Peter gave the sergeant a shit-eating grin as he walked past. "Have a good night."

He moved towards Fred when they saw the Librarian. "Correct, and not that I know of. However, there was something that looked like a Templar cross painted in blood at the scene. Have you ever heard of someone marking a kill like that?"

"I agree, the cross is somehow significant. But it wasn't a part of the Horror's "signature". And the Boise Horror never struck anywhere other than Boise"

Fred looked up at the sky, pointed out the crescent moon.

"There. The Horror only killed during the new moon. That passed a few days ago, you can see the moon is no longer absent, it's waxing. Perhaps this is some effort to discredit Simon. His presence here is not officially recognised but obviously a some people in the hotel or security force must know about him or may have deduced his presence."

Marshall's Note: This was Fred, not Simon. Sorry!
This message was last edited by the player at 06:11, Sat 05 July 2014.

<quote Fred Biletnikof

Marshall's Note: This was Fred, not Simon. Sorry!
</quote>

Rowan stirs slightly, "there is of course more than ne way of looking at this.
It could also have been sent as a marker". "ie we are here and you are marked"

In reply to Rowan Dawson (msg # 161):

Fred had walked to the crime scene, accompanied by Rowan.

"That makes sense. Especially if someone is aware of the history of the Boise Horror and wishes to lay the blame on Simon's shoulders."

"Do you want to see where it is?" asked Smoker.

Peter tilted his head, giving Fred a look that was a mix of confusion and hardness. "Why do you assume that this is the work of the Boise Horror here? Do you think it has followed us, or that one of the members of our group is that creature?"

Rowan calmly
" I have seen no assumption only a desire for facts"

Fred smiled. :"Why do you assume I assume anything?

"The fact the Horror never struck elsewhere other than Boise, and not when it's not a new moon, suggests it's not the same, which is good. But the presence of a Templar's cross in blood at a murder scene a block from the hotel can't be some coincidence. Despite our elaborate efforts the Combine seems to know we're here, they have every reason to disrupt our mission here."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:53, Sat 05 July 2014.

Peter sighed and shook his head. Getting tag-teamed by Fred and Rowan was more than enough for him after seeing the crime scene. He made a dismissive wave of his hand and went back to his hotel room.

In reply to Peter Firecrow (msg # 167):

Fred accepted his wave with a satisfied nod and followed back to the hotel.

"Good, I hope this hasn't anything to do with Simon's visit, but we can't make any assumptions. If you want my opinion, Peter, please ask."

The rest of the night passed without incident.

Those who knew how to work it could use the air conditioning. Younger Wasters like Smoker and Kira needed to be shown what the central heating and air condition controls were for.

In the morning, they were served breakfast by room service. The conference wasn't until 2pm so they had several hours to kill until then.

In reply to The Marshall (msg # 169):

Simon seemed to have regained his strength, somewhat. He looked well-rested. "Fred mentioned there was some excitement last night. Was it connected to us, do you think?"

Smoker is quite fascinated with the inner workings of the air handling systems and wanders off looking for whoever runs them for the hotel to find out more!

Peter glanced at Simon and hesitated. "Uncertain but likely connected to 'us'. There was a Templar cross....painted...at the crime scene, after all." He will give the details of what he and Smoker saw.

In reply to Peter Firecrow (msg # 172):

Simon listened to the description.

"A Templar's Cross? Yes, I think you're right. Meant for us. Or to point the finger at us. Damn it all. And so close to the meeting."

In reply to Simon (msg # 173):

Schaeffer interjected,

"Simon, security is coming along nicely. Some of the Junkyarders, and their mercs, they are pros. I will coordinate your security with them.

"The rest of the posse, I should like them to be our "reserve". Not on guard duty, but free to investigate threats and respond to crisis. And I think this is qualifying.

"Peter, would you and the others be minding finding out more about the victim and especially the Moorlocks? It sounds like they are located under the hotel! We have time before the initial summit meeting in the afternoon. That might be a good use of time, ya?"

 Rowan "with Simons understanding I am going to be staying close to him, love"

Simon seemed inclined to agree with Schaeffer.

"I am inclined to go with the good Colonel's recommendations. Security here is in place, go do some digging on this. I won't push you out the door if you don't want to go..."

Rowans voice is calmness itself
"Do not want do not need, two different things Simon"
"I feel that this thing is here for you alone and it here by your side it will be faced in the end"

In reply to Rowan Dawson (msg # 177):

Simon pointed out, equally calmly, "I won't be alone.

"I will have Schaeffer and Kira. Backing them up is about a hundred MP militia, including MPs and police. Capable as Schaeffer and Kira are in battle, they will not be best used for investigative tasks. I think you are. There is no real need for you here until the conference starts, in the mean time, you and your friends are more useful to me as a trouble-shooter."

Rowan Sighs half of her knows that what Simon says is correct, but some thing also says her agreement was to stay close to him

Peter gave a shrug and looked a bit unhappy. "The locals will not be happy to have poking around. They were already perturbed about it last night, but....sure." He headed back to his room to gear up a bit just in case before heading out.

In reply to Peter Firecrow (msg # 180):

"From what you say, the police seemed disinterested and eager to close the case. I guess standards have slipped since the war. Actually, I recall that Junkyard was a shithole before the war, too. The worst aspects of a slum and an industrial wasteland.

"If the police aren't going to be much help, maybe there are other people who can help you find out more. Good luck."

The posse gathered in the lobby, sitting on chairs provided for their comfort. There was a telescreen with a news display. The headline was of the murder of Nico "The Sword" Flowers, noted skullchucker player. Police suspected it was a revenge killing. Unconfirmed reports claimed it was Moorlocks, although police deny the existence of any such gang or group.

Peter looked around for Smoker, wanting to know where the man had gone before they headed out. "Has anyone seen Smoker since he and I returned?"