No Such Thing

Seek And Ye Shall Find

Paul rushed down the stairs trying not to break his neck as he avoided the obstacle course that has become his new home as of late. “Fizzy! Welcome.” Paul greeted the small fairy as he walked into the parlor. “It’s been too long, old friend.” Paul bowed and carefully shook Fizzy’s hand. “I’m glad you could make it. You came earlier than expected.” He added and led Fizzy to a chair.

“As I am, Paul my friend. I do apologize, but I have several things to do today and although I fly quickly for a Fairy my age it still wears these old bones out.” He sighed and smiled. “What is it I can do for ye.” Fizzy asked Paul.

“Straight to the point Mr Fizzy!” Paul laughed. “Can I offer you some coffee? Tea?”

Fizzy giggled. “No thank you.”

Paul nodded and turned to pull the doors closed. He sat next to Fizzy and set his hands in his lap. He sighed heavily and turned to look Fizzy in the eyes. “Mr Fizzy, I have an issue. I may need your...” He slowed. “Special skills, shall we say.” Paul looked away.

“All right lad. What is the problem?” Fizzy was a smart man. He knew as soon as Paul entered the room there was an issue but he wanted to hear it from Paul. He wanted Paul to tell him what was going on. See if he could tell him honestly and completely. “I’ve waited long enough for the truth. Please, share it with me.” He said patiently.

“You know me too well, old friend.” Paul lightly patted Fizzy’s hand and stood to walk the room as he thought about what to say. “You know my Aunt Beth is no longer with us?” He choked out in more of a statement than a question. Fizzy nodded affirmingly. “You know she left this place and everything with and around it to me, and my family?” This was more of a question. Fizzy nodded, knowingly. His face showed his impatience a bit more. “Ok. My father said she was murdered.” He blurted under his breath and tilted his head a bit to look at Fizzy. He knew Fizzy and Beth were the closest of friends. They’d been in Landsend Port almost since it’s conception. In fact, Fizzy had a summer home in the back few acres of Beth’s, now his, property.

Fizzy didn’t look surprised. He nodded slowly and tilted his head a bit to the left. “Are you getting somewhere with this lad?” He asked plainly. “Oh, um. Well. I need your help finding the killer. My father has tasked me with this case. Keeping it close to home so to speak and out of the hands of the FBSI (Federal Bureau of Supernatural Investigations). So far they have agreed to stay clear. Knowing we are fully capable of dealing with it. And, my father scares their director.” He laughed a bit. Fizzy giggled. “Aye, that man is scared of his own shadow. How he got that position I’ll never know.” Fizzy flitted up to the fireplace mantel and settled down. “Paul, just say the word. I need the word. I can start my, shall we say, special process, without the word.” Paul thought for a moment. Word? He looked at Fizzy. “Oh yes, Fizzy. Do what needs to be done. Hunt.” Fizzy smiled. Showing razor sharp teeth. See, Fizzy wasn’t your run of the mill Fairy. He was a pixie. Pixies are notoriously vicious. This is why he is in Landsend Port. He was relocated after an incident in Ireland and some farmers trying to remove his meadow. He was raised in that meadow, as was his father’s and so on. His entire family had been on this land for more years than anyone knows.

Fizzy has calmed quite a bit since he moved here. Settled into his new life without issue. He’s calmed quite a bit over the years. But, he’s always up for a good game. And hunting is a Pixie’s favorite game.

“Consider it done.” Fizzy said with his tiny voice followed by a low bow to Paul. He smiled the menacing smile once more and was gone in a flit. Paul shivered. He was shown the aftermath of s*******r at the Meadow in Ireland. He truly prayed that Fizzy would be the one that came up with nothing. It took the Agency years to get the area sanitized. They told the locals there was a bobcat in the area. No such thing as chemical spills back then, which is their ‘go to’ excuse these days.

Now Paul had to work on a list of suspects. He walked to the side of the entry hall to his office and closed the doors behind him.

