Starry, Starry Wisdom Night

For Nikki Collins the Vera Endecott case has taken on some new and unexpected aspects. A file given to her by the mysterious Detective St. Clair, of the Arkham Police Department, has only been further complicated by information she has received from sources in Tampa, Florida regarding the winning bid at the estate auction for the once missing films of Vera Endecott. But – even stranger still maybe the information she is about to receive. . . .

A perfect fall evening, and Nikki would have normally set off on foot to Collinsport, but she hoped to see Esther – and her reaction to the gift brought to her by the very enigmatic Detective Jamison St. Clair – and so she had taken the black Ferrari. Of course, she found herself, as always, whenever when she drove, forcing herself to remember to use the proper side of the road, which was totally backwards for her having driven all her life on the proper British side. Although she some how miraculously maintained dual citizenship (some infinitely complex chicanery and magic no doubt done by her father and some of his bureaucratic friends) she still thought of herself as thoroughly British.

Through the winding roads, down through the woods to the highway, and straightway along the highway into Collinsport, Nichole had always enjoyed speeding, but with heightened vampiric senses driving seem so infinitely more fascinating. Losing herself to the road and Coldplay’s Cemeteries Of London playing in the CD she came in fast to the downtown rotary.

She circled the square and pulled the Ferrari to a bracing halt in front of the ex-law offices of Matigan & Wiley. As she got out of the car two thoughts crossed her mind. The first, she really did need to change the sign, and second, the young man getting out of the rental car parted two slots down had not been very adept and concealing himself as he had apparently been waiting for her.

Nikki opens the door to the offices just as Esther swipes beer bottles over off the desk and slams her fist into it, “F***!”

Nikki being well aware that Esther had taken sometime to collect herself after the traumatic events with Frankie of the Interfaith, instinctively reacted by quickly scanning the offices to be certain that Esther was alone – that there wasn’t anyone from the Interfaith in the office—”Esther, what is it?”

She senses now rather than actually sees that before the door can close behind her, the young man from the rental car seems to have hurried quite a bit to catch up to her so that he catches the closing door so as to enter, “Hello?”

Nikki at the moment is less concerned with the tiresome new comer than she is with Esther, “Whatever is the matter?”

“Some serious S***. That’s th’ matter!” Esther says and then looks at the young man who has just entered behind Nikki, then returns her gaze to Nikki, who is now slowly approaching her desk with that oh so lazy like walk of hers. “But, I ain’t talkin’ till we’re alone.”

The young man in khaki pants and a pork-pie hat steps forward, “I am here because I heard a good detective is here . . . ‘ But his attention is drawn to the bottles broken or rolling about the floor as he lifts his hat and scratches his head. He’s looking the offices over – the bookcases, the steps leading to the second landing, the small second office.

Nikki in hopes of giving Esther some good news stops at her desk to say, “I just got a call from St. Clair. It seems that crazy Bob. Well he was arrested in Arkham today.”

Esther, standing beside her desk takes a few deep breaths. “Ok . . . Ok . . . good. That’s good.

Still concerned about Esther, Nikki distractedly looks over at the young man, “I am Miss Collins. How may I help you?”

Esther begins cleaning up empty beer bottles.

The young man strides across the main office very purposely as he holds out his hand, “My name is Stage, I live in Arkham for right now, I was wondering if you did . . . paranormal investigation.

Nikki looks at Esther, “From what I hear the charges were for Trespassing, Public drunkenness and Peeping Tom.

“Arkham!” Esther says as she throws up her arms in exasperation as the man introduces himself from that gabled city, “That f***in’ city again.

She walks over the stairs leading up to the storage room and ascends them to get away for a few private moments as she does so she says over her shoulder, back down to Nikki: “Good. Good. Good to see that f***er behind bars. Mind takin’ this one Nik?”

Nikki turns back to the man and in response to his question she answers, “Yes, we do.”

She looks at his hand, out held, but she doesn’t shake it.

He looks at her, “I seem to have problems in my house.”

“Although we do most of our work in and around Collinsport – there are several good agencies in Arkham.”

“I do know that,” The young man named Stage says, “But I was recommended here.”

“Oh, and may I ask, who recommended us?”

The young man looks at her, he seems to be fascinated with her blue eyes, “Oh a few friends, I won’t say whom.”

Nikki instinctively confirms her thoughts about the young gentlemen. Nikki has come to suspect that whenever someone comes into her office and starts casually tossing out that [i[she[/i] has been recommended, but then immediately the person attempting to flatter her refuses to name said recommendation, Nikki strongly suspects that she facing a client she eventually should have never trusted. “Your House? You say.” Nikki asks.

“Yes, my small cottage.”

Esther’s voice can be heard from the storage room, ”YES! Good. It’s still here.”

The young man looking now at the tall, svelte woman in front of him continues . . . as if oblivious to Esther’s exclamation, “I seem to hear voices at night, a few things are breaking, doors opening and shutting randomly, and nightmares as well. I need serous help with my home.

