2019-06-05 - Axe Murdering And Grape Jelly

Elijah the library is rather quiet this afternoon, a small smattering of patrons scattered throughout the shelves and at the tables. Elijah can be found at a small table towards the back of the library, using the microfiche machine to apparently go through crime blotters from the 80's. The man is dressed in a polo shirt and a pair of slacks as today, everything meticulously in place about his person.

The library. Isolde liked libraries. Mainly because they were warm, and free, and sometimes there might be little treats leftover from some kind of gathering. The library, Isolde decided, was a good thing. Still being wary of the plants in Alexander's kitchen, she thought getting out of the house was a good idea. What sort of books to read though? Something...fun. Light. That could maybe keep her attention and distract her from the mess that was her brain. And maybe Harper was around! Harper was nice. Isolde's hair was brushed today! That may not seem like a big deal, but it was. Falling to about her mid back, and a little frizzy. Her attire a pair of light blue jeans and a dark blue t-shirt with a ragged men's flannel over top all of it.

She is not paying attention to where she is walking - too busy looking around at all the shelves - and bumps right into Elijah's chair! "I'm sorry!" She gasped, then winced a bit as she could a couple looks from other patrons and lowered her voice. "Sorry. Sorry." Whispered to Elijah as she moved a bit, though peered curiously at what he was doing.

Seated at one of the dinosaur computers is Andi. A townie, she's lived here all her life. Like her parents and grandparents and the greats before her. She types about as slow as the processor on the computer is, which either makes them a match made in heaven or hell. Pick-and-peck all the way, she patiently taps out something on the computer, one key at a time. Hearing the ruckus she looks over and while not adding to the scolding, she grins in response.

Elijah seems a bit startled as he is run into by the young woman, his face shows a look of mild disapproval as he looks her over, deliberating for a moment before deciding "It's fine, are you okay miss?" On the screen is currently a rather grizzly report about an ax murder that happened in '87, a body was dismembered, but no culprit or weapon was ever found despite being labeled an 'ax murder'

Isolde nodded, her blue eyes were a little wild, but otherwise she seemed...okay? Her attention lingered on the screen, more curious than anything. "Scary." She murmured, briefly catching Andi's grin and offered a smile to the stranger in return. Back to Elijah. "I'm okay. What are you studying?"

There weren't a whole lot of people in the town that Andi didn't know and two outsiders with one at a microfiche machine was enough to bring her attention to the two. "Must be old news if you're using that old thing. There's some recordes on the computer also." A cursory glance over Isolde again before she finishes typing out what she was doing.

"I've been told the connection here is slower then trying to toast bread on a radiator." The way Elijah says it suggests that these weren't his words "There's something refreshing about using the old technology and going over records as they were when they were first printed." gesturing to the screen he mentions "I doubt you'd find any reference to this case using a computer

"The connection here is probably dial up. It feels like it anyway." Andi lightly shrugs and leans back in the chair so it tilts back against the wall a little, crossing her hands over her stomach as she watches him from this vantage point. All while waiting for the computer to catch up. "Case?" Perking just a little. "There are plenty of those around here. Which case are you referencing?"

"Axe murder of '87." Elijah responds easily before pulling out a notepad from his pocket to rattle off an actual case number to Andi "I'm under no illusion to think that it could be solved, but I had one of my assistants pull from the more interesting cold cases we have here in town. Wanted to see what I was up against around here."

"You wanted a cold case? We have plenty of them around. A lot of questions that somehow never get answered." Andi lets her chair settle back on all fours and glances at the computer screen to see the little hourglass turning over and over. Getting to her feet, she leaves her card there for the moment to approach the machine. Reciting the number to him, she takes a look then stands. "Ah, yeah no weapon, no suspects. I wish we had enough people to dedicate to a cold case unit."

Elijah frowns thoughtfully as he looks at the screen "What does our current manpower look like? I know it'd almost be acting as a vestigial limb with the chances to solve one of these cold cases, but it wouldn't hurt to turn some fresh eyes on them." grabbing his notepad he jots down 'special unit?' before setting it back down in front of the microfiche machine

"I patrol when there's no Underwater Search to do. I'm with that unit mostly. If you need help in cold case files, put in for me, I'd like the change of scenery to something that actually required some brain power." Andi offers, straigtening. There's another glance towards the computer over yonder that is still doing its thing. "I'm Andrea Johnson." The introduction given with a hand offered.

