Part 54: Blackwell Deception - Update 13

Update 13

After having followed several leads, Rosa and Joey finally discover the location of Tiffany's lover, Ken. Fingers crossed he'll be able to help us finish this case off!

Sharpe Sound



Rosa and Joey arrive in a hallway via elevator. Presumably one of these doors leads to Sharpe Sound.



On the right is Gal Friday Publishing. There's a note on the door, which Rosa checks out.



It's a message from Ken. We'll need to remember that phone in the drawer soon.



Over on the left is the entrance to Sharpe Sound. That's where we need to be!



Before that, though, Rosa stops to gossip with Joey for a while.

That means something, does it?
For some people.

Joey, on the other hand, is more impressed with the state of the hallway itself.

Pretty swanky hallway. They must entertain a lot.
What makes you say that?
You decorate a place this nice, you want it to be seen.

Ken's Theme



Rosa knocks on the door, and a middle-aged man beckons for her to come in. There is no way this is Cecil, so it must be the infamous Ken. Rosa checks just to make sure, though.

Hi, are you Ken Sharpe?
I sure am. What can I do for you, Miss-?
Blackwell. I'm not interrupting anything, am I?
Nah. The midnight oil can wait. What's up?

So this is the dude that Tiffany fell for so hard. It's a good thing everyone we want to speak to happens to be working late.

I'm helping out the City Post with an article. I was hoping I could ask you some questions?
The newspaper? Sure. Ask away.

Ken is voiced by Daryl Lathon, the same suave, smooth-as-silk voice actor who played Cecil back in Unbound.



Rosa starts off slowly.

This place? We're an audio studio. You need any voiceover, music, or sound design, then we're your guys.
So tell me about yourself.
Not much to say. What you see is what you get.

Time to ease this conversation in the right direction.

Do you ever deal with a temp agency called Sterling?
Yeah, I use them to hire temps sometimes. When things get busy.
Are you using them now?
Not at the moment. Things are pretty slow.



Rosa cuts to the chase.

Tiffany...?
Walters. She used to work for you. As a temp?
Did she? I'm afraid we've gone through quite a few temps.
Yeah, I'll bet he has.
So... I'm sorry. She might have worked for us, but I don't remember her.

The question clearly rattles Ken. Rosa keeps the pressure on.

Are you sure you don't remember anyone named Tiffany?
Positive. Sorry. I can't help you.



For all I know, he might be right. But I don't remember her. Like I said, we go through a lot of temps here.

Ken is sticking to his story, but there is no way he's forgotten Tiffany. He had STP threatening police action because she wouldn't leave him alone, that's not something you just forget about. We need to keep pushing him on this one.

You filed a complaint with Sterling about Tiffany. You don't remember that?
Have you ever worked with temps?
Some are all right. But others... well. There's a reason why they are temping.
So sure. I've made my share of complaints. But can I remember any specific one? No.

Hearing the suave, confident Ken slowly become more and more rattled brings back pleasant memories of Cecil in Unbound



Rosa just doesn't let up, these days I really like the way she's become more and more confident at this kind of thing.

Miss... Blackwell, was it? I have a wife. And two kids. And none of them are named Tiffany.
I'm just following a lead. I was told that Tiffany was involved with someone named Ken.
Well, it wasn't me.

For all the pressure Rosa is putting on Ken, he's not budging. Looks like we might need to present him with evidence he can't refute.

Well, thanks.
See you around.



Rosa immediately leaves the office after chatting with Ken, so we don't get a chance to look at the office. Fortunately, Joey can go and scope things out by himself.



There's nothing I could say to him, other than his suit needs to be let out a few inches.

Joey looks around the room a bit, and immediately notices a familiar picture on the wall.



Surely Cecil had some photos of himself where you could see more than half of his face?



This is the only other picture, which looks less like a photograph and more like an image thumbnail blown up to portrait size. Also, maybe it's just the shades here, but Cecil looks decidedly caucasian in this picture.

There isn't a lot we can do in this room, but in a puzzle reminiscent of the mailbox a couple of updates ago, we can have Joey phase his head through Ken's desk drawer.



*sigh* I can barely make anything out in here.

There are two objects here, a "black thing":

It's... kinda black? I have no idea what it is. I can't see a thing.

And some piece of paper.