But, while she’s collecting herself upstairs, there seems to be something, something that continues to bother her somewhere in the back of her mind – when Esther suddenly rushes back to the main lobby. She starts to head back over to her desk, but then begins to take her steps very slowly as she looks at the gun rack and the rifle there. She stares at the rifle, astounded, “ Wha—?”

Nikki smiles, the subtle hint of her sharp eyeteeth visible.

“I see,” Nikki tells the young man and turns motioning him toward her office, “Well, let’s go into my office – This way,” and as Nikki saunters past Esther she whispers, “Oh, I see you noticed.”

Esther scratches her head and reaches up to take the rifle down, holding it and looking at it in awe.

In her office Nikki walks around the old, heavy desk as the young man takes a seat, his attention drawn to the ornate lions heads carved on the wooden corners.

Esther stands rubbing the worn wood of the rifle and says nothing.

Nikki pulls back her desk chair and has a seat, “Now, Mr?”

“Stage, Miss. Stage.” He says to her.

An obvious alias – she thinks.

“Yes, Mr. Stage. Now, what seems to be the difficulty with your house?”

“It seems to be haunted at night.”

Esther moves some papers and folders and a book or two off to one side in a single movement. She sets the rifle down.

She starts taking the rifle apart and sets about cleaning it.

“It was rebuilt in a place where people have died, a giant comet crash happened in the late 1800s or so.” Stage tells Nikki.

“Haunted? What specifically makes you think it is haunted?”

“Doors opening and closing on random, things breaking, voices calling my name, things are not what they just to be.” He looks across the large desk at Nikki, “I am not insane, miss, I know this is probably not the usual case here.”

“Just calling your name? Nothing else?”

“Well saying things like this house will burn or something else disturbing, I sleep at other peoples houses and these occurrences do not happen.”

Nikki opens a desk drawer, takes out a pad of paper and a fountain pen. She uncaps the pen. “Now how long ago did this occurrences begin?”

“Oh, say, two weeks after I had a small fire in my kitchen after leaving my tea pot on.”

Esther finishes cleaning her rifle and sets it up on the wall again.

Nikki makes a note, “Have you have had the house for very long?”

“Only two months, I got it in an auction.”

Nikki opens the lower desk drawer and takes out a cut crystal decanter and pours a thick red drink in her flute on the desk. “Do you know who the previous owner was?”

“No, apparently he died by the house.”

Recaps the decanter and places it in her drawer, closing it.

“But I haven’t seen any signs of dead bodies or any graveyards, just a beautiful garden.”

“By the house?” Nikki’s eyes shifting shades of blue, “Do you mean outside – by it or – something other?”

“Well the auctioneer, told me that he drowned in the river due to a big object . . . but where the auctioneer is now, I haven’t a clue.”

“Big Object?”

“That is what I said, I suppose he meant a boat that was also sold to me.”

Nikki taking a sip from her glass takes note now of a piece of paper lying on the edge of her desk, she reaches over and with two longer fingers slides it across the wooden surface so as to face her. She glances at it. It’s written by Esther—seems to be notes of an interview.

“So you purchased a lake side house and boat – was this an estate sale?” Looking at the paper and not the young man – whom she is growing disinterested with by the moment.

“Yes, yes it was.”

“Okay, I see – but you don’t know the previous owner’s name?”

Nikki picks up the paper and starts to read.

Esther enters the office and leans up against the wall, lighting a cigarette.

“No, afraid not . . . . All they know is his first name . . . which is George.”

Nikki looks up from the paper, “George?”

“Yes.”

“Have you noticed anything like spectral lights –”

“I have noticed lights flickering on and off unusually.”

“Is there anyone else living in the house with you?” Nikki asks putting the paper down on her desk and looking at Esther.

The young man rubs his chin, “I just can’t sleep in my house or hardly walk into it anymore miss.”

Nikki leans forward, with all seriousness, “Now this is important. Flies, notice any flies?”

“Well, its in countryside, so yes flies would be in the picture.” The young man says, “However, they aren’t a problem.”

“Okay, Mr. Stage,” She passes over the pen and pad, “If you will put down some information, name, number, the address of the house.”

Esther takes a long drag from her cigarette and exhales, looking at Nikki as if wondering are you going to all this trouble? Esther can tell by Nikki’s tone of voice she thinks the guy’s a lair.

The young man writes down his information as he writes in his slow casual handwriting.

“My fee is commiserate with the case – you’re okay with that?”

“I’m sure you’ll have a “fun” time solving this one.”

Esther shrugs at that unfamiliar word.

He finishes giving his info as he slides her back the pen and paper.

“Well I’m not sure you have any idea what my idea of ‘fun’ is.” Nikki says and takes a sip from her glass.

“I suppose we can make an appointment for this for next week, I have a funeral to attend and I wont be in town.”

“Okay – I have a few active cases at the moment, but I will take a trip down to Arkham.”

