Episode 12: The Curse of Bonesborough
A week later, after the events of their last case, the Mystery Trio, Luz, Amity, Gus and Willow sat at the Bonesborough Cafe. They wanted to enjoy the last week of the semester holidays. Especially James had somehow tried to take advantage of chances with Gus. But James just had no idea how to flirt or do stuff like that in general. He may be smart and a good detective, but when it comes to things like that, he's just a mess. The teenagers sat at a table and had several drinks with them, Amity laughed at something Luz told as well as Willow and Gus. Rob wrote a protocol of the last case.
James: (clears himself) Will you soon be done with the protocol, Rob?
Rob: Yes, wait!
Matt: Now don't rush him! After all, this was one of the most difficult cases in the history of our detective agency.
Luz: Yes, without our help you would have been pretty lost.
James: Yeah, but... I am hungry! (Gus laughs) And besides, I'm here to celebrate the giant bargain that I was able to get hold of at the garage sale earlier.
Gus: (laughs) So your joy about this old movie projector, it was really not to be overlooked!
James: Um, yeah, um. Yes, a real Novalux T-800! Over thirty years old before all the crystal balls things and still almost like new! (Matt laughs) Yeah, and that for a whole five snails. That's what you call luck! These projectors are quite rare and certainly worth a lot.
Luz: I didn't know that the Boiling Isles has on such projectors.
Rob: (writes and mumbles along softly) ...on Friday to the Coven... transferred. (loudly) So!
Willow: Done?
Rob: End of protocol.
Matt: Great!
Rob: Well, friends! That would close the case once and for all.
Luz: Boy, oh boy! That was really crazy! All those names alone.
Rob: Insane!
Amity: Mhm!
James: Well, we've made it through now! And, uh, now that the protocol is ready, let's finally turn our attention to the menu. Where is it?
Matt: Hmmm. If we had one... Oh, over there! There's one on the empty table.
Matt got up and tried to pick up the card, in the process the Apple Blood from Matt, fell on the table.
Rob: Hey, watch out! Watch out, the Apple Blodd! Oh, Aa, darn it! Great Matt! Once across the Boiling Isles News. Newspaper! I wonder how you do it all the time? Look at this!
Amity and Luz: (laughs) Oh, Matt!
Matt: Sorry! That was not intentional!
Rob: Yeah, that won't make the paper dry again either.
Willow: Dorks! (laughs)
James: (scroll rings) Oh, that's mine! Wait a minute! Oops! Will you stay here? (James takes call) Uh, yeah? James Jones, Mystery Trio! ... Yes! ... Yes, exactly! ... On your house wall? ... With red paint you say? ... Well, Pf, to be honest, it sounds more like a child's prank, and we ... Hello? ... Hung up!
Gus: Do you guys have a new case?
James: Hm! Hardly! Someone wanted to hire us to clarify who has smeared his house wall with red signs.
Amity: That sounds more like a case for the city cleaner.
James: Doesn't matter now! Let's turn to the menu! May I?
Luz: Here!
James: Ah... First, I need a new drink, thanks Matt! And, uh, to celebrate the day, I'll try the... yes, the Cocoa Special with Fairy Flavor.
And with that, the friends spent their day in the cafe. And had fun.
XXX
After the hamburger menu, the three detectives drove back to the junkyard while the others went home. At headquarters, James carefully lifted the newly purchased projector out of the box and placed it on the table.
James: Huh?
Matt: What?
James: The bow fasteners seem to have loosened during transport. Wait a minute!
Rob: Wha-
James: Ha... Hey, here... here's a small cavity. Oh, and there's a small roll of film in it. Here!
Rob: No way!
James: Yes, yes! Fixed with tape.
Matt: Hm!
James: Ah, Super 8 format!
Matt: Super 8…
James: The thing is pretty old. Yeah, what do you think, should we do a quick check to see if this thing is even still playable before we bother Misses Sullivan about it?
Rob: Mhm, yeah sure! I, uh, already darken the booth.
Matt: Yeah, uh, and I'll turn the big map around so we have a screen.
James prepared the filming in his projector. Everything was prepared. Matt and Rob leaned against the desk.
James: So! I've got it too! OK! Well then, film on!
The film started and they saw on the screen several children laughing and playing.
Rob: It looks like a... like a child's birthday party.
James: Yeah!
Rob: (laughing) Look at those pants. (laughing) No! And that wig there.
Matt: The hairstyles in general. (laughs)
James: (laughs) Yes, that was probably in the seventies.
Matt: Yes! So, in any case, the film still works. Then let's give it back to Mrs. Sullivan, shall we?
James: Yes, of course! In this case, it goes without saying that the...
Suddenly there was a cut in the film. And the three boys saw a wooden house in the forest. It was already dusk. They could see almost nothing except at a window.
Matt: Hey... T.. T..There was suddenly a cut!
James: Huh?
Rob: There you see... a house facade in the twilight. You can hardly see anything, except for this... that dark window there. I... uh...
Suddenly, the Mystery Trio were startled.
Matt: Man, I was scared! Is that... is that a woman?
James: Yes! She... She is standing with her back to the window and has pushed aside the curtains. It seems as if she is afraid of something...
And again the boys were frightened. In front of the woman was a pale ghostly face with an eye patch.
Rob: (quiet) Oh my Titan! What is that? A ... A ghost face!
James: A deathly pale man with an eye patch and his mouth wide open.
Matt: (anxiously) He moves toward the woman.
James: Hey...Now the picture changes again.
Matt: And back to the birthday party.
Rob: That's it! The movie is over!
James: Yeah!
Matt: James... James... what is the meaning of this?
James: Yeah, I... I have no idea Matt! Rob! Can you turn on the lights?
Rob: Sure!
Rob pressed the light switch and the light was back on. He also turned the map on the right side again.
Matt: Tell me... was that even a witch? This rigid cold eye, and, and, and, and the twitching mouth... uah, I still have goose bumps!
James: The fact is, whoever took the shot of the figure later separated out this strip of film and cut it into the harmless birthday party.
Rob: You mean so no one can find him?
James: Pf, well... it was hardly an oversight...
Mat: No!
James: ...and... and it doesn't look like a joke either. No, so, in my eyes, the birthday movie is clearly a hiding place for the window shot.
Rob: Mhm!
James: As a further safeguard, the roller was then hidden in the cavity under the projector.
Rob: Well... yes, okay! Yes, then there must be something special about the film. You only hide an object if it's somehow secret or valuable.
James: Or dangerous!
Rob: Dangerous?
James: To clarify here we should definitely talk with Misses Sullivan. I mean it was in her possession!
Rob: Yes, that sounds good! Maybe the whole thing will turn out to be completely harmless.
Matt: Mhm! And if not?
James: Then the Mystery Trio have a new case!
Matt: Oh noo! Please not! It was one week ago when we had this big Rashura case!
XXX
After James had announced their visit by scroll, the three detectives headed for Matt's Abomination Car. Just as they were about to get in, a man of about 40-year-old man in a trench coat approached James.
Sebastian Dawson: E-E Excuse me!
James: Yeah?
Sebastian: I I am looking for a F-F film projector!
James: Oh, well, then I'd better take you to our warehouse. I'll be right back, guys!
Matt: Yes, but hurry up, okay?
James: Uh, yes! Come on!
Sebastian: Th.. Tha…Thank you!
James: Uh, are you looking for something in particular, mister...?
Sebastian: D-D-D Dawson!
James: Ah!
