Part 2 (Conclusion) - Canis Mysterium: Crypt Keeper 5 and the death of James

FROM THE BEGINNING: https://rigglew4.blogspot.com/2017/01/entry-3-harlan-dupree-werewolf.html

James (Tony) Student of Egyptology	Dr. Herman Bunyard (Bill) A Great-War Marine Corpsman

For fun...The Crypt Keeper's Top 5 'Tales From The Crypt' Episodes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKlPx-8Z8a8

Saturday, October 24^th: It’s an early breakfast per Esmerelda’s schedule. Appropriate portions as James learns when asking for more bacon, “Waste not, nor satisfy gluttony.” At least Mr. Smith, the salesman, is at the table which allows Clementine time to search his room per James’ request. And forced conversation with “John” proves he’s no threat; just a socially awkward failure as an encyclopedia salesman. Reading his way thru the volumes in attempt to spout knowledge in his sales’ pitch. But his topic selections when he does converse leaves much to be desired and obvious reason he’s yet to make a sale.

We excuse ourselves to visit the St Agnes church, finding father Henri LeClare tending the garden while an elderly woman (Margaret) cleans the stain-glass windows. General conversation of the Dupree family as regular parishioners till Elizabeth’s death. Exquisite statues within the chapel a testament to Harlan’s skill; nothing like his sorrowful carvings now in his workshop. The priest lamenting the poor man’s fall into alcoholism and now imprisonment as an accused killer. Church records confirm the identity of a few names we offer, found within Dupree’s shop. As for identifying the jewelry, Henri suggests we seek the caretaker Tobias Lertz. It’s Margaret who gives warning, “Careful that traitor! Frenchman conspirator with the Bosch! Everyone knows he was dishonorably discharged from the US Army. It’s no secret he supplied Dupree with his alcohol. They’re in cahoots.”

Except our stroll to the cemetery is interrupted by a raucous crowd marching toward the jail. The search party finally found the shredded remains of the missing girl; Jacob Miller (the father) leads the crowd. “Hand over the animal for a hanging!” Constable Clark is no match for the throng of angry and frightened neighbors. So it’s up to us to intercede, “You are right Dupree must be held accountable. But tell me, what caused his transformation? Is it contagious? You sure you want to touch him? Yes he’s an alcoholic but who else among you has nipped from a bottle? Maybe your source is contaminated and the cause of his plunge into living hell. I need him alive for research if there is to be any hope of saving YOU.”

The crowd melts away, leaving Jacob alone sobbing and still angry. We try to console him asking him to take us to the site where they found his daughter. We are soon walking thru the woods on the backside of the cemetery when Herman asks for pause. “Instead of disturbing the area more, do you know of hound-dogs we could employ to search for tracks of the killer?” Jacob suggests a neighbor, “Give me an hour…” James suggests we use the time with the cemetery caretaker Tobias. Herman suggests we first search the cemetery for evidence of grave robbing; comparing the headstones to the jewelry initials. Then we’ll know better if Tobias lies when we confront him.

It’s slow walking thru the cemetery with undulating rises while smoke rises from the caretaker’s shack near the center of the cemetery. James finds a few headstones with the necromancy symbol but they are grass covered. The only dirt-covered graves are freshly dug. Howls break the silence. Dogs charging from around the shack.

Big dogs! Snarling!

“Tobias!” A huge portly man lumbers forth calling them off, then invites us in for coffee. Survey of the shack reveals another stove pipe coming from the floor; hint of the suspected still operation since we know Tobias was Harlan’s supplier. Easy conversation till we mention Dupree which launches Tobias into a laughing fit. Then Tobias talks crazy shit…clawing fresh dirt to then suck on bloated meat. Is he actually talking about digging his way to bodies he feasts on?! “Dupree’s gone but I’ve a new friend. Let me introduce you.”

James is ready to get the hell away but there is only one door and it’s not long before Tobias fills the frame…with a machete in hand…raised high. "Sorry, my new friend says I can't let you leave...or live." Our bullets miss their mark as Tobias is quickly upon James. Which presents me opportunity to sink my switchblade into his back.

Until a ghoul ambles in to confront me! Both of us now fighting for our own life. Teeth sink into my shoulder before ripping away spilling even more blood; the ghoul then turning on James. Bullets and switchblade drop the ghoul as James then casts his spell (Shrivel) that finally drops Tobias. Which prompts the dogs into action as they charge James who attempts to exit via the window. The dogs latch onto his legs; at least their close proximity gives him aim to kill one of the beasts. From the doorway Herman shoots trying to draw off the dogs but they ignore him. So the elder doctor rushes forward to stab and kill one, Leaving the largest beast as the lone threat.

Fangs sink into James’ arm then neck then head as the dog is relentless. Herman can only shut the door on his dead compatriot as he seeks Jacob and others for help. A gruesome scene forces Herman to concoct a believable story these simple folk can handle. Because talk of a ghoul and necromancy would only get Herman locked up in his own asylum. And Herman needs another kind of doctor.

A telegram arrives from Miskatonic University announcing an ambulance being sent to pickup Dupree for interment at a Boston sanatorium. Relief for the constable and townfolk ready to forget the entire matter. When the ambulance arrives, Herman loads James’ casket along with the straight-jacketed Dupree. In his final goodbyes to constable Clark, “There is still a threat out in the cemetery. You’ll find tunnels beneath the caretaker shack. And my best guess is those tunnels lead beneath the graves James’ marked. Headstones with the symbol we’ve mentioned. Destroy those graves and burn the tunnels. I can’t tell you what lies beneath; just that lurking creatures within are a threat to this peaceful town. And Halloween is just around the corner. You wouldn't want REAL haunts-in-the-night!”