The only words he had that indicated he was dealing with a murder were from his Father’s own thoughts. This may be as simple as it was her time to go. But, vampires lived infinitely. Unless, killed. They were hibernating creatures. They would sleep for long periods of time to build their strength back to their younger years. Of course, Bethany probably never did that. She liked to hold her persona of age. She didn’t want to stand out. Which is something he never understood. She lived in a town full of monsters. She would be the last person that would stand out. But, like everyone in this town. They wanted a normal everyday life. Normal ‘human’ everyday life. Only difference was, they lived longer lives for the most part. The goblins and ogres tended to live shorter lives. They had horrible habits causing their life spans to be around 40 to 50 years. The cemetery is full of them.

Bringing his train of thought back to the task at hand. He would need to contact someone that was around his Aunt most of the time. He added the cook and the housekeeper to his list. The groundskeeper and the driver. “The driver?” He muttered.

“Derek.” He said, pressing the intercom button on his phone.

“Yes, Mr. Gaufe?” Answered Derek, Paul’s assistant.

“Come here for a sec, please.” and in a puff of smoke, Derek was at the other side of his desk.

“Yes, sir?” he smiled.

“Derek, you are going to cause me to go prematurely grey.” He huffed. “Can you please find my Aunt’s driver. I’m not sure if he’s working today. I need to speak with him right away.” Paul smiled and Derek poofed away. And just like that, he was back with the driver in hand. As the smoke cleared out a certain, Terrance Aubrey was standing with Derek, stunned. “Thank you, Derek. Let’s use the door next time. Shall we?” He looked at his assistant. Derek nodded and disappeared in another puff. Leaving Mr. Aubrey behind. “I really need to work on his manners.” Paul said as he looked at Terrance. “Please, Mr Aubrey. Have a seat.” He guided his guest to a seat near him with a tip of his head and a slight direction with his hand.

“Oh. Thank you.” Mr. Aubrey sat.

“I apologize for Derek. We’re working on his human interaction. He’s new to this side of the job.” Paul said. “Mr. Aubrey.. “

“Please, Mr. Gaufe, call me Terrance. Your Aunt did. Lovely woman, she was. And don’t worry about Derek. I knew his father. Strict man but raised his children correctly. They shouldn’t be ashamed or kept from their talents.” He smiled generously. “What can I help you with, Mr Gaufe?” He asked him.

“I am working on my Aunt's sudden demise. I wanted to speak to you about the last time you saw her. Can you remember what transpired?”

“I’m sure I can. We had a grand adventure. I took Ms Bethany to Los Angeles to see her sister. She went for a wedding. I made sure she got where she needed to be safely.” He told Paul and looked down to his hands. Fidgeting with his fingernails. “I had to drive home alone.” He added. Rubbing his eyes he stood. “Mr Gaufe. I loved your Aunt. Would have married her if she had wanted me. But it wasn’t to be. She was as wild as the garden that grows in the back.” Paul found that statement odd, as he had never seen such a well manicured lawn in his life. “I don’t think she just died.” Terrance looked Paul in the eye. Full of frustration and tipping to the point of anger. “Something happened to her Mr Gaufe. Something unnatural. Someone, some THING did this to her.” Paul haden’t mentioned anything to anyone about the letter. No one knew they suspected murder but here is this man, his Aunt’s driver, suspecting the same thing his Father did. But, Mr Aubrey would know. He was with her for most of the time she spent in California. He was in the room next to her at the hotel. That much Paul was sure of. And, looking at Mr Aubrey he knew he was telling the truth but honestly he shouldn’t be doing this without his wife. She was better at feeling through this sort of thing.

“I understand. Give me one sec, please” He said and buzzed Deven again. “Please ask Mrs. Gaufe to join me. Thank you.” POOF. Nora stood in front of his desk with a toothbrush in her mouth. Paul smiled.

“I’m going to kill him.” She said plainly and turned to walk out of the room. “I’ll be back, dear.” She smiled around her toothbrush at Mr. Aubrey and walked out.