Sebastian: Sebastian D-D-D Dawson!
James: Mhm!
Sebastian: I-I Indeed! I i am interested in the N-N Novalux projector you purchased today n noon a- at Miss Sullivan.
James: May I ask how you know about this?
Sebastian: Uh, oh, v-very simple! I also went to M-Miss Sullivan in r- response to the a-ad in the newspaper,...
James: Aha!
Sebastian: ...but unfortunately c-c- came too late. She was then kind enough to give me this address.
James: Aha, yes, right! I had given her my card.
Sebastian: Y-y-yeah!
James: Uh, well, Mr. Dawson, that's unfortunate, of course, but this projector is not for sale. Can I perhaps show you the rest of our range?
Sebastian: No, no, t-thank you! I am c-c- collector, and exactly this N- Novalux is still missing. Uh, cou-cou- could possibly a A- A offer of fifty snails change you m-m-mind?
James: Sorry, but this device is not for sale.
Sebastian: O-O-O-Of course! I understand! So let's say h-hundred snails?
James: You don't seem to want to understand me...
Sebastian: T-Two, Two, Two hundred snails?
James: Uh, I was just saying that I...
Suddenly, Mr. Dawson grabbed James by his collar and looked at him menacingly.
James: Ouch, ouch!
Sebastian: Listen, you moron! Nothing in the world is not for sale! I could buy your mom too if the price is right. So, are you going to take those two hundred fucking snails or shall I send you my next offer to the clinic?
James: Get the fuck off me!
Rob saw all the action and ran to Mr. Dawson and James.
Rob: (shouts approaching) Hey! Wait a minute! Wait a minute! What are you doing?
Sebastian: Damn it! We'll meet again Jumbo, count on it!
Mr. Dawson let go of James and ran away.
Rob: (out of breath) James! Are you all right?
James: Aa... Thanks a lot Rob! That... well that was really close!
Matt: (shouts approaching) What was going on?
James: (Sighs) I'll tell you on the way to Mrs. Sullivan brothers! And we'll take the projector with us.
XXX
The boys got in and set off. However, a large construction site directly opposite the junkyard made it much more difficult to turn out of the driveway.
Matt: (upset) Oh! Children! Can they park their excavator even closer to the driveway? They do that on purpose!
Rob: Uh, attention Rob, the car!
Matt almost drove in because of the construction site of the Construction Coven in a woman who was running.
Witch: Oh, take care of your old scrap mill!
Matt: My car?! Scrap mill?! Scandal!
James: Now calm down again! Nothing happened!
Matt: Mhm... Speaking of crazy, what about this weird Mister Dawson? Was the... was he after the film?
James: I doubt it! To do this, he would have to know about the hiding place. And Misses Sullivan said she saw Dawson for the first time today. By the way, she mentioned that someone else had inquired about the projector by scroll.
Rob: Aha! Seems to be a really coveted piece?
James: Yeah...
XXX
Shortly afterwards they had reached the small house that stood quite far away from Bonesborough. Tanya Sullivan, a graceful woman in her mid-thirties, invited the three detectives to the kitchen, where she served juice to her guests. After a few introductory words, James connected the projector he had brought with him and played the mysterious film clip. A little later, when Matt turned on the lights in the darkened kitchen again, Misses Sullivan looked into the void with concern.
Rob: (sighing) Well...
Tanya Sullivan: That... this was the old forest house in Bonesborough Forest. No doubt!
Rob: What?
Tanya: Even as a child, this was always scary to me. It was said that ghosts are in there.
Matt: Typical!
James: Um, who owned this forest house?
Tanya: Our neighbor at the time, a couple named Preston.
James: Aha!
Tanya: In earlier times it was probably a hunting lodge, but the Prestons never used it.
Rob: And the film recordings? Are they from your father or from your mother?
Tanya: Neither! That must have been my grandfather Desmond Kane, Titan bless him. He became a widower at an early age and, like us, lived in Bonesborough at the time. The camera was a real tick of him.
Matt: Hm!
Tanya: He was constantly filming something with it, the family, the house, the garden, everything he got in front of the lens. At some point, he stopped all of a sudden. Well, and now, three months after his death, I finally wanted to sort out the old stuff in the attic, which has been gathering dust for ages.
Rob: Mhm!
Tanya: The projector was also there. My wife and I no longer have any use for it, and my parents have been living in Stomachtroit for several years.
Rob: Um... You said the film came from the time when you and your family lived in Bonesborough.
Tanya: Yeah!
Rob: Tell me, do you know when you moved away?
Tanya: Exactly to the month! It was in early summer 27 years ago, at the end of May. I know because I had celebrated my ninth birthday a few days before, and I couldn't understand why we had to move so suddenly shortly afterwards.
Matt: Aha! So you mean the move came as a surprise to you?
Tanya: Yes, absolutely! My parents also seemed to be somehow taken by surprise. But no one talked about the reason for the move. Not even later, when we had long since settled in here in this house.
James: Hm! Okay! Then let's summarize! At the celebration of your ninth birthday, your grandfather took some pictures with his camera.
Tanya: Yeah!
James: Presumably in the same period, he was then on the road again, in the forest during dusk.
Tanya: That is quite possible! Grandpa was often outside to take nature shots.
James: It is precisely in this situation that he must have swung to the forest house perhaps only by coincidence.
Rob: Yes! And, uh, he watched how suddenly this woman and then the creppy figure appeared at the window.
James: Right! This scene must have led him to later remove it from the actual film reel and cut it into the birthday shot.
Matt: Yes! And then he hid the film in the projector.
James: Exactly!
Matt: Oh, and you mean that he was afraid of what he had recorded...
James: ... Yes, his family urged them to move away from Bonesborough.
Tanya: Sounds a bit adventurous, doesn't it?
James: Well, admittedly, our theory still has some gaps, but... but if you have no objection to it, it would be a pleasure for us to close these gaps and to reveal the secret of what happened at that time.
Tanya: (laughs) Now I understand! You had left me your card in the morning. So the Mystery Trio want to investigate.
James: If you don't mind, very gladly!
Tanya: Well, why not? I would be interested to know what really happened back then. For example, you could ask Mr. Berrin, a former acquaintance of my grandfather who still lives in Bonesborough.
Rob: Yeah, then we already have a starting point.
Tanya: I can also give you two boxes in which I have kept some of Grandpa's things. You can see if something can help you.
James: Thank you!
Suddenly, the four heard a baby cry from the second floor.
Tanya: Oh, uh, Daniel woke up. Then Isabell will get started right away. Uh, do I actually have to sign anything now, an order form or something?
Matt: Oh no!
James: (laughs) An confirmation is sufficient.
Tanya: Ok! Then I hereby instruct you, solemnly and officially, (James clears himself) to solve the mystery of Bonesborough. So, and now it's time for me to tackle the case of hungry baby.
Rob: Okay!
XXX
After Misses Sullivan had given them the address in Bonesborough and retrieved the two boxes from the cellar, the Mystery Trio said goodbye. They walked to the car.
James: (sighs) I would say we take a two-pronged approach. Du Rob plugs in the projector again in the headquarters and takes a still photo on which our ghost can be seen well.
Rob: Okay!
James: Yes! With this you drive to the Coven Station and ask Hunter to take a look at the picture. Who knows, maybe it's an acquaintance on file?
Rob: Sure thing!
Matt: I can well imagine what the guy looks like. But it's a pretty vague track.
