#fenixtj

The food is hitting the spot. And the company is nice. It's just them.

She was hungrier than she thought, and pays attention to eating for a while.

And...he rolls her a spring roll or egg roll of his to her when she's not focused on it.

Nom.

Finally she takes a breath, sitting back.

"Weapons?" She catches up.

"Mostly the mortal kind," He says "The virus is hell on the drug trade, but now there's a rush by wall mart mothers and golfing dads alike to be r eady to defend their homes etc and sales are going up. Normally I don't give a damn, but that's not the only ones buying... and some of the g uns were...well... nasty in another way"

She wipes her mouth on a takeout napkin. "Duff, one of the things we found today was cold iron weapons."

"Very basic knives with cold iron edges? " He asks

If that was the case, she nods.

"I've come into contact with some of those recently... and also some what shoudl be regular guns... but charged with dark glamour and compulsions. "

"Crap." She thinks. "Are we under attack?"

"I think the latter is meant as a distraction, the knives are meant for a target"

"It's possible we have that target at Fenix now."

He frowns "Jessica. I want to take actions to protect you. I know how that sounds but it does not change it"

"Yeah, there's a lot of that going around. Protecting people."

"Right now, I want this Culpepper guy to wake up so we can ask him questions."

"He's lucky still to be have a fae soul at all after that many attacks " A frown.

"He's receiving pretty intensive care in the springs and from healers."

"if any place can revive him , it is Fenix" Duff says in a voice that does not flatter but states things as fact. Which might make it all the more flattering to hear.

Jessica nods agreement. "I hope so."

"How do you want me to try to help?"

She starts to shake her head in the negative, then pauses. "Maybe.... help me figure out what questions I should ask?"

"These goons, mortal yes?"

She nods. "I had them dropped off at a hosptial."

"The question you want to ask them? Who is paying them, how do they get paid, where and when? In the mortal world... the phrase 'Follow the money' while Banal, is apt"

She nods. "No, the questions I should ask Culpepper, when he wakes."

"Mmm " there a slight smile "You sure as hell don't look like the sterreotypical Brit?"

"He doesn't but that doesn't have to mean anything. I mean yes, sure, I'll ask......"

"Sometimes seemingly stupid questions can lower their guard... and make it ea sier to ask the harder ones. 'Why do they want you permanently dead?' and so on"

"Good point, true."

"I'll try to learn more about the weapon side of things"

"The cold iron, obviously, worries me. These were mortals; no way did they know about it on their own. Someone supplied them, set it up. Here, in Renaissance."

"It's an attack on not just the man, but your domain"

"Yes."

"You make the call, but i would suggest you consider dealing iwth it with great vigor. Stern punishments. "

"Ya think?" Dry. "Probably let the Escheat lead me on that one, yeah."

"Someone's feeling sassy" He says at the dry tone, but chuckles "Me I'm thinking drawing and quartering with motorcyles, but perhaps I've seen too many movies "

A sigh. "Depends on the situation, Duff. I need more info to make a decision."

"Have you had Mitra use that time magic on the fellow yet? where she can look in the past? Maybe she'd see more clues?"

Jessica nods. "It hadn't occurred to me, but that's a good idea. Thank you."

"You're welcome. Sometimes I wish I could learn that, but sidhe seem angry any commoners have CHronos"

"Among a few Arts, I'm told." She sighs, leaning back further and closing her eyes. "I'll call Mitra."

"Sounds sensible" And he sort of positions himself to be there as a troll chair for her leaning

She fumbles for her phone, hits a speed dial.....

Mitra picks up "Jessica," Clearly Caller ID is on

"Hey." She gives a short description of the situation. "Do you think you could use Chronos to see what might have happened to him? I don't want to lose more time than I have."

"I best hurry right away.. it oculd work! " Mitra says

"Thanks. I won't be there, but talk with Diego or Phobos."

"Oh?" Surprise, then "On it, and I'll have Constance take notes"