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Dec-31-2011 09:17


...

“She’s just gone!”

“What do you mean gone?”

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

“Violet Parr? Gone?”

“…”

“And what do you expect out of me?”

“What should I expect out of you?”

Jan-4-2012 07:47

A slight shadow of disgust covered her face as she turned her eyes towards the launch parlor: “I do believe there is no need to look any further” said her pointing to the middle of the room.

Turning his look towards the point she was indicating made Garrett almost burst into laughter. For a moment he couldn’t exactly say whether it was the comic of the image he was looking at that amused him or if it was a hysterical laughter generated by the danger to his reputation that sitting at the same table with that man in public would pose.

Bane’s figure at the table was…purely apocalyptic. He seemed to be the pure incarnation of a Neanderthal inside a beauty parlor. Although he was indeed wearing the same classy suit, he sat in front a large pile of pork and ram ribs, food in one hand and a knife in the other, chewing with his mouth full as if it would’ve been his last meal in this world. The large white kitchen towel wrapped around his neck was soaking in grease and he occasionally sipped hard from an almost empty bottle of wine in front of him.

Garrett approached him slowly, taking a seat in a position that would keep him safe from being touched by the occasional grease splashing from Joey’s plate…and even mouth.

“Wine, Mr. Bane? You’re getting soft with age?”

“Well…you did say to keep myself sober, didn’t ya’?” replied Joey draining the last drop form the bottle down his throat.

“I suppose using a fork would be out of the question, wouldn’t it?”

“Indeed it would, mate! Indeed it would!” He threw a chewed up bone on a big platter in the middle of the table and grabbed another rib with his bare hand. “This is the way ya’ eat ribs, lad…but…I suppose a classy fella’ like yourself wouldn’t know that…”

“Well now…perhaps it would be better for me to wait at the bar…”

“No need for that, mate…Hey, WAITER! Fetch this boy a whiskey…actually bring the bottle and two glasses!”

Jan-4-2012 07:48

Clift shortly waved at the waiter in denial: “I’ll only have a coffee please.” Then towards Bane: “It is a little early in the day for whiskey.”

“Oh…well…I guess ya’ youngsters ain’t got the stomach for it. Then maybe have a rib?” With this he grabbed another piece of meat and stretched his hand towards Garrett.

“I hate to refuse you, Mr. Bane, but you’re not exactly and appetite builder…”

“Oh well…”

“So, Mr. Bane, you were saying something about Violet Parr…”

“Who?”

“?...”

“Oh, yes. I’m tryin’ to track her down.”

“May I ask why?”

“Yes, you may.”

“…well?”

“That’s not important.”

“I see…So, why exactly are we speaking?”

Jan-4-2012 07:48

“I need your help.”

“Unfortunately…if you’re looking for recent information…”

“I know. You don’t have any. You lost touch with her.”

“How do you know that…?”

“Your letters.”

“To her? What about them?”

“Found them all. Unopened.”

“Where?”

“London.”

“And…what did you do with them?”

“I opened them.”

“What?”

“A little mushy here and there, buy generally ok if ya’ ask me.” He posed a large mocking grin.

“Mr. Bane, you manners are…” he slowly shook his head “…I’d like to have them in my possession if…”

“Ya can’t.”

“Why not?”

“They’ve burned.”

“How come?”

“Along with the apartment of my London investigator.”

“You have an investigator in London?”

“Had.”

“Where is he now? I’d like to talk to him.”

“The cemetery.”

“Pardon me?”

“He was inside the apartment when it happened.”

“Oh…”

Jan-4-2012 07:49

“I managed to speak to him before it happened though. He had a lead.”

“And?”

“It brought me here, to New York. Had also an investigator here. Asked her to look around before my arrival…”

“And…?”

“Dead…” Bane took a gulp directly from the bottle.

“She died too?”

“No. I meant to say dead end.”

“Oh…”

“So now I’m looking into it. And I think I found a trail.”

“Mr. Bane, if you really want my help you need to start giving me some clear information regarding what you found out.”

“Ok lad, here it goes. When Miss Parr disappeared about half a year ago it seems she was workin’ a Russian mob case…a kidnapping. It appears the competition of one Ivan Vasiliev took his sister Irina in order to force him out of a business. Although he did what they requested she was never returned. Violet Parr was hired to find her, but…something happened. It would appear that taking Ivan out of that business wasn’t enough for his competitors. They decided to also take him and his entire family out…and so they did. One night they swiped his villa clean with Tommy Guns and then burned it to ashes. It was the next day that Miss Parr disappeared…”

“Do you believe they went after her too?”

