"Perhaps we can put a call into Barrington and see if he will be able to join us in this effort." Price said, If no one objected he was determined to place the call before Bo and his friend, who Price figured to be Morreti departed.

"Mr. Price, I think that Barrington made it clear that if he was going to come out this way with his men, he'd do it in his own sweet time.  Call him, if you like, but I wouldn't expect anything more than what we got when we were in his office."  She looked to Vincent as he rejoined them.  "Head back where, Vince?  Are you planning to trudge back to that island, in the swamp, in the dark?"

"I think we have to, Rosalie, for Tommy. At least we can get to the bank on this side and see if he's turned up.

"I'm ready, Vince. No use putting on dry things."

Moretti answered in a voice that was quiet. ”There’s only a single road to the island, to the Misr House. It halts at a gate, which is guarded.” He tilted his head toward Walter. ”Bo was able to navigate the marsh, find another path to the estate. We can use that route to get on the grounds, hopefully undetected. If we’re lucky, maybe we locate Tommy. Possibly even disrupt whatever ritual the Brotherhood is trying to conduct.”

He glanced out one of the windows at the growing dark. ”We have to try, Barrington or no. If the two of us vanish...well, maybe that will give the Inspector sufficient cause to investigate, regardless of jurisdiction.”

He buttoned his coat closed as he spoke. Pulling on his gloves, he looked over at Bo and nodded.

"Yea, I understand all of that.  What I don't understand is why you think you're going to be traipsing out there on your own.  We came out here to help.  If that means trudging through the muck, then we're going to do just that.  Better we all stick together than go blundering about on our own."  She glanced at her uncle and the lawyer.  "Mr. Price is already dressed for it, anyhow."

Moretti regarded Rosalie silently for a moment, then nodded. Ottimo. Let’s make our way over before it gets any darker.”

Taking a last drink of his coffee, he tipped the barman and made his way to the door.

In reply to Rosalie Elias (msg # 112):

Bo stops to squeeze Rosalie's upper arm.

"Five people are almost certain to trip an alarm over there. We don't have the numbers to prevail, but Vince and I can probably be stealthy enough to get in, find Tommy, and get out.

"You three bring Price's car and approach the landward end of that bridge. Set up there to cover us if we can steal a vehicle and get out by road. We'll leave the hired car visible where you should park.

"And if you see that truck bringing in the sacrifices. Try and stop it. Set the victims free."

His gaze goes to Leo: "Kill the cultists if you can."

Price listened to the conversation as it took a dark turn and began to wonder how he had ended up in the middle of this madness rather than at the Hanky Lanky Club flirting with show girls.

"I'm dressed for a hunt. Which is why I will be out in the woods tonight. Sadly one of our party got lost. Now we are searching for the young lad. I suggest we all agree on that story."

"As far as the rest, based on the arsenal the Inspector uncovered it is hard to imagine we outgunned by the opposition. With that in mind my first suggestion is I do as I suggested and take one last shot at persuading Barrington to trust his gut and intervene." Harry said. But if this was going to be a fight, Price knew what needed to be done. His time fighting the Hun had taught him a battle was no place for half measures.

"Whether that succeeds or not if we are going to take on a truck load of savages we will to lay in ambush and hit them by surprise." Harry said. His mind already working toward a plan to find a curve in the road, a obstacle that could wreck the truck and still leave a means to withdraw to fight another day if the fight could not be won. Whatever these savages were up to, it wasn't going to happen in England.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:11, Sat 18 Nov 2017.

Moretti paused, his expression uncertain. "Are you sure, fratello?" he asked. "We don't know what we might face over there. Maybe we should stay together. Strength in numbers."

Leo looked back and forth between the various speakers, though shook his head at Price. "Barrington will likely try to intervene. But he needs time and luck, not more convincing."

He appraised Vincent and Bo. "Hypothermia will set in rather quickly where cold water and frigid air is concerned. If you go now, you will likely need to be warming up thirty minutes after your first exposure. If Tommy is on the island..."

