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No Barnes About It
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Heimlich VonVictor
Heimlich VonVictor
Vigilante

Oct-24-2009 18:47

October 24, 1938- Heimlich VonVIctor felt a chill run down his spine. Autumn always had that effect on him. He looked up at the multitude of colors adorning the trees and placed his hands in his coat pockets. The pungent aroma in the air told him that, somewhere, leaves were being burnt. He took a deep breath and looked down, to the place he had visited as many times as he could in the past two years. The cold hard stone hadn’t changed a bit, and never would. It would always be a testament to the man resting under it.

RICHARD CAMBRIDGE
FEBRUARY 10, 1892-
JUNE 15, 1936
“Justice for all. Above all else.”

He took a deep sigh. He never left anything behind, nor did he suspect that Richard would want anything left for him. He leaned down and placed his hand on the stone, “I’m doing alright Richard. Eric and I started up another agency. We’re doing it right this time, and Sergei is getting better at English every day. He’s even solving cases now; you wouldn’t believe how well he’s doing.”

“Excuse me, detective VonVictor?” a voice called behind him

Heim whirled around to find himself face to face with a young uniformed officer, “What do you want?” he demanded, “Can’t you see I’m in a cemetery?”

“Yes sir,” he responded, “and I’m terribly sorry to disturb you, but I’ve been asked to fetch you right away, it’s a matter of life and death!”

Heimlich let out a sigh, and leaned down to touch the stone again, “It never ends Richard, it never ends. I have to go now, but I’ll be back real soon.”

Replies

Heimlich VonVictor
Heimlich VonVictor
Vigilante

Dec-27-2009 11:34

Heimlich banged on the door of his brother's hotel room. "Albert open this door right now!" he shouted, "We need to talk!" he tried the knob and found it unlocked. He walked in to find the room a mess, several bottles lying on the floor, and Albert lying on the ground.

"Albert!" he shouted as he ran over to him, "Wake up! You need to be at court in an hour!"

Albert stirred, squinted, and looked up at Heimlich. "The bloody hell d'ya want?"

"You have to be at Barnes' trial in an hour Albert!" Heimlich said, "And from the looks of it you're still drunk."

"I'll be fine!" Albert said, pulling himself to his feet, "I can manage." he finished as he fell to the ground.

Heimlich sighed, pulled Albert to a seated position on the bed, and began combing his hair.

Heimlich VonVictor
Heimlich VonVictor
Vigilante

Dec-27-2009 11:46

"Where we going?" Albert demanded as he looked out the window at the fast moving scenery.

"To court," Heimlich said, "but first we need to stop at my house. I need to change into a suit so I can file a motion to postpone until you sober up."

"I'll be fine!" Albert shouted, "Stop worrying about me old man! I've been practicing law while you've been retired a long time!"

"Albert," Heimlich said, "you're not making any sense. Please just for once keep your mouth shut." They came to a stop outside of Heimlich's house. Heim jumped out of the car, ran up the steps, and entered the front door. Minutes later a woman, looking quite disheveled, came up and knocked on the door. Heimlich answered it and caught the woman who promptly collapsed. A minute later, he exited the front door and made for the car.

As he got back into the driver's seat, he looked at his watch, "We have twenty minutes to get to the courthouse. We'll just make it!"

Albert felt the car spinning around him. "You're a son of a bitch you know that Henry? You've never known when to let go, and now you're trying to tell me how to live my life. She's dead and she's not coming back!" he shouted.

"Albert," Heimlich said, restraining his anger, "keep your mouth shut! If it wasn't for me, you'd still be lying in that hotel room unconscious."

"Valerie told me she hated me, you know that?" Albert said, "She said that she wished I was the one who had died. That ungrateful little brat. She said Mommy was always there for her. Mommy took her everywhere, but Daddy is always at work! Daddy has to work! Daddy can't bear the sight of his dead wife in her little hellspawn every goddamn day!"

They pulled into the courtroom parking lot, and Heimlich helped Albert out of the car. As they rushed up the courthouse steps, they avoided the barrage of reporters. The last thing they needed was Albert making a statement in this state.

Heimlich VonVictor
Heimlich VonVictor
Vigilante

Dec-27-2009 12:00

They entered the building, rushed down the hall, and entered the large wooden doors of the courtroom. The judge looked up, "Mr. VonVictor! Nice of you to join us this morning. Show up late again and I'll have you thrown in jail."

