The Elias Home
11 East 73rd St., New York, NY
January 18, 1925

---

The night seemed to pass quickly for some, and slowly for others. For some, sleep was the only solace in which they might seek refuge. For others, it was evasive and ephemeral, and the amount they received out of their control. The only certainties in life were that there would always be mysteries out in the world, and that Avery would always have breakfast ready in the morning.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:20, Wed 15 Apr 2015.

Stanley slept a bit later than usual. When he woke he started the morning with some Calisthenics. After he put on a fresh shirt and a dark blue suit. Given the threat to himself and the others he made sure he was heeled before he headed down stairs.

Then headed down for breakfast and a look at the morning paper. Finally after finding a place to make a call he put into a call to the office to request a leave of absence.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:24, Thu 16 Apr 2015.

Leo had difficulty getting to sleep, for obvious reasons, and slept fitfully, waking several times in the night. During one of the spells of consciousness, he decided to simply rise for the morning and drink some coffee.

When the morning paper arrived, Leo sat down to read it, hoping it would take his mind off everything else for a little while. He waited for the others to arrive before he would begin a discussion of the previous night.

Rosaline had likely had one too many of those martinis, but she slept well enough and rose rested.  After washing and pinning her hair up into a loose bun, she dressed for the day in a plain low-waisted black dress, warm stockings, and black Mary Janes.  Black for Jackson.  Black for mourning.  She didn't imagine she'd be wearing anything cheerful for quite some time.  Last night's evening gown was a necessary evil, but it was time to pay her respects to her cousin while they investigated his murder.

Joining the others downstairs for breakfast, she paused by Leo's chair to give him a kiss on the forehead and squeeze on the shoulder.  "Morning, everyone," she offered as she moved to the sideboard to fix her plate.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:37, Sat 18 Apr 2015.

   Waking up from her weird dreams, Annabel yawned and stretched, blinking the sleep her eyes. She looked at her dress from last night that she had laid out and smiled wistfully. It HAD been a fun evening, but today was a new day and there was business to do; boring business but necessary to Dr. Elias. Still, Annabel lingered a few minutes in bed enjoying the warmth before she got up to face the day.

  Soon though, she was up and dressed in a sensible dark blue dress; she really would rather avoid black if possible and figured it was dark enough to be acceptable.  Heading down, she found the others already up and about. eating and doing other things in preparation for the day.

 "Morning," Annabel said cheerily; "I hope everyone slept reasonably well." Seeing the moody faces, and of course they would be from all that had happened, she dulled down her mood some as to not be so perky, and went through the motions of getting breakfast.

 Soon she was sitting at the table and waited to see what was on the agenda for the day.

Having finished his telephone call Bishop headed into the dining room to join the others.

"Morning." Stanley said simply.


Having already eaten in the kitchen, Stanley poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down. As they were not all present Stanley decided like the others that it was not yet time to bring up the task at hand.

In reply in Annabelle's question Stanley simply replied "Yes thank you."

Walter wakes feeling pretty good. Even his wound seems less restrictive and painful. He shaves and washes up, taking care to clean the wound and re-bandage it.

Going downstairs, he finds that he's the last one to breakfast. He eats silently, listening to the others talk about what happened at Erica Carlyle's.

"I'm willing to tackle the French book, though I'm apt to be a little rusty. I'd suggest using Low Library at Columbia for research; I probably can still find my way around it."

  "Welllll" Annabel said with a bit of hesitation in her voice. She felt kind of bad hefting the responsibility of researching the book onto the man, but she wasn't going to argue if he really wanted to do it. "If you really don't mind taking it on? I guess Dr Elias can find something else for me to help with."

Please not the awful book, please not the awful book; she thought with dread causing a slightly worried look to come cross her pretty face.

Leo smiled and nodded his thanks to his niece for her touch of compassion, and greeted the others in turn.

 Once everyone was seated, Leo began discussing all the details of the previous night, mostly for Walter's benefit, but just to make certain that everyone was on the same page. When they had finished, Leo listened to Annabel and Bo discuss the French book. "Why don't you take the People of the Monolith, Miss Ashcroft?"

He then looked around at everyone. "We should come up with a plan for the day. What should we do besides some reading?"
This message was last edited by the player at 17:11, Fri 17 Apr 2015.

Bishop did not really understand the link between the books and Jack's murder, but given the break in and the killing of the book dealer there certainly seemed to be one. But truth be told thing was all a bit escoteric for him. His life had prepared him for the more practical end of the investigation. "If the matter of the books is settled I wanted discuss something that might be more pressing."

"Given the vicious character of Jack's killers, I called in a few favors and have been having some of my operatives watching the house the past couple nights. I spoke with one last night and he reported they had spotted someone snooping around the property, but he slipped away before they were able to apprehend him. They described him as a dark haired white male, who looked to be in his twenties."

"I call the office this morning to put in for a leave of absence."

"Dr. Elias I also engaged the services of the agency to a couple of men around the clock. I would ask that you allow them to remain here inside the house until the police can bring this matter to a close."
This message was lightly edited by the player at 02:58, Fri 17 Apr 2015.

Leo nodded at what Stanley had said. "Excellent thinking, Stanley. As for the men you are suggesting we have inside the house, do you know them? I am certainly fine with trustworthy men staying here until this matter is completely settled."

"While I would not necessarily want them to date my sister, they are professionals accustomed to just this sort of work. They are discreet and while some may be a bit rough they are largely well mannered." Bishop replied.

"Now I wonder if we can turn our attention to how to proceed regarding the cult itself and the leads we have turned up."

Sitting down to her meal, Rosalie gave Stanley a shocked look over the rip of her coffee cup.  "Someone skulking about?  Here?  That is quite unsettling.  I am very thankful that you had the forethought to call in a little protection.  If the attempted burglary at the Carlyle estate had anything to do with the books we found in the safe, then someone might make that same attempt here."

"On our prospective leads, just what do you think that we could possibly inquire about next?  Our visit to Miriam Atwright at Harvard will not bear fruit for a few more days while she researches the cults that Jackson was investigating.  Did anyone else's investigations lead to other subjects into which we might delve?"

"Silas Nkwane and The Juju House at 1 Ransom Court."

"It is where this leads take us. The question is how can we get enough proof to convince Lt Poole to raid the place and scooping up the killers without spooking them."

"Or do we take a more direct approach?" Bishop asked.

"Mm," says Walter, looking up from the book he's been given, "I tried to stir up a little trouble for the JuJu House last night, but it went nowhere. I suspect the place is proetected. Either someone's paying off the cops or the cops are as intimidated as the mob.

"What reason do we have for thinking there's anything to be learned there?"
This message was last edited by the player at 11:46, Sat 18 Apr 2015.

http://s105.photobucket.com/us...zpsfc8fea0c.png.html

Bishop was a bit confused by Bo's question, clearly Walter had thought the place interesting enough to pay it a visit. But perhaps Bo just wanted things laid out again.

Bishop had stood up and walked over to the buffet and filled his coffee cup, still standing he said "First the business card from Emerson Imports with Silas Nkwane's name scrawled on the back. When you and Annabel went to follow up on the lead, the owner told you Silas Nkwane was involved with the Juju House. Then you saying that you spoke with a friend who said that Juju House was involved in the killing of some mobbed up types. When you got an address it was One Ramson Street."

Bishop paced as if delivering his summation before a jury "Second when Leo and I looked into the other killings, we had a chance to look at the files of Walter Van Buskirk, the dead detective who's murder is attributed to the same people who killed Jack. Looking into his files we followed up on the case  of a missing girl, Andrea Duncan. The girl had disappeared after falling in with some Negro foreigners. When Buskirk searched the girls room he found a slip of paper with an address on it, One Ramson Street."

"Third of the seven other murders all the victims were discovered in the streets of Harlem except for Michael Conley, the longshoreman whose body was found at the docks, and Adolf Thurmond, whose body was found in the bookstore that he owned. That makes it likely the killers are operating out of Harlem. If I had to guess a spot it would be One Ramsom Street."

"Now I think we have enough to go on here to get the police to search the place. But my concern is that address might just be a front and that they might do the dirty work some place nearby. Bo since you went up there perhaps you can go into a little more detail as to why you went up there and what you saw and how exactly you tried to stir things up at One Ramson Street."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:14, Sat 18 Apr 2015.

"Okay."

Bo puts the book aside and takes a sip of cold coffee.

"I went there because of the connection with Nkwane -- who I don't think we have any reason to suspect except for his name written on a card from Jackson's room. It's pretty clear to me that the place is bad news.

"A lot of people are found dead in Harlem -- it can be a dangerous place, right? There's a lot of places in that neighborhood where bad guys can hang out, not just 1 Ransome Court. Now the cops know what we know about the missing girl's connection with the joint and the dead detective's, right? They haven't raided it so far.

