Post #7 Deal the Cards

Jack cleared his throat. "You are looking for something that is actually very close to all of you."
     He paused and looked at the three people sitting in the big club chairs next to the pool.  He was standing with the pool at his back.  The mist rose-up and circled around him. From time to time it circled around the chairs covering the feet and knees of the others.
     They shifted in their chairs and looked from the pool, to their feet, to each other and then back to Jack.
     "After his wife died, Mr. Evans gave quite a bit of his household possessions to friends, homeless shelters, other people in the apartment building and, of course, all the sterling silver to the museum." Jack paused and wondered why these three, after working together for over a year, were acting uncomfortable with each other.
     He continued. "The knife you found is very, very old and of some value. But the most important item that Mr. Evans gave to the museum is the deck of silver playing cards." He paused again. Now it seemed he had their attention.  "Supposedly there are only 5 sets known to be in existence.  But there is a 6th set. Complete with 52 cards."
     Bret spoke first.  "I did hear from a former manager something about that." His voice trailed off.
     "Is the set still in the museum?" Evelyn asks.
     "Mr. Evan died because someone or some people wanted the only other full set of silver cards."
     "How much is it worth?" Frankie asked.
     "Somewhere around $4 million dollars. They are still in the museum.  Find the deck and you will find the killer."
      "Wait...if it is still in the museum, then isn't Evans' killer still looking as well?" Bret asked.
      "Yes." Jack paused.  "By finding it, the killer will try to steal it."
      "Wait." Evelyn said.  "Are you saying we should find it, advertise that we have it and wait for the killer to come after us?"
       "Of course not." Jack said.  "Claude Evans deserves justice. By finding it, you can put it on display and make money to keep the museum afloat. The killer will try to steal the cards.  Whoever is the killer will be caught. Trust me. But you need to need to find the deck first."
        "And the deck is in the museum?" Rose said as she walked around the pool. Her arrival startled the three sitting in the chairs.
        "Yes," Jack said.  "And whoever finds it will get a reward from the insurance company and help to catch a killer."
   
       

Post #6 - Fools and knaves

"I must talk to Boots about this knavery," Jack muttered as he stood on the roof of his small roof-top apartment.  The tiger was circling the pool and occasionally glancing up to Jack. It was just before sunrise and the rather large cat caused the mist from the pool to form tiny swirls in its wake.  

"I thought having his own creature would quell his mischief." He moved slightly back from the edge of the roof.  He started the chant quietly at first, then as the cat paused in his pacing, Jack's voice rose a bit and he continued his chant. "...Come booba yalle, come booka tambee, come konka yalle, come..." "Come on buddy," Jack thought. "It's time for you to go."

As he continued his pacing, his eyes wandered toward Jack then he paused sniffing the air. His gold flaked eyes were no longer sad.  Now they glowed with interest in Jack. "Great. The chant isn't working." Jack said to the tiger. "Now what?" Suddenly, the tiger turned back toward to the pool. He looked in as if searching for something in the water. 

Jack straightened-up, "Oh, okay, okay, that's a good sign." Then he shouted, "Be off you beautiful one!" 

The tiger leaped into the mist and was gone. 

Jack's job wasn't complete. There was still poop to clean. 

"Yes, I must speak to Boots about this. Perhaps I should have him clean-up the mess.  Then maybe he'd think twice next time." Jack muttered as he scrubbed the pool deck. The smell was horrendous. 

Post #5 - Boxes

As the night grew darker, Jack stood looking over the guard rail toward the old power plant.  Long ago the site was a burial ground for Native American tribes, then a battleground. The hill on which the power plant sat was sacred ground.

"Sacrum Terram," Jack murmured as he watched each one enter the building.  "I do hope they will trust one another."

After a moment he heard someone behind him clear his throat. He turned his attention to the young man who stood on the other side of pool.  The warm mist blurred the edges of his profile.

"Hello, Elwood, I was hoping you'd come up and enjoy the view and the waters.  The plants are exceptional.  They were recommended by a resident here at the Foxberry. Rose, do you know Rose?"

Jack smiled and Elwood, still a bit bewildered how he ended-up on the rooftop pool deck, nodded.  He, in fact, had met her. "Yes. Yes. She's very nice."

"Yes." Jack paused then walk over to a table and picked up the box.

"I am sure you are familiar with this style of box." Elwood walk around the pool deck and smiled.

"Why, yes.  It's a sakake-bako box."

Jack smiled at Elwood's response. "Of course." He paused then looked at Elwood.  "There are so many questions that are, well, infesting our town. Perhaps you can find some answers for us. This box was delivered today by Bea. You know Bea, our mail person?"

"Yes, she's very helpful." Elwood looked at the box.  It was an old one. Not the cheap, tourist-brand. He looked up at Jack.
"Yes, perhaps, Mr. Stars. Maybe I can help."

Post #4 - Aaron and Heqet and Exodus

"Joshua."
"Oh!" Jack jumped and straightened-up.  He had been ferreting out the various frogs that made it to the roof. He admired their persistence and felt the need to give them sanctuary.
"Joshua."
"Here, my name is Jack." Jack said standing amid the pots with a frog in each hand.  "How many times do I have to remind you? And I'm a bit busy at the moment."
"Joshua. This needs to stop."
"I didn't start it. I am trying to rectify a few things if you haven't noticed."
"Go find the one who will end this."
"The frogs?" Jack placed the last two frogs that he could find into the cage with the others. "What do you have in mind. Please," He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, 'keep it simple. I am finding it all a bit much right now."
"Go find the teacher."
"Mr. Salimov?"
"Yes."
"Fine, but I am busy." He headed to 203.
As he stood in front of Mr. Salimov's door, he took a deep breath. He heard a soft peep behind him. He turned and reached down gently scooping-up the small Peeper.
"Okay," He whispered and knocked.
When Mr. Salimov opened the door.  He paused, looked at Jack, then at the small frog. "Yes? Can I help you?"
Jack looked into his eyes and wished he didn't feel so rushed. "Mr. Salimov The question we should all be asking is how can you help this town."
Mr. Salimov blinked. Jack sighed, turned, and walked back down the hall. "And bring the watch. You may lose track of time."