"I apologize your honor," Heimlich said as he and Albert sat down at the prosecutor's table, "but Mr. VonVictor's daughter was kidnapped last night and he has been out all night looking for her. I would request a postponement until such a time as he is able to continue."

The judge glared at Heimlich, "Who the hell are you?" he demanded.

"Heimlich VonVictor," he responded, "and I am co-counsel to Mr. Albert VonVictor in this case. Barring a postponement I will be taking the lead today."

"Mr. VonVictor," the judge asked, "Mr. Albert VonVictor that is. Is this true? Do you wish to add co-counsel?"

Albert stood up wavering and supporting himself with the table. "No your honor! This man forced his way in here and is attempting to undermine my prosecution! He is also on the defense's witness list and therefore cannot be in the courtroom at this time." he said forcefully.

The judge nodded. "I surmised as much," he said with a smug smile, "Mr. VonVictor, you're in contempt of court. Bailiff! Take the second Mr. VonVictor into custody."

"What?" Heimlich shouted, "No! Your honor I object!"

The judge banged his gavel. "You cannot object! You are not counsel in this case!" he yelled. The bailiff slapped cuffs on Heimlich and led him from the courtroom. "Now Mr. VonVictor, are you prepared to procede?"

"Yes your honor," he responded, "the prosecution calls detective Alan Hill."

Detective Hill walked up to the witness stand, was sworn in, and sat down. Albert walked up to him, "Now Mr. Hill is it not true that you found hair belonging to Graham Barnes at the scene of the crime?"

"Objection!" Ronald Cambridge shouted, "Leading the witness."

"Sustained." the judge said, "Watch it Mr. VonVictor."

Heimlich VonVictor
Heimlich VonVictor
Vigilante

Dec-27-2009 12:09

"I'll rephrase," he said, "now Mishtuh VonVictor... oh wait that's me... detective... uh... detective! What did you find at the scene of the vicious murder?"

"Objection! Inflammatory!" Cambridge shouted once again.

"Sustained!" the judge said, "Mr. VonVictor, get your ass up here right now!" Albert approached the judge. "Just what are you trying to pull today?" he demanded, "This is not going to fly in my courtroom! You know better!"

Albert held one finger up. "Now... now... jus... one minute judge..."

The judge recoiled as Albert's breath hit him. "You're drunk Mr. VonVictor!" he said, "Bailiff! Please take Mr. VonVictor into custody. Contempt charges must run in your family!"

Cambridge stood. "Your honor," he began, "the prosecution obviously isn't taking this case seriously. I move to dismiss this case with prejudice."

The judge sighed. "Take it easy Mr. Cambridge. I'm declaring a mistrial and removing Mr. VonVictor as the prosecutor." he said.

As Albert was led off he looked back at the courtroom and saw his chances at district attorney swirling away. "Make no mistake," the judge called after him, "I will see you disbarred for this VonVictor!"

Eric Marvington
Eric Marvington
Thespian

Dec-29-2009 18:32

"I must advise against this Mr. Marvington." Dr. Hoo said sternly, "You've been through quite an ordeal and your pain will only return when the morphine wears off."

Eric pulled his coat on and shook his head. "Then I'll take another dose of morphine!" he snapped, "Doctor are you going to keep me here or allow me to go?"

"I'll discharge you," the doctor replied shifting uncomfortably, "but I don't feel comfortable with you self medicating. How long have you been taking morphine? I've seen men change before my eyes Mr. Marvington. They become completely different."

"I'm fine." Eric sighed, "Don't you have dying patients to attend to?" The doctor huffed, signed his discharge papers, and left the room. Eric took one last look at the hospital room. Vulkie and Abigail had both come to see him. Abigail, what a notion. She was the one who had gotten him into the whole mess. Then again she did seem to feel bad about it. Her father lay dying upstairs.

If she knew where the Eye was, then she could testify at Barnes' trial. Then again, she had absolutely no credibility, and it's likely she'd be killed for the effort.

"Hey stranger." A woman's voice called to him. He turned around to find Abigail Stone standing in the doorway. Her hair was disheveled and a large gash ran along her forehead.

