January 5th 1921
It has been two days since Lucia has returned from a small vacation to her home where she visited her parents and checked in on the teens that she had rescued several months ago. She was happy to find out that they were doing much better with them preparing to enter college this upcoming fall. Lucia had gotten back to her home in New Bristel late last night, where she promptly fell asleep.
She had gotten into her company's office at around nine in the morning, which is her usual time to arrive at work. When Lucia did arrive, she was by the receptionist as she walked by, towards her office on the second floor which is her more private office, where she does most of her personal work. Compared to the office on the first floor, which she uses to mainly interact with potential clients. Her other employees also have their own small offices on the first floor. As during Lucia's several month absence from doing work at her private detective’s office, where she was either busy with the aftermath of her last case, or working with her personal firearms company and supervising trials of the prototypes.
Which has been going above her expectations with the prototypes. With the trials being deemed a success and designs for mass production being drawn up and most importantly, several demonstrations have been planned for this upcoming march. With a large number of spectators being invited in hopes of attracting sales. This has unfortunately led Lucia to be unable to visit the office in New Bristel as often as she would have liked.
Though her employees have been able to pick up the slack as they had gotten back to working full time a few weeks ago after spending nearly two and a half weeks decompressing from the last case. To take a much needed vacation which Lucia was more than happy to fund, so they could celebrate the end to the harrowing case. Though after they returned they began taking cases once more, though they fortunately didn’t get any supernatural cases. As skilled as they are as detectives, they had been dependent on Lucia for information on the supernatural. Instead they took more conventional cases and consultations with local police stations which brought in some revenue that made the business profitable for the first time, without having to rely on Lucia's money.
Though it did expose a problem which would prove a problem in the future. Though her employees had taken it upon themselves to educate themselves to lessen the problem. Lucia has stepped in to assist in, by setting aside some time to begin lessons on the matter. Lucia has begun to look into hiring someone else with knowledge of the supernatural to act as another subject expert. As it would be impractical to rely on Lucia forever, and despite how knowledgeable Lucia may be, she doesn’t know everything. Far from it, as Lucia’s knowledge was mainly practical, with major gaps in her knowledge of the theoretical of the knowledge. She never studied as much as she should have in her past life, though that was mostly due to some of the horror stories that she heard of the scientists trying to study the theoretical portions of magic and the supernatural. May have unconsciously turned her away from studying some areas of her field. Though finding one that isn’t part of a cult, sane and not a pansy or liar, is as hard as one thinks it is. Which is quite difficult, so Lucia expects that it will take a few months to track down competent applicants. Though people with knowledge of the occult and the arcane are far from the only areas that she needs to look for in terms of manpower needs. The other being manpower in general, as Lucia would prefer to have a reliable source of manpower on cases and not be reliant on whatever government forces she could persuade to assist her. Though unlike occult aspects, that should not take much time. Though that too has its own requirements that need to be fulfilled.
Though her thoughts on the future fade away as she reaches the office and she promptly parks the car and makes her way inside. Lucia enters the building, greeting the secretary, before heading to her second floor office. After reaching her office she settles in and starts to catch up on some of the paperwork she has been neglecting for the past few months. She works on that paperwork before moving on to some projects for her other companies. Over the course of the next five hours.
At three in the afternoon, Lucia is looking over some proposals from her investment firm, when the phone rings. “Hello this is Lucia Belladras from the New Bristel private detective office.” Lucia greets politely, though she winces at the painfully unoriginal name of the company that the company has. As Lucia still hasn’t managed to find a unique name for it. Though Lucia fears that by the time that she does, that the name would have stuck making it impractical to change.
Though she can’t think for long as a very familiar voice of New Bristol's police chief through the phone's speaker. “ Hello, Lucia there is a situation that has happened that we could really do with your assistance with. Can you come to the police station now?”
