Vera On The Wall

For the members of Collins Investigations, the odd case of Vera Endecott and Natasha Snow has been one of strange twists and seemingly dead ends. Is the case a simple fraud. A theft of films long forgotten and hidden away. Or is there something more to this case then any of them suspect. Tonight, in attempting to find answers, Nicole Collins, Rhyaad de’Annar, and Esther Friedman will find there are even more questions

EXT. COLLINSPORT SQUARE – NIGHT
The large snowstorm which had blanketed most of New England had come and gone, but there were still the last lingering traces of the winter’s first grand show which refused to completely exit the Maine coast, falling in form of sudden sporadic flurries. Flakes flickering in the glow of the street lights and headlights of the occasional car, the Collinsport square was once again a winter wonderland as a heavy flurry continued to fall, slowly covering up the dirty tracks the automobiles, dogs, and pedestrians had left on sidewalks and the tarmac of the rotary.

INT. COLLINS’ INVESTIGATIONS – MAIN OFFICE
The window sills of Collins’ Investigations still bore their banks of snow, as inside the office, Esther Friedmann worked at her desk, while in her office Nicole Collins finished up some filing.

“So—Nik, what’s up with the porn star?” Esther asked, looking over the Natasha Snow file she had stamped closed – being has how the client had fired them the night before.

“That is something we need to talk about whenever Rhyaad comes back around to see us?”

“File is closed, right?”

‘Technically.”

As if on cue, an all too familiar rumble came from outside, and shortly afterward a smiling Rhyaad entered the establishment, kicking snow off his boots at the door. “Wonderful weather! It’s dark and cloudy all the time! And I just love snow.”

Esther, having put aside the porn star’s file was stapling some papers together looks over at as he enters the office, “Rhyaad. We where jus talkin’ about you.”

“You were?” He comes up to Esther’s desk. “I hope it was good things.”

Esther calls back now over her shoulder, “Hey Nik! Rhyaad is here!”

INT. COLLINS’ INVESTIGATIONS – NIKKI’S OFFICE
Nikki aware that Rhyaad has arrived removes from her lower desk drawer the cut crystal decanter, uncaps it to and pours a flute of blood – reaching into the drawer, she removes another flute and pours a drink for Rhyaad.

Nikki returns the decanter to her lower desk drawer. Takes a sip, and runs the tip of her tongue across her teeth to clear away the crimson stain before turning back to the file cabinet where she continues returning files to their proper places.

INT. COLLINS’ INVESTIGATIONS – MAIN OFFICE
Esther looks at him dead-pan, “We was wonderin’ if you had gottin’ ’round to spyin’ on lil’ miss pornstar yet.”

“No. And that is just what I came to talk about Esther. It’s about time we paid Miss Snow’s house an unscheduled visit . . . if you’ll join us in the office . . . ”

INT. COLLINS’ INVESTIGATIONS – MAIN OFFICE
Smelling the blood, he makes his way into Nikki’s office. “Ah, I see you have anticipated my arrival”, he says as he sits down and takes the glass.

“Yes,” Nikki says her own glass sitting atop the file cabinet, she turns as watches as he takes a seat, “Glad to see you. We need to move on this Endecott case.”

“That’s exactly what I was thinking, Nikki. Care for a little illegal activity tonight?” He waggles his eyebrows.

She smiles, the sharp tips of her fangs visible making it seem a wicked little smile as she says, “I thought you would never ask — especially since we’ve been officially fired from the case.

INT. COLLINS’ INVESTGATIONS – MAIN OFFICE
Esther standing up from her desk takes one final draw on the cigarette before stuffing it in the near filled ashtray and entering the office.

INT. COLLINS’ INVESTIGATIONS – NIKKI’S OFFICE
With a flourish that was so much a part of her vampriric, languished seductiveness, she lifted up her glass and moved gracefully over to her chair and sat down behind the heavy wooden desk, “So – even though we are not officially on the case, let me tell you some things I have found out only recently.”

Esther entering the office leans up against the wall, “Yes. Let us break into someone’s house when our footprints are easiest to follow. Patterson will have a field day.”

“Oh, a very good point Esther. The snow.” Nikki says looking at her.

“I can’t wait to hear any news on this crazy case.” He takes a drink of his glass of blood, and turns to Esther, “There are many ways to cover your tracks, my dear. I regret that I will have to show you some of my secrets. But we can get in and out without leaving a trace, if we’re careful.”

Nikki leans forward bright eyes filled with excitement, “I can’t wait to see this – new tricks.”

