2019-09-19 - New Protector

Living nearby certainly has its advantages. Other than being the rich people neighborhood, of course. Wearing a pair of khaki pleated shorts and a white short sleeved shirt with a bronze colored belt through the loops o her shorts, Erin walks over at a casual pace. The storm is coming, the wind is already whipping her loose hair around her face creating a dark halo. The storm is still out over the water and she has come to watch it come in. It's still awhile before it makes landfall, hopefully. Leaning down she removes the strappy sandals on her feet once she gets to the sand and carries her shoes in one hand, approaching a long tree trunk and taking a seat to extend her legs and watch the waves picking up.

A jog on the beach seemed to be the plan, but when the clouds on the horizon went from foreboding to overtly threatening it became a walk with the option to grab a Lyft if things got hairy. Not that Andy could easily grab a Lyft given the company he keeps. Two big dogs, one a german shepherd missing her front left leg, and the other an even bigger girl that looks something like a beefy yellow lab with a brown muzzle. The two are running in circles around him, though the german shepherd is giving the ocean nervous looks, like she can tell something unpleasant is rolling in from the west. Andy himself has on a pair of jogging shorts, taking advantage of a summer that may be overstaying its welcome, and a gray t-shirt marked FBI Academy on the front and Géroux in big block print on the back. "Let's not get too far away, please! Heel! Heel, girls! God, that never works. But at least it makes me feel ineffective."

Watching the lightning stretch across the sky instead of down into the waters, Erin tilts back her head a little, letting the breeze do whatever it wants with her hair. She inhales deeply, that salty sea air, the sounds of the water.. and dogs? Turning a little she watches the dogs bounding down the sand and can't help but to smile. It makes her look softer somehow where she'd been more guarded just moments before. It's his comments that bring the laughter. "It looks like the bosses are taking you out for a walk today." There's no move towards the dogs, figuring if they were interested they would approach her. "They're beautiful. I love the coloring of the lab. Sort of like Old Yeller."

"She's actually a Chinook. Big sled dogs. They're from Maine, so I have no idea where my mom got one," says Andy, looking over to the person into whose moment of quiet contemplation they have stumbled. The German Shepherd stays back, more uncertain than wary, but the bigger dog is friendly to a fault and bounds over. "Hoy, Fable!" She skids to a halt and looks back, one floppy ear cocked. "Don't go bowling anyone over." Back to Erin he says, "She's a lapdog in the body of a small horse. So she's friendly, but watch out for the dog hug." He nods first to the friendly Chinook, "Fable." and then to the German Shepherd who seems to be coming around since her companion seems to sure that it's okay. "And this is Saga." Finally a nod toward Erin, "I'm Andy. And if I'm not wrong, you're Erin?"

"I guess I have never heard of that kind. I'm not so up on my dog breeds though. I've never had one before." Lowering her eyes she watches the dogs as he explains the differences in them. With one of them approaching at a quick bound she looks almost alarmed until he calls her and offers the warning to the dog about bowling. When the dog approaches, she reaches out a hand, visibly relaxing when her hand remains intact and only possibly licked. It's clear she's not had much experience with dogs. It's also clear that Fable is quickly dispatching her fears. "Hi, Fable. Are you out bossing around your owner?" A real smile finds its way to her dark eyes as she lifts them from the dog to him. "Saga," echoing the name. It's the she realizes the other one is missing a leg. "Oh no, what happened to her?" Tilting her head she studies the one that hangs back with a sad and concerned look. That's cut brief when he begins his own introduction. "Hi Andy I'm.. oh yes, I'm Erin Addington." Curious, she gets to her feet, leaving the sandals on the log. "Have we met? I'm sure I would remember you."