Isolde had been listening quietly to Elijah and Andi. Apparently a light-hearted and fun read had been replaced by listening about the cold case and the desire for more man power. Every now and then looking at the contents on the screen of the microfiche. "Cold. All cold all over." Murmuring to herself. A little tremble in her hand if either of them were paying any attention to her. When Andrea introduced herself to Elijah though, her attention flitted back to the woman and gave her a little wave with a wiggle of fingers. "I'm Izzy." She offered, voice in a hushed whisper. Like she didn't want to risk being too loud again.

Elijah takes Andi's hand in a firm handshake "Elijah Wright, a pleasure to meet you. I'm the new D.A in town so I'm sure we'll run into each other on the job in some regard." dipping his head to Isolde he says "Good to meet you as well." closing his notebook away from imagine prying eyes he arches an eyebrow "So what brings you to the library this evening, officer?"

"District Attorney Wright," Andi acknowledges his position with his name. "Certainly a pleasure to make your acquaintance as well." Straightening, she glances over at the computer. "Just researching a few things, nothing work related. I mean it though, if there's something I can help you with or do to help you settle in, I'm down for it."

I mean, the prying eyes might not be imagined. Isolde is a curious creature. However, she wasn't looking towards the notebook when he closed it. So that was probably a good thing. "What kind of research things?" She asked, looking to Andi.

"I'll keep that in mind and if I have any questions down at the station I might just start going through you." Elijah states, his glance briefly carrying back towards the computers but not going to outright ask what someone else was doing on their personal time, telling Izzy "She probably doesn't want to say, privacy is like a fine wine. It's best if it's kept for a long time in a dark place."

It wasn't a question Andi had expected, or maybe the way in which it was asked. However, in a patient manner she gives Izzy an indulgent smile. "I was looking up a few things on autism. Breakthroughs and different studies." It's at least a simple answer as far as one goes when it comes to it. "Certainly, Mr. Wright, I wouldn't mind that at all. I'm usually out and and about somewhere. Or you can reach me by radio or phone."

She'd been sitting upstairs in the back for a bit this afternoon, and now Emily comes trotting down those stairs, one hand on the railing - safety first! - and the other holding a book. Because it's a library. So a book makes sense. She has a faintly disheveled look about her presently, like someone that's been doing more than just sitting-and-reading up there, a little tattered and frayed around the edges, mostly notable once she hits that bottom step. She seems likely to just head straight for the check-out desk, but a look glances across the cluster of people doing the handshake-thing. "Hey," she offers over, flashing a quick smile at the one-of-three that she recognizes over there (that'd be Andi).

Isolde tilted her head slightly, pondering on Elijah's words. "But dark places are supposed to be bad." A little frown on her lips, a little tug at a strand of hair. As if trying to mentally work through his statement. Then back to Andi. "Is it interesting?" Pausing. Glancing between Elijah and Andi and then added. "Sorry. Privacy. You don't need to answer." Then there's a new person. Those wild blue eyes turning to Emily, studying the stranger briefly before offering a little wiggle of fingers to her as well in a wave.

Elijah begins to stand, gathering his notes and notepad "Well with that little research done it looks like it is time for me to head out." Tucking his pen back in his pocket he tells Andi "I'm sure if you need me you'll be able reach my office number." with a hint of a grin aimed at Isolde he tells her "The dark isn't all bad, though it is where people hide when they are doing thing they don't want others seeing them do." and with that he is gone, heading for the library entrance

Andi says, "It's interesting. And pretty informative also. I read up on the latest as much as I can." Andi doesn't elaborate further on it, glad for the arrival of Emily. "Heyy Kiddo." So she's only a year younger than Andi, but anyone younger gets the nickname at some point or another. "It's good to see you. Found something great to read?" She nods politely to the District Attorney, a glance after him before looking back at the girls. "I give us less than 60 seconds before we're shushed.""

Emily's eyes move after Elijah's departure then swing back around to the two left in his wake. "Do you ever stop and think about... like, what if that's the last thing you ever get to say? Those'd be some pretty epic last words, at least." She crosses the last distance between herself and Andi and Isolde, looking over the latter like she's taking her measure in case they have to FITE later. Which, honestly, she probably is. "I don't know if I'd call it great," she says of the book, whose title is The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, visible when she turns it to show the pair. "But." She shrugs. "Who are you?" She obviously means Isolde.