James: Well! Nevertheless, it can't hurt if we first work by exclusion procedure. And if there is nothing from the coven, Rob can move to the next level.
Rob: Yes, the press!
James: Yep!
Rob: Understood! Yes, uh, I could ask Gus father with that. And, uh, what are you up to?
James: Matt and I will be in Bonesborough a bit of listening about the Forest House and the Prestons.
Matt: Hm!
James: I'm curious what we find out...
XXX
Arriving at the junkyard, the detectives separated as discussed. Rob went to the headquarters to take the photo, while Matt and James drove Matt's car into town. After just under ten minutes, they had reached their destination.They drove through the full town of Bonesborough.
Matt: Strange! Has the Crystal Ball shop of old Mr. Bush now reopened? There were several people standing in front of the entrance. The red-haired looked almost like Boscha from behind.
James: (laughs) Maybe our wannabe tough girl wants to change.
Matt: Huh?
James: Crystal Ball-Boscha, where quality is a foreign word. (The two laugh) Um, now... now drive a little slower, we are already at the seventies numbers.
Matt: Yeah, wait!
Matt parked at a small parking lot on the street. The two boys got out.
Matt: So! There we are!
The boys stood in front of a wooden house.
James: So this is the birthplace of Misses Sullivan. Aha! According to the door sign, a Sarah Tomkins now lives there.
Matt: Humph! I've already taken some photos. Ah, look next door at number 81.
James: Hm? Clark Foley. Hm! We must be unlucky. The Prestons no longer live here. Well, then we just have to ask ourselves.
Matt: Mhm! There are a few young witches in the back. You can start with them right away. I'll try Miss Tomkins.
James: Alright!
James walked towards the teenagers, he noticed that the boys and a girl had Glandus jackets on.
James: Uh, hello! Can I ask you a few questions? You guys are from here, aren't you?
Steve: Who wants to know?
James: Oh, sorry! My name is James Jones, and I'm looking for information about the Preston couple.
Bria: Uh, now I recognize him! That's this snooper who lives in such a garbage dump.
James: A Utility center to be exact.
Steve: Listen stupid Hexsider! We don't like something like you here!
James: Huh?
Steve: So you prefer to clamp your butt back into the car very quickly and disappear.
Matt ran to the group to support James.
Matt: (closer) Hey! If you want to beat yourself up, try one of your size.
Steve: Ohh! Youbrought your bodyguard.
Bria: Come on, Steve! Leave those guys alone!
Steve: Tz!
Bria: We don't have the time to fight!
Jack: You were lucky! But when we come back later you are gone, understood?
Matt: We decide that ourselves, and no one else.
Steve: We will see!
The teenagers disappeared, leaving the two detectives alone.
James: Thank you, Matt!
Matt: No problem!
James: Oh man! Everyone seems to want to punch me in the face today.
Matt: Yeah don't worry dude! Probably these guys just wanted to act tough in front of the chick.
James: Possible! Well, in any case, we won't let that deter us. Let's start interviewing the neighbors.
Matt: All right! Then good luck!
James: Yes, you too! (sighs) So! Then I'll try my luck with Mr. Berrin.
The boys separated and James ran and rang the bell at Mr. Berrin's house. The street of Bonesborough was once again extremely crowded. And James was relieved that he lived in the forest. At the door now a young man opened the door with green eyes and an ear that was missing.
John Berrin: Yeah?
James: Uh, good afternoon, sir! Are you Merrel Berrin?
John: No! I'm John, his nephew. What do you want from my uncle?
James: Um, my name is James Jones, and I'd like to ask your uncle a few questions about the former neighbors.
John: Wait! (calls) Merrel! Someone wants something from you!
John left and an old frail man stood in front of James. He had similarities with his nephew. But James could tell that Mr. Berrin was older than his age.
Merrel Berrin: Yes?
James: Good afternoon, Mr. Berrin! My name is James Jones and I have a...
Merrel: (raspy, frail voice) What? Cough donuts? I... I don't buy anything at the door, neither medicine nor any other bollocks. So get out, or... or I fire spell you.
Merrel Berrin slammed the door, leaving a confused James alone.
James: OK! Someone has obviously misplaced his ear trumpet. Hm! But the cough donut certainly won't give up that easily!
XXX
Rob's visit in the Coven Station in the office from Hunter, meanwhile, was cut very short.
Hunter: Sorry Rob, but our date is not going to happen!
Rob: Huh?
Hunter: The wires are running hot here at the moment because some graffiti idiots are up to mischief in the city. (Rob groans) You can leave me your photo. If I have time later, I'll take a look.
Rob: Um, yeah…Pfff, okay!
XXX
Simultaneously in Bonesborough on the threshold of house number 79. rang Matt at and a fat woman with blue hair opened the door. She had golden eyes and was dressed in red.
Miss Broit: Yeah?
Matt: Uh, I'm sorry to bother you, Miss Broit. My name is Matt Jones, and I have a quick question about your former neighbors, the Prestons.
Miss Broit: Oh! I never had anything to do with the Prestons, never! What do you interest about that anyway, eh? I advise you to keep your hands off things that are long over!
Matt: Uh, uh, can't you at least tell me why you have such a bad memory of the Prestons?
Miss Broit: Hm! I have already said too much! Please leave us in peace, for our own good, and for yours!
Miss Broit slammed the door.
Matt: That wasn't exactly encouraging. Hey, maybe you're more talkative next door?
Matt went to the neighbor's house and rang the doorbell, a slightly older man opened the door. With red hair and piercings on his pointy ears.
Matt: Good day Mister Foley!
Mister Foley: Yeah?
Matt: I would like to ask them about your former neighbors, the Prestons.
Mister Foley: (scared) What is that? Are you one of them? Why are you coming now after all these years? We've always kept our mouths shut! What more do you want?
Matt: Sir I have no idea what you are talking about!
Mister Foley: Dear Titan! Let it be over please!
Mr. Foley also slammed the door. Matt was very confused.
Matt: So...slowly I also believe that there is something wrong here….very wrong.
XXX
James had managed to press his card into Mr. Berrin's hand at the second attempt before he could actually get physical. The fact that he was dealing with a detective seemed to deeply worry the old witch, and he suddenly seemed powerless and distraught.
Merrel: So, what do you want from me now? (coughs)
James: I come on behalf of a former neighbor of theirs, Mrs. Sullivan. And I'd like to ask you a few questions about the Prestons...
Merrel: Are you crazy?! Come on! Go on, get in there!
Mister Berrin pulled James inside his house and slammed the door.
James: Yeah, but i-i-i-i don't understand!
Merrel: Never say that name out loud! Do you hear? Never!
James: B-But... but why? What are you talking about?
Merrel: This city was a paradise full of joy and life. Then the Prestons came, and they were followed by the darkness.
James: Uh, the... the darkness? Are you talking about the house in the forest?
Merrel: (startled sound) How do you know about that? (gasps)
James: We have discovered an old film recording on which...
Merrel: Forget the Prestons, and forget the house. I beg you!
James: But why? Tell me why!
Merrel: No one is allowed there. No one! It... it is forbidden to go there.
James: Why is it forbidden?
Merrel: Evil lives in this house!
James: Evil? What do you mean?
Merrel: (gasping) My wife was so curious. One evening she couldn't stand it anymore.
James: She... went into the forest?
Merrel: Yes! Over and over again I had told her, stay away from this house... (coughs) ...stay...(coughs) ...stay away from this house. (crying) Why? Why didn't she listen to me?