It looks like a letter. I can't make out what it says.

We'll see what we can do with that in a second. For now, Joey and Rosa quickly head back to Tiffany's apartment to see what she has to say.



How can you say that? I love him!
We're meant for each other! It's just...
He doesn't realize it yet. But he will.
... Okay. This is getting a bit creepsville.

Man, you ain't kidding, Joey. This is sounding less like a relationship, and more like stalking by the minute.



Alright, let's get back to this drawer. We saw a note on the door to Gal Friday Publishing indicating that Ken had found the lost phone of Becca, one of the workers there, and had put it in his drawer for safekeeping. Presumably the "black thing" is her phone.

If we ring the phone, it will hopefully light up. But first, we'll need to figure out the number.



A quick Oogle Search for Gal Friday Publishing, and we find the number for Becca, or in fact, Rebecca. Once again, Gilbert shoehorns the name of one of the voice actresses into the game, in this case the voice actor for Rosa herself.



Rosa calls the number, and lets the phone ring.



Meanwhile, Joey hears the vibrating in Ken's drawer. Looks like it was the right number!



It looks like one of those plastic squares Red calls a phone.

Looking back into the drawer, Joey is able to read the message by phonelight.

Looks like a love letter, and it's signed "Tiffany." Sounds like our boy Ken knew Tiffany after all.

This puzzle is slightly obscure, but after we recently had the puzzle where we had to light up a dark space so Joey can see, it feels a bit more natural this time around. The hint on the door to Gal Friday Publishing serves as a nice clue as well. Definitely better than the mailbox puzzle.

Now, of course, Joey can't actually pick up the love letter, but hopefully Rosa simply knowing about it will be enough to spook Ken into talking to us. Time to turn the screws on him a little bit more!



As usual, Rosa starts off slow.

Well, you wouldn't. That was my dad's group. They haven't been together since the 60s.
What happened to them?
They died.
They died, I think.

Rosa casts a questioning look at Joey.

What?
He never talked about it much.
Who's that man in the photograph?
Him? That's my dad. He and I started this place, oh, about twenty years ago. He's retired now, but he pops his head in sometimes.

Twenty years ago? That would be roughly 15 years after Lauren met Cecil. I guess he kept playing in bars for a while longer. Assuming Ken was an adult when they co-found Sharpe Sound, that would mean he was alive when Cecil was flirting with Lauren back in 1973. That would also mean Cecil was likely chasing after Isaac's sister Sarah while young Ken was running around. Either that, or they cofound Sharpe Sound while Ken was still in school.

Anyway, back to the task at hand.



Boom. Rosa dives in headfirst here, and catches Ken right off guard.

... What-! What is this? Are you sneaking in here while I'm not around? Is that it?
Maybe I'm just psychic.
Yeah? Well, maybe I'll just call the police.

Uh oh. Let's take a quick step sideways here.

I just want to find out what happened to Tiffany.
Look, whatever happened to her, it had nothing to do with me!
Maybe you're right. But maybe you can tell me what happened so I can decide for myself?

Ken holds an angry silence for a moment before relenting.

*sigh* You're a real piece of work.
Fine. Go on. Ask what you want.

I wish Cecil was here, just so he could complain about us "stirring up these old ashes" again



Here we go. I hope he has something useful for us.

Look, you breathe a word of this and I'll have the police on you so fast it'll make your head spin.
Lips are sealed.
All right. Yes, I knew Tiffany. You probably guessed that we were... involved.
I gathered that.

So they did have a relationship at one point.

I was working late. We were doing spots for a new TV commercial, and she volunteered to help out. I thought she just wanted the overtime, but it turns out she wanted... something else.
So she came onto you?
Yeah. She wouldn't take no for an answer. Look, I'm a married guy with two kids. I know it was wrong. I just couldn't help myself. It was like a drug.

Sounds like Tiffany initiated the relationship.



Crazy? How so?
My God, the girl was obsessed. Showing up at the office at all hours. Stalking me. Calling my house at night. She kept saying we were destined to be together, that it was fate.

Calling his house, with his wife and children there? That sound likes a bit of a disaster.

Even when I tried to break it off, she wouldn't take no for an answer.
God, what a nightmare. I should have broken it off long before I did.

Rosa isn't particularly impressed with Ken's story.

