"One of its many names is The Thing With A Thousand Mouths, after all. But your question is precisely the reason we need to get access to that house and to whatever Trammel knows of this thing, Mr. Haas. I believe we're off the map in terms of what fringe studies like the occult can tell us.", Dr. Udko says, his knee bobbing to an irregular rhythm.
"If he found out how to... to summon this thing, surely he has a method of getting rid of it..."
"I don't want to go anywhere near that vile place. If we're not going to destroy it, then maybe I can provide some kind of distraction, but nothing short of a date with the devil will get me back in front of that thing".
"I need to talk to my uncle. Perhaps he can help me make sense of things. Will someone walk with me to the telegraph office"?
Amadeus sighs. "I don't think that thing can be destroyed, but if you try, you will need a distraction. We're already known, perhaps if we go in through the front and the others through the back?"
I'll accompany you, Anatoly I'm already grabbing my hat and coat. I need to reach out to some of my contacts, as I believe I may be able to locate what became of Echavarria's belongings after his death. There may be something of use there. If we're lucky it was acquired by someone who doesn't know what they have...
"Perhaps we can avoid Trammel altogether, for the time being," Evelyn says in regards to Ralph's idea, nodding approvingly. She grabs her purse and moves to join them. "After their narrow brush... perhaps it would be too great of a risk. If Echavarria had materials somewhere that didn't fall into Trammel's hands, then we would still have something to work with."
"Beyond that... we could look into George Ayers' disappearance. If he is still alive, he could shed some more light on what it going on."
Anatoly, Ralph and Evelyn head out to the Western Union downtown. While Anatoly composes his telegram, Evelyn and Ralph go over the information they have. From Amadeus and Freddie's earlier work tracking down Echavarria's information, Ralph knows that Magnificent Villa Auction Services, Inc. handled the liquidation of his estate and the office happens to be downtown in the same office block as the late cult leader's accountant, Abraham Buchwald.
From his experience in the business, Ralph knows the inventory and receipts for these estate sales are private so he'll either need a convincing enough story, someone that can sound like a cop or some other underhanded means of getting a look at the paperwork.
"Crazy as it is, I'd like to scope the mansion out more.There were all sorts of doors in the basement and I think we may be able to figure out a different way in if we keep an eye on it. If I can find a good vantage point behind the house or from some neighboring area other than across the street, I think I can stay undetected."
From his experience in the business, Ralph knows the inventory and receipts for these estate sales are private so he'll either need a convincing enough story, someone that can sound like a cop or some other underhanded means of getting a look at the paperwork.
Against his better judgement Amadeus will volunteer to go with Freddy, provided Freddy is armed.
"I'm no stranger to talking my way around some red tape," Evelyn says when Ralph apprises them of the situation. "Confidentiality can be... overrated, at times. No need to let it get in the way of proper treatment."
Magnificent Villa Auction Services, Inc. is a street level office in downtown Los Angeles. It's late afternoon with the sun peeking through the blinds in the large front windows. There's a young woman at the front desk working at a typewriter while several clerks work at the desks behind her, collating files and meeting with clients.
She looks up from her work as Evelyn and Ralph approach.
"Good afternoon and welcome. What can I do for you today?"
Collecting themselves and changing back into street clothes, Freddie and Amadeus switch rental cars again before driving back out to Pasadena. It's late in the afternoon, getting closer to dinner time when they get out there. Driving by the Trammel mansion, the place seems completely normal and quiet despite the gunshots, flight and manic orgy that took place earlier in the day.
"We are investigating what became of the possessions of the late Ramon Echavarria," Evelyn replies, sounding much more businesslike than usual.
Joseph yawns and checks his watch, waiting for his newfound companions. Where are they?
"We are investigating what became of the possessions of the late Ramon Echavarria," Evelyn replies, sounding much more businesslike than usual.
"I see. If we handled this gentleman's estate, which I cannot confirm, you would need either a court order for the records, a subpoena to bring them into a trial or a search warrant. Anything less would be a violation of our clients' and their families privacy.", the receptionist says.
Dr. Malley presents herself (along with Mr. Haas, her legal council) as seeking out family heirlooms mistakenly taken in Echavarria's death. At the time of his death, money had exchanged hands but Mr. Echavarria hadn't transferred the items in question and they were then dispersed. Hoping to save everyone a lawsuit, and inferring that the estate sale broker hadn't done their due diligence, Dr. Malley needs to see who purchased the items. An agreement is made that you can look at the paperwork, but will need a subpoena if it's to be used in court or they'll deny this every happened, etc.
After a short time, the supervisor of Magnificent Villa returns to the private office with the Echavarria files, leaving them closed on the desk and excusing himself.
Leafing through, you find what you were looking for- books. Every book of individual worth was sold individually at public auction, with the remainder sold in bulk.
Unfortunately, every item on the list of books, including his mundane library, was purchased by a Mr. Samson Trammel of Pasadena.