Esther shakes her head at all of this conspiring to commit an act of illegal breaking and entering, “Well, I ain’t too keen on breakin’ th’ law—“

Both Rhyaad and Nikki seem to excited about the prospect of entering into the home of Natasha Snow in order to determine if she is involved in the recent theft of some very old films to hear her words of warning.

Nikiki leans forward toward Rhyaad, “Well, first off if have discovered who actually bought the films at the Estate Auction — is was a Lester Highstreet.”

But, apparently Nikki has heard as she turns to look over at Esther, “Esther I would never ask you to do anything you are uncomfortable with – Rhyaad and I will do the actual breaking of the law.”

Esther nods, trying to convince herself.

“Never heard of him”, Rhyaad holding his flute tells Nikki and looks over at Esther. “And law is made by people who think they have the right to tell other people what to do, Miss Friedman. But as Nikki says, you don’t have to enter yourself. You could be our ‘getaway car driver’ if you prefer.”

“If our client had been forth coming we would not have to resort to these – questionable methods, “ Nikki explains, well aware Esther has questioned this idea from the start, “But really, we are doing this so as to discover the possible evidence of a crime, since I think she stole the films.”

Esther nods, still not completely in agreement.

Nikki takes a sip of blood and looks back over at Rhyaad, mischief in her eyes, “It also seems that our Ian Finch, film critic for the Collinsport Star – you remember, we interviewed him?”

“I don’t really care anymore about her or who owns them. I think these films are potentially dangerous and involve a mystery that should be solved.” Rhyaad admitted, “So, what about Mr. Finch?”

“Well, as head of the Film Festival, it was he who made the deal with Highstreet to show the films here in Collnsport.” Nikki said, “Only, Ian Finch is really Lester Highstreet. Meaning out Mr. Finch is involved in this fairly deeply.”

Esther frowned, “Why the name change?”

Nikki nods, “Exactly.”

They all sit for a moment contemplating the news.

“I think he and Natasha Snow have been working together on this for some time, only, for what reason, I have yet to figure out.” Nikki adds.

“What? You mean this Finch person is assuming multiple identities? Or did he change his name? Perhaps we should snoop on him?” Rhyaad offers.

“I would really like to see inside Snow’s house. . . .”

“Perhaps the whole theft was arraigned by them. But then why did she hire you, Nikki?”

“I think to throw suspicion off of herself – perhaps.”

“And we shall. Tonight, if you wish. I’ll just need time to get a few things. Can you drive, Esther?”

Esther looks slightly embarrassed for a moment: “No, I never needed to.”

“No need to feel bad, Esther – if you never had a need to – – -” Nikki says.

Esther, used to walking everywhere, asks, “But why d’ya need a car? She lives in Collinsport doesn’t she?”

“She is leasing the old Cranshaw house.” Nikki confirms, “About ten miles down the Coast Highway.”

“Ten miles? That all?” Esther asks.

Rhyaad rolls his eyes. “All right. I’ll drive. We’ll park say a mile away . . . someplace nice and dark and inconspicuous. Then we use . . . other methods.”

Esther looks at them, “That’s only two and a half, three hours forced march. But then again, do we even do know she’s not going to be home?”

Nikki sitting thoughtfully, taking a sip of her glass of blood – feels a sudden foreboding . . . and it has nothing at all to do with the Snow case . . . something – something dark and evil, as if she can feel it reaching out – toward Collinsport. “We’ll take my car,” Nikki says settling the issue. And- if she is home then – we will just have to come back some other time.”

Rhyaad shrugs. “Matters not to me what car . . . but we do need to determine that she isn’t home.”

Nikki: Nikki picks up the phone and dials a number, ‘Well, let’s see.”

-ring-

-ring-

The phone is picked up: ‘Hell-no this is Natasha, and I am not home, I would have thought you would have figured that out by now, leave a name and number.”

-beep-

Nikki hangs up, “Well she’s not answering the phone.”

Esther shrugs, “Guess that answers that question.”

“Well, there could be reasons she’s not – but we can keep trying on the way I guess.” Nikki trying to shake this feeling that has come over her.

Rhyaad nods, “Might be a good idea.”

“Right.” Esther now caught up in the plot, “ So – If you want someone to keep watch, I can take th’ rifle and call you if I see someone drive up to th’ house.”

“A rifle will be unnecessary. But a lookout might be a good idea.” Rhyaad says smiling that she was all concerned about a little B & E but not about carrying around a loaded firearm.

Nikki rubs hr hands together, “So it is decided, Esther is our look out, Rhyaad is our second story man and most important of all out teacher on how not to leave footprints in the snow.”

