Game was 4/25/20. What was meant to be a framing device (Vandernoot & MacLeod) ended up dominating the session, taking up three hours. However, it was excellent roleplaying, player-driven, and hewed to the very themes of the game: actions have consequences.

At the farmhouse, Vandernoot and MacLeod set up a formal command center across the street, in the large field. They work steadily from 3:00 in the afternoon on, collating reports, cataloging evidence, and building a timeline. The police officers from surrounding communities maintain the cordon and take over patrol duties in town, freeing up the NPD to focus on this mess – and avoiding the chain of custody. They don't realize how late it is until Officer Curry yells their names, mostly to make sure they're not dead. Vandernoot and MacLeod look up and realize it's almost 10 o'clock at night! Vandernoot sighs and realizes she needs people she can trust, so she pulls out her cellphone and texts Gladys Shepherd, "I'm sorry, but I have to."

Vandernoot then calls Sam Shepherd, the now-retired desk sergeant that helped them and William investigate the weirdness back in 1984 – Gladys's husband of many years. Sam and Gladys were getting ready for bed when Gladys got the initial text, and for the most part Sam has ignored the police scanner in his basement and has focused on writing his screenplay. He is ignorant of the events of the past few days, but he immediately recognizes Vandernoot's number. He sits on the bed and tells Gladys, "I'll need a minute." Gladys nods and holds up her cellphone.

Sam answers his phone and immediately asks, "Did you text me wife before you called me?" Vandernoot snickers and replies, "Hell yes, I'm not pissing off Gladys. So, how's the screenplay going?" Cautiously, Sam says, "OK so far, thanks." Vandernoot adds, "So how are you doing on inspiration? Do you need more?" Something in her tone warns Sam and he replies, "No thank you, I'm good. I think I may be the wrong person to call, though." Vandernoot snorts, "Yes, how much do you know about William's latest hobbies?" Sam retorts, "Not much, not since his ultimate spa day. His paranoia has grown, though."

Vandernoot laughs out loud, but then sobers and replies, "I'm having a shit time. Stuff needs my direct attention, and I need someone I trust to watch the house and keep an eye on the kids." Sam ventures cautiously, "At the station?" Vandernoot replies, "Totally." Sam adds, "So no need for hazard pay?" Vandernoot hesitates and then supplies, "We'll set up something special. It's a dangerous house these days." Sam sighs but says firmly, "You know I will help you out," while thinking, "As much as my sanity allows, anyway," but quickly adds, "As long as Gladys is okay with it. But shouldn't William's ass be dragged into this?"

Vandernoot mutters, "I'm not sure if he'd be a help or a hinderance." She thinks for a second and adds, "But whatever resources you need, Sam, are yours. The state's freed up some money for the NPD, so if you need personnel, recruit whoever you want." Sam asks, "So when and where?" Vandernoot retorts, "Yesterday. But tomorrow morning at the station is fine." Sam is caught off-guard and replies, "Oh, you were serious. Hold on, let me check with Gladys." He looks over to his wife; Gladys looks lovingly into his eyes and utters, "Go. Get the fuck out of the house." Sam blinks in surprise while Vandernoot howls again with laughter and even MacLeod snickers.

Vandernoot manages to calm down and adds, "Don't worry, you can sleep tonight." Gladys mutters, "Are you sure?" Sam sighs but asks Vandernoot, "Anything I can look into for tomorrow?" Vandernoot asks incredulously, "Have you watched the news lately?" Sam breezily replies, "Nope." Vandernoot sighs and MacLeod calls out in astonishment, but Sam states, "I've been working on my screenplay. Maybe I should call William in for a briefing? Some expert bullshit?"

At the command tent, Vandernoot snorts but sees Curry waving her arms at her. She says to Sam, "Hold on one sec." She puts the hone down and Curry hisses, "He'll be the direct point person with the feds!" Vandernoot shrugs and replies, "Yeah, but I trust him implicitly." Curry retorts, "Yeah, but does he know that?" Vandernoot frowns but realizes Curry has a valid point. She picks up the phone and tells Sam, "So, there are state and feds in the house. McManus is liaising with the feds." Sam replies, "What happened?" Vandernoot tells him, "I'll email you the report, but in short, a shootout with military-grade weaponry on New South Street Sunday morning, Homeland Security has locked down the Smith garage, and there's been a massacre by the Northampton Airport."

