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Jan-5-2009 03:44


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

The USS Sleuthetania:

http://noir.playsleuth.com/map/cityhall/post.spy?id=29404

The Any Location Place:

http://noir.playsleuth.com/map/cityhall/post.spy?id=29603

Jan-17-2009 07:53

Although Ace had no mood for listening to war stories, he had a feeling that somehow all this will prove to be interesting up to the end.

“About a week ago this envelope came all the way from Delhi”…the man began…”it was containing quite a LOOOOOAD of cash. Two letters beside it, one was for me…the other…well…some kind of evidence I guess. Of course my first thought was to throw away the papers and go drink up my minds at the Tricky Mister, but then I thought…HELL…where this came from, there might be more for me.”

The man took another sip and wiped his forehead with the sleeve of his coat. It seemed he wasn’t taking the heat too well.

“The second letter was…well…coming from a woman, for sure. It had a strong smell of perfume imprinted and a bunch of purple flowers drawn on the side. It was some kind of a love letter…or…ending love I might say. She claimed their relationship could never last, as he was married and the situation was not fit for her class requirements. She mentioned their little “indiscretion” was not to be remembered and that they never should see again sight of each other. No signature though, just initials…V.P. or something…I remember.”

A small light ball has lighted up in Aces mind. “V.P.?...And…purple? Sounds quite familiar…” he thought and then asked out loud with curiosity: “The other one…?”

Jan-17-2009 07:54

“Well, the first letter was actually my case…or…ex case for that matter. This man, I think his name was Frank Lancaster…he wanted me to find this woman. Apparently he didn’t want to give her up that easy. He urged me to be on my way to London as fast as possible and meet him there. I guess he must have tracked her down in England. So…I got on ship and came to London. Now here starts the fun, lad. Yesterday, at dawn, a valet almost knocks down my door at this sleazy hotel I had decided to check in. Hands me a note…from this guy…from my client. However he could find out my whereabouts I don’t know…beats me…but yet he did. The note was short. Said…”Mr. Bane, I have arrived in London earlier. Please meet me at Park Lane Hotel. We need to depart today.” DEPART!...I say…did this guy had a pleasure of moving up and down my arse all through this world or what?”

He took a long look at his shoes.

“Well, anyway, I dressed up and headed towards the Park Lane. I ask for him at the reception and learn he is expecting me up in his room. I go up and…YO, BARTENDER! Hit me up with a double here, will you!”

“And?” asked Masters showing real interest now.

“The man was dead.”

“Dead?” he exclaims into an obvious complete surprise.

“Stiff. Cold. Gone out of our world or how else you might want to say it. D-E-A-D!”

“How come?”

“A small stiletto.”

“A knife?”

“Pushed all the way into his heart. He had the most surprised expression on his face. I guess he never saw it coming.”

Jan-17-2009 07:54

“So…murdered, huh? You called police?”

“Now I ain’t stupid, lad. If someone would’ve found me there besides a dead corpse with a knife in it…with my background…wouldn’t be good. I would’ve been first suspect anyway, no matter what I said. No, lad, I got away from there as fast as my 2 legs were holding me.”

“And…you embarked on this boat? A high class?”

“Well…see…the guy had on his desk 2 tickets for this boat. I noticed them just while I was on my way out. I figured this was the trip he wanted us to go on and since it was for New York I said…why the hell not? It ain’t like he’s gonna mind anyway.”

“So…you plan to look into this murder?”

“LOOK INTO IT? R’you crazy, boy? DEAD MEN DON’T PAY!...nah…I’m hust gonna enjoy this first class trip and get back to my usual life.”

Ace was confused, as the characteristics of the letter Mr. Bane described was similarly to another one he saw on Violet’s desk in the past. But…bodies? That’s a bit too much.

“Well, boy…this booze is going down my feet. The old dog gotta hit the bed now, so if you’ll please excuse me…”

The man got up with burden, picked his hat and headed tumbling to the exit. Ace watched him as he went away.

“Just babblings of a drunk man”…he thought. “Funny thing though…as obviously beat up as he was…his eyes were somehow…clear.”

He paid his check and left the bar to meet the others.

Jan-17-2009 09:11

Upon entering his cabin Joey crashed on the small sofa. He threw away his hat on a nearby chair, assumed a comfortable position and started talking to himself out loud.

