us. A few of the local farms were concerned. Some of the livestock went missing. Right, right. Annette is the one who noticed the guy. Yes. And for the past three nights, he's seen a figure skulking about the fields. And when he looked into the barn during the day, he saw signs of someone living there. Including... Including a sigil painted on the floor. In blood. In what he thought looked like blood. It can't be blood. It can be, but we don't know that. For all we know, it's a vagrant just needing a warm bed for the night. A vagrant? We don't know anything. In fact, we don't even know if Old Man Annette is all there. All there? Oh, he's older than Dirt John. And he said himself that his granddaughter was dating a troublemaker. It's probably the two of them sneaking off to canoodle in the barn while the old man sleeps. What about the sigil? I don't know. Maybe kids these days make love in mysterious ways. I'd rather not know. Yeah, well, you better know. Faroe is bound to start dating soon. Don't bring Faroe up, please. God, I'm having a hard enough time sleeping as it is. Well, then wake up! Why is she keeping you up? You know why. It's been what? A handful of months since... Since we got back. Yeah, and I mean I can't tell her about you. I know. You know how awkward that is for me? I know. I know. I'm just... I need more time to... To what? Look, good as I am without needing to see, she's bound to start asking questions. She's a sharp girl, John. Sharper than I am. Than either of us. She knows something's up. Don't put this all on me! You're hesitant to tell her as well. Of course I am. Of course I am. Are you kidding me? All my life I wanted a second chance with Faroe. All my life I had hoped to see... A woman she'd grow into and now... Now that I do, I... You know how terrified I am to upset the apple card? She's such a force. She's such hard. You know she's acing all of her classes at Miss Katani. I know. People out there... They are desperate for times to change... For the next era. But me? And begging for life to just slow down to a crawl. I wanna sit in every moment with her, Catch up on all of those years Miss. Tell her everything. And yet... I'm so nervous to say the wrong thing. I could lose her again. You're not going to, though. She's not... She's not like that. I know, I know. Look, I don't know what the manager did. I don't know what magic he pulled to have her here with us, But it's clear that she's never known anything else. Same with everyone else for that matter. Jack, God! Navigating the discovery was awkward. Oh, hey Daniel, did I ever mention Faroe? Of course Arthur. She was staying with me while you were out dealing with those monstrosities. It's as if she's always been here. Which makes it all the more awkward when I ask her things I'm supposed to know about. Like where she's staying or what she's studying. It's difficult to find out what you don't know. Without her thinking I'm a shit father who doesn't listen. You're trying your best. Yeah. We both are. And thank God no one seems to question why I'm only 15 years older than her. Speaking of, don't forget that we're meeting her for dinner after this. Don't f- Don't forget, you're the one watching the time, aren't you? I'm watching the barn. Well how the fuck am I supposed to be watching the time? Well maybe if you weren't sleeping. Tell me you are fucking with me. Wait, wait, wait. What? Movement. From the treeline. Behind the barn. I can barely see through the rain, but I... I think it's a figure. Moving from the wood toward the field. Stay with him. He's crouched low. The light outside is very dim. The moon covered in shadow. He moves with a nervousness. Barnet said he found some... Entriles in the woods. A creature. Deer. Yeah. Gutted with a knife. Do you see a weapon? Tough to tell. Alright. He scampered up the hay bales on the side of the barn. And headed into the loft. Shall we confront this vagrant? I don't suppose the rain is gonna let up, is it? You're bringing in the gun. Shouldn't I? What about this seems violent? Nothing, but it can't hurt, can it? People get spooked by guns, Arthur. It speaks to... Intention. Speaks to intention? What do you... I'm just saying. You said yourself, blood, sigils. You said it wasn't blood! Look, you're just nervous. I get that. But this isn't like it was before. You know, we're just outside the city. These are just people. And the majority of the cases that we've handled so far... They all end in mundane, simple explanations. Yeah. Remember the garnet case? Literally just misplaced. And the stained livery case? Oh yeah, let it kill, but... They're just people. You bring the gun, and this could change a potentially friendly chat... To an armed