"Abigail!" he yelled, as he ran up to her, "What happened?"

She breathed heavily but managed a smile. "I'm back in with the Order," she said, "and I need your help."

"Why would I want to go near them again?" Eric asked surprised, "They nearly killed me last time!"

"Because," Abigail replied, "I have something that they want. Something that they need. They would have killed me, but they knew they'd never be able to use the Eye without what I have. I need a bodyguard Eric, and from what I hear, there's no one better."

Eric nodded. "Alright Abby, may I call you Abby? I'll protect you." he said, "Who did this to you?"

Eric Marvington
Eric Marvington
Thespian

Dec-29-2009 18:47

"His name is Joe Davis," she responded, "a high ranking member of the Order of Socrates. I went to one of his usual haunts and tried talking to him. He preferred to let his fists do the talking. Said that the Order had a price on my head. After I broke away I told him I'd hidden the catalyst, and if they killed me they'd never be able to use the Eye."

"You mean it works?" Eric gasped, "The Eye of God isn't a fable?"

Abby nodded. "I believe it's true," she said, "I have never seen it work, but it's considered to be a powerful artifact. I have to believe it. It's the only way to save my father."

"So what happened with Davis?" Eric asked.

"He was angry," Abby said, shaking a bit, "but he grabbed for the phone and called the Mayor. He came back a few minutes later and told me to bring the catalyst to the inner sanctum tonight. He said if I brought it, the deal would be back on. If you come with me, we can get the Eye back!"

"I'll need to let Joseph know," he began, "Heimlich and Vulkie too."

"No," Abby said waving her hands, "we can't risk it. They have spies everywhere. You and I wouldn't arouse too much suspicion, but a whole battalion of detectives would send them running scared. This is our only shot Eric."

Eric sighed heavily, "Alright, if that's the way it has to be done. Then let's get started." The two departed the hospital together.

Eric Marvington
Eric Marvington
Thespian

Dec-29-2009 19:19

How do these things keep happening? That was the thought on Eric's mind as the car lurched to a stop outside of the docks. Abby jumped out of the driver's seat, and Eric followed her.

"Where did you hide this thing that you didn't think they would find it?" Eric asked.

"Over here!" Abby said quickly as she walked towards the end of a dock. She came to an abrupt stop and pointed into the bay. "It's at the bottom. Marked by a Coca-Cola bottle. When you find it, dig under."

Eric sighed. He didn't suppose it paid to ask; it was clear he was going in. He unbuttoned his shirt and dove in. The water wasn't too deep, and it wasn't long before he felt the soft sand in his fingers. He felt around for the bottle, among the bed of shells, cans, and just about every other order of foul refuse. Finally his hand clasped around a cold glass cylinder.

He pushed it out of the way and began to dig frantically. He swore as his nail bent back against something solid. He grasped his hands around it and pulled with all his might. The buried object came loose with a sickening sucking sound. Eric felt his lungs burn as they screamed for oxygen. He kicked of the ground, flapping frantically with one arm, and clutching the heavy object under the other. The light grew closer and still Eric felt his heart pounding against his empty lungs. He gave one last powerful kick as his head broke the surface and the lifegiving oxygen flowed into his lungs.

He paddled himself over to the dock and threw the heavy object onto it. "A conch shell?" Eric asked as he pulled himself out of the water, "The catalyst is a conch shell?"

Abby laughed as she picked it up, "Of course not!" she reached inside and removed what appeared to be a golden eye socket with long lashes. "This is the catalyst. It was kept at a museum in London, and I managed to secure it for their mission." she said.

Eric shook his head. "Absolutely amazing Abby." he said, while trying to catch his breath.

Eric Marvington
Eric Marvington
Thespian

Dec-29-2009 19:42

Eric kept his hand on his weapon as he and Abby walked down the long hallway underneath City Hall.

"Whatever happens," Abby whispered, "do not let them get the catalyst. If they do, then they have no need for us."

They came to a large stone door with ancient carvings. Heavy whispering could be heard from beyond the door. Abby reached out and took hold of a large bone carved handle. With all her might she swung and delivered a loud knock. The room beyond fell silent. A heavy thundering came as the door lurched open and a brown hooded figure stood before them.

"Have you brought the catalyst?" the figure asked in a deep gravely voice.