“Ooook…Mr. Masters has been taken care of. I guess it’s time now to approach the next member of this love circle: the sweet and beautiful Miss Brewers. Hmmm…I do need though a somehow different approach on her. Now how could I do that…oh wait, there’s the solution: Mrs. Crab! If she’s really the gossip the bartender said, she has to know Makensie and she can introduce me to her in a very polite and unsuspicious manner. Maybe at the ball tonight…”

He took a small break thinking. “Yes, I need to go skirt hunting. DAMN! Haven’t done that in such a long time…I don’t even remember how it works anymore.”

He got up and took a look at himself in the mirror.”I need to look a bit sharper for this”…he mumbled. “Let’s see how that preordered suit fits me.”

He entered the small dressing room and came out all dressed up in a fancy suit. This time he WAS fitting this whole picture. He went up to the mirror again tightening up his tie.

“Why, Mr. Bane! You do look dashing today…hahahaha!” He dragged his hat with a short move in order to drop it just over the line of his eyes and left the room.

Jan-17-2009 11:29


The sun was setting when Clift walked out of the telegram cabin in the ship to the deck. There was still no reply from Yoyo. Apparently the agency clerk at The Closers was either on vacation or not too bothered to deliver telegrams.

Clift Garrett was somewhat disappointed. He had no other link to Violet Parr and he knew it would be very difficult to unearth anything about his current 'wife'.

He was then struck by his two remaining options.

He could confront Violet with the information he knew and his encounter with Mr. Bane, but he feared that this would means losing all hope of getting to the truth. His other option was to seek the counsel of a friend.

They were supposed to meet at 8:00 p.m. in the Ball Room fully dressed. Clift had gotten a silver mask from the ship's souvenier shop and he wasn't planning anything fancy, just a nice suit and the silver mask to go with it.

Having his outfit prepared, he still had about an hour or two to kill. He decided to go and try and find Makensie Brewer.

***

Miss Brewer was in the lounge reading a book. She saw Clift approaching and she smiled putting aside the book.

Clift sat next to her and spoke. "Heya Mak, whatcha doing?"

"Reading... a book... why?"

"Remember when told you I can come to you with anything? Anything at all?"

"Yes of course Clift. Anything."

Clift hesitated. "But you need to promise me you'll keep what I tell you in secrecy... no one can know... especially Violet."

"Clift, is everything ok?"

"Promise?"

Makensie thought for a bit then shrugged. "Yes I promise I will hold this in confidence, now what is going on?"

"A man spoke to me yesterday, goes by the name of Joey "Bulldog" Bane. I think he knows Violet somehow. He gave me a telegram she dropped. It was from someone who needed to meet with her in London to talk about the 'baby', her pregnancy I assume. The more I think about it, the more it seems Violet changed the trip timings to avoid this person/man!"

Jan-17-2009 11:38


Makensie was shocked.

She thought about all what she heard before talking. "Now Clift you cannot possibly believe what this man is trying to tell you... You have no idea who he is.. He could be sent by someone who means Violet harm... You know Violet, WE know her."

"I know.." Clift said. "But I cannot help but feel she is hiding something from us, don't you?"

"No I don't." Mak determined. "I take things for face value, and Violet is the sweetest most charming creature. I can't imagine her having to evade any man over her pregnancy."

Clift remained silent.

Makensie spoke once more. "Clift, this child is yours... you know that, right?"

"I suppose I do..."

"You suppose?" Makensie was suddenly irritated with Clift.

She suddenly did not want to sit with him and discuss this anymore, but felt she had to, as a friend. "Listen Clift, go and speak to her about this. I am sure she will have a perfect explanation. Perfect!"

"Yeah, Perfect!" Clift said mockingly. "Perfect, like her appearance, her manners, language, decorum, family... she's just too perfect Mak, it's too good to be true... There is something fishy about Miss Parr. The more I think of it, the more I'm convinced... and I will have to find what it is so long as we remain married, paper or not!"

Mak was shocked.

She couldn't respond to that.

Clift calmed down a bit and said. "I'll see ya at the Ball Mak, I need to go clear my head."

Clift then got up and went up deck.

Jan-17-2009 12:52

Makensie watched him walk off, totally surprised at the things he said, and the lack of trust he seems to be harboring for Violet now.

