After dropping Zoey's computer equipment off at Kris and Tom's, the trio took JP to Jack's apartment above the Liar's Club bar. Once the bird was settled in, they joined the crowd downstairs that had come to toast Zoey. Frank had somebody playing Zoey's favorite mixes, even the ones that used to grate on his nerves. The gathering was more a celebration of life, so it was less somber than the funeral had been. It was a small and intimate group. Zoey didn't have many close friends but, clearly the ones she did have were going to miss her.

Tom looked around, searching for Zoey. She had been at her funeral, chances are she would be here as well.

He had been uncharacteristically quiet through the trip, meditating on Krystal's words.

At first the wake was a really weird experience for Zoey, she didn't know how to handle it, all these people here to celebrate her and reminisce, yet she didn't feel like she'd left anyone. She was still in the middle of the room, standing among them, speaking to them, but none of them knew it. It wasn't a very big crowd because as she soon realized some of her closest friends didn't even know she was dead. She'd helped so many people disappear, she'd never thought to prepare for the day that she'd be gone to the world. She stood in the bar for a moment just thinking to herself, acknowledging the irony of how she'd spent so long hiding in plain sight that now when she wanted to be heard most, no one could hear her screaming right in front of them. As her music played, she couldn't help but smile, she saw the crowd migrate to the dance floor. She saw the love in the few but very important faces and watched one of the things she loved the most, making them dance, making them happy, making them feel what she felt through her mixes, and with all her overwhelming emotions for the first time she joined them in celebrating herself.

By the time the others had arrived back at the wake, Zoey could be seen in the middle of the dance floor, dancing like she was having the biggest blast of her life. She spun and caught a glimpse of them standing in the doorway. She stopped quickly as reality settled back in, her smile faded slightly and she approached. "Hey, your back. I'm assuming you guys got everything... Let's talk upstairs in Jack's place, there'll be uhh less distractions up there" She said as she made a quick glance around the bar.

Rather uncharacteristically, Jack did not sit at his place at the bar.  Nor did he grab a brew.  After a rather short bit of time, Jack leaned in to both Tom and Krystal's ears.  It wasn't because the music was too loud, more to the point, he just didn't want to be overheard.

"Hey, with what we have just learned and suspect, I would feel better if talked it out a bit.  I want to jot down what we are thinking before it gets jumbled and lost.  We should sneak out of this gathering for a bit and talk up in my apartment.  Follow me." Jack nodded his head to the door that led to the stairwell for the apartments above the Lair' Club.  Jack unlocked the door and led Krystal and the Bast up the stairs to the third floor.  Jack opened the door and was briefly startled by JP fluttering in his cage.

"Come in and make yourself at home," Jack said. The room was sparsely decorated with second-hand store pictures on the wall. The  dull green vertically striped wallpaper was both old and not well hung in the first place.  A large overstuffed brown couch sat in front of a wooden coffee table, covered in paper.  A well used leather recliner was next to the couch.  Across the room was a huge 32 inch tube TV and a large cluttered rolltop desk.  The three windows were appointed with off white pulldown vinyl shades tinted with years of second hand smoke.  A window air conditioner mounted in the middle window hummed continuously.   It kept the room cool enough except for the hottest of days.  The airfilter within had long since given up the fight to cleanse the air.  The ceiling in the room was actually stamped tin inlayed with a interesting pattern.  It was quite old and would have been both beautiful and expensive if it hadn't been painted white years ago and several times.  A bit dingy, old, life of a unaccompanied male, the apartment was still somewhat homey and clean-ish.

Jack moved away from the door to quickly scoop up several randomly tossed newspapers.  He placed them into the open pizza box, complete with the remnants of a former dinner. Box and papers went quickly into the trashcan.  Places to seat were already clear of any debris.  Evidently, there was some remaining habits from Jack's former married life still intact.  Jack pulled the desk chair over to the coffee table and sat down.

