THRESHOLD | Part 1 "Dead Man's Mouthpiece"

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You must have been close. Thank you for stopping by so late. I Who's there? I said, who's there? I shall lose them! You think you're fucking funny? Do you know? Who the fuck I am? You have any idea whose fucking door? Your brother. You got one chance. Or I end you. Alright. You bang on my front door. End of the fucking night. Mr. Walking. Right. Get the car. Overtime tonight. Clean up duty. What the fuck? It's you. Stay away from me! I AM SETTING! I AM SETTING! I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY! I'm sorry!

In the car You got to sleep. in the car. The Arnett Farm. The stakeout our case Oh. Right. Right. I uh Thank you. How's it going? As well as it's been going for the last few hours. Thanks for keeping an eye out. Thank you. Yeah, for four goddamn hours while you dozed. Remind me again. How exactly is this fair? How? Hmm, you want a full refresher?

Okay, well let's see. Um hm last year I opened a mysterious book that was delivered to my office. And when I did A fragment of an Eldritch guard known as the King in Yellow. That's you, John. Was somehow transferred into me. I meant leaving me completely blind. However, he again that's you. Got control of my eyes, so when we do stakeouts, or have to tail a client, or hell have to file a police report. Or for You're sadly the one who watches. Well I

I get to nap. It's the napping I'm talking about. Feels like I have to work while you get to rest. That's exactly what it is. Hardy har haw. Oh come on. Yeah. You get plenty of time to rest too, do you not? I don't rest, I rest. What I mean is when I sleep, you get your time to relax, to pursue your own endeavors. And you do the same. When you want time alone, I let you put me in time out. Willingly. You said you enjoy that space.

You said it's like sleeping for you. It is. I'm not complaining. In moments like this shouldn't we both be working? What am I supposed to do here? was stuck staring at the broadside of a barn. And the field surrounding. How am I supposed to know? I mean you could review the case with me. Keep me company. I know, but it's so boring. Like it isn't for me. Fine. Thank you.

The Arnett case. He hired us because he suspected someone of nefarious nature was living in his barn. It wasn't just him who hired us. A few of the local farms were concerned. Some of the livestock went missing. Right, right. Arnette is the one who noticed the guy. Yes. And for the past three nights he's seen a figure skulking about the fields. And when he looked into the barn during the day, he saw signs of someone living there, including including a sigil painted on the floor. In blood.

In what he thought looked like blood. It can't be blood. It can be. But we don't know that. For all we know it's a vagrant just needing a warm bed for the night. A vagrant? We don't know anything. In fact, we don't even know if old man Arnid is all there. All there. Oh, he's older than dirt, John. And he said himself that his granddaughter was dating a troublemaker. It's probably the two of them sneaking off to canoodle in the barn while the old man sleeps. What about the sigil? I don't know.

Maybe kids these days make love in mysterious ways. Yeah, I'd rather not know. Yeah, well you better know. Foreau is bound to start dating soon. Don't bring Faraud up, please. God, I'm having a hard enough time sleeping as it is. Well then wake up! Why is she keeping you up? You know why? It's been what? A handful of months since Since we got back. Yeah, and I mean I can't tell her about you. You know how awkward that is for me? I know. I know. I'm just... I need more time to To what?

Look, good as I am without needing to see, she's bound to start asking questions. She's a sharp girl, John. She knows something's up. Don't put this all on me, you know. Uh You're hesitant to tell her as well. Of course I am. Of course I am, are you kidding me? All my life I wanted a second chance with Foreau. all my life I had hoped to see the woman she'd grow into, and now now that I do, I You know how terrified I am to upset the apple cart? She's such a force.

You know she's acing all of her classes at Miskatani. I know. People out there they are desperate for times to change, for the next era. But me? And begging for life to just slow down to a crash. I want to sit in every moment with her, catch up on all of those years, miss. Tell her everything. I'm so nervous to say the wrong thing. I could lose her again. You're not going to, though. She's not

She's not like that. I know, I know. Look, I don't know what the manager did, I- I don't know what magic he pulled to have her here with Ospa. It's clear that she's never known anything else. Same with everyone else, for that matter. Jack God Navigating the Discovery was awkward. Oh, hey, Daniel, did I ever mention Foreau? Of course, Arthur.

