Part 76: Blackwell Epiphany - Update 7

Update 7

Things have taken yet another twist, with the discovery of a child ghost, Kendra, daughter of George's partner Lia. Now there are two issues to deal with - help Kendra to move on, and learn what happened to George. With Lia seemingly not around, Kendra's father Emil is the closest thing to a link between the two cases we have.

The Wired Abacus



We rejoin Joey as he finds himself in Emil's office at The Wired Abacus. He takes a bit of a look around to begin with.

A bunch of discarded papers.
Someone wrote "Quaterly earnings" on the cover. Positively riveting.
A bunch of ledgers stacked up against the wall. Interesting reading for some people, but not to me.
A bunch of meetings and appointments are written down on this thing. Nothing really stands out, but the weekends are all labelled "Kendra."

That stacks up. We know Kendra stays with him on the weekends.



Finally, Joey looks closely at Emil's desk, where a monitor displays quite a pretty screensaver First up, Joey notices the key.

The tag has Lia Pierro's address on it. Best guess? It's the key to her house.

We'll be wanting that. If Kendra won't leave her room, we'll eventually need to get Rosa inside the house if we're ever going to help her to move on. Joey continues looking:

Looks like an internal memo. Some kind of technical stuff. It's all Greek to me.
It's a phone. Or some variation thereof.



Displaying his ever-adorable lack of understanding about technology, Joey casts his eyes over the "moose"

I don't know much about these moose things, but I've seen Red use 'em often enough.

Finally, he looks at the swirling lines on the monitor.

Some kind of animation is playing. I think Red calls this a screen saver. Whatever it is, I'm glad I don't have a stomach anymore.

Now hang on a minute. If it's a screen saver, then the computer is most likely still on.



By having Joey blow on the "moose", the screen saver closes, and Joey is able to see the desktop, where the background appears to be a picture of Emil and Kendra.



"Exeter House", hey? It's a bit of a guess, but maybe that's where Emil lives?

Joey can also try to interact with the email button, but of course, it doesn't work.

What a surprise. Nothing happens.

Outside, Rosa and Joey discuss what he saw on the computer.

Did you find anything useful on that computer in the manager's office?
It's not like I could do much, but there was a photograph on the screen. It was a picture of Kendra, and someone who I assume is her father.



May as well check it out! Rosa looks up Exeter House...



...and we're on our way.

Exeter House



Upon arriving, Rosa and Joey look at the buzzer panel to see if they can find Emil.

Bunch of names on this thing.
Emil seems to be on the fifth floor.

Bingo! Hopefully he'll have something for us.



Before that, though, Rosa makes tracks, much to Joey's frustration

Um. Sorry?



Not really surprising. I wouldn't be out either, if I had the choice.

The two of them quickly catch up for a chat.

I love the look of these old brownstones.
Really? These were old even in my day. I never understood the appeal.
They're... solid, I guess? Secure. People like that in a home. It's comforting.
Comforting. Really. You feel this way, too?
Kind of. We see death all the time, Joey. Isn't it nice to see something that lasts?
Eh. Not really. All it does is remind me of how old I actually am.
... Joey. I'm already freezing. Do you have make me depressed, as well?
You're the one who brought it up.

Hahaha, wow. Looks like the stress of this case is starting to get to both of them.



Okay, let's do this. Once again, Emil is too high up for Joey to simply float up there by himself without Rosa, so she rings the buzzer.

Hello?
Hi. Is this Emil?
Yes, that's me. Who is this?

That's... an unusual response. Emil seems kind of pissed off that we asked his name.

My name is Rosangela Blackwell. Could I come in? I'd like to ask you some questions.
You mean there's been progress?
I... I'm not sure. I'm just trying to learn what happened.
You're not with the police?
No. They won't talk to me. I'm hoping you will?



Emil is silent for a moment, but then he responds with sadness in his voice.

They won't talk to me either. Come on up.

Emil Haskins



Emil looks different here than in his background - looks like he's shaved his head. I guess some time has probably passed since that photo was taken.

Yes. That's me.
Come on in.

Let's take stock here. Emil is Lia's ex-husband (or possibly just her ex-boyfriend, but they had a child together at least). Kendra is now dead, and the police won't talk to him. Presumably they don't hold him in high regard, given that they likely take Lia's side of whatever the story around the breakup is. Is he a suspect for whatever happened to Kendra?



Rosa and Joey enter Emil's apartment, where he gets quite emotional.

