Tales of a Hunter Part 5
By Freddyfrmelmst
Disclaimer: See Part 1
"Klemm Investigations how can I help you?" I answered my phone as I read through another of the Men of Letters Books.
"Joe its Dean just letting know we got Sammy home to his girl. We broke the news to her about the Real World and Sam even put up those Protection Sigils around his place like you wanted."
"How did Jess handle meeting John?"
"She hugged him and even made the Old Man Smile. So that's something."
I chuckled.
"What's the Plan for you now?" I asked.
"Dad and I are heading east to meet Adam and then we are heading down to New Orleans got a tip down there from a contact something maybe going on down there. What about you?"
"Got a Ghost hunt I'm riding shotgun for with a Paranormal Investigator I know."
"Really a Ghost hunter?" Dean laughed.
"Yep he runs a website and Youtube Show and he feeds me Intel. Besides he was invited into the Amityville Horror House. The Bragging Rights alone are worth it.
I could hear John laugh as Dean told him where I was going.
"Thought they proved that was a Hoax years ago."
"The Movies embellished things and the people there were looking to make money but there were real paranormal events. Besides he is bringing in some Newbies to help him out. This is my way of Networking and getting Fresh information. I handle the dirty work as needed and the stay in the Shadows and the Investigators give a public front and way for John and Jane Q Public to reach out to hunters without us having to track down cases."
"Joseph when we meet up again I want to talk to you about Updating Dean and Mine's Hunting Covers and Contacts. Your way of doing things seems to be working better for you than ours and it might be time to learn something new." John's voice told me.
"Not a problem John when you bring Adam to the Bunker I will gladly help you and Dean overhaul your Hunting Set up."
"Thanks Joe catch you on the flipside." Dean said as he hung up.
I had to smile. I was living the Dream of every Supernatural fan. But being a fan I knew this wasn't going to last long. So I went back to my reading to prepare for my trip to New York. If didn't prepare you could end up dead and given that this was one of the most famous haunted house in the World I was visiting I'd rather be prepared for War.
….
When I got to NY to meet my contact I had to bit my lip to not laugh and wonder if Chuck was screwing with me on this one. It seems that the Rookie Ghost hunters that would be interning on this hunt were the Ghostfacers Ed and Harry if these too chuckleheads were here that mean this was going to go wrong somehow.
"Ed Harry I'd like you to meet Joseph Klemm." Jack Harris my Ghost hunting friend introduced me to his interns.
"Fellas." I smiled and shook their hands.
"Are you a fellow Ghost Hunter?" Ed asked.
I just smiled. "No I'm the Life Guard for this Case so to speak. I'm a Private Investigator by Trade and I run an Antique Business on the Side so I do the historical research on cases for Jack and I'm also Licensed for Artifact Recovery and the like so if someone finds something of a historical nature like say you are investigating a Civil War Battle Site and stumble on an old medal off a uniform or a gun or knife. I'm registered with the Smithsonian Museums to recover the items."
"Oh so you're the Off Camera Support Jack was telling us about. You're not part of the Production Crew you're just here just in case we need information or we find something and we need to know what something is." Harry added.
Ed looked a little scared for a second then looked at me and I realized he noticed my gun.
"Dude why are you strapped?" Ed asked. A little nervous as this was the Burbs of Long Island New York.
"Just came from a Job. I was working I haven't had a chance to hit the Hotel and put my stuff away."
He nodded and relaxed.
"So what's skinny on this site?" Jack asked.
"Former home of the Defeo Family called High Hopes. Oldest Son Ronald "Butch" Defeo killed his entire family. Mother Father Sisters and Brothers all killed. He has claimed both demons made him do it and that he and his sister planned and murdered their parents together and that when he left to create an alibi she murdered their sister and two younger brothers and that he killed her for doing that when he returned. The Lutz family moved in after the Murders and lived in the house for 28 days before fleeing claiming the house was haunted. The Paranormal Investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren investigated the house and said it was the most haunted house in America. And during a news program at the house a picture was taken showing what some people believe is a ghost child. There has been no claims of paranormal events since the Lutz family and most people dismiss it as a hoax." I explained.
