Leo mulled over what he had heard from Grey, and seemed to be distracted as the others started talking. His attention was finally pulled from considering what Grey had shared, and he shook his head slightly, probably just to clear out the stray thoughts floating within.

He first responded to Thomas' question about Anastasia. "Grey just thinks that this Anastasia originated in Africa. He wasn't trying to indicate that she didn't live there while in New York."

He looked around at the others discussing a trip to Harlem. "It seems like we need to get some information from the JuJu House. I expect it will be dangerous, and am not well-versed in these sorts of things, though I know several of you are. What's your plan?"

Moretti cleared his throat before speaking, his tone quiet. "In my experience, sir, you're going somewhere you expect there's going to be trouble, and it's not a place you know, it's a good idea to case it...to scout it out. Figure out what sort of opposition you're facing."

"I've never done any kind of business with these people. If there's a way to get a look at this establishment first, learn the layout, who's there, it might help us determine the best way to proceed."

 Annabel spoke up, "Would it be odd for someone to just go during the day to the shop? After all it IS a store right, at least i guess so. People do come in to buy things. Admittedly, I don't know how many White people actually go there, I figure being in Harlem, it's probably frequented by Negroes." Maybe other people go there on occasion out of curiosity and buy an odd trinket or two."

Bishop said nothing. There was too much evidence pointing to N'Kwane and Juju House to waste anymore time. He had made his mind up that the Juju House was a front for the cult who had killed Jack and the others. He had no wish to tip his hand, much less put someone in danger by poking about the place. He was ready to walk through the front door and deliver justice to the savages within.

Tommy nodded to Annabel.
"Right. Unless who ever visits is someone they recognize. For a moment this morning Mr Bishop and I thought we were being followed...".

"We've been working on the assumption that these monkeys know us -- by sight at least -- and have been stalking us. We know that people that've poked around that shop have been murdered. I doubt any of us -- except maybe Cotton here -- can appear innocent to them." He pauses to think a moment, rubbing his chin.

"Whaddya think, Stanley, Vince, could Cotton get away with showing his press card and interviewing them for a piece in the Times about -- I dunno -- local color in Harlem? He might get past the front of the shop that way. It would be good to have a scout of the terrain before we go in."

"I honestly do not think we are going to uncover any other details on the missing Carlyle Expedition without actually going overseas," she replied to Stanley.  "Jackson has been conducting research for quite a while and you see how many open questions and dead ends he uncovered.  I think our path lies in investigating his death.  If we find out why he was killed and who was responsible, it will surely give us more insight on why he was so interested in the missing party in the first place, why someone wanted to stop him from continuing his research, and what he discovered that was so horrible."

"No, I believe that if we are going to continue, we should do it together.  Strength in numbers.  But I do think that Vincent has an excellent idea.  If we had some way to scout out the location, watch the comings and goings, it would give us a distinct advantage.  I do not enjoy the thought of storming into Harlem unprepared.  Do we know anyone who might be able to help us in that part of the city?"

A trip over seas...shes right, but how the hell am I going to afford that? mused Cotton as Rosa spoke. Though this could be the biggest story run in The Times for a decade...maybe they'll fund a small bursary...yeah, I might swing that by the chief...

Feeling the eyes of the party fall on him after Walter's suggestion he shrugged. "I'd be happy to do some 'research' for an article. New York as a melting pot. The economics of Harlem. Or just some general interest piece on exotic curio's...that might be an excuse to take a camera.
Wouldn't Vince be unknown to them too? Two pairs of eyes is better than one.".

"Alas," he looked over to Rosa to answer her question "I dont think I have any contacts in that part of town who could help us. Not looking in a random store anyway.".

"As Bo pointed out, it is likely they know most of us by sight. That includes you Tommy. You have been on this case a while, and they seem more than capable of identifying and eliminating those who stick their beaks into these killings."

"The only one they may not know is Vincent. He is local and might stand out as much among all those negroes, but he will likely be noticed. Given that the police search turned up nothing I am not sure how likely it is he will spot something odd without a though search."

"If someone is going to have a thorough look, the best choice might be a late night break in. If the place is a business, it should close at night. That would give us time for a thorough search."

"As far as going overseas, while I am not focused on following up on Jack's work, I am aware that it will likely require a trip overseas to do a proper job. That is good timing, because if we do what we need to do up in Harlem, we will likely have to leave town for a while." Bishop said.

Leo nodded at Stanley's response to the suggestions. "I don't think sending any individual on an overt scouting mission is wise, given the number of deaths that are already apparently associated with these people. And the safest course of action is to assume this house is being watched at the very least, not to mention the occasions where it's seemed like we've been tailed."

Leo scratched at the back of his head briefly before nodding. "A late night break-in seems like the best course of action. I wonder if we might not be able to get some advance scouting from other sources, though. The city ought to have some records on file - perhaps we can try to dig something up there while offices are still open. Or perhaps the police have already done some of their own research?" He looked to those that had previously spoken with Poole for their thoughts on the matter.

Moretti nodded at Leo's assessment. "Getting in at night shouldn't be a problem," he said, "We just need to be ready for trouble. People like this, they keep odd hours. We'll have to be prepared to handle whatever comes up."

