Episode XLVIII

Frank Evans, Private Eye, sat at his desk reading his copy of the Daze Springs Gazette. Business was slow, and he was bored. Why else would he read the paper?

Frank was not known as the most ethical PI in the world. That's one reason why his little hole-in-the-wall office was in the North Side Slums. But it had been good for business. Everyone knew they could come to him to retrieve anything, no questions asked. He had made quite a good living at it over the years, keeping the cops off his back at the same time. They hardly dared venture into his neck of the woods.

Today, he was scanning the paper for any news of the latest craze in Daze Springs, the rumors of the monster. While the local media was treating it as rumors since there were no photos, Frank new better. He had seen the way several people in his neighborhood had been acting recently, and he knew there was more then a myth to this story. Plus, he'd been doing a little investigating on his own. The good rumor was that the monster was based just outside of town.

He checked his watch again. 3:15 PM. He decided to close up early and see if he could find out anything for himself.

***

Frank was marched into camp at gunpoint. He was rather embarrassed to have been captured by these drones, but he had to admit, they were good. Dumb, not much for meaningful conversation, but good.

He was marched straight to the main building and shoved inside.

The site that greeted him was horrific. The rumors of the monster were indeed true; Frank had confirmed them himself.

"Who are you and what do you want?" the monster growled.

Frank nervously rubbed his balding head. "I'm Frank Evans, PI, and I'm here with a business proposition for you."

"Why would I even want to do business with you?"

"Because I found you and know the truth?" Frank was nervous, but he couldn't help feel a little smug by his success.

"That will mean nothing. I can turn you into one of my minions and that will be the end of that." Acidity raised his arm.

Frank's smugness left just as quickly as it had come. "But that's why I'm here," he stuttered as he took a couple steps back. "Your minions have not gone unnoticed. While the papers won't report it, everyone is talking about the strange people in town who stare vacantly at everyone they meet. It won't be too much longer before your secret is out."

Acidity lowered his arm. "I'm listening."

Frank continued. "I'd like to work for you. Part time, on the side. I can be your eyes in town and learn things that the other minions won't. And by keeping all my bodily control to myself, I won't be detected."

Acidity was silent for several minutes. Sweat was poring onto Frank's brow by the time he finally spoke. "Very well. It will be as you say. I will expect reports from you every two days. And Mr. Evans?"

Frank allowed himself a smile. "Yes?"

"If I find out you are double crossing me, I will inject you. Or worse."

"Obviously, you have never heard of me before. I always treat my clients above board. It's everyone else I stab in the back."

"Very well. Your first assignment will be to learn all you can about Marla Stewart."

"The owner of the resort? Why?"

"Because, this woman keeps crossing me and winning. At our last encounter, she threw me for three blocks. It took two days of soaking in my acid bath to recover from that. And the addition of five more minions to cover up my sudden appearance from out of the sky as well. I also want to get more info on Abby Gillis."

"The recent lotto winner?"

"I see you keep up on the news. Very good. You may be of use to me. And if you aren't?" Acidity raised his arm threatening. "See you back here in two days, Mr. Evans."

On his way back to his office, the through crossed Frank's mind that he had made a deal with the devil. But he shrugged his shoulders and kept walking. It wasn't the first time and certainly wouldn't be the last.