Nicole Collins and the members of her investigation team have waited for the coming confrontation with the infamous Count Andreas Petofi. And as the time passes they have begun to hope that perhaps he has been dissuaded. Perhaps he has heard that Vera Endcotte has been freed and is now being held by members of St. Clair’s Homeland Security contacts. Perhaps he is aware that the dark god he has served has abandoned him. Perhaps he is aware that the Diogenes Club has learned of his plans and has assigned Extraordinary Members to stop him. And perhaps – he is on his way . . . .

Int. Collins Investigations – Night – Lobby

Normally when the front door to Collins Investigations opens, there is a slight rattle of the glass, only this time there was silence.

Esther looks up from her desk.

Ohh—S**t, she thinks suddenly sitting back as she sees the tall, almond skinned man entering, followed once more by the large bodyguard – Mr. Meriwether, who closes the door behind them.

The tall gentleman walks leisurely over to her desk; he smiles, “”Ms. Friedman, good evening. If you would, I need to see Miss Collins.”

Esther hesitates for a moment then speaks, “W-what for?”

“What do you need to see her about, Your Royal Darkness?” Samantha Brook says irritably from the chair where she is curled up, having unsuccessfully tried to fall asleep – Esther’s rattling of papers and that d**ned stapler have kept her awake.

The almond-skinned man looks superciliously over and down at her, “Miss Brook, as always, it is pleasure whenever I chance to see you.”

Int. Collins Investigations – Night – Office of Nicole Collins

Nichole Collins sits behind her father’s heavy antique desk – the desk she had had shipped from the London townhouse (the desk that when she touches it, she feels she is touching him) – looking at the large black book before her. She had arrived only moments before. She had spoken briefly to Esther, had nodded to the dozing Samantha, and strode into her office to find the book sitting there precisely centered on the top of her desk.

She had immediately recognized the black, metallic cover and binding – and hurried out into the lobby, “Esther – the book in my office. Where did it come from?”

“Book?” Esther, “I don’t know Nik.’ She put her stapler down and strode over to the door and looked in to see the over-sized book. “You sure you just didn’t forget and leave it –“

The tips of Nikki’s fingers touch her lips, and Esther sees now a strange look in Nik’s eyes – as if the book as exerting some – ‘It is not mine . . . I don’t have a copy—no one has a copy! This book . . ‘

“Nik, it’s just a book,” And Esther takes a step closer and her fingers touch the binding to feel that the book’s cover is made of metal, or something like metal and that it feel warm to the touch – almost as if . . .”What is . . . It?”

“NO! Don’t touch it!” Nikki says and hurries over to the desk and pulls Esther’s hand away.

“Nik?” Esther looks at her.

“It’s okay . . . just . . . it’s” Nikki, holding her hand, looks into her eyes, the bright blue azure turning a darker shade, “It is very, very evil—just.”

“Don’t touch it.” Esther nods.

“Yes—ever.” Nikki says, “I’ll take care of it.”

And so she has set in the room with the door closed, a glass of blood in hand, looking at the cover, watching the metallic cover as it seems to ripple – like black oil into which a heavy drop has fallen.

The P’Dwahr M’Ankanon Nyarlathotep

How was it possible?

Along with Subsidium Adversus Nequitiae it was one of the two most sought after books in all of the occult underground . . . of which no copies where thought to be extant.

It was said that Dean Corso had seen the black book when he passed through the Ninth Gate on his way into Hell.

Untold ages ago The P’Dwahr M’Ankanon Nyarlathotep had just suddenly appeared to the magi of primal Hyperborea. It had then passed, so rumour had it, from ancient Hyperborea to Lomar, and then on to Mu. Passing on from sorcerer to sorcerer, each one obsessively intent on finding the transcendent passage leading beyond the mere limits of human experience. Each time, the sorcerer had given it away, passed it on – like a disease or a curse to the next hapless reader – nearly driven mad by what little knowledge he had been able to glean.

It was said that the Magi of Atlantis deciphered it the night Atlantis sunk beneath the cold sea.