encounter. But look. It's your call. I support, either way. People they may be, but it's people that are uncautious about John. As you said, these cases are mundane. But at this point, the mundane can do just as much damage. Very well. Alright. Damn. What? It's a wet out there. Get out. Alright. The barn is straight ahead. Though the cloud covers the moon, there's still a fair bit of light coming through. The barn sits black, drawn of all its color against the blue hue of the lightning strikes. An obfuscated moonlight. The barn looks old. Not the oldest we've encountered, but surely one that has been around for some time. Do you want to enter the way he did, or would you rather move through the front? Let's follow him. Alright. The hay bales are stacked up opposite the forest. Move to the right of the building. There's a small wooden fence here. You'll need to... Yes. Yeah. Perfect. Now stay low. The rain may cover the sound of our movement, but it won't hide our approach, should he look out. Here, here. The hay bales. You'll need to climb them. Here. Okay. Okay, okay, good. Excellent. Okay, okay. The opening. It's just ahead. Stay low. Crouched on this top bale of hay. See if you can peek over the edge just slightly. Give me a moment to look. Anything? Darkness. It doesn't even look like he's using light. I don't see any movement. Alright. Head up. Okay. Okay. From the dim light, it looks like there are crates. A few stacked against the far wall of this upper barn loft area, and a few to our immediate left. We are near the back of the barn, so... Okay. This loft area is rather large. It looks like a maze of mold-covered hay bales, and wooden crates filled with various farm supplies almost serve as a shelter for the dead. Walls, creating a branching path deeper into the barn. I can understand why this vagrant would have gone undetected. He must be somewhere, scrolled away, near the front of the barn. Can you see? Can you navigate? Barely. I can for a bit with a guiding hand, but eventually I'll need some light. Unless... Unless he has a light deeper in that we can't see. Yes. Alright. Slow and steady. Anything you see. Yeah, yeah, of course. This loft feels... Maze-like. A few flashes of blue light from the opening behind us, cut hard shadows through the crates, painting the floor in angular patterns. Like a funhouse. Only... Only there's no fun. I hear something. Listen, listen. I can hear him, but I can't make out what he's saying. Alright. I mean, look, we're not going to kill him. We need to tell him to shove off. So, might as well just approach. Okay. Okay. But it's still dark. Use the lighter. Right, right. Show him that you don't mean him any harm. He's just around the crates to a right. And... You see the light? Who are you? He stands, and... Who are you? He's dropped a knife he held. It's okay. But his hands are... It's okay. Covered in blood and... I don't mean you any harm. He clenches his fists in rage. Who are you? His eyes are wild, Arthur. My name is Arthur Lester. I'm a private investigator. Here in Arkham, or downtown. He looks feral, Arthur. His eyes dark behind us as if expecting others. He's shaking. Nervously or angrily, I can't tell. What are you doing here? Who sent you? Who sent me? Arthur, behind him, on the floor, in dim candle light is the sigil and... some blood. There's also a page from some book. The farmer who owns the barn sent me. Look, I'm only here to... Liar! He... he sent me, didn't he? He... he sent you. Who? Who do you think sent me? He did me! No! No! Listen! Listen. Whatever happened to you, I promise. I am not part of it. I'm not... Connect with him! Ask him his name. Look, look. Let's just talk. Okay? What's your name? What can I call you? Please. Please. I swear to you. I'm alone. Sam! Sam! Okay! Okay, Sam. Listen to me. I swear to you. Whatever you're wrapped up in, whoever you think sent me, it's not the case. I have nothing to do with it, okay? He unclenches his fist. His shoulders relax, but only slightly. You know, but maybe I can help you. Tell me, why are you here? He glances to the sigil on the floor for a moment. What are you doing here? I have to stop it. But it's not working. What's not working? He does such terrible things. Such horrible... But, but I have underway. I did. I've underway to stop him. He scrambles to the floor to fetch... the page. It's blood stained and it looks ripped. As if torn from a book. See, see. But, but, but it's not working. It's not working. He's handing the page to you. His feet firmly planted, unmoving, but his arm is outstretched. You should take it. Okay, okay, okay. A little lower. There. Arthur, his eyes fall. He spots the gun in your holster beneath your coat. It's fine, it's fine. Arthur, here. Look, I always carry... He scoops down to his feet and picks up the knife again. Got you. Look, look, look. I'll put it down. I'll put mine down. Look, okay? I need you for this, so I start it. I need to stop him. I believe you. I need to stop him. You, you... We can stop him together. I believe you. He's taking a step back. Look, look. I'm putting my gun on the floor. Look! He's watching you, is he? You put your gun down. There. See? Look at it. At? Look, at the page. The page. Oh, the page. Yes, yes. Look! See? I'm looking, I'm looking. It looks like a ritual of some sort. An old page from some ancient tomb. We've seen things like this before. It isn't in English, but it seems to depict a sigil, like the one he's drawn and various symbols around it. Some seem familiar. Others more. I tried animals. I tried animals first. I didn't want to hurt anything. But I was naive. I knew what I needed. What is it? Oh, God. I have to stop him. I have to save him. It's a heart, Arthur. I have to save myself. He's been cutting out the organs to harvest a heart. No, an animal wouldn't work. Oh, God. Arthur, step forward. What have you done? You can help me now. Beyond the candlelight, I see. You can help me now. A person. A young man. Jesus. Sam, he's laying on his back. He's still alive. He's been stabbed. He's still alive? I couldn't. You need to finish him. And then, and then I can harvest a heart. Please. Arthur, he's moving to the body. No, no, no. No, Sam. Sam, you cannot. Stop. He stops. A look of petulant anger washes over him. You. You. Not like this, Sam. Look, I can help you, but not like this. It has to be this way. It has to. Let's just talk about it. The body is still breathing, Arthur. There's no. Fire. Fire. Are you well-killing? Wait, wait. And you can get the heart. It'll be easier, you'll see. Sam, no. Arthur, stop it. Sam is stuck on, Arthur. He's too far from the gun. I am sorry. No. This is not going to fall. What are you going to do? Sam, no. Stop it. Sam is stuck on, Arthur. Sam, stop. Fire. Please. Sam, there. Sam, shoot, Arthur. You. You stopped him. Fuck. Fuck. He was laying across the chest of the young man, Arthur. The knife held over his head. He was about to kill him. Is he? It was a clean shot. A clean? His head. Fuck. Fuck. Arthur, the body. The young man. Right. Here, here, here. He can't be more than 18. Barely old enough for a beard. He's wearing slacks, a white collared shirt. Looks like he's... The boyfriend? Boyfriend? Oh! The farmer's granddaughter. Maybe, just wrong place, wrong time. You can say that again. But he is breathing. Shallow. The cut that Sam gave him before we arrived, it's... superficial, largely. I think he'll make it. I should have tackled him. I could have taken the knife. Arthur, I am telling you. Had you tried to close the distance, had you not went for the gun, this boy would have been dead. You saved his life. There's no doubt in my mind. And there shouldn't be any in yours, either. Right, right. Okay. What a mess. You're telling me. What is this ritual for? Maybe we can learn something. We would need to translate it, but... Where's that paper? Paper? Oh, right. It's back here. Yeah, we may as well take a second here before calling the police. Fuck! Fuck! Arthur! Put the page in your pocket. Quickly, hide it. He's telling me he's got my gun dropped. There. Drop your weapon. I understand. Your gun. Drop the gun. My weapon is dropped. You're not moved. I'm unarmed. I'm back here. Keep your hands locked. I am complying, officer. They're moving back here, through the maze of boxes we navigated. The light from the torch is bright. It's tough to make out who's... Jesus. Ah! Who? Keep an eye on him. Do not... What? Oh. Ah? It's Callahan. Michael? Arthur, what the heck are you doing here? Oh, my God, it's you. Oh, God. He's dropped his light and holstered his gun. Oh, God. He looks equally relieved. He's come over to help us out. Yeah. Keep your hands, you're your gun. Thanks. What the heck happened? What happened? What the heck happened to you? What are you doing here? I got a call this afternoon about a suspicious looking maroon Plymouth park for hours on a nearby property. Oh, God. Callahan stares at the scene with a grisly expression. I had no idea it was you. What? What on God's are you up to? Well, I... I mean, that was your shot. I heard, I suppose. Yeah, look, this farm hired me. Mr Arnold. Arnold. Ornette. Ornette. Yeah, I had someone poking around his barn. The one on his back or the one that you beat? Listen, he had a knife. He brought the kid here to cut out his heart. His heart? Look at the floor. There's a symbol. Callahan looks at the sigil with a detached eye. He's focused on Sam. Yeah, I see why they