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Mar-26-2007 06:18

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

The Story of Miss Violet Parr:

http://noir.playsleuth.com/map/cityhall/post.spy?id=19324

Mystery at the Masked Ball:

http://noir.playsleuth.com/map/cityhall/post.spy?id=19690

Mar-27-2007 06:47


Miss Violet Parr smiled politely as she pushed her hair aside. She never in her wildest dreams imagined that she could be in the position she was in today: a kidnapper -a criminal by anyone’s standards. Miss Parr casually brushed these ideas aside as she scanned the Ritz Bar for anyone suspicious or shady.

“Indeed… just the one regular.” She smiled reassuringly at the bar’s regular lurking at the back. Miss Parr knew him very well: He was the local fixer, and it seemed like every city had one, if one knew where to look. He was an unpleasant person to deal with, and Miss Parr shuddered at the idea of that being, at times, necessary.

Violet Parr was sitting upon a wooden table next to the gallant Christopher Keller, and before them sat Mrs. Aisha Georges drinking her third glass of red wine. As a result of her being very cooperative and carefree towards this whole kidnapping business, Miss Parr & Mr. Keller jointly decided to reward Mrs. Georges for her excellent behaviour by reintroducing the much needed alcohol into her life.

“I think that’s enough wine for you Mrs. George.” Christopher grabbed the wine bottle a poured himself a glass. “Fancy a drink Vi.”

Miss Parr pulled a violet handkerchief from her purse and held it over her nose and mouth reminding Christopher of her strong aversion to alcohol. She finally spoke. “Well Mrs. Georges, if you tell us all that we need to know about Mr. Frank Georges, we shall release you right here and now in this bar. You may proceed to drink the whole of their alcohol storage once that happens.”

“Huumorrrring me arrre you Mizz Barrr?” Aisha Georges was as sharp as ever and not drunk yet.

Mar-27-2007 06:47

“Mrs. Georges, please be cooperative. Do you know why Frank wanted Violet dead? Does she know anything of detriment to him or his business?”

“JEALOUZY!!” Mrs. Georges very suddenly screamed startling both Violet & Christopher at once. “He iz jealouz! Envying man!”

Miss Parr recomposed herself. “Jealous? From me? Why?”

Christopher joked casually. “…’Cause you’re the fairest one of all!”

“Oh please…” Miss Parr shot Christopher a glance. Then she contemplated his joke for a while and continued to speak. “This is not a Snow White type scenario is it Mrs. Georges?”

“You fooolz! He wantz herrr dead becauzzz he izz jealouzz of herrr fatherrr and what she meanzzz to allll!! A Bazztarrrd!!”

“Now, now Mrs. Georges, I have spoken to you about the use of such language in the past.” Miss Parr was getting agitated.

“Vi, this is no use.” Christopher came closer to Violet and whispered. “We cannot have this wild one screaming and causing a scene in public. Let us just finish our drink and leave discreetly.

Miss Parr turned to him. “For once I completely agree.”

Mar-28-2007 02:02

Christopher bade Violet goodnight and exited their tiny quarters into Shanghai's illuminating streets. It never seized to amaze him how much life the city continued to exude at night. He was not an optimist by nature however, and as such knew too well what awful evils and dangers tend to lurk in the shadows. Yet it was at nights like these that found Christopher centered and calm. Nights when the Gods seemed to transfigure their wrath into unforgiving rain and curse the earth with stale air full of despair and the smell of death.

Such was the irony of life, thought Chris grimly. He was soaked to the bone from walking down the streets but the cold could not reach him. He finally reached his destination and broke his way into the old abandoned garage. It was as dingy and messy as he remembered. Christopher smiled warmly at the crate and barrel in the corner that constituted his office long ago, and this time his smile was closer to reaching his eyes for the first time in weeks.

Cont...

Mar-28-2007 02:02

This was the first place he was treated as a part of a family and made to feel welcome, his first agency. It has been years since he decided to pursue his heart's desire and become a detective, years full of accomplishments and disappointments, but nothing could overshadow the first couple of months that marked his beginning as a private eye. He was still a rookie and unsure whether he's ever amount to anything when he was taken in into this very garage by a number of accomplished detectives who offered to make him one of them and show him the ropes. They saw his potential and liked his spirit, they said but Chris never questioned their reasons, he was too happy to be a part of their team. And so it went, the best couple of months of his adult life that saw him learning from the best and get accepted by them as a family and team member. They had done for him the greatest service of all; they ignited in him the passion to help others and gave him back his faith in justice.

Chris sighed as memories assaulted him of happier times. But he was here for a reason, this place always served as a sanctuary for Chris and it always helped him regroup and organize his thoughts. He always came here when he was in turmoil. The misery and darkness of the night only served to strengthen Chris' resolve. He took a deep breath and took out various folders out of his suitcase; they were full of documents and pictures of various people in different situation. Chris examined every single picture and read every piece of paper in front of him, then ran everything he learnt by the virtual memory he obtained of the events of the past few weeks. A few things stood out in his mind.