Lucia pauses before responding, “Sure, I will be over in 15 minutes.” Before hanging up, after she got an affirmative. She then got ready, putting her coat on and getting an empty notebook and a pen. Then letting the secretary know that she will be gone. Before heading to her parked car. Which she promptly entered and started, before starting towards the police station. Which took around 15 minutes before she arrived at the two story brick building that is the police station. Lucia parks the car on the street before making her way inside. The front entrance where she is immediately greeted by a reception room and a desk manned by a receptionist, who is talking to a police officer that is leaning on the ledge of the reception desk.
Lucia makes her way to the receptionist, “ Excuse me, I am here to see the Police Chief.” The receptionist and police officer break off their conversation and the officer turns towards Lucia. “ Chief Grey, asked me to bring you to him in the morgue. Follow me.” He says before turning and walking off without giving Lucia a chance to reply. Catching her off guard as she takes a moment to realize what he says before catching up to him.
Together with him Lucia makes her way to a stairwell leading to the basement. During the walk she wonders what could possibly be the reason for him meeting her there. Though she unfortunately knows that whatever situation that the Chief Grey is talking about is pleasant. As the officer seems to be troubled and even a bit scared at whatever has happened. As his attempt at a brave and emotionless face is good, it slips occasionally showing signs of fear and anger. Which leads to Lucia’s curiosity to be peaked along with her becoming somewhat solemn. Knowing full well what she is being called in to help, considering she is meeting the police chief in the morgue. Though she still wonders why she was brought in. Though by the police officers' expressions, it is not anything good. Though there isn’t any time when the morgue means something good.
The walk towards the morgue is silent with both Lucia and the officer who Lucia realizes has not given his name. Are both in deep thought, leaving a somewhat awkward tension between the two.
The walk only takes three or four minutes, before Lucia catches sight of the medal doors to the morgue. The officer opens the door for her, before quickly turning around to head back upstairs, without saying a word. Inside the morgue, there are the Chief Grey and several other officers and the Pathologist, all surrounding an examination table. On top of it and the morbid center of attention for the entire room is a mangled corpse of what used to be a human. At least Lucia thinks it was most likely on. As, at a glance there is very little to recognize besides the fact that it used to be human. Even the gender is hard to determine, though it seems to have been male. Lucia isn’t sure.
Chief Mathew is the first to realize that Lucia has arrived and is staring at the mangled corpse. “Hello, Lucia and sorry for the last minute call but as you can see it was urgent.”
Lucia numbly nods to that statement, taking a moment to collect her thoughts before replying. “I can see why you called, and I will be more than happy to help in any way I can.” She says quietly, with there being a round of appreciative nods from the officers and the Chief Grey.
Lucia then continues speaking, “ So what is the situation, and what are your current thoughts on the case.” At this, Chief Grey heads to a table on the far side of the room where a paper folder is, picking it up and then handing it to Lucia, while speaking.
“Well, the poor bastard on the table is Lucius Travers, we think he is a chef at one of the local diners. Though the only reason we know him is that the officer who brought you here is a regular at the diner that he worked at. Though that was only because of the ring that he was wearing. Since if it weren’t from that we would have had no clue who he was. Truth be told, it was hard finding out much because of how badly he has been mauled. Besides that it is obvious that a human or most animals that live in this area could have done this. Though I suppose that it is not impossible that a bear could have done this. If not for the fact that it is January and there are no bears out now.” The Chief takes a break, leaving the fact that he has no clue who did it unsaid.
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“Lucius was found dead in the diner that he worked at, as he was apparently supposed to open the diner today. According to the owner of the diner, he had a doctor's appointment. A neighbor had heard his screams and a loud unnatural roar and went running to the diner to investigate, after calling the police. Where he found Lucius’s corpse alongside several shattered windows. Later officers found several pawprints of an unknown animal or creature which haven’t been processed by the lab yet. Though I will make sure you have a copy when we do finish.” Chief Grey then sighs,” Besides telling you what I just did and giving you the file, there isn’t much to do until tomorrow, when a more formal investigation is opened, Which you would be a part of as a consultant. So do you have any input on this Lucia.” Chef Grey finishes leaving Lucia several moments to contemplate before responding gravley.