called you. He sighs. The way he does when you're telling him something he doesn't quite grasp. Look, I had to save the kid. He's still breathing. Cuts only skin deep. No, you made the right call. Just... He looks as though he's trying not to remember something. Michael? Why you gotta take these cases, Arthur? You're a good PR. Hell, I've seen your work. But you only take this kind of stuff. This devil's work. He says devil with a chill. Hey, it's out there. And someone's gotta do it. Right? Same as I said last time, Arthur. Right? It's clear Callahan is a skeptic. Yes. He doesn't want to believe there's more than thugs and brutes on the streets of Arkham. How long does people keep believing in this spin? He's a good cop. Trustworthy. Kind. His eyes especially. But he'll never understand our work. Best to continue keeping him in the dark. People are the real devils. And staying in his good graces. For when we need him. Sam here wasn't a monster, just a man. I troubled Sam. Yeah, that's what he said. I don't know if it's true. Oh, you had eat him? No. You came in right after. I... Right, well, we're gonna have company soon, so... Company? How so? When I heard the shot, I called the station. Fuck! Shit, Callahan! Hey, yeah, sorry, look, Michael, I... I have to go. I can't... Dinner with Pharoah! Yeah, I have dinner plans with Pharoah. I can't miss, I really can't. And I'm probably late as it is, I... Why were you on a stakeout? Priority issues. I'm bad at saying no. He's looking through the body of Sam, checking his mud-soaked pockets. Yeah, how is she? Still lacking school? Yeah, she is, she's... If the police come, we'll be stuck here for hours, Arthur. Look... You have what you need, right? Yeah. You see, as you said, aren't that hard, do you? You followed this Sam in here, he threatened to kill the kid with a knife, and you did what you had to to save the kid. About something? That! From the horse's mouth. So are we Jake here, or...? Yeah, you better make tracks. Brilliant, thank you. Hey, but look, I'm not signing for you again. I'll hide the signature till I see you, but I need you to actually sign it this time, okay? I will swing by the station after dinner with Faroe, I promise. Perfect. Let's go, quickly. Oh, Arthur! Yeah. You didn't take anything, right? Nothing from the crime scene. Everything states. Right? I... Arthur, we need that. Oh, yeah, I nearly forgot. Arthur! A piece of paper, he handed it to me. The stiff. Well, now we have no idea what this was all about. Here. Why do you want to call it a day on this job? You're a good man, Callahan. And a good friend. Alright. I get it. What, in the blazes? I think Sam thinks... He was trying to... stop something. He kept muttering about stopping... him. Who's him? The kid? No, no, no, someone else. He was scared, Michael. Really scared. He thought someone sent me a man, but I didn't catch the name. He said he did horrible things. Terrible things, and he thought... Well, he thought this page was the key to stopping it. He's studying the paper intently. Darting his eyes between the sigil on the page, and the one in blood at our feet. What do you think? I think he needed help. Well, I... I think you made an impossibly tough call. But did the right thing, as you tend to do. He looks at you with... admiration. Respect, even. Here. He's handing the paper back! Michael, you sure? It's baloney to me, and I... I know they won't see it as much either. Even if we did have one cop like you on side, he'd still be laughed out of the room for taking anything on that with any sort of weight. I don't want to believe in any of this gooey. He meets our gays. But you do. And that's enough for me. Thanks, Michael. Now, shake a leg. Let's go. I will meet you later to sign the statement. I promise. I'm gonna hold you to that. You can! This way, Arthur. Through the crates. See? What'll I tell you? You didn't tell me anything. You had doubts. You didn't know he was going to let us keep it. I played a hunch, okay? Detectives play hunches. You should know that by now. I do! My detectives have hunches all the time. You're a detective. I'm talking about real detectives. Where's the... Here. It's the exit back into the ring. We need to hoof it. Before more arrive. Here. The hay bale. Climb down. Yeah. Yes. There. I'd say you just got locked up. So... Well... Detectives get lucky too. No matter what I say, you're gonna say you were right about this, aren't you? No doubt. To your left. You just don't like to admit when I make a gamble and it pays off. You like to be the only one with a flash of inspiration. Right? Right? Oh. Thanks. Okay. You wanna be a wise guy? Oh, sorry. Thought you'd get lucky and sense it. Look, the truth is... We both