"Saga was the K9 partner of a cop I worked with in Portland. She ended up taking a bullet that was meant for me, so now I'm basically doing that Wookiee life-debt thing with her. For the rest of my life I'm indebted and as such have to give her all the peanut butter she wants and let her watch any commercials with dogs in them." As to the question of his familiarity, "No. I'm Sergeant Andy Géroux with the GHPD. My captain asked me to look after you, but it's been hectic and I haven't had to chance to come make a formal introduction. So fortunately I have an ice breaker of a dog." Andy pauses, then adds, "Labored pun not intended." Saga nudges Fable in the side, then the two of them look up at Erin just in case she has any peanut butter or beef jerky or beef jerky dipped in peanut butter for them, then both go running off toward the shore, Saga stopping at the water and barking at the clouds, like she can scare away the storm, or at least let the storm know she's not afraid of it. "Normally I'd say that off-duty bodyguard work wasn't really my thing, but going from being a field agent to manning a desk has been bad for my nerves."

The smile falters a little as her dark eyes drop to the dog in question then inches up a little more again. "It looks like she's happy with the terms of the recompense. It also looks as if you're as smitten with her as she is you." At the mention of the Captain, Erin gives a slight inclination of her head. "I see. He did say he was going to ask someone to take over. His schedule has been hectic as well, I gather." The dogs get a regretful look, Erin has no snacks. Not on her anyway. The smile is back in place when she looks up at the Sergeant. "I guess most times I don't come across as approachable at the best of times and lately," she exhales a breath with a wry little smile and pushes hair out of her face. "Lately really hasn't been the best of times. Not to dump all my issues on you because of your assignment or anything." She looks back towards the water and the storm that does seem to be coming closer. So far the rain has held off but not for too much longer. For a moment she is silent then she puts on a smile of false bravado. "If you aren't interested in it, I understand. All you have to do is say no. I'll be paying you in addition to whatever you earn at the station." Suddenly feeling iffy about talking about things here, she motions towards the large house across the way. "Would you be interested in coming over and talking about it? Getting out of the rain that will be starting very soon now?"

"She's a good girl. Not great with loud noises and doesn't much care for strangers, though thanks to Fable no one is ever a stranger for long. They make a good pair. Which is good, since neither of them had ever had a dog roommate until I moved back to Gray Harbor. They could very well have decided to be territorial. But they've agreed that Saga sleeps on the floor and gets first pick of treats, and Fable gets to jump up on the bed and crush my sternum starting at around 2 AM." Andy watches the dogs for a moment, making certain no one is getting too bold with the waves, then looks back to Erin. "It's fine. I'm a local, more or less. I know what it means to be an Addington. And I'm fine with the extra responsibilities. I moved back here to deal with some very tiring family stuff, so it would be good to have other things to do than that." He looks to the house and gives a quick nod. "Sure. You mind if the girls run circles around the back yard?"

"It seems you've formed a nice little unit." Not asking if there was a fourth, or a second human involved somewhere in the equation. There's a glance over his left hand though, naturally. Maybe not for the reasons one might think though. She watches the dogs a moment longer before Andy says something that gets him a look of surprise. "You are from Gray Harbor originally?" His agreement has her reaching for her sandals, gathering them to hang loosely in her fingers. "She looks a little like she'd be a mix between cuddly to sleep with and like maybe she would take over the whole bed. I hope you have a big bed!" Ok, that went awkward after she said it and she tucks her free hand into a pocket of her shorts, shoes in the other. "They can come inside with us. There's not much shelter in the back yard and I'd not send them out in the storm on their own. Also, if you accept the job, you can bring them with you if you like."

There's no ring there now, but there's the smooth skin of someone who wore one until fairly recently. "Not originally originally, but close enough. I grew up on the Quinault reservation with my mom and gran. We moved here when I was twelve after my gran passed. So I went to middle and high school here, pretty much became a local after a year or so. Once you catch a game winning pass in a semi-finals game against the Elma Eagles they pretty much have to accept you. Even if you then break your ankle and sit out senior year." Andy clucks his tongue and adds, "There went my dreams of being a Seahawk." His tone sounds less than serious when he says that. After turning to call to the dogs he makes to follow Erin.