Vandernoot ends the call and emails the collated reports. Sam heads down to the basement to his computer and pulls up the email. He reads everything carefully, and then calls William on the landline at 11:45. William was on the edge of REM sleep when the phone in his room shrieks, and he grabs it and mumbles, "Hello?" Sam replies, "Hey, it's Sam." Before he can say anything, William demands, "Are you ok?" Startled, Sam replies, "I'm fine, but there's nasty shit going on." Still not fully awake, William replies, "Gladys? Is Gladys alright?"

Sam says firmly, "She's fine, really. This is NPD stuff. Chief Vandernoot reached out to reactivate me, and I need your help." William wakes up fully and snaps, "Wait, what? You call me now for this?" Sam insists, "The word 'massacre' is in play. I need you buddy; I need you to take charge of the chain of custody. Overnights. I'll feel so much better if you're on it." William grumbles, "Did I do something?" Sam replies, "Nope, she's calling in all reserves. This is bad." William snaps, "She called you to call me?" Sam ignores the question and replies, "Like I said, it's bad. I need someone I can trust in times like this." William snaps, "And you called me at midnight for this?"

William tries to figure out this bizarre conversation and asks Sam, "Did Vandernoot bring you back into the fold to get me back? Did she use my name specifically?" Sam replies breezily, "Nope, you're my guy!" Realizing his best friend is trying to play him, William asks, "So who else are you going to call?" Sam says, "No clue yet, we can do an assessment in the morning." William growls, "In the morning? Good." Sam hastily adds, "But by then you'll have already been at the scene and gathered all the facts!" He quickly gives William the basic info about the airport massacre. William says flatly, "One problem, I don't have a car right now. Mine's in the shop."

Sam chirps, "Can't you just take Josh's car?" William retorts, "I'm not going to just take it," but then changes his mind and adds, "Well, he is asleep. I'll just borrow it, it's not like he's using it." Sam replies, "Great! I'll radio in and let them know you're coming. I have to say, you sound much more awake than I was expecting. That spa treatment is definitely working!" Sam then hangs up and texts the night sergeant that William is heading to the crime scene and passes along his landline in case he doesn't show up. He emails Vandernoot and then heads upstairs to get some sleep, amused that he recorded this entire conversation.

William grunts, hangs up the phone, and rolls over to go back to sleep as he mutters, "Well, I already have the details." He falls asleep almost immediately but feels a 'pulse' from the dagger as if it wants to show him something. Curious, William lets it in, and he partially disassociates. He's aware of his body in bed and the phone ringing but opens his eyes to find himself standing in a colonial village, snow softly falling around him! He looks down and sees he's dressed in a russet heavy coat, white breeches down to his knees, knee-high gray stockings held up by garters, and high-cut leather boots, with a brimmed felt hat to keep the snow out of his eyes.¹⁾

William looks around and sees no one else and no light at all, except from the church meeting house across the square. He shrugs and walks through the gathering snow to the church. He knocks the snow from his boots on the stair and then tries the door; it opens soundlessly. William slips inside and is immediately hit with a humid heat and the coppery taste of blood in the back of his mouth! He hears noises from the back room, so he moves silently through the austere architecture to the door. He knocks and calls out, "Hello," and then he opens the door slowly.

The scene that greets him is straight out of Hell, as multiple demons in various forms turn to stare at him, but his heart sinks when he sees a familiar hooded rat on the table. Veltis rasps, "Glad you decided to join us." William replies, "For what?" Veltis stares at him and snaps, "Matthias, you set this in motion! This is your damned church. How much have you had to drink?" William spots a mirror and takes a good look at himself. His appearance is of a man shorter than William but broader, with lined skin, a full beard, and sports a clerical cravat and preaching tab under his overcoat.

William replies glibly, "Sorry, I think I have to go answer the phone." Veltis stares at him and demands, "The what?" William says, "You'll know eventually." Veltis again demands, "What the fuck did you drink?" William wills himself awake, but as the dream fades, he sees behind Veltis a bowl of blood and two daggers floating in it. His eyes snap open at 3 o'clock as the phone rings, and he reaches out and grabs it.