got lucky. That's what I said. I wasn't discounting you. I mean in general. Not just with the pages, but with Michael. Coming back from seeking the Blackstone, you know, we were in a lot of trouble. Well, we thought we were. Parker's body was stashed in our closet. And Eddie was dead in the basement. Both. More or less dead by our hand. We're at the car. Thanks. Alright, we gotta step on it. I'll get us there as quick as I can. Appreciate it. And hey, hey. I appreciate you. I was only making cracks earlier. I'm sorry I was sleeping while you were working, okay? You know, we can be as fair as you want. I know. Believe me, by now I know you well enough. Sorry for the fence. Ah. It's been a while since I had a good bruise. You're okay if I take over? Yeah, just the left. All I can ever do. You know that. I know, but sometimes I do wonder. Wonder what? I don't know. Your powers, you've embraced them. I've tried to. You told me. Of course, of course. I want you to. I don't mean that negatively. What do you mean? Well, you know, there was a time, brief as it was, that I had another guard in my head. Lilith. Nalithotep's daughter. Yeah. You know, she may have helped us trap Nalithotep in the end, or Cain, as he prefers to be called, but before she agreed to help, you know, she took control of me. And not just on my left hand, but my whole body. All of you. While I was passed out from pain, I know you take control of my left side, my hand and leg. Only when you're okay with it, it... Of course, but I do wonder... If I can't do more. Sometimes. Perhaps it's that I'm not as powerful as Lilith. After all, she is a great old one, but Arthur, I swear. And most I can control only your left side. Believe me, there are times I'd love to move a little more. Well, given how it felt to have something else control my body, I'm glad you can. No offense. None taken? And besides, you have a few other tricks as well. Projecting has come in handy a few times. Projecting? I mean, that makes it sound so immaterial, but it literally saved the world from Cain's wrath with a bit of effort. Manifest? Manifesting outside of your body into a somewhat physical form isn't easy. Yeah, I can imagine. And draining. On both of us. But it sure helps us in a pinch. Though, we still don't want people seeing me. Not in that way. No, no, no. It's an ace up our sleeve, really. The real ace is laying a hand on the dead. I can't deny that. I mean that. That's a big reason that we've been getting so many jobs, you know. Touching the flesh of the recently deceased. And you seeing the final moments leading up to their demise. You know, it's put us head and shoulders above the rest. Much to the chagrin of Arkham PD. Well, not all of them. They have a nickname for us at the precinct. I know. God, I know. You act as if I'm the only one whose talents have aided us. What about you? What, I'm the brains? You can silence me. Lock me out of your body. Oh, you mean time out, yeah. You're always so offended by the notion. It's if we don't do it every night. I know, it just, it feels... odd. Being able to push you out. A reprieve from each other is nice. For both of us. I know, I know. I just... I guess being the only one in control... of it, you know, makes me feel... I get it. But you're, you're right. It gives us both time to think. You know, time to be alone. To rest. When I want to. It's a good thing. Yeah. Yeah. Lilith acted as if it was some kind of torture. Lilith is a different manner of creature. In every way. She's still out there. In Larson's body. Let's not start counting the threads left undone by our time seeking the Blackstone. You're right. Let's just appreciate our luck. Like you said, with Michael. And... Parker and Eddie. It's an uneasy feeling. What is? Parker's death. No. Eddie's. What do you mean? Eddie was there for him all along. He thought we were recovering from Parker. Parker owed to Grand John. I had no idea he borrowed the money from an outfit. Otherwise I would have helped him to... No, I know. He was a marked man. But when I... We've been over this. You know, Parker's death... It was a tragedy. But knowing what he owed and to whom... I don't know if we could have saved him. I mean, Eddie. Why were the police so content to have his death go unsolved? Because he was a low-level enforcer for whatever outfit Parker borrowed money from. You remember what Callaghan said? But they were probably all too happy to just cross his name off their shit list. Maybe. Look, we were grilled. We kept our story straight. And we had Daniel to support our claims and... Thankfully pay our rent. It's not airtight. But we have covered our tracks as good as possible. And yeah, got lucky. It just feels like... Like what? Like