"Dark places are hiding places...but..." Isolde starts and then trails off. Filing Elijah's words away to ponder later. Right next to the invisible books. Which were probably here in the library! The library had everything right? She blinked a bit, coming back into the moment. Eyes widened a touch at Andi. "We don't want to get shushed. Right? That means we're too loud?" Tugging at her oversized flannel sleeves a little as she looked at the book Emily had. "That sounds dangerous..." Back up to Emily. "My name is Izzy. Who are you?"

From what Andi had seen so far of Izzy and what she knew of Emily, these two would either be amusing or a disaster and so as gently as she can, she encourages the two. "How about we all go outside for a breath of fresh air? It's not raining hard this time and we can stay under the awning." Walking over, Andi collects her library card from the computer and closes it down. "That book looks interesting. Let me know how it is, maybe I'll read it."

"Weird name." Emily says that after giving Isolde a squinted look, head tilted at the whole 'get shushed' topic. "I'm Emily. Have you never been in a library before or...?" The unsaid is readable on her face: or is she just a nutbar? Anyway, so as not to slow down this stroll outside, she dumps the book down on the corner of the nearest table, explaining, "I've read it before. It's about Ken Kesey and the sixties and LSD. So, basically, a bunch of weird shit. Just a different kind of weird shit than the weird shit that goes on around here." She walks on toward the door, assuming the others are coming to. Or not concerned if they're not, maybe.

"Every name is weird somewhere." Isolde stated, somewhat matter of factly. "I haven't been to a library in a long time." Oh she's definitely just a nutbar to some degree. Isolde is more than happy to follow the girls outside. "LSD is intense." An idle sort of thought and then shaking her head again. Once outside, she took a slow inhale and exhale. "Do you know if they have invisible books?" Looking back towards the library doors. "You can read them, but you can't see them! Harper had a lot in her car." Poor thing seems so sincere. Maybe she's talking about audio books?...She probably isn't.

"Sixties and LSD. Uh... huh." A bit of a pause in there as Andi works out a response other than an echo. "Maybe I'll keep to King and Grisham and Sparks." A rather eclectic taste in books. Walking out with the others she tucks her hands in the pockets of her pants to take a few breaths. "Invisible books?" That strikes her as a little funny but she very carefully doesn't laugh.

Judgey Emily pulls a face at King and Grisham and Sparks. "Pot-boilers and romance novels?" She hisses in a disapproving breath across her teeth, snagging her umbrella out of the umbrella stand by the door before they quit the library entirely. "Who are the 'they' in that sentence?" she asks of Isolde, holding the library door open with her back so the Andi and Isolde can step out into that fresh (and probably muggy - warm and rainy?) air.

"Mysteries are fun. Comic books too." Isolde pondered, nose wrinkling at the mention of romance novels. Well, at least she and Emily seemed to have one thing in common. But she doesn't speak to it. "The library of course." Like there was no other answer it could have been. Raking a hand through her hair as she thought it over. "They have all sorts of stuff. Even this one. Right?"

"I have to have romance somewhere in my life right? I'm a divorced woman, I get the romance from Sparks. Except some main character always dies in his books." Spoiler alert. Andi doesn't defend King or Grisham. It didn't seem necessary. "I don't really read comics. I probably should." The mystery of the invisible books remains that for now. "I don't know anything about invisible books."

"Have to?" Emily teeters her umbrella-free hand, a palm-wobble that suggests she might not agree with Andi's sentiment entirely. "Romance is fine. I guess. But it's kind of like those little packets of grape jelly at the diner. If they're there? Sure, I'll use 'em. But I'll eat the fucking toast with or without the jelly." This little bundle of sunshine shrugs. And turns a blank look upon Isolde; "I don't know what you're talking about even a little bit. What's an invisible book?"

Isolde frowned, maybe looking a little disheartened or disappointed. "Maybe I imagined it. Maybe she didn't say it." Looking up towards the awning for a moment. "Maybe they're in the other place. A bad thing." It's hard to tell if she's talking to them or to herself. A shake of her head, stuffing her hands into her pockets. "Ineedtogo." Words spilling over each other. "It was nice tomeetyou." She says to both of them before turning to quickly start walking away.

"Would you have the same toast without butter so easily? Maybe romance is jam to one and butter to another." Andi is just tossing out some wordplay for the fun of it. As Izzy leaves, taking her secrets with her, she shrugs, "I have no idea what she meant."

