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Post by David Young Henning on Dec 11, 2010 6:42:10 GMT -8
Henning sensed there wouldn't be much point in further interrogating the falconer; why waste his breath now, when there was a possibility they could met later under conditions more conducive to straight talk? He finished his pancakes and dismantled the napkin crane to deal with the residue of maple syrup clinging to his fingers. No matter how careful you were with the stuff, somehow it always managed to get everywhere.
He stood up and nodded at his two table companions, said, "Sorry, I've got to make a quick phone call... I'll be right back."
It felt like he should add something else, specifically to Charlotte, but couldn't think of anything to say that he wanted Uccello to hear. He dropped the napkin on the table and went out to the lobby, checking to make sure everyone, including Polly, was still in the dining hall. Not that any of them had a reason to follow him... It was just a routine phone-in... But you could never be too careful.
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Post by Charlotte Jacobs on Dec 11, 2010 15:02:40 GMT -8
Charlotte lifted a few pancakes onto her plate, doused them with syrup, and began nibbling. She was just about finished with her tea, and she might very well have to get a refill. It was rather good tea. For now though, she was content to listen to the ebb and flow of conversation around her... such as it was.
When David stood, and excused himself to go make a quick phone call, she watched him go with a smile. Of all the little towns for him to end up in... She was glad he ended up in Greenvale.
Charlotte took another bite of her pancakes.
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Post by Forrest Kaysen on Dec 13, 2010 1:08:26 GMT -8
Just when Kaysen was starting to think, perhaps, it was time for him to get up and leave, figuring he had seen enough of these new residents...Tamika was speaking to him again, snapping his attention back to the present. He might have been frustrated, were it not for the subject matter...one of few things he really cared about. His face lit up.
"Why, I sell tree saplings! Like I was tellin' Atlas, my specialty are a cross-breed of tree I've developed...they take some work to get 'em started, but once they're started, they go off like milk in the hot sun!" He grinned enthusiastically, bobbing his head to punctuate his statement.
Willie barked cheerfully, trotting around under the table and nosing and people's legs to try and get some table scraps.
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Post by David Young Henning on Dec 13, 2010 6:00:39 GMT -8
Henning leaned against the phone booth in the hotel lobby, positioned so he could see the dining area through the slightly open door. He inserted his quarter and listened for a moment before speaking quietly into the receiver, never taking his eyes off the breakfasters in the other room.
"Yeah, it's Agent Henning. Can you put Abraham on the line?"
Another pause. He could have used the phone in his room, but this way he could make sure everyone he was watching was still in their place. A voice came on the other end of the line.
"Hi, Bob. Yes, it's Henning. I got in the day before yesterday... No, everything's fine, I'm just reporting in a little late. ...It's unlike me? Well, you did say to take it easy."
He sighed, rubbed his eyes. "No, I haven't seen him, and that's partly what I'm calling about. He was supposed to be here before me and according to Paul, he hasn't been answering his cell. ...Satellite phone? Well, sir, I didn't want to mention it, but we've all been asking for one, and... Yeah. I ran into the Deputy yesterday and she thought I was him.
"...Anything suspicious? Well, I'm having breakfast with what feels like half the town's population, and there have been some interesting developments so far. You remember the Jacobs murder, North Carolina, a year or so ago? Her daughter's here in Greenvale. Seems to be doing fine. There's one other blast from the past you should know about, but I'll have Paul forward you the details. I know, I know... It's not a working case, but I thought I'd let you know I'm keeping my eyes open. Right. You never know..."
There were a few more moments of back-and-forth, and then he hung up. He walked back into the dining room, sat back down, said, "I think I'm about finished here... I have some matters to attend to this afternoon, Charlotte, but please call me if you want to catch up later. Okay? It's been too long..."
He was almost tempted to say the same thing to Uccello, even though they'd never met before in person and it would only spook the man even more. A brief nod in the falconer's direction, and a smile at Charlotte, as if to apologize for having to run out on her so soon.
