Hunter Story Part 2

 Father Marcus stood before Father Pavon, standing in the halls of the National Cathedral and gave an accounting of his latest hunt. He spoke slowly and rigidly, and kept his face bowed down in supposed reverence. A typist, sitting near the massive church organ, recorded the conversation via an ancient typewriter:

Pavon: I know we've been through this a few times now. But I need you to start at the beginning of the third day of the hunt. 

 Marcus: As you wish Monsignior. After we regrouped at Ballston's safehouse we met up with the hunter named Finn, and of of his accociate hunters, a former Pentex Security contractor by the name of Uba. 

Pavon: What happened to Adam, the suspected sorcerer?

Marcus: [Hesitation noted] He didn't show up. The same as the other one...Otto. It's not uncommon for hunters to not respond to a call to muster. They all have their day jobs afterall. That...and the recent law enforcement attention. Adam's safehouse was raided by the police just like you said it would be. 

Pavon: I feel like you are holding back Marcus. We'll address that at your next confession. But for now, finish your report.

Marcus: It wasn't that hard to track Anna down. Uba was able to hack security cameras in and around the nearest metro stops and figured out she had fled the suburbs to a section 8 apartment building in South East Washington DC. From there, Uba was able to cross reference leasing data with known demographic information about Anna to narrow down which apartment she was hiding in. Finn and Ballston narrowed it down further by talking to the locals. 

Pavon: So you could have attacked by day, like you tried to do the first time.

Marcus: Yes...but we opted not to do that. 

Pavon: Interesting...why?

Marcus: I wanted us to learn from our mistakes. In the first attack, we failed to account for the magical warding and other defenses this specific blank body was capable of. I didn't want to breach the apartment, only to encounter some careful trap or inpenetrable safe that the quarry could hide itself in. No, it was better to let the quarry come out and then pounce.

Pavon: Or so you thought...

Marcus: Yes...like I said. It was a mistake to keep Finn posted by the stairwell while the rest of us waited outside. That resulted in the blank body throwing Finn down a flight of stairs. Thank the Lord he wasn't hurt worse. 

Pavon: And then Anna fled down a fire escale while you and Uba stormed in to rescue your friend. 

Marcus: Yes...it was almost another failure. She almost escaped from us a third time. 

Pavon: Your friend Ballston must be quite a shooter, to score multiple hits from what, a 100 yards with a pistol? That's impressive.

Marcus: Yes...but only by the Grace of God. Ballston was on the outer perimeter. He put enough lead into the fiend to slow her down. Then I was able to get the creature in the sights of my 7.62 AR rifle. It took a few magazines, but we finished the job. 

Pavon: Yes, and then Uba finished the blank body with fire?

Marcus: yes, incendiary shotgun shells. 

Pavon: That was quite a...visible hunt. Not to mention, some of those bullets hurt innocent lives. You are aware of the collateral damage.

[Cross Reference Washington Post Article Dated: 02/01/20XX Metro Section B4]

Marcus sighs: Yes...I am. 

Pavon: What is your assessment of the cell. can it be salvaged?

Marcus: Finn still has an oustanding warrant but he has talked to a lawyer. It might be something that can be managed. There may be other problems with the police if the society doesn't intervene though.  

Pavon: You mean the murder investigation of that university girl?

Marcus: [Silence]

Pavon: We'll see about that Marcus. I will need to prayfully consider your request. Your rag tag group has been a costly investment. And you failed to deal with the sorcerer in your midst. However, a successful hunt is still a successful hunt. We will weigh the equities...you are dismissed.