She was staying with me while you were out dealing with those monstrosities. It's as if she's always been here. Which makes it all the more awkward when I ask her things I'm supposed to know about. Like where she's staying or what she's studying. It's difficult to find out what you don't know. Without her thinking I'm a shit father who doesn't listen. You're trying your best. Yeah. We both are.

And thank God no one seems to question why I'm only fifteen years older than that. Speaking of Don't forget that we're meeting her for dinner after this. Don't forget, you're the one watching the time, aren't you? I'm watching the barn. Well, how the fuck am I supposed to be watching the time? Well, maybe if you weren't sleeping. Tell me you are fucking with me. And that you're waking- Wait. What?

Movement. From the tree line. Behind the barn. I can barely see through the rain, but I I think it's a figure. Moving from the wood toward the field. Stay with them. He's crouched low. The light outside is very dim. The moon covered in shadow, but He moves with nervousness. Arnet said he found some entrails in the woods. A creature deer. Yeah. Got it with a knife. Do you see a weapon? Tough to tell. All right. He scampered up the hay bales on the side of the barn and headed into the loft.

Shall we confront this vagrant? Don't suppose the rain is gonna let up, is it? You're bringing in the gun. Shouldn't I? Well what about this seems violent? Nothing, but it can't hurt, can it? People get spooked by guns, Arthur. It speaks to intention. Speaks to intention? What do you I'm just saying? You said yourself blood sigged. You said it wasn't blood. Look, you're just nervous. I get that. But this isn't like it was before. You know, we're just outside the city.

These are just people. In the majority of the cases that we've handled so far they all end in mundane, simple explanations. Yeah. Remember the garnet case? Literally just misplaced. And the stained livery case? Oh yeah, Leonard Gilbert. They're just people. You bring the gun, and this could change a potentially friendly chat to an armed encounter. But look, it's your car. I support either way.

People they may be, but it's people that I'm cautious about, John. As you said, these cases are mundane. But at this point the mundane can do just as much damage. Very well. All right.

What? It's a wet okay. Get out. All right. The barn is straight ahead. Though the cloud covers the moon, there's still a fair bit of light coming through. The barn sits black. Drawn of all its color against the blue hue of the lightning strikes, and obfuscated moonlight. The barn looks old. Not the oldest we've encountered. But surely one that has been around for some time. Thank you.

Do you want to enter the way he did? Or would you rather move through the front? Let's follow him. Alright. The hay bales are stacked up opposite the forest. Move to the right of the building. Thank you. There's a small wooden fence here. You'll need to... Yes. Perfect. Now stay low. The rain may cover the sound of our movement, but But it won't hide our approach, said he looked out. Here, here! The hay bales. You'll need to climb them. Okay, okay, good. Yeah, yeah.

Mm. Excellent, ok, ok, we open it. It's just ahead. Just stay low. Crouched on this top bale of hay. If you can peek over the edge just slightly. Give me a moment to look. Anything? Darkness. It doesn't even look like he's using light. And I don't see any movement. Alright, better. Okay. Okay. From the dim light outside it looks like there are crates. A few stacked against the far wall of this upper barn loft area, and a few to our immediate left. We are near the back of the barn, so uh okay.

Yeah. This loft area is rather large. It looks like a maze of mold-covered hay bales and wooden crates filled with various farm supplies almost serve as walls. Creating a branching path deeper into the barn. I can understand why this vagrant would have gone undetected. He must be somewhere, squirreled away, near the front of the barn. Can you see? Can you navigate? Barely. I can for a bit with a guiding hand, but eventually I'll need some light.

Unless uh unless he has a light deeper in that we can't see. Yes. All right. Slow and steady. Anything you see you Yeah yeah, of course. This loft fuels. Maze like. A few flashes of blue light from the opening behind us cut hard shadows through the crates, painting the floor in angular patterns. Like a fun house. Only there's no function.

He's too much. I can hear him. But I can't make out what he's saying. I mean look, we're not going to kill him. We need to tell him to shovel. Might as well just approach. Okay. Okay. But but it's still dark. Use the lighter. Show him that you don't beat him any host- He's just around the crates to our right. Who are you? He's dropped a knife he held. It's okay. But his hands are covered in blood and I don't mean you any harm.