“Alright, well I could get you to my house pretty darn quickly, I am going to try to solve it myself but if I fail I will come back here. Plus I need to clean the house.

Esther looks at him as she continues to smoke, standing against the wall silently.

“My recommendation is to wait, but Mr. Stage, you do what you feel comfortable doing. Me, I’d stay out of a haunted house –”

“Alright, I’ll sleep at Ben’s house in Oklahoma since I’m already headed that way.” The Young Man says, “Perhaps your right, perhaps keeping away from it would be best.

Nikki can tell that Esther is impatiently against the wall. Silent, but still impatient.

“Sorry to hear, a relative?”

“Yes, my uncle O’D on pain medications. He had severe back problems…”

“I am very sorry to hear. So you will be out of town for – how long?”

“Probably a week or so, I miss him a lot.”

Nikki reaches over and pulls the pad and pen closer.

“Plus I have a few other plans in the way. I got to see my best friends from Oklahoma, which is where I was born.”

“Oh, so you’re new to Arkham?”

“Yes, I am originally from Midwest City, Oklahoma.”

“Tulsa?”

Come on Nik, what are you doing? Esther thinks to herself.

“I don’t know much about Arkham or anything. I live near Oklahoma City.”

“So, how did you end up buying a house in Arkham?”

“Well, I wanted to be a meteorologist all my life, so I was offered a job in Arkham and now I’m the local weather man there.

“Fascinating.” Nikki says, “Well, Mr. Stage.” Nikki arises, “We will be in touch. And have a safe trip.”

He put out his hand to shake her hand again, Nikki smiles, “And you miss, hope we can solve my problem.”

“We will certainly try,” Nikki says.

Esther walks over to her desk and puts the cigarette out in the ashtray.

The young man’s hands are warm as he tips his hat, ‘Trying is fine with me, I shall return in a week or so.”

“Good evening, Mr. Stage.”

“And you miss, nice meeting you both,” Stage walks out as he hops in his car, drives off, and heads for the airport.

Esther watches through the front window at the man as he leaves.

Walking back to toward Nikki’s office, “What me to take that information.”

‘Yes, and you can toss it away.’ Nikki says tearing the sheet from the pad, and returning pad and pen to her desk drawer.

“Toss it? Though I detected you didn’t believe a word of it”

Nikki nods, “I don’t know what he is up to, Esther, but Mr. Stage wasn’t here to engage our services.”

“How do you know that?”

“He’s not a very good liar.”

Esther in the threshold of her door now gets to one of the two subjects that have been on her mind and had to wait on this Staged guy to leave. She points back into the outer offices, ”The Rifle?”

“Now, Esther, yes, the rifle.” Nikki smiles, “All I can tell you is yesterday, right at dusk, St. Clair walks in.”

“That Detective from Arkham?’ Esther asks.

“Yes, and she had the rifle.” Nikki explains, “She walked over and put in the rack, and said, “Tell Esther to look, there are markings that will prove it – this IS her father’s rifle.”

Nikki saw the incredulous look on Esther face and nodded, “I asked how that was even possible. She just winked and me and said “I have a friend with a clock – and I have no idea what that means—is it your father’s rifle?”

Esther standing in the doorway rubs a hand along her chin, “Well, I did look, and Waddya know, it is. The etching is identical. If that is not it, then it’s a D*** good imposter.”

“I asked Rhyaad about St. Clair – he doesn’t know much about her – but she is a very strange lady. She seems very connected to things she only alludes to.”

“More mysteries and secrets.” Esther replies. Nikki can tell there is something Esther is very eager to talk about. She’s been upset since she arrived.

“Speaking of which…’ and she points to the note on Nikki’s desk, “I have a story to tell you.”

Esther quickly sits down.

“Oh, she also said,’ Nikki adds as she watches Esther sit down across from her, “Tell Esther there are certain things in this world when you meet them, you run. I hope she learned that last night.’ She then puts two fingers on the piece of paper on her desk and slides it closer, “So tell me about this note.”

“Well. I’ll run until I have a better position to attack. You can tell her THAT. Now, this note.” Esther leans forward, a twinkle of excitement in her eyes, “I don’t feel safe downtown here anymore. What with the Cultist’s hq right there and all. So I took a bus out to Bangor for the evening.”

“Yes.” Nikki’s attention on the note.

“Went into a bar and, whaddya know, I ran into an acquaintance of mine from th’ Synagogue. Noah Mankowski. So we get t’ talkin’, and somehow the SAIM gets brought up. Turns out Noah is a bit of an occultist or some such thing.”

“Oh Lord they are everywhere.” Nikki responds.

Esther nods, “And he tells me about this old cult from his hometown, Providence. Now, I dun’ remember much of the conversation for reasons of: hell it’s a bar. So that’s why that note is so important.”

Nikki picks up the note again to read.

“My next memory, I’m here . . . and I have two copies of the notes. One for you, an’ one for me.

Nikki sits up, ‘You mean you blacked out – lost of time?”

