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Headlines in the Austin Statesman say that the bodies of four unidentified men were found in front of Treaty Oak. The police suspect it was a gang killing. Although the police on the scene keep Janet away from the tree, Reziphel spots a few drops of blood on a nearby sidewalk. The Old Guy seems to be missing, so Appoggee/squirrel decides to hang around in case he returns.
Appoggee/squirrel finally sees Old Guy, and they have a short chat. Zenaniel cancels his message to Laurence.
Zenaniel visits the place where he met the gang before, which is now a shrine with a small statue of Mary, and some flowers from neighborhood gardens. Two of the gang members are there, one of whom was there the other night. He compliments them on the shrine, and says it needs some purple. He also asks them to get in touch with him if they find out anything about the killings. He asks them not to use violence. They grumble a bit about Los Hombres, a rival gang. As he leaves, he straightens the light pole. Shilom drives to a nearby florist's shop and gets some purple flowers to put before the shrine.
Friday night Rez and Zen carry out their plan to get Mark. Appoggee gets close to frat house, where a bunch of guys are having dinner in the common room. Takes one guy, has him get up, say he's finished. Write note on Mark's door. "Amy called" is already there, adds "meet her by mailbox." Then goes down to living room and waits for Mark to leave dining room. When he does, he goes upstairs, comes back down, says "Ok guys, who's the joker?" Goes back upstairs, comes back down with roommate dressed slightly better. Leaves. App gets roommate, makes him go back to pee. Appoggee has a cat and a bat. Janet and Gaudior wait in van up the street. Zenaniel knocks Mark out and takes him down in a storm drain. He is tied and gagged. Appoggee uses the Song of Form to make them look like Georges Masters. Then they wake Mark up. Rez gives him what for, then tells him he has to go to the police and confess everything. When Mark agrees, Zenaniel knocks him out again. They leave him tied up in the storm drain, with his mouth ungagged so he can call for help.
[End 12/17/99]
Reziphel summons Gabriel.
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