Clenches his fists in rage. His eyes are wild, Arthur. My name is Arthur Lester. I'm a private investigator. Here in Arkham, or downtown. He looks feral, Arthur. His eyes dark behind us, as if expecting others. He's shaking. Nervously or angrily, I can't tell. What are you doing here? Who sent you? Who sent me? Arthur, behind him, on the floor, in dim candlelight is the sigil and some blood. There's also a page.

From some book. The farmer who owns the barn sent me. Look I'm only here to Liar He sent me to- Who do you think sent me? Diddy! No! No! Listen! Listen! Whatever happened to you, I promise. I am not part of it. I'm not connect with him. Ask him his name. Look, look. Let's just talk. Okay. What's your name? What can I call you? Please Please I swear to you I'm alone Sam, okay. Okay, Sam, listen to me. I swear to you. Whatever you're wrapped up.

Whoever you think sent me. It's not the case. I have nothing to do with it, okay? He unclenches his fist. His shoulders relax, but only slightly. You know, but maybe I can help you. Tell me, why are you here? He glances to the sigil on the floor for a moment. What what are you doing? I have to stop it. But it's not working. What's not working? He does such terrible things. Such horrible things. But I found the way. I did. I found the way to stop him. He scrambles to the floor to fetch.

Thank you. The page. It's blood stained and it looks ripped as if torn from a book. See, see but but but but it's not working. He's handing the page to you. His feet firmly planted unmoving, but his arm is outstretched. You should take it. A little lower.

Arthur, his eyes fall. He spots the gun in your holster beneath your coat. It's fine, it's fine. Arthur here. Look, I always carry He scoops down to his feet and picks up the knife again. Look, look, look, look! I'll put it down. I'll put mine down. Look, okay? In a different way, Start it! I need to stop him! I believe you. I need to stop him. You you We can stop him together. I believe you. He's taking a step back. Look, look! I'm putting my gun on the floor. Look! He's watching you. Yeah.

Look at it. At Look at the page Oh the page, yes, yes. Look! See! I'm looking, I'm looking. It looks like A ritual of some sort. An old page from some ancient tomb. We've seen things like this before. Amen. It isn't in English, but it seems to depict a sigil, like the one he's drawn and various symbols around it. Some seem familiar, others more animals. I tried animals first. Yeah. Papa is my...

I know what I need. What is the truth? I have to stop him. It's a heart, Arthur. He's been cutting out the organs to harvest a heart. You know an animal wouldn't work? Oh God. Arthur, step forward. What have you? But you have to help me now. Beyond the candlelight, I I see. You can help me now. A person? A young man. Jesus. Sam, he's laying on his back. He's still alive. He's been stabbed. He's still alive. I couldn't.

Yeah. You need to finish him and then and then I can I can harvest the heart please Arthur He's moving to the body No no no Sam Sam you cannot stop He stops! A look of petulant anger washes over him. You, you not like this, Sam. It has to! Let's just talk about he is still breathing, Arthur. There's no fire! I will kill him. Wait, wait. You can get the heart. It'll be easier, you'll see. Sam! No, Arthur, stop us! Sam is stuck on Arthur! He's too far from the gun. I am sorry. No! Sam's!

Stop! Fire! Please! Fire! Sacrifice! Sam! All we can! Sam! Shoot order! You stopped him. He was laying across the chest of the young man, Arthur, the knife held over his head. He was about to kill him. It was a clean A clean just hurt. Orsa, the body, the young man. He can't be more than eighteen. Old enough for a beard. He's wearing slacks, a white collared shirt, Looks like he's the boyfriend? A boyfriend. The farmer's granddaughter? Maybe just. Wrong place, wrong time.

You can say that again. But he is breathing. Shallow. The cut that Sam gave him before we arrived, it's Superficial, largely. I think you'll make it. I should have tackled him. I could have taken the knife. Arthur, I am telling you. Had you tried to close the distance, had you not went for the gun, This boy would have been dead. You saved his life. There's no doubt in my mind. And there shouldn't be any in yours either.

Okay. What a mess. You're telling me. What is this ritual for? Maybe we can learn something. We would need to translate it, but Where's that paper? The paper? Oh right. Um it's back here. Yeah, we may as well take a second here before calling the police. Fuck. Quickly, hide it. Thank you. There. I understand you're gone. Drop the gun. My weapon is dropped. Do not move. I'm unarmed. I'm back here. I am complying, officer. They're moving back here. Through the maze of boxes we navigated.