"Well, what are you guys thinking?  How can a tattoo be linked to a magic 'burst'?  And for what purpose?  Terrorism?  Unlikely, only she was hurt. Assassination?  possible, why and who?" Jack asked Krystal and Tom.

As Jack had suggested, Tom made himself at home - meaning, he switched back to cat form - before replying: {Well, first I think Zoey needs an update... Allow me.}

He quickly explained to Zoey what they had discovered, and guessed, so far. {By the way, Zoey, do you think Phoenix will cut me a deal next time I renew my id? We are hoping to keep... Him... In business.}
This message was last edited by the player at 09:56, Wed 30 July 2014.

JP looked up as everyone entered Jack's apartment. "Heeeeeeere's Zoey!" When Tom entered in cat form, JP hissed.

"Zoey must have taught him to say a lot. He knows a lot of words and phrases."  Jack looked at the bird in the cage.  "Is Zoey here now?  JP said 'Here's Zoey' but those are just words he knows, right?  Or is it possible JP can sense her presence?"

One of Tom's ears twitched. {He might just have heard us call her name. What do you say, little one? Can you see our friend?} He was looking at the bird, who did not look particularly reassured by the friendly tone.

He sat down, which made him look much like one of the Bastet statuettes: {I have been thinking about Krystal's suspicions. What she suggests is... Possible. Much like how it is possible for a man to lift a car. It is also somewhat more unlikely than a man lifting a car: I've heard of men lifting cars, and I have heard of powerful, skilled magicians killing through sympathetic magic. I've never heard of magicians, or supernaturals, powerful and skilled enough to use such a watered-down sympathetic link to actually kill. Still, technically, it is possible. Also, if true, this thing can probably kill you with a sneeze. Just saying.}
This message was last edited by the player at 05:36, Thu 31 July 2014.

Zoey smiled and approached the bird, "Hey JP, I hope you won't miss me too much..." she turned her attention back to the others and listened closely. She smirked at Tom, "Yeah I'm sure we could arrange something. It'd be great to keep Her in business, though I don't know how...As far as your theories I'm afraid I can't offer much help as to what happened to me..." she stopped and looked at Jack. "Hey, how did he take the news anyway? Y'know about finding out who I am and all"

Krystal smiled, and just turned to Jack. "Zoey's curious how you took the news about her being the Phoenix. I don't want to put words in your mouth, but I thought you were... surprised. Maybe a little hurt that you'd even talked to her about it without even realizing you were talking to the subject of your investigation about the investigation. That about right?"

On the topic of the magic she added, <purple>"What we need it to check out the body. See if there is an anomaly. All we have is a theory so far. If that comes up a dead end, we go back to the drawing board."<purple>

Jack looked around the room briefly, but settled his gaze on JP.  He had a slight smile and looked content.  "Yes, Krystal.  That would be a fair assessment.  Zoey, I never suspected.  I think, I feel that you were doing good things.  And I guess that we should try to figure out a way to keep doing the Phoenix's work."

Jack faced Krystal and the cat.  "I guess that work will be up to you two mostly.  The less I know about this, the less I can spill to the wrong ears.  I have been known to get chatty sometimes if I drink too much.  I could maybe help out with some computer stuff, but I am no hacker.  I do have some contacts we could exploit, if needed."

Jack got up and went to the desk.  He rifled through a cubby slot and pulled out a steno pad. Jack flipped quickly through the pages till he found what he was hunting for.  He held the pad up triumphantly.  "We should go to the morgue, and I know just who to talk with." He read his notes aloud.   "Ben Caulfield, Cook County Morgue. He was with us at Tabú.  We should foster that connection.  I can see if he will share some details of the coroner's report."

He set down the pad and grabbed his pack of smokes from the top of the desk, placed a Camel to his lips, but stopped short of lighting it when JP's movement got Jack's attention.  "Son of a bitch!  Jack glared briefly at the bird.  "I will take care of JP for you, Zoey.  Even if that means I can't smoke in my home. But man."  Jack put the cigarette back into the pack.

