Two Heads are Better than One

[st_clare]

The days in late January were just the slightest bit longer, but the weather was still crisp. The highway had been one long stretch of asphalt, only a few cars and the occasional semi sharing the road.

Julianna had taken the day off, leaving her teaching duties to Clarissa, so that she and Gerald could make the drive to Searchlight. They didn't have a town hall, but there was a library there, and she knew from experience that they had some of the town archives in a special section. She already had her reason prepared, that she was planning a lecture about local history of Clark County and needed to see surveyor's maps and census figures from when the township was first established.

She parked the BMW in the lot, killed the engine and got out. She'd worn a light jacket against the slight chill of the day, and she tugged it closed as she started towards the building that housed the library. If there was something to be found, surely two sets of eyes could find it.

Comments

Re: Two Heads are Better than One

[ghargreaves]

"That's rather a commendable idea, Julianna, and while we're talking to the librarian we can ask if there was anything saved from the old church, perhaps moved to another church somewhere, such as records, or items."

He returned to the table as he spoke and studied a few more of the maps he'd pulled out, making a few mental notes of places and distances.

Re: Two Heads are Better than One

[st_clare]

"Let me tidy this up a bit."

There was a thin film of dust on the tabletop when Julianna closed the ledger, and she had to hunt for the correct spot on the shelf to put the book back. She plucked a tissue from her pocket, then used it to clean up the dust before tossing it into the nearby wastebasket.

It would probably too much to expect to be able to take the Bible with them, so she handed it off to Gerald. She was completely bollocks when it came to maps - she even had trouble with road maps - so she was willing to wait until her colleague was finished with his perusal.

Re: Two Heads are Better than One

[ghargreaves]

It didn't take him long to note the co-ordinates of the marks he could discern might still be there, and carefully returned the maps to the large shallow drawers, ensuring each was flat and stored correctly. He had little tolerance for tardiness in the way such things were stored, knowing from many decades just how important even the most insignificant of marks can make a major difference in deciphering the information. Fold and creases had a way of hiding marks that are meant to be there, disguising their importance, costing maybe many hours, or even years of searching.

"Right we are then," he said, closing the last of the drawers and brushing his hands together. He glanced at his watch then at Julianna. "Shall we take my car? Give my driver something to do," he suggested, making his way toward the door and holding it open for his colleague.

Re: Two Heads are Better than One

[st_clare]

"Yes, I don't see why not," she replied, following after him. Driving in America was easier for her than it was for Gerald, but as long as long as the driver was here, they might as well make use of him.

A few patrons had arrived at the library since the two Watchers arrived, and Julianna waited for the young librarian to finish checking in some materials. There was dust on the fingers of her left hand, and she brushed her hands together.

"Yes, Ma'am, how can I help you?" "I was wondering if you'd know an Albert Montgomery. We found his name in some birth records and discovered that he's related to a past member of the local law enforcement. "Is he currently in town, and if so, would you know where he resides?"

"Oh, Albert? He moved into what was left of the old Montgomery place and fixed it up when he came back. He keeps to himself, though He's a little..."

She touched the side of her head, and Julianna nodded sagely. "I see. Well, we'd like to at least try and speak with him. For research purposes." The librarian looked dubious, but she scrawled down an address on a piece of paper and handed it to the Watcher. "Good luck with getting him to answer the door."

"Sorry to keep you waiting," she told Gerald as she re-joined him. "We can head to the cemeteries first, then try Mr. Montogomery's house. Apparently he's a bit eccentric. He might know something, though."