The light from their torch is bright. It's tough to make out who's Uh-huh. It's Callahan. Michael? Oz, what the heck are you doing here? Oh my god, it's you. He's dropped his light and holstered his gun. He looks equally relieved. He's come over to help us out.

He hands you your gun. Thanks. What the heck happened? What happened? What the heck happened to you? What are you doing here? I got a call this afternoon about a suspicious look in Maroon Plymouth parked for hours on a nearby property, you know. Oh God. Callahan stares at the scene with a grisly expression. I had no idea it was you what? What on gods are you up to? Well I I I mean Well that was your shot I heard, I suppose. Yeah, look, this farm hired me.

Mr. Arnold. Ornet. Arnett. Oh Jesus. Yeah, he had someone poking around his barn. The one on his back or the one that you beamed? Listen, he had a knife. He brought the kid here to cut out his heart, and I His heart? Thank you. Oh the s symbol. Callahan looks at the sigil with a detached eye. He's focused on Sam. Yeah, I see why they called you. He sighs. The way he does when you're telling him something he doesn't quite grasp. Look, I had to save the kid. And he's still breathing.

Cuts only skin deep. No, you made the right call, just he looks as though he's trying not to remember something. Why you gotta take these cases, Arthur? You're a good PR. Hell, I've seen your work. But you only take this kind of stuff, this devil's work. He says devil with a chill. Hei, it's out there. And someone's got to do it.

Same as I said last time, Arthur. Right. It's clear Callahan is a skeptic. I guess. He doesn't want to believe there's more than thugs and brutes on the streets of Arkham. As long as people keep believing in this spin. He's a good cop. Trustworthy. Kind. His eyes especially. But he'll never understand our work. Best to continue keeping him in the dark. People are the real devils. And staying in his good graces.

For when we need him. Sam here wasn't a monster, just a man, a troubled Sam? Yeah, that's what he said. I don't know if it's true, but Oh, you ID'd him. No! You came in right after. I I Thank you. Right, well, we're gonna have company soon, so Company How so? When I heard the shot I called the station. Shit, Callahan? Hey. Yeah, sorry. Look, Michael, I I have to go. I can't Dinner with Foreau. Yeah, I have dinner plans with Foreau. I can't miss. I really can't.

I and I'm probably late as it is I Why were you on a stakeout? Priority issues. I'm bad at saying no. He's looking through the body of Sam, checking his mud soaked pockets. Yeah, how is she? Still lacking school? Yeah, she is.

If the police come, we'll be stuck here for hours, Arthur. Look You have what you need, right? Yeah. Thank you. He says, uh you said, Arnett hired you, you followed this Sam in here, he threatened to kill the kid with a knife, and you did what you had to to save the kid. That about sums it. From the horse's mouth. Thank you. So are we Jake here or something?

Brilliant, thank you. Hey, but look! I'm not signing for you again. I'll hide the signature till I see you, but I I need you to actually sign it this time, okay? I will swing by the station after dinner with Foreau, I promise. Let's go. Quickly. You didn't take anything, right? Nothing from the crime scene. Everything stakes. Right? I. Arthur! We need that! Ah! Oh yeah, I nearly forgot. Arthur Uh a piece of paper. He handed it to me, the stiff. Well now we have no idea what this was all about.

Here. Why do you want to call it a day on this job? You're a good man, Kelly. And a good friend. Alright. I get it. What in the blazes? I think Sam thinks he he was trying to p stop something. He kept muttering about stopping him. Who's him? The kid? No, no, no, someone else. He was scared, Michael. Amen. Really scared. He thought someone sent me a a man, but I I didn't catch the name. He said he did horrible things. Terrible things. He's studying the paper intently.

Darting his eyes between the sigil on the page, and the one in blood at our feet. What do you think? I think he needed help. I think you made an impossibly tough call. But did the right thing as you tend to do. He looks at you with admiration respect even. Here. He's handing the paper back. Michael. You're sure? It's belonging to me. I know they won't see it as much either.