She begins thinking to herself, as she rests her head back on the chair. There is no way, that our dear Violet could possibly be hiding any secrets. I mean, we are friends after all. Aren't friends supposed to be honest with one another? She has always been honest, and upfront about everything. Who is this Joey Bane? How dare he show up here and try to ruin this vacation/honeymoon for Violet. What is she hiding, if anything? Why would she lie to Clift about her baby being his?

She sighs in frustration, and says, "This is absurd. I will not put doubt in my dear friend Violet. I am sure if she has something to say, she will say it. This will all work itself out to be some big mistake" She hopes.

As she gets up, to get ready for the ball, she looks in front of her and there stood Ace.

He was walking to her, and says, in a rush, "Mak, there is this guy, Joe...."

"I already have heard about him from Clift, and I dont want to hear anymore rediculous stuff about Violet", she said, cutting him off.

Ace looks at her, and says with seriousness, "Well, I think this needs some attention...I am very confused with all that is happening, and ....."

"I am too..but, now is not the time Ace. We are here to have a good time, and I am not letting some JOEY "THE BULLDOG" BANE", or WHOEVER, he is, ruin this!!", she said, walking off.

Makensie was a person, that when she was told something that was shocking about someone she found dear, she chose to close it out at first. However, she knows that doesn't solve anything, and will have to face it sooner or later. Something tells her that it will be sooner, rather than later.

Ace watches her walk off, as he hears, "She sure told YOU, didn't she lad?"

Looking toward the voice, there was Joey Bane, with a smile.

Jan-17-2009 13:03

Ace didn't say a thing, but just walked off, totally irritated, for once.

Joey watched him walk off, as he took a sip of his drink.

Interesting in night it will be indeed, Joey thinks, as his thoughts turn to Makensie Brewer, and figures out he will approach her.

Smiling at other tourists as they pass him by, he walks out, and heads to the bar for another drink.

Jan-17-2009 13:09

*********

Meanwhile, back in her cabin, Makensie takes a shower, and puts on a long, black elegant dress, with a tasteful cleavage in the front, a pair of her most expensive gold earrings, and a simple, gold chain around her neck. She wore red velvet heels,that matched the red in the hem of the dress. Grabbing the simple black mask she purchased earlier in the day, she puts on a dash of her finest cologne, and is ready for the night. She guesses.

Having an hour or so to spare, she decides to just hang out in her cabin, alone in her thoughts, and wondering what the evening will hold for them all.

Jan-17-2009 16:29

Ace suited up for the ball. He could help but think about this character, Bane. Clear eyes was one thing, but... no one gets over being drunk that quickly. Dead drunk one minute, an hour later, scholarly looking suit and tie? I don't think so. He's up to something.

Ace finished putting on his suit and decided to track down this Bane character. Fortunately, he didn't have to look far.

He was standing on deck, charming a fat woman in a huge, blue, flowery hat. Even Ace knew her as Patricia Klump... or Blimp... or Plump... or Humungo... whatever her name was. She was that socialite who decided to air his sister's dirty laundry all over New York when she was becoming a big actress.

Ace knew that as he approached them, he wasn't going to like either.

"Bane!"
"Hold on, Ace, I'm in the middle of something."
"She can wait." Ace told him.
"You can wait." Bane shot back
"Excuse us, Ms. Blimp." Ace smirked.
"Wha... well... the... wa... er..." She stuttered as Ace pulled Bane aside.
"Hey, don't you talk to her like that!"
"Never mind that," Ace growled, "I think you better tell me why your on this ship, and you'd better tell me right now."
"I already told you, my client..."
"I want the truth." Ace interrupted, "No one is dead drunk one minute and stone cold sober the next."
"I took a nap in my cabin." Bane defended.
"Then you be so hung over you wouldn't have even gotten out of your bed." Ace said, "So, why are you trying to ruin everything?"
"Ruin what?" Bane asked, "It ain't your honeymoon."
"Bulldog!" A highpitched voice shouted at Bane.
"I'll be back in a minute, cherry."
"Well, I'm waiting!" She tapped her toe.
"Hold on, Ms. Humungo, we'll be done in a minute."
"Listen, we can talk later." Bane said.
"Okay," Ace replied, " We are on a ship, you aren't going anywhere. But, until then, if you even come near Violet, Makensie, or Clift... well... let's just say that you'll need a life preserver."
"Is that a threat?"
"Nope. It's a promise."