Sleuth Home - Message Boards - Role Playing Stage

Jan-20-2007 21:03

The New York Times
All the news that's fit to print

by Breit Katherine Pfeiffer Adams

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Police investigators believe they have discovered the whereabouts of missing detective, Barry Grant. Grant was reported missing three days about by a friend of his, Rebecca Franks. "I was supposed to meet him at Big Lucy's that night but he never showed."

Grant, Global Sleuth Syndicate Ambassador from Shanghai, had been working at the Blue Pagoda Agency on a Good Will mission at the time of his disappearance. "He was becoming a much relied upon detective." Lady jasNmushu, a Director at Blue Pagoda Agency, said of the missing detective.

Police have reason to believe that Grant was abducted by operatives from HYDRA while on his way to Big Lucy's. "I was meeting him at the corner of Eleventh Avenue and 42nd Street that night." recounted a teary-eyed divorcee Mrs. Franks. "He never showed."

Chief Inspector James Mulligan was able to determine the last place Grant was seen. "Cyrus Tibby recalls serving Mr. Grant a Tom Collins around 7 pm that night. After that, Mr. Grant left the premises and that was the last anyone had seen of him."

This reporter secured an interview with the elusive Larry the Toe. "I don't know anything about that." was his response to all my questions.

There was a break in the investigation when a shady character finally stepped forward to reveal he saw a tall man with a hat being forced into a car. This shady character, who prefers to remain anonymous, was unable to make out the license plate number but he recognized the car and the man doing the abducting. "I've seen that happen before. Same guy. Same car."

Policed will not disclose any more details for fear it could put Mr. Grant's life in jeopardy. Chief Inspector Mulligan's final word: "We don't want to lose any more detectives to that fiendish group."

Jan-28-2007 13:36

Barry couldn't tell who was talking because the one eye that did open was blurry. "I'm feeling a bit woozy." he said and closed his eye. "What happened?"

"You went into anaphylactic shock. Nurse, please bring me his chart." Pete reviewed the chart and said, "Probably from the sulfa antibiotic you're on. Are you allergic to aspirin?"

Barry replied weakly, "Not that I know of."

"Well, I don't want to take any chances. I'm taking you off the sulfa. There's a new drug we can try that you might not have an allergic reaction to like the sulfa." Pete turned to one of the nurses. "Go check the pharmacy and see if they have any penicillin. Start him on a standard course." The nurse left immediately.

Barry opened his eye again. "Doctor, when can I get out of here?"

That made Pete laugh out loud. "Good luck at walkin' outta here anytime soon, bud. You just got back to the land of the living. Try staying here for a bit, okay?" Pete shook his head. "Now get some rest. Everyone out!"

Barry made an appeal, "Is Andrea still here?"

Pete said, "Yes, she is but she has to leave, too."

"Can I just have a minute with her?" Barry had pleading in his voice.

"OK. ONE minute only." Then Pete turned to leave and then said to the nurse, "Run a chest X-Ray series on him again. I want to see if this caused any kind of setback." They all followed him out except Andrea. She came to the side of his bed and took his hand.

"Andrea, I wanted to say how sorry I am if I put you through any kind of worry. And I'm glad you're here. The doctors don't know it but you're the only medicine I need." Barry tried to reach up to her face to stroke her cheek. He almost made it but the pain was too great.

Jan-28-2007 13:47

Andrea's eyes were watering again, but she had to remain in control. He must not see her upset; it would not help his recovery. Bringing his hand to her check, she held it there for a minute and then laid it back.

"Please do not worry about that now" - she said - "I know you needed to do this. I understand"

Which was not completely true, be she could not tell him the truth. The truth was that yes, she had been worried, but more than that, she was mad at him for putting himself in such a situation. People in this business ought to be careful with whom they associate and Amber should have known better. But at any rate, what was done was done.

"The doctors are going to escort me out very soon, darling" - she told him - "Is there anything I can do for you? Anything you need?"

Jan-28-2007 13:56

Barry didn't have to think about that request for very long. "Would you lean down here, please?"

Andrea knew what he wanted and, although she was upset with him, felt she couldn't refuse him. She leaned over very close to his face and whispered, "I'm here, darling."

"Closer."

Andrea leaned in closer and kissed him. It lasted for quite some time. In fact, it lasted until a nurse showed up and told Andrea it was time for her to leave. Andrea stood up to go. Barry said, "Come visit me again, soon, huh?" to which Andrea nodded.

Barry closed his eye and a goofy grin crept onto his face.

Jan-28-2007 14:02

The nurse looked none too happy at the sigh of Andrea and Barry kissing on a hospital bed. She gave Andrea a glare as she exited. As she stood by the door, she glares back at the red-headed nurse and asked:

"Is there a problem, Nurse?" - her eyes were flashing.

