A trace of disappointment flickered on Tom's face, and he unconsciously lifted a hand to pull on his ear: "That would have made things easier. We'll do it the hard way then."

Taking the glasses back from Jack, Tom switched to telepathy again, making sure to include Zoey, Jack and Krystal: {You remember that we saw Zoey at the bar. You know that she's not quite gone. Being a ghost for the first time is not easy, took me a few reincarnations to get the hang of it. Until then, it would really help Zoey if she could rely on you, even though you can't see her. Krys and I will help her learn how to use her powers, but this may take a while. I cannot promise you will be able to see her anytime soon, and until then you will need a "translator".}

A small part of Jack and Zoey's mind couldn't help but notice a small factoid about telepathy: you can actually hear quote marks in your head.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:09, Tue 15 July 2014.

Carly walked over as the rest of the mourners were leaving. She was wearing a simple, black dress. Her red hair was draped loosely about her shoulders and down her back. "Jack, I'm so sorry." She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him.

Jack hugged Carly back, firmly at first and just a moment or two longer then a simple greeting from a friend.  But he released her and allowed the separation to naturally happen.  "Carly, Thank you.  Thank you for coming.  I'm glad you made it.  It's been what, two - almost three weeks since I've seen you.  I'm glad you got my message.  Zoey liked you and would be glad you came."

Jack hung his head a second then looked up at Carly again. "I'm sorry, manners.  These are a couple of friends."  He gestured toward each as Jack named them. "This is Krystal, and this is Tom.  Tom and Krystal, this is my wi-  ex-wife, Carly."

"I wish I had known her better," Carly said as Jack released the embrace. She gave a nod to Krys and Tom. "Nice to meet you. I wish it were under different circumstances."

"How are you doing?" Carly asked as she returned her attention to her ex-husband. She sounded genuinely concerned. "If there's anything I can do, just let me know."

Jack shrugged and replied, "About as well as can be expected under the circumstances.  It hit me hard at first.  This was so unexpected."

Jack paused and then continued.  "The thing is, it was too unexpected.  I don't know if there is any criminal intent here, but something about it just doesn't set well with me.  Zoey was young and healthy.  She wasn't on drugs.  So what happened?  The hospital's explanation ... well, let's just say I have unanswered questions.  And I'm not too sure what the right question is."

Jack clasped his hands together and rubbed them slightly.  "I don't want to get into it here, but I may take you up on your offer.  If I can figure out what it is I want to know.  Would it be ok to maybe call you later?"

"The death of someone so young is always unexpected." Carly's expression switched from one of compassion to confusion. "Criminal intent?" She looked away from Jack and stared at the ground. "I assume you're going to Frank's when you leave here. Maybe you should call me tomorrow." She didn't add, when you've sobered up, but it was strongly implied. "If there's anything suspicious going on, I promise we'll look into it." Carly sounded sincere, but her voice had lost some of its warmth. She gave another nod to Krys and Tom before giving Jack one last sad look. "Take care." Carly walked away and headed toward her car.
This message was last updated by the player at 18:48, Thu 17 July 2014.

Zoey watched as Carly walked away and then turned to Jack, "Well that certainly could've gone worse, it was nice that she came though." she paused for a moment before looking around. "This is all so weird, you said it gets better didn't you? When? When does it get better?" she spoke this time directed toward Tom.

She sighed, "I'm sorry, I don't mean to-- I know it's not your fault. It's just a lot to process still. Yknow normally on a day like today I would just go home and relax all my cares away but now-- oh crap...home, JP! No one has been there to check on him or anything, umm my bird...I really hate to ask this but who knows how long it'll be before the cops go to look at the place" A look of even bigger shock and worry crossed her face, "Oh god! The cops! They're gonna look there eventually, okay so this is even more awkward but I kinda need someone to get there sooner than they do..." she smiled hopefully.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:16, Fri 18 July 2014.

Krystal, doing her best impression of window glare, jumped off her seat and nodded to no one. "Right! Come on Jack. I need you to drive me to Zoey's place." She put on he sunglasses and looked Tom over, "Have you eaten? I don't want any natural predatory instincts to burst out around JP. This is a rescue operation, not a drive thru." She grabbed her cigarettes, lighter, black shawl and awkwardly stuffed everything into a small purse as if the actions were still alien to her.

"Sooo, what else are we looking for or is this a fewer the better type of thing. I mean, if anything happens to me Tom has instructions to throw out certain DVD cases before my parents pack up my stuff."

"Asking the cat to take care of the bird... Just this once, I'll avoid snacking on the pet, but Krys is really your girl for this kind of thing." He looked at the confused Jack: "Right, translation... Zoey asked us to take care of a few things for her. Which leads to the question of how we are going to enter the apartment in the first place..."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:40, Fri 18 July 2014.