Lying here in the morgue is
Cold and really nice
I might be dead
But I might be alive
But I’m freezing to death in the morgue
Death in, death in the morgue
I’m freezing to death in the morgue
Freezing, frrr frrrr freezing

Dead in the morgue

Freezer ~ Grinspoon

Jack asked for Ben Caulfield and was told that he worked the night shift at the morgue. Jack would have to come back later to speak to him. That gave Zoey some time to practice travelling with the group.



The Cook County Morgue was a cold, gray building. It seemed even creepier in the dark. It was after hours and the security guard didn't want to let them in but, Jack lied and said Ben should be expecting him. The guard eyed the group suspiciously as he let them wait in the lobby while he called Ben.

Ben came out to the lobby looking a bit confused. "Somebody asked for me, specifically? he asked the guard. He was wearing a Siouxsie and the Banshees t-shirt and jeans under his unbuttoned lab coat. His hair was sporting a kind of bed-head look. The guard pointed to the trio standing in the lobby.

Ben stared at them for a moment, until a few memory cells must have finally woken up. The puzzled expression on his face faded as he walked over to them. "From the club, right? Where the girl collapsed."

Jack extended his hand and closed the space between him and Ben.  "That's right!  Jack Jennings.  You remember Krystal and Tom."  Jack shook Ben's hand as he reintroduced the others.

Jack leaned in and placed his hand gently onto Ben's shoulder as if they were friends.  "Is there somewhere we can talk?"  Jack did a quick glance at the security guard.  Quietly, Jack said  "I actually want to talk to you on a different matter.  A personal matter.  My niece, Zoey Granger, just passed away and your office would have to have gotten involved."

"Your niece? I'm sorry to hear that." Ben's face was a mix of compassion and confusion. "You'd probably be better off coming back during the day and talking to the Medical Examiner but, um sure. Why don't you come this way." He led them away from the lobby and down a hallway. Ben opened a door to a lab area and walked over to a desk along the wall. He pulled the chair out from the desk and offered it to Jack. He grabbed a couple of other chairs from some lab stations and brought them over for Krys and Tom. He grabbed one of those stools seen in doctor's exam offices for himself. Once everyone was seated, Ben looked at Jack. "How can I help?"
This message was last edited by the player at 09:18, Sun 03 Aug 2014.

Jack began his inquiry calmly.  "Well, as I said, my niece passed away recently over at Thorek Memorial hospital. And I have some questions regarding the circumstances of first her illness, and then her death.  She was a healthy young woman, not on drugs, didn't smoke, and no known medical conditions.  Last week she just collapses, is rushed to Thorek Memorial in grave condition.  However, after being touch and go, she responds to treatment and is set to be released.  And then suddenly she dies."

Jack took a deep breath and continued.  "I asked the doctor's what happened and what appeared to cause this in the first place, but I'm getting stonewalled.  She was the last living relative I know that I have.  I want some answers.  I understand that your office would have to have done an autopsy and should have made a determination as to cause of death.  I don't want to have to go the route of getting a court order if it can be avoided.  Since we met once before, I knew that I could talk to you instead of some paper pushing bureaucrat."

"Can you help me out Ben?"  Jack asked sincerely.

Zoey followed along and stood there awkwardly as Ben got out a chair for everyone except her. "Too bad you can't really see dead people, Ben. Or can you? Are you just pretending like my friends here? She got closer and stood directly in his line of sight, with a shrug she stood back up. "No, you can't see me can you" slightly disappointed she turned away from him and looked aimlessly around the room she got a glance of Jack's saddened eyes as he talked about her death. She lowered her head and stepped out of the way to find some corner to hide and listen.

