Beast of Bray Road

[doctormagnus]

As promised, Helen arranges a mission for just her and James. This mission will send them to a quiet Midwest town in the state of Wisconsin, where a wolf-like creature (locally nicknamed The Beast of Bray Road--how original) has been making occasional appearances to residents since the 1990s. She's booked a bed and breakfast for the two of them, where they can pose as a couple on a weekend getaway and do a little investigating in their spare time.

She slides a case file over to James as she drives down a country road with hundreds of bowing pine trees and lush overgrowth.

Comments

[doctormagnus]

"I... sort of want to look at antiques. I'm looking for some decor for my new office."

[dr_jd_watson]

"Well, in that case, antiques it is. At least we have a good eye for forgeries..."

[doctormagnus]

She drives into the small town and is greeted by a main street that looks to be rich in history.

"The bed and breakfast is just outside of town, but I wanted to drive through first and have a look around."

[dr_jd_watson]

"Wonderful idea. We should walk through town, too, get to know the locals..."

[doctormagnus]

She pulls into a parking spot outside of a local diner. "What better place to begin?"

[dr_jd_watson]

"Ah, a wonderful idea, darling," he agrees, smiling at her. "These small towns tend to have the best eateries."

[doctormagnus]

"And I quite enjoy seeing you eat greasy, American food once in a while."

[dr_jd_watson]

"It's not as rare as all that. Besides, a well-made burger is a work of art, as any well-made dish is..."

[doctormagnus]

She climbs out of the car and waits until he's nearby, then murmurs into his ear, "You and your appetite."

[dr_jd_watson]

"I have many appetites as you well know. You don't usually complain about them," he teases.

[doctormagnus]

"Do I sound like I'm complaining?"

She grins and pushes open the door, holding it for him since she knows how much that throws him off from time to time.

[dr_jd_watson]

James stares at her for a moment, then shrugs and steps inside. "Thank you, my dear. Going to order for me, too?"

[doctormagnus]

"Now that you mention it..."

She smiles and finds a corner booth for them, settles down, and browses the menu.

[dr_jd_watson]

"You found a booth just so I couldn't hold your chair, didn't you?" he accuses, chuckling and not opening his menu. After all, if she's going to order, there's no real point.

[doctormagnus]

She puts the menu away and rests her chin on her knuckles, smiling at him with twinkling eyes.

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[dr_jd_watson]

"Dare I ask what you're about to subject me to?" he asks, his own eyes twinkling, too.

[doctormagnus]

"A woman never shares her secrets."

She smiles up at the waitress and orders them both California burger specials, french fries, herself a double chocolate shake, and him a strawberry.

[dr_jd_watson]

James smiles at that, wetting his lips. "Sounds delightful. The strawberry shake was a nice touch..."

[doctormagnus]

"No dark chocolate and nothing nutty on the menu, so I knew you'd approve."

[dr_jd_watson]

"Ah, of course. The one problem with small eateries is the lack of specialized products. But you really can't go wrong with the old classics."

[doctormagnus]

She slides close and gives his bearded cheek a quick nuzzle because she can.

[dr_jd_watson]

He laughs and wraps an arm around her shoulders, capturing her. "Stay..."

[doctormagnus]

"If I must," she teases, pressing her nose into his cheek and relaxing against him.

[dr_jd_watson]

"Thirty years and we still haven't lost that romantic spark," he chuckles, kissing the top of her head. "Also, lass, people will think I started dating you at an indecently young and possibly illegal age if we tell them it's been that long..."

[doctormagnus]

She rolls her eyes and shakes her head. "Flatterer. Fifteen, then?"

Truthfully, she sometimes forgets that she doesn't look nearly as old as she is, or as she feels.