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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.”

Dec-27-2009 10:18

The three gathered tensely around the telephone as Anais reached forward and picked it up. "Hello?" she said cautiously into the receiver.

"Hello?" a voice crackled through the static, "My name Katia Kobetz, and I think it my fault your daughter kidnapped."

"What?" Anais demanded, "Sergei's wife? What have you done?"

"I only fall asleep for a few minutes but Sergei call me idiot and tell me not to and I am so sorry! They take my Sergei! They call here and say if Barnes is not found guilty they kill him!" she cried.

"Alright," Anais said, her chest heaving heavily, "calm down. We'll be over there in just a few moments time. She turned and headed for the door when she noticed that Heimlich had sat down in one of her armchairs and was also breathing heavily. She walked up and placed her hand on his shoulder, "I know you think of Josèe as a granddaughter. Don't worry, we'll find her and your niece as well."

Heimlich shook his head. "No," he replied, "there's something you must know. I've kept this secret for far too long. Anais do you have anything to drink?"

She frowned and shook her head. Heimlich produced his pocket flask and poured some whiskey into an empty glass. Upon noticing the look on Joseph's face he poured a second and handed it to him.

"Fourteen years ago, in the Spring of 1924, I met a woman," he began, "by the name of Cecilia Frances. She was the secretary of a defense attorney I was up against in court. Through my communications with her, we found that there was more than a business relationship, and feelings blossomed."

"So you weren't always this much of a shut in?" Anais said as she sat down.

Heimlich shot a glare at her. "As I was saying," he continued, "we began seeing each other. I was forty-three, and she was thirty-six. It wasn't unheard of, and many were happy to see her find someone at her age. My brother Albert was thirty-three at the time, and he was absolutely in love with her from the moment I brought her home."

Dec-27-2009 11:06

Joseph finished his drink and held out the glass for Heimlich to fill again. "So Albert wanted Cecilia? Has there ever been anything you two didn't fight over?" he asked.

Heimlich shook his head. "Not in my memory," he replied, "but Cecilia was different. We had a connection, and Albert was so superficial. He tried wooing her for three years and nothing worked. Until one fateful day everything changed."

"What happened?" Anais demanded, now on the edge of her seat.

"It was November of 1926, and I had been at the office all day preparing for a case. I returned home, but Cecilia wasn't there, which was strange because she was always there. I searched for her frantically assuming the worse, and just when I had given up, she walked through the door. She had been on a date, with Albert."

The two detective's eyes widened. "No!" Joseph shouted, "How could she do that to you?"

"I demanded to know why." Heimlich said, his face becoming sadder with every moment, "At first she claimed it was time to move on, but then she admitted the truth. She had been to the doctor that day, and he had confirmed what she feared. At the age of thirty-eight she was to become a mother for the first time. I told her it was a blessing. I said that even though we had not wanted children, this would be a wonderful blessing."

Anais smiled for the first time all day. "If I didn't know you, I would assume you were doing some editing to this story." she said.

"She said it could never work," he said sadly, "because of the baby. She said if it was just us, then it was one thing, but now there was another life to be considered. I was forty-five and she said she couldn't bear the thought of her child not having a father. By the time the child was born, I would be forty-six. By the time the child was twenty I would be nearly seventy. Albert was thirty-four at the time, and was in much better shape to raise a child than I was."

Dec-27-2009 11:22

Heimlich finished his drink and poured another. "She began seeing Albert," he continued, "and persuaded him to marry her the following January. The following August, Valerie VonVictor was born "prematurely". Cecilia died last year, and my brother has continued to raise his niece believing her to be his daughter. He's putting my daughter up for adoption. I have to do something, but if I tell him, it will destroy him."

"You have to tell him!" Anais shouted, "Heimlich! This is your chance to have a family! That smug son of a bitch doesn't care about her! You obviously do!"

Heimlich looked out the window and noticed the sun creeping up over the horizon. "We can discuss that later," he said, "right now we need to go see Mrs. Kobetz. She may be our best link to finding them."

"No," Joseph said firmly, "we will go see Mrs. Kobetz. You will go see your brother and work this out."

Heimlich glanced to Anais for a sympathetic vote, but he could see in her eyes that she was with Joseph 100%. He nodded, "Alright then." Then remembering, he reached into his pocket and handed Hoover's card back to Joseph, "As promised," he said, "I'm sorry I had to lie to you Joseph."

Joseph took the card back, but it was clear he had not forgiven Heimlich for the breach of trust.

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.

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.

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."

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!"

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?"

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.

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.