"Say, about that van. Did the dancer mention whether anything was written on the side of it, like a company name?" Bo asks, trying to keep pear juice off of his shirt.

"I think my time would be better spent researching.  The British Museum has an extensive library, with varied collections, including materials on and from Ancient Egypt and the general area of Mesopotamia.  If you'll excuse me for a moment, I'll give them a ring and see about reserving a space and access to research these writings."  Leaving them in discussion at the table, she picked up the room's telephone and asked to be connected to the museum.

"If we are going to watch the place and tail any leads we will need a couple of cars. Something that would stand out to much. Maybe Tommy can take me over there meanwhile you two can pick up the cars. Some bagged lunches and a few thermoses of coffee would help as well." Bishop said.

"That will leave Leo, Millicent and Rosalie to look after each other at the museum." Bishop added relieved that Rosie wasn't staying clear of the action for now.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:24, Wed 21 Sept 2016.

  Finishing up her coffee, Millicent left with the others and went upstairs. She watched with interest as the Doctor and Rosalie did their examinations on what they brought back. She wasn't surprised to hear about the cult's rituals seeing what happened to her and all. These people sounded bad, and unfortunately, they were the key to finding out what was going on here.

  Millicent paled slightly when the talk of going back to the shop came. She really did not want to risk it again. It sounded though like the men were going to deal with it today, leaving the others to do more research; safe research she added to herself giving a inward sigh of relief.

  "I certainly don't mind going to help out," Milly said in agreement. "I was the only one he saw for sure so he knows my face now. Besides, it might give me a chance to talk with the Doctor about what happened to me, plus get that tea."

 "Be careful if you do decide to go back inside that shop. Those devils probably have other tricks up their sleeves."

In reply to Walter 'Bo' Brandon (msg # 50):

His memory jogged, Moretti shook his head in frustration. "Sorry, Bo. Too little sleep. It wasn't a van, it was a truck that Zubaida said picked up the cult members at the Blue Pyramid. A truck."

"Zubaida said she didn't pay too much attention to the truck or who got in it. Al-Sayed was the only member that she had recognized. Never gave us any identifying information about the vehicle."

He frowned. "But, she did say that the truck came to do its monthly pick up of cult members early in the month. She indicated that it wasn't on the same day, but that it was always near the beginning of each month."

"February first is day after tomorrow."

Following up on the news about the truck and the beginning of the month "So let's stake out the shop today and tonight. If someone is going to come by to check on him and maybe clean the place out it will probably happens shortly."

"So Tommy and I should get over there. You two come as soon as you can secure a couple of automobiles. Sound like a plan?"

Leo nodded at the outlined plan. "All sounds good to me. We'll see what we can dig up in the museum while you're investigating. Should we just plan for you to meet us at the museum later? Or would you prefer to eventually reconvene here?"

Tommy had been listening closely as the others mulled over plans.
"I can take you toward the place Stanley, but dont reckon its wise to set foot on that street again soon. If the cops are there they could be looking for someone of my description.".
He shrugged.
"If we got lucky though the place will still be quiet and what we did there undisturbed. Then you can loiter and see if anyone is unnecessarily interested.

Maybe I'll head over to the Pyramid and see if Zubaida is around?".
Frowning the reporter described his frustration.
"Despite what we've found, we still have no idea what this has to do with Roger Carlyle right? That's what brought Jackson here in the first place, and I never asked her about it yesterday.".

He paused, listening to what the others had to say.
"Anyway, the stuff we found at the Spice store proves this Black Pharaoh thing. Jackson was on to them and they are plenty real.
Which means we have to question how the London cops dismissed them so readily out of hand.  Maybe Barrington just aint the best sleuth, but Stanley, if you do see the cops over there be careful who you trust.".

In reply to Stanley Bishop (msg # 55):

"Vince and I can see about hiring a couple of cars, sure. When we've got them, we'll cruise over to the address and you can flag us down."

Leo considered the question about Roger Carlyle, and tapped his chin in thought. "Roger Carlyle almost certainly read the book that contained details on this particular cult. Perhaps that is the connection?"

Leo's brow scrunched together as he considered. "Also possible we missed something at the Penhew Foundation."

When Tommy suggested that he and Bishop pursue leads on their own quickly replied "Splitting up will get us killed .. or worse."

"The last thing that girl needs is you showing up and bringing any more attention." Bishop added. His mind had already done the math.

"That girl was the best hope the cops had to tie them to anything. If this thisnguy'so pals finning him pushing up daisies, it won't take long to put the heat on that her."

"Her best hope is we deal with them before they can finger her as the one who tipped us off. It is probably our best hope too."

"We can take a cab over there. Act like a couple lost tourists and have the cabbie make a few passes looking for some friend of ours we are supposed to meet. If Scotland Yard is on it they won't be shy about showing it."

"If the coast is clear we can try and find a spot to watch the place from and see if someone shows up poking about and try and tail em."

If all that fails we can watch for that truck in the coming nights if we have not been discovered first."

She looked to Leo and nodded in agreement.  "I'm certain there is more to find at Penhew, but there is little chance of us discovering it without breaking in.  The director certainly wasn't forthcoming.  But perhaps he might be a connection that we could follow if we have no leads from the spice shop?  I am almost certain that he is somehow involved in this cult." 

The reporters brow furrowed.
"Stanley, I agree we are better staying together. But you are planning on sitting outside a joint that I broke in to last night where we killed a man. Watching the Spice shop is safe for you, but we dont know if the cops are looking for a man of my description yet.".
He shook his head.
"And how on earth are our enemy supposed to suddenly guess that Zubaida exposed them? If they thought she was a risk, she'd be dead already. There must be tons of other customers or people who could expose Tewfik...
If we are lucky Vincent setting the place up like a break-in should alleviate suspicion. But if you really think she's in danger, which she might well be, then WE have to get to her first and bring her in. She's seen us all, knows most of our names. More-over, she's innocent and I wont stand by waiting for her to be murdered.".