"Last night I tried to stir something up. I called the nearest precinct and told them that Silas Nkwane had a shipment of horse-- that's heroin," he explains to the others, "At the JuJu House. I went by later to see if anything was happening and the only cops there were a pair sitting in a car with a Negro in the back seat, having a talk." He gets up and goes to the window to look out at the garden.

"If the mob's afraid of the place, I don't want for you and me and Leo to go snooping around, not unless we have a couple squads of New York's finest or a platoon of Marines along."

Bishop stopped pacing when Bo spoke up and lit up a cigarette "I do not believe the police know about the connection between Buskirk and the Ducan girl. I do not believe they know about the Juju House being tied to the killing of some mobster, probably Richard “Ritchie C.” Cederecci either. But Poole does know he has a growing list of killings taking place on his watch, and no doubt wants to end this killing spree."

"As far as going up there .. I agree." Bishop replied before taking a puff from his cigarette.

"These are stone cold killers. I suggest I speak with Poole, lay out what we have learned so far and see if it is enough to get the police to throw a nest over the whole bunch. I will diplomatically mention that their might be a leak in the local precinct house and as him to keep things close to the vest so they cannot slip away. I will also remind him of the possible dangers and suggest they come heavy."

"I do think there would be a value to some of us riding along if they are going to raid the place. We can call it lending our expertise." Bishop looked at Leo and then Bo.

  Annabel nodded at Dr. Elias's suggestion with a bit of relief on her face. "Ok, I'll take that one, I'll get started on it today." She felt like she had lucked out, this book was much smaller than the other one and looked like it would not take too much time to read.

  While finishing her meal, Annabel listened to the discussion of someone watching the house. She viability paled wondering who or what they were watching for. That didn't sound good; what if one of those people jumped one of the group as they left the house, taking them to try and get information out of them. Having protection around the house was all well and good, but they can't be everywhere at once.

  Stanley and Bo's discussion of the Juju house was rather animated. From what they were saying, the place sounded dangerous but they kind of knew that. She still wondered what kind of place it actually was and if she would ever see it. From the sound of it, probably not if the men had anything to say about it. she gave a little frown then shrugged, probably not her style anyway.

Leo nodded at the back-and-forth between Walter and Stanley. "I agree with you, Stanley, we should go directly to Poole concerning the Juju House. He, at least, seemed to be on the level. If there's some funny business going on between that place and the police, perhaps Poole can subtly let us know."

Leo furrowed his brow again. "As for other leads, I would like to try to get a look at Doctor Huston's medical records. Perhaps there is something interesting within. I would also like to do some research concerning the apparent suicide of Imelda Bosch."

"That is more your end of it Doc." Bishop said. "But if we are all agreed I better place a call to Lt. Poole this morning. "

"I really should check in with the museum this morning to ensure there is nothing there that needs my attention.  I'll likely spend the rest of the day at Columbia doing a bit of study on one of those books we discovered." Thinking on the items they'd found in Jackson's hotel room, she tipped her head in curiosity.  "Did anyone inquire after the Penhew Foundation?  I recall there being a card with a London address.  The name sounds familiar, though I cannot place why it should."

"Never thought I'd say this again, but I guess I'll go hit Low Library and see what I can make of this book." He hefts the volume with a wry smile.

Walking into the old Low, he finds it hasn't changed much, which is about what he expected. After all, what would they do, rip out the card catalogue and throw away all those decades of accumulated notes?

The words refuse to make sense as he pores over the text. He wanders to the card catalogue, but can't seem to find anything helpful.

Well, whattya expect, Bo? It's fifteen years since you did any serious intellectual work.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:18, Fri 24 Apr 2015.

A few minutes after Walter's departure, a pounding knock came at the door. When Avery opened the door, Stanley saw that it was one of his Pinkerton buddies that had agreed to do him the favor of keeping an eye on the house.

"Everybody stay low and keep away from windows. We saw that mope sneakin' around again. We're gonna try to get him in hand," he said, leaving promptly after he had delivered the information to attempt to apprehend the lurker.

In reply to Rosalie "I appreciate the desire to get to work on completing Jack's work. But given the threat this band of mad Africans poses to others as well as our selves I propose we make sure they are dealt before we put our energies into any other aspect of the investigation."

As Walter rose from the table to depart "As Walter is raring to go, I just want to remind you all that the men we are after are after us as well. They have shown to be ruthless killers and would suggest no one travel on their and if they are going to travel they do so carrying some protection."

"I am going to put a call into Poole and set up a face to face." Bishop said as he finished his cigarette.

Just as Bishop finished he had been interrupted by the knock.

Bishop nodded "Everyone stay here and away from the windows."

With that Bishop headed out with the other Pinkerton operative to see if they could get their hands on the assailant.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:40, Fri 24 Apr 2015.

OOC:

Bishop, give me a Spot Hidden roll.

07:55, Today: Stanley Bishop rolled 32 using 1d100 with rolls of 32. spot hidden. 70

The two Pinkerton agents split up to cover different areas of the search.

Bishop spotted a man slinking away down a nearby alley that lead towards the back of the house. Fortunately, Bishop was only steps away from him. A quick sprint showed that his target was hopelessly outmatched against the physical talents of the lawyer turned detective, and Bishop managed to grab the man by the collar.

He had dark hair and dark eyes, and was smaller in stature than was Bishop.

"Thomas Cotton, New York Times!" he said pleasantly, as if this was a friendly meeting and the two men were exchanging polite introductions, clearly pretending that Stanley wasn't presently manhandling him and holding him by the collar.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:45, Fri 24 Apr 2015.

Bishop, who had been prepared to smash the face of the man in his grip relaxed slighty but still held the man.

"Better make with some credentials Mr Cotton." The big man said with polite menace.

Tommy grinned, caught red handed so to speak. Well, caught by the spade like hand of Bishop at least.

Unintimidated the smaller man fished in a pocket to pop out a notebook and flipped it open to fish a tattered card from the sleeve within. Looking a little sheepish the young reporter shrugged. "Gosh that's getting a little worn isn't it? I'll have to get a new one from the chief." he mused to himself before turning those bright eyes on his assailant.

"Stanley Bishop isn't it? Do you prefer Stan or Lee?". Pausing to allow Bishop to examine his credentials Tommy shifted his weight in a manfully doomed attempt to stand with some dignity. Eagerly he continued the tirade of questions.
"Awfully good of you to come out for an interview! Any comment on the terrible murder of Jackson Elias? Or why his family and friends have been behaving so...irregularly recently?".

Tommy blinked expectantly, fearless in the pursuit of a story.

Bishop looked at the Cotton's hands for the tell tell signs of a reporter.

"Does the New York Times know their reporter has been peeking in the windows of young ladies at all hours day and nights?" Bishop asked as he patted down the young man for signs of the truth  of his story like a notebook or something damping like a knife or a gun.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:13, Sat 25 Apr 2015.

"Easy now big guy. Ain't no crime to be walking the streets is it? This alley isn't private property so far as I can tell.".
He danced away smirking cheekily. "Tho it's a real compliment you want to get to know me so well.".

Reaching for a pencil he flicked to an empty page in his notebook and chuckled. "Peeking into ladies windows? That's rich coming from you Bish. My notes say you're a PI right?". He shrugged and continued. "B'sides, old Harry down at the gazette loves a good smutty story of ladies windows. He pays well for that sorta gossip, so peeking is my job.".
Absently he frowned. It was far to rare that ladies left their curtains open these days...

"Pretty damning of the police isn't it that the Elias family bring in a PI to look in to Jacksons murder. I mean, that is why you've been retained right? Do the Elias estate believe the police won't find the killer? Seven dead now, the public deserve an answer.".

Once discovered, Bishop kept the notebook with the images and notes of names and tucked it in his coat pocket. Bishop resisted the urge of meting out justice and released his grip on the man.

"Mr. Cotton, you have been twice observed on the grounds of a private residence; both last night and this morning. That is trespass. You just admitted to peeking into windows and providing a 'good smutty story of ladies' to your associate at the Gazette. That is a violation of decency laws. A report will be made to the police."

"We have no further business." Bishop tone was professional but stern. Bishop stood waiting for the man to walk away.

Bishop had a decent relationship with members of the press. From time to time he had traded information with reporters. Sometimes their relationships were adversarial but Bishop always tried to make sure they remained professional. But this young man had over stepped his bounds, and had made the mistake of confusing his knowledge of the matter with familiarity with the people involved. Had he come across more professionally, and as a man capable of discretion as a man who could be trusted that could have helped each other, but that did not seem to be the case.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:15, Sat 25 Apr 2015.