Cont...

Mar-28-2007 02:03

Chris rubbed his eyes tiredly an contemplated his findings with a detached sense of horror. He knew that Violet's life was in danger. She's been targeted in New York and will remain a target even here in Shanghai. Barry took the brunt of the first attack and Chris sabotaged the second one. The incident at the docks was independent decided Chris. He smiled cruelly when he remembered how easy it was to apprehend the detective wannabe. Further digging revealed that he had 'reformed' after almost getting caught. Chris made a note on one of the names he had down, he'll have to look into this DuBaarie character, and she might have a role to play in all of this.

Christopher did not plan to dissuade Violet from her delusions that the Arsenio muck was going to be dissuaded from pursuing them so easily. He was sharp and tenacious Chris admitted to himself grudgingly but he was more suited to be a journalist than a detective, he was nowhere near good at hiding his presence when required. So, to avoid him being a pest, Chris planned to arrange a meeting with a certain old lady once her background check comes back.

Cont...

Mar-28-2007 02:06

Now back to the real issue, Violet. She seemed too distressed about the whole kidnapping thing to notice what's been staring her right in the face. Chris was staring at three pictures forlornly; Violet's, her father's and Mrs. Georges'. Violet shared her father's aristocratic poise and grace, they shared an attractive facial bone structure, and both their eyes emanated intelligence and mirth. Mrs. Georges' picture was one that was taken in her youth. She looked rather pretty with no artificial colors on her face. She had dark soulful eyes and a button down nose and silky black hair. Chris brought that picture closer to Violet's and sure enough, Violet's dark soulful eyes and button down nose and silky black hair were right there mocking him.

'Why do I have to be the one to notice this' He moaned pitifully. His suspicions began when Mrs. Georges decided to stop struggling and went all quiet on them. Her silence was very eerie to him until he remembered the way Violet always goes deathly silent when she's watching someone and trying to figure them out. Those thoughts were compounded the other night when Mrs. Georges got drunk in the Bar and started calling Violet a bastard. All the pieces seemed to snap into place then, and Chris was left overwhelmed. Chris acquired the last piece earlier that night. The telegram from London was tucked in his pocket and its presence was a painful reminder of the words that came with it. It would be a long time before he could forget those words.

Mr. K,
The information was not easy to come by and I consider my debt fully paid for obtaining it. I don’t know what made you think to investigate this but you were right. Mrs. Parr is not Violet's mother. She was barren. The records were expertly hidden and most of them discarded but the documents I managed to get are conclusive. Isent you a copy.

DM

Christopher cursed again and pumped his head on the desk for the umpteenth time that night and wished fervently for a drink.

Mar-28-2007 07:38

Yoyo entered the bar. The giant of a man straightened out his suit. He walked up to the bartender and ordered an Irish whiskey. The bartender poured him a drink and slid the glass across the counter. Yoyo nursed the drink. Looking around the bar he could see the usual clientelle, except for two people, they seemed to be new to the bar. Yoyo sluched in his stool and pushed his long blond hair back. After taking another sip from his drink he motioned to the bar boy. 'Who are they?' yoyo asked.
'Don't know sir, I heard they came off a boat earlier today'. Interesting yoyo thought. He thanked the boy, continued drinking and occasionally glanced at the newcomers who seemed to be a couple.

Mar-28-2007 16:54

He slipped into the room, and went to a quiet corner. Spotting his quarry at the bar he stayed back in the shadows. A great detective, but sometimes gets carried away with saving others, he thought to himself.

"Scotch, neat" when the waitress came by. "And make sure his tab is paid in full before he leaves", pointing to the blonde gentleman at the bar.

Mar-29-2007 07:43

Yoyo watched as a number of people in fancy clothing entered the bar and walked to Shady in the corner. Yoyo watched as three girls in flapper dresses entered the establishment. This struck Yoyo as particularly odd, people didn't enter a bar like the ritz in those clothes or they didn't mix with the 'rif raf' at all. He snapped his fingers at the waitress and pointed at his now empty drink, in dicating for more. Yoyo continued watching the trio they seemed to be having a conversation with shady. Right before leaving shady gave each of them a yellow and green poker chip. Yoyo continued watching them as they excitedly left the bar.
The people in the corner were still there, still engaing in conversaton.

Mar-29-2007 18:08

He sipped his drink. He was trying not to stand out this time, keeping people on their toes if they wanted to chase him down. It seemed he was always chasing after some woman, this Ivy was jumping from city to city. But he was sure he could find her before the Prince had to wait too long.

Then he saw an intesting sight. His old hunting companion AndreaX some in for a drink at the bar.

He motioned the waitress over again. "What ever she is having put it on my tab. " He sat back to watch Yoyo's back as he was watching everyone else.