Esther nods now getting into the excitement of the idea, “Right. I’ll keep to the woods. I assume there are woods there, assuming there is any.”

EXT. HIGHWAY –NIGHT
The dwindling flurry is captured in the headlights, falling into the windshield, as they travel down the dark country road.

INT. NIKKI’S FERRAI
In Nikki’s black Ferrari, Esther, sitting warmly in the back, coat buttoned, fur cap, and gloves, holding her rifle suddenly notes; “Hey, no coat Nik? You stayin’ in the car?”

“One of the things I have noticed is I don’t seem to feel the cold too badly.” She replies as she takes out her iPhone and dials Natasha’s number once again.

-ring-

“Sun Tzu said that a wise man always keeps his abilities hidden, that his enemies might underestimate him. You are my friends, so I shall ask you never to tell anyone about what you will see tonight. Especially not anyone from that Ankh Temple cult.” Rhyaad says looking at both Nikki and Esther seated in the small area behind the front seats of the car.

-ring-

-ring-

“Hell-no this is Natahsa and I am not . . . ”

Nikki hangs up and watches the road, the newly fallen snow of the latest flurry glinting facets like diamond tips to her vamperic eyes, “She still is not answering.”

“Good.” Rhyaad watches the night passing outside his window.

Esther reaches forward toward the radio, “May I?”

“Oh, certainly—“ Nikki then explains, “Sam has Jane’s Addiction in the CD, you can take that out if you want.”

Rhyaad looks back at Esther, “I hope it’s not any of this modern horrid noise . . . ”

“Oh, then you need to take Sam’s CD out.”

“Don’t you have any Beethoven?”

Esther fiddles with the controls and finds the classical music station.

EXT. OLD COAST BY-PASS ROAD – NIGHT
Nikki having turned off the main highway, continued now to make their way along the old coast by-pass road. The snow has now come to a halt. The road is deserted. The moonlight shines bright on the whiteness of the earth. Nikki slows the car and pulls off the side of the road. Her keen eyes driving the car along the uneven roadside until finds a spot where she can pull the car up close to some bushes and small trees. She can see the drive leading to the Cranshaw House about fifty yards away as she cuts off the headlights, casting them into the darkness of the interior of the Ferrari. “Well,” Nikki says, as they sit looking out into the night, “This is it? Ready?”

In reply, the Ferrari doors open, and they step out into the crunch of the snow. Nikki looks down the deserted highway, “Okay Esther, you stay with the car.”

EXT. WOODS – OFF OLD COAST BY-PASS ROAD – NIGHT
Rhyaad and Nikki making their way through the sparse woods closer to the highway, try to step lightly and often into spots where the snowfall had melted during the day – aware they were still leaving tracks and could only hope for the morning sun to heat away. They grew closer now to the old Cranshaw house. There are lights on in the house. Rhyaad looks at Nikki who tries to call again; there is still no answer.

EXT. CRANSHAW HOUSE – NIGHT
Together they clandestinely creep closer to the house, hiding behind landscaping, trying to reduce their movements in the lingering patches of snow. They cautiously peer through the front windows of the house – it looks as if the lights are on, but no one seems to be home.

EXT. CRANSHAW HOUSE – SIDE LAWN
Nikki suddenly hurries across the lawn and over to the garage – she steps over to the side door, where she cups her hands in order to look through the window into the interior of the garage.

EXT. CRANSHAW HOUSE – FRONT LAWN – NIGHT
She hurries back over to Rhyaad, “Her car is gone.”

“Okay—He nods.’ They step up on the porch and go to the front door.

EXT. CRANSHAW HOUSE – FRONT PORCH – NIGHT
Rhyaad looks at Nikki, cocks his head with a knowing smile. He becomes very still, concentrating he stares at the glass pane of the front door. Nikki watches him as he seems to have gathered an aura about him. Amazed, she stands to watch as he moves his hand forward and then sees his hand begin to slide through the glass.

Her eyes growing wide “Oh, now that is too cool – you have to teach that to me.”

EXT. CRANSHAW HOUSE – SIDE LAWN – NEAR DRIVEWAY – NIGHT
Esther having given up to her curiosity has crept now behind Nikki and Rhyaad and takes up a position of observation near some landscaping of evergreens lined along the drive. She watches Nikki and Rhyaad up on the porch even as she keeps an ear out for cars.

EXT. CRANSHAW HOUSE – FRONT PORCH – NIGHT
Rhyaad turns to Nikk, and explains in a whisper, “It took me a year with a crazy murderous . . . well, that’s another story. Maybe some century. So far, so good . . . ready for trick number two?”

“More tricks?”