Curious as to what was happening, Rosalie gave the men some time to do their duties before rising and moving to one of the windows, standing alongside it and peeking through the curtains.  Nothing much seemed to be happening.  She saw no sign of Stanley out front, nor of any mysterious skulker, but she did note the detectives converging on the alley.  Moving to one of the windows along that side, she drew the drapes aside a fraction to peer through the window.

"It is only a young man with a notebook and pencil," she announced to the others.  "I wonder if he's the one that has been sneaking about.  He doesn't look all that dangerous.  Rather, he looks the complete opposite."   While she wished she could hear the conversation, she didn't think it prudent to open the window and draw attention to herself.

OOC:

I need a DEX roll from Bishop and Tommy

Tommy fell in step with bishop happily, conviniently ignoring the larger mans suggestion the conversation was over.
"Come now mr bishop, no need to be so brusque. I recall in the johannes case you were involved in there was some talk of improper access? And the case of the diamond dog, did they ever find the PI who cracked the case? We all have to find a way of living eh?".

Unperturbed  by the big mans surliness Tommy fished another notebook from his back pocket. He was nothing if not resourceful.
"'Sides, ive been working these killings since it turned into a streak. Murder three was when I met Poole. And he said I was welcome to come chat with you good folk.".

He smiled disarmingly and offered a hand of friendship.
"Come now Mr Bishop. Im sure the Elias family must have some thoughts on the case?".
This message was lightly edited by the player at 10:34, Sun 26 Apr 2015.

As the reporter continued to verbally antagonize Bishop, the big man began to reconsider his decision to teach Cotton some manners. Fortunately the mention of Poole's name mollified Bishop slightly. "Mr. Cotton if you intended to may contact with the Elias family, you should have done so directly. Creeping around in the dark is not a way to gain trust."

"Off the record."

"Given the circumstances you it seems that you are the one seeking access and information. I do not see a reason to speak with you. But it is not my decision alone.  If you have some insight into the matter the notebook should reveal it. If it looks like you have something to offer, and if your story about Poole checks out then perhaps we have something to talk about. But.. just to be clear there will be conditions in place to protect the family."

Do we have an understanding? If so hand over the note book, if not best you are not seen around here again." Bishop asked without putting out his hand for the note book.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:53, Sun 26 Apr 2015.

Leo listened to his niece. "Hm. Of course if one were dangerous, one might not want to appear that way. Though it's likely a reporter of some sort. Perhaps I should just speak with him."

Tommy nodded. The shot at an interview with the Elias estate was well worth risking one of his notebooks. This one held scribblings that would be carefully typed out back home after a day's sleuthing for news.
"So long as I have your word it'll be returned in one piece."
Sliding a card from his pocket he tucked it inside the first page. "That card has my contact details and address.".

Tucking the pencil behind an ear Tommy offered the thing to the stiff PI and stepped back to study him. His enthusiastic grin was replaced by a whistful sigh.
"I'm not a threat to the family you know Bishop...no one needs protection from me. This is the seventh murder and I've investigated whole sorry lot of them. I'm as eager as anyone to find the bloody killer especially this time. Jackson and I both went to St Anthony's, Columbia you know.".

Bishop took the notebook in his meaty mitt. The kid had finally done something smart. Maybe if his story checked out there was hope for him after all.

"Cool your heels." Bishop said turning and walking back to the house.

After offering thanks to his pal for spotting Cotton and helping to catch him, Bishop walked back inside.

Putting the notebook on the table "That kid outside is a reporter for the Times. He says has been working the case since the third victim. That book appears to show he has a pretty good handle on the killings. He also said Poole sent him."

"I would not recommend speaking to the press. But this kid knows too much to leave him out in the cold, it's too dangerous. But we have have to set some conditions, otherwise we will all end in the paper and maybe worse."

Bishop waited to here the decision.

With a shrug Tommy watched Bishop's broad shoulders turn and stride toward the house.
Well he wasn't much fun mused the reporter to himself. But I suppose who can blame him?

Overhead the grey morning haze had brightened gently and Tommy pulled his collar up to shield against the cool breeze that drifted untamed through the New York streets. Lazily he turned to take a kick at some lonely stone and sent it scuttling away down the alley.

Lingering he glanced back up toward the Elias household wondering if he might be invited in. If not he had his own leads to follow and a few errands to run. An interview with Dr Sabin over at the Medical school in Greenwich needed arranging, though it didn't appeal. Doctors were boring and Tommy yearned for just a little adventure. Journalism was supposed to be exciting!

Studying the reporter's notebook, a few things can be discerned. He appears to have been researching the killings since shortly after they first occurred.

There are some notes on Roberta Barlowe, the details given from a roommate, Louise Carter. There are no salubrious details, but it is made mention of that Roberta was a very popular young woman and received plenty of attention from the opposite sex. Shortly before her demise, she spurned the advances of a man with a foreign accent. Louise said she personally didn't like the man, and saw why Roberta would have rejected him. She could "just tell he was trouble," though she didn't get more specific. No description of the man, other than that he was black and foreign, average height and build.

Another section describes an interview with a deacon at a Harlem church where the late Rev. Elijah A. Johnson would preach before his demise. The deacon, a young woman named Noelle Tillman, was very hesitant to talk, but eventually was persuaded by Cotton to share details. She told him that soon before his death, the Reverend began to talk about ills in the community. He was never very specific, but he would use language like "bad apples" and "snakes in the grass," just trying to describe some bad people around. She didn't know for sure, but thought he might've been talking about people in Harlem...not the ones that had been around for a while, but some of the bad apples were recent immigrants. She wasn't willing to talk any more, afraid that if she was overheard or word got around the same thing would happen to her.

Otherwise, he seems to have looked into Buskirk, though turned up no more information than did Stanley and Leo.

Leo flipped through a few of the notes, and then pushed the notebook away for any others. "I'll speak with the reporter. If he starts publishing this stuff, he may next on the list of those who killed Jackson and these others. If nothing else, we can provide fair warning. And perhaps he's uncovered some details we have missed."

"Not much we had not surmised on our own. But is does confirm our conjecture and it does show that Cotton can carry out a thorough investigation of the facts of a case."

"If we can get him to agree to hold the story until the identifcation and attempted apprehension of the assailants, then we should consider involving him. Again, if we do not I am certain he will remain a loose cannon."

"If we do decide to bring him on board he can ride with me today and we can see how he pans out before he meets the rest of you tonight."
Bishop finished.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:03, Mon 27 Apr 2015.

  As Annabel finished her breakfast and settled down to start on her assigned book, she was startled by a knock on the front door. After a few moment and much talking, Stanley warned the others to stay away from the windows and rushed outside. Annabel frowned, more trouble, why don't these people just leave us alone?

 Rosalie, not listening to Stanley's advice, peeked out the window a bit later and made a comment about seeing someone with Stanley, a reporter it seemed. Well if that's all it was, maybe it's not so bad.

     Soon after, Stanley came back in, spoke with Dr. Elias for a bit and both left the room. The notebook was left and Annabel got up to look through it for a few moments before going back to her book. Full of those strange murders, Honestly, one would think a lady would stay away from strange foreign men. Well I guess she tried to, but wasn't so lucky. She gave a little shutter.

   Hoping for no more distractions, Annabel spent the rest of the morning going through the book, making some progress. Afterwards, after stopping for a bite of lunch. She took a little trip to the NY library to look for information on this Imelda Bosch Dr. Elias asked her to research. It was tiresome work, but she felt like she had made progress.

16:41, Today: Annabel Ashcroft rolled 9 using 1d100 with rolls of 9. library use (55).
This message was last edited by the player at 05:24, Tue 28 Apr 2015.

"I would like to meet him before you abscond with him, Mister Bishop.  I agree that we should keep most of the investigation to ourselves until he proves himself trustworthy and discrete.  We cannot afford to offend Erica Carlyle by splashing her name about on the newspaper when she specifically requested that we not.  I think we should keep the presence of the books we found secret, as well.  At least for now.  If someone wants them enough to attempt to steal them from the Carlyle estate, we certainly don't need a reporter spreading the story about."  She dabbed at her mouth with her napkin, finished with her breakfast, and rose from the table.  "I should get going to the museum, but will mainly be at the library with Bo if I am needed.  Is the reporter still outside?  I can say hello on my way out."

"Rosalie I would rather he not speak to anyone else until I have the chance to check out his story with Poole. Till then I don't want him to know any more than he does right now. By the end of the day I'll know if he can be trusted, if so you can meet him then." Bishop replied. Despite his deep affection for Rosalie, or maybe because of it he seemed to be determined of the course he had set.

"If you are all going to be doing research maybe it would be best if you all traveled together. That way Bo can watch out for you all."

"Depending on what Poole thinks of what we have learned, there maybe some action tonight. Best you all be home before dark." Bishop said.


OOC New York Public Library is probably the best place for the research you all have planned.

