"Thank you, Avery.  You're always such a dear." She took a seat with cup in hand and sat a folder of papers next to her.  "Abraham said he needed to return home to fetch a few things.  He might be around a bit later to find out how things went with everyone.  Our inquiries were very fruitful with Jackson's publisher, though I am not quite sure what to make of the findings.  We also took the train to visit Miriam Atwright at Harvard, but have nothing to show from that meeting but her promise to assist us with research.  Jackson was interested in one of the books there that they cannot seem to find, but she thought she might be able to draw on other sources to get us information about the cult that was mentioned in Jackson's notes."

She picked up the folder and waved it.  "Read through them, if you like, but there are some that will not make much sense.  I had the impression from Jonah Kensington that he was worried about Jackson's state of mind."

"What of your day?  I hope that you were resting for most of it, as the doctor's suggested.  Did you and Annabel find out anything interesting?"

Walter smiled at his cousin.

"You look worn out, Rosalie. Have you eaten?" he asks solicitously, "Let's table any talk until Leo and Stanley get back, and Abraham, if he shows up. We can have some tea and then you can freshen, while Annabel and I start looking through these papers you brought back.

"So much required reading," he grins, "Jackson would have been a Hell of a professor."

   Annabel gave a warm greeting to those that had returned. They looked exhausted to her; she could imagine how long of a trip it was. She listened as Rosalie recounted her trip and what they found. They were sure more successful than she had been judging from the papers in front of them.


  Since Leo already knew of her efforts, she spoke up. "I have been trying to find out the whereabouts of Erica Carlyle but have not had much luck. I've been waiting for a call back that might give some information but it looks like it won't happen today; she is proving to be quite a difficult person to track down."

  She looked at the folder, "at least you were very fruitful in your search. It looks like a lot to go through."

OOC:

As a reminder, since the notes were posted nearly a month ago, the papers in the folder Rosalie is presenting to Walter and Annabel (and eventually the rest of the group) are listed in the Campaign Journal under January 16th, 1925.

"We had dinner on the train," Rosalie informed Bo.  "I am tired, but not exhausted.  I should be able to last until uncle gets home.  I assume that he and Mister Bishop went out this afternoon to do some investigating of their own?"

She took a sip and glanced over at Annabel.  "The Carlyles have always been a world unto themselves, but having that much money gives them that right, I suppose.  Have you ever been to their estate?  I had the delight of being invited a time or two for one of their lavish soirées and they absolutely spare no expense.  I remember reading about the expedition in the papers, but didn't keep track after Erica's attempts to locate her brother failed."

   Annabel shook her head, "No, I haven't had the pleasure of meeting Miss Carlyle. My mother has though, she said she's quite the Lady. I will say, she's quite hard to track down, doesn't want the riff-raff talking to her I guess."

   She gives a little snort at her own joke. "Hopefully I'll hear back about something soon." She gives a sigh. "It sounds like getting invited to a party is the more easier way to meet her. It's too bad there aren't any happening now."

  Annabel glanced at the clock. "Whatever Dr. Elias and Mister Bishop are doing, it must be pretty fruitful. Hopefully they won't be too much longer."

After the too-long drive back from a too-long day, Leo re-entered his home. The door brought in a chill draft with his entrance, though in his long coat and gloves he hardly noticed the warmth into which he had stepped. After removing galoshes and overcoat, Leo poked his head into the room where the others had gathered. "I'll be just a moment folks, I need to see to Catherine." He presumed Stanley could start to fill them in while he checked on his wife. It's not that there was much useful to report to her, but he would be a poor husband indeed if she wasn't first and foremost in his mind during the worst days in both their lives.

Bishop went through  his ritual of wiping his feet and doffed his hat as he entered. Looking about the room he noticed one of their number missing.

"It was a long day. I can fill you all in while Leonardo speaks with Catherine."

Looking around the room "Where is Abraham?"