“Not so much blacked out . . . it’s just a blur.” Nikki returns her attention to the note.

Notes from interview w/t Noah Mankowski-Bangor Maine
Making Connections: the Shining Ankh Interfaith Ministries, and the Shining Trapezohedron.
The Starry Wisdom Cult
Providence Rode Island, Federal Hill, 1844-1877
Large Dark Church
Professor Enoch Bowen
Cult Originated from Egypt
Symbol was an Ankh
Missing Peoples
Missing Newspaper reporter, 1893
Artist/Author Robert Blake?, 1935-Somthing about him
Odd Artifact, Shining Trapezohedron. Found in Bay

Things to do
Tell Nik. Tell Rhyaad. Tell the Massachussets bastards in Arkham.
DO NOT tell the Cultists

Esther watches as Nikki reads the note again, “Anyway, so one copy was for you, and one was for me. And then I awoke again, and there was this man here.

“Mr. Stage?”

Esther shakes her head. “No, Bald head, white robe, gold staff. Anyways, he takes the note, reads it. I draws my knife. He knocks my knife outa my hands. Ok, so I’m jus’ wakin up. Then he tells me to “look into his eyes”.

“Esther – are you alright?” Nikki is now very concerned –

“I remember wha’ ya did t’ that Oskar fella, so I jus close my eyes, draw my knew revolver an’ shoot in his direction. I ain’ fallin for a trick th’ I seen once.”

Nikki look at her and smiles, “Never look into anyone’s eyes if they tell you to – please.”

“Of course, he runs off with th’ note pad.” Esther nods and then says, “No need t’ tell me twice . . . But now someone knows tha’ we know about this. An what I don’t know, is . . . if he is from the cultists. I w’s gonna call Patterson, but then you show up.”

Something about Starry Wisdom seems to strike a memory in Nikki – something she once overheard Professor Stokes and Dr. Hoffman discussing one quite grey November afternoon over several glasses of scotch – she could almost hear their voices now as she looks up from the note once more to Esther “Would you do me a favor and go out to bookcase.”

Esther stands up quickly, “Sure…?” And she leaves the office to stand by the old bookcase, which has a collection of old books with very strange titles.

“There should be a book, these are from my father’s library, called Black Tome of Alsophocus get it please.” Nikki calls after her.

Esther scans through the bookshelf, sometimes peering to read the worn titles.

Nikki looks over the note sheet and then gets up from her desk.

She walks over to file cabinet and opens it.

Takes out a file and returns to her desk.

Esther finds the volume, “Ah,” she says as she retrieves it from the case.

Opens the file and looks at Esther’s notes.

Esther returns with the volume, curiously looking it over, “This wha’ y’ want?”

Nikki looks at the spine sideways as Esther holds the book across the desk, and nods, “Yes.”

Nikki takes the book and places it before her on the desk. Her long, slender fingers seem to be carefully opening it, or maybe that is the way it seems to Esther, standing there watching as she flips through some of the old, yellowed pages.

Esther takes a seat again in her usual chair.

“This very odd . . . very odd.” Nikki says, perhaps more to herself, “I wish Rhyaad was here, I think he knows more about this—or at least more about St. Clair.”

Nikki stops and scans a page.

“Think there may be a connection?” Esther asks her curiosity growing as well as her suspense. Nikki was becoming more and more like one of then Christie Brit detectives.

Nikki begins to read:
“The Shining Trapezohedron, ye may use it in diverse ways, but of the main, ye shall use it to gaze on all time and space.”

Esther looks now at Nikki and the book with interest, “An they claim to b’ able to t’ know jus ’bout everything. Coincidence? Change the name? Change the location? And add in some social works to make yourself look presentable and Bam.”

Nikki continues to read:
Be ye warned lest ye gaze for any sum’d of time, for ye may be plunged into darkness and Nyarlathoep’s Hunter of the Dark, be then be shall on ye scent.”

Nikki then opens the file on her desk, “Last week St. Clair, the first time I ever met the woman, came in and handed me this file. She said I might want to read it.”

Nikki begins to read from the file:
“Iscariot Snow, Ipswich, MA, known cultist. Has been quoted as saying he has the power to call Nyarlathoep—reports indicate that he has on more than one occasion said that he knew the incantation and that he had the shinning that was needed to do so.”

Nikki looked up to Esther, “Rhyaad thinks that the Snow case is connected to some cults in Arkham.”

Nikki turns some loose pages, “Here—this is it . . . “ and she reads:
I. Snow, known member of The Starry Wisdom Church.”

“Esther, I think you may be on to something here.”

“Pity I don’t remember the actual conversation much.”

Nikki then looks up at Esther, ‘Oh, wait there should be a copy of Unsussprechlichen Kulten, could you find it out there also?”

“Sure thing”, Esther gets up to the bookcase and scans the titles.

It takes some time to find the book as Esther scans the entirety of one bookcase. Moves on to the next.

