The Case of the Sketchy Nectar Part 1 (companion to video episodes 1 & 2)

 The Case of the Sketchy Nectar: A Jolene Lawson Mystery 

Written (in part) by Alden Lawson

Fall has come to Sunset Valley, and as Spooky Day approaches, private detective Jolene Lawson turns her attention to a mysterious illness that has plagued the customers of Goth Manor Nectary all summer.

There seems to be frequent outbreaks of a mysterious illness that leaves the customers of the nectary with queasy stomachs and sudden vomiting. But still, the nectary stays open to the public and the customers keep visiting. It seems like there's some bad nectar floating around, but City Hall is turning a blind eye to the problem. Where are the health inspectors, and why is this place still open with the illnesses continuing? 

Jolene Lawson is on the case. 

During a stakeout at the nectary, Jolene ran into an old sorority sister, Shannon Arkers. Shannon, a werewolf, had to drop out of college due to bad grades. Her werewolf affliction made it impossible to attend classes regularly. Her politician father quit sending her money for school, so she decided to get involved in local politics to try to gain back his approval. She has been working at City Hall ever since.

"This is perfect!" Jolene thought, "if I can convince Shannon to snoop around City Hall for me and find out why nothing is being done about this obvious health code infraction, I could have a woman on the inside, a confidential informant, who could more easily gain access to the information I need!"

"I'd be happy to help." Shannon assured her. "You have always been kind to me, despite the fact that I wasn't the ideal roommate. . . .

. . . I won't for get that. Whatever you need, just ask." 

As they were talking, Shannon expressed her concern about her vampire roommate Ye.

"Ye has constructed a greenhouse in our backyard, and she seems to be growing more plasma fruit than one vampire can consume! I have no idea what the landlords will think if they should stop by. Thank goodness they live out of town." 

"You know I've never been a big fan of Ye," Jolene admitted, "All that blood sucking is just . . . gross!"

"Yeah, I just got a little dog named Tiffany, and she's not a fan of Ye either!" Shannon said.

They parted ways with Shannon planning to question her boss about the nectary issue the following day. 

Shannon came over to Jolene's house after work the next day to report in. 

Shannon explained that her boss, Celeste Sweet, seemed rather nervous when Goth Manor Nectary was brought up. "I think she knows something, but I'm not sure she'll tell me." Shannon explained.

Jolene told Shannon about my plans to write a "fictional" book about the situation, all names changed, of course.

Our son Sammy is obsessed with the supernatural, always imagining there's a monster under his bed. He really wanted to talk with Shannon about her werewolf condition. 

"Does it hurt when you change into a werewolf? It always looks like it hurts in the movies." 

"Excuse me! When did you see a werewolf movie? You're way too young for that! Did your father take you?!" 

(I think I'm the one in the doghouse now! Whoops!)

Jolene decided to stake out Celeste Sweet's house the following morning. 

While nothing interesting happened at the Sweet house, . . .

Jolene stumbled upon some suspicious activity. Our neighbor Diane Lalonde was having a covert rendezvous with none other than Ye herself! 

Diane slipped something to Ye.

 

After they left, Jolene sent a friendly text to Shannon explaining what she saw. Jolene later ran into both ladies at the bookstore, and gave Ye a piece of her mind. 

"I know you're up to no good! Why else would a vampire be out in the daytime?"

(Bea Buzzerby was keen to get in on the taunting, even though it was really none of her business.)

"I was just shopping for some paint to paint a room! Get off my back, Jolene!"

After Ye stomped off, embers flying off her skin, Bea and Jolene greeted each other like old friends.

"Hey, Jolene! I think I have a case for you if you have the time. I was down at the beachside resort a few days ago, meeting with a gentleman friend of mine, and I discovered one of the employees mired in quicksand. 

. . . He swore the quicksand wasn't there the previous day. He couldn't get out with out help. Well, some strong young men managed to pull him out, and wouldn't you know it, another employee stumbled into it! I took pictures! Here, look! . . . 

I swear, someone must be trying to sabotage the business! You should really look into it!"

"Thanks for the tip, Bea! I'm in the middle of a big case right now, but I'll look into it soon, I promise."

While Jolene was busy with Ye and Bea, Shannon decided to do some of her own sleuthing. She invited her boss, Celeste Sweet, out to the festival and then out to the diner to try to increase their relationship and build up some trust, hoping that Celeste would eventually spill the tea on the issue with the nectary and the reason it wasn't being addressed. 

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Ye's Story

It looks like Jolene is on to me! I'd better be more careful meeting out in public. I need to build up my clan quickly. I'm sick and tired of being the only vampire in town. So many people don't trust me. There's safety in numbers, so I figured I'd create my own vampire organization, and we can take over this town. Anyone who doesn't like it can move out! 

I'm currently growing some plasma fruit to help supplement our diets, so we don't need to feed off of people as often. It should help us fly under the radar until we are at a healthy number. 

I'm sure you would like to know what passed between Diane Lalonde and myself, but you will just have to go on wondering. 

I've managed to recruit my first vampire - my boyfriend, whom I've been feeding from, has decided to commit to vampirism!

Now if I can just get him to ditch the wig he wears on occasion! It makes him look like that son of Bea Buzzerby's. 

He suggested we share expenses and asked me to move in with him! I'll still have to look after my plasma fruit at the rental house, but I accepted the arrangement. He might need some support as he makes the transition to vampire anyway. 

Now to find some more recruits. I'm thinking Keith Cote is a likely candidate. He's crazy about me!

I'm a big fan of his books. Maybe he can write some books about vampires in the future. 

I also found an alchemist who can supply us with vampiric sunscreen, vampire's bite, and jars of friendship to help us build up our numbers. The problem is she hasn't found the recipes for those potions yet. I guess they're pretty obscure. 

There's a lot of trial and error on her part. She might be a good recruit too - as soon as she can prove herself valuable. Otherwise, I'll just use her as a food source. 

That's all for now!