James: Mister Berrin…
Merrel: (sobs) He... he lurked in the darkness, and... and he took her. Screams! Oh, those horrible screams!
James: Mr. Berrin! Is there anything I can...
Merrel: I know, uh, he's still there behind the dark window, and sometimes...sometimes he looks out.
James: Sir! What happened to your wife?
Merrel: Fly home little sparrow or the white cat will find you.
James: Sir…
Merrel: Fly, and do not return, or else... or else... or it will eat you in one piece.
XXX
Matt then tried two more houses. Again without result. Confused and worried, the second detective went back to his car, where James was already waiting for him. Matt had to walk across the street to get to James.
Matt: (approaching) Hey James!
James: (approaching) Ah, there you are! I was about to... Hey, watch out! The motorcycle!
An Abomination Motorcycle drove toward Matt and Matt jumped to the ground still on the side of the road.
Matt: Hey! Is he insane or what?!
James ran to the other side of the street and helped Matt up.
James: Matt! Is everything okay?
Matt: Yes, of course! I lie here for pleasure! Tomorrow I'll probably be nothing but bruises.
Willow: Hey everything okay!
Willow and his father Gilbert ran to Matt and James. The two had watched the whole thing.
Gilbert: Everything alright, kid?
Matt: Yeah, yeah sir.
Gilbert: That was close! Such a dumb driver!
James: So, whoever it was, he accelerated at the exact moment you crossed the street.
Matt: Yes... yes, that was on purpose! The idiot had enough space.
Willow: Yeah!
Matt: Could any of you... Um... see anything?
Gilbert: No, it happend to quick!
James: Well, unfortunately not! In the black motorcycle gear he was as good as masked, and... and the license plate was completely dirty. In any case, he swerved to the left shortly before the collision.
Willow: Hmmm…
James: So this was not an assassination, but obviously a drastic attempt at intimidation.
Matt: (ironically) Hey... Great! Hey... Am I supposed to do a backflip for joy just because I almost got run over, or... or what?
James: Certainly not Matt! But... but at least this incident shows that we are indeed on the trail of something or someone.
Willow: Aha, I only know one trio that almost gets killed every time because they snoop around. You're on a case again, aren't you? In the last week of the semester break.
Gilbert: Ohhh, these guys are the Mystery Trio?
Willow: Yep, dad!
James: By the way, Mr. Park, do you know the Prestons?
Gilbert: T-t-the Prestons?! We are not talking about the Prestons! If that's your case then forget it real quick! This is out of your league!
Willow: Who are the Prestons?
Gilbert: Pshh! We…we go now! Bye kids!
Willow: Bye! See you later!
James: Yeah, bye…
Matt: Bye! Tell me, James if that was one of the guys from earlier?
James: No idea! If so, then... Hey!
Matt: Whats wrong?
James: There was someone at the back of your car. At least that's what it looked like. Because of the low sun, I saw him only blurred.
Matt: (angry) I hope for the bastards they didn't put something in my exhaust pipe!
XXX
However, there was nothing to discover about Matt's car. So the two detectives set off towards the city center. Meanwhile, Rob was on his way home. Suddenly, a dark blue Abomination Car with hazard lights on overtook him and slowly braked.
Rob: Oh no, what's that? Is this a civilian patrol?
A man got out and walked up to Rob.
Rob: That can`t be! You? How do you come to persecute me?
Sebastian: (closer) Just no fuss! I am peaceful!
Rob: Aha...
Sebastian: Uh, I'm sorry that I catch you here so easily, but at the Utility Center Totis Jones I should probably not let myself be seen for the time being.
Rob: Yes, and for good reason! What... what was this number supposed to be in the junkyard? Can you tell me that? And, uh... you don't stutter anymore.
Sebastian: Oh, the voice tic is just a strategy in sales talks.
Rob: Aha…
Sebastian: Targeted understatement to create a feeling of sympathy and superiority in the counterpart. But that's probably done now.
Rob: Yes! That's how I see it, too!
Sebastian: Yes! I'm sorry that I was so rude to your friend, but... unfortunately, my temper sometimes goes through with me.
Rob: He is my brother but yes.
Sebastian: I... I would really appreciate it if we could just put the incident behind us and start over again.
Rob: Start over?
Sebastian: Yeah! My offer of two hundred snails for your projector still applies, of course.
Rob: Yes, that's great, but... (laughs) ...James told you clearly. The projector is not for sale.
Sebastian: (sighs) Is unfortunate, really unfortunate!
Rob: Yes, this is very unfortunate, but unfortunately can not be changed
Sebastian: Then at least be so kind and take this pager with you.
Rob: What?
Sebastian: This means I can be reached at any time. Even at night. It's more reliable than my scroll.
Rob: A pager? For what?
Sebastian: You know, this projector is really a heartfelt project of mine.
Rob: Hm!
Sebastian: And I want to take absolutely no risk if you still think about it. So if the worst comes to the worst, just press that button and I'll be there in no time. That's great, isn't it?
Rob: Yeah, that's totally awesome! That's really, really great, but now I'd like to walk home if that's okay.
Sebastian: Sure, of course! (moves away) And remember, My name stands for top prices!
Rob: Yes, yes! (laughs) More likely for top tit! Pah! The guy is crazy!
XXX
At the same time, the other two detectives were halfway to the junkyard. Matt was driving the car. Silently, James listened to what Matt had to report from his inquiries. He shook his head in dismay.
James: Fear! Fear everywhere! Everyone around Number 81 was afraid of the Prestons.
Matt: Mhm!
James: Or no, actually not from the Prestons themselves, but from someone or something they had hidden in the forest house.
Matt: So…the ghost figure!
James: Evil lives in this house...
Matt: James?
James: ...or the white cat will find you.
Matt: James! James Jones! You are the most rational witch I have ever met on the Boiling Isles. You know that!
James: Huh?
Matt: But I'm really starting to get scared of you. It looks like... as if you really believe that there's... some... M-monster that even the witches are afraid of.
James: Sorry Matt! I... I admit that the last events have taken me quite a bit. (sighs) And nevertheless you are right, of course! We must try to continue our investigation with the necessary rational distance, without being blinded by his phantasmagoric tendency.
Matt: (laughs) That sounds more like the first detective. So, back to the analysis!
James: Yes, so let's look at the facts! There is fear and silence in the street we where.
James: And that, although our only clue for the trigger, namely the film clip with the eerie figure, is already almost thirty years old. Question. Who or what would be able to intimidate a whole street or city so much that even after three decades nobody wants to talk about it?
Matt: Yes, not wanting to talk is one thing.
James: Mhm!
Matt: But why does even someone not shrink from an attack, just because we have listened around a little?
James: Mhm! Additional question! How did this unknown find out so quickly that we were investigating? The film clip case is only two hours old. So where did he get his information?
Matt: (sighs) So Mrs. Sullivan is definitely out. After all, she's the one who gave us the task.
James: Yeah.
Matt: Maybe this stuttering one? But, Pf... that wouldn't really make any sense. After all, he's after the projector, not us.
James: Yes, right! Remains from the logic only a resident of this street of Bonesborough.
Matt: What, you... you mean one of our respondents was the motorcyclist?
James: Um, Mister Berrin certainly isn't. The man is literally a wreck.
Matt: Hm. Miss Broit also not. She is under fifty, and has a figure like an abomination. So, uh... maybe it was Mr. Foley? He had such a strange twinkle in his eye.
James: Hm…
Matt: Or, yeah, one of those glandus guys after all
James: Could be.