“Esther it might be on the bottom shelf, it’s an oversized book.” Nikki calls out from her office.

Esther bends over to search to bottom row, “Ah, here we are, “ she takes the large book and carries it over to the office.

She sets it on the desk.

“Thanks Esther,” Nikki slides the huge old book over. As Nikki turns the over-sized pages, Esther notes the book is in German.

Nikki stops at a page and runs a finger over certain passages. “Okay it seems here that an Minoan fisherman found the artifact and sold it to a Pharaoh – who kept it in the labyrinths of Kish.”

Nikki turns some more pages—

Esther watches with interest.

“Here is it — the Pharaoh was Nephren-Ka,” Nikki looks up to Esther. “His symbol was the Ankh. And – he was the owner of the Shinning Trapezonhedron.”

Nikki then looks at Esther and pulls out of the loose pages from the folder St. Clair left that upon which there is handwritten note:
Note: Of interest, the ST of Nephren-Ka was found by Prof Enoch Bowen’s dig at Kish

“So. Do you think this is the same as our friendly neighborhood cultists?”

“Esther, I do not know, but all this gives pause to think—” Nikki says as she looks up from the book, “I think we need to discuss this with Rhyaad since he seems to know about this cult he was talking about last night, Cthulhu – or maybe that Doctor in Arkham.”

Ester suddenly remembers, “He may have given me his card . . . let me check,” she says as he pulls out her wallet.

“I think we should find out more about this Starry Wisdom Church also.”

Esther puts her wallet away, ”Nope, no card.”

Nikki suddenly aware of what Esther is looking for, “Card?”

“Yea. Business card. Thought’d he had given me one. ‘parrently not.”

“Oh, the night he was at the Blue Whale.” Nikki remembers. “But, surely we have his card around here somewhere.”

Esther nods, “Ya, you’d think.”

“He works at a college dun he? Perhaps ‘f we call them, they can connect us. Course…we dun know what the number for that is either…

“The Miskatonic” Nikki tells her closing the big old book.

The front door of Collins Investigations opens and in a surprising move on her part, Chiyo actually uses the door—however she is on her cell phone “No, of course I understand the point implicitly, every one has their own sense of style, and if she wants to look like a prostitute I have no qualms about it.”

Esther turns quickly in her chair to look at the door.

Walking across the outer office toward Nikki’s office Chiyo continues the phone conversation, “But, she is still not allowed to come into work looking like one, this is a business, not a brothel!”

Esther whispers to Nikki, “Quick. Hide the notes.”

Chiyo hangs up, while the other person was talking.

Esther gets up slowly and walks back into the outer office, “Oh it’s you.” She says her eyes darting to the rifle that looks exactly the same as the old one is hanging on the wall and hr hand near the revolver on her belt.

Nikki not so certain she this has anything to do with the Interfaith still stacks the books on her desk, as well as taking the folder, and papers, and puts them into her desk drawer.

“Can I help you?” Esther asks Chiyo.

Chiyo looks at her, “Mmmh, please, I must speak with Nikki – Its quite important.” And she continues her march on Nikki’s office.

For a brief moment, Esther eyes the woman, stalling, “Despite my better judgment to shoot you, I have been told to not antagonize you. For now. I will inquire. Please wait here. “Hey Nik, that Chiyo is here, you got time to see her?”

“Certainly.”

Her pace having not slowed, Chiyo enters Nikki’s office and places her briefcase on the desk, snaps it open and pulls out a clipboard thick with papers.

“Esther, would you be so kind as to put these books away?” Nikki hands over the two volumes she had been researching.

Esther takes the books, looks at Chiyo for a moment, and then leaves the office.

“Chiyo, as always a pleasure to see you.”

Esther hurriedly puts the books away and returns to take up her usual position leaning against the wall, crossing her arms and observing.

“Why thank you!” Chiyo says, unusually brightly.

“And how can I help you tonight?”

“I have a bit of rather annoying news,” Chiyo begins, “Both you and David are to be interviewed by Child Welfare Services.” She rolls her eyes at the thought, “They can be such a bother.”

Nikki frowns, “Moi?”

“And I need to know if David is sure he wants to go ahead with the adoption?” Chiyo continues, then stops to look at Nikki, “Yes you! You live on the uhmm, land/grounds/what not . . . personally I think they are a bit late,” she shrugs and tosses her hair over her shoulder, a rare sign of irritability.

Nikki looks at Chiyo with a wry smile, “You are aware, it will have to be a meeting after sunset. Will Child Protective Services come out at night?”

“Of course, that is why I’m setting it up on a day where David won’t be arriving ‘back’ from whereever he went until 6pm.” From the clipboard she removes a stack of papers and plops then on Nikki’s desk, ‘These are for you and David to look over.”

Nikki looks at the pile and blinks – “And these are?”

Chiyo’s phone rings again, she answers it, listens for a moment: “I certainly don’t see how it violates her rights, it states in the welcome packet that professional business attire is required, how does she equate this with 15lbs of make up is beyond me.