It's really no surprise to Erin to see there may have been a ring there recently. He was, after all things considered, an attractive man probably around settling down age. "Are you married, Sergeant?" The question comes, intrusive perhaps, but lacking the usual emotional connection to such a question. There's a light smile to lessen the seriousness of the moment. "I have to admit you strike me as the football star, golden child sort. It's unfortunate about your senior year. I wonder if you'd have taken a scholarship for football instead of joining the Academy instead had fate not intervened." The words are softly musing. "Seahawks are sorely lacking for it." Her smile hitches up a few degrees.

She leads the way to her home, it's not far and it's rather impressive. Though there's a few moving boxes noticeable near the garage. It looks like she's only very recently moved in. "They can come inside. I think I even have peanut butter crackers if they are allowed." Remembering his words about their penchant for it.

"I was married. We divorced a couple of years back. Amicably enough that we're friends on Facebook now, but not so amicably that I'm going to her wedding. I mean, even if it was amicable that would be pretty weird." Andy laughs at her musing over what could have been. "Unlikely, I was never that good to begin with. The accident allows me to turn that sad fact into a good story, though. And that's what matters most." The dogs are smart enough that they stop at the entry, uncertain, but when Andy waves to them they happily bound in after the pair. They can certainly feel the storm approaching and neither was thrilled at the idea of being out in all that terrifying lightning! Though running around in mud and getting horribly filthy certainly has some dog appeal. "They would love peanut butter crackers."

"That's the beauty of what if. You can fill in the blanks with whatever suits your fancy at the time." Erin leads the way in and smiles at the dogs as they hang back then finally enter. "Welcome to my home. I've only newly arrived here myself." Erin will close the door behind them, patient while she waits for the dogs to be comfortable in their new surroundings. "Please do make yourself comfortable. They can't hurt anything. Is there anything I can offer you to eat or drink?" While she offers she moves towards a drawer and slides it open. There are a few packs of peanut butter crackers along with other small snacks. She tugs out all four packs before reaching for two metal bowls from beneath the cabinet. "I'm sorry it didn't work out for you." Her lips twist wryly. "She is getting remarried?" The packages are opened and two are emptied into each bowl. Since the floor was stone it's no hardship to place the bowls down, one for the more eager to bound over to her, Fable, and the other reserved for Saga. "Here you go girls. I'll get you some water after this." She remains to scritch them a moment, welcoming them to her home before rising to her feet. "What would you like?"

"Don't tell them that they can't hurt anything. They'll take it as a challenge." Andy looks around the house as he enters. So homey. Just like his mom's place, but way bigger and better appointed and less plastic on all the furniture. "I'll take a diet whatever. Pepsi if you have it, anything else if you don't." At the crinkle of plastic the dogs rush over like a couple of enormous toddlers and happily await their treat, which they bolt down like they're starving before looking up at her with literal puppy dog eyes. If the puppy is the size of one of European subcompact cars. As to his marriage, "Eh. People drift apart. I wasn't a great husband. Too much focus on my work and... other things. I did a lot of missing her very strongly hinting that she wanted a kid. Probably for the best. Her fiance is a nice guy. She originally told me he was a Trailblazer and I was pretty disappointed I was going to have to start hating my favorite team, but fortunately she was just fucking with me." He pauses, "Ah. Pardon my language."

"I like them already. I find I like challenges now and again." Erin laughs softly as the bound over and inhale the food. "Hmm. See? They are already challenging me." A little more gathering and a Diet Coke is delivered to him, it's in a bottle. For herself she's got a glass bottle of Pear Cider and she places that on the counter for a moment. "I can do homemade." Gathering a couple more things, she stands at the counter in mere moments with two packs of saltines and a jar of peanut butter. And two spoons. "Would you like to help?" A tentative smile offered his way as well as a spoon. "I just moved to this house from the Bayside Apartments where I've lived since I turned 18. It was time for a change. The apartments are modern and impersonal so I wanted something a little more like home. That's what I got here. The decorator helped." She opens the peanut butter and starts putting it on a cracker then stacking about four with peanut butter between. As she gets a few, she puts them in one o f the bowls for the dogs. "Ah that makes sense. Drifting apart. I suppose that must be harder than knowing it's a wrong fit from the start and doing nothing about it anyone until it explodes in your face." With a more genuine smile she shakes her head, "You don't have to apologize for cursing. I'm sure I've said worse. Besides, you're a grown up. You're allowed to speak your mind."