Jan-4-2012 07:50

“Now hold your horses there, lad, I wasn’t finished. There was indeed a break in into her apartment, but the evidence show she was already packed and gone by then. Now, my investigator started to look around and try to find out more about Ivan’s enemies. It seems though he was not too subtle as…well…I told you what happened to him. He burned a week later, but not before leaving me some info in a mail box. He managed to find out which family called the execution, but more important…he discovered something about Ivan: it seems he never bet all his money on one horse and he had a habit of cleaning his tracks. So…the information shows he hired an assassin to keep a close eye on Miss Parr’s investigation and…well…eliminate her when the job was finished. This person…this assassin was also a woman, also Russian, by the name of Mara Romanov. The trick is however that no one knows exactly how she looks. She’s…sort of a freelancer, but working only for the Russians. Also she has a reputation for finishing a job no matter what and, just like her employer, for tying loose ends. So now, adding 2 and 2 together here’s what I think that happened: with Ivan dead Violet Parr became a loose end for Mara. It’s possible also Ivan’s competition to be after Violet, but further investigation revealed that the first option is more likely.”

Bane took another break to wet his throat.

“Don’t let me interrupt you, Mr. Bane…”

“So, the last info on Mara Romanov that my agent dug out was that she was headed for New York. My guess is that this means Miss Parr either was or still is in this city. Miss Romanov had a contact here, a man by the name of Alexei Tarasov. It was through him and only through him she could be contacted. My agent here in New York managed to locate him, but…unfortunately he wasn’t breathing when she found him. This was the dead end I was telling you about.”

“I see. You did mention however that you found a trail?”

Jan-4-2012 07:51

“Sort of…I mean I think I found one. You see, with Tarasov dead I had to go back to London and sniff Miss Romanov’s last movements, seekin’ to see how she would leave the city. So while I was looking around for clues something caught my attention: a Russian theatre band headed for a representation in New York. Seeing that Mara only trusts and only works with Russians I saw this as a perfect opportunity for her to travel without suspicion. The band’s departure took place shortly after the death of my London agent, so it made sense.”

“So…you believe this woman is here in New York posing as an actress?”

“Yes, reason for which we’re talking today. You see…approaching this woman from a detective’s position doesn’t seem like a good idea. I need something more subtle…someone like you…well, considering you still remember what it means to be a detective, that is. Considering your history with Violet Parr I also think your interest would be high in this matter.”

“Oook…Did you manage to pin her down somehow?”

“I suspect she is hiding under the name Ania Sokolov, a double of the leading actress.”

“So…what exactly would you have me do?”

“Well…you’re an actor, so you two move around into the same world now. It would be more natural if she was approached by an artist in the same line of business. So your aim is simple: find her, charm her, find out if she’s the real deal and if so find out what she knows of Miss Parr.”

“I see…and what will you be doing in the meantime?”

“Leaving.”

“Excuse me?”

“You’re excused. I happen to have urgent business in Shanghai imposing my attention. I will not be able to be reached for a few months, so he, take this.” Bane handed Garrett a small note.

Jan-4-2012 07:52

“What is this?”

“The number of my New York agent. Her name is Mona Clark. Call her. You’ll like her. She’ll fill you in on any details our investigation turned out until now. Also feel free to use through her the resources of my agency. I’ve given her free hand to provide for anything would prove necessary.”

With this Bane suddenly stood up grabbing his hat.

“And now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go. I got some matters needing to be handled before my departure. I trust you’ll take care of the note for me, won’t you?” He posed his usual mocking grin and headed out of the room while Garrett was compiling the information in his head.

Jan-5-2012 02:56


[The above was meant to be posted as Clift]

Clift pulled out a letter he had received from a fellow detective during his time at Obelisk Inc., his first and most beloved agency, which had some information which helped form the basis of his very first impression of Miss Violet Parr.

He started reading the letter slowly and with great interest:

"Mr. Garrett,

Per your earlier request, my inquiries about Miss Violet Parr have not revealed any information not already a matter of public record. Although she has worked with and around several noted detectives and was once a member of a very reputable agency, Miss Parr doesn't appear to have an overabundance of close friends these days.

Although currently residing in London, Miss Parr traveled widely in the past and often found herself thrust into the midst of assorted criminal investigations and conspiracies. Her positive contributions during these events was variable.

It has been intimated more than once (often by Miss Parr herself) that she has hidden interests and important connections not apparent at first blush. Even so, it is possible that Miss Parr is simply a busybody of global proportions.

All the same, I recommend that you deal with her openly and directly. Her past associations with Barry Grant & co may prove helpful to your investigation.

A word of caution, try not to get caught alone with her. Rumor says she has a knack for flustering all men she comes into contact with, causing them to act in unusual ways.

Good luck and be careful..."

Clift stopped short of reading the detective's name... he lost in deep thought.