Rosalie smiled gently at Stanley.  While she wasn't one to rush headlong into danger, she also was a woman that knew her own mind and opinions.  Of course, that was something Stanley had yet to discover.  "I'm afraid that Bo is already gone, Stanley, and I'm traveling in an entirely different direction before I visit the library.  But I will undoubtedly be home before dark.  Perhaps with Bo in tow."  She paused to kiss Leo again on the cheek, and give his shoulder a squeeze.  "Uncle, try not to overtax yourself today.  It's been a trying few days."

Striding into the foyer, she slipped on her fur-trimmed coat and pinned her hat in place, checking her reflection in the mirror.  Tucking the book into one of her large handbags, which also held the pistol Jackson had given her, she collected her gloves and stepped outside while she pulled them on.  A few paces down the walk, she spotted Thomas lingering near the alley and looked him over with great interest as she approached.  "Mister Cotton?"

Glancing up from his reverie Tommy saw the woman approaching. Caught off guard he hurried to wipe his hands (clean as they were) on a trouser leg and smiled. Yet Despite himself he could only see one thing; those cold blue eyes.
No, not cold. Deep like the ocean... For a moment he hesitated before smiling, suddenly for reasons he couldnt understand trusting the girl that approached and he felt somehow reassured.

Before his imagination could run any further he felt the enthusiasm of youth take over. Standing to attention he offered a mock bow.
"you have me at a disadvantage.".
Rosa or annabelle...rosa or annabelle...it must be one of them right?

He grinned broadly.
"Ms Ashcroft! So good to meet you!".
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:25, Wed 29 Apr 2015.

When Rosalie made it clear she was ignoring his request, Bishop picked up the reporter's notebook and turned to the only two at the table, he did not appear pleased. "I need to go see Poole and confirm Cotton's story. I would prefer to see to it that you all arrive at your destinations in one piece. If you can depart now I can load the lot of you up in my car and drop you before I go to Poole."

"I am going to go warm up my car and pull up front. If not going to allow me to drop you, I strongly suggest you two travel together"

Bishop waited long enough to get an answer and them departed out the back to start the car. With the car warming up, Bishop walked down the drive way to speak with Cotton and Rosalie.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:49, Wed 29 Apr 2015.

Still wearing an expression of polite, Rosalie smiled and shook her head.  "Ah, come now, Mister Cotton.  I was told you were a reporter of some skill.  Though I suppose level of skill does not necessarily translate to quantity of knowledge possessed."  She normally would have teased someone for making such a faulty assumption, but never so new an acquaintance.  "No one has ever mistaken me for Miss Ashcroft.  I'm certain that when you meet her, you'll understand why."  Annabel was one of those pretty flowers that seemed to attract attention from all angles.  Over the course of their friendship, Rosalie had noticed how she so easily caught the appreciative eyes of men.

She offered a white-gloved hand and a firm handshake.  "Rosalie Elias.  It is a pleasure to meet you."

Bishop came around the corner to find Rosalie introducing himself to Cotton. Unclinching his teeth he interrupted their chat "Mr Cotton, I am going to be speaking with Poole this morning. If you want access you need to come with me."

Looking over to Rosalie "I offered the others a ride. I would happily drop you as well."

Bishop would have preferred to do things differently, but with Bo's departure he was doing his best to protect the others. With Columbia just a few blocks from Harlem,  he did not like the idea of any of them traveling alone.

Tommy took Rosa's offered hand with a warm grin.
"Well, I had a fifty fifty chance right?" he confided easily. "I picked up your names with a little research, but didn't have a face against 'em.".
Glancing back toward the house he continued.
"Thankyou for coming out to see me. I was afraid I had made a poor impression on Mr Bishop and that he might be inclined to forget about me entirly. I'm a little fearful he might cuff me for speaking with you!".

Trying not to show it his keen eyes looked the woman before him up and down. Her aubern curls were a splash of colour against the grey city and he studied her instinctively looking for clues as to her story.
"I presume Mr Bishop told you I'm a reporter? I suppose I should make that clear right away, though I don't want that to spook you. I'm not here to write some scandal or dramatic piece.". His expression softened and he cast a sympathetic frown. "I'm genuinely sorry for your loss Ms Elias. I have been following cases similar to Jacksons and, well, I just want to help find the twisted freak responsible for it all and perhaps when the time is right publish something that tells the world how or why these terrible things happen.".

He paused, letting the statement hang in the air.
"If one day you'd allow me to buy you a coffee, I'd be glad to hear any thoughts you had on the matter.".

Before he could say any more the broad figure of Stanley approached.
Tommy nodded politly, trying to make a better impression. "Thanks for coming back to me so quickly Mr Bishop. I was just introducing myself to Ms Elias.".

When Bishop mentioned Poole he shrugged. "If that's what you need me to do, then no problem. Unless of course Ms Elias has any objections?". Tommy glanced at her inquisitively, half hoping she'd save him from a morning spent with a PI who seemed to be anything but keen on the Young reporter.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:30, Wed 29 Apr 2015.

As the others were finalizing plans for the day and speaking with the reporter, Leo made his way to the telephone and attempted to make contact with his cousin.

"Of course I haven't any objections," she said smoothly, a slight glint in her eye.  She glanced from Thomas to Stanley and back again.  "I think you shall enjoy Mister Bishop's company.  He's very cheerful this early in the morning and rather chatty on long drives.  I'm certain the two of you shall be the best of friends by the time you return."  She smiled at Stanley, unable to resist the chance to tease him.  "Anyhow, save your coffee for another time, Mister Cotton.  I think Mister Bishop intends to dangle you upside down and see what shakes out.  I wish you the best of luck with that.  For your sake, I hope you're as sincere as you claim to be."

"Thank you for the offer, Stanley, but I'll be completely fine in a cab.  The museum is just across the park.  Perhaps I might walk it today?"  She cast another teasing glance in his direction.  "Or perhaps not.  It is quite chilly.  Besides, it is well out of your way."

"Please take a cab, and please be careful." Stanley said.  He wanted to say more, but at the moment Rosalie was acting like a temperamental fillie. If he tried to force her he would just spook her into taking further chances. Instead he let go and prayed she would remember the dangers involved and take the needed precautions.

Turning to Cotton "Mr. Cotton, you heard the lady. We have a man to see. The car is warming up let's go."

Tommy shrugged.
"Sure, after you.".
He followed Bishop to his car. Despite his reservations that their time might be better spent, the chance to prove his honesty to the Elias family was worth it. If this visit would suffice to reassure the protective PI then it would be well worth it.

Bishop pointed to the passenger side "Get in. We have a couple stops and then we will see Poole."

Getting in the driver's seat, Bishop put the car into gear and pulled out of the drive to the street. Seeing Rosalie waiting on a cab he spoke up "Rosalie I am going across the park and then heading down the West Side. I can drop you on the way. How about you get the others?"

Rosalie glanced down the snow lined street and pondered Stanley's offer.  It was possible that she'd have to walk a few blocks to find a cab or turn around and get Avery to call her one.  Either way, it was going to take some time.  She slid her glove down to her wrist to check her watch and sighed.  Time she didn't have.  She had a lot of reading she wanted to get done and standing idle in the street wasn't going to help her any.

So while she was certainly capable of making her own way and didn't want to put anyone out, if Stanley was headed in the direction of the museum, it would have been foolish of her to refuse.  So long as it was on the way and he didn't insist on escorting her everywhere, she didn't mind.

Turning back to the car, she tilted her head and then shrugged.  "Alright, but just to the museum, and only because it is on your way."  She stepped into the street and headed for the car.

  Opening the door of the house, Annabel came outside, book and purse in hand and rushed to the idling car waving; "Hold on, wait for me!" She hoped it would not take off, but seeing that it was waiting for Rosalie, the young woman wasted no time and hustled over to it. Reaching the car, she huffed and said, "Oh thank God you haven't left yet, I've decided to do all of this at the library, if you could give me a lift, that would be great."

  Opening up the door, Annabel got in and took a seat in the back. Seeing the unfamiliar man sitting in the front, she gave a friendly smile and said. "Oh hello, I'm Annabel, are you an acquaintance of Mr. Bishop?"

Tommy slid into the passenger seat as bidden and glanced around the car to see what clues it might give about its driver. A moment late the fleet footed Annabel appeared and slipped into the rear.
"Ah, you must be Ms Ashcroft!". He turned, suppressing a grin as he noticed Rosa's knowing smile. So that's what Ms Elias meant..

"I've just met Mr Bishop actually. I'm Thomas, Thomas Cotton. Through everyone calls me Tommy. I'm a reporter for the times.".

  Annabel nodded in understanding; "pleased to met you Mr. Cotton. So that was your notebook I was looking at, rather grisly stuff. What brings you to our little group? Since you were going off with Mr. Bishop here it must be well," she gave a sly smile, "interesting enough for how you allow you to come along."

