Poppy could not tear her eyes away from the photograph.  The young man's throat had been cut, so violently that he had nearly been decapitated completely.  His fingers were dark with blood, and his face was covered with scratches
Dear God...  He clawed out his own eyes...  She quickly set the photograph back on the table, then looked at Grey.  She knew him to be a kind man, from the moment she found herself at his door upon her arrival in Chicago.  She had been terrified of what was happening to her, and he had calmly explained everything he could. 
"Pardon me, sir..."  She said quietly.  "But...  A demonic entity like this has to be pretty strong.  Shouldn't a more... experienced medium be assigned to this?"

Poppy thought for a moment.  If she allowed herself to be possessed by whatever it was that took over those young men, she may very well meet that same fate.  She shuddered involuntarily.

Well, I'd have Bachman.  She reasoned.  He's always wanted to perform an exorcism on me anyway...  And Ellie would be there, and she's good at what she does.

She cast a sideways glance at the priest.  His face, as usual, was like stone.  Looking at Eliza, she could tell she was just as nervous. 

But... if I say no...  more people could die.  I don't think I could live with myself if that happened.

She straightened up to her full height and locked eyes with Grey.
"I'll do it."

"I need evidence." Mr. Grey announced. "And I've been tipped that the suspected gang is having a 'get-together tonight.'"

Eliza knew what was coming, and suddenly her nerves were eased. "A party!?" she cried.

"That's why I've called Eliza here." Mr. Grey said softly. "I need you three to accompany her undercover at this event. Eliza has been trained to gather information in these circumstances. Poppy can search for traces of the spirits. If anything, someone may still have the demon's energy still with them. This is where Poppy's abilities will be most useful."

Eliza bounced excitedly in her seat. "Then you all have to listen to what I say!" she grinned. "I'm the trained 'spy' here, and if you wanna live you'll have to follow my orders."

A smile flickered Mr. Grey's lips. "I doubt that, Eliza." he chuckled. "Father Bernardo will be in charge."

Her face calmed, and she sank in her seat, flashing an embarrassed smile at Bernardo across the table.

They had left the room and for a moment all three were silent. Suddenly, Eliza grabbed Poppy's arm.

"You and I are finding something to wear." she said excitedly. "I don't care if we have to look in my closet or go shopping, but we're gonna look good."

She turned to Bachman. "You need to find a good tux, my good man." she said, waging a finger at him as if this was a lecture. "Something really spiffy. Maybe a top hat. I think you could make yourself look like a wealthy, fancy folk."

They gave her questioning looks.

"Look, this isn't just some 'get-together,'" Eliza whispered. "There's gonna be alcohol. Booze. Rich men, smugglers, gang members, dolls, you name them. They'll be there. And this isn't just some gang birthday party. We need to blend. Understand?"

She grabbed Poppy's arm again. "We're going to get us some stylish outfits for tonight." she told Bernardo. "Oh, and Father? Tonight, you may not be too happy with the actions of the other party-goers. So, if you want to try and save anyone's souls, don't."

And she bounded away before he could respond, dragging Poppy behind her.

"Top hat...?" He mumbled. If his mouth could fall of his face, it would have. Bernardo frown was reaching unknown proportions... but she was right.
A party. With two young women. He had not been to a party since- well, he thought back... but nothing came up. He most definitely did not have any clothing for such occasions. As he approached his desk, he winced. He did know someone who did, though. Placing the folder from his satchel into an organizer in his desk, he pulled out a small black note book and flipped through it till he found the address he needed. Tucking the note book into his bag he left the building, nodding his head at Mrs. Walaber and heading back out into the noise of Chicago.

Winding his way through the crowd , he lost himself in ideas of how to handle tonight. They would need a way in to the party, but Eliza was sure to find a way to weasel them in. He would have to check with her when they met again- she was very skilled at what she did. He would have to keep a close eye on Flanagan, though. He knew nothing of how she handled herself in public situations; if she didn't blend then someone would know something was going on.

"Why, Father Bachman. What a surprise." The tenor of a voice snapped him out of his thoughts. Surprisingly, he found himself standing in front of his destination.

"Hello, Mrs. Ruby." The woman standing in the door way was dressed in a bright orange dress, her hair cut short and a small hat with a large feather in it on her head. The youthful outfit helped to hide her age somewhat, but clothes could only do so much. "I am in need... of assistance." Bernardo said, rather stiffly. He had helped Ruby when she had first bought the shop years ago. A rather persistent ex-store owner had a habit of spilling ink on her merchandise. Ever since, she had supplied Bernardo with clothes- even though he had never asked for any. She looked him up and down, and took a long drag on the cigarette in her hand.

"Whadya need, Father?" She asked, a pencil thin eyebrow raised.

"A tux."

"And a top hat too?" The frown reappeared and the woman laughed, dropping the cigarette and opening the door to her shop. "Come on in and we'll get you fitted for something."

"Thank you, Mrs. Ruby." Bernardo said, walking into the shop. "And, please, preferably not a top hat." The woman laughed again and closed the door. Sometimes even a "grump" could make a joke even now and then.

Poppy laughed.  "Sounds like... fun, I suppose."  She smiled.  "I think I prefer the term 'spy', myself.  It does sound a bit more romantic!"

"It's been a while since I've been to a party like this."  She murmured.  "Did I ever tell you I sang in a band?"  For a while, the Lucky Five band was one of the best in St. Louis.  She was more outgoing back then.  She'd flirt with the boys between numbers, maybe a bit more than she should have.  But it was all in good fun.   When she moved to Chicago to seek help for her nightmares, she left much of that behind.

"So, are we going to dig through your closet, or what?"

"You're looking rather dapper this evening, Mr. Bachman."  Poppy said with a small smile.  The silver dress she wore was one she'd had for a while, back from her St. Louis days.  The feather headband was borrowed from Eliza. 
As she saw the party-goers, and heard the music swelling from inside, she began to feel giddy.  This was business... but she couldn't see any harm in a little dancing.  Besides, mingling with the crowd was a good way for her to find any demonic presences.
She started to feel nervous.  What if the presence was too strong, and she fell into fits in the middle of the crowd?  No, she reminded herself, she was much stronger than she used to be.  It probably wouldn't be much of a problem to control. 
"Should we come up with some sort of signal, in case I find something?"  She asked. 

"Rebecca Cheswick.  Got it."  Poppy nodded.  "Torn between two loves?  Didn't know I was such a heartbreaker..."  She let out a small laugh.  Despite her anxiety, she still longed to be inside the party.
"Well, no time like the present.  Let's go."  She held her head high, took Eliza by the arm and walked into the old mansion.

The party was already alive and kicking.  Poppy could barely hear herself think over the music.  The old ballroom was filled with people: handsome young men in tailored suits, women in flashy dresses covered in tassels, sequins and feathers.  There was even a full working bar, which, after she thought about it, didn't surprise her.  Despite the prohibition laws, the police probably did not want to crash a bash like this.

Poppy was rather glad for her shyness this time around.  It was much easier for her to fit into the role of a newcomer to the city.  She noticed a few boys turning to look at the two of them.  For a moment, she felt a jolt of fear.  Can they tell I'm not supposed to be here?  She wondered.  Then one of the boys tipped his hat with a crooked grin.  She offered a shy smile back.
No...  We're just two girls at a party.   She glanced back casually to make sure Bachman had made his way inside.  Although she knew he didn't care for her, she did feel safer around him.