A Human’s Guide to Surviving Magical Mishaps

After the unfriendly reaction from Westley Grant, Ashton insists on going first and knocking on the door this time. That is after confirming with me that there is no doorbell. It's almost funny because he was so nervous the first time but now that he considers it to be 'protecting' me rather than just dealing with people, suddenly he's confident and totally happy doing it. Or maybe just mostly happy. His right hand stays in a tight fist after he knocks and doesn't loosen as he holds i by his side. After the last two interviews, I'm almost expecting something to go wrong. But speaking with Lewis Matthews is easy. He's an older man and very subdued. He answers all our questions without trouble nor does he bother asking any of his own. In fact, it doesn't seem like he cares much about anything. Before we leave, I can't help but ask.

“Uhm, are you okay? I can't help but notice you seem really... I don't know.. Down? I know being manipulated and accused of theft sucks, but you seem really unhappy.” I say, trying not to sound judgemental. Lewis sighs and shrugs weakly. “I'm not bothered by that. It's just... Well, it was nice having someone I wanted to please, worrying about her opinion. I know that sounds crazy, but I haven't felt that way since my wife died. For that entire day I had someone to live for. Now that's gone and I can't help but feel that I'm never going to get that feeling again. It's... depressing to say the least." He sighs again but gives me a half smile which doesn't quite reach his eyes. "Do you have any family? Or friends?" I ask, concerned.

“I have a son, but he lives a few hours away. It's hard to find the time to go see him because of work, I-” I can see the moment it dawns on him that he doesn't have to worry about work. "Maybe you should go visit your son. I think you might need the reminder that life isn't all bad." I suggest. Lewis gives me a big smile, the first real one he's given since we got here.

“I think you might be right. I'll call him now and tell him I'm coming to visit for a while. Thanks little miss. I hope you find the woman you're looking for.” He says sincerely as we head out the door. Ashton and Fin exchange a look, I'm not quit sure what it means but they're both smiling at me so I doubt that it's anything bad.

"Well, that went easier than the first two at least, I don't think we learned anything though. Lewis mentioned that he paid for a hotel room for the fae woman, but it was only for a couple days. She wouldn't be there now. I'm sure she's moved on to another place." I sigh. Ashton nods.

"That is very likely. But perhaps the last gentleman will have more of an idea where she might be. He was the most recent to interact with her as far as we can tell.” He reminds me.

"Good point, you're right. No point being disappointed just yet. Let's go." The last guy on our interrogation list is named Jeremy Clark. The reason he's last on the list is that he lives the furthest away. Apparently the guy has a long commute to work. Or he did. Maybe now he can get a new job closer to home at least? Yeah I'm not going to say that, I really doubt that he would appreciate it. So far we've had one guy who is terrified of everyone, one that is angry at the world and one that is incredibly depressed. Maybe we will get lucky and this one will be optimistic, or at very least accepting.

I should have known that it could never be that easy. We're standing on the front porch of a nice looking house with an immaculate garden but Jeremy Clark isn't the one who answered the door. Nope, we are face to face with his wife. I decide to take the lead.

"Good afternoon Mrs Clark, My name is Kat and these are my friends Ashton and Fin. We're looking for your husband, is he available to talk?" I ask politely and a little formally. She scoffs in irritation that I assume is directed at me. "That makes two of us. I'd love to talk to him too. I got a call yesterday saying he had been arrested. I went to go pick him up only to find that he already paid his bail and that he had left. I haven't seen or heard from him since.” She practically hisses the words. Well damn. Maybe she isn't irritated with me.

"Oh, that's horrible. We're actually looking into a connection between these thefts and we wanted to talk to him about it. Maybe we can find him for you. Do you have any ideas where he might have gone?" I ask, a little nervously. I don't want to make her any more angry than she already is. Mrs Clark sighs.

"He's turned off his phone and I drained all the money from our bank accounts into my personal account when I realised that he wasn't coming home. He took out a thousand dollars in cash before I managed it though. But there was one other purchase. Apparently he's drowning his sorrows or something because there's a charge for the bar at the Blaise hotel in the city. Maybe you can find him there." She crosses her arms over her chest and I can tell that she's done being helpful.

"Thanks, we will see how it goes." I answer. As we turn to walk away, she calls after me.

"If you do find the asshole, tell him not to bother coming home."

"So, I guess you guys want to go check out the hotel?" I ask cheerfully. Ashton nods eagerly.

"Yes. This is the most hopeful lead we have had so far. Perhaps we can find the fae woman at this hotel, or at very least find out where she went next." He states.

"Yep. Well, how about we head home and get changed and we can get dinner at the hotel restaurant since we need to go there anyway. I can tell Luce to meet us there. It's not the kind of place you can just walk around in with no reason.” I point out. Ashton frowns.

"Is that so? You believe that a change of clothes will help?" He asks.

"Yeah. We can get dinner and hang out at the bar. I've been there once for a friend's birthday dinner and I'm pretty sure the hotel and bar are right by the entrance. If we sit in the right place we should have a good spot for a stake out.” I explain.noveldrama

"Very well. We will follow your plan." Ashton agrees.

"Great. Let's head home so we can change for dinner and I'll let Lucy know to meet us there in an hour."

An hour later we're dressed more appropriately and we're waiting for Lucy out front of the Blaise hotel so that we can all walk in together. We're maybe a little early for dinner but not so early that it would be unbelievable. Ashton and Fin both look great in their semi-formal outfits, if a little uncomfortable. Ashton grumbled about the shirt and shoes being too warm. Fin was predictably quiet about it but I suspect he is just as unhappy. I suggest they could wear their comfortable clothes and just adjust their glamours to match, but apparently it would be a lot of effort to imagine outfits they don't know well and it would increase the chances of the fae woman seeing through them. We're hoping to find her BEFORE she finds us. Hopefully this works out because we don't really have a plan B.