Having been informed that Dr Elias would be traveling on his on, Bishop shifted his 1923 Chevrolet Superior Sedan into gear. After a few turns he headed across the park. As he drove he watched for any possible tails. It was unlikely the enemy would strike at in broad day light, but they had shown to be skilled but desperate killers and the chance that they were being followed could not be dismissed.

After dropping Annabel and Rosalie off at their respective destinations, Stanley and Thomas arrived at the 10th precinct without incident. Upon entering the precinct house, they were greeted by the policeman manning the desk, a man Bishop had seen there on his last visit to the station.

"You want to see Poole again, I expect?" He gestured to another policeman. "Show these men to the lieutenant's office." Another uniformed policeman quietly accompanied them to the office where Bishop had previously met Poole.

"Mr. Bishop," he said in simple greeting. "I see that you have made the acquaintance of everyone's least favorite reporter," he remarked dryly.

"From what Mr. Cotton led me to understand I have you to thank for that Lieutenant. The only reason he is here is because he said you had directed him to speak with us." Bishop said.

"So before we go further I wanted to see if you would vouch for him."

Tommy waved a jovial farewell to the ladies, resisting an urge to take notes of where they were going. What could the pair be researching? He hoped a little patience would bring him the answer.

Arriving at the police station he hopped up its familiar steps, nodding at faces he knew and following Bishop's lead toward Poole.
As the Lieutenant gave his wry welcome Tommy smiled unphased. "Its a delight to see you too Lieutenant. Weather could be better eh?". Casually he glanced at the various documents that were shuffled across Poole's desk. It was a delightful reporters habit; you never knew when a story was under your nose.
Offering a mock frown he added "Besides, you must have met that Winchell fellow over at the Mirror? An utter gossip monger! So there is at least one reporter less favorable than me?". He raised a theatrical eyebrow, and hushed himself to allow Bishop to get down to business.

After Bishop had spoken he hurried to add.
"If you'll recall, I never said the good Lieutenantsent me. Only that he did not object to me talking with you.".

"If there's anything I've learned about Mr. Cotton, it's better to have him inside pissing out than outside pissing in," he said. His disposition didn't change with Cotton's friendly banter. He wasn't hostile, just marginally tolerant of his presence. He was quiet for a moment, but shook his head and let go a sigh.

"I've got no love for reporters, Mr. Bishop, but Cotton's not the worst of the lot. He does good research, thus far his articles have solid factual underpinnings and do not rely on speculation, which is better than I can say for most of his kind," he admitted, grudgingly. From his tone, he might have not been discussing reporters, but vermin. He pulled any stray papers together in his desk and slipped them under a folder, removing them from sight as he saw Cotton peering about.

"I should be fair. Cotton's given me some solid tips that have helped me close a couple of cases in the past. He has grit, and is good at digging things up. He asked me if I objected to him talking to you. Since I knew that you folks were looking into things on your own, I told him he might be well served by it."

"No what you said Mr Cotton was that the lieutenant said you were welcome to speak with us good folks." Bishop said.

"But it is clear he knows you and within limits trusts you. So I am prepared to within trust you as well. Now before we go into what we have learned we are going to come to an agreement on when the story can be published and when."

"This way if you burn me the Lieutenant will no you can't be trusted and you will be burning him as well."

"Does that make sense?" Bishop asked Cotton.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:55, Mon 04 May 2015.

"It does speak in his favor that he came by me before approaching you," he said.

"If your purpose here is solely to verify Mr. Cotton's story, I would say it's an accurate one. But I'm a busy man, Mr. Bishop, and while nothing brings my heart more delight than to witness your agreement with young Thomas, I have a job to do."

"I'm here to tell you what we uncovered. If Mr Cotton wants to be included in the discussion he is going to have to agree to my terms."

"My terms are simple.  We will include you in our investigation. But you will not report on the investigation until we have reached a point, which I will agree to, that such reporting will not jeopardize the investigation or the health of all involved. In addition when you do report the story you will avoid including myself or the others. In exchange you will know what we know and be given access to the details of the investigation. "

"If you agree you will be part of the team Mr "Cotton. Are we agreed? " Bishop said offering his meaty paw.

   As she was dropped off at the library, Annabel waved good bye then went inside. Making herself as comfortable as one could for studying, she got to work reading the book she was assigned. Afterwards, after finishing and taking a break for lunch; she got to work researching Imelda Bosch. The break must have done her some good because she found herself quite productive.

16:41, Today: Annabel Ashcroft rolled 9 using 1d100 with rolls of 9. library use (55).

Tommy listened attentively, partially relieved that Poole had judged him fairly. He'd been a tiny bit nervous the busy officer would have ignored Bishops questions offhand and left young Tommy somewhat out on a limb. As it was, he was surprisingly greatful to the leiutenant.
As the broad shouldered PI offered terms Tommy returned his most serious expression.
"Mr Bishop, you have my word. And for what it's worth, I hope my conduct before now will reinforce that expression. This is the seventh case. Not a single one of those has been reported on in detail by the Times, save for statement of the basic facts. No, I'm not here to report a dramatic page turner. As I said before, when...if... I submit a story...it'll relate to more than the sordid details of death. I want to understand why or how people can act as they do.".
His expression was earnest. "If my report includes you, I'll seek your permission to publish. Likewise if my report includes any of the Elias family, I'll seek their go ahead too.".
He reached out to accept Bishops paw and despite his small stature did his best to offer a firm handshake.

Bishop handed back the reporter's notebook.  "Very well. Guess I should give this back."

"So now let us get down to brass tacks."


"Lieutenant Poole, as you no we have been following up on the case.

"If you remember the business card from Emerson Imports the name Silas Nkwane's name scrawled on the back. A conversation with the owner of Emerson Imports provided us the information that Silas Nkwane was the proprietor of a curio shop called the Juju House."

"Another conversation with a friend with connections in Harlem regarding the death of Richard “Ritchie C.” Cederecci  also pointed us to the Juju House as being involved in the killing of some mobbed up types. That source also gave us the address of the Juju House as One Ransom Court."

"Following up on another of the killings, we had a chance to look at the files of Walter Van Buskirk. Looking into his files we followed up on the case of a missing girl, Andrea Duncan. The girl had disappeared after falling in with some Negro foreigners. When Buskirk searched the girls room he found a slip of paper with an address on it, One Ransom Court."

"Of the seven other murders all the victims were discovered in the streets of Harlem except for Michael Conley, the longshoreman whose body was found at the docks, and Adolf Thurmond, whose body was found in the bookstore that he owned. That makes it likely the killers are operating out of Harlem. If I had to guess a spot it would be One Ransom Court."

"I think that is certainly enough to warrant your interest. But my concern is that address might just be a front and that they might do the dirty work some place nearby. But with the trail of bodies they have left behind I think it is worth you and your men searching the Juju House on One Ransom Court."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:02, Thu 07 May 2015.

Poole nodded as he listened to Bishop, letting him go without interrupting him while he made his pitch. "Good work. I could never get Richie C's people to talk to any of mine, as you can probably imagine. I even told 'em that I don't care about booze, that I was a murder police. Didn't do me much good."

He paused. "You know, we've actually had a couple other leads on this Ju Ju House place. About a week back, I had one of the other precincts lend me a couple colored policemen, sent 'em over to see if something would shake out. Old African fella let 'em in and let 'em have a look around. Apparently, the place just seems to be a curio shop. They couldn't really find anything."

"Still, I share your suspicions about that place, but I'm this close to my hands bein' tied. You see, I actually got a call about it earlier today - apparently last night some drunk made a nuisance call about a drug deal goin' down there. A couple of cops went over, didn't see nothin' goin' down. Long story short, they suspect it was me that made the call. I've already got a red flag on my file because I'm apparently 'obsessed' with these murders. The bosses think the case is cold and want me to move off of it and solve some other murders. They're still lettin' me look at it for now, but if I make another move on the Ju Ju House and come up empty handed, they'll pull me off the case for sure."

He shrugged.

Tommy listened attentively to Poole's report. The Lieutenant was good at his job, and sending a couple of colored officers to scope the place sounded like a shrewd move.
"Weird. I guess if they found nothing then the place must be clean. Maybe N'kwane's less savory dealings are performed elsewhere? Or maybe he's not even our man.".
He mused carefully, biting on the end of his pencil.

"Whoever is out there doing these things, they must want something. Is there a way we can bait them out?". He shrugged. "What do you think Stan?".
Looking at the bigger man he smiled. "Hey, and you never did say what I should call you?".

Bishop listened to Poole. He did his best not to react to the news of the crank call. He was sure he could chalk that up to Bo. But they had turned up documented evidence from the private investigators files.