Why do you keep the letter, if the relationship is over?
I don't know. Nostalgia, maybe? It was nice, at the beginning. She was crazy, but she saw something in me. I suppose I still want to hold onto that.
Especially now that she's... you know. Gone.



God, yes. I had to! Even if I wasn't a married man, the woman was a complete headcase.
Talking about the stars and fate and destiny. She even started calling me "turtledove." What a nightmare.
Turtledove?
So I buckled down and ended it. She didn't take it well. I had to get a restraining order put on her. I've learned my lesson, that's for sure. No more temps.
And definitely no more affairs. My life is with my wife and family.

Sounds like Ken has definitely moved on from Tiffany, which is in sharp contrast to Tiffany's feelings about him.

So you're through wih Tiffany completely?
Yes. I'm sorry she's gone, but I'm glad she's out of my life. What a total embarrassment she was.



Outside, Rosa and Joey discuss Ken's affair.

I don't. He had an affair and got away with it. Tiffany can't bother him now.
Oh no? She's not exactly gone, is she?

Joey is sympathetic to Ken's plight, but Rosa just thinks he's a jerk.

Ken almost seemed relieved that Tiffany was dead.
Can you blame him?
Sure I can. He doesn't have to deal with the consequences of his actions, but we do.
Dealing is what we do best, sweetheart.

As painful as it's likely to be, getting Tiffany to realise that Ken is through with her is probably the best way to jolt her into recognising her own death. This is going to get ugly.

Tiffany's Theme



Back at Tiffany's apartment, Joey starts the uncomfortable conversation.

You're lying.
Deep down, he still loves me. He just can't admit it.

I don't know, Tiffany, I'm afraid he's quite free with his feelings

He told me himself.
I don't believe you.

Technically, he told Rosa. But Joey was listening, and remembers a key part of the conversation.

You called Ken your "Turtledove," right?
That's private! How did you know about that?



He... what?

The term "cruel to be kind" comes to mind here. Tiffany sounds aghast here.

It's over, kid. You want my advice? Forget about him and get on with your... Well. You need to get over him. Is all I'm saying.
I... no. I need to hear it from him. Just one more time. From him.



With that, Tiffany shoots out of the room and off to Ken's office. This isn't going to be pretty.



In the apartment foyer, Rosa watches as Tiffany floats past her and out the door.

Let me guess. That was Tiffany.
Why didn't you stop her?
Because I can't touch ghosts?
Right. Forget it. Let's just get after her.

Ken and Tiffany



Tiffany has already arrived by the time Rosa and Joey get to Sharpe Sound. They can hear her speaking to Ken through the door, but of course, Ken can't hear her at all so he never responds.

Talk to me. Please, just talk to me.
It's okay, Ken. I won't tell your wife, I promise.
Do you want to come back to my place? I'll wear that outfit you like.
Don't you ever think about me? Even a little bit?
Please don't ignore me, Ken. Please don't do this.

Tiffany continues to try speaking with Ken, but presumably he's just standing there attending to his soundboard. From her perspective it must just seem like he's ignoring her. This has turned into yet another depressing case



This is unpleasant, but needs to be done. Rosa goes back inside and asks Ken again about having finished up with Tiffany.

Yes. Like I told you. I'm sorry she's gone, but I'm glad she's out of my life.
What?
What a total embarrassment she was.
Embarrassment? Ken, you don't mean that!

This is all Ken would normally say, but with Tiffany listening in, Rosa decides to prompt him to say more.

Do you mean that?
Of course I do! With that squeaky lovey-dovey voice and the way she'd throw herself at me in public.
I thought you liked it!
You'd think a guy would like that kind of attention, but she was so needy and desperate about it.
Desperate? I was not desperate! It was fate!

This is seriously uncomfortable to witness. If Tiffany was aghast before, she's devastated here.



I don't believe what I'm hearing! We're supposed to be together. Gavin said so!

Oh, wow. So that's how Gavin fits into this picture. He was the matchmaker.

I don't know why I didn't end it right then and there. But like an idiot, I just kept being reeled back in.
I gave up everything for you!
I gave up... I gave up my *life* for you!

This line is not Tiffany coming to the realisation of her death. It sounds like she means that she literally stopped doing anything else other than being interested in Ken.

She thought I'd give up my entire life for her. But that was crazy.
I only hope she found some happiness before she died.
Died? Died?