Rosalie glanced at the door as her uncle appeared, nodding at his greeting.  Her expression turned to one of sadness as her eyes lifted to the ceiling, imagining her aunt grieving in the rooms above.  Her attention shifted back to the room as Stanley's question broke through her momentary melancholy.  "Abraham returned home to collect a few personal effects.  He said he might return this evening.  Come and have a cup of tea, Mister Bishop.  Or we could ring for something else, if you'd prefer.  I'm sure Avery wouldn't mind fetching something else from the kitchen."

Bishop nodded. Rosalie's mention of tea made set off a pang in Bishop's stomach as he realized he had not eaten since breakfast.

"Something to eat. Leonardo will need to eat as well. We have not eaten all day."

After a few moments he related the details of their day.

"We started out with Lieutenant Poole. We got a list of other victims." Bishop said as he put a copy of the list down on the table. "Most were found in Harlem."

"After we met with the Chief Coroner. Spoke with him about the cases on the list. There were a few interesting details, but nothing particularly enlightening. The only real lead was that one of the victims, Buskirk, was a private detective. He was the only one who had been bound. That meant it was likely that unlike the others they had planned to kill, he had to be kept, maybe interrogated."

"We went over Buskirk's office and spoke with his partner, got a look at the file. Buskirk was looking into a missing girl from the Upper East Side who went missing in Harlem. It seems likely that looking into her disappearance cost Buskirk his life." Bishop said letting the last of it sink in.

"We need to call Abraham and let him know to be careful. You all need to consider the dangers of proceeding any further with investigation."

Walter glances at his watch to see how soon dinner might occur.

"It's worse than you know, Stan, but I'll wait on my news until Leo joins us."

After seeing to the mental and emotional well-being of his wife of several decades, Leo made his way back to the room where everyone had gathered just in time to hear Bo pushing off the discussion. "Go ahead, Walter." Leo seemed uncharacteristically withdrawn for a moment, but then focused on what the others had to say.

"Okay," says Walter, "Annabel and I went out to that Emerson Imports to try to shake something loose on Silas N'Kwane. Emerson didn't know much, but he told us N'Kwane's connected with a place called Ju Ju House in Harlem. We didn't find a listing for it and a cabbie came up empty.

"I called a guy that's... Well, let's say he's connected to certain elements with a lot of interests in Harlem. He told me that they tried to lean on this Ju Ju House and their representative got killed. They haven't pursued the matter, which tells me two things.

"First, this Ju Ju crowd must be plenty scary. Second, we might have an ally, if we have to get mixed up with Silas N'Kwane."
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:48, Sat 25 Oct 2014.

"We came up with an address in Harlem. It was in the room of the girl the private detective was trying to find. If it turns out to be the Ju Ju House I think we have an idea where to find the killers."

"Did your guy give you an address for the Ju Ju House Walter?" Bishop asked as he began to look over some of the other items gathered.

In reply to Stanley Bishop (msg # 18):

"Yeah, 1 Ransom Court."

Rosalie rose from the sofa and met Leo as he entered, hugging him and giving him a soft kiss on the cheek.  She didn't need to say anything about Jackson, because any words of comfort she had to offer would be inadequate.  "Come have a cup of tea, Uncle.  I'll send Avery to fetch you both dinner," she said quietly.  She caught the butler's eye and gave him a nod, knowing he'd have things well in hand and would know what to do.  Before sitting, she poured tea for both Leo and Stanley, but left them to sweeten it to their liking.  Sitting again with her own tea, she sipped quietly, listening to the conversation, and then looked to Stanley.  "Avery can ring Abraham, but I am certain that we are all very informed as to what this investigation could cost us.  He knows the dangers."  After all, Jackson had been killed for almost the same reason.

Without needing more than Rosalie's non-verbal gesture, Avery brought out dinner for both Leonardo and Stanley, an eventuality for which he had been prepared. After the meal was served, he cleared his throat and spoke, primarily addressing Leonardo.

