I'm Not Evil, I'm Just Good-Looking (Jo)

[Wil Marsh]

New Orleans. It’s a bit of a legendary city by now. The history and folklore connected to it draw a lot of attention, not to mention the atmosphere. There was the French Quarter with all its legends of vampires and ghosts and witches. Its Mardi Gras festivals were famous and a large tourist attraction. It was a city a lot of people would have loved to visit.

Greg Marsh was not one of those people.

Driving through Louisiana felt like driving through a warm, wet sponge. It was hot and humid and the air felt thick. Once he got to the southeastern part of the state, he got to the bayous and the swamps. He didn’t enjoy those areas much, and he thought he’d feel better about the city of New Orleans. But, it wasn’t like the cities he was used to. Buffalo, New York. Manchester, New Hampshire. Boston, Massachusetts. He visited those cities frequently. He was used to them.

This city was… eerie. He couldn’t figure out why, but something about the city just creeped him out from the second he got there.

He’d been hunting a werewolf – or, two, as it turned out – in Nebraska. He’d stopped in at this bar called the Roadhouse. As it turned out it was a hunters’ watering hole. He made a few contacts, including the owner of the place, Ellen Harvelle. She’d given him a case file on a string of brutal murders in Louisiana. Young women were being found drained of blood and violently murdered. There was evidence of torture in some cases.

Greg was staying in a small motel outside of New Orleans. He stayed there for a night, resting up after a long drive before he started in on investigating. He was thinking this was a coven of vampires who liked the kill a little too much. The next night he did a little more research, talked to a few people at the motel, printed out a few articles at the library to add to his file. Then he took the whole thing with him and headed to a small bar down the street from his motel to go through it again.

He took his laptop case in with him, ordered a beer at the bar, and took a seat at a corner booth. He pulled the case file out of his computer case and started flipping through it. It didn’t look too suspicious. It was just a stack of papers in a manila envelope. From a distance, he figured it wouldn’t look too suspicious.

[Jade Stone]

Jo

Jo needed a drink. She had been in New Orleans for a couple days now and she was tired of running around trying to track down information. There were a rash of young women being murdered and the circumstances were suspicious. Jo had spent the better part of two days looking over articles and asking questions around town. Now she had a folder full of information she needed to go through and try to make sense of.

The bar was just a short walk from her motel room. She brought the folder with her and figured she could have a couple beers while she read. She entered the door and took a look around the place. It was a small bar, nothing fancy. There was the main bar and then a few tables scattered around the floor area and some booths that lined the walls. She looked to the back corner, her preferred seating location but to her disappointment someone was already occupying that table.

Giving a little sigh she walked up to the bar and ordered a bottle of beer. Thanking the bartender she took the bottle and headed toward the back. Glancing slightly at the guy who was sitting in the corner booth. He also happened to be looking at some paper work. That brought a little chuckle out of her. At least she wasn't the only one that needed a drink when they had work to do. She kept walking and took the booth next to him. It was still in the back and secluded enough she could drink her beer and read in peace.

Sliding into the seat she opened the folder and pulled out one of the articles. Then before she started reading she took a long pull on her beer and set it down on the table. With a little sigh of determination she started in.

[Wil Marsh]

Greg was reading through the newer articles, pulling out a pen to make notes. He glared down at the article. Vampires were looking less and less like the cause of these deaths the more thoroughly he read through everything. These girls weren't drained in a way that suggested something had fed on them. Their deaths were more ritualistic than that, and evidence suggested whoever or whatever had drained them of their blood had taken a lot of care in doing it. They'd used a sharp, precise tool, like a scalpal or a fine blade.

He had a feeling he was looking for some sick human being instead of some nasty creature.

"If possible this just got more disturbing," he muttered, tossing the folder on the table and leaning back to stretch.

