Ch.8 Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down

[HoneyDog]

"A warning about what?" asks Howard. "Have you seen it before around here?"

[Mr. Handy]

"You know a lot about tattoos, Sheriff," says William, remembering what he saw on his wrist. "Do you have any of your own?"

[Philulhu]

The Sheriff gave William a flat look. ”I’ve got a couple of navy tattoos, if that’s what you mean,” he scowled.

He turned to Howard. ”You’ll see some of local tribes use snakes but I don’t know whether it’s got any significance.”

[Mr. Handy]

"There's no need to take offense," says William. "I was just interested to see them, that's all. Were you in the Great War? I was a little too young to have been in it. By the time I was old enough, it was over."

[HoneyDog]

Howard

"Where is this tribe based? Perhaps that's where James has gone. Are they out in the swamps?"

[Philulhu]

The Sheriff angrily un-buttoned his shirt cuff and pulled back his sleeve. Above a bandage that was wrapped around his wrist, a ship’s badge with ‘USS MERCURY’ was tattooed on his forearm. ”I was a Warrant Officer on a troopship, taking boys to fight in Europe while you were still in school,” he snapped, his colour high.

He turned away from William and looked at Howard. ”There’s all sorts of tribes out there in the swamps. Mayhap even one that did this, but these bodies need to be in a morgue. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll go and ring the hospital and get someone out to take them away,” Still scowling, he turned away and headed down the stairs.

[HoneyDog]

Howard

”What the hell was that about?" Howard asks William. "What's wrong with his wrist?"

[Mr. Handy]

William shrugs. "I noticed it on the drive over here," he says. "He explained the tattoo, but not the bandage. He was so upset about my asking about the tattoo that I'd be reluctant to ask about the bandage. I'm curious how his wrist got hurt too. I was suspicious that he may have be involved."

[peper757]

"He is a sheriff, it's perhaps not too unusual that he's injured." Thomas says. "I wonder what he meant about a warning, could somebody else be after the Brophy's?"

[HoneyDog]

Howard

"It wouldn't surprise me. But how can we find out who they are? The Sheriff doesn't act like he wants to help very much."

[Mr. Handy]

"I'm sure whoever killed one of them is after them," says William. "We'll have to do our own investigation if the sheriff won't help. We could start by talking to the local Indian tribe."

[HoneyDog]

"Why don't we get out of here, then?" says Howard. "I've had enough of this place."

[Mr. Handy]

"All right," says William. "On the way, you can tell me what else you found here."

[Philulhu]

As they descended, they could see Sheriff Digne talking into the phone. As they got closer, he glanced up, saw them and put his hand over the mouthpiece. ”Where do you think you’re going?” he demanded. ”You can’t just walk out of here - it’s a murder enquiry!”

[Mr. Handy]

"All right," says William, "we'll wait here."

[Philulhu]

”Take a seat in there,” he said, nodding in the direction of the front room, before he turned back to telephone call.

[HoneyDog]

As they are sitting, Howard quietly relates the encounter he had with the children, trying to keep from being overheard by the Sheriff.

[peper757]

"We had thought about investigating the swamp, but it'll be difficult in the dark and we were concerned about you, William." Thomas says.

"So what's the plan? Are we just going to sit and wait for the Sheriff? We're wasting time." he asks.

[Mr. Handy]

"We don't have any choice," says William quietly as he goes into the front room and sits down. "Maybe we can hear his end of the call if we're quiet." He stops speaking and focuses his hearing on the other room.

OOC,Listen roll (68% skill) to overhear the sheriff: [dice]0[/dice]

[Philulhu]

”... yeah, they’re still here... ... five of them... ... yeah... ...” they heard Sheriff Digne say. At that moment the Sheriff looked up and locked eyes with William. Realising that he was being overheard, he scowled, pointedly turned his back and continued his conversation in more hushed tones.