William answers blearily, "Hello?" A female voice with a faint accent replies, "Uh, Officer Troy? This is Sergeant Hidalgo from the NPD. You never arrived at Cross Path Road. Is everything alright?" William grunts, "Everything's fine. I went down there but I didn't see anybody present." Hidalgo replies, "Uh, sir, people are still there, and no one saw you. Chief Vandernoot left instructions to call her immediately when you got there." William insists, "I was there, and I didn't see anybody except a few officers I passed in the airport. Unfortunately, the car I used is no longer available, so I can't get back. I guess I could call Vandernoot and ask her to come get me. I think I'll do that." Realizing she's walked into a minefield politically, Hidalgo replies, "Yes, sir," and immediately hangs up. William calls Vandernoot's number, but it goes right to voicemail, so he says, "I was told to call you when I got to the scene. I'll report to you in the morning." He hangs up and rolls over. He ignores another pulse from the dagger and goes back to sleep.

Vandernoot wakes up at 5:00 AM and listens to William's message. She grunts and gets ready for the day. Meanwhile, Sam wakes up early and heads into the station for 6:30, just before the shift change. The NPD officers are very glad to see him back with his badge, even if he's wearing a very bright Hawaiian shirt with dogs on it that MacLeod got him as a gift years ago. Sergeant Hidalgo intercepts him and says quietly, "Officer… Sergeant… Mr. Troy never showed up last night. I got ahold of him at 3:00 and he said he'd already been down and saw nobody, so I think he may have dreamed it. He said he was going to call the chief for a ride because his car wasn't available, but I've heard nothing since then." Sam nods and replies, "William Troy is an acting sergeant, just like me. Is anyone out his way that can pick him up?"

Hidalgo checks the patrol sheets and shakes her head; she replies, "No. No one is out that far; everyone is focused on downtown, Route 5, and Damon Road. We're spread very thin." Sam nods and assures her, "I understand. Don't worry about it." Hidalgo then lowers her voice as she steps in very close and says, "There was an Amherst sergeant here looking for you for some 'unofficial coordination.' He left his card." Hidalgo passes on the card and Sam glances down to read the name: Sergeant Michael LaPlante. He nods and puts the card in his pocket.

Hidalgo adds, "One more thing. Homeland Security has ordered a full evacuation of everyone within a block of the parking garage. That's several Smith dorms, Forbes Library, and a large amount of housing." Sam whistles as he calculates the scope of the evacuation. Hidalgo nods and says, "Officer McManus is the chief point of contact with DHS. As for Cross Path Road, the six survivors are at CDH under guard, and CSI techs onsite are putting severed limbs and heads to torsos in the worst jigsaw puzzle ever." Sam nods and thanks her profusely. Hidalgo clocks out to go home and sleep.

William wakes up at six, feeling surprisingly refreshed. He showers, eats, and then calls Josh at 6:45 to ask for a ride. Josh blearily answers, but immediately agrees. William dresses professionally and puts his badge in his pocket. He then texts Sam, "I'll be there as soon as I can, I'm waiting for Josh to get here." Josh pulls up at 7:05 while Sam gets the text and stares at his phone in shock; he's never gotten a text from William in thirty years. William climbs into Josh's car and Josh hands him a fidget spinner to hold.²⁾ William shrugs and accepts the toy. Josh drives his grandfather down to the NPD station, and William gives Josh an update about last night, including how he was supposed to go to the scene and didn't. William leaves out the vision, but Josh frets about potentially having to lie to the police. He drops William off at 7:25.

Meanwhile in Springfield, Anita is up and at the botanica by 8:00. She calls Samir at 8:45 from the botanica's landline. Samir answers on the second ring with, "Good morning, Miss Perez-Montoya." Anita returns the greeting and explains, "I've brokered the meeting you requested; the Troy cell is willing to come down to the botanica to meet you at your convenience." Samir replies, "That is excellent news, thank you. I don't wish to disturb your business hours, so shall we say 7 o'clock tonight?" Anita agrees and hangs up. She texts the cell. Mick texts back, "I'll try to appeal to Agent O'Malley's better side." Polly and Dr. Ranjip both indicate 7 o'clock is fine with them.