Matt: (groans) I don't think we'll get anywhere like this. We could have been observed by X other people than us... But that's not possible!
James: Whats wrong?
Matt: The black Abomination Car behind us.
James: Huh?
Matt: He is following us. Maybe an accomplice of the motorcyclist? It didn't work before, and now he's supposed to finish us off.
James: Ah! Calm down Matt! There! Now he's turning. Maybe it was just a stupid coincidence.
Matt: A coincidence?
James: Yeah!
Matt: Are you sure about that?
XXX
Back at the junkyard, Rob told his friends about the incident with Mister Dawson, and handed James the small pager. After a short investigation it was clear that it was a commercially available device without any hidden tricks. The three detectives arranged another meeting for late in the evening, and separated by then. Matt, in particular, wanted to get to his mother to treat the numerous bruises. He was also the last to return to the headquarters at about half past ten. James sat as usual on his swivel chair in front of the desk and the others on the couch.
James: Well Matt! Back on the post?
Matt: (groaning) I feel better. But not great. Ow a... ow... From my bruises I will have in any case quite a while. Look at this! Very colorful, huh?
James: Uh!
Rob: That's really blue! Can I touch it?
Matt: (screams out) Hands off! Ow a! Man! So, climbing facades or jumping over fences, that's canceled for the next time.
Rob: James can take care of that for the time being. (laughs)
James: Mhm, exactly! And on top of that, the humor department. (Matt laughs) That's because it's severely under-supplied in terms of quality.
Matt: Can we get back to our case now?
Rob: Yes, um, about the case! (clears throat) Hunter hasn't called back to me yet, and, uh, Gus's dad couldn't help me either - he got rather nervous.
James: Hm!
Rob: A blurred photo is then probably too little.
Matt: Hm! Artists' bad luck! But not everything can always go smoothly.
Rob: Hm! Uh, tell me, and you now assume that this woman on the film is the... the wife of this Mister... uh... Brarrin, or whatever his name is?
James: Berrin! Mhm! Uh, at least it's possible. If you believe the statements of Mr. Berrin, then something terrible happened in the forest house. However, the film is not yet conclusive proof. (sighs) In order to get a complete picture, I suggest that we now take a look at the haunted house in the forest.
Matt: Oh, uh... Uh, y-y-y you know James, I'd really love to go ghost hunting with you guys at night, but with my sprained foot, I'd just be an unnecessary burden for you guys in the forest.
Rob: Aha.
James: (ironically) Of course! From a Healing Covenist point of view, it would be downright irresponsible to let you out the door without a stretcher and nurse.
Matt: Mhm!
Rob: Yes, you can take care of Mrs. Sullivan's two boxes in the meantime. You don't need your badly injured foot for that.
Matt: Okay, I will! Well then, good luck, Brothers! (whispering) And watch out, otherwise the pale man will get you!
XXX
When Rob and James arrived at the street of Bonesborough where Number 81 is, it was pitch dark night. In order not to attract attention, the boys were dressed completely in black and were sneaking. Barely five minutes later, the two detectives were standing in front of number 81. As inconspicuously and quietly as possible, they crept past a high hedge into the overgrown garden. Then they entered the dark foothills of the forest. The already weak light of the narrow crescent moon was instantly swallowed up by the inky black canopy.
Rob: (startled sound) Did you just hear that? Were those... weren't those footsteps behind us?
James: (whispering)Now don't lose your nerve. You're already competing with Matt.
Rob: (whispering) No, I am absolutely sure that there was something.
James: (whispering) Yeah! Whatever was there has obviously disappeared now. So come on!
Rob: (sighs, whispering) Man, man, man! And all this on the night of Friday the thirteenth.
For several minutes, the two detectives groped their way through the rough undergrowth. Then the cone of light from Rob's Light Spell suddenly fell on the open field of a small clearing, in the middle of which a gloomy building towered. Silently they walked along the facade. They had an creppy feeling that the building was staring down at them with blind, evil eyes. On the back side, they finally discovered a back door that could be pried open with their combined strength. With bated breath, James and Rob entered the haunted house.
James: (whispering) So there we are.
Rob: Yes! I would not have thought that the house is so huge. There you can directly ... (loudly) Oh, damn it!
Rob saw a huge something staring at them in the corner. It had fangs.
Rob: (scared) Oh Titan!
James: Titan! You scared me! Whats wrong?
Rob: Yes the... yes the... yes t-t- the shadow... the shadow over there! Someone is standing there!
James: Hm! Oh, man! Calm down Rob!
Rob: What are you... what are you doing now?
James: You're out and about without the rabbit's foot on duty, and then the other one make the alarm. (Rob anxious sound) May I introduce him?
Rob: What?
James: Boro Marko Sowos! Better known under the name Moss Man. Looks like it is one of the aggressive kind because of the fangs.
Rob: Oh!
James: Erected about two meters forty tall, expertly stuffed, and guaranteed no longer alive.
Rob: Yes, it's all right! I just got a fright. It can happen.
James: Mhm!
Rob: I had just forgotten that we are here in... in a hunting house.
James: Well. Obviously, the former owner was an avid hunter.
Rob: Hm!
James: Hey... This place is crawling with trophies from the isles.
Rob: Yes, heads of demons or monsters or other creatures everywhere on the walls.
James: Yeah!
Rob: Horrible! Those dead eyes.
James: Undoubtedly! Hm! Nevertheless, we have a task! With a little luck, we'll find something here that will bring us closer to the solution of our mystery. So, let's go searching!
XXX
At the same time, Matt sat in the headquarters, examining the contents of the two boxes.
Matt: (yawns) And here? A pocket watch. (Pages are turned) A book on historical coins. Old letters. (yawns) Aa, man! I am tired!
Suddenly Matt heard someone calling for help.
Maria: (from a distance) Help!
Matt: What?
Maria: (from afar) Totis! Oh help! Help!
Matt: (shouts) I'm coming!
Matt ran out onto the porch of the house where his mother and father were. Maria looked disturbed.
Totis: Maria! For Titans sake! What happened?
Matt: Has anyone been here?
Maria: Yes!
Matt: A... a burglar?
Maria: Yes!
Totis: Well, sit down first!
Maria: You know, I... I couldn't sleep.
Matt: Yeah?
Maria: And... and there I wanted to make myself a hot Griffin milk.
Matt: Mhm!
Maria: And... and I saw a shadow outside, tampering with the door to the warehouse. So, I ran to the porch to see who it was.
Matt: Yes?
Maria: And there this man suddenly turned his face to me... (panicked sounds)
Matt: And?
Maria: He had an eye patch. And his skin shone white like a face from a dead man. (sobs)
Matt: (horrified) What?
XXX
Rob and James, meanwhile, searched the second floor of the creppy forest house. Rob was searching through a dresser and found something interesting.
Rob: Hey! What have we here? This... that's a ring!
James: A ring?
Rob: Yeah! Here!
James: Show me!
Rob: Here! I discovered this when I moved the chest of drawers. It must have fallen behind it at some point.
James: Aha? And this is where it was lying?
Rob: Yes, right here!
James: Wait a minute! I'll mark the point with chalk. Like this! (sighs) Hm! A silver signet ring. Hm!
Rob: Yeah!
James: The motif looks like a setting sun. And here! There... there is some... a small number engraved.
Rob: Uh, you mean the alloy stamp?
James: No, no, no! The number is much bigger. It looks like a curved seven. Hey! Well, that's something! Maybe we can...