"I may have that covered Tom."  They reached Jack's car parked on the side of the cemetery road.  Jack opened the trunk and retrieved a big puffy sealed envelope.  He pulled out a small pen knife, slit the tape and opened one end.  Jack's hand rooted around inside and from the bottom he retrieved a set of keys. "Zoey's stuff.  The hospital gave them to me the other day.  I tossed it back here and kind of forgot about it."

Everyone got into the car and Jack headed to Zoey's apartment.  "I hope JP is ok.  I feel really stupid that I forgot about him.  He should be.  He is a hearty bird. Will probably outlive us all." Jack shot a glance at Tom and Krystal.  "Okay, outlive me at least."

At the next stoplight, Jack said, "I want to talk to someone at the coroner's office.  The hospital still hasn't told me what went wrong.  I was getting updates on her condition, statements on her bloodwork, and then nothing.  I get vague answers or 'I don't know, ask Dr. So n so.'  I'm being stonewalled.  It is like they have gone into butt-covering mode and that usually means someone screwed up."

The light turned green and Jack continued to drive and rant. "I haven't even heard a cause of death.  Do you know how hard it will be to settle her final affairs without that?  The coroner should be able to tell me.  He shouldn't be worried about his job because he didn't screw anything up. That has got to be what is going on here.  It just doesn't add up.  She fell ill suddenly without any apparent cause.  She began to respond well to the treatment. And then she was lost.  Kind of like that Ashley girl case.  Hospital report said Ashley was drunk off her ass.  Yet everyone we spoke to said that was not the case."

Jack signaled and made a left turn at the next intersection.  "It just doesn't add up."

Zoey stood graveside still, she wasn't ready to attempt riding in the car with the others she only hoped she could "catch up" the way she had promised. She closed her eyes and thought of home taking a deep breath "Okay so he said it should work just like....this!" She opened her eyes and quickly realized she was back at the bar instead. "Damnit, I thought I had it...well I hope they figure out what I need them to do."

Calling Zoey's place an apartment was generous. It was a small room with very sparse furnishings. There was a fridge that looked like it was fifty years old on the left wall. Next to it was a small counter with a tiny sink and hot-plate. A dirty plate and glass could be found in the sink.

In the center of the room was a card table that was home to a box of cereal, a bag of chips, and a package of cookies. On the right wall was a twin bed, unmade and adorned with several pillows. At the foot of the bed was the large bird cage that was home to an African Grey Parrot. At the sound of the door opening, the bird squawked and then said, "Welcome to my nightmare."

The bathroom could be seen through an open door in the back left corner. There was a narrow shower, because it wasn't big enough for a tub. A curtain was hung along the back wall, stretching from the corner of the bathroom all the way to the other end of the apartment. The curtain was probably used to create a closet space behind it. The whole place was dark since there was only one small window.

Jack went straight for the bird.  "JP! I am sooo sorry. Hi there pretty bird. Remember me?"  The cage was a mess. The food bin was empty as was the water bottle, but that was still damp. Hopefully he ran out of water just this morning.

"Guys, I will attend to JP here.  If I could ask you to, I don't know, straighten up a bit?  Is Zoey here? Ask her what other 'things' she wants us to take care of."

First, Jack lifted the water bottle out of the holder, cleaned, refilled and replaced it. Next was the food bin. Jack thought about just letting JP out to stretch, but a quick look at Tom and he dismissed the idea.  "I was going to let him out, but I think he may get spooked with strangers here and Zoey isn't." Jack said as an excuse.

Finally, he attended to the bottom of the cage.  In short order, JP's home was refreshed and refurbished.

Tom, who had remained in cat form through the trip and onyl had retaken human form before they came up, replied: "There are a few things we promised Zoey we'd do... I'll take care of them. Other than that, I should warn you that neither of us is particularly good at housekeeping."

JP looked up as Tom moved closer to the cage. Suddenly the bird began to flap its wings and hop around while squawking, "Redrum. Redrum. REDRUM!" It appeared to be frightened and on the verge of panic. Apparently, JP sensed that Tom was a natural predator.

Jack positioned himself between Tom and JP.  "Tom, I think you should keep your distance from JP.  Easy JP.  He doesn't want to get you.  Calm down pretty bird."

Jack considered covering the cage, but figured JP would still be able to smell Tom.  At least this way he would be able to keep his eyes on the Bast.

"I'm not looking for this to become the standards of a Hilton.  I just want to be able to look around without breaking anything.  Wash the dishes so she doesn't get any bugs, straighten the sheets incase we want to use the bed to spread out some stuff.  I'm going to have to talk to the building super to see how long we have to move her out..."  Jack blinked back a sudden rush of emotions.