Rhyaad put his finger to his lips, a sigh for silence. Then he began to whisper to himself, a strange little chant in a very old tongue. As he finished the chant, he touched Nikki, and her form faded from view. He then repeated the chant for himself, almost identical, and his form also passed into the state people called ‘invisible.’

EXT. CRANSHAW HOUSE – SIDE LAWN – NEAR DRIVEWAY – NIGHT
Esther wide-eyed stares and watches now as her friends begin the process of phasing through solid matter. She whispers to herself: “Holy S***” in awe at the missing people – and for a moment is stunned, before she quickly regains her composure and shakes her head, as if trying to no see what she had seen, and then looks back to the road.

INT. CRANSHAW HOUSE – FOYER
Rhyaad sneaks into the house, the only sign of his presence being the slightest of indentations in the plush carpet . . . ‘Nice doors,” He whispers.

Nikki stands beside him now inside the house, ‘Nice house,” she thinks rather than says as he hears her voice in his head.”

Rhyaad is still trying to get used to Nikki’s ability to project her thoughts, to speak in his head – as when he hears her voice at first it is very disconcerting.

Nikki steps forward cautiously.

“I’d ask you to teach me your trick, Nikki”, he whispered. “But it’s not my way. Now, you’re the boss. Where do we go from here?”

INT. CRANSHAW HOUSE – FRONT ROOM/MAKESHIFT OFFICE
“There is a desk over here.” She thinks.

Nikki hurries over and takes a quick look around, she looks through loose papers atop the desk; an address book; recently unopened mail; moves aside a copy of the Collinsport Star opened to the news article about the theft of the films; a copy of Adult Video News. She opens a few drawers. In one of them she finds a couple of opened letters. Letters in the age of email? Nikki scans the envelopes and sees that the return address: the name is Highsmith.

“I think films might be in a basement, or something. Find anything?” Rhyaad steps over and whispers.

‘Yes, she was corresponding with Highsmith.” Nikki says showing him the letters. She counts five. She puts them back in the drawer.

“Big surprise there…” He managed to whisper sarcastically

Nikki tries to access Natasha’s computer, “Password protected on the computer,” she thinks.

“I wish I had Justin… He’s so good with computers.” Rhyaad whispers, looks around the room.

INT. CRANSHAW HOUSE – SITTING ROOM
Nikki enters into the large sitting room.

“Oh—” Nikki thinks loudly. “There is a fire in the fireplace, she may be coming back soon,”

-BANG, CLANG, RATTLE, ROLL, ROLL-

The sound comes from upstairs.

“Oh! What’s that?” Rhyaad whispers, “Someone’s here! We should leave.”

Nikki turns to Rhyaad. “Yes, there is someone here, I sense it. But it is not Natasha.”

Nikki seems to silently step, cat-like toward the stairs leading to the second floor.

INT. CRANSHAW HOUSE – STAIRCASE – FIRST LANDING
To Rhyaad’s horror Nikki apparently throwing all caution aside slips quickly up the stairs to stand on the first landing.

-ring-

-ring-

“Yeah, Finch here.” Comes a voice from upstairs. Rhyaad follows Nikki, wanting to protest, but unwilling to make a sound.

Ian Finch: “No, she’s not here.”
Ian Finch: “No.”
Ian Finch: “No she does not suspect a thing.”
Ian Finch: “Right. I got the projector running.”

Rhyaad very close to Nikki thinks to himself, so this Finch, where is he? Upstairs?

“Yes . . . Can you turn invisible and go up there,” She thinks to him

INT. CRANSHAW HOUSE – UPSTAIRS (O.C.)
Ian Finch: “You would not believe who I am looking at, you are right—it is f*****g amazing.”

INT. CRANSHAW HOUSE – STAIRCASE – FIRST LANDING
He nods, although invisible Nikki can’t see as he creeps very slowly, careful not to make a sound. Despite the heavy boots, his feet somehow make no more noise than a cat.

INT. CRANSHAW HOUSE – UPSTAIRS (O.C.)
Ian Finch: “Right. I think I drew it properly, based on your design.”

Ian Finch: “Okay, so . . . I am going to disconnect the wire again . . . so the projector appears not to be working again. That way you can come over here tomorrow as the projector expert I found who can and fix it. I want you to double check this.”
Ian Finch: “Hey, I am a art critic not an artist. And if this is messed up we loose hem both.”

INT. CRANSHAW HOUSE – SECOND FLOOR LANDING – CORRIDOR
Rhyaad creeps up to get a look at what this Finch, or whoever he is, is doing with the projector.

