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Investigating the Elusive Barry Grant
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Clift Garrett
Clift Garrett
Thespian

Oct-28-2008 02:14


...

“He’s just gone!”

“What do you mean gone?”

“I mean gone, detective, disappeared without a trace.”

“Barry Grant? Gone?”

“…”

“And what do you expect out of me?”

“What should I expect out of you?”


Replies

Violet Parr
Violet Parr
Thespian

Dec-3-2008 13:07


***

They sat together and the gruff prison warden afforded them some extra time together due to the fact that it was Becky’s lawyer who was visiting her. Becky addressed both her Mr. Cambridge and Mr. Parr: “Gentlemen, I only agreed to meeting with you out of common courtesy. I have no intention whatsoever of reopening my case or discussing any of its legal aspects.”

Leopold eagerly, but decisively replied. His words fell into place perfectly and he spoke as if prompted. “Allow me to introduce myself to you first of all Mrs. Franks, I am Leopold Parr, my sister is Miss Violet Parr, you may not know her -or may know of her- but she is a very close friend of Barry’s.”

Becky winced at the mention of Mr. Grant. ‘Her feelings for him obviously go very deep for her to react this way to the mention of his name…’ Leopold thought. He continued out loud. “After a very mystifying dinner encounter with an underworld faction operative, my sister and I came across certain information that may prove absolutely that Barry Grant was and continues to be a target of certain factions of the City’s underworld.”

“Mr. Parr, there is no use of discussing this topic further. Barry has always been a target,” Becky fought back her tears. “I do not wish to see him continuing to be a target, and that is what will happen if you reopen this old file. I know Miss Parr, when have never met, but Barry mentioned her to me more than once. I realize you mean well, but no. You are no match to the people you speak of, not you, not your sister and not anyone else for that matter including Barry.”


Violet Parr
Violet Parr
Thespian

Dec-3-2008 13:11


“Mrs. Franks,” Mr. Cambridge intervened. “Mr. Parr believes he has information of material importance to your situations and to Mr. Grant’s. The least you can do is listen to him.”

Becky resigned, and nodded in agreement.

Leopold pressed on. “Violet was approached by the Eastern Triads. They requested that she undertakes a ‘little job’ for them and work as their operative for a very handsome sum of money and other promises.” Leopold swallowed, this was more difficult than Violet had promised him it would be. “You may or may not know that Barry Grant went missing shortly after your incarceration. He was recently found in a very dire state as per my sister’s last telegram.”

Becky’s attention was suddenly aroused but she made no interruption.

“The Eastern Triads have requested that Violet ensures that Barry Grant stays missing in whatever way possible and have requested her to burn down both Barry Grant Associates' Head Quarters in Shanghai as well as Barry’s apartment-”

“But that’s preposterous! Why beat Barry when he is already down and incapable of doing any harm to anyone. Please tell me she refused!”

“Mrs. Franks please. Let us hear out Mr. Parr for now.” Marshall turned to Leopold. “Please continue, Leopold.”

“On the contrary, Violet, in a very dangerous -and in my opinion reckless- move on her part agreed to the Eastern Triads proposal. I trusted her judgment and did not comment until we were alone. Violet plans to use the money and resources she was given by the Triads to turn things around and save both Barry and yourself from this very unfortunate situation.


Violet Parr
Violet Parr
Thespian

Dec-3-2008 13:13


“Violet is not sure of this but she believes that Barry could be in possession of several incriminating documents that would harm the Eastern Triads, the Green Hand and possibly the Circle of Light. The documentation he has may include detailed information about HYDRA and other factions. This would include names, numbers, locations and even bank statements and maps. She believes that it was one or a combination of these factions that have caused the sudden pile up of the criminal charges against Barry in Shanghai, which you took the blame for and managed to prove your guilt of to the police authorities.

“Violet was also instructed to end the career -or life- of a new up and coming detective by the name of Clift Garrett. Apparently he is an American private detective working as rookie for Obelisk Inc. His extreme curiousity and interest in Barry Grant, as well as the fact that he knows Betty’s husband, prompted him to begin an investigation in Barry’s past. Violet made her way to New York in order to meet up with Clift and convince him to come with her to save Barry.