"Sir, I rang up Mr. Hargrove not long ago, and it seems he has reached home safely, but the journeys of the day have left him a bit overwrought. It is my impression that perhaps he might have sought respite in the ardent spirits after his return home and may no longer be fit to operate an automobile this evening. He said he would see us in the morning," he said.

"I received a call from Mr. Philip Piggot, an old associate of yours, Jackson's, and your brother Michael's, sir. He read of the news in the paper and was most insistent that he come pay his respects. As he has been a friend of the family for some time now, I took the liberty of informing him that a short visit this evening would be permissible."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:56, Mon 27 Oct 2014.

"We found the same address in the detective's files. It was found in the things of the missing girl's things. It is almost certainly connected to these African death cult and Jack's killers." Bishop said confirming the connection.

Looking at the others and weighing the risks "I think it is time to consider calling Poole and letting the police handle the rest. I think the link between Buskirk's case and N'Kwane's business being at the same address is enough to consider it a solid lead."

But he was considered they were not close enough. If they were really going to bring an end to this the police would have to raid the place. Hit it hard with a lot of bulls bent on wiping out a bunch of foreign murderers. "We should probably confirm it by driving by and having a look at the place. But if it is the Ju Ju House as you say, we have a real break."

"We brought a map back. I would like to locate the locations of where the victims were discovered and see they fit with 1 Ransom Court." Stanley held up a map.

"I remember Mister Piggott.  He and father have kept in touch throughout the years.  He is in town?  Yes, I suppose he would want to come by if he'd read about Jackson,"  she added.

  Annabel sat quietly listening ot the exchange of information. It was all so distasteful, murders, cults, it was enough to give one a shudder. At this she spoke up.

 "I hope you are planning to go during the day Stanley," Annabel said concerned. "I don't think going to that place at night is a wise choice. Remember too," she added, "the lecture at Columbia is tonight at 8pm, we don't want to miss it this time." She looked at the clock to check the time. "Are you still planning to go Dr. Elias?"
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 14:51, Mon 27 Oct 2014.

Leo brightened a little at what Avery mentioned. "Excellent, Avery. Yes of course Phil should visit - thank you for taking that liberty. When should we expect him?"

After listening to Avery's answer, Leo turned to the question from Annabel, and nodded. "Yes, or at least some number of our group should go. If Philip isn't here quite soon, I will remain behind and welcome him."

Leo cleared off enough of the surface of one of the tables that adorned the room that Stanley could put the map down. "I suspect we'll find this JuJu House is close enough for all of these killings. Death cult indeed..."

Leo frowned as he considered and then looked at Bo. "So we may have some Italian friends willing to help us out? What about any other allies? Police? Bureau of Investigation?" He looked around at the others to see what they thought of involving the cops or the feds.

"He should be arriving soon, but if you must depart before he arrives, I shall make him comfortable until your return."

  "Oh, Doctor," Annabel said concerned, "I didn't realize how much time had passed. I fear we'll miss the lecture if we don't go now."

  Even though it was not her fault that Dr. Elias came back so late, she still felt guilty that there shouldn't have been SOME arrangement to leave in time to get to the lecture.

 Just then there was a peal of bells from the entrance and Avery walked through to the hallway to answer the door.  After but a few moments he returned with a tallish, well-dressed man of athletic and tanned appearance.

"Mr Philip Piggott" he announced to the assembled company.

"Thank you Avery" said the newcomer, no stranger to many here, who turned immediately to Leonardo.

"Leo, my dear friend, I was devastated to hear the news.  And you too, Miss Rosalie; words simply cannot express my utter dismay."

He held out his hands and took both of Leonardo's hands in a strong, supportive grip.

"If there is anything I can do to help, in any manner at all, please do not hesitate to ask.  Jackson was a dear friend and I shall miss him terribly."

Bishop began to gather his coat and hat when Philip Piggott arrived. "Perhaps if we are trying to make that lecture we should depart directly and bring Mr. Piggott up to speed."