Making the morning breakfast was only part of the battle. After convincing everyone the meal was authentic and Italian I was berated by Rosey’s persistent chattering. I had done research however and was able to get through all of the questions without a slip up. Though I could feel Michael’s eyes on me after each question. Afterwards I used about any brush I could find in a futile attempt to rid the sofa and floorboards of glitter. Even when Rosey was out of the house she caused me more headaches.
When everyone had left to go about their day, I could finally leave and continue my own. I wasted no time, grabbed my leather bag, and headed out into town. Near downtown were a lot more people along the sidewalks. Many of them would see me in their path and either detour into a store for a moment or walk on the furthest edge away from me. I didn’t blame them for being so cautious. I seemed venomous after all and no one wanted to take that risk.
It wasn’t until noon that I arrived at the local police station. It was an old but study building wedged between large oak trees. With standard red bricks it matched the other ancient buildings in the area. I walked through the double doors and past a small entry way, into a large open room. The first half of the room was a simple waiting room. Dividing it in the center was a long desk. An old nonferal wolf sat on one end as a receptionist in uniform. He was hung over some paper work before he looked up at me through his overgrown eyebrows and gave a wide smile, “Well if it isn’t little ol’ Ant. What can I do for ya today?”
Being greeted by Hudson wasn’t much of a surprise. What surprised me was how he hasn’t turned to dust after all these years. I approached the counter while taking out a folder from my bag, “You can refer to me as Dante. I had recently requested over the phone a few records. I have brought payment for the fees and filled out the document online for the request.”
Hudson shook his head, “Always on top of things huh?” He takes the form from me and starts looking it over. After he was satisfied with my work, he started to find what I needed on the computer.
I spoke up after a while of his typing, “So they still keep you around even if you can’t go out much anymore?”
Hudson nodded while keeping his eyes to the screen and managing to keep up the same pace typing, “I might be old but I’m at least more reliable of a receptionist than some kid down the road. Town’s gotta be careful nowadays. You know how it is.”
As a copier machine behind the desk started to stack a bunch of newly printed papers, Hudson stopped typing and looked over at me, “I gotta say kid, you cleaned up nice.”
I started to give a small smile before he ruined it by speaking again, “But that suit is doing you no favors. Makes you look like a bathroom floor or somethin’ too clean. Ya know?”
He grabbed the fresh stack of warm papers and held them out to me, “About 12 sheets of paper and the fee will bring you to $58.99.”
I got out my check book and finished a prewrote out check with the due amount. After signing it and handing it over, I took the stack of papers and put them away in the folder, “Thank you very much. Have a good rest of your day.”
Hudson gave a wide smile again with a wave, “See ya. Come by anytime man.”
With that I left the police station in search of somewhere more quiet. Pushing past downtown I managed to find a small local cafe. After buying a coffee to respect the store owner’s time, I made myself comfortable in the corner of the store and started to read the files I was given.
Each were public records available of people’s backgrounds. They were brefi and didn’t give too much detail but said enough. First off was Wendell. For an easy start his background was seemingly scrubbed clean. Any juvenile offenses he had previously were gone now. It was a waste to print this as half the page was blank. I already knew more off the top of my head than the document did.
Next up was Michael. I wasn’t going to dismiss the possibility that her hand being broken could have been self-inflicted so I wanted to know more about her as well. But strangely enough her doesn’t exist. All Hudson had printed for her details was the computer system error saying no names matched the files. Another waste of paper.
Then Rosey. As someone who isn’t supposed to be at the lodge it was mighty convenient that she’s trailed behind Michael to end up here. Her background was a bit more lengthy. Scanning over each of them, they all seem to be others getting restraining orders on her or trespassed by businesses to get her off their property. Though one stood out. Only a couple years ago she dropped a charge for property damage. The document did not provide who it was towards.
Lastly was a bold assumption based on some patterns. I looked over the papers for Warren. Several pages listed various assaults back in her youth. But most of the recent ones were loitering misdemeanors.
It was all I needed to know. I glanced up at a clock on the wall to see it was now the evening. Tomorrow night I could potentially get this mess resolved before it even involves me. The last thing I want is it interfering with my payment from Wendell if he gets killed too. Now content, I left a tip for their time and headed back to the lodge.
I still had enough food from the last grocery run to make dinner for the lodge. This time no one missed out on a meal. Though each of them seemed to avoid talking to each other, today was busy for all of us. I assumed Michael was out on her new job, Wendell was dealing with his mother and picking up on Oscars left behind homework, and Rosey was partying her trust fund money away.
I was able to get back to bed and get real sleep this time for a change. I had started to tune out Rosey’s white noise despite how loud it was with just a thin wall in between me and the speakers.