“She plans to find Barry and take him to safety and then work on proving his innocence and prove that all the charges that were brought against him initially -which you took the blame and prison time for- were purely fabricated. There was no material evidence of Barry Grant or yourself committing these charges of theft, fraud, assault or larceny. The whole case was based on witness evidence and eventually your own admission of guilt.


Violet Parr
Violet Parr
Thespian

Dec-3-2008 13:15


Becky remained silent for a moment, taking in the magnitude of all these new revelations. “Mr. Parr I beg of you to speak to Violet and convince her to leave the matter to rest. If the dust unsettles, Barry might be harmed. I am sure if he remains out of sight, they will not think of harming him. Violet is putting both Barry’s life and her own in grave danger. From what I hear about them, the Triads do not respond nicely especially if taken for fools and neither does the Circle of Light nor the Green Hand.”

“Mrs. Franks,” Leopold spoke firmly. “The deed is now done. Violet knows what she is doing: she is a Lawyer and knows how to work the Shanghai authorities and most definitely the London Metropolitan Police. I myself have worked at the New Scotland Yard and have a legal degree and a good background in English and Welsh common law.

“We have now double crossed three of the strongest, most dangerous underworld factions and must see this through. You can either help us in proving Barry’s innocence and yours. Or remain idle while we help you in spite of your own free will.”

Becky could not reply to Leopold’s last few sentences.

Marshall finally turned to Leopold. “Vi will be careful not to alarm anyone to her true intentions towards Barry Grant?”

Leopold sighed. “We are beyond choice now... She will have to be.”


Makensie Brewer
Makensie Brewer
Super Steeper

Dec-5-2008 13:36

****************************
London

Makensie was so glad to be back in her own office. She isn't used to such drama.

She flopped down in her chair, taking a much needed rest, and she began thinking of Clift Garrett. The kiss...then what he said afterwards. It really did hurt her, to think he was playing her all this time. Drinking or not, there was no excuse for his behavior.

As she kicked off her shoes, Dawg Pound's agency clerk, Barnabas Gravelle walked in. She sighed in exhaustion, knowing that the only time he ever came in was when there was some kind of news, and she wasn't ready for anything but peace and quiet.

Barnabas walks in, tapping on the door as he did, and says, "Ms Brewer, I know you are tired..." "YES, actually...I AM! Can this wait until tomorrow?", she snapped. He was a sweet man, and she felt bad for being so bitey with him, so she quickly said, "I'm sorry Barnabas. I am just so tired, and the cruise was hell" He nods, and says, "I understand Ms Brewer., I just thought you might like these"

He handed her a bouquet of red roses, and a note, along with it. Plus, another note, which was separate from that.

She took the flowers, and read the note. Her heart flip flopped a bit, as she thinks, "Great! Now he wants to be NICE" She looked at the beautiful flower arrangement, and sat them on her desk, and put the note aside. She'd deal with it later.

Reading the second note, she frowned:

Makensie STOP

I have a message STOP
for Clift Garrett STOP
Will you tell him STOP

She didnt read anymore. Ripping the note up, and tossing it in the garbage, she says, out loud, "Damn you Reese! I will not deliver anymore messages to Clift Garrett!!" She was going to tell her so too.

Writing a note, she said:

Reese STOP
I will not STOP
deliver anymore STOP
messages for you STOP
to Clift Garrett STOP
Do it YOURSELF STOP

Makensie STOP



Makensie Brewer
Makensie Brewer
Super Steeper

Dec-5-2008 13:38

She folded it, and handed it to Barnabas, saying, "Here! Send this out to Reese right away" He nods, and says, "Right away"

When Barnabas left, she got up, walked to her bar, and poured herself a glass of Bourbon on the rocks. Drinking all in the glass in one swallow, she poured another, and sat down on her sofa.

"To hell with love", she says, raising her glass in a mock toast.

Barry Grant
Barry Grant
Old Shoe

Dec-6-2008 06:28

Becky mulled over the meeting she had the day before with her lawyer and his colleague. Against her better judgment, she agreed to cooperate with Marshall, Leopold and his sister to straighten matters out. After all, what choice did she have?

As she thought about the possibility of this nightmare ending, she couldn't help but get a fresh sense of hope that she would be exonerated and reunited with Barry. The thought made her smile. However, that quickly faded when she realized the daunting task ahead of Marshall and company to make it all happen.

Questions came to her mind: How can they prove that Barry did not commit those crimes? Is the documentation proving Barry's innocence still safe? Will the new facts that come to light be believed?