And then, it just disappeared into rumour and myth. Fragments of it finding its way into witchcraft, into the lore of ‘devil worship,’ these fragments, bits of knowledge, being condemned in the Torah and Avetas.

It supposedly fell into the hands of the Crusaders in Egypt in 1249. The prize and horror of the Knights Templar’s – and then destroyed when the Pope condemned that group to death. Knights tortured to find the horrible volume. They all were condemned for merely owing the book – which it was said the Pope himself finally destroyed.

Now looking at the book upon her desk she wanted to open it, wanted to look upon its mythical pages. It was said each page was blank, a black thin, metallic sheet made from some material that did not come from earth – each page like intoxication. Some men have lost their lives by just sitting before it, staring at a single page, until they died from starvation and thirst.

Nikki hesitates a moment her fingers about to touch the cover once again – it is warm, like it is a living thing.

Int. Collins Investigations – Night – Lobby

“Yeah, I remember you,” Samantha smirks, “You’re supposed to be a god . . . a god that needs a bodyguard.”

Esther gathers her composure, “I remember you from last time. Your associate and I had a standoff.” Indicating that she will do so again, it comes to that “Now, just what do you need to talk with Nik about?”

Stephen Alzis smiles pleasantly, “I am sorry but that is between Miss Collins and I.”

Esther thinks about how many feet there are from her desk to the rifle on the wall as she grits her teeth.

“You want me to go in and get her?” Mr. Meriwether asks looking at Esther and then up to the rifle as if aware of what she is thinking.

“Oh, no, I don’t think that is necessary.” Alzis says, continuing to smile.

Mr. Meriwether had taken a step and Samantha suddenly sits up, “Hey, hold it John Coffee, staff only in the back.”

“Fine!” Esther says, “Take a seat, “ and she hands a pile of papers to Stephen Alzis, “You can fill out this paperwork while you wait.”

Mr. Meriwether looks at her with eyes that hint of a strange red glow.

Esther inwardly satisfied that he had actually taken the papers from her hand, turns and quickly storms off to Nikki’s office.

Samantha looks at Alzis and Meriweather, “I’m not scared of you.”

“Oh, but my dear.” The almond-skinned man, with the mascara darken eyes, turns, papers in hand, “You should be – even your Satan trembles at my name.”

“I thought you were Satan.” Mr. Meriwether says and adjusts his suit jacket.

Int. Collins Investigations – Night – Office of Nicole Collins

Esther opens Nikki’s office door and enters and then quickly closes the door behind her. She looks at Nik, who is sitting behind the desk, a flute of blood in her hand as she stares at the closed book. “Have you been looking at that d**ned thing?”

Nikki looks up, “No—I.”

“Nik, Nyarly is in the lobby and he wants to talk to you.”

Nikki shakes her head and looks away from the P’Dwahr M’Ankanon Nyarlathotep. Tell him to come in here— and please, will you come in also?”

Esther hesitates. She looks at the book, and then nods and exits the office.

Int. Collins Investigations – Night – Lobby

Samantha Brook’s ferret, Miyuki, scurries to the edge of the desk hissing at the men.

Stephen Alizs looks over to Samantha and smiles. He drops the stack of papers on the desk and then holds out his hand. The ferret looks at it and then scurries over to begin licking at his fingers.

“Ah, I see someone wants to see me now.” He whispers to the ferret.

“Miss Collins will see you now.” Esther tells him as she steps over to the desk.

What the h**l – she looks at Samantha, wondering just want’s up with the crazy f**king ferret that is usually rabid.

Stephen Alzis walks slowly to Nikki’s office door.

Mr. Meriwether follows him.

Stephen Alzis raps a knuckle on the closed door. He opens it before Nikki has time to say anything, and they enter.

Esther looks at the ferret, looks at Sam, and then ducks back in the room again.

Int. Collins Investigations – Night – Office of Nicole Collins

Nikki stands, the fingers of both hands holding the flute of blood, so that she does not have to offer a handshake, “So—we meet again.”

He smiles, his teeth, gleaming white and vulpine, “Yes, we do.”

Esther leans up against the wall, her eyes shifting from them and then back over to the bodyguard.