INT. CRANSHAW HOUSE – UPSTAIRS (O.C.)
Ian Finch: “Okay — okay, Okay Blair I understand. I know why I want to do this, but I still don’t get why you are so interested in bringing Vera back. “

INT. CRANSHAW HOUSE – SECOND FLOOR CORRIDOR – OUTSIDE DOOR TO A STORAGE ROOM
Rhyaad tries creeping close to get a look at this “wire” . . ..

INT. CRANSHAW HOUSE – SECOND FLOOR STORAGE ROOM
Ian Finch: “But you are right, she’s right here in the film just like you said – we just need to project her into someone – and bang! We have the amazing Vera Endecott.”

As Rhyaad grows closer, the words Mr. Finch is saying are amazing. He does not even breathe, now as he just steps back slowly to a spot near the wall and watches.

Ian Finch hangs up his cell phone.

Rhyaad watches as Finch walks closer to the old movie image projected by the Fransworth Projector, “God Vera you are even better looking that in your pictures.”

The image seems to be looking back at him.

“Just hang in there, Nicholas Blair is working hard to get you out.” Finch tells the picture of image of Vera Endacott the projector is casting on the far wall of the room.

Rhyaad makes a mental note. Nicholas Blair. Is this the real name of “Finch” or is it another of his other aliases?

Suddenly there is new voice it the room, a feminine voice, which seems to come from a speaker, “How much longer Mr. Finch?”

Rhyaad is suddenly shocked to see that the old movie being projected has a scene in which Vera Endecott is standing in a stylish bedroom talking – talking to Ian Finch.

“I hope to have you out tomorrow night Vera, I just don’t know if I have drawn this right, Nicholas is the warlock, not me.” Finch tells the image.

Rhyaad’s eyebrow shoots up. Not that anyone would notice. Finch is actually speak to “Vera”.

“You will have a change of clothes for me, that blonde dresses like a whore. I know I was one, but I never, never dressed like one.’

So Nicholas is a warlock. And the projector is very *special*. Transmutation was in the words Tiana Swift used. Rhyaad now deducts as he watches Finch talking to the image of Vera Endecott, who is talking back .

“Yes, Vera, everything will be made ready for you.”

EXT. CRANSHAW HOUSE – SIDE LAWN – NEAR DRIVEWAY – NIGHT
Esther near the swaying evergreens, kneels down to stay out of visibility and to rest her legs – she would really love to know what is going on in there.

INT. CRANSHAW HOUSE – SECOND FLOOR STORAGE ROOM
“Good.” Then Vera asks, “The hair. I assume I will have her horribly dyed hair.”

‘Vera for this to work you will be Natasha. You will take Natasha’s body.” Finch tells her.

“And Natasha?” Vera asks?

“In hell I guess – You should know better how this s**t works, you know Blair and Count Petofi better than I do.”

“Okay, best to shut this down, before she comes back. Finch.”

“Yes Vera.”

“If you mess this up – Blair will send you to Hell.”

“I know, Vera, god I know.”

“God doesn’t have anything to do with this.”

It was hard for Rhyaad not to react, but he just kept standing near the wall, invisibly, as still and cold as a stone, not even breathing. Count Petofi? Wasn’t he a magician of some kind, in the old ‘History’? The plot thickens.

INT. CRANSHAW HOUSE – STAIRCASE – FIRST LANDING
“Rhyaad, we need to leave.” Nikki thinks loudly, looking out the window to see through the skeletal arms of the trees, comprising the sparsely wooded perimeter of out beyond the drive, automobile lights slowly making there way along the Old Costal by-way, “I can see headlights.”

EXT. CRANSHAW HOUSE – SIDE LAWN – NEAR DRIVEWAY – NIGHT
Esther keeps looking out on the road to see if there are cars.

INT. CRANSHAW HOUSE – SECOND FLOOR STORAGE ROOM
Rhyaad did not answer of course, but began to very slowly creep his way out of the room, remembering where this loose wire was supposed to be.

Reaching the hallway, he goes to the landing where Nikki was last before daring to whisper the slightest whisper, for vampire ears to detect. “Nikki?”

INT. CRANSHAW HOUSE – SITTING ROOM – DOORS EXITING TO DECK
“Down here, I opened the back doors.” She thinks directing him. “If that is her coming back we can’t go through the front doors.”

EXT. CRANSHAW HOUSE – SIDE LAWN – NEAR DRIVEWAY – NIGHT
Esther suddenly sees a car drive near, tries to spot the driver. She detects platinum air – Snow.

INT. CRANSHAW HOUSE – SITTING ROOM – DOORS EXITING TO DECK
He made his way to the back doors, as Nikki had directed.