“So, Chiyo, okay . . .” Nikki begins, looking at some of the papers piled before her, “I understand they need to talk to David, but what specifically do they wish to speak to me about.”

Esther glares as Chiyo who has so rudely taken a call and is talking on the phone in the middle of a conversation with Nikki.

A hand on her hip, looking up to the ceiling, Chiyo says into her phone, “Well I suppose I could fire her instead of sending her home . . . there is appropriate and NOT appropriate for certain work environments… some people just don’t quite seem to understand that—oh really, PROSTITUTE . . . let her try to sue – I will counter with suing her for soliciting on the property, now only call if there is a real emergency, I’m in the middle of something that happens to be more important right now” and she again hangs up on the person who apparently was continuing to talk.

She looks at Nikki, “Because you are part of the family and you live on the family property.”

“Well actually it is my property, not David’s. But . . . well certainly for Ana—I’ll talk to them – and how is she doing since the night of the Bloody Tearoom?”

“Oh she is going home tomorrow.” Chiyo informs Nikki, “And she has been asking about you and Esther,” She suddenly turns now as if noticing Esther for the first time, “Oh, by the way before I leave – is that . . . odd man still talking of suing you . . . or pressing charges or . . . whatever, he was quite mouthy for a pervert.”

Esther shook her head, “No. He is in jail. For trespassing and peeping.”

“Oh good, it would just ruin Ana’s day if you weren’t just always hanging about, well, I’m sure you understand Nikki, I must be off . . . things to kill you know,” She smiles unusually good naturedly and gives her a wink over her shoulder and – is suddenly no longer there.

“Do you know when the meeting is to occur?” Need to arrange things?” Nikki calls out, just before she is – gone.”

“I think she vaporized, Nik.” Esther says looking at where she had been.

The rumble of a large engine is heard as Rhyaad’s car pulls up outside. He walks up to the door, annoyed by the sign, since he knows and senses [i]what[i/] those people are. He raps on the door.

Esther recognizing the sound of his car, hurries over to open the door for Rhyaad. Once she closes it, she locks the door and flips the ‘open’ sign off. “Apparently, we’ve got some s*** on our hands,” She tells him and leads him to Nikki’s office.

“Oh! …” He follows her.

Once again Esther takes her spot against the wall.

“Seems Esther had an very interesting conversation in Bangor, “Nikki tells him as she opens her desk drawer to remove the notes Esther took earlier and passes them over to Rhyaad.

Esther is quick to tell the tale.

“Rhyaad. I was in Bangor sitting in a bar, when I met an old acquaintance from synagogue. After a blur of a conversation, I found myself here with two copies of this note.”

Nikki hands him the paper.

He takes the notes and curiously examines them. “Found yourself? What exactly do you mean by that phrase, Esther?”

He looks over the handwritten note.

“Found myself, as in I was in a bar, and it was getting to be a long story.” Esther began.

“I mean the way you put it, and given what goes on about here, I wonder if by ‘found yourself’ you mean you were magically transported.”

“As In the next lucid memory I am here.”

He looks at her. “Oh the questions this raises. Trapezohedron? Missing persons? Is this evidence against the ‘Shining Ankh Interfaith Ministries’? And who is this Noah Mankowski?” He looks back at the paper, “Hrm… They claim to be all faiths and extend back to before ancient Egypt.”

He looks over to Nikki, confused, “What’s ‘old starry wisdom?”

“And then, some bald man in a white robe with a golden staff enters and manages to steal my copy of these notes.” Esther adds.

“According to these notes St. Clair left on the Snow case, Starry Wisdom was a Church who apparently worshiped something called Nyarlathotep.” Nikki passed over the file.

“Whatever tha’ means,” Esther added.

“So who do you think the robed man was, Esther?” Rhyaad asked.

“I do not know. He told me to look into his eyes.” She replies, “So I closed my eyes and shot in his direction with my new revolver. Hey, I ain’t fallin’ for that S***.”

“Shot! And?” Rhyaad says in horror.

“He ran off. Hard to aim when your eyes are closed.”

“Do you think he was SAIM?” Rhyaad asks.

“I highly suspect it. Looked Middle Eastern.” Esther nods.

“Lord, Rhyaad, they fall out of SAIM by the hour, like rain. Who knows!” Nikki said in thought.

Only Esther thinks, “But then if he did, why didn’t Chiyo not brag to us that she knew when she was here.”

“I was just beginning to hope there might be reasonable people there. The woman I talked with the other night was pleasant. Though she did seem to think she was Set. These people are crazily dangerous.”

“Well, there is still the meeting tonight over my excommunication from the Shining Ankh.”

“And they claim WE are crazy and dangerous.” Esther tells Nikki.

“Excommunication? They did officially cast you out, Nikki? What does this mean?” Rhyaad asks very concerned now.

The twinkle of excitement comes back in Esther’s eyes. “Good. We need to disassociate from them as much as possible. Can’t have them show up every day to check on us.”