So. You said you're trying to learn what happened? What exactly do you know?
I know that something happened to Lia.

We're still not sure what happened to Lia. Is she dead as well? Things would be looking quite bad for the ex in that situation, yeah.

Is that all you know?
Yeah. I'm afraid so.
She's been missing for weeks. That's what happened. Bigshot police detective - poof. Gone.

Aha. Finally, some confirmation. Lia has gone missing, but is not yet known to be dead. I'm only speculating here, but perhaps this is why Durkin sent us to the Karth House to begin with. The newspaper article we found in there mentioned Lia Pierro as being the officer that lead the raid. I guess he was hoping we'd find some trace of her. No wonder he wasn't that interested in hearing about Mary Meehan.



Emil continues sadly.

So yeah. "Something happened." And nobody seems to be able to find out what.

Emil sounds horribly frustrated here. From the sound of things, he's been kept entirely out of the loop and is probably considered a primary suspect. Hell, for that matter, we don't have any reason to suspect otherwise ourselves.

Rosa does her best to sound sympathetic, but puts her foot in it a bit.

I know that Kendra is dead. I'm sorry.
What? No! We don't KNOW that! Nobody knows that. Not yet!
Someone took her and she's MISSING. Not dead.
I... of course. I'm sorry.
The police might have given up on her, but I haven't.
She's out there. Somewhere. I know it.

That doesn't really sound like the response of a guilty man. It's interesting that Emil doesn't know that Kendra is dead. Are the police aware? It's possible they know and haven't told him, but surely if they knew they would have questioned him about it? Most likely, nobody is aware except for us. If nothing else, visiting Emil has helped us to connect a few dots. Though at this point I'm just wondering where the hell Kendra's body ended up? This is sounding more and more like foul play.



Rosa continues to see what Emil knows, but it turns out that he knows very little indeed.

What? George is DEAD?
You didn't know?
Know? Of course not. You think the police tell the ex-husband anything? Ex-wife and daughter go missing. I'm suspect number one.

Emil composes himself for a second, and then continues.

How'd it happen?
He was... shot.

Rosa's response stuns Emil.

Shot. Jesus. I can't say I liked the guy. Lia dumped me for him, after all. But... Jesus. I always figured he was into something shady, but I thought it was more... white collar. Insider trading or whatever. But someone shooting him? That's like... mob stuff. Is that what's going on? Was he in the mob?
I don't know.



Poor Emil is on an emotional rollercoaster here

I don't know if that's what happened.
I hope not. If it did...
I'll never forgive her.

Sounds like Emil is familiar with George, anyway. Hopefully he can help provide a clue as to what happened to him.

How well did you know George Ostin?
Lia's the one who knew him. They'd been friends for years. She talked about him sometimes.
What did she say?
Well, that's the thing. I got the impression he was kind of a loser.

That's an odd thing to say. We know George was living in a fancy apartment, for one. Emil continues:

A loser?
No career. Living with his parents. That kind of thing. She felt bad for him. But then we got divorced and he turns up. Wearing designer suits and living in a penthouse.
And I'm living in this shoebox.

Hm. I guess I can see why Emil might have thought he was into insider trading.

Is there anything else you can tell me about George?
No. I don't want to think about him. I just... gah. I just can't.



Rosa changes the subject.

Yeah. Real glamarous, right?
I wouldn't know.
It's a job, is all I can say. I'm able to afford the rent on this shoebox apartment, at least.

Next up, Rosa asks about Grace Church.

Are you familiar with Grace Church?
Me? No. But Lia used to go there, before we were married. She was really hung up on the place.

"Really hung up" on it, hey? She obviously mentioned it often enough that both Emil and Kendra were aware of it despite never going there, and George mentioned in his prayer that this place "still brings me comfort" too. Sounds like the two of them had a bond relating to the church.



Got grilled by the cops for three days.
Even though there was no way I could have done it. I was at work, and I don't know if you've been to that store, but it's got cameras everywhere.
But I just stood by and took the abuse. Just on the off chance I would say something that could help them.
Obviously I didn't.

Poor guy I believe he's innocent at this stage. Sadly, with him not even being aware that Kendra is dead yet, life is only going to get more horrible for him soon.

