"Nobody was interested in them. Like I just said Adolf didn't even put them on the shelf! They were always in the back, but I've put all of them into a box," she said, reaching under the counter and producing a box from which she withdrew a loose packet of maps and placed it on the counter in front of them before putting the box back.

There are ten maps in total with different view of different sections of Africa. The maps are all from different companies and to different scales. There are small 'X' markings on all of then where the Kenya Colony is, but none of them seem to match up. One of them in the margins says "Mountain of the Black Wind."

Bishop had mixed emotions when the widow produced the box. It seemed almost certain the woman's husband had lost his life because of a dozen or so maps. Somehow the cult had learned of his interest. He was none to pleased when Tommy interrupted, and hoped the widow would not feel put upon. But also understood that the kid was eager to prove himself.

"Did your husband ever speak of the Carlyle Expedition? Or perhaps a Silas Nkwane? Following up on Cotton's question as he the sort of man who might have kept journals?"
This message was last edited by the player at 06:03, Tue 02 June 2015.

Tommy leaned forward to peer at the maps with interest. They seemed harmless enough, yet he scanned them carefully for anything unusual. The excitable boy inside him prayed for a fat X marking treasure or something similarly exhilarating.

"He was acting a bit strange, but he didn't talk about expeditions or people with strange names. His obsession with maps, and his late nights out were the most uncharacteristic elements of his behavior. He would go up to Harlem a lot of nights during the week, and come back late at night like he hadn't gotten any sleep. He fell asleep at the register a few times. I had to cover for him more often than not," she said.

"I see." Bishop said as the widow confirmed the connection. But is some ways it only raised more questions.

"Well the maps and his behavior do seem to link him to the crimes. We are trying to find enough evidence to bring the killers to justice. This will help but I wonder if you might not permit us to examine his office or study, any place he might have kept notes or a journal. I assure you will be discreet." Bishop said hoping the widow would see the purpose of such a request.

"The police already combed through the room and didn't find anything related to the murder. There weren't any journals or notes or anything. Adolf wasn't really a thoughtful and self reflective kinda man, if you take my meaning. He was just out to make a buck and have a good time," she said.

"But if you wanna look suit yourself."

"Thank you." Bishop replied hoping they might find something the police had missed.

"Speaking of money, we would like to purchase the maps. Would you be willing to part with them ma'am?"

For the eventual search
17:21, Today: Stanley Bishop rolled 45 using 1d100 with rolls of 45. spot hidden 70.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:23, Wed 03 June 2015.

Tommy smiled at the woman gratefully as offered to let them peek around.
"Thankyou ma'am. We'll be careful not to disturb anything of course.".
He paused then added thoughtfully "If the maps were not for sale...who might know he had them? Do you know where he purchased them from?".


12:01, Today: Thomas Cotton rolled 100 using 1d100 with rolls of 100. spot hidden vs 60.
Hah, with that role Tommy will probably struggle to find his way out of the shop, let alone find anything even half useful!

"Oh, they're definitely for sale, but I have no idea where he got them from." She gives them a good deal on the maps, glad to complete a transaction for them, handing them to whoever pays her.

Afterwards she let them into the office but stayed to watch them keenly to make sure they didn't take anything without permission. The two men are able to find nothing that in any way relates to their investigation.

"Thankyou Mrs Thurmond.". Tommy took the carefully wrapped maps and tucked them under his arm.
The brief rummage through the office proved fruitless, save for young Cotton almost breaking several items and clumsily bumping against various items of furniture as he conducted the most inept search ever.
When they were done he took a moment to check the maps for any sign of a stamp or hint at where they might have come from, then nodded respectfully to the widow, ready to leave.

When Bishop was ready and they were out of ear-shot he spoke. "What exactly was Jackson investigating when he was killed? You mentioned the Carlyle expedition in there. I remember reading about them. Doomed expedition of a rich man, got alotta views, the sorta story that makes a reporter famous that. And N'Kwane? These..." he gestured to the maps "...seem harmless enough?
 What was Jackson into?".

After a moment he added "I wonder, do you think it is worth comparing them to other maps of the area in the library? See what differences pop out?".

ooc: Ive never rolled 100 before!
This message was last edited by the player at 15:16, Wed 03 June 2015.

"Thank you for your understanding. I am sure things can not be easy. We will get out of your hair as quickly as we can."

As the two searched it became obvious that Cotton was making a mess of things. Bishop turned to the young reporter. "Give me the maps and go look for a couple of books to purchase. Anything you can find on Kenya or Africa."