“Quickly, let’s get out of here.” She thinks.

EXT. CRANSHAW HOUSE – SIDE LAWN – NEAR DRIVEWAY – NIGHT
Esther waits, watching, unable to see them, wishing they would hurry before they got caught.

EXT. CRANSHAW HOUSE – DECK – NIGHT
Rhyaad follows her out the back doors, onto a wide wooden deck.

EXT. CRANSHAW HOUSE – SIDE LAWN – NEAR DRIVEWAY – NIGHT
Esther fumbles with her phone as the car drives up to the house so as to call Nikki.

EXT. CRANSHAW HOUSE – DECK – NIGHT
Nikki grabs her phone she has on vibrate, “Yes?”

“Get out of there Nik. Someone just pulled up. (Esther O.C.)

“Will do thanks” Nikki hangs up and thinks to Rhyaad, “Someone is coming Rhyaad we have to go.”

EXT. SPARCELY WOODED AREA – NIGHT
Nikki comes upon Esther, who is moving with the stealth of an experienced hunter, back through the woods toward where Nikki’s car should be, “Thanks Esther, Nikki whispers loudly. Esther for a second is startled, but then nods, ‘That was close, too close.”

Ryhaad, who had quickly made his way from the house and into the forest, had sneaked through the trees – somehow making little sound at all – when he too finally he catches up with Esther, he clears his throat and materializes out of thin air a few feet behind her. “Phew! Yes, it was! Hello again, Esther.”

He grins at her.

INT. CRANSHAW HOUSE – FOYER
The front door of the old mansion opens and Natasha Snow, wearing a pair of worn, torn, blue jeans and an stylishly baggy white tee-shirt underneath her long woolen coat, enters carrying a couple of grocery bags. Most of all she need limes for her margaritas. “Finch, you get that damned thing working?” She yells as she walks through the foyer toward the large central sitting room.

EXT. SPARCELY WOODED AREA – NIGHT
Esther, walking back now with Nikki and Rhyaad, looks over at him, “So, did you get what you were looking for?”

Rhyaad in thought answers “Oh No!”

INT. CRANSHAW HOUSE – KITCHEN – COUNTER
Natasha having wiggled out of her coat, which she let drop on the floor as she made her way into the kitchen hears Ian Finch calling down from the projection room above.

Ian Finch (O.C) “No – but I did find a guy, a Nick Blair, and he can come out tomorrow and take a look a it.’

EXT. SPARCELY WOODED AREA – NIGHT
Rhyaad: “I wonder . . . would he . . . no . . . he won’t do it tonight, I don’t think. He needs the magician.”

INT. CRANSHAW HOUSE – KITCHEN – COUNTER
Natasha removing a box of Orville Redenbacher’s Movie Butter, ‘Hell, I got popcorn, I wanted to see some 1920’s porn.” She calls up.

“Tomorrow night dear!”

EXT. SPARCELY WOODED AREA – NIGHT
“Vera is IN the film, Nikki, Esther. IN it!’ Rhyaad explains, as they grow closer to Nikki’s car, “That’s what Swift meant by transmutational technology. He’s somehow going to project her right out of the film, and into the real world.”

Walking along, careful of soft muddy spots along the way, Nikki remarks, “Did I heard him say he needed this other person, this Blair, to check something he had drawn?

Rhyaad nodded. “Yes. He can’t do it without the magician. Until then he pretends the projector is broken. But it isn’t.”

Esther: {scratches her head under her hat} ‘s all greek t’ me.

“I don’t claim to understand how it works, Esther. But it’s clear what they plan to do. They plan to . . . for lack of a better word . . . reincarnate Vera Endicott. Using Miss Snow’s body.”

INT. NIKKI’s BLACK FERRARI – NIGHT
Esther comfortable again in the small back area behind the front seats leans up to sepak to Nikki and Rhyaad, “So he want’s to bring th’dead back to life?”

“I think that’s the gist of it, yes.” Rhyaad agrees.

“By placing the mind of this Vera int’ snow?” Esther comprehending now the fiendish plot

Nikki frowns as she drives back toward Collinsport, “This is far more than I thought — I thought with was a simple fraud.”

Rhyaad looks over to Nikki, “I wonder what that means for Snow? Death?”

“But the question is, what is so important about this person to kill another person to bring her back?” Esther asks leaning forward between the seat to talk to both Nikki and Rhyaad, and looking now at Nikki.

“This is so exceedingly not what I thought we were getting into—“ Nikki admits, “We’re into the transmigration of souls.”