- Adrift on a Storm-Tossed Sky
- Collected Sermons of the Float'd Tongue, Vol. II
- Cradle in the Ocean, The
- Fishing the River of Stars
- Gaze of Azathoth, The
- Geheimes Mysterium von Asien
- Last of the First: The Ends of Occult Dynasties, The
- Lights in My Eyes: Wisdom and Lunacy in the 20th Century
- Lights in Their Eyes: Wisdom and Lunacy 1840 to 1899
- Seeds of the Forbidden Fruit
- Temple of Furtea-Nya, The
"Disappointing. But nothing we had not anticipated," Evelyn remarks as she sets the file back onto the table. The doctor leans back in her chair and sighs, shaking her head. "It only follows that Trammel would be so thorough. I suppose this at least confirms that these materials exist. Some of these titles certainly seem... interesting, to say the least."
Another sigh. "We might have to pay Mr. Trammel a visit after all."
I look over the list of books. Maybe not. The nice thing about books is that even if they're rare they're almost never unique. I might be able to get our hands on some other copies.
Freddie finds the stakeout crew a good vantage point on a nearby hill with little traffic. Using binoculars, you settle in for a long watch.
Little evidence of the encounter from this morning remains, though you note that the nondescript guards are more visible on the grounds- occasionally walking the perimeter of the property. Visitors arrive discreetly, alone or in pairs, and enter the mansion much as they did before.
In the late afternoon toward evening, you note that several cars have pulled up to the mansion via the dirt road on the back of the property. Each one parks in the carriage house and a Mexican man in a zoot suit- not exactly par for the course in suburban Pasadena- enters the house, sometimes accompanied by the well dressed man you met earlier. No more than 15 minutes later, they return to their car and drive off the same way they came in.
At around 11 pm, another car pulls in after an evening lull in activity. One of the mansion guards steps out, opening the door for a woman in the back- Dolores Scrimm, the hooker from Long Beach with whom Amadeus has a passing acquaintance. He leads her through the front door of the mansion... and you're pretty sure you know where they're headed.
Amadeus smiles. "It's nice to see a young woman getting work in this economy."
After composing his telegram, Anatoly goes to the small cafe he had agreed to meet Ralph and Evelyn after their investigation. His hands still visibly shake a bit, but his color seems to be returning a bit. While at the telegraph office he also sent a quick telegram to Dr. Chung, asking about his students, and if he was needed back anytime soon. I must ask myself why I don't return to a life of curious students, and academic research... but can I now that I know what is out there.
"Even if we could acquire different copies of the books, they would be lacking any additional notes or annotations Echavarria or Trammel might have made," Evelyn replies as she stands up.
"Let's meet up with Anatoly, see if he's doing all right. After that, perhaps we should meet up with the others at Trammel's estate. I did not wish to resort to clandestine activity, but we are being left with little choice in the matter."
Joseph yawns. He closes his eyes and begins to doze
When the others arrive Anatoly suggests that they visit Chinatown, and purchase a quantity of fireworks. "I'll create what panic and distraction I can with these. If I could find a heard of goats to run through the door when they open it I would... but there aren't a lot of goat herds in LA".
Evelyn chuckles. "All right. Just don't point them at the house." With some hesitance, she adds, "Or if you must, at least wait until we are all outside."
Amadeus smiles. "It's nice to see a young woman getting work in this economy."
Freddy smiles back to Amadeus. "A friend of yours?"
Evelyn chuckles. "All right. Just don't point them at the house." With some hesitance, she adds, "Or if you must, at least wait until we are all outside."
Amadeus smiles. "It's nice to see a young woman getting work in this economy."Freddy smiles back to Amadeus. "A friend of yours?"
Joseph suddenly wakes up, and begins to walk towards the closet. Taking out his best suit, he dons it and grabs a nearby bottle of champagne. Smiling, he heads into his car, and signals the driver to start driving. To the Trammel Estate, my good man
Let's see what kinds of trouble I get get into
Joseph grabs his jacket and one of the bottles of champagne he keeps on hand in case of emergency and heads for the door.
Amadeus smirks. "A business acquaintance. She's talented, though since she went in there, she's not likely to come out ... unchanged." His smirk falls as he makes the final comment.
Freddy nods gravely, getting Amadeus's point. "Let's get back to the others then. Maybe we can get back here quickly enough that we save her from the worst of... whatever she is about to go through." Freddy shudders at the thought.
Joseph takes off into the night, champagne bottle in hand. After a short drive through the hills of Pasadena, he arrives at the address the rest of Janet's little team have talked about so much. It's a fittingly large enough house, new construction with lots of windows. Joseph knocks at the front door and a very serious looking man in a precisely ironed suit opens the door. He looks Mr. Westmore up and down.
"... May I help you?"
Just before they're ready to pack in the stakeout for the night, Freddy and Amadeus notice a familiar looking car pull into the driveway. The young Mr. Westmore has stepped out and knocked on Trammel's front door!
The gentleman at the door doesn't move, putting out a hand to hold Joseph back and stop his forward progress. He's surprisingly strong.
"Stay where you are. Who would this mutual friend be?"
Freddys eyes widen at the sight. "Amadeus, is that Joseph?! What the hell is he doing?"
Joseph may as well be attempting to charm a stone. The man remains in the doorway.
"How do you know Mr. Trammel?"
The house behind him is quiet, though the lights are still on. You don't see any servants moving around, though it is fairly late.