October 25, 1999. Monday. 6 days to Halloween.

Noon.

Pascal D'Encre is sitting at home, in his study. He doesn't have any clients in his practice today -- unusually, since mental illness seems to peak around the Halloween season.

Pascal's not really interested in Halloween, but his 10-year-old son David -- now at school -- is, and the house is covered with paper witches, bats, vampires, and other things that creak in the night.

Not Pascal's study, though. Here are just the accoutrements of his trade -- books, desk, files, computer, diplomas on the wall -- and photographs of David and Sally. God, he misses Sally.

He looks at her picture -- a reminder of better times -- and runs the St. Christopher's Medallion that used to belong to her through his fingers. They say that time takes away the pain -- and they lie.

Xander, David's golden retriever, sits at Pascal's feet and looks up at him with big, sad eyes, as if sensing that something is wrong with the human.

Riiiiing!

Pascal sits up in surprise, startled from his thoughts.

He picks up the phone.

"Dr. Encre?"

Pascal recognizes the voice immediately. He's spoken with this man many times -- most recently when he helped to catch the serial killer that the press dubbed "the Wolf." Now, that man was fodder for a whole library of books.

It's Police Chief Jules Matheson.

OOC: please give me an Education roll.

This message was last edited by the GM at 23:03, Fri 05 Nov 2021.

In reply to Chris Yog-Dossoth (msg # 1):

91

"Dr. Encre? It's Police Chief Matheson.

"Sorry to disturb you. We have... a situation. Maybe like the one that you helped us solve with Mr. Lupus. A very unusual situation. There seems to be a killer. Check the news for the last few days if you haven't yet.

"When I say a killer, I mean a fucking whackjob... oh excuse me doctor, for the language. The FEDS have gotten involved. It's some psycho nut... I mean a seriously mentally disturbed individual.

"We're setting up a task force, a special one, to deal with this. Detective DeCicco is one it, and a couple of other people. Specialists. The DA is getting involved.

"Would you come down to City Hall at 8 pm? Ah, Conference Room 3A. I'll give you all the details then.

"And... whatever you're doing, please drop it. We've gotta get this guy."

He waits for Pascal's answer.

In reply to Chris Yog-Dossoth (msg # 3):

Sounds like trouble. I will be right down.

Once I get the go-ahead from the other PCs, I'll start the briefing.

I'll say that you have arraigned a babysitter for David.

In reply to Chris Yog-Dossoth (msg # 6):

Don't I already have a babysitter given that I'm at work?

I assumed that you worked from home, but the meeting is at 8 pm.