“Derek.” Paul pushed the button. “Sir.” Derek answered. “Don’t do that again. She knows how to use a knife.” Paul grinned. “Yes, sir.” He could hear Derek gulp the words out. Paul giggled.

“I do apologize, Mr Aubrey.”

“Terrance, please Mr Gaufe. Call me Terrance.”

“Sorry, Terrance. Derek is a bit of a dramatic vampire. He likes flare.” Paul said, animating his hands in an explosion figure.Terrance chuckled and nodded his head in understanding. “ Aren’t they all, really?” Paul laughed at that. “Yes, indeed.”

Nora returned to Pauls office and closed the doors lightly behind her. Paul met her halfway, taking her hand in his and lightly kissing her on the cheek. “Nora, you’ve met Mr. Aubrey?” He said, guiding her to the chair next to their guest. “Terrance.” Terrance and Nora said together and laughed at it. “Yes, sorry. Terrance.”

“Yes, we’ve met. Terrance has been my guide since we got here. He has been a great help with getting the children settled in schools and so forth. Good morning, Terrance. How can I assist this morning?” She said, shaking his hand and gingerly looking up at her husband.

“I was asking Terrance a few questions about my Aunt. I would feel better if you would be here with me.” He told her. Looking like he needed her for moral support but they both knew why she was here. She nodded and smiled at him. “Of course my love.”

“Terrance, do you mind if I sit in?” She turned to him and smiled, holding his hand in hers.

“Of course not!” Mr. Aubrey said enthusiastically. Paul knew having Nora here would calm him. Calm anyone. The more relaxed he became, the easier the questions would be.

“Terrance.” Paul asked as he sat back in his chair. “Did my Aunt have anyone that didn’t like her? You know, enemies? “

“So, you agree with me?” Terrance asked with a look of surprise on his face. “I’ve told several people what I suspected but no one believed me. No one gave me a second look. Mr Guafe, do you believe me?” He sat in the front of his chair now, excited about the possibility.

“Mr. Aubrey, if I did. I couldn’t say now. But, I will tell you this. I”ll either prove or disprove the assumption. It has been tasked to me, us.” He added pointing towards his wife.

“Terrance.” Nora looked at him, in his eyes. Her face calm, her eyes inviting. “Please, if there is anything you know that could help us. Share.” She asked him with a timid smile. Nora knew exactly what she was doing. “Yes, certainly Miss Nora. I’ll do anything I can to help.” He looked back at his hands. “I left her at the entrance to the hotel. I took the car to the garage in the back and parked it. It’s funny.” He chuckled as he thought back. “We’ve done this a million times. She hardly went out but when she did I would drop her at the front and park the car. Everywhere. She did everything on her own. No matter how I protested.” He looked back at Nora, seemingly calming a bit. “I got out of the car and headed towards the garage entrance into the hotel when an i***t drove into the parking lot like his tail was on fire.” Mr. Aubrey shook his head. “I wanted to give him a piece of my mind, but I shook the i***t off and headed inside. Some people around that part of the country can be so rude.” He looked back down to his hands. “But, I had no idea that would have been the last time I saw her. I mourned alone, you know.” He said. Nora squeezed his hand. “You’re not alone anymore, Terrance. We’re here to help.”

‘He’s telling the truth.’ Paul could hear Nora’s voice in his head, speaking to him telepathically. “You said there was a car that came into the garage as you parked. Can you remember anything about the car, specifically? The driver maybe?”

Terrance thought hard for a moment. His face screwed up in thought. “No, nothing out of the ordinary. Like I said, those kinds of punk are everywhere down there. I had to drive extra carefully to avoid any incidents.”

“Ok, anything else?” Nora patted his hand.

“No ma’am. I’m sorry. Most of it was a blur after they found her body. It is a human hotel. No one there had any idea she was a monster.” His head lowered as he said the word ‘monster’. “She just went on like she was no different, just a wealthy woman there to stay for a few days. Human.”