our luck is about to run out. Yeah, we were back in Arkham. Only a few streets away from the Junction Cafe. On Washington? Yeah. That's across the street from St. Teresa's, right? Yeah, that's it, isn't it? Yeah. Yeah, I should have suggested somewhere nicer, somewhere where we could talk. Arthur, she chose this place. Relax. How late are we? Yeah, you don't want to know. And you think I could keep a weekly dinner going? You are. We are. Arthur, you need to give yourself a break. She loves you. She isn't holding you to the standards that you are holding yourself to. I know. She doesn't know about what came before. She's only known you her entire life. I know. Okay. We're just down the street. Alright. To the right. It's warmer in the city. The autumn air is stifled against the cigarette smoke and automobile exhaust, but... Still, the city is... Alive. People scurry about with various intents. Each an entire life of wants and worry. October smells... Different. Something about apples and spices, jack-o-lanterns and... Children desperately trying to get their fill of the dying days of warmth. Before winter sets in. I do love this time of year. The junction is just ahead. Yeah, hey, maybe we'll be able to pop over to St. Teresa's after dinner. Maybe Michael will be there. Or at least Sam's body. Shhh. What? She's sitting in a booth. At the window. Ha. For Ro. Her dark, shoulder-length hair is brushed behind one ear. As her eyes dance across the pages of an open book. As if holding a secret, the corner of her thin mouth curls up to one side. A crooked smile. A joke only she knows. Her brown eyes are so... Bright. Sharing a keen intellect. Like her fathers. Only unhidden. Her dimpled chin, her delicate ears, her sharp nose. They belong to her mother, but her eyes. Her eyes are her dad's. As are her freckles. She turns the page like a student. Practiced and determined. Uncaring for the paper, wanting only the knowledge with him. All the while, her smile unmoving. She has the world figured out. A wisdom not bought or borrowed, but earned. In some unknowable way. A young woman, who knows this world through and through for all its bane and benefit. One who understands not just the people around her. But their role to play in the stars. For all. And as she checks her watch, one who undoubtedly brought the book because she knows her dad all too well. Fuck, alright. Are you gonna tell her about Sam? About the shooting? Tell her that I killed someone tonight. I don't think so. She'll know you're hiding something. Right, and what's the harm in that? She said she doesn't want to know about my work. She said she doesn't want to be your secretary, Arthur. That's different. Look, it's up to you. But if she looks up from that book and sees you standing here... Right, right, right. She's at the last booth on the left. Her back is to us. Here, here, here. Can I get you anything? Oh, sure. Another coffee? She doesn't turn her head. And a slice of pie. If you're still paying. She's not fooled for a second. Pie already. Did you eat? Hey, can't keep a girl waiting forever, dad. She turns... a coy smile plastered on her face. Sit down. How did you know it was me? Oh, I know you with a blindfold on. You have a very distinctive way about you. Way about you? I mean, I should change my gait. Need to think I'm predictable. Definitely. Maybe even a new pair of shoes. What's wrong with my shoes? Out of style? Out of soul. Sounds like your socks are wet too. Rainy? Up north? The waitress walks over and drops a piece of pie... between the two of you. Thank you. With two forks. How did you know I was up north? The west is water. And two forks. Not hungry? You saw me at the window. She smirks. And takes a bite of pie. You're a better detective than I am. We should hire you. You weren't exactly hidden. And it's just you now, dad. You said we. Uncle Peter is. Oh, right. Yes. I... well... I should hire you. No, you should pay me for taking your messages. Again? Mm-hmm. Right before I came here. She slides a small piece of paper across the table to you. Why were you by the office? Grabbing my spare jacket in case it rained. Well, you didn't have to take this message. You could have let it ring. Well, it seemed urgent. You can sense when a ringing phone seems urgent. Mm-mm. Not any phone. Just yours. No, why just mine? I don't know. Suppose we have a connection. You're insufferable. He says lovingly. Oh, I was just talking about apples and spices. Mm. You always loved Halloween. How did you? What kid didn't? Mm. Do you remember when I was for Halloween when I was seven? That your Marnie, the neighbor we had in Boston... Did you or she start making those candy apples? Yeah, pivot. I'll change the