“As I said we would.”

Int. Collins Investigations – Night – Lobby

Samantha leaps up from her chair and slips over to the door hurriedly and kneeling, presses her ear to the keyhole.

Int. Collins Investigations – Night – Office of Nicole Collins

Alzis dark, black eyes mischievously look at the book on Nikki’s desk, “Now what is that you have there?”

He reaches over and picks up the heavy, over-sized volume, and opens it. Esther can see that the page is blank. Black, thin metal sheets like thin foil.

“From you.” Nikki says rather than asks.

“I do so enjoy you Miss Collins—” He closes the book, “ I am so thankful for Dr. Praetorius and his little experiment. “

“You do so enjoy irritating me.”

Mr. Meriwether shifts his huge shoulders – Esther notes. And suddenly she has an insight – this Meriwether— he feels and reacts for him . . .

“It is what I live for.” His eyes dance. He puts the book on the desk. “Temptation.”

“Pardon?” Nikki asks.

“I felt you most of all were deserving of the book—you are quite unique – even though you don’t know it.” He tell her.

“Yet.” Mr. Meriwether adds.

Esther looks over at the book, trying to figure out the title.

“My name is not in your bloody book!”

Esther looks up to Nikki – is that . . . is that the black book. The book that witches and the damned and god only knows what else have to sign?

“No it is not.”

“It never will be.”

“My dear, I have enough of your family in my book.” He says evenly, “Nevertheless, you couldn’t sign if you wanted to.”

Esther looks up at him, and then to Nik. What does he mean by that?

Nikki’s blue eyes darken and narrow.

“You are one of us, already.”

Nikki’s leans forward, “I—I am not one of you.”

He smiles at her with those vulpine teeth.

There is a pause for a moment as he looks at her and does not answer.

“Long, long ago, those that became the vampire were one of our best servants—Mr. Meriwether.” He then says to break the silence.

“Damn Shoggoths!” Mr. Meriwether sneers.

“They always bite the hand that feeds them.”

“Just like a dog, they will turn on their masters.” Mr. Meriwether adds. “But then, you told them that.”

Alzis sighs, “Yes, but they never listen.”

“Too many damned pipes and flutes playing.” Mr. Meriwether nods.

“You are so correct Mr. Meriwether.”

“Shoggoths?” Nikki asks pointedly.

“Taught your kind how to rebel. But let’s not talk history shall we. I am more concerned with the present, aren’t you?”

“Petofi?”

“The very name on the tip of my tongue.”

“You have some information for me I take it.”

“Smart and beautiful – and dangerous, Mr. Meriwether. We do so enjoy our Miss Collins. Yes, I have information. Our mutual friend has arrived.”

Nikki leans forward,” Is he in Collinsport.”

Stephen Alzis slips a hand into his jacket pocket, “If not, very soon. Seems he arrived in New York last night. Ate well I understand.

“Took in a play.” Mr. Meriwether adds.

Int. Collins Investigations – Night – Lobby

“Gaaaaaaay,” Samantha mutters under her breath silently.

Int. Collins Investigations – Night – Office of Nicole Collins

“I do so hope you will take care of this little matter for me. Now won’t you my dear.” Alzis tells her. “I wish for you to destroy him – utterly.”

Nikki sits her glass of blood down on the desk, “I will take care of the situation Mr. Alzis—but, I am not in the destroying business, utterly, or any other way”

Stephen Alzis shrugs, “Pity—you would be so good at it.”

Esther steps forward now, “Hold on just a moment. Do we have to absolutely kill him? Can’t we . . . I don’t know. Imprison him? Take him to be tried by some . . . I don’t know Space Court for his crimes? Is there no other way?

He looks at her, and then back to Nikki, “I really do not wish to come back here—regarding this matter.”

“I will take care of it.” Nikki tells him.

“Yes, I expect you will.” He turns as if to leave, “Regarding our bargain, when you, take care of him, we can consider it concluded.”

Nikki remembers the voice of Miss Anastasie Roulet – “It can not be by your hand that Petofi dies!”

“We never had a bargain – then or now.”

