Field Report: Investigator Maurice

Location: Diner, Barrow, Pennsylvania
Date: [Redacted]
Subject: Initial Contact with Targets / Investigation of Barrow and Locke Affiliates

Observations at Diner

Upon arrival at the local diner, I directed Brodie to maintain surveillance while attempting to appear inconspicuous. True to form, Brodie nursed a tepid cup of tea and ordered the daily special (steak and eggs with extra grease) under my advisement. The cost was surprisingly satisfactory at 49 cents American. The long-term health effects remain to be determined, however, and I have made a personal note to discourage him from forming a habit of it.

Three individuals entered the establishment shortly thereafter: Ander Labba, Angela “Angel” Gibbs, and Remy Green—the Targets. They seated themselves at a booth near the window, granting clear line of sight for observation. Their discussion appeared casual to an untrained ear but quickly shifted to matters of interest, namely their ongoing search for the home office of the Barrow & Locke Mining and Railroad Combine (B&L).

A meddlesome waitress recognized Remy and promptly engaged in unsolicited conversation, revealing familial tensions. Notably, Remy’s mother, Sylvia Green, had a falling out with her husband, Bobby Lee Green, and relocated to Glamorgan, Virginia, with the assistance of Remy’s uncle, James “Jimmy” Green. The waitress’s familiarity with local gossip provided more insight than she likely intended.

Upon overhearing the Targets’ conversation drift more explicitly toward B&L, I instructed Brodie to make contact. As expected, he introduced himself in his usual bumbling fashion, expressing mutual interest in B&L while revealing as little operational detail as possible. Brodie referenced me, “his boss,” though refrained from explaining my current absence—fortunate, given his track record.

The group invited Brodie to join them. Either a lapse in caution or a display of hospitality I have yet to categorize.

Hostile Presence

Shortly after plans were made to relocate to Remy’s family home, Brodie and Ander exited through the front of the diner. Immediate identification of a dark sedan parked across the street was made. Two pale-skinned men exited the vehicle, their dark sunglasses doing little to hide the faint crimson glow in their eyes—a known marker of hostile entities operating in this region, historically tied to B&L.

I ordered an immediate tactical withdrawal. Brodie and Ander returned to the diner without incident. Assistance from the waitress facilitated an exit through the kitchen. We appropriated the group’s truck and vacated the premises at speed. The hostiles made no effort to pursue beyond a mocking, almost knowing wave.

Investigation of Remy’s Family Home

The journey to Remy’s family home was uneventful. Upon arrival, we found the ranch house in a state of advanced disrepair. The air was thick with the smell of rot and mildew, signs suggesting abandonment or worse.

Interior Findings:

Sitting Room: Located a “Dear John” letter authored by Sylvia Green to Bobby Lee Green. Content indicates emotional collapse, references to “awful men” from B&L, and disturbing accounts of Bobby’s mental instability linked to excursions into the local bog.
Kitchen: Secured a B&L business card affixed to the refrigerator door by a rusted magnet.
Mail Review: Recovered correspondence from medical authorities confirming a cancer diagnosis for Bobby Lee Green. Brodie, in his distinctively blunt fashion, delivered this information to Remy without any preparatory tact, resulting in visible emotional distress.

Unexpected Encounter

Auditory disturbance detected from the vicinity of the restroom. Upon investigation, discovered an unfamiliar man seated on the toilet. Identified himself as “Floyd Mullins,” citing plumbing failures at his own residence as justification for his presence. Story lacked credibility.

Further interrogation revealed Floyd’s extensive knowledge of Bobby’s deteriorating mental state and peculiar fixation on a “witch Hazel” alleged to inhabit the bog.

Discovery

Structural failure in the bedroom floor revealed a concealed cavity containing a putrefied corpse. Personal identification confirmed the deceased as Floyd Mullins.

Upon confrontation, the impostor “Floyd” expressed regret at our meddling and alluded cryptically to further answers available at a “pet cemetery.” More disturbingly, he falsely claimed to be Remy’s “real daddy.” The revelation triggered an immediate response: Remy discharged her firearm, striking the impostor. The entity collapsed into a heap of rotting leaves, consistent with known behaviors of fae-kin and nature-corrupted entities.

Immediate Action

Given the rapidly escalating threats, I ordered immediate withdrawal from the premises. The group reconvened in the truck and proceeded directly to the indicated pet cemetery to pursue the next lead.

Current Status

Arrived at cemetery site. Upon initial survey, detected approach of five unidentified individuals exhibiting abnormal behaviors consistent with hostile entities. Defensive preparations are underway.

Operational Notes

Brodie remains an enthusiastic but blunt instrument. His background from Birmingham, England, and his affiliation with our investigative branch based there, are noted for operational awareness.
Remy Green’s emotional volatility, while understandable, introduces a significant variable into mission stability. Her responses will need monitoring.
Hostile entities exhibit high adaptability, including mimicry of deceased individuals and infiltration into local communities. Recommend heightened vigilance for subsequent operations.
Local civilian infrastructure, including diners and general stores, may inadvertently serve as information hubs or breeding grounds for false narratives. Caution advised when engaging locals.

Filed By: Investigator Maurice
Supervising Officer: Investigator Maurice (self-supervised)
Clearance Level: [Redacted]

Ashes In Your Mouth 2: Report 01