"I'm currently living at my mom's place. Which is just the sort of thing I always imagined getting to say out loud when I was 32. I'm mostly house sitting until we find out if she'll be coming home. And if not, on the market it goes and ... I donno, maybe I'll get a houseboat. Lean into the detective novel stereotype." Andy takes the spoon and dips up a hefty scoop of peanut butter, gives it a quick sample, then holds it out for the girls. Though Saga is more uncertain, she's definitely noisier than Fable, who may be boisterous but never barks or whines. Lots of clacking of nails against the floor, though. Enough that Andy guiltily winces at the good doggie daddy job he hasn't gotten around to. "I'm a civil servant, so my mind generally gets to keep its opinion to itself, but I'll remember the offer."

"Is your mother sick?" Wondering what makes her returning situation so up in the air. "Things happen, it's really admirable that you'd stay there for her when she needs you. If she gets to return home would she still have her independence to live alone?" Lots of unanswered questions. His mention of the houseboat makes her smile. "I have a friend who lives on one. Just be careful with the PA system." Dressing a few more crackers with peanut butter she continues to feed the dogs. She goops one up good and offers it to Fable. "Hungry?" Looking up to him a moment, "I could order in some take out or something and you could watch the storm come in. Or I could give you three a ride back to your home. I really don't mind the company though. I miss the sounds of my neighbors in the apartments. Never thought I'd say that." Her lips curve. "Consider yourself able to speak your mind here then. Freely."

"Mom's got leukemia. It's the main reason I came back here after so long away. Though if it hadn't been that I'm sure Gray Harbor would eventually have found another way to get me back." Andy considers forgoing the cracker and just letting Saga go nuts on the spoon, but assuming she might eventually want to eat this peanut butter he figures its best to keep doggie mouths and human food at least two steps apart. "If she manages to make it back home we'll probably need a live-in nurse until mom gets tired of her and decides she can live on her own. So a week or so. And sure, I'm up for some delivery. We should talk about this whole thing anyway."

"Gray Harbor does that." Erin looks genuinely sympathetic about his mother. "I would say I can't imagine what you're going through, but having very recently lost both of my parents," and several other relatives.. he's a cop, he likely knows what happened. Maybe? "I can offer my sympathy for what you are both having to deal with." Something he says though jars something in her mind and she opens her mouth to say something before closing it again. Still, it looks as if she wants to say something. Instead, she smiles and slides the jar of peanut butter closer to him. "Let them have it all." It's a big jar! "I can always get more, really. Do you have a preference to what you want? Pizza? Chinese? Tacos? Burgers?"

The mention of her losses gets a slight nod and a pensive furrowing of his brows, but he doesn't say much. Being out of the city as long as he has been means there are a lot of variables at play he's yet to really figure out. Permission granted Andy starts scooping generously, instantly becoming the most popular human these dogs have ever known. "I'm honestly good with anything. Tacos sounds good. Fried chicken? Is that a thing you can get delivered here? You can get just about anything delivered in Portland. Wake up at 3 AM with a craving for bahn mi? Someone's got you covered."