Ben ran his hand through his hair. "I don't perform autopsies. I just run labs and check in the overnight... arrivals." He looked at Jack's face and shifted uncomfortably under the grieving man's gaze. Ben shook his head and said, "I really shouldn't be doing this." He let out a long breath. "Ok, you said her name was Zoey Granger? I actually remember that case." Ben scooted over to a computer. "If you're looking to sue the hospital, I'm afraid I can't help you."

Ben called up a report and some notes on the screen. "At first it appeared that the hospital had given her an overdose of medication. When they admitted her, she had a dangerously low level of potassium. The hospital gave her meds to bring the level back up. The cause of death was too much potassium but, it wasn't the hospital's fault." Ben seemed almost apologetic when he turned toward Jack. "Because there was a possible malpractice claim, I was told to be very thorough. I reran the labs looking for anything out of the ordinary. I didn't find it the first time, because it's been modified. She had a drug in her system that goes by the street name Lix. It can have a very unpredictable effect on people."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:31, Sun 03 Aug 2014.

Krystal's eyes narrowed. "Are you sure about the Lix? It's not very common and I don't recall her showing or talking about any para abilities." she casually turned to face a corner as lifted her chin as if speaking to the ceiling, "I'm trying to remember if she every mentioned anything like that! As her friend, I'm always wanting to help her but it's been a long day. Let me think... IF she had said anything at ALL."
This message was last edited by the player at 11:53, Mon 04 Aug 2014.

Tom made sure to exclude Ben as he broadcast: {Wow that was subtle... Not. Zoey? Did you even know Lix existed?} Out loud, he added: "Do they even still make that sh...tuff? The last time I heard about it was... A decade ago? Highly addictive, it would kill its users as often as not. Practically useless, and whatever powers it bestowed, assuming you survived and it did in fact grant you some powers, were just temporary. It does make for one hell of a poison, but even then, I'm sure there must be better ones. I can't think of one reason to make it or use it."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:08, Mon 04 Aug 2014.

Zoey did a double take for a moment before she realized that Krystal was speaking to her, "What? No! I uhh I have heard of it Tom, I was born addicted to it. My mother must've taken a lot of it while she was pregnant. Anyway, they got it out of my system and I swear I've never touched it, there's no way I would have had any" she answered her new-found friends (who were getting to know all her deep dark secrets rather quickly) before she shot an accusatory look at Ben.

Krystal pretended to remember something, "What if I were using now. And I had a kid. Would my kid test positive later in life? Would I? I mean, how long does evidence of this stuff really last?"

Jack shook his head in disbelief. "Like Tom said, that stuff was both bad and hasn't been around for years.  Zoey wasn't on Lix, I'm sure of it.  I never saw her display any para-powers.  Besides, now a days, if a human wants para-powers, all they have to do is some paperwork and get bit.  Of course they would have to be a werewolf or a vampire, but Lix?  Something else must be the cause."

"I checked the lab results multiple times, just to be sure." Ben's eyes grew wide at Krystal's last question. "Are you pregnant and using Lix? That's very dangerous. You... you need to stop." Ben ignored Jack completely and instead looked at Tom. "It could cause serious harm to your baby. You need to... to get her help." He spun around and began rapidly tapping on the keyboard. "I'm not sure any of the nearby detox centers are equipped to handle Lix addiction anymore." He stopped typing and spoke like he was talking to himself. "I wonder if an alchemist would help?" He sighed heavily. "I don't know any alchemists."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:25, Mon 04 Aug 2014.

Tom stifled a laugh at the thought of Krystal as a mother, but the idea that he would be the father pushed him over the edge. When the laugter finally calmed down, he replied: "Easy pal, Krystal is not pregnant, and if she were, it would certainly not be my child. Wrong species." He winked at Ben.

"Also, neither of us needs Lix. Not that anybody needs Lix, but you catch my drift, I'm sure... Remember where we first met?" A moment later, he send to Krystal: {How's your impression of a vampire, my fire opal?}
This message was last edited by the player at 08:38, Tue 05 Aug 2014.