“Do you have any idea if this is an isolated incident or if this creature will strike again.” Chief Grey face saddens “We are unsure, but we are going under the assumption that this will not be an isolated incident by increasing patrols at night and at dawn, at least until the creature is killed or if no attacks happen for the next week.” Lucia nods, “That sounds prudent to do, though you should probably make sure the cops on patrol at night have something more than a handgun. Since we are at the very least dealing with a large animal. So pistols will probably be ineffective.”
Chief Grey nods. “I hadn’t thought of that.” He says quietly, and the next few minutes is spent talking about the patrols before the conversation concludes and Lucia leaves the police station. With Lucia realizing that she had been at the station for nearly an hour and a half. As the previous bright skies have fallen with the sun giving off its last light, before the night finally begins.
As Lucia makes her way back to the office, she mentally goes over the cases and starts makinging a list of potential creatures that could have done it, though the list is too long and the evidence is little enough that Lucia has no idea what the creatures are. That may be lurking around New Bristel.
Lucia spends her remaining time at the office, going over the files and making up a broad list of creatures that could have done it. Before heading back to her home nearly an hour later than she usually does.
January 6th 1921
The next morning Lucia wakes earlier than she has in weeks as she needs to reach the first meeting with the newly formed task force of the local police office by 9:30 A.m.
So after a quick breakfast, Lucia heads to her office to pick up the files on the case and her notes before heading towards the police station. She is greeted by the same receptionist as yesterday. Though there is no police officer talking to her and she is busy going through some papers. Though when she sees Lucia, she gives the directions to the meeting room that the task force will meet in. Which takes her only 4 four minutes to reach as it is on the second floor near Chief Greys office, which makes it easy to get to. As she had passed it several times when she met with Chief Grey.
She reaches the room and sees that several other people have already arrived, including Chief Grey, who looks somewhat shaken. Immediately giving Lucia a bad feeling at what is to come, though as Lucia greets him and several other officers, the subject of the investigation is avoided. As the officers seem to try to take the last few minutes before the start of briefing to calm their nerves before the briefing begins.
Lucia spends the next five minutes introducing herself to the few people that she doesn’t know, though most people know of her. She also takes in the people in the meeting. Besides herself and Chief Grey, there are nearly a dozen other officers. With there being a mix between the ranks with several high ranking police officers.
As 9:30 approached, the chatter stopped and everyone took their seats with Lucia sitting at one of the chairs at the side of the table and Chief Grey standing at the head of the table. With a detective next to him that Lucia vaguely remembers from a past consultation case. Though Lucia also realsies, perhaps a bit late, that the Chief is taking a strong lead on the case likely due to the nature of it and will most likely remain personally involved in the case, which is rare for police chiefs due to New bristel being a mid size city. Where Grey usual duties involve administration and politics, not individual cases. Though Lucia’s thoughts are interrupted when Chief Grey begins to speak.
“Thank you for coming, though before we begin, I have to sadly say that last night, another incident occurred and there has been another mauling similar to the one that happened two days ago.” At that there are several sharp intakes from most in the room, Lucia also, As it proved that the incident proved that the first death wasn’t isolated along a new sense of urgency as the longer this goes on, the more that may die.
“The victim's identity is currently unknown, though it is believed to be male his body was found two blocks south of the City hall, at 113rd and Reeve street. By a local resident who heard screaming and an unnatural growl, though by the time they got outside. The creature was gone and all that remained was the corpse.” Chief Grey then went over some more information on the details surrounding the incident before turning to the detective that is still standing next to him. “Before we continue, let me introduce you to the person leading the case, Detective Groves.” Chief Grey announces, before allowing Detective Groves to introduce himself. Before going over the nature of the investigation and how it will be conducted. As Lucia is only a consultant, her only duty will be to give information as it comes and provide advice when relevant. So she remains silent for most of the two hour meetings, which go into the procedure that will happen. Including another increase in patrols, along with Chief Grey coming forth saying that they are contemplating bringing in county police to provide additional manpower.
