The folders contain a number of photographs, drawings, photocopied notes and print outs. The photographs were taken some ten years ago, judging by elements of fashion and hairstyle. Two men: one short and round, one tall and thin; both are in jackets and jeans. The drawings would appear to be artists impressions of other people: a thug with mutton chops and a curious tattoo on the back of his head like an ancient egyptian cartouche; and an ugly hunchback. The photocopied notes were written in a careful hand outlining information. The printouts were about a book and obviously drawn from specialist websites.
Stax looked first at Jax.
"Yes. I've collected what information I can on the situation in these files. Take them. Its for ease of reference."
Stax turned to Peter with an artistically raised eyebrow.
"They are after the book. At the very least they are following up on the rumours of its sale. I'm not sure if they are seeking to authenticate the book first or if they simply aim to buy it outright. It could be either. As you can see, its a manuscript - not a published work; I've tried do some preliminary digging of my own. As you can imagine, as its a manuscript... it is quite challenging to find much at all. Some kind of hunting manual by the description. Given the hunter's connections I suspect they either want the book for their own use or to take it off the market as quickly as possible. I have heard stories of this pair that... eh... would fit that pattern."
At last, he addressed Cross.
"I do not know the exact connection between Sanchez and Tombs to my Sire. I simply know there is one and that their paths have crossed a number of times. I know that Sanchez and Tombs have operated in San Francisco and Los Angeles before; and that when rumours of them surface it is generally a good idea to lay low. My Sire used to say they were associates of a crazy priest who could do things and that he belonged to a secret order of vampire hunting priests. How did she know? No idea. To be honest I never took much notice - but I did keep away when they turned up in the city given the way my Sire would speak of all three."
He paused slightly.
"As I said they have a pattern of turning up, looking for things, or into things. I never expected them to turn up here."
With more confidence, he continued.
"The seller appears to be this man." He pointed at the hunchback. "The description was... apt. And I can't see many like him living in the same area at the same time. The other fellow looks like a guard or a minder of some sort. They are always seen together. Can't pin down where, though. They seem to bounce from place to place. I did get names, though - Corbin and Stone. They're not moving through official channels, either. I got the impression they were seen as con men or charlatans. As I put in my notes, our hunchback friend Corbin attempted to sell the book to a reputed seller at the very beginning of this case and was brushed off. He reappears with Stone more carefully spreading the word in less savoury circles."
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