Anita then settles in to do inventory, a procedure that used to take days. Now, it's a click of a few buttons on the new point-of-sale software that Josh installed in his upgrade. The report also highlights the usual items that get stolen. Anita conducts a visual check on those sections and discovers about 10% shrinkage, which she deems as within normal parameters. She checks a few other things but find the inventory report checks out. This takes all of one hour, and Anita silently thanks Josh profusely. She then starts rearranging the shelves and throws everything related to Dias de los Muertos in the discount bin. However, she deliberately leaves the sign in Spanish telling her customers, "Do not touch the cute gringo without permission. Do not ask for permission to touch the cute gringo."

William walks into the NPD at 7:30 and immediately notices the lack of bodies – and how the bodies present aren't all NPD. He heads to the bullpen and finds Sam has set up shop there on the table, spurning one of the empty offices. William greets him and asks, "Trying to make an impression?" Sam looks down at his shirt, shrugs, and replies, "Just trying to keep morale up. Do you have your report from last night?" William states, "I'll tell you everything I know." Knowing William didn't go, Sam asks with feigned innocence, "With the evidence chain?" William shakes his head and says, "From my own notes." He then says, "I went down there but didn't see anybody. I did speak with Sergeant Hidalgo and left a message with Vandernoot."

Sam deploys tactical silence, but William is very familiar with that little trick, so they simply stare at each other for a few minutes without a word spoken before William suddenly asks, "Is Chief Vandernoot here?" Sam shakes his head and explains, "No, I'm the coordinator here, she's onsite. How about you write your report and then head down to see her? I've assigned you that computer." He points to one of the older desktops at the side of the bullpen, but William shakes his head and says, "Pen and paper will be fine, thank you. Let someone younger use it if they need it."

William settles into a corner and starts his report. He spends thirty minutes writing and notes the ripped fence, the minigun, the silver shell casings, and the bodies. Sam sends a newly minted senior police officer over so that William can dictate his report and the other man can type it out – and also to have the SPO try and detect any bullshit. William hands over what he's finished so far so the poor officer can type it up and keeps working with pen and paper. He finishes in another fifteen minutes and hands the report to the SPO. He then ambles back to Sam and asks curiously, "So how do you feel about being back?" Sam replies, "I'll do what I can for the town and the chief."

William nods and admits, "That's how I feel." Sam eyes him before saying, "Well, why don't you head down to Cross Path Road and pitch in, take command of the chain of custody. You're active again, so you have access to the motor pool. Grab an unmarked car." William agrees and heads out to do just that. Sam sighs and then the SPO hands him William's transcribed report. Sam nods his thanks and settles in to read. He finds the report well-written, with impressive attention to detail, a rough timeline, and more. Overall, this is the most comprehensive report assembled so far, and Sam realizes without a doubt that William was at the scene while the massacre was happening. While officially he enters it as an after-action report, he secretly treats it as a eyewitness statement.

William drives out of the NPD with his chosen unmarked vehicle and grabs breakfast first. He then drives to the crime scene and parks by the command tent. He gets out of the car and hitches his badge on his belt. He heads into the command tent and finds Vandernoot, MacLeod, and Officers Gordon, Davidson, Graham, and Curry. They all eye him as he ambles up and tells Vandernoot, "Good morning. I was told you were to be called when I got here, but Sam made it sound like I was needed last night at midnight." Vandernoot nods and she, MacLeod, and William all dance around the truth. However, they finally get to work, and soon find themselves falling back into old patterns – and meshing incredibly well. William meets Lieutenant Arroyo at one point, and the other man is clearly confused trying to reconcile William's experience with his apparent age.

Around 11 o'clock Sam calls APD Sergeant Michael LaPlante, who answers immediately. Sam introduces himself and LaPlante offers, "I'd like to talk to you. Lunch is on me. Pick your poison, and I'll meet you at the NPD." Sam agrees and directs LaPlante to his favorite deli, the State Street Fruit Store. LaPlante writes down Sam's order and says, "I'll be there soon. This is all sub rosa." He then hangs up. While he waits, Sam looks up LaPlante in the database. He finds LaPlante is pushing fifty and refuses promotion above his current tank. He's methodical, very competent, and has no accusations of excessive force or sexual impropriety on his jacket. Sam also notes that LaPlante was one of the few non-NPD officers to help sweep the property.

