Exton

The Tavern is busy. A small elderly man makes his way through the crowd, hefting himself onto a stool at the bar. He looks around, watching the dancers,shaking his head over what the younger people think is music. Patti leans across the bar, asking what he would like. He smiles at her, complimenting the beautiful artwork on her body. She thanks him and turns away to pour his Goldschlager.

When she slides it across the counter, he asks her where he can find Tori. Patti asks if a message can be delivered and the man slides her a note. She hands it to a waitress and moments later the girl returns to lead him to a booth in the private area.

The booths have a shimmer of magic, a haze, that partitions each one. He pauses, getting the feel of the spell. Privacy. Each booth is protected. Tori looks up from her laptop, turning it away. The man moves through the haze and slides onto the opposite bench.

He looks around the booth. "Privacy? Ist a gut hexe. Es ist a strong spell."
Tori nods. "My sister-in-law set the spells before she opened the Tavern. What we speak of stays here. If you are here something is very wrong. What is it, Mr. Schuhmacher?"

The German Elf shakes his head. "Do you remember the kinder that hung out in the back alley? The shifter teens who vould come and clean the *schlect from the alleys so they could sleep in the warm storerooms?"

Tori nods.

"They are gone. Every one of the foursome. Es ist not like them Tori. Too many peoples know them. They vould not just disappear." He leans forward on his elbows, fingers entwined. His forefingers tap each other as he speaks. "They live on the southside in better weather. No one has seen them since August. Then there are the stories. Homeless disappearing. Alleys sprayed in blood, with no corpses. Something walks these streets that vas not here before."

The old elf lifts his glass sipping. "I haff sent word to the Good Doctor, also to the Morticians. I tink ve need all the help ve can get."

Tori nods. "Give me a moment."

Turning the laptop, she clicks on the keys. Moments later she snaps the lid shut.

"People will be watching, mein Herr. Keep me posted?"

The elf nods, finishes his drink and takes his leave. Tori snaps open her cell. Punching one key, she listens as the other end is answered. "Four more are missing. One is a cat, one a bird, one a mouse, and the last... I am not sure what she is. I can have images. Grace drew them when they stayed in her stockroom." She is quiet for a few minutes. "No. They were good kids. Thanks Chief."

She snaps the phone shut. Another party warned...


*trash