Rob: Shh! (further conversation proceeds in a whisper)
The two boys heard footsteps from below.
James: What was that?
Rob: It sounded like there was someone in the room below us. Shh!
James: You... you're right! These are clearly steps.
Rob: Oh, damn! Then our way back is cut off.
Suddenly the footsteps became louder and louder, as if something was climbing the stairs.
James: I think now he's in the stairwell.
Rob: Where did he come from all of a sudden?
James: I don't know, but if... Oh no! He's coming up the stairs.
Now the footsteps were closer, and the boys heard a somewhat creepy monster noises. It sounded like a rattle and that the something was getting ready to eat. Now you could see the fear in Rob's face.
Rob: And what if there is something to these... there is something true to these ghost stories after all?
James: Stop it already! We can't go crazy now!
Rob: Yes, but we are now trapped. This can't be true.
James: The key is stuck from the outside. Damn it! And nothing in the room that could be used as a weapon.
They heard the creepy rattle of the monster or ghost was in front the door.
Rob: Now it is right outside the door.
James: (suddenly talking loudly) Exactly Golden Guard! Basically a clear factual situation!
Suddenly the rattling stopped and something ran downstairs.
James: Quick Rob! To the window! I want to know who was that!
Rob: Brilliant idea James! How did you come up with that?
James: Defensive dominance illusion! Old acting trick that we learned in Hexside in the Illusion Track!
Rob: Oh!
James: Crap! Nobody to see.
Rob: Yeah, the... the guy must be out the other side.
James: A chase in the woods at night would probably be pretty dumb.
Rob: Yes! Well, I... I... I do not get it all at all! What's going on here?
James: Oh... I would feel much better if I had an answer to that.
XXX
A short time later, James and Rob started on their way back. At the junkyard, Matt greeted them with the next horror story. He welcomed them in the living room of their house.
Rob: Mum saw the ghost man in the junkyard?
Matt: Yes!
James: Oh! Enough with all this ghost stuff! Neither here nor in the forest house any ghosts have haunted around, but absolutely witch contemporaries.
Rob: Yes, but... but what's all this about?
James: That's exactly what needs to be clarified! (sighs, speaks quietly to himself) What time is it? (astonished sound) However, I suggest to postpone the further examinations until tomorrow. (yawning) After this day, I think we can all use a little sleep.
Matt: Mhm!
James: But first we'll check the junkyard again. Um, that reminds me, where did you actually take the projector this afternoon, Rob?
Rob: Um, yeah, that thing is tucked away and safe in our laundry room, uh, behind the dryer.
James: He should indeed be in good hands there. Well then, Brothers! (yawning) Good night and sweet dreams!
Rob: Good night!
Matt: Yes, I already know what I will dream tonight.
XXX
The next morning was different than expected. A strong storm had broken over the Boiling Isles with gale-force winds and deluge-like rain showers, and the foothills were also clearly felt in Bonesborough. Maria made a protective spell around the whole compound against the Boiling Rain, she did the same at the Owl House because neighbors like to help each other. For the boys, this meant first working with their father to weatherproof the open storage areas of the junkyard in case some rain did come in. The mystery trio postponed their meeting until noon. When they sat at the headquarters, the storm was still raging.
Matt: Oh man! Is this a huge thunderstorm! Somewhere it must have hit hard.
Rob: Really?
Matt: At the bang I almost sailed down the stairs. How is Mum doing after last night's affair?
James: Humph! She has recovered well! Because of the storm, she didn't have time to think. And at the moment she probably distracts herself with bake.
Rob: Well, then the storm has something good.
James: Pf! It could stop now!
Matt: Mhm!
James: A few more hours of this rain, and our basement is draining. In any case, I brought the projector back to the headquarters for safety.
Rob: Aha!
James: Yes, so, back to our case! Is there anything new from the research department?
Rob: Yeah, unfortunately nothing great. Um, at least it is now clear that there are no press releases on the keyword Prestons or in the Street from Bonesborough anywhere. Um, so nothing went publicly.
James: Hm!
Rob: Um, but, uh, you James somehow look like you have something new to announce.
James: (laughs) Well observed! If my detective instinct doesn't cloud me, we'll probably get feedback from Hunter shortly.
Rob: Oh! He's just in the middle of another case. Why do you think he has something for us now?
James: Sure! I spoke to him on the scroll at noon today after I had a crucial idea.
Rob: Really?
Matt: Yes, oh... Please James! Can we save ourselves the usual Larifari this time and you just get to the point?
James: Yes, yes! Don't panic! So, this morning I took our ring from the haunted house again, and then did a little research in Totis' archive.
Rob: Aha!
James: I had an idea.
Rob: Yes, and what?
James: It was a spontaneous association with gang insignia.
Matt: Insignia? Aren't these symbols of power like that... like crown and sceptre for kings?
James: Correct! In this case, jewelry that serves to express belonging to a certain group. Often used in criminal gangs.
Rob: Aha! I think I've heard of it before. Such motive rings are mainly used in organized gangs, right?
James: Yes, exactly! Grey also had such a ring. We were at an auction in Bonesborough some time ago, where Coven-cleared material from a convicted protection snails gang came in the Conformatorium.
Matt: Aha!
James: Among other things, twelve motif rings, each with two crossed lilies.
Rob: Aha!
James: Each ring also had an engraved numeral, presumably for the internal hierarchy.
Rob: That's interesting!
Matt: L-L-Like... Like the seven on our ring!
James: Mhm!
Matt: So you mean our pale man could be a professional gangster?
James: Yes, that would at least be conceivable! So I gave Hunter a hint in that direction. I also told him about the Prestons and the haunted house. He promised to carry out a targeted check immediately, so I think the...
Suddenly, the Crystal Ball rang and James answer the call. He turned on the amplifier.
James: Yeah! James Jones of the three detectives!
Hunter: Oh, here is Hunter! Hello James!
James: Hunter! I was hoping you would call. Did you find out anything about our ghost man?
Hunter: (laughing) Yes, you can say that! Listen!
James: Yeah?
Hunter: Um, here! The man in your film is Quentin Resnick,…
James: Oh!
Hunter: ... a member of the so-called sundown gang in Stomachtroit. Hence the motif ring with the setting sun.
Matt: Huh?
Hunter: Yes! So Resnick was a professional gangster, predatory robberies, bodily injury, blackmail, the whole register.
James: Aha!
Hunter: And all under the protective hand of the big bosses. Uh, by the way, he lost his left eye in a Witches Duel.
Rob: Oh!
Matt: So t-t-t-then he was not a ghost, but a mob thug?
Hunter: Exactly!
Matt: And... and where does this spooky skin color come from?
Hunter: Well, because of a pigment disorder, Resnick was unnaturally light-skinned. That's why he was nicknamed White Cat.
James: Ah, the white cat!
Hunter: Mhm!
James: Oh! Now the confused stuff of Mister Berrin also makes sense.
Rob: Um, yes, and how did this mob guy come to Bonesborough?
Hunter: Yeah, well, these are just guesses so far. The fact is that the gang disbanded many years ago. As it seems, Resnick had probably clashed with some high animals in the organization, and it became too uncomfortable for him in Stomachtroit. So he decided to go into hiding for some time.
James: And that's what he did here in Bonesborough, of all places?
Hunter: Yes, at the moment we assume that the Prestons had been in contact with him before and granted him a hiding place in the forest house.
James: Aha!
Hunter: We are in the process of determining her current whereabouts in order to interrogate her about the events of that time.