He looks at her, as does Mr. Meriwether, quizzically.

“We can’t.” She tells him with a wry smile, “I am one of you . . . so you say.”

He smiles, “I do so enjoy you Miss Collins!”

Mr. Meriwether turns and opens the door – revealing Samantha before it.

Alzis takes a step and then stops, turns and looks at Esther against the wall, “Ms. Friedman, allow me to offer you a bit of information. If I may.”

Esther looks at him – not certain what to say.

“One, two, one, two” . . . he says.

She looks at him.

“One, five, eight, six . . .” He continues.

He then moves to the threshold of the door and smiles at Samantha, “And as for you Miss Brook.”

Esther looks at his back, “ . . . What.”

Alzis turns his head and looks at Nikki, “You know she is not who she thinks she is.”

“Are you through playing games Stephen?”

“Oh – I never tire of playing games, you should know that better than anyone. “

Esther is visibly shaken now by the utterance of the numbers, “I. . . ah. . . I don’t care for your numbers. “

“Do not forget, dear Nikki, it has to be utterly. Hutchinson has been killed before, you know.”

“Is there,” Esther says holding out her hands in front of her as if trying to form the thoughts in her head, “I mean . . . short of Murder! Is there no other option than Murder!?

Samantha moves into the office quietly, looking at him strangely now.

“Now where is Mr. Rainheart? I did so want to meet him again. He has chased me now for what? Yog-Sothoth only knows. . . . years and years . . . as he wants to – what is it he wants Mr. Meriwether?”

“To kill you.”

“Ah, yes, such a mundane person . . . that is best he can think up. Well – time to go.” And yet he still does not step out the door, “Oh, and Miss Collins one last word.”

“What?”

“Mother.”

Nikki looks at him, “What?”

Stephen Alzis nods, “Good evening Miss Collins. Come Mr. Meriwether, there are people who don’t know they seek me even now.”

They walk out of the office and at the door Nyarlathotep stops and turns, “Careful reading the book my dear; it also reads you.”

Esther looks rather dumbfounded at Nikki, “There is no choice but murder?”

Ext. Collins Investigations – Night – Street outside of Collins Investigations

Stephen Alzis and Mr. Meriwether step out of the door. The large man walks over to the limousine and opens the back door.

“You think it’s right giving her the book?” Mr. Meriwether asks. “She could become too powerful.”

Alzis smiles, “It’s all part of the game Mr. Meriwether. It’s all part of the game.” He gets in the limo and Mr. Meriwether closes the door.

The large man walks around, looks up at the two bats flittering about the top of the building, “All part of the game,” he says and gets into the car.

It pulls away.

Int. Collins Investigations – Night – Office of Nicole Collins

Esther is pacing the office room, “What did all that mean – the numbers?”

Nikki sighs, “I have no idea—” She holds up a hand, “He is a liar and trickster – and I have no bloody idea what he is up to.”

“Can I look at the book, Miss Nikki.” Samantha asks her eyes focused on the black book.

Nikki looks at them both, “No. No one looks at this book.”

“But I need to check something?”

“Check something?”

“Nik, you can not just murder this Petofi, they are already suspect you killing Narcissa Snow.” Esther says, “And so, there has to be another way.”

“For my work.” Samantha says.

“Samantha, what are you talking about?” Nikki aware now of the odd look in her eyes as she stares at the book Nyarlathotep has left for her.

“Something I am working on – I need it.” She reaches out to touch it, and Nikki grabs it away.

She feels the book warm in her hands, feels it wanting her to open it . . .” She moves around the desk and opens the safe and puts it in quickly. Esther steps aside to allow her to get to the safe, “Nik, you have not told me you will not kill him.”

Nikki closes the safe door and looks at Samantha, whose eyes are still looking at the door of the safe.

“Esther.” Nikki says, resting a hand atop the safe, “We will do what we have to do to stop him –“

“But Murder?”

“I will not murder him, Esther.” Nikki looks down and then back up at Esther – and, she suddenly has a horrid vision.

“What?” What’s wrong?” Esther asks.

“It will not be by hand that he dies.”

Cue Music End of Episode