Watching him with the dogs, Erin smiles, "You're their hero." It's fun to watch the way they crowd around him for the snack. "Fried chicken sounds really good. With all the sides? I can do that." With enough money, you can get anything you want delivered at any time. So Erin reaches for her cell phone and dials a number. "Maria, hi. I have an order if you don't mind." There's a pause as the lady on the other side of the phone sounds delighted. "Fried chicken for two and whatever sides you want to whip up with it. Also, do you have anything dogs will like? I heard something about chicken bones being bad for them since they splinter, but a good soup bone or someth.." again Erin falls silent before laughing. "Perfect. Just whatever you think would be good. Oh really? Biscuits too? You're far better than any KFC. I love your homecooked food. Ok, yes, I'll remember that. Thank you. Just tell him to drive safe, the storm may be moving in." Hanging up the phone she smiles. "Maria is the cook I'd have if I had a live in cook. She has no family but she loves preparing full meals so she makes them at home and I pay her for them. She's exceptional. Her brother will be delivering it but it will take a bit for her to cook. Much better than fast food."

"Sounds good. Nothing like home cooked fried chicken, really. Cole slaw. Mashed potatoes. Corn." Andy slows when he realizes that at one point he's basically describing the menu at KFC. At least he stops before he gets to popcorn shrimp or little bucket parfaits. The dogs sated for the moment they wander off to scout out their new home base while Andy turns to look out the window at the oncoming storm. "Going to be an interesting one. Maybe I should put off the houseboat idea for a couple of months. Wait til we solve climate change." Back to Erin, "you have a friend who lives at the marina? They like it?"

"I admit cooking isn't something I've ever taken the time to learn. I wasn't exactly raised by my parents and my Grandmother was always more into finances. I've just not taken the time. I can cook a mean frozen lasagna though." Erin has eaten out enough to recognize the menu and gives him a quick, amused smile. Walking over, she takes a look as the storm is about to make landfall from the looks of it, the lightning flashes coming sooner along with the booms of thunder. It's all she can do to resist opening the French doors to the backyard. "I love that wildness about the storms here, especially when they roll in off the water. Powerful." There's a slight nod, "Yes, she seems to like it fine, except when the water is rough. I don't know how she feels about it in the winter though. I'm not sure what I'd think of always living with a moving floor beneath me." She turns briefly from the window to get their drinks and offer his back to him while she opens her own for a drink. Finally, she broaches the subject she'd wanted to talk about earlier, finally finding the words to. "When your mother does come home," opting for when instead of if. "I have a spare bedroom and there's plenty of space." Realizing she was a stranger to him and his mother, she gives him a quiet smile. "I've been going to school in Seattle and I'm qualified for home health care. Not many people know, especially my grandmother, but I am. I'd be more than willing to care for her while you work, allow her to live here. My spare bedroom is going unused anyway."

"All the recipes I know I picked up in college. There's Japanese nachos. It's an uncooked brick of ramen with ketchup on it. And the walkin' taco, which is a fifty cent bag of Fritos from 7-11 and then when the cashier isn't looking you fill the bag with the free nacho cheese and chili they have for hot dogs." It's hard to tell how serious he's being with these. Andy gives a smile when she talks about the weather. "You'll never hear me complain about the wild weather up here. When I moved to Boston the summer heat and humidity were unrelenting. As warm as it's been here it's still a break from how bad it could get out east. Also, no nor'easters will be a nice change of pace." The bit about his mother gets some contemplation. "That's an incredibly kind offer. I'll certainly consider it, though we should see if we're still friends after you know me for a while."

"Uncooked.. Oh, I think even I could manage that." Erin laughs the more he goes on with it, it takes some of the guard from her features and leaves her looking more lighthearted. "I think we're about equal on the cooking. Tell you what, one night you cook. One night I cook. The rest we eat take out." As if he had accepted the job already or something. "You lived in Boston? I've never been there, but I'm sure I wouldn't be adverse to the snow. I wouldn't drive in it of course, but I'd watch it. Snow blankets everything. I love that. It makes the worst part of town equal to the nicest parts of town if only in appearance. It levels the playing field so to speak. It doesn't seem to matter what's beneath the snow." Annnd she's carrying on. At the mention of his mother, she smiles just a touch, but there's sort of a sad lilt to it. "Caring for your mother has nothing to do with us being friends or not. I would never stop caring for her if we didn't make it to the friendship stage. My offer stands, but I understand the need for you to think about it. A mother is one of the most important people in a person's life and you don't know me from anyone else in town. I understand."

