Officer Nate Jefferies has been watching the museum in secrecy under the order of chief Randal. He has been wondering the area around the museum and staying out of sight of the security detail since he and the chief returned to the manor. All he has learned so far is that there is a four man team stationed inside the museum. He does not know what they are doing in there but they seem to be trained professionals. “What are you hiding in there Sharp?”
Nate wonders around the building hoping to find a secret entrance to the museum. So far he has had no luck. He has heard that the Sharp manor is filled with secret paths and doors but he has not found any. It also seems that the team are stationary in the main hall with no change of guard. The security team has enough food and supplies for days.
Nate jumps behind a small tree as he hears someone heading in his direction. Officer Jefferies thinks he's caught until he realizes it's not a security patrol doing their rounds. It is a single man walking very slowly. As the man comes closer Jefferies recognizes him as a regular for the Sharp Monster experience, “Yosif Jocasta? What is he doing here?” Nate watches the old man closely.
Jocasta walks up the path to the front door and looks to the right and then to the left. When he believes he is safe he turns and starts walking around the museum toward the back. Officer Jefferies watches the old man closely and follows him from a distance. The old man stops near the back of the building and once again looks around. Jefferies slips out of view and does not make a sound. Jocasta is satisfied and lifts up a rock. Under the rock is a small key pad. He inputs a code, CASTA76 and a door opens up out of the back wall of the museum. The Jocasta sets the rock down then walks into the hidden passageway. The wall closes back down behind him as he crosses the threshold.
As it's closing Jefferies rushes over to the wall making sure Jocasta does not see him. “Interesting,” He lifts up the rock. The pass code is very complex, there are two sets of alphabets so even if he knew the right letters which one would he press. There is no way he can crack this code, “That's not even my expertise.” Jefferies mutters under his breath. He pulls out a recorder and turns it on, “I just watched Yosif Jocasta open a secret entrance to the museum. The Chief's suspicions that Sharp has something to hide down there looks to be correct.” Nate is not suppose to call the chief but has been ordered to take notes of everything strange he sees. “I am going to find a way in.”
Yosif Jocasta was fairly certain that no one watched him enter the back entrance of the museum. It is an entrance that only he is allowed to use. He just needs a damned good reason to use it. Even if someone saw him there is no way they will break the password. Still he had the strangest feeling that he was being watched. As the hidden door closes behind him he shakes off the feeling. Jocasta slowly walks down the dark path with his cane in one hand and a flashlight in the other. He has taken this path plenty of times and knows every twist and turn. He reaches the wall to the sub basement and lifts at a sliding door. There he walks into Griffith's game room.
A door rises up between two pinball machines stationed on the back wall. Chris and Charlotte are watching the Sharp Monster Network which is counting down to the show that starts at six PM. Cole Labrone is on his computer playing Ever quest II and looks up at the wall as it opens. “Jocasta?” He says with a shock as that door was an entrance he did not even know.
Chris and Charlotte look away from the TV and are shocked when they see the old man standing there with a smile on his face, “Hi.” he waves hand with the Flashlight in it as the sliding door falls back down into it's rightful place.
Ustence Griffith appears out of thin air and his normally light blue form shifts to an angry red color. “What are you doing here?” The ghost loves the idea of this being his private sanctum he's sick of these invasions of his privacy.
“Sorry my friend, the bosses orders.” Yosif says softly.
The ghost's form gets more solid for a minute and he grows in size, “Sharp, damn it we had an agreement. You're alone right?”
“The door is sealed and I was the only one who went though. This is a very special circumstance, your reward will be double.” That calmed the surly old man ghost a little.
Cole walks over to the old man, “What's going on Jocasta?”
“It's about to begin.” He says loud enough for everyone to hear.
“Why did my dad send you here?” Chris asks.
“For your protection.”
Chris looks over the old man, not knowing if he can be much help. “What can you do that the best security system money can buy can't?”