How did you and Lia meet?
I met her about fifteen years ago. She was just a beat cop then. I was working for a small startup, trying to make it big. Our office got robbed and she showed up to take a statement. It was love at first sight. Or something, anyway. We were married for about ten years. Been divorced for about five.
Can you tell me anything else about Lia?
What else can I say? Great cop. Good mother. Passable wife. That about covers it.

This is all pretty heartbreaking, but Rosa keeps pressing for more details.



Her school called. The same day her mother didn't show up for work. They thought she was with me. I wish she was.
Do the police know anything?
No. Not that they would tell me if they did.

Next, Rosa asks about Kendra. Hopefully we can learn something to help her to move on.

Tell me about Kendra.

Emil is silent for a moment, as if reflecting on Kendra himself.

... She started to play the piano last year. We didn't have to make her do it. She wanted to learn. That's Kendra. Quiet, but brilliant. Full of... LIFE.
Marrying Lia was a mistake, but I'd do it all again.
Is there anything you can tell me about Kendra? Anything at all?
Just find her and tell me she's okay.
...I'll do my best.

Oh, geez. This is painful to go through.



Finally, Rosa tries to find out what she can about Emil himself.

Is it relevant?
It could be.
Hm. Well, I'm a tech nerd. Worked for a bunch of startups back in the late 90s. Now I work at a chain store. Moved into this place about five years ago. Rented it from some indian lady. Rent in this city is highway robbery, but there's no way I'm moving further away from my little girl.

I'm pretty sure the "some indian lady" line is a reference to The Shivah, since this apartment looks very much like one in that game, so Gilbert eventually decided that he would just make it actually be the same apartment.

Can you tell me anything else about yourself?
Tech nerd. Ex-husband. Father. That's pretty much it.

I think it's time to let this poor guy work through his grief - he's got more than enough, and unfortunately plenty more still to come. Rosa says goodbye.

Well, I'll see you later, Emil.
Yeah. Sure. See you.



As she is leaving, however, Emil stops her.

Why are you doing this? You said you weren't with the police. So... why?

Rosa has three choices. She can say that it doesn't matter why:

It doesn't matter. We want the same thing.
Doesn't matter? This is my little girl we're talking about. Can you help her or not?

She can keep her cards to her chest:

I have my reasons. I... just can't tell you what they are.
Yeah, I get that impression.
But whatever your reasons... you can help Kendra, right?

Or she can indicate that there is more going on here:

There's much more at stake.
Maybe. I don't care about the big picture. Can you help her or not?

Either way, Emil looks at Rosa imploringly, begging for her help. Rosa hesitates a moment before responding.

Yes.



Sadly, I don't think Rosa's version of "help" is what Emil is looking for This case has taken a very depressing turn.

Emil Haskins



Outside, Joey takes a moment to sympathise with Emil.

He's grieving and he doesn't even know it yet.
*sigh* It never get easier.



Rosa and Joey swap notes on what they've learned.

Don't tell him. Not yet. He won't believe you, and we might still need his help. He seems pretty bitter about things, but it's hard to blame him.
Yeah. You think Emil is involved with any of this?
I don't think he killed his kid, if that's what you're asking. But he IS pretty angry, distraught and helpless. I've never been a family man, but I know fathers can get pretty touchy when it comes to their daughters. who knows what a guy in that position will do?

Rosa then suggests that Joey do a bit of snooping.

I wonder if there's anything inside Emil's apartment that can help us.
Can't hurt to look around.



Looks like Emil has gone to his bedroom to lie down. Poor guy must be drained. Joey takes a cursory look around.

Lots of books on accounting and business management. Oh, and a couple of comic books.
Some kind of oil painting, I think. I can't tell what it's supposed to be.
A phone. I think. It's hard to tell these days.

Joey quickly checks around the corner.



Sure enough, Emil is lying down and contemplating life.

I should just leave him alone.

There is one interesting thing in this apartment, though. In the foreground there is a photo frame.



It's Emil, Lia and Kendra on what looks like her sixth birthday. Assuming this was her last birthday before Lia and Emil broke up, I guess she must be 11 now.

It's Emil. He looks leagues different than the sad sack we've been talking to.
That's definitely the little girl I saw. I guess that hat belongs to her mother.
Lia's a cop, all right. She must have still been a beat cop when this was taken.

On the top left are some numbers.

I guess that's the date the picture was taken.

The Wired Abacus



Now, it's not 100% obvious, but those four numbers are the password to Emil's office at The Wired Abacus. That seems a bit strange initially, but I guess the photo would have been taken on Kendra's birthday, and it makes sense that her birthdate would be of special significance to Emil. Since Jordan has already indicated he doesn't care if Rosa enters or not, as long as she knows the password, Rosa just lets herself in.