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Post by Charlotte Jacobs on Dec 13, 2010 6:24:43 GMT -8
Charlotte glanced down in surprise as her cell jangled. She’d gotten a text. Who the hell would be texting her this early?? She opened it... only to start grinning. She hadn’t expected to hear back from him so soon. It was rather lengthy for a text, but that was Jake for you. He cared not for little matters like short and to the point.
Char –
I have good news. TWO pieces, in fact. Piece numero uno. Remember that autumn shot of yours that I thought was terrific? Well, it sold. Turns out Nature Ltd loved it as much as I did. Am I good, or what? You’ll be getting a check shortly. Still in that little podunk town in the Northwest? Piece Numero dos. That abandoned building shoot you did (I know, I know, you’ve done so many; which one?) with the peeling paint and post it notes? I’ve gotten interest from an online magazine, with indications that they’d like to see more from you. So get crackin’!
I’ll call you when there’s more.
Jake
The day was looking up. First running into David, and now this. It’s going to be a good day, she thought happily. And speak of the devil... It looked like he had to go, but not before telling her to call him if she wanted to catch up. She smiled up at him.
“I will. You can count on it.”
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Post by Tamika Weir on Dec 13, 2010 9:27:41 GMT -8
Tamika feigned interest, then remembered the forest she had seen in her head. She asked with genuine interest, " Do you know anything about a variety of tree that's entirely red? I saw them in the graveyard yesterday and I have never seen them anywhere else." "Come on FK. You're the first tree expert I've met. You've got to know something."
She then subtly slipped a bit of her pancake to Willie and petted his head. "I am such a sucker for dogs."
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Post by Wes Uccello on Dec 13, 2010 20:54:32 GMT -8
Wes watched as the agent excused himself, but didn't offer any acknowledgment. Not daring to break the awkward (for him) silence that followed, he nursed the remainder of his tea, hoping to hang around until Henning came back. Despite his best efforts, he couldn't make out anything of the phone call; he wanted so badly to hear, as he was pretty sure that the agent was talking about him. He was listening hard enough that he almost didn't notice Charlotte's actions.
However, he did notice them, and decided to go ahead and break the silence. "...Good news?" he asked, noting her smile.
Henning soon reentered and sat back down, having a quick exchange with the redhead. He only nodded to Wes, who wasn't exactly offended. "I'll call, too," he added, looking down at his teacup. "And I expect answers."
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Post by Forrest Kaysen on Dec 13, 2010 23:38:33 GMT -8
Willie happily lapped at the pancakes, tail thumping the carpet at high speed. He looooooved pancakes! And syrup!
On the other hand, the salesman was lapping up the enthusiasm about his trade, grin very bright indeed as she questioned him about the trees. "Why, red trees? Yup, those are the kind I sell! Family secret to get 'em to grow, but aren't they somethin'? Like a campfire to toast marshmallows on in all the green around here." He lifted his chin in pride, not showing any sort of worry about her question.
At least, not externally. Internally, he was wondering why the specific questions...what, precisely, was she after...?
...Well...least she's cute.
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Post by Atlas on Dec 14, 2010 14:23:48 GMT -8
Atlas looked at his plate. Save for a few remains of the pancakes and bacon he ate, there was nothing else. This looked like a good time to bow out.
But first, the dog.
He gave the remaining scraps of his plate to Willie. "I'm going to have to get going, buddy, but don't worry, I'll be sure to see you again." he said. He scratched Willie behind the ears and stood up.
"Well, it was a pleasure meeting everyone here, but I'm afraid I must be going. I do have some errands to run today. I hope your car gets fixed soon Mr. Kaysen. Once it does, give me a call, and we'll do some business." he said to the giant man. "Tamika, take care of yourself." he said to the redhead as he walked out the door.
"Now, what are these errands I want to do today. Maybe I'll visit that pastry shop I heard about later." he thought.
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