He noticed a young woman sitting in the booth beside him and he studied her for a second, wondering how long she'd been there. He'd been too busy reading and thinking to notice her walk in. She was blond, pretty, had a nice little figure from what he could see. She was drinking a beer and going over her own stack of papers.

Greg finished his beer in a few swallows and went to the bar to order another. He was about to lay his money down and walk away, but he stopped and as an afterthought, ordered a beer for the blonde, noting the brand she was drinking.

Granted, he was on a job and this wasn't exactly the time for him to be scoping. But, pretty, hard-working women deserved a free drink now and then.

He paid the bartender and took his beer back to his seat, preparing to engross himself in his case file again.

[Jade Stone]

Jo

Jo periodically sipped at her beer as she read through one of the articles.When she finished reading she scrunched up her face in a bit of a scowl while she thought about it. Then she grabbed a couple more articles and skimmed through them quickly just trying to match up the similarities.

This was one of those cases that just screamed weird, yet she couldn't put her finger on what could be doing this. Draining of blood suggested vampires, but the victims weren't "bitten". Something or someone had drained them dry but it sure wasn't a vampire or some kind of werewolf or anything else that viciously attacked them. This was methodical and carefully done.

Jo was deep in thought when she noticed someone standing at her table. She looked up and quirked an eyebrow when she saw it was the bartender.

"The gentleman over there bought you a beer."

The bartender nodded over at the man sitting in the corner booth. He then set the beer down on the table and headed back to the bar.

Setting down the papers she was looking at she took a minute and drained the last of her first beer. She put her elbow on the table and rested her head in her hand as she turned to look at the table next to her. The guy looked like he had just sat back down and hadn't quite got back to his reading yet. She caught his attention and lifted the beer he had sent over. Giving him a little smile and a little salute of thanks with the bottle she took a drink and then sat back against the seat. She watched him for a minute and wondered if he was going to just go back to his reading.

[Wil Marsh]

Greg sat down, setting down his beer as the bartender brought the drink to the blonde. He felt like kind of a jerk for making the bartender walk all the way over there when Greg was sitting right next to her. But she'd seemed just as engrossed in what she was doing as he had been and he didn't want to be that sleezy guy trying to strike up some lame conversation by buying her a drink. At least this way she could just take the beer and go back to what she was doing if she wanted.

He stared at the folder on the table as he took a sip of his new beer. He really didn't want to keep reading. Something about this case was very unnerving - and it wasn't easy to unnerve Greg.

It's the planning, he thought.

Most creatures that killed people for blood didn't plan it out and take such care in draining their victims. Even with rituals and sacrifices it wasn't so... surgical. That was the only word he could think of to describe it. There were a few crime scene photos someone had managed to dig up, and the cuts were well-placed and precise. Someone knew exactly what they were doing - what arteries were where, what type of incision to make.

Maybe a doctor. Someone who studied anatomy...

He glanced over at the blonde, catching movement out of the corner of his eye. She tipped the bottle and smiled. He smiled back and gave her a nod.

He looked, again, at the file on the table, but didn't move to reach for it. It was like a homework assignment he knew needed to get done, but suddenly he had no desire to do it.

Maybe it was because if this was a person he was dealing with, it wouldn't be so easy for him to just run in and kill him.

He looked over at the blonde, who had leaned back against the seat again. He debated for a few minutes. He should go back to reading, he knew. But maybe a break was in order. She seemed to be taking one, too.

"You know, it'd probably make more sense to read in the library," he said. "It's quiet, plenty of resources, easy access to the Internet." He smiled. "But they don't really like it if you drink beer in there." He tipped his bottle and took a swig.

[Jade Stone]

Jo

Jo took a couple more sips of the fresh beer and was about to go back to reading when she noticed that the guy in the next both had stopped what he was doing. Then he spoke.

"You know, it'd probably make more sense to read in the library,"

"It's quiet, plenty of resources, easy access to the Internet."

"But they don't really like it if you drink beer in there."

She rested her chin in her hand and looked over at him. A smirk appearing on her face. Thinking that he was one to talk. He was there doing the same thing.

"Yeah, well the beer is the best part and I've had my fill of Internet today. That's why I left my laptop back at the motel."

It hadn't escaped her notice that he had a laptop bag with him, even though he hadn't brought the machine out. Now she was getting curious about what he was doing exactly. Some kind of research probably, that was pretty common. She wondered though how crazy he would think she was if he knew what she was researching herself. His was most likely something run of the mill and mundane. But, sometimes Jo wouldn't mind a little bit of that. That wasn't the way things were though and she was used to it. She gave him a little half smile before she asked.

"So... What is it you're doing over there? Research? Working on something important? Some kind of master thesis for your degree or something?"

Jo had no idea what he could be doing but she figured she might as well ask. She could do with some conversation. Might as well take a little time out from working. It couldn't hurt.

[Wil Marsh]

The woman smirked at Greg as he made his comments about the library. He’d spent most of the day in the library and the truth was, he’d gotten bored. Plus, he’d been reading about women getting tortured and drained. He needed a drink or two for this one.

“Yeah, well the beer is the best part and I’ve had my fill of Internet today,” she replied. “That’s why I left my laptop back at the motel.”

Greg nodded. “Yeah, I hear ya,” he said, glancing at his own laptop bag.

He’d brought it with him in case he wanted to look up more articles, or other information. He tended to lug his laptop with him everywhere.

“So… What is it you’re doing over there?” she asked. “Research? Working on something important? Some kind of master thesis for your degree or something?”

Greg laughed. “Well, you’re just full of questions, huh?” He took a swig of his beer and set the bottle on the table. “Uh… Yeah. I’m a Psych. student,” he said. “I’m working on a paper.”

Sure, it was a lie, but it was better than telling her the truth. It was never a good idea to buy a girl a drink, then tell her you killed things that went bump in the night.

“So you’re staying at a motel?” he asked. “I guess that means you’re just passing through like me.”

[Jade Stone]

Jo

Jo squinted her eyes a bit as she looked at him across the table. Not sure if she believed him or not. Even though she was the one that had brought up researching for school his answer just didn't seem completely true. He just didn't seem to be the "psych student" type. But, then again... What did Jo know from shit as far as that goes. If he was, chances are what he was researching might be something interesting.

"Psych student? Really? Interesting."

Taking another drink of her beer she wondered idly why she was being so suspicious. Just in her nature she guessed. He was probably a perfectly normal guy doing some perfectly normal psych research. Jo on the other hand was the one that was not quite normal. Maybe that's why she was so suspicious of people. She nodded her head when he spoke to her again.

“So you’re staying at a motel?” he asked. “I guess that means you’re just passing through like me.”

Jo ran a hand through her blond hair. A slight sigh escaped her lips. His question was not difficult but just reminded her that she was pretty much ALWAYS 'just passing though'. Since she'd left her mom in Nebraska she hadn't stayed in one place too long. It had been awhile since she'd been home.

"Yeah, you could say that. Just in town on business. My name is Jo by the way. Joanna actually but everyone calls me Jo. What exactly are you researching here in New Orleans? I mean something for a psych paper... Gotta be more exciting than what I'm reading."

The lie fell from her lips easily enough. She smiled at him again. It was probably something interesting and it would give them more to talk about, not to mention giving Jo a bit longer break from the violent death she'd been reading about.

[Wil Marsh]

"Psych student? Really? Interesting."

Greg wasn't sure if she was being sarcastic or not. He couldn't tell by her tone. He just shrugged. He really wouldn't know if being a psych student was interesting, but he'd taken a few psychology courses in college so he figured he could B.S. his way through it if he had to easily enough.

"Yeah, you could say that. Just in town on business. My name is Jo by the way. Joanna actually but everyone calls me Jo. What exactly are you researching here in New Orleans? I mean something for a psych paper... Gotta be more exciting than what I'm reading."