"The snow blankets Boston for about fifteen minutes, then the cars get to it." Andy grimaces at that. "Still, being inside where it's warm when the snow is coming down so hard it's sideways and the sky is a gray slate is kind of it's own meditative evening. It's not even bad to go out in it, as long as you're not trying to get anywhere specific. Once you take snow and add in, like, going to the grocery store? Oof." Andy leans back and watches as the curtain of rain approaches and it goes from threatening to full on watery nails peppering the ground and beating a tattoo against the windows. "So what does the job involve? And why is it necessary? I know what happened recently," and he nods to her visible injury, "and I see something happened there. So what is happening? It's hard to imagine all of this violence in this small a town. Then again, we've got twice as many cops as any other town this size, so we must be reacting to something."

"The mess once the cars hit it, I can imagine is the worst. Mud and slush and ice. I think I'd have to call out to GrubHub or even Grocery store delivery if they did that with the snow so deep. Which brings us full circle to Gray Harbor bringing home anyone who leaves." Which, leads right into his next question whether he realizes it or not. "I don't know what you know about the veil." She doesn't say more than that about that particular part. "But way back at the turn of the century," somewhere around that time, "Gray Harbor had a serial killer. Things happened, he was captured, and somehow, another living being was responsible for his.. spirit? Soul? Whatever made him him. More things happened and the man was no longer able to keep Gohl back. Gohl, using the man's body, via the possession, is causing the man to commit murders." Erin stops there a moment to sort of gauge his reaction, ready to see him look at her as if she were crazy.

"I, uh, am somewhat familiar with the veil. Though my father never called it that. I know some of the sorts of things that tend to live there. There's a reason my people tended to avoid this place before Europeans showed up and decided to plop down in the place where hunting parties went missing and the animals acted strange." Andy is taking the ghost serial killer news in stride! What a champ! "His name is Gohl? Maybe I'll ask Clarissa Robbins about him. She's the head of the historical society. As she'll tell you if you speak to her for more than three minutes." He considers his drink for a moment. "Well, possessing entity serial killer ghosts isn't really my specialty, but after my childhood I really tried to avoid the Mulder thing in the FBI. Still, I think not being like 'whaaaaaa?!' at the mention of the weird is probably a selling point for me here."

"He's on Wikipedia, his name is Billy Gohl, the crimes are already solved. Even the man he possesses is known. That's why this well there will be an exorcism. The job won't be for very long if everything goes well. Or even if it doesn't go well, it won't be for long." Instead of leaving it like that, Erin offers, "If it goes well, the man is likely to be free of the possession. If it goes badly, then everyone in that room may very well die. I have to be in the room when it happens." She says the words lightly, instead of touching any part of the depth of it. Or the fear. She looks at him when he mentions the historian and gives him a little smile. "It sounds as if you've made some friends. That's good, everyone needs someone."

About to say more, the doorbell rings despite the raging storm. Turning, she walks over and looks through the little peephole before pulling it open. "Oscar, please come in." At least there was an roof over head and he stayed dry after leaving his car. With great care, he places things out on the table in the kitchen. Fried chicken, corn, cole slaw, mashed potatoes, gravy, biscuits and pads of butter all served on real plates with domes and leftovers/seconds if anyone wanted. She walks over by the door again and reaches for her clutch style purse and tugs out a several bills and closes them in his hand. "Tell Maria thank you. And thank you also for coming out in the storm. I owe you." He assures her she owes him nothing, he got a homecooked meal out of the deal too. They both laugh and he hurries out.