LaPlante enters the bullpen at 12:15 and they relocate to an empty office and close the door. LaPlante hands Sam his sandwich, chips, and drink before settling in to open his lunch. As they start eating, LaPlante emphasizes, "This conversation is not happening, and I'm definitely not telling you that this past Sunday morning there was a house explosion at 194 Lincoln Street. The APD responded to find a flaming mess, which the AFD was barely containing. It was late afternoon before the fire was out and the house had cooled enough to investigate. We found five bodies in the house which should only have two parents and one kid – and the kid is MIA. The reason we're not having this conversation is because, against all odds, the basement survived the fire because someone had reinforced it – as tight as a hardened military bunker."

Sam frowns as he considers the implications, but LaPlante continues, "We could only get into the basement by climbing down from street level and squeezing through a part of the floor that gave way. The basement had empty shelving and display cases – for storing artifacts." Sam's frown deepens as LaPlante starts gesticulating wildly – and Polaroids fly out from his sleeves! LaPlante adds, "We have a suspected arson, a weird basement, and a missing boy. But our chief is trying to bury it." He stands up suddenly, crumples his lunch wrappers into a ball and says, "Sorry about the mess." Sam nods as the 'mess' is a pile of Polaroids and he replies, "No worries, I'm sure you have to get back to work. I'll clean up here. Thanks for lunch." LaPlante nodes and departs.

Sam waits a few minutes in silence and then reaches for the Polaroids. Each is numbered 1-7 and have notes on the back. He quickly rearranges them into order without really looking at them, and then starts examining them in order. Polaroids 1-6 show the ruined shell of the house, the gap in the floor to the basement, the reinforced ceiling, and the red-carpeted room with trophy cases. Sam then gets to Polaroid #7, which has no notes and depicts a burnt corpse – and the anatomy definitely isn't human.³⁾ Sam stares in horror and then calls Vandernoot. She answers, and Sam says in a surprisingly steady voice, "I need you and William back here as soon as possible." He then hangs up.

Vandernoot frowns as she puts her phone away and demands, "What are you doing now?" to William. William looks up in confusion and says, 'Collating notes?" MacLeod looks over as Vandernoot purses her lips and says softly, "Sam is asking for you and me back at the station." William grumbles, "Coming back has gone to his head." MacLeod snorts but Vandernoot says simply, "We're going. Now." They walk out of the tent and Vandernoot tells Arroyo, "Have to check on something at the NPD. Can you take over?" Arroyo nods and they head for their cars.

Vandernoot, MacLeod, and William arrive at the NPD at 1:30 PM. They meet Sam in Vandernoot's office and MacLeod cracks, "Oh look, the band is finally back together." William snorts but everyone finds the reunion a bit surreal – especially since William looks like he did in 1984 and everyone else has aged. Sam looks pale and gestures for someone to close the door. William pushes it shut and Sam says quietly, "So, some pictures fell from the sky." He uses air quotes around the last bit and then he pushes the Polaroids their way. He adds, "This is from Amherst, a house fire from Sunday, but the APD isn't pursuing it." William keeps his face blank as they examine the Polaroids.

The first six Polaroids showing the house are revealing, and Vandernoot leans back, convinced the shelving units are an exact match for Cross Path Road. They then look at the seventh picture and freeze. MacLeod says slowly, "That's not natural." Vandernoot grouses, "Understatement of the century," while William looks confused but says nothing. Sam stands up and says, "I'm going to go get coffee. Be back in a bit." He then departs, leaving the three of them alone to talk, as they've gone further down the 'weird shit' road than he has. MacLeod eyes the door and mutters, "So full of subtlety, that one. So, any insights you wish to share?" That last part was aimed at William, who admits, "The two scenes are related."

