7:30 AM - DR. EDMUND BASSETT - MGM GRAND DETROIT

[◊◊BLOODBEASTER◊◊]

∆§Indea§∆

Your alarm went off. The room was still pitch black. That's November for you. You'd been going to this hotel off and on for quite a while, so it didn't seem so alien by now. A modernist design, over-large bed and lamps that looked like UFO tractor beams.

You had an appointment at 2PM at the Livernois Police Department. How did you prepare for your day out? The media would probably be there with cameras. This could be considered Day One of the promotion for your book. Maybe you could think of sly ways to mention it if you were interviewed.

[∆§Indea§∆]

I stretched in my bed enjoying the comfort before getting out. I put on the complimentary kettle and began getting ready. This involved a long hot shower, washing my hair. A good clean shave. The face care products my wife had brought me and very expensive men’s perfume. I had decided on my outfit for the day already, days ago in fact. When I was satisfied with my outer appearance, I settled down for coffee and breakfast. I spent the rest of the morning going through notes, recordings and preparing myself for the day. As well as of course what I would say if the press asked. I wondered how I could make it obvious who I was.

[◊◊BLOODBEASTER◊◊]

How much had the news gotten out about this outing? It wasn't anything they'd want the general public to know, of course. But no way there wouldn't be a few cameras. All that news about the case, was it ever tempting to you? Did you read what was being written about it?

[∆§Indea§∆]

I found it very conflicting, on one hand I wanted as much press as possible but everyone knew journalists were just failed writers looking to make it big. There was risk and I wanted it all to myself. I definitely scoured the news and took notes, it was important to know what the public thought and knew. The feel of the case. I definitely wanted to seem like the face of this, the expert.

[◊◊BLOODBEASTER◊◊]

There were stories far and wide. There was an especially strong contingent of the tale appearing on 'weird stories' blogs, subreddits full of ghoulish miscreants who delighted in the gory details. He had fans. Especially teen girls and you probably didn't want to dive down the rabbit hole of what they were posting on their Tumblrs. There'd been a leaked photo of Tim being apprehended, drenched in blood that was particularly popular all over the internet. You'd heard word that there would be a tighter control on outsiders this time around, no sneaking around taking cell phone pics of the morbid details to sell to the highest bidder. You might have to argue to keep your recorder let alone any cameras.

[∆§Indea§∆]

I cringed a little at the teens, I hoped Tabby wasn’t into anything like that. She was smarter than that, right? I wondered how I could hide it. Surely because I was a professional I was exempt? Timothy is my client so I should have access. I needed it to treat him for Pete’s sake. How was I expected to remember it all? I considered ringing the police department about it.

[◊◊BLOODBEASTER◊◊]

Maybe you could just bring your equipment along and hope they don't confiscate it. A recorder stuck in your sock perhaps? If you called the PD, the secretary was unsure, but figured audio recording would probably be OK but no smartphones would be allowed.

[∆§Indea§∆]

I wasn’t afraid to play dirty. I stuffed it into my sock and put my backup in my suit’s inner pocket. I was pretty put out about the phone. I needed to get chummy with the forensic photographer, I needed professional photos. Surely they wouldn’t pat down an older man. I tried to find out what I could about who else would be there.

[◊◊BLOODBEASTER◊◊]

Your belongings sorted, when would you decide to show up? There would be a 'briefing' first at the PD, whatever that meant.

[∆§Indea§∆]

I didn’t want to miss anything. I would drive to the station for the briefing and turn up at least 10 minutes early. I would bring donuts for everyone.

[◊◊BLOODBEASTER◊◊]

Around ten, the rain really started to hose down. The mist suffused the air, making your breathing even worse than normal. Maybe it'd wash away the pollution for a little while once it was done. Of course, it'd been raining all week and the smell was just as acrid as before. What a city. You drove out to the Dunkin Doughnuts (Surely there were classier places to go, but it was the only place on the way) -- The sky was a dismal charcoal, looking more like 7pm than late morning, with cold blue shadows and grey light. Traffic was slow and miserable as old tires skidded on the wet asphalt. You got a text from your wife.

GISSELLE:
How's the weather? Be sure to use your umbrella. Getting any great ideas yet?

[∆§Indea§∆]

Edmund-

"Does it ever stop raining here?"

I asked myself as I drove. At the tone, I pulled over to the side. I'm a responsible citizen. Also I find it hard to do two things at once and texting takes all my concentration. It was also a good excuse to get a few puffs from my inhaler. I looked guiltily to the umbrella still in it's plastic wrap. I really should use it. I open it up and place it in the passenger seat like a small friend.





EDMUND:

Pouring. I don't think this city knows dry. I just opened it, sorry. Will use the heck out of it. Don't know why I haven't. This is an amazing story, it's almost writing itself. House was very creepy. Going through the scenes tonight with TM and others. Should be enlightening. How are you and Tabby cat going? xx

[◊◊BLOODBEASTER◊◊]

Gisselle responded quickly, must be on her lunch hour.

GISSELLE:
Good, I won't nag you any more, ha ha. I guess it's a good time of year to do something spooky, maybe your next case can be something less grisly though. Did Tabby send you pictures of her Halloween costume? She and her friends went over to Emma's house, they were so cute. Still have half the bowl of candy leftover, not too many trick or treaters last night with the weather. I'll save you... a few. :)

Tabby hadn't sent you anything, sigh. She'd be in school right now, Monday morning. The sound of tires on wet pavement whooshed past you, and even with the wipers, the scene outside was an impressionist painting.  At least the scent of sticky maple bars was helping to cover that smog.

[∆§Indea§∆]

Keeping an eye on the time I chicken pecked another response.


EDMUND:

No. I haven't seen it. Do you have a pic? As long as it didn't have 'sexy' at the beginning of it's title I'm happy. Shame people don't have more interest in mundane and safe crimes. Grisley gets the glory. If this book does well enough I won't have to do another though. Sending my love XX PS There better be some quality candy left, not just the ones you don't like.

I started the engine back up and got back into the traffic.I didn't want to be too late.

[◊◊BLOODBEASTER◊◊]

You heard the telltale boop of a Facebook notification. There would be time to coo over pictures later. You felt as though you almost remember what Tabby said she was going as, but maybe that was last year. You arrived at the station and the gravel parking lot was crowded full. Must have brought on the whole staff for the big day. You'd have to park down the road a ways at the meters. At least this might be the safest part of the city to leave your car on the road (Relatively of course....) Rain sluiced down the pavement in mini mudslides, carrying the slush of the last of autumn's leaves. The windows of the car next to you were steamed opaque. Must've been someone else who had just arrived, but you hadn't seen anyone crossing the street.