Pulling the cash he had in his wallet, Bishop gave the widow an additional fifty dollars. "I lost my wife not long after the war. Sometimes it helps to get away from things. Please take this hang up a closed sign and take a couple days to get away or be with family."

Frustrated at the fumblings of his search Tommy did as Bishop asked, and returned with a trio of heavy bound tomes. Who knew how relevant they might be, but maybe they'd get lucky.

He waited for Bishop to be ready and asked his questions once they were outside.

The widow graciously accepted the money, and gave them the maps and the three books without charge.

Bishop was pleased she did not argue. He knew all too well how hard a blow such a loss could be.

Outside Bishop looked over at Cotton as the young reporter rattled off his questions "Elias was working on a book about the massacre of the Carlyle Expedition at the hands of a murderous death cult. Clearly as Thurmond was ritually slaughter these maps are far from harmless. Anyone who sticks their nose into this business ends up dead."

"You better carry this stuff."

Bishop looked for the signs of someone watching the duo as he headed towards the car ready for trouble. The big man was ready to go for a weapon if he needed.

What Bishop said made sense and the importance of Elias started to click into place for Tommy. "Yes, I knew Jackson wrote books of that ilk.". He nodded excitedly "So he was looking into the Carlyle expedition? Interesting!". He thought back to the other victims...had any of them been associated with that ill fated mission? No...but the link was there between Jackson and Thurmond. It made sense.

"So, rich white men go to Kenya and get murdered. Another white man starts to investigate and, I presume, links those murders to a death cult. Said white man is then murdered by a cult. A grim tale indeed.

How about N'Kwane? What is his involvement?".

ooc: shall we head to the library to compare these maps and pull out any more info the Carlyle expedition?

"No offense kid, but why don't you go find out something I don't know. You came to us promising that you had been working the murders and knew things. Best I can tell you don't know much." Bishop said.

"So figure out some way to bring something to the table and stop asking for hand outs. "

OOC anything turned up in the search? Any sign of a tail or any shady types?

OOC:

No, nothing turned up in the search.

The Keeper:

The two men are able to find nothing that in any way relates to their investigation.

This message was last edited by the GM at 16:21, Thu 04 June 2015.

Tommy shrugged and turned to Bishop with a grin. "No offence taken big man. I do love a challenge and might even surprise you.".
The reporter was feeling good; maybe it was true that the Elias group knew more. But then again they'd had information about Jackson that Tommy didn't. In this busy morning he'd learned more about the case than he might have hoped, and better, one key fact:
The Carlyle expedition was involved.
That tale sold papers. Combined with a serial killer in New York, well, if he could piece things together this whole thing could be the lucky break he was looking for. A story to make his name with.
"Do me a favour and drop me off in two blocks. With your permission I'll borrow those maps and do some digging. I'll deliver 'em back to you this evening.".

"My guess is the others know more about maps and such. But if you think you have a contact that can give us some insight I'll give a shot. But I'd rather drop you where you are going then leave you in the middle of Brooklyn." Bishop replied.

"There is a guy at Columbia who might be able to help us out. I met him when I studied there and have bumped into him a couple of times on other stories.".
Tommy felt an urge to unfurl the maps, that childish excitement that they might hold treasure still poking with a tempting stick. For now though he kept them safe on his lap.
"I don't know him that well, but he's always been helpful enough.".

I'd gladly introduce you to him if you wanted to join me? Otherwise I can do a little digging and return these to you tonight, or in the morning.".

For Cotton a visit to the university was a regular enough affair. Hell, it wasn't that long since he'd graduated. Yet he felt a sudden pang of sadness now; Jackson was alumni to the place too. It brought the whole thing home.

"Well as Miss Elias is at Columbia it would make sense for me to drive. Perhaps if introductions are going to be made it would be of more value for Rosalie to meet this contact of yours." Bishop said as he turned the car toward Columbia.

"Sure thing. my man isn't the shy sort so if Rosa or you want to meet him I doubt there will be an objection.".
He glanced at his watch.
"Although miss Elias might be spent from her day on campus? Either way im easy...and I appreciate the support.".

OOC:

Cotton's watch shows that it is not even noon. Time flies when you're having fun! Still, hardly enough time for Rosalie to be spent from her couple of hours on campus.

"Well let's stop by the main library on the way. We can head up town from there and locate miss Elias before meeting your contact." Bishop said as he drove to the main library.

OOC:

Please move to the Chapter 1.7: Investigations III thread.

Note that the characters there may or may not want to be plucked away from what they're doing to go to a meeting to examine some maps of Kenya.