Ch.7 Déjà Vu

[Philulhu]

”Squatters Lake, eh?” He frowned at Thomas, who had started to experience a sinking feeling in his stomach. ”You’d better wait here,” and he nodded towards the bench seat along one wall.

They waited until almost an hour before the front door was pushed open rather abruptly, causing it it to bang against the wall. An angry-looking Captain Keats stormed into the station. ”What’s this about Squatters Lake?! Weren’t you told to stay away?!”

[Mr. Handy]

"I felt partly responsible for the Brophys getting away," says William. "I knew we couldn't really have stopped them, but I still felt that way. When I thought that someone else might have died, I had to do something about it. As it happens, we have a lead on where they went. They've gone to Louisiana and bought a place there called Brown's Hotel. That's the name they're using now, William and Robert Brown."

[Philulhu]

”How do you know this?” demanded Captain Keats. ”We had no clue as to where they went after the events of last year.”

[Mr. Handy]

"We found this flyer near the remains," says William, showing it to the captain. "We recognized them from the pictures, and all the information's in there."

[Philulhu]

Keats took the flyer and studied it carefully, front and back. After a couple of moments, he tapped the photo of James. ”This the missing boy? Have you told his father?”

[Mr. Handy]

"That's him," says William. "We haven't told his father yet. We thought it was better to tell you first."

[Philulhu]

Captain Keats studied the young men and shook his head. ”Get ‘em a drink, Joe. I’ve got a telephone call to make.” He sighed, pushed open the door marked ‘Police Only’ and headed into the station.

Twenty minutes passed and the outer door flew open once again to admit an angry-looking Gerald Fraser. He barely glanced at the young men and pushed straight through the ‘Police Only’ door and into the station, where Captain Keats could be seen waiting.

Another hour passed and the coffee had long-since gone cold before Captain Keats emerged again, flanked by a scowling Gerald Fraser. “I understand that you traced my son, James,” he said. “Captain Keats tells me that I owe you young men a debt of gratitude... ...” He glanced at Keats and the look on his face suggested that he didn’t really mean it, but he carried on.

“I want my son brought back, no matter what he’s got himself mixed up in. Would you men be willing to go and find James for me? I’ll pay you the original $200, plus an extra $200 for his safe return.”

[Mr. Handy]

"I'm willing," says William. "I cannot guarantee that he won't be in any trouble, but I am capable of representing him as his attorney."

[HoneyDog]

"And what if we don't succeed, hmm?" asks Howard, the colour rising in his cheeks. "Are you going to do your best to trash our reputations again? You're going to have to do a hell of a lot more than just give us money". He has an edge to his voice.

[Philulhu]

Fraser Snr’s colour rose quickly and he looked to be about to snap off a sharp retort until Captain Keats placed a calming hand on his arm. Fraser looked angrily at Keats then back at Howard.

Keats stepped forward, and interposed himself between Fraser Snr. and the young men. ”You give it your best shot at finding James Fraser and bringing him back home and there’ll be no comeback, I guarantee it,” he said. ”Now do we have a deal?”

[Mr. Handy]

"I agree," says William, "though I can only speak for myself. I can write up a contract for the agreement." Best to make sure this agreement is legally binding with documentary proof, he thinks.

[Bullfrog]

I'd have to agree, as well.

Lawrence had stood silent, until now. He personally thought that it would make more sense to have a lawyer doing the talking. After all, he hadn't been present at the second visit to Squatter's Lake, so he had little to add to this conversation.

[HoneyDog]

"Yes" mutters Howard. "I want this in writing".

[peper757]

”Yes Captain,” Thomas says, suddenly feeling a surge of confidence, ”...we’ll be sure to get James back.”. He directly addresses his senior officer; ”Then we can all forget that this mess ever happened.”

[Philulhu]

Fraser Snr. was a man ill-accustomed to not getting his own way, but Captain Keats quickly shut down his blustered protests. ”These boys could be putting themselves in harm’s way, so you need to treat them right, Mr Fraser,” he said. ”Mr Preston here will draw up a contract so there’s no misunderstandings.”

Fraser Snr. said nothing but managed a short, curt nod while scowling fit to burst.

”So what are your plans?” asked Captain Keats of the young men.

[HoneyDog]

"If we're going down to Louisiana, we're going to need a little financing" says Howard, staring at Fraser, and beginning to enjoy baiting the miserable old bastard.

[Mr. Handy]

"When we get to Louisiana," says William, "we'll make inquiries into the hotel to find out where in Louisiana it's located. Since they're a business, they'll have to be registered, and there must be real estate records under their assumed names. We might want to start in the capital, Baton Rouge. It helps that they are advertising and trying to attract people, as that will make it easier to find them."

[Bullfrog]

"I agree, Howard; travel isn't cheap, and in this economy, we don't have much money to spare." stated Lawrence, rather matter-of-factly.

[Mr. Handy]

"Yes, we will need our expenses covered," says William. "That's something we'll need to address in the contract."

[Philulhu]

Captain Keats beckoned Mr. Fraser Snr. to one side and spoke to him quietly. Looking put out, the banker nodded briefly, then left the room without another word.

”You’ll haves the money owed to you in the morning,” said Captain Keats, ”Plus an allowance to cover your costs. If you meet back here at 10.30 in the a.m., then we’ll get it all fixed up.”

OOC,Sorry for lack of posts. I went to the UK Games Expo at the weekend, and I’m still trying to catch-up on missed sleep :) How do you plan to get down to Louisiana?