(Collab post with Whacko/Terry Archeletta)

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Before making his way to the police deparmtment, Jack spent some time discussing about the murders with some townsfolk passing by. Of course, given the bad name Jack created for himself, speaking with the people in town was never easy. He was no criminal and it got on his nerves when people avoided him. The bully of a broken family, it was a prejudice he faced from a small age and it got even worse when he had to use his fists. Being physically stronger than his classmates bullying him never ended well for him, mostly because he didn't have a mother's support like the others after things had to be cleared out and his father wasn't helpful either.

"[i]You are stronger than most people, you should be more mindful of your actions...[/i]" was Pa's usual lecture.

But, maybe, it was this lecture that kept Jack from despising or hating his fellow citizens, even though he kept almost everyone at arm's length to stay out of trouble. 

The few peeople kind enough to spend a minute or two to share some info were not helpful either, commenting only on the mysterious mature of the murders and that the police is keeping the investigation a bit too secretive for a small town like this. It was to be expected of course. In small towns like Erehwon, news should spread like wildfire, especially when serial murders, something unusual for the town, are the topic. Of course, if aliens were involved, there would not be much to say, anyways, is what Jack thought. Other humans like him can not see aliens and most of them, do not even know of their existence, so it would be hard to explain that the murders occured due to [i]other[/i] reasons.

After tbe unsuccesful information gathering, Jack arrived at the police station. It was obvious that the uproar of the murders and the disappearings, would cause the whole department to be on his toes, as everyone was uneasy. On the front desk, someone was speaking to the officer, a familiar face around town, Ivan something, if Jack remembered well. He knew about him, because his line of work is similar to his father's, being a bartender at the Shack, making fancy drinks for college brats. For some reason, Jack always felt uneasy when around him, although he never paid much attention to it. He heard a bit of the conversation, something along the lines of being a psychic and that he could help with the case, but ignored both of what they said and the front desk officer altogether, heading straight for Archeletta's office. The officer took notice of him, interrupted his conversation with Ivan for a moment and asked:

"Can i help you, sir?"

"[color=f7976a]Not at all, I am here to see Archeletta...[/color]"

"I am really sorry, he is busy in his office right now, he asked to not be interrupted"

"[color=f7976a]I do not have the time for formalities, fella...[/color]", Jack indifferently replied.

The front desk officer stopped Jack on his tracks.

"I strongly recommend that you do not cause trouble [b][i]in a police department[/i][/b], sir..."

"[color=f7976a]Listen, pal...I am too sober to be in a good mood, so step aside...[/color]"

"Jesus Christ, let him in." Came a familiar, muffled voice from the office, the man's tone tired and with just the faintest hint of annoyance.Terry damn well knew that voice, and it was one of the last one he wanted to hear right now. Then again the man it belonged to might be one of the few that could be of genuine help in this shitshow. Mixed bags always sucked, he decided, lighting up a fresh smoke and taking a long drag as he waited for Jack to step through his office door.

The officer, although annoyed, followed his superior's orders, making way for Jack, who indifferently marched into Archeletta's office. Another guy was there, but it didn't stop Jack from saying:

"[color=f7976a]What the hell are you doing, you bastard? Are you waiting for the whole town to be murdered before you find the criminal?[/color]"

Jack said that more because he was constantly annoyed by Archeletta's preaching for the collateral damage caused when Jack chased criminals and his constant whining about the paperwork he has to take care of after he captured them, rather because of disrespect. In fact, Jack respecred both Terry's commitment to law and his work and his deductive prowess, although he would never admit it, despite believing that Archeletta knew it, which annoyed him even more.

"[color=f7976a]Never mind that. I want to help. I am broke and, this time, the case seems big enough for me to get a good reward. I just need your ok, any "strange" information that you might have and your permission to check Ruxbury up close[/color]."

"Don't you take that fuckin' tone with me, Jack. I'm doin' the best I can here but as you can see, I got dick to go on." Terry shot back with a scowl, tapping out the ashes from the tip of his cigarette as he glared at the hunter. " Please tell me where I should be looking. I got one body out of my jurisdiction and a half dozen that nobody can find. Where would you like me to look, hm?"

Jack had always been a source of mixed feelings for the detective. The man was never not in some sort of trouble with that temper of his, and he was in the county jail so often tha3t they had a cell that practically had a his name on it. On the other hand, Jack was a hunter whether he knew it or not. That made him useful. He was also a good, if rough man, which made Terry less reluctant to put him to work. He sighed then, taking another drag on the cig before he stood. 

"We'll discuss a reward after you tell me what exactly you think you can do. And why I should bring you in for this instead of Troutdale." Troutdale Supernatural Services was the premeire hunter company in the region. There were in fact two differnet kinds of hunters in Terry's experience; The born type that most of his kind knew and loathed for their...zealous nature, and the more mundane, goverment liscenced and regulated hunters that were more akin to professional exterminators. The latter were more popular for obvious reasons, and because they tended to keep their mayhem limited to those rogues that were a danger to supernaturals and mundies. Troutdale was one of those; 24/7/365 rapid response, discretion, no more than three hours on site, all for the measly price of $1,000 a month. Terry'd been looking into getting them into the police budget, but that would mean telling the sheriff about the 'Unearthly Forces Department'. Not the kind of thing most small town cops were used to. So he had to settle for using Jack.

"I'm guessin' you can beat them on the job?"

Jack ignored the non-smocking sign on Terry's office as well and lit a cigarette on his own. From what he knew, Troudale is some kind of alien hunting pro group. Jack was not a pro, Archeletta usually sending him off to small scale cases, probably concerned of his well-being. Not that he ever had trouble beating crooks up to now, but apparently Archeletta was concerned enough to not send him to vicious superpowered aliens. He tried to think of a good enough reason to take this one and not let the opportunity slip. Inhaling a good puff and letting it out, he replied:

"[color=f7976a]Seeing as nine murders happened by now and you still have no leads, it seems that the guy in question is dangerous. So, worst comes to worst, it would be easier to explain my murder as a citizen of the town, than a bunch of outsiders popping out of nowhere and dying all the same. Plus, I am content with any price you name, as long as you also treat me to a nice single malt.[/color]

He puffed another deep one and added:

"[color=f7976a]Besides that, I always bring back the culprit alive. Killing people is not my style and it makes, at least, that part of your job easier![/color]"

"A bottle of scotch and $2,000." Terry offered quickly, eyes narrowed at the other man. "And three conditions. First off you're not going to be getting into any brawls with the drunks at the Head of the Wolf again. Second, you'll report to me on everything you find before you do anything. Third, you [i]will not[/i] go off guns blazing like some jackass cowboy and shoot up half the town. Am I clear?"

"[color=f7976a]I already told you that it was an accident, didn't I? I had to empty the gun so no one would get shot...besides, I didn't shoot anyone! Anyway, it's a deal! I'm off to Ruxbury. Anything I find, I report as soon as possible. I'm off[/color]", Jack replied.

He then put out his cigarette and headed for the exit. For Jack, next stop was Ruxbury.