37: Imperfect Recall, part II
“Yes!” Phoenie dived across the bed and grabbed a folder. “I started noticing things a short while ago and I’ve been collecting notes and making theories!” She leafed through the pages, unable to contain the grin spreading across her face. “You know that incident with Godhand a week ago? No way was that as simple as a gas explosion! As if such an insidious group of zealots like that would be driven out of town by something to trivial! And there’s been a spate of suicides and disappearances that we were meant to investigate, but apparently never did. Veritas never lets a story get away! See that on the desk?”
Phantasia noticed a wad of paper and archaic writing implements. Judging by the visible paragraphs Phoenie had been writing about the mansion investigation and how it involved reanimated corpses and necromancy.
“I’m getting as much as I can down about the investigation before my memory gets tampered with. Then I can look back at it and remember everything!” She tapped the cell attached to her wrist. “And the voice recording software John installed is invaluable! Godhand will never be able to tamper with my thoughts again!”
“Godhand?”
“Of course! Who else could it be? They’ve done this to cover up some kind of clandestine operation they’ve got going. Withdraw from the town, lull the population into a false sense of security, allow the ‘heretics’ to expose themselves, then return with never before seen forces to retake the town and execute all the heretics that had been in hiding!” Phoenie looked rather confident in her predictions – and not the least bit concerned. “But don’t panic because I’ve been devising a plan!” She pulled over another folder and clutched it tight to her chest. “Obviously my plan is Top Secret, but just be assured that if Godhand ever does return, the great Phoenie Rogan will be ready for them!”
How would Phoenie react if she knew Godhand was controlled by demons? Demons too powerful for someone like her to fight? Actually it would make her more determined. Phantasia wasn’t sure if knowing the truth or living under illusions was best for Phoenie. Both would be equally dramatic.
***
The afternoon was dragging on into early evening and Phantasia was behind schedule, thanks to Phoenie’s unspoken desire for company and a friendly ear with which to share the latest gossip about their peers. Phantasia’s ignorance of courtshipping rules had meant most of those rumours had fallen on deaf ears. Doyle added another young girl to his list of conquests? Byron had been dumped and was on the rebound? Lysander was in a long-distance relationship with a computer hacker? Katrina had a stalker?
Maybe if she understood such things better she’d be able to understand the people themselves and she wondered why Queen Thetis hadn’t spent more time explaining interpersonal relationships. Learning about human usage of magic or the state of their interaction with demons was far less useful than understanding how they actually worked!
After some common sense advice from Phoenie, Phantasia decided to contact Katrina and arrange a meeting first, rather than using her instincts and popping up unannounced. The shaggy-haired cat-lover had spent the afternoon exploring some abandoned buildings and taking auragraphs, and met Phantasia on the edge of the Industrial Zone.
“I’ve almost used up the film!” she said, “I’ve been trying to use this one up for weeks. C’mon, let’s go have a look at some of those warehouses. One of them was totally gutted by fire the other week!”
