UTL S1E14: Bloodstonie Lawish Type Things

On this episode of Under the Library:

We open with a new issue of the Bloodstone Expose, May 5, 1892 (Day 3 of our adventure!). The paper includes two articles; one on the winged creature attack and townspeople who were snatched, and the other about the murder of Jason Dudley.

Jaker's arm is really not feeling great and he turns to Philip for help. Philip finds and lances an abscess and also warns of the possibility of tetanus. Jaker decides to accompany Florence on the train to Deadwood and seek treatment at the hospital. At the same time Beau, still intending to turn himself in to Sheriff Stone, meets Quentin outside of the sheriff's office. Quentin shares the suspicious wanted flyer for Bobby McGlinn and advises Beau not to turn himself in. Searching the sheriff's office, Beau discovers that much of the ammo is missing, and also Henry's horse is gone. Quentin then deputizes Beau, who in turn deputizes Philip. Florence and Jaker hear the whistle of the arriving train. At this point Jaker looks pretty rough - sweaty, pale, and unsteady. They board the train and find seats near the front of the car. Florence notices the train is much busier than usual. She recognizes a past visitor from her shop, a handler from the mine, and goes to ask him about the situation. However, when she strikes up a conversation he's incredibly rude to the point of threatening violence, so she learns nothing. The man is accompanied by a group of women and children, and he doesn't allow Florence to speak directly to them. After stopping by the general store to lock up and check the (empty) cat trap, Harold, Quentin, Philip, and Beau head back out to Gerald's house. They see horses tied outside and sneak up to peer in the side windows. Quentin calls to the people inside, claiming authority as deputy. The familiar voice of Henry Stone (Bobby McGlinn?) tells Quentin to leave his weapons and approach the house. Quentin refuses and a gunshot from within the house hits his shoulder. He returns fire and hits the head peeking out the window. At the same time, Philip wants to blow up the house but Beau talks him down. Another voice from within, this one cultured and "high falutin", says they assassinated a fine upstanding sheriff. At this, Beau gives Philip the go-ahead and Philip tosses a stick of dynamite into the house. Quentin charges in through the dust and debris to find a headless body as well as another well dressed man, probably killed in the explosion, against the far wall. He shoots the body. The fancy man has a letter in his breast pocket from Gerald: "Dear Jonathan, please come. I'm being stalked. Bring the sheriff..." The letter describes Harold, Quentin, and Florence in great detail. Quentin pockets the letter. Strangely, the body of Gerald is nowhere to be seen... Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands