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Mar-13-2009 04:11


To know what happened previously in this story please review the following thread.

The Daughters of Miss Violet Parr:

http://noir.playsleuth.com/map/cityhall/post.spy?id=30144

Mar-14-2009 16:36

“Sir, considering that the events leading to the disappearance of my niece have already attracted the eyes of the reporters, we do believe we should control whatever piece of information the Scotland Yard will release to the press. We feel…” mended his voice “…we think it would be better not to make any mention about the missing child. Considering the fact that her family draws its roots from an aristocratic line, there might be certain individuals that might start thinking of a possible reward, may it be possible or not. We would not want the child to be put in the position of falling in the wrong hands.”

The Commissioner started thinking for a few moments, then replied.

“I was informed there was a certain person that was involved in this and now he is believed to be in possession of the child. Don’t you believe this man presents the same kind of danger towards her?”

“My sister…” Leopold mended again his voice “…the mother, Miss Violet Parr, informed us that this man, an American who goes by the name of Joseph Arturo Bane, is actually an acquaintance of her and she does not think of him as a real threat to her daughter’s life.”

Upon another few moments of thinking, the Commissioner finally gave his verdict:

“So be it. I do agree not to disclose the information of the disappearance, but I do want this Bane character to be presented as a suspect. After all, he seems indeed to be the only survivor from a blown up building in which there were found three dead bodies. As far as I remember, killing three men is still a crime. Dismissed!”

…

About two hours later the morning papers shouted loud on the front page about an explosion that led to the death of three victims. Above it there was placed a sketch artist’s mug shot of the suspect, a man presented by the name of Joseph Bane.

Mar-17-2009 02:21


** Café Rouge, Doyle Estates **


Miss Violet Parr crumpled the morning paper in between her hands. “But that's just absurd!” She huffed with disapproval as little Isabella, who sat next to her, huffed as well with the same air of disapproval. “C'est absurde!”

“For heaven’s sake Leopold, can they not understand that Joseph Bane could not possibly have committed these crimes? And that horrid picture! The chin they gave him!” Violet shook her head in disbelief.

Leopold looked to her sister: She was calm and relaxed but age had finally started to show on her before seemingly ever-young face. How can it not, he thought, with two children and one of them missing.

Violet was a mother now and starting to look the part with time. Her make-up was heavier than usual as well: she started applying purple shadow to her eyelids, which she never really did in the past. He must be looking older as well he thought. “Vi, he must be a suspect for the purposes of our investigations, he is the only adult alive from that night and is nowhere to be found with your daughter.”

“There has to be an explanation that we are not privy to, Leopold. He cannot be the criminal just because everyone else you can blame for this is dead. What do you mean he is the only survivor of that night? Is Bergen dead?”

Leopold nodded in assurance.

“Well what of it?” Violet brushed the information aside. “It was an explosion of a very small scale relatively. It demolished an old worn-out building that was probably scheduled for demolishment anyway. The Yard must really relax; it was not the bloody fire of London now was it?”

Leopold spoke gently but firmly. “Victoria is with Bane. Having him singled out as a suspect on the Mirror means it will be easier to track him down and find him, which means it will be easier to find… Miss Brewer!”

Mar-17-2009 02:26


“Makensie?” Violet was confused. “What’s wrong with you Leopold!” She was on edge, but then she realised that Leopold was referring to the approaching Miss Makensie Brewer.

Leopold got to greet Miss Brewer, as always he kissed her hand and then sat her down in his place opposite Violet and young Isabella.

Miss Parr, having greeted her dear friend, turned to Leopold. “And where do you think you are going, Sir? I am not done asking my questions about the investigation.”

“Sorry ladies... Police business calls…” Leopold uttered as he walked away turning towards the New Scotland Yard.

Violet turned to Mak. “I wonder if I should send Isabella chasing after him and causing havoc at the Metropolitan Police Headquarters!”

“Calm down Violet.” Mak laughed. “And how come Isabella is with you? I left her with Clift and Cody almost an hour ago!”

“That's curious, Clift dropped her at my apartment around fifteen minutes ago.” Violet assured her.

“But it took me an hour to get here?” Mak protested.

“On the tube?” Violet was surprised.

“Oh, no, walking.” Mak smiled suddenly understanding what happened. “Was Cody with him?”

“Yes he was.” Violet reassured. “He wanted to take the boy to a football game... Soccer perhaps is the best term to use.”

Mak laughed. “I know what football means in London, Violet. Don't forget I worked here.”

"Yes." Violet recalled. "I suppose that's the lovely thing about our jobs. We are rendered truly international."

Mar-17-2009 02:28


As Violet smiled and started to chit-chat with Mak, Isabella attempted to make an escape and leave her place on the chair by her mother slowly and quietly but a sudden tap on her hand from mother stopped her rebellious movements.

Makensie decided to speak. “I do not think Isabella should hear me say this, but we bumped into Mrs. Patricia Crab earlier today at the Hyde Park, me and Clift that is.”

“Oh?” Violet was suddenly amused. “I hope you did not tell her anything you don’t to read in the morning papers tomorrow.”

“Nothing.” Mak assured. “But she had a lot to say about you, Violet.”

“That does not surprise me.” Violet shrugged pouring herself another cup of tea.

“She said that Victoria and Isabella are not really sisters!”

The teapot was dropped from Violet’s hands and came crashing to the grounds creating a wild mess of broken porcelain pieces. Violet’s only reaction was to look Mak straight in the eyes and say: “Come again?”

*

Mar-17-2009 17:16

*same morning - London, Brighton and South Coast Railway - Brighton Belle train - destination: Brighton - storage wagon*


According to the ticket clerk, there were only 54 miles between London and Brighton, so Mike and his companions were only looking to about 2 hours of travel tops. They found a spot behind some crates and lay down directly on the floor. The little girl started playing with the dog, giggling every time he touched her with his wet muzzle on the cheek.

Mike was looking at them somehow amused, somehow balancing the uneasy feeling of the amnesia with their apparent peace of mind. After about 10 minutes, the child seemed to have gone tired, as she leaned on a side and gathered her knees at her chest attempting to fall asleep. He took off his coat and covered her.

Feeling himself a little exhausted, Mike decided it wouldn’t be a bad idea also for him to get some rest. He leaned on his back and dragged his hat over his eyes. As he was arranging it a little better, his fingers felt something on its band that startled his curiosity. He searched inside and a large smile covered his face as he pulled out a small bunch of folded bills.

“Well now…” he mumbled “…I must’ve been a considerate man. At least we have enough cash to grab a bite when we arrive.”

Suddenly he remembered about the peanuts he picked up back at the bar. He reached into his pocket and spilled them all into the hat, then placed it near the little girl.

“Hmmm…it ain’t exactly healthy food, but it’ll help her hold her horses for a while if she will wake up hungry.”

He then decided against sleeping, considering that they were practically travelling clandestine. He took a seat and started thinking.

‘Alright…what do I know so far…? I woke up in front of a burning house with this child and the dog near me. Also…let’s not forget the shotgun. I guess whatever went down there was not exactly something friendly, so…I’d better keep a low profile until I find out more.’

Mar-17-2009 17:17

He took a little break scouting his brain for more information.

‘And then…the tender at the bar said that I came in yesterday without a child, daughter or no daughter. He also mentioned “Jack”…I wonder who that is…’

He pulled again out the ID and looked upon it.

‘I hope this address is indeed my house and maybe it’ll help my memory a bit.’

He looked back at the sleeping little girl.

‘I never asked her what’s her name…and the dog’s either.’

Mike noticed then the hound was wearing a collar. He got himself closer to him and realized there was a name written on it: ‘Pierre’.

‘Pierre?...What kind of a dog name is Pierre. Well…I guess I was a man with a weird imagination. Too bad I didn’t put a collar also on the child. Or…did I?...”

He then got closer to the child and lifted up the coat. He noticed on the bottom of her skirt there were 2 letters: VP.

“VP?...” he mumbled “…now that’s strange. These letters match none of my names…”

He decided to quit further investigations on the two for the moment and just sat down near the girl. In a few minutes he just fell asleep.

[…]

“Travelling free? Wake up, you BOM!”

The sound startled McCabe from his sleep, along with the kick he felt on his leg. He opened his eyes slowly and looked up to find the aggressive look of a ticket inspector.

“WAKE UP, you hear me? What you doing here? You think you can just get a free ride? Or…are you stealing from the train? Oh no, you two are going straight to the police!”

“Now listen, mate…” replied Mike with a dizzy voice “…we ain’t exactly…”

“Don’t tell me what you are and what you’re not, THIEVES! I know your kind! I will…”

“Grrrr…”

Mar-17-2009 17:19

His shouting had also awaken the little child and Pierre. The dog apparently wasn’t so thrilled about it.

“What…what is that!?!” The man was obviously scared. He froze.

Meantime, as Mike expected, the little girl woke up with a slight appetite. She noticed the hat full of peanuts and grabbed quick a full fist of them.