Even hearing Ken announce that she is dead doesn't quite prompt Tiffany to recognise it. Instead, she misinterprets his words.

Am I dead to you? Is that it?
I... I can't even look at you. I've got to get out of here. I need air.



Tiffany clips right through Ken, who gets a cold shiver in the process. She pauses near the door, perhaps in a last ditch hope for a chance of heart...

Anyway, take my advice. You meet a guy you like, don't smother him. He'll just run away.
...

...but, of course, none is forthcoming. Having finally heard enough, Tiffany floats mournfully out to the hallway.

I'll... keep that in mind. Well... I think that's everything. Thanks again, Ken.
Sure. You know, it feels kinda good to talk about it. And I... well, I hope you'll be discreet about it.
Don't worry.

Rosa barely hides her contempt here. She is not impressed with Ken in the slightest.



Heading back to the hallway, Rosa looks sadly at Tiffany. The music dies out here, with only the telltale sound of ghostly wind remaining. The trauma of hearing Ken's thoughts about her has shocked Tiffany into becoming aware of her death.

Tiffany?
You think I'm pathetic, don't you?
Oh, no. Not at all.

Joey doesn't come across as particularly sympathetic here.

I do. Why did I act like such a love-struck little girl?
I don't know. We all act stupid, sometimes.
Not like this. I couldn't stop myself. Why? Just because Gavin said we should be together?

So Tiffany went to see Penelope because she felt she needed to "find her way". Penelope referred her to Gavin, who told her that she was destined to be with Ken. That all makes some sense, but I have two questions. Firstly, what was in it for Gavin? Why would he tell her that she was destined to be with Ken? And secondly, where does the brain aneurysm fit in with all this?

Gavin? Is that the psychic who told you to stick with Ken?
Yeah. And I believed every last word. Why would I believe something so stupid? Ken was all I thought about. When he told me it was over, I was just angry that I couldn't be with him. Gavin told me not to worry, that it was destiny. That we'd be together. It took me over. I wouldn't get out of bed. I just... stopped.
I'm sorry.

I guess she literally just stopped doing anything until her body shut down. Dehydration and lack of sleep probably ended up leading to the aneurysm. Gavin's influence must be damn strong for her to have literally wasted away until she died without her even realising it.

I need to get out of here. How do I get out of here?

Poor Tiffany sounds so exhausted and miserable. Time to help her to move on.



What is it?
It's something to help you on your way.
...
Just one minute.

She floats over to Ken's door and peers through the glass.



She bitterly regards Ken one last time, before turning back to Joey and Rosa.

I'm ready.

In The Void



Joey hands over his tie to Tiffany, and for the tenth time this series, we drag a ghost into Nodespace.



Just head towards it. That's all you need to do.

Like so many ghosts before her, Tiffany leaves us with some final thoughts, but in this case they are somewhat disconcerting.

It feels like... it feels like Gavin. Isn't that strange? Believing his words. Accepting the lie. It felt good. Wonderful. I want to hate him. But I can't. It's like... it doesn't matter.
We'll get to the bottom of this. I promise. Do you know where we can find him?
No. He'd come over to my place. He'd talk and... it all seemed so clear. That's all I can remember. It's all fading.

As usual, coming to Nodespace seems to help Tiffany to put her earthly worries behind her. She's ready to move on.

You'd better go.
Thank you. I... I don't know what else to say.
No need to thank us. It's what we do.
Well, I guess this is it.



Tiffany floats into the light, and blessedly, this uncomfortable affair comes to a close.



Back in the hallway, Rosa regains consciousness.

Yeah. I think she'll be all right.
At least, I hope so.

This case has really touched Rosa, though.

This makes no sense, Joey.
Eh?
Her death. It was so... pointless.
Who said there had to be a point?
She didn't even like Ken. Not really.
Haven't you ever been in love?



Maybe. Maybe not. But whoever this Gavin guy is, he put her up to it. I think we owe our friend Lisa another visit.

Oh, that's right, Lisa. She said not to come back unless we had evidence that Gavin killed Tiffany and Jamie. Well, he might not have literally killed Tiffany, but he certainly had a hand in her death. We'll need to speak to Lisa about that.



Join me tomorrow as we follow up with Lisa, and then start seeing if anything happened with Jamie!