Even if we did have one cop like you on side, he'd still be laughed out of the room for taking anything on that with any sort of weight. I don't want to believe in any other story. But you do. And that's enough for me. Thanks, Michael. Now shake a leg. Let's go. I will meet you later to sign a statement, I promise. I'm gonna hold you to that. You can This way, Arthur. Through the crates. See?

What'll I tell you? You didn't tell me anything. You had doubts. You didn't know he was going to let us keep it. I played a hunch, okay? Detectives play hunches. You should know that by now. I do! My detectives have hunches all the time. Detectives. I'm talking about real detectives. Where's the Here it's the exit back into the rain. We need to hoof it. Right. I hear that. Climb out. Yes. But I'd say you just got lucky, is all. Well, detectives get lucky too. Thank you.

No matter what I say, you're gonna say you were right about this, aren't you? No doubt. To your left You just don't like to admit when I make a gamble and it pays off. You like to be the only one with a flash of inspiration. Right. Right. Thanks. Okay. You want to be a wise guy? Oh, sorry. Thought you'd get lucky and sense it. Look, the truth is we both got lucky. That's what I said. I wasn't discounting you. I mean in general. Not just with the pages, but with Michael.

Coming back from seeking the Blackstone, you know, we were in a lot of trouble. Well, we thought we were. Parker's body was stashed in our closet. And Eddie was dead in the basement. Both more or less dead by our hands. We're at the car. Thanks. Mm-hmm. All right, we gotta step on it. I'll get us there as quick as I can. Appreciate it. And hey, hey!

I appreciate you. I was only making cracks earlier. I'm sorry I was sleeping while you were working, okay? You know, we can be as fair as you want. I know. Believe me, by now I know you well enough. Sorry for the fence. It's been a while since I had a good bruise.

You're okay if I take over? Yeah, just the left. All I can ever do. You know that. I know, but sometimes I do wonder. Wonder what? I don't know Thank you. Your powers you've embraced them. I've tried to. You told me Of course, of course. I want you to. What do you mean? Thank you. Well, you know there was a time. Brief as it was. That I had another guard in my head. Narlo Fotep's daughter. Yeah.

You know, she may have helped us trap Nalithotep in the end, or Cain, as he prefers to be called, but before she agreed to help, you know, she took control of me. And not just of my left hand, but My whole body. All of you. Well I was passed out from pain. I know you take control of my left side, my hand and leg. Only when you're okay with it, it Of course, but I do wonder If I can't do more sometime. Perhaps it's that I'm not as powerful as Lilith.

After all she is a great old one, but Arthur I swear. At most I can control only your left side. Believe me. There are times I'd love to move a little more. Well given how it felt to have something else control my body, I'm glad you can. No offense. None taken. And besides, you have a few other tricks as well. Projecting has come in handy a few times. Projecting? I mean that makes it sound so immaterial, but It literally saved the world from Cain's wrath.

With a bit of effort. Manifesting outside of your body into a somewhat physical form isn't easy. Yeah, I can imagine. And draining. On both of us. But it sure helps us in a pinch. We still don't want people seeing me. Not in that way. No, no, no. It's an ace up our sleeve, really. The real ace is laying a hand on the dead. I can't deny that. I mean that that's a big reason that we've been getting so many jobs, you know. Touching the flesh of the recently deceased.

And you seeing the final moments leading up to their demise, you know, it's put us head and shoulders above the rest. Much to the chagrin of Arkham P. D. Ha ha ha. Well, not all of them. They have a nickname for us at the precinct. I I I know. Got I know. You act as if I'm the only one whose talents have aided us. What about you?

What I'm the brains. You can silence me. Lock me out of your body. Oh, you mean time out, yeah You're always so offended by the notion. As if we don't do it every night. I know, it just it feels Odd. A reprieve from each other is nice. For both of us. I guess being the only one in control of it. You know, it makes me feel Cảm ơn các bạn đã theo dõi. It gives us both time to think. You know, time to be alone, to rest. Amen.

When I want to. It's a good thing. Yeah. Yeah. Lilith acted as if it was some kind of torture. Lilith is a different manner of creature. In every way. She's still out there. It lost its body. Thank you. Let's not start counting the threads left undone by our time seeking the blackstone. Right, let's just appreciate our luck, like you said, with Michael and Parker and Eddie. It's an uneasy feeling.