"Sorry. I would have introduced you but I know he was in a hurry to get back. He's awfully shy. Lives with his sister and rarely gets out. I think that's why she sends him on deliveries, just to force him outside." Erin motions towards the food. "Please join me? We can talk more about everything."

"Oh, I've met all sorts of people. A historian. An archaeologist. And a bunch of other cops." Andy frowns slightly. "I guess I haven't met too many people. Maybe I should find some of my old high school friends. There've got to be plenty of townies still around." There might be a response to the breakdown of the supernatural villain but then the food shows up and hot damn, that's a spread. Not having to be asked twice Andy moves over to get a plate. Though he still comments, "So the dead serial killer is stuck in one body. Could be worse. I've seen that Denzel movie."

Following him to the table, the food is all there with the little dome lids. Erin sets about removing them. "What year did you graduate? Or how old are you? I know a lot of the townies from over the years since I've lived here forever." Silverware is gotten from one of the drawers, along with linen napkins and she places them at each place for the two, across from each other. The drinks are put in place. Reaching into the bag she holds up two meaty bones, "Are these okay?" If so, she'll place them in the metal bowls for the dogs to gnaw on before she has a seat. Of course she waits for him before she starts eating. "The serial killer," not sure if it is a subject for dinner time. "Is camped inside my Great Uncle." Though this is news for the police, he may or may not know Thomas Addington's place. Hopefully he would know to keep the information strictly to the police, and others in the know like Erin.

"Those are great. And I'm sure they'd agree." Andy serves himself up a generous plate. A little of this, a whole lot of that. Not one to ever say 'oh, I couldn't take that, I don't take handouts'. Freebies are the best. Like, they're free! Once the bones are set down the girls, who came in as soon as they smelled the chicken, go nuts sizing them up before picking their preferred bone and settle back to gnaw at the meat. Andy nods at her words. If he did or didn't already know he doesn't say. "Why is he so focused on you? Is it a bloodline thing? Town founding family and all of that? Or is it just because he's lodged in an Addington, so might as well keep this in the family?" A beat, then Andy adds, "Not that it matters. Just curious. I'd be fine with giving you whatever protection I can. I've got a gun and sometimes birds talk to me, so what's there to lose?"

"It isn't just me. Isabella Reede lost her mother, Rebecca lost her sister. I've been attacked. Alexander has been attacked. My cousin Hyacinth lost her mother. There are a few other names but it ends up being the Baxters and the Addingtons. Gohl was a Baxter. They have a hate for the Addingtons. But then some of his family was killed also." Erin dishes up food for herself but looks over at the two dogs with a smile. "Her dog is welcome to stay as well. Maybe it would help her in the healing process. Both of them can stay if you need, during work hours." A curious look along with a smile. "Birds talk to you?" trying to encourage him to elaborate some.

"Is there a point to it? Some kind of goal? Or is it just killing to kill?" Andy eats his chicken, trying his best not to get too sloppy with the food, but chicken is greasy and there's only so much to be done. He reaches down and scratches behind Fable's ears, getting some thumping of the back leg and a jealous grumble from Saga. "Aw, well, I used to believe birds could talk to me. My father filled my head with a lot of stories that, as I grew, began to seem nonsensical. Of course coming back to Gray Harbor the nonsensical is starting to make a lot more sense."

"I think it's people who have wronged him in his past. Or decedents of those people. Except in my case. He did kill my parents, but then he tried to kill me. Multiple stab wounds. But mine was because my grandmother was unhappy with me for working at Kelly's Gym. I guess you have to know my grandmother to understand that one." Erin shakes her head. "It won't be for long. Just a couple of days until the exorcism." She watches the dogs too, trying to hide the worry and when she looks back she follows the change of subject. "I think anything inside the veil could happen. Including talking birds."

