This is all too much.  Now you're sure he's toying with you.  For a moment you try and catch his gaze, looking for a betraying smile.  But he doesn't give it up.  Suddenly you become acutely annoyed.  A gentleman of Cal's caliber wouldn't try and pass off a story like this unless he took you for a complete fool.  "Cal, I did not come up here to have you waste my time."  "You may think you have the upper hand, but I promise you this is no game."  You can't see his eyes behind his drooping hair, but his jaw is firm, and somber as ever. 

This was insane.  Every school child in the parish knew stories about the monster; the loup-garou as they called it in the French creole language the ex-slaves spoke.  Occasionally on slow news days the local paper, The New Orleans Picayune, even published sensational descriptions of attacks.  In fact, there was one just last week.  Supposedly, a catholic priest had been mutilated by the beast last full moon.  As a police officer, you knew that it was rubbish, of course.  There was no evidence of any such death occurring.  You realize that Cal hasn't spoken a word or looked up from the floor in several minutes.  "Cal.  What in the world are you saying?"

Slowly, and without moving his gaze, Cal reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a long ornate string of ivory and silver rosary beads.  They are covered in a dark red paste of dried blood.

RATE THIS BRANCH!

Click to View Author Guidance

CHARACTERS:
-- You (Edward) - a police officer in your mid-30's
-- Cal Beauchamp - a wealthy, respected 28-year-old businessman who you know to be a murderer.
-- Gabrielle - your 19-year-old sister who is engaged to Cal and recently pregnant.
-- Joseph - normal-looking 30-something-year-old guy who does Tarot readings on the street.
-- Old man - an old man who dresses like a gypsy and works on the street, saying creepy rude things to people for money.
-- Nicolas Dias - depends on who you ask.

SETTING:
New Orleans, present day. Well, let's say pre-Katrina to keep it simple.

STYLE:
The title is Outsmart because the characters are constantly lying and hiding things from each other. OR ARE THEY??? Everyone has his own agenda and probably doesn't want to reveal what that is. But somewhere, deep inside this story, there really is a coherent plot.

NOTE:
If you want to add to the story and wish to know a little more of what Jillian and I are planning, email me and I'll be glad to fill you in!

updated Jul 7 by Rac7hel