Part Thirty Three

*A search for the truth, a new ally, a confrontation from the past...*

### Content Warnings

Assault, discussions of murder/captivity/possession, discussions of past child/spouse death, brief mentions of alcoholism, familial trauma, sounds of death (blood), gunshots

## Summary

Arthur and John find and question Oscar, who confirms Marie's role in her husband's death and agrees to help find more information on the history of her home. Later, Arthur goes to Daniel's home. He and Daniel discuss their shared history; after a terse argument, they come to an understanding with one another. Arthur reveals his history with Addison and Larson, and Daniel believes him. Before they can proceed in the investigation, however, the Butcher attacks, mortally wounding Daniel and causing Arthur to flee.

## Synopsis

Arthur and John leave Marie's home for Saint Jean Baptiste, the community center where Oscar can be found. Arthur hums "You Call It Madness", although neither recall the name. Arthur confesses his anxiety about John’s memory.

They discuss how to approach Oscar. Arthur suggests allowing Oscar to lead the conversation to understand how Oscar lies. Once they catch him in a lie, Oscar will either trust them or need further persuasion. This persuasion, Arthur explains, can be done by bluffing or intimidation – though Parker, Arthur admits, was responsible for the latter.

At the community center, they discover a soup kitchen and find Oscar’s office. Arthur introduces himself as Parker; in conversation, Oscar notes the soup kitchen is abnormally quiet with the unseasonably warm weather. He is uneasy when Arthur reveals his profession, and denies knowing Marie.

Arthur reveals that Marie asked him to find an Oscar; backpedaling, Oscar explains he normally thinks of her as Ms. Pilon. Arthur explains the case more fully and requests the photo, which Oscar hands over. However, he denies knowing anything about Hattie’s possession or Mr. Scratch.

They bluff by claiming that Marie told them everything about her husband and how Oscar helped cover it up. Through Oscar’s denials, he suggests Marie may go to the police and tell them Oscar did it – and she would be believed, as she is a kindly old lady and Oscar has a drinking problem.

Oscar backs down and asks what Arthur wants to know. Regarding Scratch, Oscar wonders how Arthur knows that name and worries that Arthur has never seen anything like Scratch.

Oscar says that he met Marie and Albert through the church, and they were both good people. Marie began to show up without her husband and quite distraught, to which Oscar offered help. Marie brought Oscar home to witness her husband’s possession; Oscar asked the church for help. Whenever he tried, Marie’s husband would wake and be normal – and he clarifies that Marie’s husband was himself when awake and controlled by Scratch while sleeping. Marie kept him captive, but Scratch wanted out.

Oscar himself met Scratch when he fell asleep and was plagued by horrible dreams of regrets, eventually waking to Scratch speaking to him through Albert. One day, Marie called Oscar to reveal she killed her husband. He also confirms that Scratch cannot pass dust.

Arthur asks Oscar for help – specifically to look into the history of Marie’s house, owners and descendants. Oscar agrees and, as they are departing, realizes Arthur didn’t give a surname. After a moment’s consideration, Arthur asks to be called Parker. He tells Oscar to call him at Marie’s or Daniel Saltzman’s (81st and Park Avenue) if he finds anything.

John asks why they’re going there. After reminding him about his father-in-law, John peculiarly loses his temper and accuses Arthur of talking too much and making it hard to think. They reconcile quickly, and John apologizes or his outburst. Together, they plan for their meeting with Daniel.

Arthur explains his fractured relationship with Daniel – that Daniel believed Bella was too good or him, that Daniel believed Arthur caused Bella to abandon higher education and become a seamstress. Arthur says he was a bad-son-in-law, causing Daniel to lose his daughter and his granddaughter.

They reach Daniel’s home. Before they enter, Arthur reveals more about his nightmare/memory with James. He confirms that he has no intention of revealing any of that to Daniel, though John disagrees. They ring the doorbell, which makes no sound, but Daniel opens the door anyway. He is invited inside.

Arthur and Daniel have a stilted conversation about Daniel’s church work and Arthur’s nonexistent music career. He broaches the topic of why he is here, but at Daniel’s judgment, leaves to the kitchen to make tea. John reassures Arthur that he has changed from his past.

Bolstered, Arthur returns and demands Daniel to state his piece. Daniel reveals he is bitter that Arthur kept his granddaughter away, and that he believes he might have prevented Faroe’s death. Arthur confirms that he thought Daniel’s request to stay close was Daniel’s way of trying to take Faroe away and replace his dead daughter – and reveals that Bella moved to Boston specifically to be away from her father.

Countering him, Daniel reveals Bella never loved Arthur and hadn’t wanted to marry him. Daniel strong-armed both of them into marriage. Arthur realizes the marriage was wrong for both of them. Calming, Daniel acknowledges that his religiosity came about after Bella’s mother died after it calmed his anger.

After coming to an understanding, Daniel admits he hoped he could have a father-son relationship with Arthur. Arthur admits that their choices prevented him from having a father-figure in his life.

When Daniel asks about his scars, Arthur gives an abridged version of his time in Addison: Larson, the woman in the dungeon, the captives around the campfire. Daniel insists Arthur should go to the police.

Arthur says, given Larson’s status in the cult, he is too powerful – and confirms that Daniel has not heard of the Order of the Fallen Star.

As Arthur continually denies involving the police, Daniel threatens to call the police on his behalf. Ultimately, Arthur manages to convince Daniel to wear the mask and see the severed tendril from the invisible mine creature. Daniel agrees not to call the police.

Just as Arthur is about to reveal the Butcher, the phone rings and Daniel answers it. It’s Oscar. Arthur reveals his Parker alias and takes the phone, while Daniel goes to answer the knock at the door. Before Oscar can reveal what he learned, Arthur realizes that Daniel said something about “the hotel” and inquires what he meant.

A friend found Arthur’s name in the register, and Daniel had left a message at reception inviting Arthur to his new address. Jolted, Arthur tries to warn Daniel away from the door, right before the Butcher fires a shotgun through it. Daniel is killed.

Arthur flees. The Butcher pursues him, calmly whistling a tune as he continues to fire his shotgun. Eventually, Arthur manages to escape Daniel’s home.

## Trivia

* The song the Butcher sings is "Peggy Gordon," a Canadian folk song.