Tommy shrugged.
"I can keep away from Zubaida, but I cant go back to Wardour Street yet. I might as well hand myself in to the police.".

"Getting into the Foundation is something that could be accomplished," Moretti said. His eyes slid over to Cotton and he smirked. "Mr. Cotton here is quite talented in that regard. But it wouldn't be like getting into the spice shop. We'd need to give the place a good once over. Figure out where Gavigan's office is in advance."

He frowned. "Inspector Barrington did say that Gavigan was pretty open about his low opinion of Jackson. I wonder if he made those statements to discredit Jackson. To ensure that the police didn't take Jackson's explanations regarding the Brotherhood seriously."

He listened to Cotton discuss Zubaida. "I don't think Zubaida would be associated with what happened at al-Sayed's shop. With regard to meeting with us, as fearful as she was, there's no doubt that she was watchful for followers. Her interview with us was brief. She didn't want to linger." He frowned. "But if there's a chance she's in danger, I agree that we should try to protect her. I could always see if some innocuous passage could be secured for her out of the country. Maybe to the States? But I'm inclined to think you should have another clandestine meeting with her, Tommy. Ask her some questions about the community, the regulars at the Blue Pyramid. She may have noticed details, be aware of certain information that she doesn't recognize as important, that very well may be. Are there any regulars that only show up early in the month? Anyone that's treated with a great deal of deference...or fear? Those sorts of things might provide valuable clues." He shrugged. "We'd just need to figure out the best way to set it up. Somewhere out of the way."

Moretti grinned. "Plus...you'd get a chance to talk to her again, Tommy. Let her know how you're working on breaking the story of a lifetime."

Tommy chuckled at Vincent's praise of his talents.
"Who me?". The reporter raised his palms in mock innocence.
"The door was unlocked when I got there, honest guv. But I suppose I could help out on a visit to the Foundation.".
He paused.
"Say, when you guys visited before, was it by appointment only? Or do they have a public museum or something? A couple of us could play innocent tourists and get lost in there?".

He leant forward to listen as Moretti continued. Now he thought of it, it sure would be nice to see Zubaida again; to be the American hero. Such thoughts were boyish fantasy though, a way of making light of the situation. The growing man inside him glanced at Milly, realizing an equal desire to keep an eye on her after the experiences of the night before.

  Millicent looked at the young reporter and thought for a moment, then said. "Mr. Bishop does have kind of a point Tommy but I'm inclined for you to try. But if you do for heavens sake be careful. You've seen what those bastards can do and I don't want you to experience what I did, it's horrible." She gave a slight shudder.

 "And don't worry about me," she added. "I'll be with the good Doctor here, I should be fine."

"Perhaps you should go with Vincent then Tommy. I can head over to watch the shop with Bo. But we still need a car in case we can tail someone from the shop." Bishop looked at the others to see if they agreed.

In reply to Stanley Bishop (msg # 66):

"Glad to tag along, Stan, but I doubt we'll need a car. It's like New York, most people walk or hop a bus. We could get a hired car though, if you want. Concierge here can likely have one here in about an hour."

"Good to have you on board Bo." Bishop replied.

"Perhaps one of the cabbies in front of the hotel could be hired for the day."

"As for the Penhew Foundation, we could make a go of that tonight." Bishop was already getting ready to depart. Glancing over to Rosalie he smiled as he longed to kiss her. Normally stone faced, his thoughts would have been clear to a blind man.

Moretti turned to Cotton. "If we're going to try to get another conversation with Zubaida, there's several ways we could play it. I'm open to suggestions."

"This is my thinking. It's still early. I'm guessing that the Blue Pyramid does some business with the lunch crowd, which means that employees should be coming in to open the place up in the next couple of hours. Maybe we find an inconspicuous spot to watch the restaurant, keep our eyes peeled for Zubaida. When we see her, we try to intercept her, take her somewhere quiet to talk."

"If it works out, I'm planning to hang back, let you ask the questions."

Tommy shrugged.
"I think picking her up at the Pyramid makes sense. I dont suppose it would be too unusual visiting two days in a row, but agreed; its better we dont make our faces too recognizable and find a place near by to watch.
The other option would be the Scoop - but I don't think we use them. Anything we say will end up in print so lets tap up Mahoney only when we need him.".

Looking to the others he glanced at his watch.
"Sounds like we are ready to move. Shall we agree to reconvene in a few hours - say, 3pm at the York Minster on Dean Street? That's pretty close to where Bo, Stanley, Vincent and I will be. Otherwise if we need to communicate I suggest we leave messages with the concierge here - we can phone 'em in if needs be.".

He looked to Vincent.
"Ready?".

"Rather than leaving messages in the strange hands of concierges, Mr. Cotton, I suggest you direct them to me. I can remain here and collect information you may have, passing it to others at need," he said.

Leo nodded at Avery's interjection, he was about to suggest the same thing. "Yes, please leave messages with Avery, particularly if you can't make the meeting time for some reason. Planning to meet at three sounds good to me."

In reply to Stanley Bishop (msg # 68):

"Taxi parked there'll stand out like a sore thumb, don't ya think? Besides, gonna get expensive at cab rates. Let's hire a car for ourselves. The concierge can steer us to one -- unless avery's ahead of us on this one."

"Ah yes Avery, of course. That would make far more sense!".
He was glad to have the able valet with them.

"Good luck everyone.".