The Price of Demand (Dialogue Edit 9)

(Altman Dolet) “It surely does; all of the ‘accidents’ have involved heavy objects falling from roofs, complete or incomplete. I spent time dusting the roofs of those few buildings that have them with rust.”

(Waldon Sias) “An’ then ‘oped whoever’s behind it didn’t decide to go up a tree for ‘is next trick, yeah, I getcha.”

(Altman Dolet) “A risk I had to take, but if tree-climbing is in his repertoire, he’s saving it for later. I mean to ensure he doesn’t get a later.”

The Price of Demand (Dialogue Edit 8)

(Altman Dolet) “I didn’t get a look at whoever it was that dropped the stone on me, but that won’t be a concern.”

(Kaylene Dolet) “But if y’didn’t see who did it, why are we rushing into it? You should be resting!”

(Altman Dolet) “I spent some time last night spreading iron dust over all the roofs in town; I’ve never been so thankful there are so few of those! Whoever did it will be wearing the evidence on his skin and clothing for the rest of the day, and with luck, we may even catch traces of it on the ground to help narrow the search. We must get to Waldon Sias immediately.”

(Kaylene Dolet) “To get his help identifying the man, of course.”

(Altman Dolet) “Yes, once we’ve confirmed it wasn’t Sias himself.”

(Kaylene Dolet) “You suspect him?”

(Altman Dolet) “In all honesty, no, but we must be thorough. And we do have to talk to him regardless, if we want him to help identify the real culprit.”

(Waldon Sias) “Good mornin’ t’ya, Mr. & Mrs. Dolet. I—by my grandfather’s hammer, what’d you do to yer head, Altman!”

(Kaylene Dolet) “Good mornin’ Mr. Sias. My husband was feeling entirely too clever today and got himself hurt.”

(Altman Dolet) “I was today’s victim. Luckily it’s not bad. Quickly, have you seen anyone on your crews this morning with reddish stains on hands, legs, clothing, anything? Red-brown, like rust.”

(Waldon Sias) “Mrs. Dolet, are y’sure yer husband’s okay?”

(Kaylene Dolet) “It’s fine, I’m keeping an eye on him. We really must know though, have you seen someone covered in rust?”

(Waldon Sias) “Can’t say’s I have, not today. This ‘ave somethin’ to do with the meetin’ we had yesterday where the rocks’re run through with iron?”

The Price of Demand (Dialogue Edit 7)

(Altman Dolet) “I knew it—I’ve got you now. The rust stains will give you away as plain as day.”

(Medic Cranford) “… his head. He’ll be fine now, though it was a nasty hit and he’ll be feelin’ it for some weeks I ‘magine.”

(Altman Dolet) “How … how long?”

(Medic Cranford) “You’ve been out fer four hours. That was a nasty crack on the head. Found you myself, lyin’ sprawled out on the steps right by the door, bleedin’ something fierce an’ a big stone fallen right from the roof beside you. Turns out the cut was worse than it looked, lucky fer you. Yer head ain’t broke, but you’ll be feelin’ like it is for a while.”

(Altman Dolet) “I … I have to—was on the trail—”

(Medic Cranford) “Never you mind that, you’re not t’leave this bed till I give the say-so. Whatever you think you gotta do can wait.”

(Kaylene Dolet) “It’s a good thing you’re so hard-headed, Altman. Never thought I’d have to admit to it bein’ a good thing! We’ll have you out of here in no time.”

(Altman Dolet) “No! There’s no time. I was on the trail of the man responsible for all this, and if I delay, all the evidence will wash away! I have to get after him, there’s no time to waste!”

(Medic Cranford) “You can go now if you must, though I’d rather you stayed. You ain’t gonna do that though, are you.”

(Altman Dolet) “No, I’m afraid not. Dearest, with your help …? I must examine the stone that hit me, first. Is it still where it landed?”

(Kaylene Dolet) The stone? Yes, it was there last I saw it. What of it? I told you when we moved in that roof was in need of repair.”

The Price of Demand (Dialogue Edit 6)

(Altman Dolet) “That ought to about do it.”

(Kaylene Dolet) “What are you up to? What happened t’ your hands? Is that blood?”

(Altman Dolet) “Iron oxide, love. Simple rust to catch our troublemaker, if all goes well.”

(Kaylene Dolet) “Whatever you think it’s for, you’d best be washin’ it off before you touch any of my good linens or it’ll be me droppin’ stones on someone’s head, and you won’t like it one bit. And you’ve got some on your trousers, it’ll be murder to get out!”

(Altman Dolet) “I’m afraid so, but that’s exactly why I needed it. I can attend to the cleaning later. I have some ideas on how the iron’s magnetic properties may allow it to be removed more easily. For now, let me just go get cleaned up. I’ll be retiring early tonight to track down whoever’s behind the assaults tomorrow.”

(Kaylene Dolet) “Solves crimes and cleans his own clothes … no wonder I agreed to stay here with you.”

The Price of Demand (Dialogue Edit 5)

(Waldon Sias) “Mr. Dolet, we’ll cut the review short today under th’ circumstances ‘n all. I’ll work on this myself and make sure nothin’ more serious happens.”

(Altman Dolet) “Thank you, Waldon. I’d better go check on Dawson, and see if Claver’s condition has improved any.”

(Waldon Sias) “Dolet, I’m glad I ran inta you. The men, they’re growin’ fearful. It’s gettin’ hard t’get ‘em workin’.”

(Altman Dolet) “I wish I could blame them.”

(Waldon Sias) “I know you don’ hold with all th’ talk ‘o superstitions an’ bad luck ‘n all, but if this goes on as it is, we’ll be left with a valley full ‘o land and nobody to build it up.”

(Altman Dolet) “… Yes, I know. You’re right. Of course you’re right. I’m doing what I can to investigate the cause, but I promise, if I don’t find answers soon, I’ll hire guardsmen in from Holdswaine.”

(Waldon Sias) “Could be that’ll help a bit. Jus’ hope it’s enough.”

(Altman Dolet) “It’ll ha—”

(Waldon Sias) “Altman!”

(Altman Dolet) “I’m okay, it missed! What in the … Where did that come from!”

(Waldon Sias) “Wind-fall branch. Heavy ‘un too. From that tree behind the buildin’, less I miss my guess, fell to the roof and came down nearly on top of us.”

(Altman Dolet) “From the roof … yes, that does seem to be the commonality, doesn’t it.”

(Waldon Sias) “Wha’?”

(Altman Dolet) “I have an idea, my friend. Let’s keep quiet about this incident if you don’t mind … I don’t think anyone saw this happen, so no need to spread the panic further. Would you round up two of your most trustworthy men and meet me out where the rocks run red with iron? I think I may just be able to get to the bottom of this.”