“SO . . . more information on the SAIM, mysterious bald priests snatching it . . . all par for the course I suppose. Nikki, we should speak to this man, this . . .Noah.” He looks back at the notes. “Noah Mankowski … yes. We must see him.”

“Lives out in Bangor. I’ll talk to him after services Friday, See if he has more to say, but I doubt it. Just an amateur occultist really. but if you think it will help..”

“I am certain we should visit him.” Rhyaad says.

“Yes – I mean with what Esther found out and what we heard for Ian Finch last night, could they be converging on Collinsport?”

“I don’t know, Nikki. I have not heard of so much strangeness in one place in . . . thousands of years.” Rhyaad says wearily.

Esther cocks her head to one side, “Not even in Arkham?” And she looks at Nikki, “And they seems like they all want to be up here? Maybe they brought it with’em.”

Rhyaad nodded, “This is getting as bad as Arkham.”

“You are the PI, Nikki. I’m not.” Rhyaad places the note and folder on Nikki’s desk, “And I think I should focus more on these strange mystical . . . threats. St. Clair said we were in danger, up against many forces. Defending against any such threats to us is more in my department.”

Nikki nods, “That is why I need you to go to Arkham and look into the projector and maybe talk to that Doctor down there. I don’t know enough about these things”

“I’ll let you handle the ‘clients’, per se, unless you need me along for support. But this… investigating this should take priority for me.” He agrees.

“I may need you on this Graveyard Case, I am leery of taking Esther, or I can get Mot . . . Elizabeth to go with me.” Nikki catches herself in speaking of Elizabeth Bathory.

Rhyaad its back, “I shall, but don’t expect much. Artemis loves to deny information to me and keep me in the dark. And . . .” he lowered his voice. “I suspect him of having ties to the AAA.”

“The?” Esther asks incredulous.

“Maybe you can stop in Arkham and see that detective, St. Clair, I think he gives her information.” Nikki suggests.

“When all is said and done, Artemis is not to be trusted too much. And no, it’s not the Automotive Association of America, it’s the Anti-Hippocratic Association. ‘Mad scientists’ is the closest term to fit them.” Rhyaad said in explanation to Esther. “I know for a fact Artemis can re-animate the dead. Who knows how deep his involvement goes?”

“Re-Animate? Oy…” Esther shudders.

“Yup… Just like a horror movie.”

Nikki sighs and looks over at Esther, “I am sorry, but welcome to the other side of the Looking Glass.”

There is suddenly a pounding at the door-

“So long as I dun need t’ be takin’ crazy pills again—” Esther mutters.

“Sorry Esther . . . but when you signed on with vampires don’t be shocked if you meet the occasional witch, or zombie, or werewolf.” Rhyaad smiles.

“Esther, there is someone at the door.” Nikki says.

The pounding intensifies.

Esther looks at the door, “F**K,” and starts walking toward it.

A man’s voice is heard yelling from outside, “FOR GOD’S SAKE!! LET ME IN!!!!”
“Alright! Alright! I’m commin”

Esther unlocks the door.

There is horrible, agonized scream just as Esther is about to turn the knob to open the door.

Esther immediately draws her revolver.

Esther, opens the door, “Who’s there?!”

Only there is nothing but silence, soon followed by heavy footsteps that move away from the building very steadily.

Esther steps out onto the sidewalk.

She sees a man’s body on the sidewalk, a growing pool of blood running to the gutter. He seems to have a huge hole drilled into his chest.

“Esther what’s wrong?” Nikki says hurrying out into the outer office.

Esther lowers her gun, “Oy gevalt. Nik! There’s a dead man on the front step.”

The man is incredibly still alive as he coughs up a lot of blood, and forces something into Esther’s hand as she kneels down to him: a coin made of silver.

“The little girl… don’t threaten her!” He gasps.

He coughs up more blood and dies.

Nikki hurries to the front door. She sees the man lying on the sidewalk with what looks like a massive drill hole through him. Nikki sets out on the sidewalk and leans down next to Esther, who passes over the coin he gave her. “He handed me this.”

Nikki looks at it.

Esther rises, “I’ll call Sheriff Patterson.”

Nikki looks at the body, and stands up, she looks around, all is silent and there is absolutely no one around, and she has to step back, away from the body, the scent of blood is over powering. . . .’

Esther rushes back to the office and to the phone.

Nikki stands and looks at the silver coin.

Suddenly down the street, what sounds like a deep groan resonates through the town.

Esther dials the phone and waits a moment, looking to the door as she hears the groan. ‘Nik you all right? Hello Sheriff’s office? This is Esther. Yes, there is a dead man on the front stoop of the Collins Investigations building. Thank you. We will wait.”

Nikki steps over the corpse and looks around trying to determine the location of the sound.

The groan echoes in the Town Square.

“What the bloody hell was that?” Nikki asks.

Rhyaad hangs back inside the door. “Little girl? Who would that be? Not Dana, she’s dust. And what is that groaning noise?”