The ticket inspector started to slowly step back in retreat. “Now, Mister…keep that cur away from me, or else…”

“Horrid!” came the voice of the little girl upon tasting a peanut and her next gesture was throw away them all.

The fallen peanuts rolled right behind the man’s feet. As he took one more step back the train shook and suddenly he slipped on them. In the next second both his feet were in the air and he dropped hard right on his back, hitting his head onto a box during his fall. After that he remained there inert.

The little girl laughed hard seeing the scene. “Again! Again!” She clapped her hands, then picked up one more bunch of peanuts and threw them onto his unconscious corpse.

Mike got up and started to check his pulse. He was alive.

“Well now, my dear…I have to admit that was a very inspired move” smiled him then, turning at the child.

The screechy noise of the train brakes announced its arrival at the station. Mike opened the door slowly and looked outside.

“Brighton…perfect, we’re here.”

He grabbed the little child in his arms and then they made their way into the city.

Mar-18-2009 09:21


"Hello Mak!" Clift spoke as he walked by Makensie and Violet back from his soccer match with Cody. "Violet." He said nodding to Miss Parr.

He then noticed the intensity of the air and realised the two must have been having a very serious conversation.

"Papa..." said Isabella suddenly breaking the tension.

"Well, not exactly daddy but I'll take it." Clift said. "Say ladies I think I'll take the kids upstairs to Violet's place. Seems like you two are having a very intense conversation. Any news of the annulment Vi...?"

"Yes..." Violet replied slowly and apoloegtically. "Our application has been approved and request for annulment granted under the simulation of consent."

"Great!" Clift said. "So it went through?"

"Indeed." Violet responded. "I explained that the marriage was made solely for certain civil benefits and as a result has to be legally annuled... Both Isabella and Victoria will remain registered as Isabella Vivienne Garrett and Victoria Eugenia Garrett... There will not be any need to revoke their legitimacy."

"That's good news... Your plan went ahead as wanted..." Clift smiled to Violet. "Of course it would be even better news if Victoria was with us."

Violet said. "Yes Clift, about that, Leopold was just here... Scotland Yard have decided to make Joey Bane a suspect in all this... They believe Victoria is with him.."

"I believe she is with him too." Clift said. "I have all my contacts on it. His description is quite unique. Plus, he is American..."

"Granted." said Mak "... I don't remember much about Mr. Bane, but somehow I cannot see him as a kidnapper..."

Mar-18-2009 09:26


"No, neither could I..." Clift said. "Come on now children." He grabbed Isabella and Cody and started directing them to the entrance of Doyle Estates."

He turned and said over his shoulder. "Hey Mak, you think Miss Cervasco would mind baby sitting tonight?"

"No, I don't think so." said Mak. "Why?"

"I want to take you two ladies out to dinner... haven't had such pleasantries since the kids came along."

"Count me out." Violet spoke. "I have some business to attend to. But please do take Mak out... She hasn't had a minute of peace since she came to London and this was supposed to be our vacation."

"Sure." Said Clift. "Mak, how about I take you to Khan's? It's Indian."

"Hope it's not too spicy though." Mak chuckled.

"Me too." said Clift as he walked into the apartment building with the kids.

Mar-18-2009 16:17

Upon putting enough distance between themselves and Brighton Central Station, Mike started to look around for a place to eat.

They ended up on a small street close to the channel. A small restaurant on the corner attracted Mike’s eye. It was a tiny place at the ground floor of a building, plated with old wood on the outside, big windows opening into the street and booths lined up in front of them on the inside. A simple sign, art deco style, with golden letters on a green background said ‘Barlow’s’. It didn’t look expensive and also wasn’t very populated, so Mike decided it was a good spot.

They all went in and took a seat. Pierre just crouched below the table.

“Oh my…what a cute little lady!”

Mike was a little startled by the voice and lifted a curious look at the waitress. She was a simple middle age woman, exposing clear face lines probably once beautiful, but now buried under quite a thick layer of makeup. Also her lips had received way too much lipstick than was needed. She was wearing…obviously, a waitress outfit and was holding a small notebook and a pen. One thing though glued Mike’s eyes onto her and he didn’t realize that he was staring at it: her chest.

“She is…ain’t she?” finally answered him.

“So, tell me little doll…what is your name?” the waitress asked and posed a kind smile.

The child turned her eyes to Mike looking as if she would be asking for permission.

“I guess it’s time to find out” mumbled him and then spoke out loud with a large smile. “It’s okay, kid. Present yourself to the nice lady.”

The little girl posed a serious face, jumped off her couch and made a wide bow, putting one leg behind and holding in her hands the margins of her dress: “Victoria.”