Ch.16 Bayou Blues

[Mr. Handy]

The description doesn't sound familiar to William, but that doesn't mean he isn't one of Nyatanga's people. "They don't handle snakes, do they?" he asks.

[Philulhu]

“Preacher Litton?” asked Father Daigle. “Not that I recall. No one messes with snakes unless they know what they’re doing. Too many of them are venomous,” he continued.

[Mr. Handy]

"Good," says William. "I wouldn't mind if I never saw another snake again in my life. It might be interesting to attend their services too at some point."

[Philulhu]

Father Daigle raised an eyebrow. “That would be most unusual, but I guess it wouldn’t hurt to ask if you wanted to go along,” he said. “The two congregations don’t mix much.”

[jp1885]

"Our most tangible lead is whoever carved this snake," Ivy interjects. "So we should attend the next service and see who sits here. Plus it would look less suspicious - curious tourists attempting to experience some local life rather than poking our noses in the business of the oil workers or Preacher Litton's flock - that we can do later."

She turns to the two priests.

"What time does your service start?"

[Mr. Handy]

"The fellow at the general store mentioned that it's tonight at seven, I think," says William.

[Silver Priest]

"Then that seems like our next move," Alex says. "We look to see who sits here and if they're more focused on the pew than the preaching." He smiles briefly, amused at his wordplay. "I suggest we spread out so as to have different views of the pew itself, though chances are so many newcomers will attract attention from the crowd that our target may pick up on. Fathers, is there anywhere we could observe from that possesses some privacy?"

[Philulhu]

Father Ortega glanced at Father Daigle, perhaps wondering how they had suddenly got mixed up in this mystery. ”Well, there is the vestry, but it’s very small…” he said doubtfully.

Go for a Persuade roll.

[Silver Priest]

Seeing their hesitance, Alex continues. "If you'd rather us not, I understand. I realize we outsiders have given you a great burden by unloading all of this on you." He says gently. "But Nyatanga is exceptionally dangerous. He's already interfered in your church, and I fear whatever plans he or his followers have for your community. Whatever information we gather will allow us to put a stop to him and bring them to justice before anyone of your flock gets hurt."

1d100

[Philulhu]

Father Ortega nodded. ”Very well. The vestry is little more than a corridor from the back door but we could probably squeeze two of you in there. Come to the back door half a hour before the service starts and I’ll let you in.”

[Bullfrog]

"Put me close to that pew; of all the people with us, I'm the most likely to fit in with the local crowd. I'm just a farmer, for God's sakes." Lawrence suggests; the fact that he's an absolute giant of a man is just another reason he doesn't want to go in the vestry. His presence wouldn't be comfortable for either party.
"So if I see something up close, I can signal to you two that something's going on."

[Mr. Handy]

"Maybe you and I should be the ones in the vestry," William says to Lawrence. "Nyatanga's followers may know what we look like, whereas they've never seen our friends before. If one of them shows up and spots either of us, there goes the element of surprise."

[Philulhu]

”I’m happy for you to work out the details, but Father Daigle and I must get on with our work,” said Father Ortega. ”I’ll see you at 6.30 this evening.”

He stood and politely ushered them to the church door.

Where do you plan to go next?

[Mr. Handy]

We could talk to the oilmen, or to Mr. Halpert. We could even split up to cover more ground. If we go anywhere that might have any of Nyatanga's followers, it might be better if just Alex and Ivy go there so that they don't get recognized.

[Silver Priest]

sorry if this was posted, but how long do we have until the service begins? I figure we should return a half hour or so before it starts.

[Philulhu]

It’s around 11.30am. The service is at 7.00pm and Father Ortega suggested those who were planning on hiding in the vestry arrive at 6.30pm.

[jp1885]

If Alex is up for a stroll with Ivy, perhaps they could go looking for Ashoba?

[Silver Priest]

Sounds good to Alex.

[Bullfrog]

That leaves Lawrence and William to talk with the oilmen and Halpert. The problem is, we have no way of telling who's compromised or not; Halpert has been here a while, so he might be the safer bet. If Nyatanga is watching out for us, we've probably already been made, anyways. I don't imagine he forgot about Lawrence clubbing that snake to death.

[Mr. Handy]

I'd like to meet Nashoba too, but we probably don't all want to go around look for him. Maybe Alex and Ivy should meet with either Halpert or the oilmen, as Nyatanga doesn't know who they are, while Lawrence and I look for Nashoba.