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.".