"I'm Greg," he said.

He glanced at the folder on the table. His first instinct was to lie, say he was reading up on some corporate suit's fear of success or something and hope she didn't take an interest. But, if she asked to take a look at what he had, it wouldn't look too great for him.

"I wouldn't exactly call it exciting..." he said slowly. "More like gross and disturbing." He looked at her and smiled. "You're here on business? What do you do?"

He didn't really think about what she could be reading. It didn't interest him at the moment. He was more curious about what she was doing in town in the first place, what kind of business trip this would be.

[Jade Stone]

Jo

Jo automatically would take a sip of her beer every so often as they talked. The guy introduced himself as Greg and Jo nodded again. Her eyes widened a bit when he said something about his research being "... gross and disturbing" as opposed to exciting as Jo had suggested. She was still rolling that over in her brain when he asked her what kind of business she was in town on.

"Uh...Well. Believe it or not, I'm sort of an investigator. Just here on a case, reviewing some articles, interviewing a couple people. Checking to see if it's worth looking into further."

Sticking as close to the truth as she could this time. Wouldn't due to start weaving a web of lies, too easy to trip yourself up. If he got curious it would be easier to explain. Just no need to mention the part about it being supernatural investigating, along with hunting and killing if needed.

This time she took a long swallow from her beer bottle and drained it. Tapping the empty bottle on the table a slightly before she set it down.

"Mine's empty... How about you? Care for another one? This one is on me."

She held up the beer bottle for him to see. Waiting for him to answer she stood up from her seat. Then she headed off to the bar for more beer. Giving her a little time to think on if she wanted to ask him anymore questions. It was pretty much a no brainer though. Gross and disturbing was right up her alley.

[Wil Marsh]

Greg raised an eyebrow when Jo said she was an investigator. She didn't look like the type to be some kind of P.I. or something. Then again, he probably didn't look like the type who stabbed shit on a weekly, sometimes daily, basis.

At least, he hoped he didn't.

Before he could ask any follow-up questions, Jo asked if he wanted another beer and stood up.

"Nah. I'm still working on this one," he said.

He watched her head over the bar, his gaze lingering a bit, before he quickly opened up his case file and took out a few of the more suspicious items he had in there: the crime scene photos, police reports, and a few articles on occult practices. He shoved them into a pocket of his laptop bag and sat back, hoping she hadn't spotted the last-minute clean-up.

If she asked to see what he was reading, he could say his paper was on serial killers or something and, with the articles he had in there, it was plausible. The crime photos, police reports, and occult research would be harder to explain. However, he was pretty sure he'd missed something, but he couldn't be sure of what. Jo returned before he could give the file another once-over, and he smiled at her.

"So what are you, a P.I., or something?" he asked after a moment. "You investigating some guy banging the baby-sitter or something?"

Glancing down at his laptop bag, he realized he hadn't shoved the stack of papers in as neatly as he would've liked. He could see the corner of a photo sticking out and just hoped it was nothing too suspicious.

[Jade Stone]

Jo

Jo headed up to the bar and ordered herself another beer. Greg had declined her offer of a fresh one so she just got the one and turned to head back to the table. She hesitated just slightly as it looked like Greg had been moving around at his table.

When she got back to the table she noticed that his stack of papers seemed to be considerably smaller than it had been. As she got close enough he asked her if she was private investigator. With a little bit of a chuckle after his comment on what kind of case she was working on she answered.

"Well, something like that. I mean as far as being an investigator. The case, no... Nothing like that. I don't do that kind of work. I guess you'd say I look into things that other people don't."

Being vague on purpose. She was still trying to stick to the truth as much as possible but she was not about to come out and tell him everything.

Instead of sliding into the seat at her table she walked over and stood next to his. She lifted a brow as she looked at him.

"So... You mind if I take a look? Maybe I could help?"