Matt: That... the middle-class couple Preston as helpers of the mob.
Hunter: (laughing) Yeah!
Matt: The creppy rumors were just right for them. After all, everyone in the area made a wide arc around the haunted house anyway.
Rob: A mixture of invented and real horror.
Matt: Yeah!
Rob: Well, you can hardly imagine better protection.
James: Yes! This is also how this tremendous intimidation can be explained. Over time, it was probably leaked at that time that there was indeed a real threat from the house in the forest not a ghost or demon or monster. At the latest with the keyword mob there was certainly dead silence.
Matt: Hm!
Hunter: Yes, that was probably still true for the time when Resnick had long since disappeared.
James: Aha!
Hunter: After all, everyone had the warning in mind: One wrong word, and the white cat comes back, and finishes you off.
Rob: How long did Resnick stay here?
Hunter: Yes, it can no longer be reconstructed so precisely. The last note in the file is his date of death in August two years ago.
Rob: What?
James: Resnick is dead?
Hunter: Well! He died in a gang witch battle in Stomachtroit, so to speak. Uh, a moment guys!
Rob: (whispering) Have you heard that? That's crazy!
Hunter: Yes, thank you Steve! (Cracking) So guys! It calls the duty! Um, we'll be going to do the forest house shortly. At first, uh, a mysterious vandal has priority. (laughing) Tz! I am actually surprised that you have not interfered with us in this case so far.
James: A...
Hunter: But luckily you were busy. Anyway, don't forget to bring me the full film soon, okay?
James: Will be made dude! Thank you, and see you soon!
Hunter: Byeeee! (hungs up)
Rob: Ha! He was in a good mood.
Matt: Yeah, could be because he can finally solve a case alone.
James: (laughs) So, anyway. Let's hold on! The eerie figure at the window was a gangster named Resnick, who had gone into hiding in Bonesborough at the time.
Rob: Mhm!
James: And on the film you can probably see how he threatens Misses Berrin.
Matt: Yeah!
James: Maybe because she somehow tracked him down. He could not have guessed that there was an involuntary witness.
Matt: Mhm! But... says,... (laughs) ... I'm wrong, right... has the case been solved? Uh, now it's clear why Misses Sullivan's grandfather pushed his family to move. When he realized what he had recorded, he of course feared for her safety.
Rob: Yes, yes! And for fear of revenge, he hadn't said a word about it.
Matt: Yeah!
James: You're right! As far as the move, and thus our client, is concerned, the case seems to have been clarified, but not the motive of the Abomination motorcyclist or the nightly burglar.
Rob: Yes that's true!
James: These incidents must... (Crystal Ball rings) Humph! Has Hunter forgotten anything? (answers Call) James Jones, Mystery Trio?
Merrel Berrin: Here... Here is... here is Berrin.
James: Oh, Mr. Berrin! What can I do for you?
Merrel: Yesterday's talk just doesn't go out of my head. I haven't thought about my wife for that long. And now... suddenly all the pictures and the memories are back. Could you come back so we can talk to each other?
James: Of course, sir! If they don't mind, I'd like to bring my two brothers.
Merrel: Yes, do it!
James: Good Mr. Berrin! (Merrel Berrin coughs) We will be with them in a quarter of an hour. (Call hungs up) Brothers! The case is evolving! I already had the impression yesterday that Mr Berrin was hiding something from me. Maybe we'll learn something new after all.
XXX
On the way, the three talked about the latest developments in the haunted house case. In order not to take any risks, they had taken the projector and film with them. They drove with Matt's car to Bonesborough.
Matt: So I thought again about last night.
James: Mhm!
Matt: Why do you think someone makes such an effort to hinder us? Resnick is long dead, and the Prestons moved away years ago. There's nothing left to determine.
James: (quietly thoughtful) Nothing more to determine? (loud) Matt! I think you're closer to the solution than you think.
Matt: (laughs) Is that so? I didn't notice it.
James: It's like you say! In this case, there is nothing left to determine! Nevertheless, the burglar tried to break into our warehouse.
Matt: Yeah!
James: The masking thing distracted me all the time, but the shock effect was completely secondary. What he wanted was the film.
Rob: The film? Hm? But that doesn't make sense! The guy must have assumed that we had found the film at the latest since your visit to the street. Without the excerpt, we would not have started the research at all.
James: Yes, that's the whole point! Whoever is responsible for all this is not primarily afraid of our investigations, but of the film itself. He knows that we know the cutout. Nevertheless, he tried to steal the film and projector again last night. Well, presumably his accomplice Rob and I were supposed to hold on to the forest house for as long as possible while he broke into the junkyard.
Matt: Yes, but on the film there are... only Resnick and the woman can be seen. You can't burden anyone with that anymore. The T-The culprit is no longer alive!
James: Exactly! And that means there has to be more to see on the cutout than we previously thought.
XXX
Arriving at Mister Berrin's, James inquired whether they were allowed to connect their projector to re-examine the film clip. Berrin allowed it, but preferred to wait so long in the kitchen. Just at the thought of the horror pictures of that time, tears came to the old man's eyes.
James: Thanks again Sir! We know that our spontaneous request is not very polite, but... perhaps this will get us to the heart of the events of that time.
Merrel: Yes, my boy! (sighs) I need something to drink now. Do you also want Apple Blood?
Matt: No, no!
Rob: Uh, no! Thank you!
Merrel Berrin left the room.
James: Um, I, uh, then you'll draw the curtains! (Steps) That can`t be!
Rob: Is anything James?
James: Uh, no, no! Are you okay! (groans, draws curtains) Are you ready?
Rob: Yes!
James: Well then let's go!
The three boys watched the video, after some time they watched the video for the eighth time.
Matt: Yeah, now we look at the whole thing for the eighth time. I already have square eyes.
James: Nevertheless! There must be something! Probably even something that Misses Sullivan's grandfather didn't even know was on the movie.
Rob: Yes, but what then? The film is only half a minute long. Apart from this woman and Resnick, there is absolutely nothing to see!
Matt: W-W-W Wait! S-Stop! Stop! Stop! Stop the projector!
Rob: Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes! I do yes! I do yes! (Projector stops) Whats wrong?
Matt: Yes, f-f-for short moment is... a ray of sunshine has fallen through the window, and...
James: Huh?
Matt: ... and at the very back of the room, uh, so I don't know, but i-i I think there was a shadow.
Rob: Shadow?
Matt: Yes! We have to look at the scene again from... look at it from the front, and... and, and quite slowly, yes?
James: Ok! Will be done! (Projector rattles) So! That should be enough. Then let's have it!
Rob: There!
James: In fact! A glow of light! Probably from the evening sun that falls through the canopy.
Rob: Yes, yes! And now turn again a single frame further.
Matt: Yeah! Someone is in the back!
James: Yes! In fact! There... there is a man in the corner of the room. (frightened sound) U... And he holds an Abomination Blade in his hand...
Matt: ... with which he aims at the woman.
James: Wait a minute! That... that can't be true!
Rob: Now I recognize him too. The i... that's...
Merrel: (clear voice) Mister Berrin! Exactly!
Merrel Berrin came in but he didn't look like an old wreck anymore. Merrel's grandson also came in. As in the video, Merrel had an Abomination Blade in his hand.
Matt: (startled sound) But...
Merrel: First of all, keep your hands where I can see them. No lazy tricks,...
Rob: Yeah, yeah!