MacLeod stares at him and snaps, "Is he shitting serious?" Vandernoot retorts dryly, "Well, I doubt he's shitting sarcastically." She gestures to William and then points to the picture of the corpse. William sighs and says, "Do you really want to know?" MacLeod snaps, "Was that even a person?" William nods and replies, "Yes, before possession." Vandernoot and MacLeod stare at him in shock, and then MacLeod reaches over and retrieves the whiskey bottle from Vandernoot's desk without ever breaking eye contact with William. Vandernoot asks hoarsely, "Possessed?" William replies firmly, "Yes." MacLeod retorts, "Care to elaborate?" but Vandernoot exclaims, "Wait, was this the rat's doing?" William shakes his head and says, "No. There were some artifacts that were stolen, and other people wanted them back."

MacLeod asks quietly, "And when you say 'them?'" William concedes, "That gets complicated. Essentially, another group that knows a lot more than I do about these strange goings-on." Vandernoot grouses, "I'm not sure if I'm soothed or annoyed by that they know more than you do." William shrugs and says, "It's the same group in both locations." MacLeod demands, "And you know this how?" William admits, "I was at the Amherst scene Sunday morning." Vandernoot growls, "Did you set the house on fire?" William replies carefully, "It was intact when I left it." Vandernoot and MacLeod stare at him and he adds, "Hey, now that you know more, I can share more." Vandernoot mumbles, "You are being uncharacteristically chatty," but MacLeod drawls, "So this past weekend you were 'tangentially' involved in arson. Wait, was Josh involved in the arson?" William shakes his head emphatically and replies, "No. It was not Josh, he left with me."

MacLeod stacks the Polaroids in order and pushes them aside. He says dangerously, "So you stared a fire, went to Hell, came back, and started a gang war where someone's head got squished like a pancake. Which one of Josh's friends did that?" William replies, "I didn't see that myself, but we met someone… new recently." MacLeod snaps, "Where? On OK Cupid? You've certainly had a colorful Halloween." William mutters, "Not by choice," and Vandernoot observes sarcastically, "You definitely party harder now than you used to, William." William reiterates, "Not by choice." Vandernoot circles back to the tangential arson and then her eyes narrow as she realizes how many buildings have gone up in smoke lately, or simply disappeared. She demands, "How many buildings have you burned down?"

William repeats firmly, "Again, I have not set any fires!" MacLeod counters, "Tangential arsons, then." Vandernoot snaps, "How many buildings have you disappeared?" MacLeod looked at her confused and cracks, "Should we send him to Vegas?" William immediately moots that idea but Vandernoot mutters, "Goddamn David Copperfield." William shrugs and retorts, "Sure." MacLeod grumbles, "Have you considered a less-exciting retirement? Because you and your friends are creating a lot of paperwork. Learn to mitigate better." William jibes, "Well, now that you're in the know, you can help." MacLeod glares daggers at him before growling through gritted teeth, "Anything else you'd like to tell us about the airport?"

Vandernoot interjects, "Such as a big-ass wolf with a pink stripe? That landed on your car?" William sighs and concedes, "Yeah, she did." MacLeod and Vandernoot exclaim simultaneously, "She?" William nods and Vandernoot grouses, "Now Graham wants to be a K-9 officer, because it was 'really cool.'" William laughs and MacLeod mutters, "She could be her own K-9 unit, although I'm not sure she'd fit in the car." William sobers instantly and warns, "They will not like that. At all. They help." MacLeod demands, "They help?" William replies firmly, "Yes, they help. A lot, actually."

MacLeod guesses, "They're not always giant wolves, are they?" William shakes his head and replies, "No, they're not. They have different forms between man and wolf, some just bigger and a lot scarier than others." MacLeod stares at William as he takes a second hit off the whiskey bottle and repeats, "And they help." William says flatly, "Yep." MacLeod retorts, "They shouldn't leave such conspicuous pawprints in blood." William shrugs and admits, "I agree, but sometimes their… nature takes over." Vandernoot mutters, "One theory is this is about exotic animal smuggling. A giant wolf with a pink stripe is definitely exotic."

MacLeod retorts, "Yeah, giant and will rip your head off." William nods and adds, "Yep." MacLeod frowns and demands, "Wait, is their 'help' why we have bodies in pieces?" William hedges, "Some of them, yes." MacLeod demands, "Like the head squashing?" William replies, "No, not that I know of." MacLeod groans but circles back once again to the fires and growls, "You're friends with a lot of casual arsonists." William surprises them by stating, "Yeah, a little too casual." Vandernoot demands, "So how does the talking rat fit in in all of this? Did you get him by leaving out a pizza?" William retorts, "He prefers Cheetos, and he doesn't belong to me."