What is? Parker's death. No Eddie's. What do you mean? And he was there for him all along. Parker owed two grand, John. I I had no idea he borrowed the money from an outfit. Otherwise I would have helped him to No, I know Thank you. He was a marked man, but But when I've been over this, you know, Parker's death. It was a tragedy. But knowing what he owed and to whom I don't know if we could have saved him. I mean Eddie.

Why were the police so content to have his death go unsolved? Because he was a low level enforcer for whatever outfit Parker borrowed money from. You you remember what Callahan said. Look, they were probably all too happy to just cross his name off their shit list. Maybe. Look, we were grilled. We kept our story straight, and we had Daniel to support our claims and Thankfully pay our rent. It's not airtight. Thank you. But we have covered our tracks as good as possible. Like what?

Like our luck is about to run out.

Yeah we were back in Arkham, only a few streets away from the Junction Cafe. On Washington? Yeah. That's across the street from St. Teresa's, right? Yeah, that's it, isn't it? Yeah. Yeah, I should have suggested somewhere nicer, somewhere where we could talk and Arthur, she chose this place. Relax. How late are we? You don't want to know. And you'd think I could keep a weekly dinner going. You are. We are. Arthur, you need to give yourself a break.

She loves you. She isn't holding you to the standards that you are holding yourself to. I know. She doesn't know about what came before. She's only known you her entire life. I know. Okay. We're just down the street. To the right. It's warmer in the city. The autumn air is stifled against the cigarette smoke and automobile exhaust, but still the city is alive. People scurry about with various intents. each an entire life of wants and worry. Ah October smells.

Yeah. Something about apples and spices, jackalentins and Children desperately trying to get their fill of the dying days of warmth. Before winter sets in. I do love this time of year. The junction is just ahead. Yeah, hey, maybe we'll be able to pop over to St. Teresa's after dinner. Maybe Michael will be there. Or at least Sam's body. Why? She's sitting in a booth at the window. To me. Her dark, shoulder length hair is brushed behind one ear, as her eyes dance across the pages of an open book.

As if holding a secret, but The corner of her thin mouth curled up to one side, a crooked smile. A joke, only she knows. Well brown eyes are so Bright. Sharing a keen intellect. Like her father's. Only unhidden. Her dimpled chin, her delicate ears, her sharp nose, and They belonged to her mother, but her eyes Her eyes are her dad's. as are her freckles. She turns the page like a student. uncaring for the paper, wanting only the knowledge within. All the while. Her smile.

She has the world figured out. But earned. In some unknowable way. Who knows this world through and through for all its pain and benefit? One who understands not just the people around her But their role to play in the stars. And as she checks her watch...

One who undoubtedly brought the book because she knows her dad all too well. Fuck. All right. Are you gonna tell her about Sam? About the shooting? Tell her that I killed someone tonight. Yeah, I don't think so. She'll know you're hiding something. Right, and what's the harm in that? She said she doesn't want to know about my work. She said she doesn't want to be your secretary, Arthur. That's different.

Look, it's up to you. But if she looks up from that book and sees you standing here Right, right, right She's at the last booth on the left. Her back is to us. Can I get you anything? Oh sure. Another coffee? And a slice of pie. If you're still paying. Mm-hmm. She's not fooled for a second. Pie already. Did you eat? Hey, can't keep a girl waiting for everything. She turns suddenly. A coy smile plastered on her face. Sit down. How did you know it was me?

Oh, I'd know you with a blindfold on. You have a very distinctive way about you. Hate to think I'm predictable. Definitely. Maybe even a new pair of shoes? What's wrong with my shoes? Out of style? out of soul. Sounds like your socks are wet too. Rainy up north? The waitress walks over and drops a piece of pie between the two of them. Thank you. Pfft with two forks. How did you know I was up north? The West is water. And two four. You saw me at the window. She's smart.

And takes a bite of pot. You're a better detective than I am. We should hire you. Yeah, we weren't exactly hidden. Just you now. You said we! Uncle Peter is. Right, yes. I, well... I should hire you No, you should pay me for taking your messages. Mm-hmm, right before I came here. Well, I'm not sure. Why were you by the office? You could've let it ring. Well it seemed urgent. You can sense when a ringing phone seems urgent. Hmm, not any phone, just yours. No I just mine.