She quickly summons Joey in (with a quietish whisper, as befits the situation since Jordan is stationed near the other side of the door).

Relax. I'm here.



Rosa is pleased with Joey operating the "moose"

Impressed? All I did was blow on a hunk of plastic.
Even still. You used a computer. You'll be tweeting next.
Eh? I don't even want to know what you mean by that.

Hahahaha Also, Emil's screensaver must be on one hell of a delay because it's still not back on yet.

There's got to be something on Emil's computer worth seeing.
You're asking me? You're the one who knows about that stuff. Not me.



Joey is impressed at how far Rosa has come in terms of entering restricted areas!

He was half-asleep and more interested in his computer screen than me. It wasn't exactly hard.
You sound almost disappointed. You've already broken into Emil's office. Why not snoop around?

Sounds like a good idea. Rosa checks out Emil's desk.



There are two things here of interest to us. First of all, the key:

According to the label, this should get me into Lia Pierro's house.

And second of all...

Huh. Another myPhone upgrade is coming out in six months. Didn't one just come out last week?

No, Rosa The computer, the computer.



Rosa clicks on the mail icon, and starts to snoop through Emil's email trail. First up is this email from his lawyer. Looks like he had been seeking custody of Kendra. I guess he'll never get it now

I'm not sure who J. Leder is, but it's the same name that was listed in the email to Rosa about Ken Sharpe's divorce trial. I guess he or she is a family lawyer.



Next up is an email from Lia, discussing Kendra's online videogaming habits. Sounds like the song Kendra's been practicing is from a game, "Trollgate." Lia sounded concerned that some kind of predator might reach her online - I really, really hope that isn't what actually happened



Emil then has an email from his boss, asking him to hock off some kind of parental control software.



GIIILBERRRT



Lia's next email describes how she ended up purchasing and installing the Parental Eye software to allow Emil to keep an eye on Kendra's online habits...



...however, it seems that Emil backed out at the last minute, feeling like it was an invasion of privacy.



There is another page of emails. Sounds like Emil's boss is a dick. "Stop whinging to me about potential viruses on our controlled networks!"



Another email from Lia, asking Emil to pick Kendra up early so she can go out on a date with George.



Sounds like things were kind of bitter and passive-aggressive between Emil and Lia. I guess I can understand why that might have been the case.



The next email is from Kendra, boasting that she can play the Trollgate music on the piano now. Funny that she still feels the need to practice. Rosa may be right when she says that Kendra is just trying to focus on creativity as a means of protecting herself from reality.



The next email comes from Sam Durkin, who is asking Emil to stop contacting him. Obviously, both Lia and Kendra have disappeared by this point. It's not clear whether this email comes shortly after the last few, or several days later. I hope it's not the former, or else it might be Emil's decision to not leave work early that lead to Kendra's death



Finally, there is an email from George Ostin, who has obviously been contacted by a desperate and irate Emil. Again, it's not clear how recent this email is, but presumably it's pretty recent.



There wasn't a lot there to go on with, but there were a couple of tidbits. Tomorrow we'll see what we can do about taking advantage of them. Epiphany is continuing it's slow build, but at least we seem to be making some progress now!




In Convergence, Charlie Meltzer was able to direct The Countess to kill people by writing their name in his inbox, finally even listing Rosa's name in an attempt to be rid of her.

However, when The Countess finally got a chance to get her revenge, Charlie claimed that he hadn't known that The Countess was real, just chalking the whole thing up to wishful thinking, kind of like a written prayer. Still a scummy thing to do, but is it possible that Charlie was unaware that he actually had the power he had? After all, he only used it four times. Gilbert gives the definitive answer.

Charlie Meltzer was fully aware of his powers

It makes sense, and is certainly the way I interpreted Convergence, but now all doubt is removed. Charlie Meltzer was well and truly aware of his powers by the time Rosa had started to make waves.

However, Gilbert elaborates on Charlie's motivations. Gilbert writes: "In his mind, he was so distant from the crime that it didn't feel like he was at fault. He could live in denial until he was confronted with the evidence of it, in the form of the Countess."

Of course, once he was, he immediately tried to squirm out of the blame, lying right in the face of The Countess, making Charlie almost entirely irredeemable as a character.