Becky started doubting again. After all, over a year ago she and her lawyer were able to "prove" her guilt despite her innocence. They were able to convince the court of her "guilt" just by spinning a few details in the opposite direction. She marveled at how easily the thin arguments were believed and how quickly the verdict was reached during her trial. It was as if the court wanted to validate their pre-trial conclusions despite any facts contradicting them.

"Witch hunters...." she scowled to herself. Becky started to feel anger as she recalled the events of her trial. "These people don't care about the truth. They only care about the glory of a conviction, fame and fortune." It was this realization that made her glad that she agreed to cooperate with Marshall and Leopold.

nicole satigny
nicole satigny

Dec-6-2008 19:17

This was her first time traveling overseas. Normally when people do the ‘Grand Tour’, they head east to Europe. She felt like being contrary, so she headed west--all the way to Shanghai. She’d been there just under a week and had found lodgings her first night there at a rooming house near to the docks. It was run by a middle-aged widow. She was Chinese, but had the unusual quality of actually liking Westerners. It seemed her son had won a position in the new government bureaucracy that the British had set up; the Brits had insisted on using merit rather than hiring and promoting based on nepotism and bribes. In any case, Nicole's landlady had approved of the Brits so much, for her second marriage, she’d married one. Which explained why she had the unlikely name of Soon-Sun Smith. It also explained why she served high tea every afternoon. The time and the menu varied according to her whim; the ritual did not. A contrary woman herself, Mrs. Smith the habit of serving hors d’oeuvres with the tea instead of crumpets or cakes--we’d call it dim sum in the States I think. But regardless, there would be four or five kinds of dumplings, bean curd cakes and other delicious one-bit morsels, along with wonderfully fragrant cups of tea. An absolutely exquisite way to spend an afternoon if you asked Nicole.

This day she’d actually managed to finish up her inquiries a bit early. She arrived back at the boarding house to find Mrs. Smith setting the tea service up in the front garden, same as usual. Nicole hurried up to my room to put her things away and came back down to find that all the other boarders were out. Perfect - she hadn’t had lunch.

As we were enjoying our small repast and chatting about the course of their respective days, a man came walking up the street, shuffling and nodding to himself as he went. Since she'd been there, Nicole had seen very few Westerners besides herself and the sailors presently staying at the house.

nicole satigny
nicole satigny

Dec-6-2008 19:19

The appearance of a filthy, weaving, very-much-the-worse-for-wear white guy drew her notice. Her curiosity was aroused enough to comment on it.

"Wow, who's that guy? He looks like someone threw him under a bus", she said.

Mrs. Smith hardly even raised her eyes from her plate as she replied. “Oh that’s one of that group across the street--a thoroughly disreputable lot, those detectives--nothing a nice respectable girl like you needs to worry about.

Nicole wondered where Mrs. Smith had gotten the idea that she was a ‘nice, respectable’ girl, given that she worked as a detective too. But she chose not to press the point. “Detectives?” she inquired breathily. “I wonder what they do.”

“Nothing good usually” was the answer. “Too often the cops come around on their account. And then every so often someone decides to shoot the place full of holes. It’s that Barry Grant bloke. He brought a bad influence to the neighborhood when he moved in over there”, Mrs. Smith finished darkly. She finally raised her eyes and saw what had caught Nicole's attention. "Speak of the devil. He does look like he got hit by a bus. Serves him right."

At this point, a vehicle that we in the States would call a 'paddy wagon' slowly drove up the street. It came to a halt about 10 meters after it passed the man. He saw it, stumbled, tried to turn on his heel, and ended up falling sprawled face-down in the street. By the time he tried to right himself, two men in police uniforms had jumped out of the front of the vehicle, picked the other man up by the armpits, swung him around and literally thrown him in the back. And they weren't gentle about it.


nicole satigny
nicole satigny

Dec-6-2008 19:20

Feeling that she should come to the aid of a fellow probable American, Nicole got up, crossed the street and asked one of the officers what they were doing. He replied gruffly that they were taking another drunk back to the drunk tank to sober up and that she needn't worry about him anymore. She watched them and crossed back over to where Mrs. Smith was sitting. "Was that…" she started asking.

"Yes", Mrs. Smith declared emphatically. "That was Barry Grant."


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