"If most people think it's a hoax why are we here?" Ed asked.
"Because it's one of the most famous locations and the Owners want a documented Investigation to disprove the Haunting to keep the lookie Lous away and this way if they ever sell the place they don't have to declare it haunted which can hurt the resale value." I explained.
"Makes perfect sense." Ed responded.
This should make for an interesting night.
Boy was I wrong it turned out to be a quiet night but what the hell I got to investigate the Amityville Horror House. It was a Story that will make sure I don't have to pay for drinks in any Hunter Bar for a while.
My Sleep the next morning was cut short when Bobby called.
"What can I do for you Bobby?"
"I need your help. One of local Sheriff's Deputies are snooping around and I need some cover."
I smirked as I had a files ready for such a situation.
"Bobby I've got an idea on how to help you. I'm going to need your checking account information and some other tidbits of your information and I'm going to put you on the payroll for my investigations Company. This way I can work up some pay stubs so I can give the Local Cops my Cult Investigations story and introduce you as a researcher I've hired to help me locate possible locations they may be going to."
"Say what boy?" Bobby asked.
"I'm going to put you on my payroll. I have a legal Private Investigations company with all the proper tax and legal documents to prove it. I'm going to have you added as an employee and pay you as an independent researcher. Looking into Urban Legends and Mythology that the "Cult" we are chasing after is using for cover." I smiled into the phone as I began to pack up so I could head to meet Bobby.
"Let me get this straight you're going to pay me to be a researcher for your cover outfit which is a real company?" Snarked the old grump.
"Yes Bobby it is. I set it up this way along with this Cult BS Story so I can show up at Crime Scenes give the Cops a valid Reason as to why I'm there as well as give them a story they can check out. And it's something they can hang their hats on when the Weird Shit goes down."
Bobby chuckled. "I'll believe this cock and bull story when it actually works."
Two Days Later found me in front of the Sioux Falls Sheriff's Department with Bobby in tow.
The Suit I made him wear was not improving his mood.
Walking up to the front desk I smiled at the Deputy at the desk as I presented my ID and License.
"Good Afternoon I'm Joseph Klemm of Klemm Investigations I phoned ahead to set up a meeting with the Sheriff."
"Yes Mr. Klemm I will let Sheriff Mills know you are here." The Deputy Smiled.
"This is never going to work." Bobby Bitched.
"Oh ye of little faith." I told him as we were escorted back into the Office of Sherriff Jody Mills.
I smiled as Jody offered us a seat and some coffee.
"So I understand from your call earlier you are chasing some kind of Cult is that right?" She asked me.
I nodded and pulled out a folder and passed it to Jody.
"Yes Ma'am this Cult is hard to track because they don't operate like most cults that are well known."
Looking over the folder I could see I had Jody's interest.
"Explain to me how they work then." She challenged me.
I nodded.
"In the top of the Folder you will have a photo of One Joseph Kripke. He is currently going under the name of Joseph Seed. He was a small time drug dealer and amateur chemist. He is responsible for several designer drugs that have shown up. Crystal Dream, Velocity 9 and Viper are his creations."
Jody nodded having heard of these drugs.
"While trying to create a new drug he called Bliss. He created a Formula that when a person is exposed to makes them very susceptible to suggestions and can create visual hallucinations. So if you are exposed to this crap and someone screams out Oh my god there is a vampire in the kitchen you may actually see a Vampire standing there."
"Are you serious?" she asked me.
"Sadly yes there is a copy of the formula of the drug I found in one of his old lab set ups. After he was exposed to his own junk he had a revelation of a religious nature. That Humanity was still being tricked by the Devil and his demons and monsters. That he must quest for a mythical Gateway to Eden. And that by opening this Eden's Gate he will release an army of Angels upon the Earth to restore the world to the Garden of Eden."
"Well that's about the looniest thing I've ever heard on this job." She commented.
