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Dec-22-2011 21:45

The "CASE CLOSED" stamp made THUMP sound as Edward Carlyle slammed it down onto a case file manila folder. "And once again the day is saved thanks to, Edward and Jasper!" Jasper Mayfield said.

"Very funny," Ed replied. The lights flickered with lighting flashed outside followed by a loud crack of thunder. "Think it will ever stop raining?" Ed asked Jasper. "I don't know..possibly...soon...hopefully?"

Ed laughed aloud. For the last two years, Ed and Jasper had been partners working as U.S. Marshals in the New York City District. Jasper had the face that only a mother could love but he was married to a beautiful woman, where as Ed was a more handsome looking man with no wife. Why? Because he had screwed up and lost his marriage and his two kids. While they were living a life in Los Angeles, Edward was trying to make ends meet in New York.

His thoughts drifted to his ex wife for a moment. He remembered how she had saved him public humiliation by divorcing him quietly. Had it gone public, he would have lost his job and everything else he owned.

"Edward! Jasper!" Captain Riley called out from his personal office. The building was an old abandoned bank that had been bought by the police department and turned into what Ed and Jasper called The Office. It had a few large rooms and a few smaller rooms. The lobby was full of desks, each desk had its own person behind it, all of whom in the building, were Marshals.

"In my office, pronto!" The captain yelled.

Ed and Jasper walked in and took a seat.

"First off, I'd like to congratulate you both on a job well done on your last case. It wasn't hard to find him but you did it. I don't know how and I don't care how but we've got some thing bigger than that. The FBI has contacted us about investigating a looney bin."

Dec-30-2011 21:43

The curtain fell and Corelli started apologizing to all the people giving a standing ovation; in the hallway he had some more trouble passing, but flashing his badge proved enough to get backstage. Everyone was laughing.

"Detective Corelli, great to see you, did you enjoy the show?" asked Clift Garrett, still in the costume of a king.

"In the hallway someone said that you make it look as if the role was made for you, a true disciple of Thespis."

"And what do you think?"

"I have the same opinion. It's a shame Mr. Carlyle and Mayfield couldn't make it." Corelli produced a pack of cigarettes. "Would you...?"

"Sure, thanks." Both men lit their cigarettes. "Did something happen?"

"Mr. Carlyle made a phone call, then they said they had to return with Mr. Carruth." Corelli took out his little notebook. "Now... about this person..." Corelli quickly eyed the other actors.

"Right." Clift turned to a green-eyed redhead. "Marie? Do you remember that time when we were performing Anne Christie?"

The redhead giggled. "Of course, it was a couple of months ago."

Clift made the introductions. According to him Corelli was an old friend back from the college days, he continued.

"Do you remember Charlie?" Clift asked.

"Charlie? Charlie Johnson? Oh yes, I haven't seen him lately, what's with him?"

"Well...we met at a party, he forgot his hat, so I thought I could return it," interceded Corelli. "Do you know where can I find him? Maybe he has a family, friends, co-workers..."

"Hmmm... no, not that I can remember."

"He almost never talked about himself," said Clift, "Except that he used to work for a chemical company."

"Oh yes, the Mandelbrot Chemical, I was with him when he went to get some results from one of his friends, we were in the middle of..." the redhead trailed off.

"When was that?" Corelli scribbled something in his notebook.

"Let me think... it was...something like two weeks ago, oh yes, it was the night of the 23rd."

"His friend, do you remember his name?"

After thinking for a couple of seconds, Marie shook her h

Dec-30-2011 21:43

After thinking for a couple of seconds, Marie shook her head. Corelli and Clift continued talking about the show for a couple of minutes. After that Corelli said his goodbyes, assuring Marie he would give his regards to Charlie, and gave Clift his card.

Jan-2-2012 15:43

Smallpox. The words hit him like a freight train. Ed dropped the phone and stared at Jasper. Thankful Jasper didn't get as close to the body as he did, Ed picked up the phone and slammed it down on the receiver and silently prayed to God that he didn't get infected.

He called Andrew Corelli. "Hey something came up....I...we won't be able to make it. Send my regards to Mr. Garrett."

"Everything ok?" Corelli asked.

"I have to go see Doctor Carruth about something. I'll let you know as soon as I'm done. Afterwards, we'll start talking to Doctor Peterson as the asylum."