“Well, with the obvious skin tone, dark eyes, and otherworldly gaze. I would say my Aunt was like anyone else.” Paul added as he wrote Terrance’s words down. Nora glared at him. He smiled.

“Terrance, who found her body? You said you didn’t see her again. Who was it that found her?”

Again, lost in thought. Terrance staired into space for a minute. “Sorry, I don’t remember.” He looked confused. “I do apologize. I thought I had watched the entire thing unfold in the hotel foyer. But, my mind is empty.” ‘Empty?’ Nora’s eyes remained on Terrance but she spoke telepathically to Paul. ‘What did he mean by, empty?’

“Terrance, you said empty? Your memory is empty?” Paul asked.

“Yes, like I do remember being there. Different things, different people, but I can not for some reason gather anything in my head about Bethany. The more I think about it the more the thoughts just. Leave.” He looked utterly confused. “I’m no novice, Mr Guafe. I know when I’ve been warded. And someone has warded me. Someone has blocked my thoughts intentionally. Whoever it was probably had no idea I am not human.” He looked at Paul.

‘Great, another mystery on top of a mystery.’ Paul heard Nora say in his head.

“Thank you, Terrance. I won’t take up anymore of your time. I truly appreciate you being such a close friend of my Aunt’s and working to help us feel at home.” Paul dipped his head to Terrance in respect. He knew Mr Aubrey was inhuman, but he didn’t know what kind of monster he was so respect is always a good way to keep your head on your body. “Thank you, Terrance. May we call you again if we have more questions?” Nora stood, bringing his hand with her while he followed suit. He nodded his answer. “And, please if you think of anything else. You know where we are.” She smiled at him.

“Thank you, Mrs. Gaufe, Mr Gaufe.” He bowed at them both and turned to head to the door. He stopped, still looking at the exit. “Mr Gaufe?” He said, eerily. “Yes, Terrance?” Mr Aubrey spun around quickly and sped back to Paul’s desk. “I remembered something! The little bastard didn’t wipe everything out! Whoever is doing this to me didn’t realize I am not human!” He said, looking at Nora apologetically. “Sorry for my language, Miss Nora.” He nodded and looked back to Paul.

“There was a black car across the street from the hotel when I dropped Miss Bethany at the entrance. I didn’t put two and two together, well because I was ready to get in and get some rest. I don’t sleep well away from home. Anyway, until now I didn’t realize this was the same car that came flying into the parking garage. I saw the driver when we were in front of the hotel. His aura was red. A deep red.” His eyes searched Paul’s, hoping he would recognize the statement. The discovery. See it for how important it was. “The son of a b***h that is doing this to me, didn’t think to block memories from BEFORE she was murdered!” Terance’s eyes jetting back and forth to Paul’s. Nora looked at Paul with worry on her face. “Werewolves.” Paul muttered. Terrance’s head nodded slowly in agreement. Nora sighed. “Let me make some calls. Terrance, again. Thank you for all of your help.” She smiled and exited the room.

“Mr Aubrey, if you need me further. Please never hesitate. Day or night.” He was serious. Paul nodded his appreciation. Mr. Aubrey took a left at the foyer and headed to the kitchen for the garage.

Paul sat back at his desk. ‘Had to be a rogue.’ He thought to himself. No one in any pack would dare touch Bethany, let alone any of Paul’s family. No one in their right mind, monster or otherwise, would mess with his Mother’s side of the family at all. Paul’s grandfather, Simon Gaufe signed a treaty for the American Inhuman beings to avoid all out war. The more monsters that came to the states, the harder it was to keep control of issues that started overseas and hundreds of years ago. It took Simon a lot of time to convince the clans/packs/flocks/etc.. That this was a new world, new times. He did it. But there were repercussions of not following the treaty and it was worse than death. ‘Had to be a rogue.’ He said to himself, again. Suddenly, he was worried for his family.