Bishop was none to pleased when Cotton gave Poole an excuse to stay on the bench. The kid seemed at best a loose cannon.

"Lieutenant I understand that you are getting heat on this. The same source that linked the killings to the Juju House said they were protected." Bishop said. He did not feel the need to point out the implications.

"But the Buskirk's files put a missing white girl at that address.  That also ties one of the victim's to that address. The place might be a front but I am certain it is tied to the killings. I know you are getting pressure but isn't that enough to warrant a raid on the place? Andrea Duncan might be alive and in the hands of these savages. White slavery isn't going to play well on election day no matter how tight the fix."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:56, Sat 09 May 2015.

Tommy nodded as Bishop spoke. He was inclined to agree, but if Poole said his hands were tied, then they probably were.
"Two officers have already been inside the place to investigate though right? I know a whole lot'a evidence points that way, but if they found nothing, then surely there is nothing to be found there.".
Pacing around the small room he thought carefully. A small copper clock ticked and tocked through the silence.
"Maybe we should be looking at the motives again. Why was Jackson targeted? Unlike the other killings he had no dealings in Harlem that we know of did he?".

He gave the reporter a dark look. "Don't play the fool with me, Cotton. You know as well as I do that just because they didn't find anything doesn't mean the place is clean or that there's nothing to be found. Maybe the men we sent over there weren't cut out for that sort of thing. We just picked 'em because we figured we'd do better with colored cops in that part of town. From what I'm told, they're fine officers. But they weren't detectives. They didn't have a trained eye," he said.

"White slavery? That's a hard sell. Some private dick finds a slip of paper in a pocket - that's well outside any the chain of evidence that I can rely on. Probable cause for an investigation, a warrant? Maybe..."

OOC:

Bishop, give me a Persuade roll.

In reply to Lt. Martin Poole (msg # 81):

09:00, Today: Stanley Bishop rolled 91 using 1d100 with rolls of 91. persuade 65.

He shook his head in the negative after giving the matter some thought. "No, I don't think I'm going to risk my career by going in there again. Again, if I go in there one more time and come up with nothing, I'm going to have problems with my bosses - because they're going to have problems with the micks over in Tammany Hall."

"If you can prove to me that there's a serious crime that you know of that has been committed there, I can respond to that. You've done good work here, Bishop, don't get me wrong. But I've already had bodies in the building and turned up short. If that happens again, it ain't gonna look good for me. And moreover, if I was to turn up short one more time, they might change up their operation and move their headquarters somewhere else."

"This isn't the only investigation on my radar. I have too many crimes that need solving for which I have solid evidence and good leads. As much as I'd like to, I can't prioritize this case based on a few scattered hints about this Ransom Court place, especially given the fact that I'm under pressure to start solving murders. I do want to thank you for confirming some of my suspicions. Maybe when I'm able to put away a few more murders on the regular, I can get back to looking into the Ransom Court situation."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:18, Fri 08 May 2015.

Bishop was not pleased when Cotton had given Poole an easy way out. He was less pleased when Poole had put his ambition over the lives of the victims of the vicious killers.

"This might last chance to make this choice Lieutenant. These killings are not going to stop, at some point folks are going to start calling for heads to roll over these deaths and those same fellas telling you are going to take your scalp to save their own."

"The difference is by then there will be more victims. He'll given that the killers seem to like to silence anyone who looks into these deaths by killing them it could be me or Cotton or one of the Elias family. Or it could be you or some other cop."

"When you are looking down at the next corpse, remember you had the chance to do the right thing. Heck you still do. If we go in there and turn up something how they are going to go after you then? How are they going to punish the hero cop who solved these murders and stopped these killers?"

The lieutenant fixed Bishop with a neutral expression as the Pinkerton agent dressed him down.

"You've taken up too much of my time today. Please see yourselves out of my office." He gestured towards the door with an offhand motion.

Part of Bishop wished he had walked out before he spoke up, but had he not gotten that off his chest he would have throttled someone. Someone had backed off the police, someone connected to the murder of at least seven people, some of them upstanding citizens.

He had thought Poole was made of stronger stuff, and was smart enough to see that either way he was going to end up in the frying pan. But Bishop's way had a chance to do some good and save his career. His way could only end badly.

That Cotton had done nothing but give Poole an out did little to bolster his confidence in the reporter.

"Thank you for your time Lieutenant." Bishop said as he turned and headed out the door and down to his car. As he made his way through the precinct house Bishop began to work out the next step.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:46, Sat 09 May 2015.

Tommy nodded knowing better than to push Poole any further. It was better to keep the man on side, even if for now his hands seemed tied.
"Good day Lieutenant.". He glanced back as Stanley departed and added "And thanks for what you said before. I appreciate it.".

With that he ducked out himself and hurried to follow a grim looking Bishop out of the precinct. Catching up alongside his new comrade he couldn't help but compare the PI to an oak. Strong but inflexible, driven by nature.
"So what now? Like I said inside, I still reckon the motive angle has room for exploration. The others, well most of 'em seem to have been done in for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, or steppin' on someone's shoes in Harlem. But thats not the case for Mr Elias. Did you guys make any headways as to why he was killed?".

Bishop said nothing. He kept walking. He had tried to include the young reporter but Cotton had already given him to regret the decision. Had they not been in a precinct house, Bishop might not have been able not to restrain his desire to express his anger. But is the kid kept jabbering he was not sure he could maintain his bearing.

"Don't you listen? Jack was digging into the Juju House and Silas Nkwane. He had the man's name on a card. Just like the rest of the victims, he stuck his nose into that place and it cost him his life."

Once out side the precinct house, Bishop stopped and turned on Cotton. Speaking quietly but with intensity, he said "You could have backed me up there. But instead you gave Poole an excuse to sit this out. I don't know about you but I don't consider that a way to build trust."

"You say you been working these cases. Why don't you tell me something I don't know. Everything in that book of yours was something I either knew or was able to piece together without a lick of investigation."

As Bishop spoke he scanned for anyone suspicious who might be taking an interest in the two of them before getting in the car. If the kid had a comeback he could hear it as they drove.

"But why was Jack diggin' into the Juju house? What did he think was going on there, can we pick up on his leads?". Again it came back to motive.

When the larger man turned on Cotton, he shrugged. There was no point getting into a heated argument. "Look, if we could'a gotton Poole to look closer then I agree, that would've been real handy. But you know the man right? He sent his officers, he's stuck his neck out already. You weren't gonna change his mind and far as I see it, we need to keep him on side. Sure we could've both jumped on him, but what would that have helped?".
He ran a hand through his dark hair and frowned.
"Aint no point beating your head on a brick wall. Gotta change tack.".

"I just told you the motive .. twice. " Bishop wondered if the kid was hard of hearing.

"As far as Poole goes if you weren't going to back me you should have said nothing. That was our best chance to stop these killers. Now they are going to kill again .. and again until Poole acts or his replacement does."

"If you don't understand tthe stakes or the angle .. say nothing."

"Now like I said, for all your time on this case you don't seem to know much. Unless you can impress me soon I will cut you loose. You want to write about this go ahead. That might be the only way to force the police to act." Bishop said.

But he could not I'm good conscience not tell Cotton the risks. "But I warn you for the same reason these savages killed Jack they will kill you. If you include the details of the Elias family they will likely try to kill them too."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:25, Mon 11 May 2015.

Tommy looked up with a dangerous grin.
"Then maybe that's how we bait them out. I could file a story...intrepid, handsome, fearless reporter promises to publish details of the last works of Jackson Elias in tomorrow's paper, as a mark of respect. Not brash enough that The Times won't print it, on the face of things it'll be a mid sheet small interest piece. But if our foe picks up on it...".
He waved his arm in a theatrical sweeping motion.
"They killed Jackson because he was on to somethin. Maybe we make em think I'm on to 'em too. Only this time we are ready for them?".

Tommy leaned back in his chair and stretched.
"Or not. That's probably too bold a move at this stage.".
Reaching to his pocket he pulled the notebook out as a reminder.
"As for what I know...well just bits here and there. I've looked into the other killings in a good amount of detail, interviewed relations, stuff like that. The problem is knowing what is useful information and what's a red herring.".

"Hey, what were the girls planning to do at the library? Should we go pick em up?".

As Bishop listened to he had to admit it sounded like the kid had guts, and while the plan was risky it might work.

"Let me think on this plan of yours. Jack's specialty was death cults. He had been digging into one in Africa, which it seems had adherents here in New York.  Not sure Jack knew that when he started, but he was getting close before his murder."

"As far as the ladies, we will pick them up later as planned.  Right now I want to check in on a friend." Bishop said as he drive to Abraham Hargrove's home.

OOC:

Make a Spot Hidden roll for me.

