The Raven Page #3

Mr. Maddux.

Forgive me.

I know there is a darkness

to Edgar, but...

they're all up in here.

Every woman he's ever loved

has died in his arms.

I believe that God gave him a spark

of genius and quenched it in misery.

But as far as something like this...

The only thing he's ever killed

is a bottle of brandy.

Thank you for your time, sir.

This may come

as a shock to you, Mr. Poe,

but we are in dire need

of your unwholesome expertise.

I really hadn't imagined

the counterweight to be... so large.

We have reason to believe

you knew the victim.

- Really?

- If you would?

I don't believe I know him.

Then perhaps

this will jar your memory.

"Never has

the perfunctoriness of plot

"been so mechanized and twisted

by soulless contrivance..."

- Griswold.

- So you do know him.

Yes.

We traded barbs, as in words -

not actual weapons of any sort -

as writers do to sell

a few newspapers.

"The Pit and the Pendulum",

when was it published?

'42. "Tales of Ratiocination.

Are there other stories

in the collection?

- Many.

- Specifically about murder?

I'm afraid so.

As unfortunate as this is,

you may be uniquely qualified

to cast light on our killer.

There is logic

underlying these deaths.

Do you think this comes

from a logical mind'?

A man who carves

a human being in half

doesn't come from a place of logic.

- Then from where?

- Mental disease. Obsession.

Passion.

I believe the killer is taunting us.

He wants us to know

he's gonna strike again.

What do you make of this?

- It was covering the victim's face.

- "The Masque of the Red Death."

What is it?

The quote from the story mentions

Prospero, a character I created

to symbolize man's arrogance even

when confronted with certain death.

Prospero hosts a costume ball

where Death comes in disguise.

Charles Hamilton is hosting

a ball tomorrow night at the museum.

"And one by one

dropped the revellers

"in the blood-bedewed halls

of their revel,"

If "The Masque of the Red Death"

is his next intended story,

we must use this opportunity

to capture this man at your ball.

Too harsh. I want something older.

"And Darkness and Decay..."

Six cases should be enough.

"And Darkness and Decay

and the Red Death

"held illimitable dominion over all."

So this gentleman dresses up

like a... what? Like a...

The figure was shrouded head to foot

in the habiliments of the grave.

Like a corpse, or a skeleton?

Then, at the stroke of midnight,

he comes in and kills everybody?

Poe is a damn viper.

I ordered him away from Emily.

- New he's trying tn

- Sir...

The similarities

are too coincidental.

I'm asking you again.

Allow me to have my men scattered

about your ball, in costume,

so we can hopefully

catch this monster.

I'll hire extra security myself,

but I will not have this turned into

a policeman's ball.

Understood?

I've seen the effects

of this man's determination.

If he has chosen your gathering to...

You will not destroy an evening

Baltimore looks forward to each year.

Then I insist my officers be present.

Fine. Just make sure

they scrape the sh*t off their boots.

Who was Prospero?

He was the host of the ball.

And the first to die.

She's so wonderfully full of life.

- I've been reading...

- What's he doing here?

- He's with me. We were just leaving.

- Captain.

Just proving how easy it is

to penetrate the breach.

I presume the police are here

to keep me out.

Mr. Fields, if Mr. Poe

is a part of your investigation...

Mr. Poe has a unique perspective

on aspects of this crime.

Why? Is the killer an alcoholic,

an opium addict and atheist?

An atheist?

You misconstrue me, sir.

Poe, you stay away from my daughter.

Father, I've decided to change

my costume for the ball tomorrow.

No.

Mr. Fields, I'm happy to indulge

your request for security,

but if t see him tomorrow night,

you'll have to protect him from me.

Why do we need security?

My writing has become

the inspiration to an actual killer.

Quite gruesome, really.

If I'd known my work had

a morbid effect on people,

I'd have devoted more time

to eroticism.

You're a vile little man.

As I said, we were just leaving.

- Yes.

- Percy, show this man to the door.

Mrs. Bradley, could you join me

in the other room?

What is going on?

Emily.

We should reconsider

our announcement.

- Why? Are you backing out?

- No, never.

If your father sees me there,

he may have me shot.

And a depraved killer

may be on the guest list.

It's a bit much for one night,

don't you think?

I think it sounds thrilling.

Does it? Why?

How else should Edgar Allan Poe

commit himself to eternal love

other than under threat of death?

The Grim Reaper. A ghost.

The Headless Horseman, if you like.

He should be easy to spot.

Elderidge, take some of these men

and patrol the back.

Sir.

You must be selling a lot of

newspapers. Two murders in a week.

Circulation has indeed improved,

despite unfortunate events.

Time for a piss.

- May I have this dance?

- Father.

Not now.

I'm not sure what's troubling you,

but your future happiness

means more to me

than I could possibly describe.

I really hope you feel that way

at the end of the evening.

Whatever this is about,

I need you to be more social.

It is an important gathering

for me and for us.

Father, I know what's expected.

Excuse me! Please.

Please, step aside.

Step aside!

Fields' men aren't causing

any trouble?

No, sir.

What of Poe? Any sign of him?

Not so far.

A glass of wine, sir?

You look just stunning, my dear.

Nevermore.

"..Can ever dissever my soul

from the soul

"Of the..."

I'm sorry, I'm waiting for someone.

"Of the beautiful Annabel... Lee."

You dance passionately, sir.

If I could, I would dance with you

throughout time.

- I love you, Edgar.

- And I you.

You really are a reckless girl...

...to dance with a stranger

with a mask,

with a murderer in our midst.

Speaking of which...

Courage, Edgar.

It's happening! This way.

Oh, Edgar!

Emily!

Agh!

He told me you'd ordered it

for the party.

- Who? Who ordered it?

- I'm supposed to deliver this.

My daughter. He has her.

- Percy! Seal off this building!

- Find her!

Come on!

"I challenge the brilliant

detective mind of Edgar Allan Poe.

"A game of wits

with Emily's life in the balance.

"You will immortalize for the

exquisite pleasure of your readers

this, your very own

'Descent into the Maelstrom',

"which shall appear in serial form

in the 'Baltimore Patriot'.

"Know that I will kill again,

and on that new corpse

"I will leave you clues

that will lead to Emily.

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