Chapter 2.3: Investigations VI [01/30/1925]
Moretti nodded at the dancer as she rose to depart. "Best of luck, Zubaida. Vai con Dio."
When she departed, he was silent for a long moment, listening to Cotton speculate about Jackson's reasons for being in London, and where the next clue might be found. After taking a sip of coffee, he said, "Tommy, everything we've heard about Jackson's activities in this town seems to tie to the Brotherhood. I may be completely wrong, but I don't think that he just stumbled onto proof of their activities by accident. He was looking for them. He had prior knowledge of the cult and was seeking them out. Hunting for evidence that they were still active here in London."
"My honest suspicion is that the Bloody Tongue and the Brotherhood share a common origin. Like the two groups are siblings, or cousins, if you will. I think Jackson was aware of the link, whatever it might be. But it's escaped us so far."
He shook his head. "Aubrey Penhew was an Egyptologist and the Brotherhood has its origins in Egypt. Inspector Barrington made it sound as though Edward Gavigan, from the Penhew Foundation, went out of his way to discredit Jackson after Jackson shared his suspicions about the cult with the police. It also seems as though Gavigan was quick to do the same with Leo and Rosalie. There could be an important tie there, but I'm sure that Gavigan isn't going to give anything up if there is. If we want to look into it, we'd need to find someone else associated with the Foundation who we could convince to talk. Or have another late night adventure to look into the place ourselves."
He drummed his fingers on the table. "Crowley? He might know something valuable. I don't know much about him. He's a writer, lives a crazy lifestyle, and is deep into the occult." He paused. "If we could find out where the man lives, or frequents, we could try to hunt him down. Maybe contact his publisher? You'd be the key to getting our foot in the door. You work for the New York Times and want to do a piece on the colorful Mr. Crowley." He looked back down the street. "Nothing left to see here for now. Might be a good use of our time. As unorthodox as the man sounds, if he knows something of the Brotherhood, he'd probably be willing to discuss it."
A frown settled on his face. For a moment, Moretti fixed his attention on the Blue Pyramid. "One other thing before we go, Tommy." he said. "Bear with me. On New Year's Eve I was...working late. I'd just finished up some work and I stepped outside to smoke a cigarette, get a little air. It was a clear evening. I looked up at the moon and I remember having the random thought that it looked like it was in its first quarter phase. One of those random facts that I'd picked up at City College that just floated to the surface."
He took a last drink of his coffee, returning the empty cup to the table. "The thing is, the moon's first quarter doesn't happen on the same date every month, but it does occur around the same general time. Near the last day of the month, or the first day of the next."
"I may have lost my mind, but I think that's what the Brotherhood is using to dictate the date of their gatherings. It coincides with what Zubaida told us. If I'm right, that means that truck should be pulling up to the Pyramid either tonight or tomorrow. We'd need to check a lunar calendar to be certain. But if so, someone's got to be here to follow that lorry after it picks up its passengers."