Mr. Preston and Mr. Child shifted uneasily in their chairs. Douglas glanced at the clock whilst Lincoln stared at the door, barely blinking. A nervous atmosphere filled the air. At precisely 10 in the a.m. Diogenes Pendergast walked eloquently through the door. He had on a fresh, crisp suit, with his ginger hair combed perfectly back.

“Good day gentlemen. How are you this morning?”

“Fine, thank you. Shall we get started; Lincoln and I have an appointment right after we are through. I really do regret that we may have to keep it short.” Douglas said to Diogenes in a calm but cautious tone.

“Of course, I’d hate to keep you from your engagements.” Pendergast had a hint of mockery in his voice.

“So,” Lincoln started, “What is the Event that plagues your family’s history?”

“That’s a rather personal and equally touchy subject dear Sirs. Let’s just say it’s more unimaginable than anyone could begin to think. It is a painful subject so I’d like to move on.” Diogenes inclined his head as Lincoln spoke.

“Your brother won’t tell us either, can it really be that ghastly?”

“I said I’d not like to talk about it, if you continue to pursue it, you may be late for your appointment,” a gleam of delight appeared in Pendergast’s odd eyes. It sent shivers down the spine of the writers.

“Would you ever consider breaking your Great-Aunt Cornelia out to help you in your fiendish plans? Surely her intelligence could be a great help, as well as her knowledge of your brother.”

“Everything keeps coming back to Aloysius, you seem to have preconceived ideas... but no, Cornelia is beyond her time and use to me. She stirs up as many painful memories as you two have been doing lately,” Diogenes pulled something out of his pocket and began turning it in his hand, concealing and spinning it.

“Are you unappeased by our conversation Diogenes, you need other things to occupy yourself?”

“You are a bold questioneer Mr. Preston; I should think you know me well enough to not be as eager as you are. I’m intrigued, what has brought this on?”

“I... I would just like to finish this, I’d hate to keep others waiting. It is a rather important appointment.” Douglas looked at Lincoln and exchanged uneasy glances. “Moving on,” Child began, “Some would like to know, are you really attracted to the insufferable Viola? If so what attracts you?”

A grin spread across Pedergast’s face, “It’s about time, an intriguing question. Lady Viola is a most marvelous person. She has many... uses. I suppose you know, my brother has compassion for anyone, especially one who knows things about him that she shouldn’t and he would do just about anything to protect her and those secrets of course.”

“Pardon?”

“You don’t know? Why Lady Maskelene was one of my brother's few friends as a child. After the fire, and our moving north, they lost touch, but I do believe they were quite close in childhood. She knows alot about him and the family. Her parents whisked her to Europe for a better schooling. Until recently, they had no idea what happened to each other. Though, besides information, Ms. Maskelene could be useful in other ways.”

The authors shuddered, “Diogenes, we have one last question for you today, if you ever have your brother completely at your mercy, what, pray tell, would be his fate?”

“I believe, good sirs, that his fate may be too grave to mention. I shall only say that I will take exquisite delight, and a long time to go through with everything. You know how these things are. He has a lovely ‘ward’ I may have interest in as well. Congratulations gentlemen, you have picked my brain, to state a cliche, without greatly upsetting me. I will leave you attend to your appointment.”

“Oh,” the author shifted uneasily, “ Before I forget, three ladies have been looking for you named Syren, Fifi, and Cheese. Is there somewhere they can find you?”

“I’ll find them, if they so desire.”

“Well, I think it’s about time we part ways, thank you Mr. Pendergast. Enjoy the rest of your day.”

“You don’t want to wish me luck in my quest?” there was a devilish look in his uneven eyes.

“I think we’ll leave the luck to you, I believe you can control these things,” Preston bowed slightly. Diogenes exited leaving behind a rigid, tense air. The authors stood still, silent for at least five minutes. Finally they gathered their things and left for their homes, locking the doors behind them.

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