"Yes," Abby responded, "and it will be presented in good time." The figure stared blankly at them for a moment before stepping aside and beckoning for the pair to enter.

As they stepped through, an immediate chill was felt, and the large stone door slammed shut behind them. The room was surrounded by hooded figures, each holding a single lit candle, each standing stoically in a circle. In the center were two young girls that he had never seen before and an older man. Sergei! The two men locked eyes, he had seen him! No! He couldn't say anything now. This was their only chance.

It was only then that he noticed a large stone throne, covered by a sheet, with a figure underneath. His eyes locked to it and he felt the breath drain out of him.

"Whooooooo haaaaassssss eeeeeennnnteeeeereeed?" a deep throaty voice hissed from under the sheet.

A hooded figured stepped forward, bent down on one knee and spoke, "My lord, the catalyst bearer, a member of the Order, has arrived."

"Noooo!" The figure hissed as it made a jerking motion, "Theeeereee iiiiiissss aaaaanooothhhher."

The hooded figure glanced at Eric, and then back towards the figure. "My lord, a man by the name of Eric Marvington. A detective of sorts. He bears no threat."

Eric Marvington
Eric Marvington
Thespian

Dec-29-2009 19:56

"Eriiiiic Maarrrvington! Come closer!" came the voice from under the sheet as the figure made a beckoning movement. As if hypnotized by the words, Eric felt himself floating towards the mysterious figure. His heart beat heavily against his chest. The heavy breathing from beneath the sheet grew louder as he drew closer. He was mere feet away when he felt his body stop.

"Teeeeellll meeee Eriiiiic Maaarvington... dooo yooouu wiiish tooo ennnnriiiiccch yoooouuurrr miiiinnnd?" the hissing voice beckoned to him.

Eric wanted to answer, but his voice was caught in his throat. It felt as if a hand was clasped across his neck, preventing him from talking. Beads of sweat poured down his face.

"Yooouu wiiilll neeeveeerr leaaarn uuuunnnnleeessssss yoooouuuuu aaassk!" the hissing voice commanded at him as it threw off the sheet. Eric gazed at the face in horror as the Order fell to their knees. He felt his knees go weak as he turned his head and vomited with full force. He stared into the eyes of the figure before him and felt his very soul burned. He turned and ran back towards Abby, who was kneeling near the door. He dropped to his knee next to her as tears flowed down his face.

"Now you see why I need you Eric." she whispered to him.

Joseph Zeo
Joseph Zeo
Tale Spinner

Dec-31-2009 00:51

Mrs. Kobetz brewed Anais and Zeo some strong coffee which they badly needed. It was early morning, and no one had any idea where Sergei or the girls were located.

"Can you tell me again what the person on the phone said?" Zeo repeated.

"It was a man. He said, 'if Barnes is not found guilty, we will kill your husband!'" The plump Russian woman's voice was shaking. "We not weak of heart, we Russians, but something in his voice told me that he wouldn't blink before stabbing my husband in the heart." Anais tried to calm Katia, but she was charged with anxiety herself.

"Could you make out any noise in the background? Cars, trains, birds... anything?" Katia shook her head. Zeo lit another cigarette, noticing that he had already gone through a whole pack. "What about his voice? Was it deep? Baritone? Any accent?"

The kettle whistled and Katia went to fetch the hot water.

"PLEASE, I NEED YOU TO FOCUS ON THIS !!!!!" Zeo howled. Both ladies stared at the thin detective as if they met him for the first time. Zeo snuffed out his cigarette. "I'm sorry. I can't sit around waiting. I'm heading for the bureau, see if i can get any lead to who called this house last night. Stay with the phone!" Zeo ordered Anais and Katia and stormed out of the house. Both ladies were left speechless.

"Is this man always been like this?" Katia finally asked.

Anais shook her head. "No, never. Joseph is one of the most quiet person I'd ever known."

* * *

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU CANNOT TRACE THE CALL?" Zeo's voice was hoarse from all the shouting he's done all morning.

The operators behind the rows of cables stole glances at the detective and supervisor. "Sir, I've told you three times already, the phone call comes in, we make the connections, but if we do not record the conversation at the time it was taking place, it is gone forever, and we can do nothing about it."

"Do something. Put recording devices on..."

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