Deadman

Chapter 49: Petty Vengeance

Chapter 49: Petty Vengeance

I fell in line behind Rhea and she started walking me toward the Mausoleum in a similar direction to the one Id already been heading. Unlike the other Undertakers Id seen since Id arrived back in Potts she was wearing a simple blue wrap rather than the black of her profession. Its not like Undertakers were obligated to wear black while actually in Potts, but most of them preferred to do so.

After our footsteps started to match in rhythm she spoke up. The kids okay. The one we found in Springfield.

I nodded. Good

I heard what you did there. To their mayor. Figured youd want to know that the kid was okay.

I took a breath. Thank you.

We walked the rest of the way in silence until we reached the town center. There was a building with an undertaker standing outside, this one wearing his color of office. I approached him.

The guy inside? I asked.

She nodded. Yeah. Hes working at the moment.

Youre letting him work?

She nodded. I dont think its our guy. Youll see when you go in.

I grimaced, but went to open the door. I paused before I did and gave Rhea a nod. She returned it with a smile, and took a place on the other side of the door.

I walked in and found my senses immediately flooded with the smells of meat and blood. I heard a swift thud, followed by another, then another in a rhythmic pattern. There was a counter in front of me, and behind that was a man facing away. He was lifting a large cleaver and bringing it down in solid, strong motions, onto a pile of meat in front of him. I took a step toward him and he stopped, placing the cleaver down and grabbing a rag which he started to wipe his hands with as he turned around. He was wearing an apron, covered in blood, and a mostly red wrap beneath it. He smiled as saw me.

You Donovan? The one they said was going to want to question me?

I nodded. Thats right.

He finished wiping his hand and held it out. Im Pete.

I reached out and gave it a shake, noticing as I did that he was missing two fingers, the scars on the nubs looked as if it had happened a long time ago.

He noticed me looking. Had an accident awhile back with a knife. I uh, do my best not to have accidents anymore.

I nodded. Youre a butcher I take it?

His smile widened. How could you tell?

It wasnt easy.

That drew a short chuckle from him.

Im guessing the reason you were seen covered in blood was your work? I asked.

He nodded. Yes sir.

Do you usually work that time of day?

He shrugged. I work all hours. I supply a lot of the restaurants around here, and with no two pieces of meat ever being the same, I sometimes need to work more hours and sometimes less. A cow with three heads takes a much longer time to butcher than an alligator with no legs, you feel me?

I nodded, that made sense. I took a deep whiff of the butcher shop, I could tell that the meat was mostly stored in a cooled cellar below us. I also couldnt distinguish any of the blood and meat from any other. There was so much of it, that it seemed to cloud my senses, and I could feel my stomach aching for a bite.

Petes expression changed just a little, and he turned around and went back to the meat hed been butchering. He took a piece of paper and wrapped some of it up, then returned to the counter and handed it to me. I dont like for people to leave here hungry with nothing to eat. That's a pig heart. One of three I found when I was butchering a hog this morning. Its all yours, on the house.The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

I took it and nodded. I didnt think this was my guy. Who has a better excuse for being covered in blood than a butcher? Still, I should at least ask a few questions of him. Youre aware of the murder I assume.

Pete frowned and turned his gaze downward. I am. Terrible thing. I dont think Ive heard of anything like that ever happening before.

Endurance- 23

Speed- 17

Job Abilities:

Neither Rain, Sleet, Nor Snow: You are unhampered by adverse weather

Express: You gain a 5% bonus to movement speed

Special Delivery: You can mark a delivery special which will allow you to track it.

Under Cover: You may retain your previous class and those with the ability to read previous classes will see whichever class you choose to show.

You're Under Arrest: You may temporarily remove all job-based bonuses from a target to ease apprehending them.

Freeze: Incapacitate a single target for one minute

The Eyes of the Law- Detect another citizens job

Federal Authority: You cannot be affected by the abilities of other unless you choose to be

Skills:

Walking- 35

Pistol- 10

Loading/unloading- 22

Customer Service- 14

Driving- 5

Melee Weapons- 6

Long Guns- 8

Investigation- 10

Tracking- 3

Virus:

Deadman- Bonus to all physical stats +5, negative to social-based skills

Natural weapon- Teeth

Night Vision

Accelerated Healing

Enhanced Stamina

I didnt know of anyone else who had quite as many abilities as I did at this point. It was probable that Leah or Graves did, but I doubted theyd be willing to let me access their sheets.

I hit a turn onto Nicos street and hesitated. There was one place that I realized I should make a brief stop at before I went any further. I turned around and made my way towards the eastern part of Potts, eventually, I came to an all-black painted dome, with images of skulls and music notes painted across it. Id reached Deux house.

I knew he was away because if hed been in town I likely wouldve already been subjected to his presence. I opened the door, it was unlocked which is never a surprise in Potts, though that may well change soon. The inside was the usual cluttered mess it always was. Deux collected a lot of junk, and really enjoyed doing so. I took a deep whiff and started searching. It took awhile, but in his kitchen, inside an old record sleeve, I found several handfuls worth of my instant coffee. I took all of them back, save a single one which I emptied onto one of the counters in his kitchen, then placed the empty wrapper on top of it. Satisfied with my work, I exited the house and made my way back to Nicos.