I don't know. Suppose we have a connection. You're insufferable. He says lovingly. Oh, I was just talking about apples and spices. You always loved Halloween. Do you remember when I was for Halloween when I was seven? That year, Marnie, the neighbor we had in Boston, Do you start making those candy apples? Pivot, Arthur. Change the subject. Way to change the subject. How did you know I came from the north? It didn't rain here. And I'm What did you So what were you doing? Anything worth sharing?

It was a case watching a a barn at the Arnet Farm II. Was trying to see if I could stop a perp from taking a nap. He was killing some local wildlife and cattle in the Killing. Yeah, yeah, he was um... He was troubled, and He needed help, I I think. What happened to him? Well he tried to hurt a kid he had up at the barn with him. He wanted to carve out his heart a and and well, I had to. You didn't. I I did, yeah. She stops eating the pie. Sorry, should I should I not have

It's your work. Sometimes you do what you have to do, I guess, right? You didn't have a choice. Yeah. Did you? What? Did you have a choice? Yeah, I suppose I I did have a choice. Okay. If she looks like Well... Whatever the case, I'm sorry it kept you. She finishes the last bite of pie and leaves the crust for us.

She stands from the booth. No, Dad, please. No, no, no, Dad. Honest. I'm okay with it. No. I knew this was the deal with dinner. No, you're not. Please. Please Daddy's It's fine. I'm not leaving in a huff. I just I have to head back to the dormitory before they lock the doors. What time do they lock them? Ten thirty. Fifteen minutes. Five minutes. The dorm is a ten minute walk. Two minutes, please. Okay, two minutes. But only'cause I couldn't care less what that old bag Hilda thinks.

She sits back down. Alright. All right. How's school? How's astrology? Astronomy. Astronomy. Don't be, I love it. It's amazing. It's surreal, Dad. You have no idea no idea what it looks like. To see through the telescope they have of the Brandy Wood building on the roof, the one just outside of town. My God, Dad. It was breathtaking. She speaks with such elation. Such love. I can only imagine. Mm-hmm. I'd love to No it's dumb. What is? She shakes her head at herself. I don't know, maybe

Sneak you in, maybe? My professor is very lax. I'm sure I could convince him to make an exception. To get me in. Like we could go look together. You could see the stars and I'd love that. But you have to be there. You could not show up late. I'd be there. Promise. Light move heaven and earth. I'll ask him. I'd love that. Okay, now I should go. She stands. You don't need to stand too, Dad. Call me old fashioned. Are you gonna stay? I may pop across the street to see a friend before heading home.

The morgue again. Yeah. You're starting to earn that nickname, Dad. You know about that nickname too? Hey, I'm sorry I was late. I promise next week I I know. I know. I love you. I love you. So much. Dad, don't cry. You just you're growing up so fast. It's um It's fine. I gotta go. I'll call you tomorrow. And I will answer. And get a secretary. Oh, her book, Arthur. She left it. Oh, throw! Grab it from the table where she was sitting. Oh, thank you.

You don't want to go losing books. I've been there. What is this anyway? Oh a puzzle book. Puzzlebox. The Talk Mara Puzzlebox. It's just a bunch of crosswords, across six, uh, anagrams, all from the observer. Uh keeping the mind sharp, right? I work out the muscles I want. Damn straight. Talk soon, Dad. Love you. Bye, love. Oh, try to see that guy tonight. The guy caught. Sounded like he was in a tizzy. Who? The note, Dad. I forget his name. Robert something. Oh yeah.

Take care. She walks away, jogging down the sidewalk, hoping to catch the light. Oh and for what is it? I don't get it. Get what? The nickname. What even is a dead man's mouthpiece? Be safe, Faro. Look, we're trying our best to get here. It's not always going to be perfect. We'll be early next time. Right? We could do that for her. Make the effort. Not take a job the same day. Right? Sorry, sorry. What's wrong? No, nothing. Nothing's over. So the message. The message? The one she took.

All right. But what does it say? No number. Just an address. On the east side. And a name. And what name would that be? one Robert Puckett. I don't recognise the name. Neither do I. Officer Callahan surely isn't at the morgue yet, nor the body of Sam. Care to take a drive? The night is young. That's the spirit. Ha ha ha. Let's go see this pocket.

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