Vandernoot and MacLeod stare at him once again and then MacLeod grumbles, "He also changes shape." William nods but says nothing further. They hear Sam lurking outside the office and MacLeod jokes, "Well, at least he's wearing a bitching Hawaiian shirt." William snorts but admits, "I'm trying to avoid letting him know more." Vandernoot agrees and says, "He knows his limits. That's rare in a cop, and that's why he's survived." MacLeod nods in agreement. The meeting breaks up after that, and Vandernoot, MacLeod, and William return to the crime scene. William works until 5 o'clock, and then heads home.

The cell gathers at the Troy household at 6 o'clock and Josh drives William, Abby, and Leta (with Veltis sitting on her shoulder) while Polly drives Mick and Dr. Ranjip. Josh drives carefully but when they get on I-91 South, William turns around and tells Veltis, "The dagger gave me a dream last night." Veltis retorts cheekily, "Was I in it? Was I sexy?" Abby sighs but William surprises everyone by saying, "Yes, you were. Who was Matthias?" Veltis frowns and replies, "I need more context." William supplies, "There was a church in New England, it was snowy, and he was a priest in league with you." Veltis retorts, "That actually doesn't narrow it down much."

William supplies a few more details, leading Veltis to cock his head and says slowly, "Oh, right. Preacher Matthias. I remember him now. Yeah, he was a Puritan minister in the 1630s. Remember how I told you Pope Honorius III summoned demons to test himself back in the 13th century?" William nods and Veltis continues, "Matthias did the same thing. He wasn't nearly as successful, and it blasted his sanity. So, he became an agent of Hell, or so he thought. By then I was bound to the Lucifuge, but the Lady permitted me and my allies to continue trying to free the demons trapped in those papal blades. So we used him and pretended he served Hell, while all the time he was actually serving the Lucifuge against Hell."

Leta bursts out laughing, but Veltis muses, "He got the blood for us. I never asked from where, honestly." Leta asks, "Why did you use him if he was so unstable?" Veltis shrugs his tiny shoulders and replies, "Because by then, we'd had the daggers for over a century and were finally close to corrupting them and freeing the demons inside. It was the eleventh hour and honestly, we were desperate. Ultimately though, we succeeded and failed at the same time. Instead of freeing the demonic essences, we accidentally birthed their fused forms, Disgrace and Impurity. They were new beings and had no memory of their former selves. I brought them to Milan, and that's why they treat me like I'm their father."

Leta nods and William asks idly, "Was it snowing out that night?" Veltis frowns and replies, "Probably, but I don't remember exactly. Why?" William shrugs and says, "Honestly, just curious." Abby asks, "What happened to him? Was he torn apart?" Veltis rubs his paws against his snout and mutters, "No, I think he lived for another forty years and died of old age. He corrupted his parish, I know that. Some of them are still around." Leta demands to know how that's possible, but Veltis retorts, "Sell your soul for immortality. Literally Faustian Bargains 101. Matthias was not a good person, and this is me saying that." William frowns but nods. He wonders, "Why did the blade show me this?"

Veltis considers the question seriously and replies, "Honestly, now that it's partner is in Duat or wherever, it might be reaching out to you. It's used to being one of a pair, and it's been separated from it's twin for years, possibly centuries. Honestly, it may want you as a partner beyond simple stabbing." William sighs and Josh announces, "I've come to terms with you dying, but not because of a magic knife." William snorts but doesn't say anything further. The cars pull into the Montoya Botanica's parking lot at 6:55, and they get out and hustle inside. Anita has already finished her shutdown, so she turns the sign to 'Closed' and they settle in to wait for Samir.

7 o'clock passes without a sign of him, and so does 7:05. By 7:10 Anita is worried and calls his number on the botanica's landline. The phone rings twice, and then a deep, familiar voice answers, "You have interesting friends, Miss Perez-Montoya." Anita growls, "Shit," and everyone looks at her. She adds, "Indeed I do. I'd like to talk to Samir, please." Silas Black replies, "I'm afraid that's not currently possible." Anita demands, "Why not?" and Black replies, "It's hard to talk through a broken jaw." Anita hisses, "And why is his jaw broken?" Black says calmly, "Because I punched him in it." Anita curses a stream of profanities in Spanish and then demands, "And why did you break his jaw?"