Slightly startled at the sigh of the beautiful woman's face flushed in anger, she responded:

"Not at all, Miss" - she said, walking towards the bed - "Just..er..pleasee try not to tire him out every time you visit ok?"

"I'll keep that in mind" - Andrea told her - "Have a good day"

Andrea smiled as she was escorted back to her quarters. She knew Barry would make a full recovery after all.

Jan-28-2007 14:02

A clumsy delivery boy holding a vase of purple flowers stumbles into the room in the middle of the emotionally intense conversation.

"Delivery from Miss Violet Parr!" he rudely announces.

He sets the flowers clumsily on the table nearly tipping over the vase. "Sorry this took so long, apparently Miss Parr left to London before paying for those... Silly mix up!"

When the delivery boy got no response from either Barry or Andrea, he continued. "They're African Violets if you must know... the flowers."

With that he discreetly left the room.

Jan-29-2007 14:48

Barry woke up and found he could open both eyes. The one that had been swollen wasn't opening all the way, but it was a start. He laid there for a bit listening to the sounds from the hallway and outside from the window. He could not really figure out where he was much less what city he was in. He supposed it didn't matter. He felt lucky to be alive.

The memory of what Lady Jas had done for him in her attempt to save his life was running through his head. He was as amazed now as he was then at her bravery and agility. He started to wonder how she was.

Barry took in a deep breath. He could smell the African Violets and it was a much more pleasant smell than the antiseptic smells he was smelling before. He then remembered that Andrea had visited him.

He remembered seeing a tear in her eye and felt bad about putting it there. However, he started to feel better almost right away when he remembered she agreed to his request before she left. He hoped she would come back soon.

He closed his eyes to get more rest with the usual AndreaX induced goofy grin.

Jan-29-2007 18:00

Andrea walked back to the room where Barry was recovering. The guards, ever faitful, never left her alone. She supposed it was for her own protection, but it was starting to get old.

"I will be inside. You guys can wait right outside the door, please" - she instructed.

"Yes, MissX" - one of the said - "We will be right here"

She walked in a closed the door. Barry was sleeping. She pulled a chair closed to his bed and took his hand in hers.

"Barry?" - she whispered.

Jan-29-2007 18:04

Barry had been dreaming of a deserted island in the middle of a blue ocean with no one by Andrea to share it with. It was starting to get interesting when he was awoken by a voice calling his name. He opened his eyes and saw the radiant beauty that is AndreaX.

"Andrea! I'm glad you came back for a visit." Barry couldn't help but smile broadly, too broad, he felt some stitches pull a little. "How are you?" He squeezed her hand.

Jan-29-2007 18:05

Peering through the grating, joeyDanger saw Barry below passed out in exhaustion. "Poor sucker, always in just a little over his head", he thought to himself. When the nurse stepped out, he pulled the mesh inside the tight vent, and lowered himself into the room. The smell of hospitols always made him uneasy. He quickly drew a bottle of Pinot Grigio from his coat and placed it on the bedstand.
And then,
laid one small button beside it. It was black with a symbol embossed in gold. A Fluer d'les with eagle's wings and a stylized "X" on it.

He turned. Looked at Barry and said in a subdued voice, "Don't go out on us now. You don't even know what you've started here. I hope your good enough to finish."

JoeyDanger lifeted himself back into the vent, pulled it closed, and made his way through the labyrinth of vents. His thoughts kept wandering to a long time ago, and AndreaX.

Jan-30-2007 12:00

"I am fine, Barry, thank you" - she said - "The big question is, how are you?"

"I am still very tired, but I will make a complete recovery" - he said - "I am very glas you are still here.

Andrea saw something on the table. A bottle of wine? Pinot Grigio?

"How did this get here, Barry?" - she asked - "And what is this button? What is going on here? Guards! Guards!"

Andrea was very agitated and Barry was getting worried as well.

The guards ran into the room and looked around for something, anything, to explain Andrea's sudden panic and found nothing.

"What seems to be the problem, MissX?" - one of them asked

"Someone has been here! Someome has gotten into Mr Grant's room!" - she pointed to the items on the table - "I did not bring this in here. How did it get here? Search the complex immediately!"

The guards were confused. Surely they did not have to obey her orders.

"Did you hear me? An unauthorized person has been here! GO NOW!" - she said, with barely repressed anger - "And get someone else to guard this room. I want someone at the door and beside the bed AT ALL TIMES! Is that understood?"

The guards rushed out and Andrea collapsed in the chair. Barry looked utterly confused.

"God, Barry, what have you gotten yourself into?" - angry tears ran down her pale cheeks.