“He desires her.” Rhyaad states, “Finch. That part was clear.” He looks over at Nikk also, “Yes, it’s quite the shock, isn’t it, Nikki. What are we going to do?”

Nikki now trying to put the pieces of this strange puzzle into some pattern, “Okay I know Finch is Highstreet, but who is this bloody Nicholas Blair . . . . and now Count Petofi?”

Rhyaad, based on what he knows, speculates: “Nicholas Blair is a mage. Or what passes for one these days. He will facilitate the ‘projecting out’ of Vera.” Then he looks out the window, “And as for this Count . . . isn’t he part of what they call the ‘History’ of Collinsport?”

Nikki nods, ‘Yes, I have heard of him before—I need to look at my father’s journals. Of course, I am certain David would know, may be even Sam, seeing as how she is a part of David’s secret society. But, it definetly sounds like Finch is actually working for this Blair.”

“Perhaps. It’s hard to say who is the boss. Finch thinks the mage is working for him, but that would be unlikely, wouldn’t it?” Rhyaad counters, looking back at Esther and Nikki. “More likely, he is the one being used. But the question is… what does this mean for Snow, and us? I mean, will this process kill her? More than likely –so should we warn her?”

“Yes, from what I heard, and you were of course far closer, I think Finch believes he is in some form of control – and I think that is because he is blinded by the fact that he is apparently obsessed with her—but I strongly suspect Ian Finch is being conned by Blair. Is that what you understood also?”

Rhyaad nods, “I think so. Though Miss Snow herself doesn’t know what they plan.”

“Does anyone know how to get in touch with this Professor Swift?” Nikki asks. “She knew precisely what that projector was.”

“We could go to Arkham and see her. But if Artemis is anywhere around, she won’t tell us anything.” Rhyaad says not at all happy with the Doctor from Arkham.

“Rhyaad they are going to kill Snow – or worse.” Nikki states the obvious. “The poor crazy girl, she has no idea what she has gotten herself into.”

He nodded. “I was thinking that myself. What if she isn’t killed? What if she is simply trapped inside her body, powerless? That may be worse than death.”

“Oh lord, Yes.”

“Then how can we warn Miss Snow without blowing this whole case wide open?” Rhyaad ponders. “We need to catch Blair – and this Count.”

Nikki passes the welcome to Colllinsport sign. She suddenly feels a sense of something very ominous about to happen – and thinks it must have to do with the events of the night.

“Would she even listen?” Nikki asks, knowing how temperamental the porn actress was capable of being, willful, and strong-minded.

“Another good point. She may not want to believe us.”

“I don’t know what they have been telling her.” Nikki drove the car into the rotary, her eyes catching now the fleeting glimpse of a figure – dark, slipping into shadow – she has a sense of intense foreboding. . .

“Well. . . there IS another logical solution . . . one you really won’t like.” Rhyaad says.

Distracted by the figure, trying to catch a fleeting glimpse in her peripheral vision she doesn’t really answer Rhyaad, “I believe they have her only thinking this all has something to do with a lot of money, and so, she may think we are trying to cut in for a share . . . and if that is so then she won’t listen to us at all.”

Nikki drove the car into the slot in front of the Collins’ Investigations office, “I would say the Projector is the key.” She looks across the wintery square for the dark, red-haired figure, but there is only moonlight reflected on now and shadows.

Rhyaad smiles, “We could steal it.”

“That is a possibility.” Nikki said, “ I have been thinking about the possibly – a fail safe plan.”

“All it needs is a distraction. Something to get ‘Finch’ and Snow out of the house. Then we could easily steal it.”

Esther looks at Rhyaad, “distraction? Well if you need a distraction . . . “

“Something that won’t make them call the police, preferably, Esther.”

Esther sits back now and folds her arms, ‘It’s just a bullet through the window . . .”

INT. COLLINS’ INVESTIGATIONS – MAIN OFFICE
As they enter the office Rhyaad is still discussing Esther’s plan, “I don’t think shooting bullets into their house is the distraction I was looking for, Esther.”

Nikki stands in front of Esther’s desk, “So, okay let’s determine what now know.” And she counts them on her fingers as she numbers the facts, “One, we know Finch is working for someone named Nicholas Blair. Two, Blair is a magician, warlock, something. There, they are going to bring Vera out of the film and put her in Natasha’s body – somehow using that projector. “

Rhyaad adds, “Und Dee Count Petro-whatever eez een on eet.”

“Yes, four, there is someone call Petofi involved.”

“This is going to happen soon though,” Rhaad says rubbing his chin, “We don’t have much time.”

“I think this means they are planning on killing Natasha for certain,” Nikki says more thinking aloud then anything, before looking over to Rhyaad who too was lost in thought: “Were you able to see in that room Rhyaad?”