"Yes. I grew up with stories of the other world. It's like Wal-Mart. If you want it, it's there. And if you don't, there's even more of it there." Andy forks up some coleslaw, corn and mashed potatoes together all at once, making himself a picnic pile. "Though I think every bird can talk. It's just in the veil where we know how to listen." He holds up the chicken and grimaces. "Well, maybe not every bird." He looks back to her. "A stabbing because of a job choice seems a little over the top, but I'm told my great great grandfather beat George Blankensop to death with a plate commemorating the birth of Edward VII, so I'm not one to talk. Well, I guess I'm a cop and I disapprove of stabbings and you seem to be a nice person so I especially disapprove of the stabbings of nice people. And honestly Blankensop deserved it."

"Wal-Mart. You will have to take me there someday." Erin muses before realizing what she had said. "It's not a place I have been I guess. My groceries come from Safeway, my clothing from boutiques. I've passed by the stores before but they look terribly busy.I think you may be right about the birds though. Maybe through the veil we're more trained to listen. We're what we should have been without the limitations on the human body." She takes a bite of the leg of the chicken after pulling the meat off with her fork. Mashed potatoes are next but she watches his enthusiasm for eating and smiles her approval. "I like when someone has a healthy appetite." She widens her eyes. "Why did he deserve the beating with the plate?" A little amused by now.

"He was a Canadian official who was directed by the prime minister at the time, and we're talking a century or so ago, to determine if the natives could be 'bettered'. He determined that certain practices meant that we could never truly be civilized. As a result the Canadian government banned the potlatch and the US government soon followed, along with some other traditions practiced by the plains and southwestern tribes. I mean, I wouldn't want to participate in a sun dance? Getting piercings in my chest and shoulders that are tied up and pulled taut isn't for me. But these are things which connect us with our history. There's nothing like a potlatch. And they were banned until the 50s. Fast forward sixty years and you have white guys doing sun dances at Burning Man, and... eh. It's a thing." Andy finishes off his chicken and sits back. "Wal-Mart gets a bad rap. Definitely don't meet anyone's eyes, or look too hard at your fellow shoppers, but there's not a lot of places you're going to get a tire iron, a Playstation, some NyQuil and some knitting supplies all in one go."

Truly interested in the history, Erin listens and smiles now and again then widens her eyes. Finally, there's a shake of her head. "I wouldn't participate in a sun dance either, but that's on me. Who am I to make those decisions for others?" The cole slaw is what she seems to enjoy the most, saving that for last. She eats it with enthusiasm before lifting her eyes to his again. "I've never changed a tire, played a Playstation before, but I have had NyQuil. I was terribly ill at the time and was coughing and.. it was awful. Rudolph nose and everything. I'm an awful patient when I'm sick." She does offer, "I have played a computer game before, once. One of my nieces showed it to me. It was blocks. A lot of blocks. Everything was blocks. I think it was Mine... cart? I'm not sure of the name but I did have fun."

"Minecraft," he says idly, finishing off the last of the food on his plate. Andy sits up a bit and looks down at his dogs, both of whom look entirely satisfied, dozing even as the rain lashes the windows and the occasional peel of thunder rolls in from the waters. "Well, assuming I have the job I should probably catch a Lyft home and get my car so I can do the stakeout thing. Under my watch no dead historical murderers will endanger you, this I swear."

"Oh you're welcome to the spare room for it. That's what others did. It's not really a stake out. And the dogs are fine, they can sleep here. Anything you need, really. If you prefer the stake out method, that's fine too. I just want everyone comfortable." Erin smiles though, when he finds the name of it. "Minecraft. That's the one. I may try that again, it's relaxing." She gets to her feet and starts cleaning up. "If you need a ride somewhere you can take my car or I can drive you? Or Lyft, sure. Or Uber. "

"To be honest I'd feel uncomfortable taking up a room here. I've got flat feet these days, but I used to work in the field, I can manage the stakeout thing for a few nights. Give me a chance to listen to a few audiobooks." Andy gets to his feet and starts to get the dogs' attention, but stops and gives a shrug. "But if they can stay here, that'd be easier. Fable doesn't bark, but if Saga smells a stranger she'll let you know."