V.f.d.
I was walking to my car, at night. I opened the door got in and put the 2nd key on my key ring in the ignition and turned it in a clockwise motion like I always do, to start the car. But on this occasion, nothing happened. The lights flashed on and went off almost instantly, and if you had blinked you would have missed it. The car did not start. I tried again, but only heard a dull *click* *click*. It was then apparent to me that my car had become a victim of an enemy. I reached for my cell phone, but it wasn't there...Drat! they had thought of everything. I pulled out my commonplace notebook and quickly scanned it for useful information. But I couldn't see... I tried to think of a reason my enemies would be stalling me on this very night. It wasn't a birthday, no special meetings were taking place, and as far as I could tell, Beatrice was at home making salad with my brother, in the kitchen. And it was at this very moment I heard a cough form behind me.
"I say is that you?"
It was Mr. Poe, he had seen my suspicious behavior and come to help me. I couldn't afford to let anybody in right now...Not until I was sure of my surroundings.
"Hullo Mr. Poe, it's me..."
"What are you doing out at this hour?"
I could ask him the same thing. Mr. Poe has a wife and sister and two kids. Not to mention he's the Vice President of Financial Affairs at Mulctory Money Management. A most demanding job. I looked at him in his long black overcoat and signature top hat, hankie in hand.
"Beatrice needed a newspaper, my car wouldn't start, -your sister's very good at that column she writes."
"Yes, yes she is, I will tell her you said that..." At this point he begin to look for something in his pockets...and pulled out a set of keys.
I was so tired that I began saying things over and over again, that I began saying things over and over again, that I began saying things over and over again.
"What's that?"
Mr. Poe handed me the key and told me it would start the car. It did. and I thanked him.
"Thank you"
"Your welcome. *erhum?*" Mr. Poe coughed loudly again. "Mr. Snicket, the reason of my presence is to inform you of something. Mr. Snicket. It's Beatrice. She's dead. There was a fire involved."