"Hold on to your hat Sheriff it's about to get weirder. Joseph doesn't known where the Gate is so he recruiting his followers to find it. He shows up in a town one that a semi-known local legend or one that fits his needs. He has a few of his follows show up in town ahead of him and drum up interest in the legend they pose as writers, reporters, students anyone that would be reasonably believed to be looking into such things and they drum up interest in the subject. By faking incidents with the legend. Then Joseph shows up in town as an Ex-Soldier trying to find someone or something. Or a Priest on a sabbatical to find his faith again. He then finds young people and using the Bliss tricks them into thinking they are saving people by stopping the legend and they then split town to find the Eden Gate so they can save the rest of the World the way they saved their town."
Jody looked stunned. Bobby looked amazed.
"And you have other evidence to back this up?"
"Out in my van Sheriff. If you want to take a look at it."
Jody licked her lips trying to get her voice back as her mouth went very dry.
"How about I give you what I got and Bobby and I will grab some lunch and you can take you time look over what I've got and you can decide for yourself about what I'm telling you?"
"That will work for me." She nearly whispered as I excused myself and Bobby to get the Evidence box in the van.
As we stood outside Bobby looked at me.
"Where in the Holy Hell did that come from?"
"Raided a Vampire nest when I was first starting out found that had a Drug lab and they we mixing their blood into Drugs so when the found someone that liked they could dose them that way. Their Chemist my Cult Leader was a real guy and so where his designer drugs even the bliss but the Vamps drained him dry for some reason. So After I cleaned out the Nest and torched the Lab and Bodies I held on to this stuff and made a case out of it that I was investigating so I had a reason to ask cops about strange things happening and I even had a reason for what was going on a designer drug that some Cult Leader was using on people plus his Cultists setting up special effects to back up their Bullshit."
"Kid once this Dog and Pony show is over you and I are going to have a long talk about this Company of yours and this Hunter Cover you set up."
"Sure thing Bobby. There are other things I have set up too and I will explain later." I Smiled as a lugged by box of "Evidence" out of the van.
….
2 Hours later we walked out of the Sheriff's office with her thanks for bring this case to her attention and her promise to call us if she hears anything that could help us out.
Climbing into the Van I had to smile as Bobby almost gave himself whiplash yanking his tie off.
"Ok I admit it Boy this cover you have cooked up is something else. You mentioned other things as well?"
I chuckled. "I have offices set up in every region of the country. I am hoping to open more once I can raise more capital but for now I have about 8 Offices across the Country all manned by people who know the truth about the World and what is out there and they work as legit office staff and some even as legal investigators then handle the normal cases people come in for and direct our kinds of cases to me. I also have a Hunter Supplies stockpiled at these locations. Weapons, Lore Books, Magic Supplies anything we could need for a hunt. This way if need be I can direct other Hunters I've met to these offices if they need something."
"What other Hunters know about this set up?" Bobby asked wondering why he never heard about this.
"Lee Chambers, Asa Fox, Annie Hawkins and Garth Fitzgerald."
"Garth that Idjit?" Bobby looked shocked.
"What can I say I told to hoping to get him some help that guy needed all the help he can get."
"Well you aren't wrong there." Bobby chuckled. Then he looked over at me for a second. "So just how much are you paying me as part of this cover anyway?" Bobby asked.
I just smiled and passed him his pay stubs.
The strangled gasp that followed almost made me laugh.
"You're paying me that much?" he asked with a little bit of awe in his voice.
"I always pay people what they are worth Bobby besides with all the crap you get put through for having to help other Hunters sell covers and research I think you deserve something more than a quick thanks over the phone. And the occasional bottle of booze."
"DAMN STRAIGHT." Bobby answered.
"So from me to you on behave of all the Hunters out there that owe you something. I added the money to your account postdated to when those stubs start so you have all the money those stubs show."
"Are you rich or something boy?" Bobby asked stunned.
"Or Something the Men of Letters had Investment accounts set up in trusts even after they got taken out they still keep making money plus 50 odd years of interest. What better use of the money I found then rebuilding a Hunter Network."