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 93):

 10:43, Today: Stanley Bishop rolled 77 using 1d100 with rolls of 77. spot hidden 70.
Any bonus for actively looking?  If not maybe Tommy will get lucky

As they drove Tommy hesitated for a moment, eyebrow furrowing.

19:11, Today: Thomas Cotton rolled 14 using 1d100 with rolls of 14. Spot hidden vs 60.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:16, Wed 13 May 2015.

While they were speaking with Poole, it began to snow again and by the time they were driving the snow was falling steadily down. Fewer cars were on the road, but those that were drove slower than normal.

Sitting up straighter Tommy watched the car for a few more seconds, his eyes narrowing as he became sure.
"We got someone tailing us.".
His voice was low. While there was no way the other driver could overhear some instinct within him made him whisper and adrenaline began to flow.
"Black car, two back. He's been with us for a while. Don't let him know we've seen him.".

Bishop hung a left and sure enough their tail followed.
"We gotta make this count.". Despite the apparent risk of being followed Tommy felt a thrill of excitement. He wasn't in this game deep enough to realize how real the danger was. He continued excitedly.
"Two options. Try and catch the guy, or turn this on its head and we tail him. You could take a sharp left, drop me off before he corners, then you pull over a little ahead. From there, either I hail a taxi and follow him in turn, or we corner him.".

Being careful not to look over his shoulder he squinted at the mirror. How many people were in the following car?

Bishop continued driving doing nothing to indicate the tail had been spotted. His anger had gotten the best of him and he had failed to spot the tail. Luckily the kid had seen him, now it want time to see if they could hook him.

"Let's keep it simple."

Bishop did his share of tailing and knew some decent spots to shake or even trap a tail. In this case it would be a trap.

"We will let him tail us to a spot where we he can blocked him in. Then we will spring the trap. There is a Colt in the glove box."

"You ever fired a pistol?" Bishop asked.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:04, Wed 13 May 2015.

Tommy raised an eyebrow.
"A colt? Sure I've used a handgun, though I'm no marksman.".
Leaning forward he opened the glovebox to warily pull out the weapon. Checking it was loaded he tucked it into his jacket.
"I can point it straight enough, but I aint planning on shooting anyone today. Lets see what he's got to say first.".
His heart beat faster as he waited for Bishop to enact the plan, the urge to look over his shoulder tying knots in his neck muscles.

"That's not a gift kid. If things turn ugly don't hesitate to shoot." Bishop said as he drove.

OOC:

Either of you can make a Knowledge roll to think whether or not you know of a likely place to enact your plan, though if you could be more specific as to what type of place you are looking for that would be helpful as well.

Tommy nodded.
Though in the back of his mind he was hesitating. Surely things wont turn ugly that quickly? The guy in the car behind is probably some harmless patsy. Still he did his best to look ready for the broad PI.

"You got a place in mind Bishop? There's an alley off East 35th - tight corner so you gotta drive slow, followed immediately by another corner. You lookin' for something like that? Drop me off after the first turn, and by the time the tail has taken the second I'll be behind him with no way quick way out.".

17:37, Today: Thomas Cotton rolled 49 using 1d100 with rolls of 49. Know vs 65.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:55, Wed 13 May 2015.

"Sounds like a plan." Bishop said steering the car towards the spot Cotton had suggested.

At the next stop light, Bishop to the opportunity to unfold and ready his shotgun to even the odds. It was an odd weapon, a folding pump action with a short barrel made for prison guards, but popular with Pinkerton men.

"I'll slow down and you roll out. Take cover and be prepared to shoot. You will want to get close to make it count."

The car didn't pull up directly behind them at the stop light, keeping a distance of a couple of car lengths.

Bishop continued driving until they reached the alley where they planned their ambush. It could be that Poole had put someone on them, so Bishop planned on making sure who he was dealing with before putting some one down.

By the time they reached the alley, they were no longer being pursued. The vehicle had taken a quick turn down a sidestreet.

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 107):

Bishop looked for another car that might have taken over following them as he turned off and headed to Hargrove's place.

"Keep your eyes peeled looks like they changed up."

"Damn.".
Tommy swore and for the first time twisted to look over his shoulder. Sure enough the tail had vanished.
What if you're seeing things boyo? Maybe Bishop has made you jumpy.
He pushed the nagging doubt away-last thing he needed was for bishop to think he was making things up. Still, the PI had acted like he was ready to shoot whoever was following and that made Tommy uncomfortable. Shuffling back to his normal position he uncocked the revolver and slid it back in to the glove box.
"Maybe they made us. Or maybe they figured we were of course. Either way, I don't like it. We should get back to the girls, make sure they ain't alone.".
Despite the brevity of their meeting he found himself worrying about those piercing blue eyes, and anxiously he scanned the road for any hint of another tail.

Shortly after crossing the Queensboro Bridge, they arrived at the address of one Abraham Hargrove, a first floor flat in West Queens in a building that appeared to be a Bohemian enclave that would likely be inhabited by writers, artists, and musicians.

No response comes to knocking at the door, and the door itself is locked.

On the way to Hargrove's apartment, Bishop had explained who the man was and why he was concerned enough to drive to Queens.

Bishop checked the mail box to see if it has been picked up, as well trying to look into the windows and if they could be reached checking to see if they could be opened.

The windows are shut tight, and the curtains are drawn closed, obscuring any view of the inside of the flat from without.

OOC: what about the mail box? is this the kind of building that has multiple apartments per floor or just one like a railroad apartment? Is this the kind of building that has a superintendent?
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:40, Sun 17 May 2015.

Tommy eased out of the car and followed a half step behind Bishop as they approached the apartment. Unfamiliar with the place he squinted as he looked up to see the drawn curtains and stillness of the place.
"Maybe he's just out of town visiting relatives. Did he tell you he was going any place?".

ooc: any homeless guys or other locals going about their business? If so TOmy would wander over to chat and see if Hargrove has been seen recently.

OOC:

Give me an Idea roll.

@Stanley: Yes, it has multiple apartments per floor.
@Tommy: No, nobody seems to be loitering around outside.

This message was last edited by the GM at 12:24, Mon 18 May 2015.

Tommy frowned. The street was quiet save for occasional passing vehicles and no locals were loitering ripe for interview. Overhead some bird let out a shrill unwelcoming sqwark and reeled away across the grey sky.
Taking a few paces back Tommy peered upward at the first floor apartment to see if he could make out if any windows were ajar, or if the fire escape was accessible.

13:38, Today: Thomas Cotton rolled 91 using 1d100 with rolls of 91. Idea vs 80

07:25, Today: Stanley Bishop rolled 35 using 1d100 with rolls of 35. idea 13.

OOC:

Stanley, your Idea is 65, not 13, so that's a pass. The only way you could have an Idea of 13 is if your INT was 2.6 :)

Stanley remembers that Abraham had a car, and thought it might be a good idea to look around and see if the car was parked anywhere nearby. A brief visual survey of the area indicates that Hargrove's vehicle is nowhere in sight.

OOC: What about the mailbox? Newspapers?
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:38, Mon 18 May 2015.

OOC:

There is no newspaper in front of the door. If you search around the area, there will be a central area where there are mailboxes for each unit. There is no obvious indication of whether or not there is a superintendent.

Matching Hargrove's unit number and mail box, Bishop looks into the ubiquitous window like grate to see of mail has been picked up.

Bishop will look for a mailbox or bell marked super before going knocking on a few doors and asking about both the super and Hargrove.

The windowlike area is covered from the inside by a paper labeled with Hargrove's unit number on it, rendering Bishop unable to detect the presence or absence of mail. Almost all of them are marked similarly, with unit numbers, save for a few of them which have none and are empty - presumably indicating that there are a few unoccupied residences in the building.

Tommy's boot scuffed against the hard stone as he kicked a pebble down the road. "Wherever Hargrove is, he aint here. Maybe we should leave a message or come back tomorrow?".

He turned South to face the cold afternoon wind. "Whoever was tailing us could be anywhere now. I'm worried about the others. Shouldn't we go and collect them?".

ooc: now we've been alerted to the presence of a tail, can we presume that Tommy is always on the look out for the tell tale signs?
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:41, Tue 19 May 2015.

OOC:

While some Keepers make the rolls for the players and keep them in secret, I generally give characters the benefit of the doubt that they are being observant, which is why I periodically call for Spot Hidden rolls when the opportunity arises. I trust you to roleplay the situation well and to know the results of your own rolls. Please don't have any concern on this count.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:45, Tue 19 May 2015.

"I want to knock on a few doors. Then we can go back to the city and pick up the ladies." Bishop said.

"Try and look like a cop." Bishop said quietly as he knocked on the door closest to Hargrove's.

The door opened slightly, a chain holding it from opening fully and a face peered out from the gap. "Whaddaya want?"