subject. No. Where did you change the subject? What subject? How did you know I came from the north? It didn't rain here. And I'm... All wet, did you? So what were you doing? Anything worth sharing? Well, I... Yeah, I, um... It was a case watching a barn at the Arnett farm. I was trying to see if I could stop a perp from taking a nap. He was killing some local wildlife and cattle. Killing? Yeah, yeah, he was, um... He was troubled. Um, he needed help, I think. What happened to him? Well, he tried to hurt a kid. He had up at the barn with him. He wanted to carve out his heart and, well... I had to, um... I had to. You didn't. I did, yeah. She stops eating the pie. Dad... I'm... I'm sorry, should I... Should I not have... It's your work. Sometimes you do what you have to do, I guess, right? Yeah. You didn't have a choice. Yeah. Did you? What? Did you have a choice? I... Yeah, I suppose I did have a choice. Okay. If she looks... You know... You don't want to know. Well... Whatever the case, I'm sorry it kept you. She... She finishes the last bite of pie and... leaves the crust for us. She stands from the booth. What? No, no, no, no, no, please! No, no, no, dad, honest. I'm okay with it. I knew this was a deal with dinner. No, you're not. Please. Dad, honestly, it's fine. I'm not leaving in a huff. I have to head back to the dormitory before they lock the doors. What time do they lock them? 10.30. 15 minutes. The dorm is a 10-minute walk, dad. Two minutes, please. Okay, two minutes. But only because it couldn't care less what that old bag Hilda thinks. She sits back down. Alright. How's school? How's astrology? Astronomy. Astronomy, of course. I'm sorry. Don't be, I love it. It's amazing. It's surreal, dad. You have no idea... No idea what it looks like. To see through the telescope they have of the Brandywood building on the roof, the one just outside of town... My God, dad. It was breathtaking. She speaks with such... elation. Such love. I can only imagine. I'd love to... No, it's dumb. What is? What? She shakes her head at herself. I don't know. Maybe... Maybe I could get you in. Sneak you in, maybe? My professor is very lax. I'm sure you can convince him to make an exception. To get me in? Like we could go look together? You could see the stars? I'd love that. Yeah? But you have to be there. You could not show up late. I'd be there. Promise? I'd move heaven and earth. I'll ask it. I'd love that. Okay, now I should go. She stands. Alright, yeah. You don't need to stand too, dad. Call me old fashioned. Are you gonna stay? Yeah. You're starting to earn that nickname, dad. You know about that nickname, too. Hey, I'm sorry I was late. I promise, next week I... I know. I know. I love you. I love you. So much. Dad, don't cry. You're just... You're growing up so fast. It's fine. I gotta go. I'll call you tomorrow. And get a secretary. Oh, her book, Arthur. She left it. Oh, throw it! Grab it from the table, or she'll be sitting. Oh, thank you. You don't want to go losing books. I've been there. What is this, anyway? Oh, a puzzle book. The Torquemada Puzzle Book. I was just a bunch of crosswords, acroxics, anagrams. All from the observer. Keeping the mind sharp, right? Damn straight. Talk soon, Dad. Love you. Bye, love. Who? The guy who called. Sounded like he was in a tizzy. Who? The note, Dad. I forget his name. Robert something. Oh, yeah. Take care. She walks away. Jogging down the sidewalk. Hoping to catch the light. Oh, and for what it's worth? I don't get it. The nickname. What even is a dead man's... mouthpiece? Be safe, bro. Look, we're trying our best to get here. It's not always going to be perfect. We'll be early next time. Right? We can do that for her. Make the effort. Not take a job the same day. Right? Orphe. Orphe. Sorry, sorry. What's wrong? Nothing. So, um... So, the message. The message? The one she took. Oh, right. What does it say? No number. Just an address. On the east side. And a name. I don't recognize the name. Neither do I. But... Officer Callaghan surely isn't at the morgue yet. Nor the body of Sam. Care to take a drive? The knight is young. That's the spirit! Let's go see this... pocket. Doorbell. Doorbell. Acast recommends Hi I'm Holly Riebenstein, the host of the Travel Diaries podcast, where each week I speak to guests like Michael Palin, Stanley Tucci and Joanna Lumley. We uncover the travel experiences and destinations that have shaped their lives, chatting all-time favourites, hidden gems and what's at the top of their travel bucket lists. It's wanderlust guaranteed. Just search for the travel diaries wherever you get your podcasts. Acast powers the world's top podcasts, including 90s Baby, Staying Relevant and the show you're listening to right now.