Rhyaad notices the coin in Nikki’s hand as she steps back into the office, “What’s that? A coin for Charon, so he could cross the Styx?”

“Better give it to Patterson as evidence, whatever it is.” Esther says looking out the door at the corpse.

“I don’t know for certain, but Simone Danvers said that there is a little girl seen in the graveyard when her security guards were all killed by the huge drill like device.”

As Nikki now looks at the coin she notices it is of American manufacture, dated 1931, and has the wear to show for it.

“Not sure this was intended for fare on a boat ride, Rhyaad.” Nikki tells him.

“The drill like device is very odd. Very odd indeed.” Rhyaad admits.

“Anyone aware of the significance of 1931?” Nikki asks.

Nikiki turns the coin over in her fingers, on the front of the coin is a giant cog, and on the back, the image of an old fashioned key. This was obviously not meant as currency.

“Not I. It’s not standard issue. Not money.” Rhyaad comments looking at the coin in Nikki’s hand.

Esther just shrugs, looking for Patterson.

Nikki stands looking at the corpse on her doorstep, flipping the coin, catching it, flipping it.

“I think I see Patterson running over here.” Esther points out.

Rhyaad looks at the body “How did he get here, he’d never be able to walk with a wound like that.”

“These deaths have all occurred that the graveyard, as far as I know this is first corpse to show up in Collinsport proper.” Nikki says as she continues to examin the coin.

“Actually, this case sounds like something the AAA might be involved in. Weird experiments on the dead would be right up their alley.” Rhyaad reflects and keeps a watch on the body as if he expects it to rise and walk away.

“I am going to see if I can find anything lurking about, “ Rhyaad says and slips into the night.

Sheriff Patterson and deputy arrive; they examine the body; ask a lot of questions; takes the coin and Nikki and Esther’s statements, and call the morgue to take the body to Collinsport Memorial Hospital. About two hours of the night is taken up with the police procedure.

Nikki returns to her office, opens the desk drawer and finds the business card for Simone Danvers.”

Esther stands watching Nikki at the phone, “So…anouther mystery? This is turning out to be quite a night.

Exhausted by the Sheriff, she plops down in a chair.

Nikki dials the number of Simone Danvers, “I hope she is available.”

The phone rings.

Rings again—before someone picks up the phone- “Mayfly Security. How may I help you?”

“Yes, this Nicole Collins, Collins Investigations, I need to speak with Simone Danvers. Is she available?”

“I’m sorry, she’s at home. Can I take a message?”

“Can I have that number, her home number. I have been retained my Ms Danvers on the graveyard matter and I need to speak to her.”

“Just a moment…”

“Thank you.”

Nikki looked at Esther, “Did you get the man’s name from Patterson?”

Esther shakes her head, “No he was asking all the questions and not giving out any information.”

“Me, either.”

The secretary returns to the line “Okay, here you are.” She gives Nikki the number.

‘Thank you so much.”

Nikki hangs up. She looks at Esther, “I should have gotten the name, but, I have to learn better control around that much blood, it is so distracting”

“Not really sure Patterson knew who’e was.”

Nikki picks up the phone again and dials the number given.

Simone picks up, “Hello?”

“Yes, Ms Danvers, this Nicole Collins.”

“My intuitive sense of impending trouble tells me this is not a late night courtesy call.”

“I hate to be calling you this late, but I have some news.” Nikki tells her, “Your intuitive sense is working fine tonight. One of your workers was found at my front door.”

“But, I didn’t send anybody out tonight.”

“Same drill wound.” Nikki informs her.

“That is why I am calling as I thought you were not sending out anymore Mayfly Security people.” Nikki says, ‘So, you did not have any working the Graveyard Shift tonight?”

“None.”

“Well, Ms Danvers, that is good news for Mayflay — I just wanted to be certain we understood each other and you were not sending anyone out there.”

“I will work with Sheriff Patterson to determine who this poor man was working for.”

“But someone was murdered?” Simone says, “That’s awful.”

“Yes.” Nikki agrees, “Does the year 1931 have any significance to you?”

“1931? Why do you ask?”

“The gentleman who was died on my doorstep had a coin. He handed it to me. Silver. American made. Dated 1931. It was not a coin of currency, as it had on one side a giant cog, and on the back, the image of an old fashioned key. Does any of that mean anything to you?”

“Afraid I have nothing there.”

“Well, thank you Ms Danvers, sorry to have bothered. But you can rest easy that is was not one of your employees. Good night.”

“Good night, Miss Collins.”

Nikki hangs up the phone. Looks to Esther, “When we thought about starting this place that night in the Blue Whale I never thought I would have three cases going on at the same time. We need more detectives!”

“Yeah. Prolly.” Esther admits, “You thinkin’ ’bout hirin’ Rhyaad?”

“Well I should put him on the payroll he’s mostly working for free — Nikki said and leaned back in her chair.

Cue Music End of Episode