Within twenty minutes, Edward burst through the doors to doctor Carruth's office with Jasper right behind him.

"Edward," Dr. Carruth started, "I was just going to call you." His tone did not sound good and he wore a surgical mask, gloves, and long white lab coat.

"Smallpox." The doctor said. "Good news and bad news. Good news is, it is Ordinary-Type smallpox. The fatality rate is right around...thirty percent. This man suffered from ordinary-type. The bad news is that it is highly contagious."

Edward swore, almost yelling. Then he took a deep breath and rubbed his hand down his face as if he were wiping something off his face. Jasper stood still with almost a terrified look on his face.

"There's no telling how he came in contact with it, all I know is, that this could turn ugly." The doctor said.

Edward remembered when he was sixteen, his sister had caught smallpox. He was lucky enough to not have caught it. His father was a doctor and new how to treat it, but as a result from the pustules and rash, his sister now had scars on parts of her face from it.

"Doctor, what is the incubation period for this virus?"

"About 12-14 days. The man could have gotten it from the Psychiatric ward, he could have gotten it before then, or after. As I said, there is no telling how he got it, except for the fact that it is airborne."

Jan-2-2012 15:50

Airborne. The words echoed in his mind, and he felt as if his life was going to fall a part at that instant. Jasper remained silent, writing down the notes in his booklet.

"Dr. I got close to that body. Is it possible I contracted it, even though he's been dead for a few days?"

"It is possible. We wont' know that you actually have the virus until the symptoms start to show."

Ed opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted. "Signs and symptoms are similar to flu like symptoms. Vomiting, nausea, overall discomfort...headaches...even fevers. As well as severe back pain."

Thoughts raced through his mind. First off, how could this associate with Dr. Peterson? How many things came in contact with the body over the last few days? And if anything besides the police came in contact with the body, did they get infected? If that answer was yes, the results could be deadly. He swore again, this time turning to Jasper.

"Come on, Jasper," he said, "let's go get the others, then we'll head up to Dr. Peterson's."

The two men turned and walked back outside into the pouring rain.

Jan-4-2012 21:10

Riza briskly made her way down to the mortuary, deep in thought. Upon arrival, she stared across the street at the figures just hurrying through the damp streets of an after-rain quiet. Their shadows cast eerie figures upon the ground. She pulled out a handkerchief and held it up to her mouth and nose. “Boys!” she called abruptly, watching them turn around and search for the source of the beckon.

Upon sighting Jasper, Riza was momentarily distracted. His countenance set beside Ed’s made such a stark contrast. Jasper backed up into the shadows. Riza allowed herself a self-satisfied smirk at the idea that she intimidated him.

Then she remembered, and her anger flared up at once.

“Dammit man, you’ve gone around infecting the whole town?” Riza screamed from across the dark street, not daring to move any closer.

“I’m not contagious, am I?” Ed asked. He looked down at his hands. “I-it’s not my fault, how was I supposed to know? Dr. Carruth didn’t even notice it at first, and he did the autopsy!” he yelled back defensively.

“Well then you’re all just a bunch of bloody geniuses, aren’t you? White blisters on a dead man equals smallpox!”

“Oh well,” Ed said sarcastically, “I’m sorry we don’t all have your knowledge of disea--” He broke off suddenly, his face blank as if contemplating something. “Hold on, how do you even know anything about diseases?” Ed had to admit that even though he thought he had known Riza for some time, he didn’t know anything of her past; she never spoke of it.

Pretending not to have heard the question, Riza merely hissed, “Get back to Ed’s house and stay there, the both of you. I’ll be there in half an hour.” Leaving them in sheer confusion, she turned on her heel and made her way back along the street, disappearing amongst the shadows. Neither of them saw the look that crossed her face.

Jan-5-2012 02:02


Clift was slightly shook when he saw the look on Riza 'Hawkeye' Harris's face.

He was making his way home after what seemed like the longest performance in his history of the stage. He had much on his mind. The death of the a fellow thespian... his current case working on the disappearance of his x-wife... He started wondering if anyone was under the same kind of pressure.

When he saw Riza, whom he recognized as one of the top active detectives New York currently knows, he immediately also noticed the look exhaustion of the face of the timeless beauty.

Clift considered approaching Riza and introducing himself to her, but then decided against it.