The old man smiles and taps his cane softly on the ground, “You would be surprised what I can do. Surprised indeed.” Jocasta walks over to a table that has a chess set already set up. “Hey Griffith we still have two hours before the show starts how about a game?”
The ghost floats over to the table and looks at the set, “Fine but your moving both pieces.”
“Deal.” Yosif smiles and makes the first move.
Valmont looks at the nearest wall clock and sees the time, three pm, he nods slightly and sighs. He walks back and forth looking at all the people in the main meeting room, Nashton Wayte, Alfred Labrone, Vincent Randal along others. “This will be the final meeting before the main event. When we go live at six we will remain live until Thanatos is taken out.”
Randal looks at his men and then shakes his fist at Sharp, “Do you know something I don't?”
The man has sharp instincts Valmont thinks to himself. This is why Valmont has Nash keep a close eye on him. “No, I know nothing you don't. I just can't see Thanatos waiting any longer. He will strike soon and tonight is as likely as any other. It is smart to go live before he attacks so that the audience does not miss a second of the action.”
Randal shakes his head, “There is more to it then that.” He mumbles to himself. “I am not fond of the security arrangements. Too many of my officers are not doing anything.”
“I already told you to send some home.” Valmont says, “So send them home. The security is covered.”
“You promised me equal control over the security.” The chief says raising his voice.
“The situation has changed. We have plenty of security. There is no need for excessive force. If there are too any people around we will start stepping over each others toes. That would be counter productive.” That much is true there are too many people at the manor right now.
“Then have Wayte remove some of his men too. Leave the number's equal.”
“No can do. While your men can be reassigned Nash's men cannot. They have been paid for the whole show already and I plan to use each and every one. Nothing against you Randal that's just what needs to be done.”
The chief is clearly unhappy with this result but knows better then to push the issue, “Fine I know how it is.” He then storms out of the meeting room.
Valmont looks at Nashton Wayte who gets up from his seat, “I have to go too. I have to go over plans with my men.”
Valmont watches as the man leaves then sighs, “I am sorry about that. I realize that Randal has taken up too much of my attention. Do we have any more business or does everyone else know what to do.”
A young man clears his thought and raises his hand, “Yes I do.” He is Adam Alexander a twenty seven year old cameraman and budding correspondent for the Sharp Monster Network. The kid has a baby face and looks like he should still be a teen, he has what looks like an attempt at a mustache and his dark blond hair is long and covers his ears. Valmont likes the kid has worked with him in a couple other shows and might try to bring him into the fold eventually. Adam motions to the sidearm on his side, “Sir if I'm to understand everyone is armed and has only five silver bullets?”
“Right they are for your protection in case you are attacked by Thanatos. Make the shots count or don't make them at all. Silver bullets are expensive. If someone else needs them give them to someone else. Of course that's just for you off camera guys. All the security p
ersonal and my personal team are even more heavily armed.”
The kid fumbles his hands, “I.. I have never actually fired a gun sir.”
“Call me Valmont. Adam you don't need to be here. No one does. Now is your last chance to leave.” Valmont waits for someone to drop their weapon and walk out. No one does.
Adam gains a bit more confidence, “With respect sir none of us are going to leave. This is my third time working with you sir, er Valmont. I love being a part of the Sharp show.”
Valmont pats the kid on the back, “Thank you for that.” he does not know what he would have done if the kid or other members of his staff walked out. That would have not been good for his self esteem. Why can't Randal see this side of him, the well liked and well respected leader. “Okay now is the time, lets get ready to take down a rogue werewolf.” Everyone in the room leaves one by one until only Alfred and Valmont remain. “I'm trying I really am.”
“We will see how you act in the show Val.” His best friend says and shakes his hand, “You have to have a balance between your real self and the show Valmont.”
Valmont nods his head in agreement and does not say anything.
Chapter Twenty Eight
Valmont Sharp: Monster Hunter Page 30