Rhyaad nodded in agreement, “Or, as you said, worse than killing her. And yes, I was in the room. I heard Vera speak to him through the projector.”

“What was he talking about wanting to make sure he drew it properly?” Nikki asks thinking they had possibly overlooked something.

“I don’t know. He has to make some sort of a drawing. Often, such things are required for magical spells… in fact… He snapped his fingers. “I remember seeing such spell papers used in Arkham. It’s an invocation of some kind. Mr Clown knows how to make these drawings.”

Nikki languidly slides into a chair across from Esther’s desk, “Arkham, it is always Arkham – and they seem to think the bad things are only here” Nikki said with a smile – “I think we are becoming Arkham.”

Esther looks at Rhyaad, “Mr. Clown?” Then hearing Nikki she looks over at her, “Oh god, I hope not.”

“I’d agree with that, Nikki.” Rhyaad then turns to Esther. “Not his real name. His real name is a secret. He claims to be some ridiculously old being.”

“ …like you.”

“Ridiculous being the operative word, Esther.”

“What about Artemis — I know Bathory has demanded that I am not to see him — but maybe you Rhyaad.”

“Artemis plays games with me and tells me nothing. I won’t waste my time asking him for anything. Perhaps he might talk to you, Nikki?”

“He really has a think about the undead – he doesn’t like us at all.” Nikki shakes her head, “He wouldn’t confide in me to save his own life.”

“Or perhaps Miss Swift would be more reasonable.”

“Miss Swift, she was the one that came here dressed in a witches costume?” Esther tries to remember.

“Swift is…. eccentric. But more willing to talk than Artemis.” Rhyaad said.

Nikki nodded, remembering how she had saved Miss Monilla, and yet, the Doctor never acknowledged her ability to save the young woman, or to have even thanked her, he was extremely prejudiced with her kind, “Yes, but the night we went to Arkham to investigate the stolen projector, she was the only one who knew what it might possible be used for.”

“If you picked up the fine nuances, Nikki…” Rhyaad begins once again to explain the dynamics of the library and that night, “Swift started to tell us about the projector and Artemis disapproved.”

“I could go to Artemis—“ Nikki said, certain he would be polite, but not much more than that – if she were anything other than the undead. Elizabeth had told her he had set his dog on her – would be eventually do the same to her? “But, if I do, you will have to make sure you do not tell Bathory.”

Rhyaad shakes his head, “You could. But he may refuse to tell you anything. And as far as that Bathory, you shall just tell her only what concerns her.”

“If only Professor Stokes was still alive, the man knew everything . . . .” She sighs in lament. But then looks up with a smile, “But you sir, you are going to have to teach me that hand through the glass trick.”

Esther now spoke up: “I have a question.”

“Yes.” Nikki turns to her.

“You had infiltrated the house . . .”

“I was over 900 when I learned that. . . Rhyaad replies, “It is not easy.”

“. . . . managed to turn yourselves invisible by some unknown F***in’trick . . . “

“Yes.”

“And yet you had to leave when she arrived. I know I called to warn you, but it just occurred to me.

“Oh, that’s easy. Perhaps if you had elven blood…” Rhyaad continues, until he notes the change in subject, “Well, I could have stayed. But Nikki is the leader here, she calls the shots.” He grinned slightly at her.

Esther is concerned, “You could have waited until what’s his name left the room, then sneak over to the film and throw it out the window, and leave.”

“We could also return after they go to sleep and do the same tonight.” Rhyaad countered.

“Of course stealing is wrong but f*** em. They want to bring back the dead.” Esther says looking for a pack of cigarettes with one left inside.

“Yes, well trying to talk to Snow tonight – knowing her state of mind, especially when we last meet, I don’t think she would have listened to anything I said and technically we were breaking the law.”

“Ah, I see your beliefs are not quite so rigid, Esther.” Rhyaad is glad to see, “I think a little larceny to prevent murder sounds like a good plan.”

“And as for the film, Esther, something told me we still do not know who and what we are dealing with – this Blair, and so I took a risk in leaving it behind – but I hope a calculated one.

“But… Natasha will be dead soon if we don’t do *something*.” Rhyaad is conflicted, and really feels they should have taken the film, now that he thinks more on the late night break in.

Esther finds a lone cigarette in a discarded pack, “What . . . are we fighting here Godzilla now? Until whatever happens actually happens, there is a chance to stop whatever will happen from happening . . . right?

Nikki looks at Esther. The more she thinks about it, the more she knows Esther is right.

Cue Music End of Episode