Black replies, "Because he's a drug dealer. He and his friends are flooding the streets of Springfield with poison. And they're not paying me my cut." Anita hisses again in outrage and Black continues, "Why, what is he worth to you?" Anita snarls, "Not worth continuing this conversation!" and slams the phone back on the receiver. She snaps to the others, "Silas Black has Samir." Josh groans and Leta curses, but Dr. Ranjip frowns and asks, "Sorry, refresh my memory. Who is Silas Black?" Anita tersely explains, "An up-and-coming crime lord in Springfield who is definitely special. It sounds like a drug deal gone sideways." Dr. Ranjip nods in thanks and then says, "Then it sounds like Officer McManus's concerns were very much warranted. So, what do we do about this? How important is Samir to us at the end of the day?" Anita admits, "I think this is very important, if we want to head off a war."

All but Mick agree, and Josh offers, "Maybe we can offer to take Samir off his hands?" Anita snorts but Dr. Ranjip frowns and says, "Wait a minute. Everything's transactional to this guy, right?" Anita nods and Dr. Ranjip continues, "Then we offer him something. Such as a one-time use of a surgeon with no questions asked." That silences the hunters, but Josh carefully says, "That trade would be a lot more ethical than some I'd imagine he would want."

Anita tells Dr. Ranjip, "That is a very generous offer, doctor." Dr. Ranjip shrugs and replies, "You vouch for Samir, Veltis vouches for his organization. We need him. Does anyone have any other ideas?" Everyone thinks carefully but shakes their heads, so Anita nods her thanks to the good doctor and calls Black on his cellphone from the landline. Black picks up after the second ring and says cheerfully, "Hello again, Miss Perez-Montoya." Anita grits her teeth but says, "I'd like to offer you a trade. Samir and his friends for the one-time use of a surgeon to fix up your men, no questions asked."

Black goes silent for a moment as he considers the offer, and then he says, "Can this surgeon handle serious bullet wounds?" Anita replies firmly, "Very much so." Black replies, "Very well then, I accept. We're at the Barney Mausoleum. You heal my men; you can have Samir and his friends. All of them." Anita realizes Dr. Ranjip is signaling and tells Black, "One sec." She puts the phone to her stomach to muffle sounds and Dr. Ranjip hisses, "Find out what injuries I'll need to treat, please." Anita lifts the phone and says, "The doctor is asking what injuries he'll be dealing with." Black replies crisply, "Four of my men have been shot. In order of ascending seriousness, one was shot through-and-through in his right shoulder. The second was shot through the left kneecap. The other two have torso wounds, the first is a gut wound and the second a chest wound, we're looking at a collapsing lung."

Dr. Ranjip nods as he overhears Black's assessment. Anita tells Black, "We're bringing backup." Black replies, "Of course. How many?" Anita says, "I'll let you know in a minute." She again puts the phone to her stomach and eyes the others. Leta immediately announces, "I'm going." Anita nods but Dr. Ranjip interjects, "With respect though, Mick and Polly need to consider their careers in law enforcement." William cuts in, "So do I; I've been reactivated. But your point is valid." Josh agrees and says, "They can't look dirty." Dr. Ranjip nods and then hesitates. He asks Josh, "You've met him, yes?" Josh nods Dr. Ranjip turns to William and asks, "Are you alright with Josh coming along? We may need his skills as a negotiator."⁴⁾ Leta snaps hotly, "Josh can make his own decisions."

William nods and says, "It's his call." Josh decides, "I'm in," which prompts Abby to state, "Me too." Anita says, "So me, Dr. Ranjip, Leta, Veltis, Abby, and Josh?" They nod, so Anita lifts the phone again and informs Black, "Besides the doctor and I, three and a half." Black replies, "And a half? Are you bringing another demon?" Leta glares at Anita as she replies, "Yes. We can be there in fifteen minutes or so." Black replies, "Excellent. You don't have to worry about anyone patrolling Forest Park, just drive right on up. See you soon." Black then hangs up.