"I have taken the liberty of readying your revolver, sir," Avery droned nonchalantly. "I suggest delaying any trips by a few hours, having a light repast in the meanwhile. If needed, I can gladly drive a vehicle, though we should likely not want too much of a motorcade."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:00, Wed 19 Aug 2015.

"I would prefer if I was not behind the wheel on this one. Might be needed in inside and don't want to slow things down if we need to make a quick get away." Bishop added.

"If we end up in a fight with these savages, we can't pull punches. It will be a fight for our lives. If you don't think you can stomach what needs to be done best you remain here, of stay behind with the cars." Bishop said.

"If anyone needs a weapon I might have something I can lend you."

  Annabel listened with curiosity at the exchange about the nighttime excursion.

   "It sounds pretty exiting, being all sneaky and all that. I wish I could go, but I'd probably just get in the way. Who IS going anyway? Are you going tonight? Shouldn't we take Dr. Elias's suggestion and try to dig up some information first from the city or police records?"

Tommy's expression turned serious.
Breaking into a place was harmless enough. If they found nothing then they could slip out without a fuss and even if they were detected the thrill of the escape was always fun. He'd been mischievous enough as a kid to know that.
But Bishop spoke as if they were going to war.

"We dont know the savages that killed Jackson are in there. Sure everything points in that direction, but the police found nothing and we could'a missed something right? I agree we gotta get in there and find out the truth, but they aint guilty yet Stanley.".
The reporter paused. "Still, I suppose there aint no harm in preparing for the worst. If we disturb someone a few weapons should make them less keen to pursue if we gotta scarper quick.".

He pursed his lips thoughtfully when Annabel spoke of city plans.
"Poole knows we are suspicious of the place but cant act to help us. We could ask him to help us out with plans or whatever, but that's kinda gonna make it obvious we broke in...

I still like the suggestion of someone scouting the place. Vincent is unknown to them. How do you feel about walking around the area to case it Mr Moretti? Even knowing the entrances, exits, scale of the place would help.".

Bishop shook his head slightly in disbelief "Maybe you have not been paying attention,  but we have plenty of evidence tying the Juju House, N'kwane and the cult to the killings. I have no doubt they are killers. The police have made it clear they are not going to do anything about it."

"If we get into trouble up in Harlem, it will be kill or be killed .. or worse. If you hesitate it could cost one of us our lives."

"As far as scouting, other than walking past the place, I think it is a risk. When we go by tonight it would be a good idea to have Vincent walk the block first.  If they got a speak running in there, be could if we eye balled any look outs." Bishop said.

"I can walk the block. See what I can see." Moretti shrugged. "Someone gets suspicious, asks questions, I can act like I've had one too many at someplace down the street."

"Then it seems we are agreed. We should get some rest - tonight could be interesting.".

Walter looks toward his cousin: "Rosalie, do you feel up to driving a backup car?"

"Say, Vince," he asks his old and 'connected' friend, "Any chance you could get a sawed-off or two delivered?"

"I wouldn't be your best option for a fast getaway, but I wouldn't mind driving if you need me to."  Pleased that their plans were going to be set in motion, Rosalie gave half a mind to what she'd need to bring with her.  Jackson's gun would be going along, for certain.

"I could drive, if you need me to. I'm not the best driver, but I'm pretty good. At least, I had a lot of practice driving the family car around the estate before I came to the city to work with Dr. Elias," she offered.

At Brandon's question, Moretti began buttoning up his coat. It was a good suggestion. Moretti knew from experience how devastating a sawed off shotgun could be in tight quarters.

He nodded at Walter. "Let me go look up someone I think could help us out."

"Where should I meet you later?"

Leo nodded at Avery's suggestions, and smiled at him - at this point he could almost read Leo's mind. "On top of things as usual, Avery." He then turned his attention to the others, happy to hear them dicuss their ideas even if they seemed short on any concrete plans. "If we don't want to look for any background on the Juju House, then I suppose we'll just go in with guns at the ready. Vincent, if you need any funds for your search, I can get whatever you'll need." Leo felt some trepidation at what they were planning, but also a tingle of thrill that they might get some measure of vengeance for Jackson's death.

"I am thinking we drive up in two cars. Avery driving  your car, I will drive mine. We can cut across the park to make sure we are not followed."

"Once we get up there we can drop Vincent and let him walk 138th street. If he likes what he sees he and Tommy will head back to the Juju House. With Avery still driving your car and Annabelle driving mine we will go around the block and drive in the other way."

"Vincent and Tommy will enter the place. Meanwhile Bo and I will back them up and act as look outs. If things go bad Bo and I will go in heavy. Meanwhile the rest of you will remain with the cars."

"We may need an alibi. Our story will be that Tommy eager to find a story went up there on his own. Afraid for his safety we drove up to find him and bring him home." Bishop said.

"You ok with that story Tommy?"
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Tommy frowned. The 'alibi' worked well for the rest of the group but would land him straight in it. Still, he was the outsider here and that wasn't likely to change until he proved himself.
"Sure, the story works for me.".
He hesitated for a moment before leaning closer to Bishop.
"And ah, well there is one other thing. From time to time an intrepid reporter needs to get into places he shouldn't be found. I'm not saying I'm an expert in any way, but if we find a little lock that needs a tickle to open I might have a few talents there.".