Jo set her beer on the other side of the table and leaned over a little bit to see if she could see anything. Not wanting to be to intrusive though. She really had no cause. Just curiosity really, but if it really was just psych research then he shouldn't have a problem with her taking a peek.

[Wil Marsh]

Jo laughed at Greg's comment and said she didn't work cases like that.

"I guess you'd say I look into things that other people don't," she said.

Well, that's nice and vague, he thought.

"Well, that's good," he said. "It'd be hard to get clients if you looked into the stuff everybody looks into."

Greg couldn't help being curious about her occupation. She seemed pretty secretive about it, which intrigued him. He wondered if whatever she did was illegal. Or maybe her clients were shady.

Jo stood beside his table and asked if she could take a look at what he was researching. He glanced at the file as she set her beer on the other side of the table.

Whew. Good thing I took out the questionable stuff, he thought.

He shrugged and slid the file casually over to her, as if he had nothing to hide.

"Sure," he said. "I should probably warn you, though, it's pretty graphic. I'm researching serial killers, and I found these articles and stuff. I'm supposed to be making a psychological profile of the guy."

He took his hand off the folder and sat back in his seat, taking a swig of his beer. He hoped there was nothing in there that would alarm her. It was bad enough that he was reading about girls getting tortured. She'd probably think he was some kind of psycho.

[Jade Stone]

Jo

Jo smiled as he talked to her. Making comments about her Jo. She gave him a little chuckle then picked up the file that he slid over to her. Before she opened it she listened to him explain his research. Something about profiling a serial killer or something. Nodding at him she opened the file and picked up the paper sitting on top. It was a newspaper article. One she was familiar with.

Jo's eyes widened in surprise and she looked at Greg. Looking back down at the file she rifled through the rest of the papers he had in there. Giving him a little suspicious smirk she spoke in a very low tone.

"This file looks a little thinner than it was a few minutes ago. I think it's missing something. Maybe I can help you out."

She glanced down and saw the edge of a photo poking out of his computer bag. Shaking her head she rolled her eyes at him. Instead of reaching for that though she turned around and moved swiftly back to her own table. Grabbing up her own file of papers and stepped back to stand in front of Greg.

"I think maybe you might find these useful in your research."

Jo pulled out a few photos and slapped them down on the table in front of Greg. Then she pulled out a copy of the police report and dropped it on top of the photos. Tucking the rest of the folder under one arm she placed her other hand on her hip and stared down at Greg.

[Wil Marsh]

Jo smiled and nodded as Greg explained. He wasn't sure if she was actually listening to his explanation, or just yes'ing him to death until he handed over the file. Either way, she got to see it, so it didn't really matter.

Greg sipped his beer and watched as Jo examined the first article. He wasn't surprised when her eyes widened - it was a pretty odd article for him to be researching, involving a pretty gruesome case.

"This file looks a little thinner than it was a few minutes ago," she said with a smirk.

Fuck, Greg thought as she continued.

"I think it's missing something. Maybe I can help you out."

Greg leaned forward on his elbows. He saw Jo eye his laptop bag as she stood and headed back to her own table.

Note to self: don't start chatting with a lady when you're here to kill something, he thought.

She came back quickly with whatever it was she'd been reading at her table. Greg looked up at her, his brows knit, as she rifled through her folder.

"I think maybe you might find these useful in your research," Jo said, slapping something down on the table.

Greg just blinked at her for a second, too stunned by her sudden attitude change to put two and two together right away. He looked down and straightened in surprise, his eyes widening.

"What the fuck?"

He looked around, making sure they hadn't drawn anyone's attention, before he stood up, picking up the crime scene photos from the table to give them a closer look.

"Why do you have these?" he asked, keeping his voice low, though his tone was slightly accusing.

The first thought that came to mind wasn't that he'd just run into another hunter tracking the same case he was. He didn't know what to think, really. But he was suspicious.