"Goddamn kid you are something else." Bobby actually smiled.
…
After I dropped off Bobby I decided that since I was in the Area I might as well drop in and see Jo and Ellen and maybe score myself a date with Jo.
Walking into the Roadhouse I smiled as Jo saw me and gave me a smile and a wave.
I waved back and walked up to the Bar and took a sit.
"How's going Joe?" asked Ellen as she came over.
"Not too bad Ms. Ellen. Helped Bobby sell a cover and got him set up with some new information sources and some funding and helped a contact do some Investigation work at the Amityville Horror House so that was a snooze but made some new contacts that may pan out if I'm lucky."
Ellen looked at me.
"The Amityville Horror house?"
I chucked. "Yeah was a favor for a friend."
"What brings you back this way?" she asked her eyes darting over to where Jo was delivering an order before looking back at me.
"Well I did promise Jo I ask her to Dinner next time I was in there Area but there was something else I wanted to ask you and her about if you will allow."
"Ask us about what?" she asked her eyes narrowing on me.
"A Job."
Ellen looked at me like she was going to kill me.
"Not a hunt but an actual paying job." I quickly explained.
"Boy talk fast." Ellen almost growled at me.
"I'm planning to open an office for my Investigation Company nearby. I am looking at a store front in a few days." The Office is cover for a Hunter Supply Depot. Weapons, Lore Books, Magical Supplies anything you might need for a Hunt. I'm looking for an office person to basically stay there during the day to act as a cover answer the phone and pass on the cases to people who come in. Passing the regular investigative work to one of the Investigators I have on the Payroll. And any that look like our kind of thing passed on to myself or any of the Hunters that I or Bobby keep in contact with.
Ellen's glare soften.
"So you were going to ask me or my little girl if we wanted the job?"
"Yes Ma'am. Jo told me about how you forbid her from Hunting and I thought maybe showing her a different way to go about things might interest her. Hell if you wanted maybe get her to go to school and get her Investigator's license like I did. She wants to be a Hunter so show her the other side of Job. The Stuff Bobby and I do that helps other Hunters. Maybe keep her from Rebelling to far from you and keeping her safe." I told Ellen honestly.
"You sure you're not doing this to get in my little girl's pants?" Ellen asked with a smirk.
"No Ma'am. I like Jo. I'd like to get to know her some more and yes I would be interested in dating her. And yes I mean dating. I've never been a One Night kind of guy. I find her interesting and would like to know more about her."
Ellen nodded.
"You sent her flowers. Not one of guys that tried to get with her even did something thoughtful like that for her. You have one chance with her, if I find out you broke my girl's heart it better be because you're dead. If not then You Will Be, when I find you understand?" Ellen told me firmly.
"I understand and am in complete agreement." I answered her in my most respectiful tone.
"Good now take my daughter to Dinner and have her back by 11 or else I will send every Hunter I know after you tonight."
"Understood."
"Good now get." She thumbed me over to Jo's Direction.
As I headed over I couldn't help but Wonder if this was really how Ellen felt or if this was Chuck screwing with me. Only one way to find out.
"Hey Glasses nice to see you again." Jo smiled as I walked over.
"Indeed it is a pleasure to see you again Jo.
"And what pray tell brings you to our little Roadhouse this evening" She asked.
I just gave her a small smile. "I Promised you dinner next time I was in the area if you are willing, I'd like to make good on that promise."
Jo's smile turned into a smirk and I could feel the eyes of everyone in the Roadhouse on me.
"That is true you did promise and I wouldn't want you to break a promise would I."
"So then may I escort you to a nice evening of Italian dining and pleasant conversation?" I offered my hand to her.
"You may." Smiled as she took my hand and I leaned down and kissed the top of her hand before offering her my arm.
She chuckled looped her arm in mine and we headed for the door.
As we walked out a Hunter walked up to Ellen and asked.
"What did he do that let him take Jo out?"
Ellen looked at our retreating backs and said
"He sent her flowers."
Author's Note. : I just Wanted to Wish Everyone who reads this to a very Happy Thanksgiving.