Shrugging, Emily answers, "Depends on what kind of toast? Wheat can be dry, so probably not. But sourdough?" Beat. "This metaphor might be getting away from us now. The point is, romance is overrated." Says the woman purported to be a prisoner in her brother-in-law's basement. She might have had more to say to Isolde, especially about other places and bad things, but the woman's walked off too quickly, and just winds up earning a blink in her wake. "I kind of feel like we should follow her? Just to make sure she gets home okay and doesn't," uhm, frown, "wind up in the other place."

"We can't save everyone." Andi also lets the matter of romance drop but she studies the other woman a moment before smiling. "We can follow her but we may freak her out bad enough she actually goes somewhere to hide that isn't a good place." Considering Izzy as she stalks off though she shrugs. "She's gotten to the age she is somehow. Maybe someone is looking out for her."

Troubled brows knit for a second, and Emily agrees, "No. We can't save everyone." She watches the rain swallow up Isolde, peering after her until the woman is well and truly out of sight, quickly obscured by that damnable drizzle, then settles her attention back upon Andi, her smile twitching into place but not quite touching her eyes. "Maybe." She's good at skepticism; it suits her. "But people who go around asking for invisible books and talking about other places? Just seem like the kinds of people that wind up on the sides of milk cartons, y'know?" The English teacher tells the Police Officer.

"You're right. Hopefully she has some family that's looking out for her. I think adventuring to the library isn't something she should be doing alone so maybe there really is someone waiting for her nearby. I'll try and find out more about her. All I know right now is she calls herself Izzy." Andi glances over at her car and questions. "Speaking of taking care of each other, I have a date tonight so I should get going. Do you need a ride anywhere?"

"Which. I hope is a fake name. Or her parents are assholes." Emily follows the look toward the car, and her eyes widen for a second, and she should totally demure. Like, the rules of society practically demand that she politely refuse this. But the rules of Emily Harris - "Oh, I will absolutely let you drive me the two blocks home in that thing. Can I sit in the back?" LIKE A CRIMINAL. "And can you make the lights and stuff?" She's already on her way over there to make this 'Emily Harris got arrested' rumor happen. "Wait, how do you have no romance in your life but also a date?" But please open the car so she can get in and feed the rumor mill.

Realizing what was going on, Andi ushers her over to the car like a good police officer and she plays along completely. Opening the back door, she puts a hand on the other woman's head and says with an authoritative voice. "Watch your head." Standing there she does wait before closing the door behind her. Walking around the car she slides in the drivers seat and slides the key in the ignition, starting it. "Because it's a date with my ex husband. And he's still sort of wary since our divorce two years ago." Only mentioning that once they were in the car. She sets the car in motion and turns on the lights, but not the siren yet. When she gets to the intersection and there are no cars, she flips on the siren and drives right through it, a grin tossed back to Emily.

From the back seat, with her face pressed to the glass and peering out it, Emily asks confusedly, "Why are you dating your ex-husband?" (NB: She's sleeping with her brother-in-law, so that tone of hers is really unjustly applied.) Oh yay! The sirens go on, and - even in the midst of being a Judgey McHypocrite - she smiles a positively delighted and definitely a little bit cracked smile at a couple of people on the sidewalk that stop to gape. It's... what? Like turn on Maple, turn on Oak to get to Logan's house? She's very happy the whole way. She even says, "Thanks," and means it.

"Because I miss him. I realize I always missed him and.. well there's more but it's not really something I like talking about." Andi doesn't question of her and Logan. Perhaps most of the town assumes it. She doesn't speed down Maple, and on Oak she goes a little slower than necessary, even stopping to let someone cross the road. When she pulls infront of Logan's house she flips off the lights and sirens and turns off the ignition and brings her key with her before going around the car to where Emily is. "Don't let me catch you out there again." Cracking a small smile just for Emily, leaving it vague if she wanted to embellish in the retelling.

Emily says, "Okay," of things that Andi doesn't like talking about. She starts out of the backseat, gets one foot on the soggy ground, and - peering up through the rain at Officer Andi - adds, "It's not flowers and chocolates, but that is romantic. In its way." Then she shrugs, like that whole conversation is just stupid, and she gets out of the car, making sure to shake her hair down over her face and leave her umbrella furled, so she'll look especially disheveled when she darts up the front sidewalk. She says, with a hidden smile back, "Have fun on your date," but her body language is all fighty-rawr. For the neighbors that are undoubtedly watching this exchange from the windows of their nice houses. Then she skitters into the house (before Logan has to come out here to find out wtf Emily did to come home in a cop car).