"I'm talking like we are simply moving her.  What does Zoey say she wants us to get?  I will take care of JP for now for sure.  Clearly he can't go to your place."

When Jack's emotions started to get the better of him she reached out to rub the back of his right arm but kept her space. "It's okay. Take your time. There's no rush." turning her attention to the "closet" Krystal almost pulled it aside but decided to go in first saying, "I think my bedroom in Austin was bigger than this apartment. I hope the rent was low."

Instead of clothing and other items commonly found in a closet, what Krystal found behind the curtain was a collection of high tech computer equipment. Browsing some of the files on the computer revealed that Zoey had a side business where she made and sold fake IDs. A lot of her customers were Paras who needed the papers to pass as human. It was clear from a couple of emails that Zoey used a drop box and never met her customers face to face. She went by the nickname "Phoenix" and nobody knew who she really was.

Tom swore under his breath: "Did not see that coming."

Krystal just looked at all the equipment for a long moment, then nodded. "Yeah. Yeah, we can do this." she started to power the computer down and thinking out loud, "I can talk to Zoey, she can arm chair quarterback me. The people she's helping can still get the help and they'll be none the wiser. We can do this."

She started to unplug things after the main computer had shut down and followed the cords back to devices they were connect to and making a mental check list as best she could. "Come on, we need to load all this up. Jack, can we fit all this in your car?"

"That can't be. That just can't be."  Jack was dumbfounded.  The only thing that kept his chin from hitting the floor was that his jaw was short.

"I never knew.  Hell, I never suspected."  Jack looked over Krystal's shoulder, ran his fingers lightly over the forms and equipment.

"My website, INS, had run articles, covered news stories about this hacker, the 'Phoenix'.  He has ... she has quite a reputation.  As a hacker, he - she is very good.  'Phoenix' had hacked into some pretty high tech security systems and mainframes.  Although, after a breach was discovered,  there was a huge potential for massive cyber damage.  But the 'Phoenix's' motives seemingly were not massive theft or cyber-terrorism.  All the indications were that the 'Phoenix' was a Paranormal sympathizer.  Most of the investigative work was focused toward the Phoenix being a Para themselves.  Hell, I remember telling Zoey that.  She would occasionally get the scoop before I submitted my story.  And all along it was my unassuming niece."  Jack shook his head in disbelief.

"She always did seem to be more interested in my Phoenix bits.  She even got a tattoo of a Phoenix on her back, on her right shoulder.  I thought it was symbology for leaving her life as a foster kid behind and being reborn anew."  Jack stepped away from the cache and sat down.  His face was that of a purely flummoxed individual.



Jack blinked and stood.  "Yeah, it will all fit.  I got a trunk that can sleep two in it. JP is coming with as well.  Someone may have to hold his cage on their lap though.  I want to try and get this all out in one trip.  Just in case."

Tom noded in agreemnt: "Right, I'll help you guys carry this, then shift back. That will save some space. We should probably move Zoey's stuff to our apartment for now... I think I can spare some room, it's not like I take up much space."

He chuckled: "Think she'll give me a discount on my next id renewal?"

As he helped Krystal carefully disconnect everything, he continued: "You may have been right on that phoenix tattoo, Jack... Wait, did you say on her right shoulder? Back at the bar, when I replayed the scene of the attack... The magic burst came from her right shoulder."
This message was last edited by the player at 12:18, Sun 27 July 2014.

Krystal paused when she realized how heavy the card printer was, and quickly covered it up by asking, "Wait. Where was the first victim attacked. Stomach? Maybe there's something on her around her stomach that we didn't think to look. Hey, Jack, is there any chance you can load this printer and then get the medical report for the first girl from Taboo? I'm wondering if Zoey and she were actually connected, they just didn't know they were."

"The Phoenix tattoo is about this big." Jack held his hands to form a small circle.  "Yeah, I'm sure it is on her right shoulder on her back.  Just ask her, she will show you,   if she can. Do you think that had anything to do with Zoey getting sick?  I can talk to the morgue. Maybe Ashley had a tummy tattoo.  That could be our link."

Jack strained to lifted the card printer. He set it back down a moment to adjust his hand positions. "Jesus, this is heaver than it looks."  He lugged it down to his car and returned for more stuff.

"The Phoenix never met her clients. It could be that Ashely and Zoey were both helping Paras in some say. And the doesn't have to have a tattoo, but something else. I don't know... like... maybe someone sees an item and uses that as a ritual link. I'll have to see if it's possible, but if someone can get the a matching navel ring or tattoo ink and target you with that as opposed to straight DNA..." Krystal trailed off then shuddered at the thought. A Sniper-Spell? "I'll have to check my books."