Once the meeting is over Chief Grey hands over another packet to Lucia with the information on the current case along with the photos of the paw prints from the last crime scene. Which immediately springs to mind an idea on what the creature might be, “Excuse me chief but I think I might have an idea on the creature behind the attacks.” At this Chief Grey’s eyes darted upward, “You do?” He says with hope.
Lucia nods her head,”Yes, these paw prints along with the way the victims were left make me think that the creature behind the attack is a Crepusculum vorans lupus, or Twilight devouring wolf. They are fearsome wolf from the underworld. Though that is all I can reliably remember off the top of my head. Since I only recognize the pawprints since I had just read a book about them. Though I do know that they are tougher than a normal wolf and more intelligent. A hunting rifle should be able to reliably kill them. Though I will be able to give you more information once I go over the book.” Lucia finishes and Chief Grey nods his head and thanks Lucia for the information who immediately heads to collect the book before returning, taking in total around half an hour.
Once she arrives back at the Police station she heads up to the meeting room which is empty of everyone but Chief Grey and Detective Groves. Where Lucia then proceeds to go over everything she knows about the Crepusculum vorans lupus and her own ideas on how the police should handle it.
As the Crepusculum vorans lupus is a lone wolf that tends to stalk through the shadow hunting at random, though Lucia doesn’t know how one got to New Bristel, she doubts she will find out. Either way the creature is generally summoned and then released to terrorize a region though a steady stream of random attacks on the population that will slowly induce terror and fear. As such the ability to travel undetected is the main strength of such a beast, though they shouldn’t be underestimated as a beast as they are about as dangerous as a fully grown lion.
By the time Lucia is done meeting Chief Grey and Detective Groves, the two police officers have a better idea on how to track and hunt the beast. It has also been decided that Lucia will join tonight to help the police assist in the hunt. So she returns to the office to take a nap. So that she is well rested for tonight's hunt
When Lucia finally wakes up, it is just shy of 7, as she looks out at night she sees that it is pitch black. She then quickly gets ready and grabs her mondragon rifle, alongside an elephant gun that was designed for large game hunting. Then she went back down towards the police station, where she met with Detective Grove and several other officers, all armed with rifles. They then started a walking patrol of the city in the area where the last two attacks had happened. In hopes that the beast will strike again, in the same area.
Two hours into patrolling, a terrible scream is heard, the block next to where Lucia and the cops are. They immediately take off running towards the scream, hoping to save whoever it was. Though Lucia fears that scream means that it is already too late.
As the group rushes onto the street where the scream takes place, they see a mangled corpse and the creature at last. A wolf-like creature with midnight black fur that can only be seen because of the moonlight and the haunting yellow eyes that turn to stare into the souls of Lucia and the officers' souls. Before starting to charge them, either to escape or try and hunt the group that interpreted it as well. The officers hesitate, taken aback at such a creature and the ethereal and haunting eyes of an otherworldly creature. Lucia however does not hesitate. She immediately lines up her elephant gun and fires both rounds of the gun. Both surprisingly hit the creature who, despite being a creature from another world, didn't survive being hit by two rounds from a four bore elephant gun fired at around 30 meters. As the creature dropped dead like a stone. Afterwards there was a moment of silence, before Detective Grove rushed to the victim who had unfortunately though clearly had been killed.
Though as that was going on several people left their room and officers began to flood the scene alerted by the gunshots.
Starting the surprisingly most difficult part of a thankfully anticlimactic night. That being dealing with concerned citizens who had heard gunshots. Which made Lucia thankful that her job was done. Though she would have to deal with the wolf, which she secretly hopes that she will be able to stuff and place in her manor.