Page 13 of 18
Re: Miss Stockbridge
Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2021 7:34 pm
by SunlessNick
Re: Miss Stockbridge
Posted: Sat Oct 02, 2021 3:40 am
by Mr. Handy
"Good day, Detective," says
Victoria.
"We've spoken before, on the telephone. I'm Victoria Winters. I spoke to you about a missing boy, David Collins. My friends and I came here to find him and bring him home, and we were hoping you've made some progress on the case."
Re: Miss Stockbridge
Posted: Sat Oct 02, 2021 3:41 am
by Mr. Handy
"Pleased to meet you," says
Reverend Trask.
"I'm Reverend Orville Trask."
Re: Miss Stockbridge
Posted: Sat Oct 02, 2021 10:07 am
by VictoriaSilverwolf
Looking up at the visitors, the detective remarks, "Yeah, I remember. I recall talkin' to you, but I don't know these two characters with you. All I can tell you is what's public knowledge. The Collins kid showed up with his guardian the other day on a Greyhound bus. I had a coupla guys keepin' an eye on 'em. Nothin' suspicious. The kid is here of his own free will. If there's some kind of domestic dispute back home -- Maine, wasn't it? -- that's out of my line. They visited the apartment where the kid's mother burned up, poor tyke. Seems natural enough. You got anything to add to the arson case? The boys in the lab are calling it 'spontaneous combustion,' which sounds like a lotta baloney to me."
Turning to the men, he says, "So what's your interest in the kid, fellas? I don't think the lady was exactly the church-goin' type, Padre."
Re: Miss Stockbridge
Posted: Sat Oct 02, 2021 10:11 am
by VictoriaSilverwolf
Re: Miss Stockbridge
Posted: Sat Oct 02, 2021 2:37 pm
by SunlessNick
VictoriaSilverwolf wrote: ↑Sat Oct 02, 2021 10:07 amTurning to the men, he says, "So what's your interest in the kid, fellas? I don't think the lady was exactly the church-goin' type, Padre."
"
Indeed she is not," says Nathan. "
We are here mainly out of concern for the boy. And of course we could not allow Miss Winters to undertake such a quest alone."
Re: Miss Stockbridge
Posted: Sat Oct 02, 2021 2:39 pm
by SunlessNick
Re: Miss Stockbridge
Posted: Sat Oct 02, 2021 5:36 pm
by Mr. Handy
"Just so," says
Reverend Trask.
"Miss Winters is one of my parishioners, and we could hardly let her travel unescorted. I would also like to make sure young David returns home to his father safely."
Re: Miss Stockbridge
Posted: Sat Oct 02, 2021 5:40 pm
by Mr. Handy
"Laura Collins was David's mother," says
Victoria.
"With her passing, his father Roger Collins has sole and undisputed custody, so it's not a domestic dispute. He ran away from home, upset because of his mother's death, and came here because this is where she lived. Jerry is a more distant relation of his. Do you know where they are now?"
Re: Miss Stockbridge
Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2021 8:29 am
by VictoriaSilverwolf
Re: Miss Stockbridge
Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2021 8:40 am
by VictoriaSilverwolf
"My guys followed 'em as far as the Hermosa Inn, in the community of Paradise Valley, outside of town. Place was the home of some cowboy artist, I think. Now it's a guest ranch. Nothin' suspicious, so we quit tailin' 'em. Kid seemed to be havin' a ball, ridin' and stuff." He shrugs. "Check it out if you like. It's a free country."
Re: Miss Stockbridge
Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2021 11:04 pm
by Mr. Handy
"Thank you, we'll do that," says
Victoria.
Re: Miss Stockbridge
Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2021 2:13 am
by SunlessNick
Re: Miss Stockbridge
Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2021 2:14 am
by SunlessNick
"
You have our thanks," says Nathan.
Re: Miss Stockbridge
Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2021 9:05 am
by VictoriaSilverwolf
Re: Miss Stockbridge
Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2021 9:30 am
by VictoriaSilverwolf
After arranging for transportation, the trio arrive at the Hermosa Inn, which turns out to be a combination of a dude ranch and a luxury resort. There are horses and bridal trails available for the guests, hiking trails, swimming pools, cookouts, and fine dining. The reception area is a building made from rough-hewn wood, but richly decorated. Upon entering the three are greeted by an employee in stylish Western clothing.
"Welcome to the Hermosa Inn. Do you have a reservation?"
Re: Miss Stockbridge
Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2021 11:16 pm
by Mr. Handy
"No, I'm afraid not," says
Victoria.
"We do have a couple of friends staying here, Jerry and David Collins." She describes them.
Re: Miss Stockbridge
Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2021 11:17 pm
by Mr. Handy
Reverend Trask stands back and lets
Victoria do the talking, as this is her time, lest he accidentally commit some faux pas that would not fit in the twentieth century.
Re: Miss Stockbridge
Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2021 10:34 am
by VictoriaSilverwolf
"Oh, yes, the Collins boy and his guardian. I believe they went out horseback riding early this morning."
It is now late afternoon, the blazing sun casting gaudily colored shadows on the desert landscape.
"Strange. They should have been back by now."
Re: Miss Stockbridge
Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2021 6:04 pm
by Mr. Handy
"We should go look for them," says
Victoria.
"Which way did they head?"