Merrel: ...or I will become extremely uncomfortable! Control them after Scrolls John!
John: Will be done! Like this! Aa... Aha!
Matt: Hey! Hey! Back off! Ow a!
John: Stay calm! So you, come! Mhm! Yes! Okay! There we go!
James: (sighs) You, of all people? What did you have to do with the whole thing?
Merrel: (laughs) Me? Well... I am the Curse of Bonesborough!
Rob: What? But Resnick...
Merrel: Yes, Resnick was just a very small light, he was on the run. I gave him shelter in the haunted house for a while. Favors keep friendships alive.
Matt: But I thought the Prestons had hidden it.
Merrel: Yeah, yeah, yeah, that's what pretty much everyone here thought... (laughs) ...I had made sure of that.
James: Then... then it was you who started all the rumors and scare stories circulating, just so no one would ask too many questions.
Merrel: Used correctly, fear can be an extremely effective instrument. So I always had a free hand in my business.
Rob: Pah! Business that had to do with the honorable society of the mob, right?
Merrel: Oh, oh, oh, why should I burden you with unnecessary knowledge? That only harms idealism.
James: Still, may I ask how they found out about the hidden film in the first place?
Merrel: Yes, very simple! From Kane Sullivan himself! Ironically, we were great friends without him ever suspecting a thing. Even after his family moved, we stayed in loose contact. Shortly before his death he called me to him one last time.
Matt: And that's when he told about the film?
Merrel: Mm, at first he asked me to check on his beloved granddaughter from time to time. Then his sentences became more and more confused, and he started babbling about some ghostly man and woman, and about a film he had hidden.
Matt: Mhm!
James: Ah, there you put one and one together.
Merrel: Yes! Even though most of it was completely confused, there was no doubt in my mind. It must have been the evening in the forest house, where I was also present. But from his words I concluded that he had not seen me.
Rob: Still, the film posed a risk to you.
Merrel: Of course, I wanted to find out from him where the film was hidden, but Kane got more and more lost in self-reproaches, because he never said anything and therefore would have been guilty. (laughs) He probably wanted to ease his conscience.
Matt: But he did not reveal the hiding place.
Merrel: He was pretty much gone by the time I left. And the last thing he kept whispering was "Nova." Yeah, Nova!
James: Mhm!
Merrel: But I could not make sense of it. After his death, I offered my help to Misses Sullivan to assist her in settling the estate.
James: Ah, and in the process you searched everything intensively for the film stash.
Merrel: (laughing) Smart witchling! Well, I didn't find anything, and actually I thought Kane might have gotten rid of the thing long ago, but there...
James: ...you discovered an ad in the Boiling Isles Newspaper yesterday offering, among other things, an old Novalux projector.
Merrel: Yes! Unfortunately, I didn't notice until late in the afternoon. When I read Mrs. Sullivan's name, everything was clear to me. Anonymously, I called her immediately, but she said that the projector was already sold.
Rob: Hm! So that's how it all got rolling! They got our address from Misses Sullivan.
John: That's right! But when I arrived at the junkyard, you were just leaving. If I had known you were on your way to Bonesborough, I could have saved myself the trip.
Matt: Oh, so you're the motorcyclist who almost knocked me down!
John: Right! (laughs) Smart guy!
James: Oh, a pure diversion! If I combine correctly, the action was to help his uncle get to your trunk unnoticed. (Merrel laughs) He didn't know that Rob had the projector at that time.
Rob: Exactly!
James: And last night, too, they were out. This time, however, separately, one in the forest, the other in the junkyard.
Merrel: Unfortunately without success! Actually, I wanted to give you a lasting shock in the haunted house. I had hoped that you would keep your hands off this story, but you keep snooping. So! Because of you I was now actually still forced to appear directly, although I always wanted to avoid that.
James: Mhm! Just like all the years before. Perfect hidden in lies and terror. Additionally protected by your alleged hearing loss. Respect! I really bought the broken, frightened wreck. Also the show interlude about the screams of your wife was pure invention, wasn't it?
Merrel: (laughs) Not at all! Elisa's screams were really bad.
Rob: What?
Merrel: However, she was not screaming because of Resnick, but because of me. She wanted to divorce me and threatened to betray Resnick and me.
Rob: Yeah, and, um... what happened to her?
Merrel: Well, the official version for the neighbors was that we had divorce up.
Matt: Um…
James: And, uh, in truth?
Merrel: In truth, let's put it this way. From a legal point of view, it would be unadvisable for me to leave this excerpt undestroyed. Uh, may I now ask for the film roll?
James: Um, um.
Rob: Ummm…
Merrel: If you don't give me the film right now, I'll wring your neck myself!
Merrel Berrin heard someone knocking on Berrin's front door.
Merrel: What the heck…
James: Come on, guys!
Matt quickly went to Merrel and knocked the Abomination Blade out of his hand. Rob quickly made a plant spell to tie up the two criminals with roots. It all happened too fast that the two criminals had no chance to react.
Rob: Like this! Your done! Gentlemens!
John: Darn it!
Merrel: You brats!
James: And the film goes safely to the Coven.
Matt: But... But... who's at the front door?
James: I'll tell you right now Matt.
James went to the door and opened it and in came a man the boys knew very well.
Rob and Matt: Mr. Dawson!
James: Yes, exactly! Earlier, at the window, I saw him across the street looking over at me. He must have followed us. Since Berrin's nephew was not very careful during our search, I was able to activate the pager unnoticed.
Matt: Huh?
James: Dawson had to assume we were having second thoughts about the projector, so he came over to the house. Wait a minute! Ah, good day Mister Dawson! Good to see you again!
Sebastian: Really?
Rob: Yes!
Sebastian: So you're not mad about yesterday's thing anymore?
James: Oh, quite the opposite! It is a blessing that there are such passionate collectors like you.
XXX
Barely ten minutes later, the Emperor's Coven was on the House, and the criminal duo was arrested. After the three detectives made their statement to the astonished Hunter at the Coven station and handed over the film reel, another surprise awaited them outside.
James: Well, Mr. Dawson! Have you been waiting for us all this time?
Sebastian: Indeed! I know that I have stalked you quite a bit, but since my presence has finally turned everything around for the better... (Matt laughs) ...I wanted to ask you if...
James: ...whether we might not sell them the projector after all. Mr. Dawson! Given the special circumstances, I would say that you more than deserve to get your collector's item.
Matt: Of course!
Rob: Sure!
Matt: Wait! I'll get him! What's that guy doing there? Did he just take a picture of me?
Sebastian: Oh, too kind! Uh, could you maybe put it in my trunk?
Matt: Uh... yes! Here? Like this? Good!
Sebastian: Very friendly! And here... ...are your two hundred snails, as promised!
James: Thank you very much Mister Dawson!
Rob: Tell me, Sebastian…
Sebastian: Hm?
Rob: ...um, after all the effort you've put into this old thing, it must be like Titanmas for you now, right? (laughs)
Sebastian: You bet! This old thing easily brings in between eight and ten thousand snails at trade shows. Byeee, geniuses! Nice doing business with you. (laughs, drives away)
Sebastian drove away, laughing at the three boys.
Matt: Tell me, uh, did he just say... ten thousand snails?
Rob: Yeah, I, um, I think I undestood something like that, too.
James: Hm. Who is for of removing that detail from the protocol?
Rob and Matt: Me!
END OF EPISODE 12
That's it for the episode! I hope you liked it! Only one more episode until the boys have to go back to school. Write me a review and follow the series.
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