He somehow got the distinct feeling that she wanted to be left alone tonight. However, the man he was would not let a lady walk alone in such a dark and damp night, so he decided to follow her from a distance to ensure that she reached whichever destination she was heading to safely.

At least one detective is safe tonight Clift thought as he continued to walk.

Within five minutes, he'd lost her... and though Clift was not entirely sure that she didn't have anything to do with it, he felt better in that he tried to do his utter best once more to ensure this world was a better one.

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Jan-5-2012 23:25

Edward's temper flared. Being told what to do by a friend. For his best interest? Maybe. He didn't know. He slammed open the door into his dark apartment and turned on a light. Jasper came in, and sat down. He fiddled with a pipe but didn't light it. It was given to him by his grandfather. Jasper wasn't a smoker, but he claimed that it helped him think.

Ed stomped into the kitchen muttering underneath his breath. It was cold out side, and it seemed as though the rain was never going to stop. He started a pot of coffee and the door flew open. In walked a soaked Riza Hawkeye. "You look like a drowned rat." Edward said as he helped her out of her coat."

Ed walked into the living room where the three of them stood. "Let me tell you something," he said to her, "I'm in the middle of an important case, and I don't have time for you to tell me what to do!"

"Edward-"

"No," He interrupted, "you can listen to me. I'm not contagious and you and both know that. Even the doc said it takes twelve to fourteen days. Fourteen days I have to solve this case before I can quarantine myself, and the city!"

"Ed-" Riza started again. But yet again, she was interrupted by Ed, who continued to yell about the case he was assigned to.

Finally, without warning, Riza, who was fed up with Ed's yelling, reached out and slapped him hard across the face. He shut up instantly and turned to face her.

"Okay," he said, "you have my attention. What?"

"Will you shut up long enough for me to tell you?"

Ed folded he arms waiting and Jasper sat down in the chair.

Feb-6-2012 20:21

The clock marked exactly ten o'clock the moment Corelli rushed into the police station, making a quick knot to his tie.

"Good morning, Corelli... don't tell me you're late." the officer in the entrance was holding a cup of steamy coffee.

"Shut up, I overslept tonight" Corelli gave a quick look at his watch "The Chief is in his office?"

"Sorry, man, he was called for a press conference."

"Could you give him my report? I wrote it yesterday."

"Sure, no problem." the officer sipped his coffee.

Corelli got into his desk, palming the pockets in his coat and overcoat, he uttered a curse.

"What's wrong, man?"

"My keys..."

The officer laughed "Then you better start working, with a little of luck the chief will think you're busy with a suspect."

Corelli nodded and got out into the rain.

***

Feb-6-2012 20:29

Jonathan Jackson, the heavy weight director of the Mandelbrot Chemical Company, reread Corelli's card, puffing a big cigar.

"As a citizen in this great country I certainly have a duty, a responsability with my fellows compatriots, detective, I'll try to help you in every possible way, for we have to be a strong fort, a castle against the invasion of those anarchist and communist, animals that just wants to undermine the pillar foundations of this beautiful country, land of the just, pride of the brave..." Jackson made grandilocuent gestures, emphasizing every word, the lecture continued for another half of hour, quoting great thinkers and reassuring Corelli that he, as a patriot, was going to help him.

"Yes, Mr. Jackson, this is actually more simple than what it looks, I need some information on one of your employee, or former employee."

"Certainly, detective, who is the poor soul that got into the black alleys...?"

"Charles Johnson" Corelli interrupted him, while palming his overcoat pocket, he sighed "Do you have a cigarette?"

"Certainly, I'd be glad to share my reserve of the finest tobacco, bought..."

"Never mind... would you mind talking about Johnson?"

"Oh, that rat, the nerve of that young man, a vulgar thief..."

"I take he was fired, what happened?"

"He used to steal some chemicals, and all those problems with the secretaries; the poor girls making barely enough money and that rat..."

"He needed money, right." Corelli was taking notes in his notebook "Do you suspect or knows if he was in problems?"

"Certainly" he lowered his voice "he's a gambler: horses, cards, dices; a bad egg that Johnson, but the girls loves him... in what kind of problem he's in, detective?"

"The worst kind, he was killed a few days ago."

"A horrible crime, detective, a truly tragic end to that..."

"A witness saw Mr. Johnson talking to one of your employee about some results, do you know by chance who that person might be?"