One Stupid Thing

2:6:61

From what Pope told us, his conversation with his grandmother was... insightful to say the least. It certainly cleared up a lot of questions, starting with why the key is in Pope's possession.

Turns out, Pope is related to Denmark Tanny. Like the Denmark Tanny from the Royal Merchant and the founder of Tannyhill Plantation. Talk about a plot twist.

We returned to Heyward's store to tell Pope's father the news, but Guffy informed us that he had to run a few errands and wouldn't be back for some time. Now, we sit out back where we were earlier that morning on the back patio, sipping our sodas and talking about this most recent discovery. It's raining out, but beneath this awning we are all completely dry to my satisfaction.

"I still can't believe that you're related to Denmark Tanny," John B says, walking over to pat Pope on the shoulder. "Are we in the presence of a royal?"

"A king? We shall crown him. All hail the lord of Tannyhill!" JJ announces in a British accent, walking over to Pope and placing an imaginary crown over his head. "We are not worthy!"

We all reach our arms up and lean over, bowing to Pope in a joking manner. He shoos JJ away from him and protests the charade. "Alright, everybody relax. Can we relax, please?"

"Relocate to Cat's Ass, question mark?" Sarah asks. When we arrived, Kiara and Sarah swapped their sodas for cans of beer along with the boys. I still hold on to the massive cup of Mountain Dew in my hands.

"I'm with that," JJ replies to her.

"How soon can we move in?" Kiara jokes.

"'Cause I don't have a place to stay so..." JJ adds.

"Me either. Bunk beds?"

"Bunk beds. Cheers to that." JJ and Kiara clink their beer cans together and laugh.

"I just keep thinking about the letter, the one that Limbrey sent," Pope tells us. "It had the wheat symbol on it. That must mean it has something to do with the Royal Merchant."

"Yeah. Something seems fishy," JJ comments.

"But if we find that cross, we can split it like we were gonna split the gold," Pope exclaims, looking around at all of us for agreement.

JJ nods. "I'm with that."

"And live happily ever after?"

Standing in the rain a few feet away is Carla Limbrey accompanied by none other than her guard dog, Renfield. He holds a black umbrella over her head and follows her with it as she walks over to us with the assistance of her crutches. The six of us put up our guards. JJ begins to move in front of me, but I stop him. I'm not scared of these bullies.

"You assaulted my father," Pope seethes. He approaches Limbrey threateningly, but Renfield stops him and pushes him back.

"Oh, I didn't assault anybody," she says innocently.

"He can identify the psycho from a mile away," Kiara snaps. Limbrey turns to her and smiles condescendingly before turning back to Pope

"Why would my employee a... a... assault your father." She stumbles on the word like it is difficult for her to say. "That's absurd. Listen, we can keep on negotiating, but the fact is that I want the key..."

Just hearing about the object sets Pope off. He starts towards her only to be intercepted by Renfield once again, who isn't so gentle about his protective tactics.

"... And I won't stop until I have it," Limbrey continues. "I don't have a choice which means you don't either."

"It's Limbrey, right? Is that right?" John B asks, capturing all of our attentions. The main thing that draws it, is the key spinning back and forth in his fingers.