Taking advantage of the limited vision allowed through the door, Bishop quickly flashed his Pinkerton badge quickly.

"We are looking for your neighbor. Seen him around lately?" Bishop asked like a cop.

OOC:

Please make a Fast Talk roll.

20:26, Today: Stanley Bishop rolled 92 using 1d100 with rolls of 92. fast talk.

"Who are you again?" the voice asked uncertainly. "I didn't catch your name."
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:03, Wed 20 May 2015.

Bushop cursed himself, he was too honest to fool anyone. Which went a long way to explaining the end of his career as an attorney.

"My name is Bishop. I am a detective and I am trying to locate Mr. Hargrove. I assure you, you would be doing him a favor if you assist me." Bishop said.

"Mr. Who? I don't know who you're talkin' about. I mostly keep to myself," he said, closing the door on the pair.

How about a luck roll for a busy body neighbor.

13:59, Today: Stanley Bishop rolled 61 using 1d100 with rolls of 61. luck roll busy body neighbor.

Tommy stepped forward clearing his throat.
"Ah, what my colleague Mr bishop means to say is we won't take but a moment of your time. We're just looking for Mr Hargrove.". he gestured toward the neighbouring apartment and offered his gentlest smile.
"I don't suppose you've seen him in the last few days? We'd love to leave a message, but can't find anyone to accept our payment.". he shuffled a hand into a pocket promisingly, to see the fellows reaction.

22:28, Today: Thomas Cotton rolled 72 using 1d100 with rolls of 72. Fast talk vs 70.
Closer...any cheeky bonus for a bribe, or following Bishops attempt? ;)

If the tenant heard Tommy's offer of money as he was closing the door, it didn't seem to have moved him to action.

A woman walking a rather large dog strolled by at the moment. Pale, she wore a lot of make up, and her kohl-rimmed eyes stood out under her horn rimmed glasses. Her skirt was short, and so was her hair, worn under a Cloche hat. Many layers of necklaces covered her shirt, and she wore other assorted items of jewelry. She looked at the pair with interest as she casually smoked a cigarette but didn't approach.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:39, Thu 21 May 2015.

Bishop smiled "Good morning, that is a handsome dog."

After she replied "I wonder if you know Mr Hargrove .. Abraham Hargrove."

"Honest Abe! Yeah, I know him. He's a writer. What gives?" she asked casually.

"I am a friend of his and came to see but he is not around. I noticed his car is gone and was wondering if it was worth waiting for him to get back." Bishop replied.

"I guess it depends, doesn't it?" she shrugged. "He's always bouncin' about here and there. You could wait an hour, or you could wait twenty maybe before he comes back. He may be on one of his famous benders for all I know." She mimed the act of tipping back a bottle, and then play acted a little drunkenness, and then giggled, falling back into form. It was actually a reasonable impersonation of Abraham, if in caricature.

Bishop smiled at her performance. " You got him down pretty good. Making me thirty."

"When was the last time you saw him?"

"Oh, I don't know. Yesterday, I think. Maybe the day before," she answered.

Bishop figured the timing. It might be that Abe had just taken a powder.

"Well it might be a bit of a wait then. Don't want people to get nervous having a couple of strange men just standing around the hallway." Bishop said.

"If you don't, maybe you should just come back another time. Somebody might call the police and report you for loitering," she replied.

Tommy smiled and walked forward to befriend the dog as Bishop spoke.
Scratching behind its ears he coo'ed encouragingly. "Aint you a handsome boy?".

He listened attentively as Bishop quizzed the woman, and looked up cheerily as the woman mentioned the police. "Hah! I'm sure the police have far more important things to do than come chasing after a couple of harmless fellows like us. Nice area like this you can't get too much trouble right?". He let the question hang, incase she wanted to gossip about such things.

"Anyways, I'm sure Mr Hargrove will be back soon enough. Mr Bishop, shall we get under way?".

"Suit yourselves," she said non-chalantly, not really seeming to care too much one way or another as she wandered off.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:35, Sun 24 May 2015.

Tommy ran a hand through his hair and offered a gentle shrug. As the woman turned away he couldn't help but watch her rear, before turning to Bishop with a sheepish grin.
"Where ever Mr Hargrove is, it aint here my friend.".
He glanced at his watch.
"I wonder if either of the ladies have finished their respective researches yet?".

"Yeah. I just wanted to make sure he had not ended up on the wrong on of some negro's war spear." Bishop said heading out to the car. As usual he kept an eye out for trouble.

OOC:

Where are Bishop and Cotton off too next?

OOC:

Please color and tag your OOC posts appropriately!

It is mid-morning - sometime around 10 or 11

Tommy nodded as Bishop spoke. "You're right to be concerned. Maybe he'll turn up tomorrow.".
The young reporter looked out of the window as the tall New York buildings filtered by while they drove. Alongside the road folk went about their business oblivious to the fact that any one of them might be the next victim of the Harlem killer.
"I still don't understand our enemy's motive. They must have killed Jackson because of his work right? Whatever he was investigating? Or do you think it was something else?".
He paused thoughtfully as ahead of them some kids crossed the road.
"The other victims seem unrelated too. Maybe if we headed over to the library or museum we could see if one of the others has picked up on anything interesting?".

"One of the victims was a bookseller. I want to check out his shop and see if there is a connection to the sort of books the others are researching." Bishop replied.

"Thurmmond you mean? Right. He owned a couple of bookstores. I spoke to his sister after the murder. God, she took it hard. But who wouldn't?".
Tommy flicked through his notebook.
"I suppose it's possible Adolf and Jackson knew each other through the books right? That never came up when I met 'em, but then I had no idea who Jackson was so wasn't looking for a link like that.".

When Bishop and Cotton pulled up to the bookshop in Brooklyn they had been given an address for by Poole, they found that  it was open, though quiet. The Corner Bookshop seemed like an average neighborhood book store. Behind the counter, there was a woman in her late fifties reading a newspaper. She looked up and greeted them as they came in, and promptly returned to reading the paper.

As they approached Bishop doffed his hat and offered a respectful smile and a card that listed a number at Pinkerton but omitted the name of the agency.

"Good morning miss, my name is Stanley Bishop, this is Mr. Cotton. We are looking into several recent deaths, including the death of Adolf Thurmond. First let me offer my condolences."

" was hoping I might ne able to asks a few questions and perhaps have a look around to see if we might be able to find something that might offer a link between Mr. Thurmond and the other victims."

"And here I was hoping you were going to buy something," she said. "There were other deaths like my husband's?" she asked, looking at the card offered by Stanley, though she didn't take it.

"I've already told the police everything I know. If you're trying to connect this to some kind of serial killer, you could start with them," she said.

"As I said ma'am I am sorry for your loss. My college and I have spoken with the police. One of those killed was my best friend, so this is not part of any official investigation. That said I am a private detective and I am attempting to piece together some elements of these crimes that may have evaded the police."

"My friend was Jackson Elias, the author and researcher who specialized in the occult. His death seems to be related to the work in the field and I wondered if perhaps your husband's death might not have been related to some book or books in his collection or perhaps some connection to Jack." Jack said with care.

"Well, I'm sorry for your loss as well. Nobody took any of his books, so I'm not too sure about them killin' him 'cause of his books. We don't have anything of that occult stuff in here, except maybe some fiction. I can't say I've heard of Jackson Elias before," she said.

"Thank you." Bishop replied. His loss was tough but nothing like losing a husband must have been.

"Was there any trouble with any negroes around the time of your husband's passing? Finally do you think you could look at a list of other possible victim's to see if you might recognize some connection?" Bishop asked removing the list from his pocket.

"Negroes? No, not that I know of. The only connection to any of them that I can think of would be all those maps Adolf had been buying," she said.

Perhaps he had finally found something to explain the booksellers death. Might too ne getting to close to the Carlyle Expedition's fate?

"Maps? Maps of what and where exactly?" Bishop asked.

"Maps of Africa. He started ordering them into the store some time back, and I kept telling him that people don't want maps of Africa - if anything maybe some tourists would want maps of the city, but he didn't listen to me and was really intent on maps of Africa. He didn't even try to sell them!"

"My friend was doing some research on Africa, and it appears to have cost him his life. Do you still have his maps?" Bishop asked beginning to feel that this was almost certainly connected somehow.

Tommy raised an eyebrow as the maps were mentioned.
He thumbed through his notebook until he found the page he was looking for.
"Yes, that's right! I spoke to Mr Thurmmonds sister; she mentioned he'd a growing interest in maps. But at that stage the influence of Africa was not so relevant so I thought naught of it.".
He looked back to the poor widow.
"I hate to ask, but did your husband keep records or any of the staff make note of who else might be interested in those maps? Perhaps Jackson was looking into the same thing...".

"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.