Leo frowned. "If he went through the water, he's either in need of help or he's someplace warm." Or dead. "Was there any elevated point where you could get a good look at the island with a pair of binoculars?"

In reply to Dr. Leonardo Elias (msg # 117):

"Vince, every pair of feet makes it more likely we'll alert someone, not to mention trying to keep a bunch of people together in the dark. Besides, it's not like Rosalie and Leo can bring significant firepower to bear."

He turns to his uncle: "We looked across from the top of the dike along the bank on this side, Leo. There wasn't much to see, even in the daylight."

Leo thought for a few moments, then nodded. "Let's go with Bo's plan to find out what happened to Tommy. He may have gotten himself back across to land again. Or maybe he's freezing somewhere on the island itself. Either way - we need to find out. And if stealth will be needed to retrieve him, I will certainly hinder your attempts."

He looked over to Vince and then back to Bo. "If the truck comes along our path, we will give them hell."

He looked over toward Price. "Before we do anything, though, check in with your office to see if we've received any messages."

Moretti nodded in consent, his thoughts traveling briefly to the island’s lonely landscape. He hoped against hope that Tommy had somehow escaped harm. Unlike him, the kid had good years ahead. A future. They were doubtlessly facing long odds, but they had to try to find him.

”Si decide. Du stagione tutto.” he said quietly. He looked to Walter. ”Let’s go.”

Price hearing Dr Elias' request simply replied "I'll place a call."

Price placed the call, and nodded, concluding the call after a quick exchange. Barrington was out on the office on a particularly urgent errand, though he had left a message for Price specifically indicating that his errand involved imploring a magistrate for permission to operate outside his jurisdiction. That said, there was no confirmation of his success or failure in this endeavor.

Leo nodded. "I think that's the best we can hope to hear right now. And given his state of mind, he might even bend the rules a bit if it comes down to it."

He looked around at the others. "Ready to go?"

"Let's go," Walter says, going to the car and starting it.

"Be careful," she said to the boys.  Looking to Leo, she nodded.  "Yes, I suppose we can come up with something resembling a plan while we wait."

Price was still a bit unsure of what he had gotten himself into with this bunch. But it seemed Barrington was on board. He only wished he was there to try and persuade the magistrate.

Price looked at the others. "Not the evening I was expecting. You lot are either battling a murderous cult of Arabs or you are a madmen. But there is enough evidence that your story is true any Englishman worth his salt would join you defeat this savages. If Gavigan is mixed up or even worse leading this smearing the name of Aubrey Penhew, then it is my duty as a gentleman to boot."

Having made his estimation of Bo and the Moretti somewhat slippery types, Price did not want to make their job harder with his presence. Having led men into battle, Price had learned the importance of knowing the right men for the right job.

"I will go where you need me. Though to be honest, despite my rather stylish hunting kit, I'm not much of a hand in the woods, or sneaking about." Price said laying his cards on the table.

Price would like to join the duo, but he was fairly certain he would be more trouble than good.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:57, Tue 16 Jan 2018.

Once everyone who's coming is in the car, Bo starts the engine.

[I'm not sure who's riding with us.]

Moretti climbed into the passenger seat, remaining silent as Bo started the vehicle. He glanced back through the window at the entrance to the Inn, and the Elias family, then leaned back in his seat, a frown settling on his face.

”Bo, what happens if we find some sign of Tommy?” he asked after a moment, “I know there’s only the two of us, but...we can’t just leave the kid to his fate. Not with those people.”

In reply to Vincent Moretti (msg # 128):

"Y'know, pal, I'm wondering if there's any point slogging through the cold marsh water and trying to find Tommy in the pitch dark. Odds seem pretty slim. Maybe the smart play's to get that truck abd go in in force."

The two vehicles made their way down the road now familiar to Vincent and Bo, whose vehicle took the lead as they wore their way down the country road to the stopping point that they found earlier near the top of the dike.

As they arrived, the last vestiges of sunlight had faded from the day, and while some of it might be seen the heavy cloud cover blotted out the remnant, leaving a day now denied any lingering traces of warmth. Though not yet cold enough for snow, the wind made the cold seem piercing as did the frigid drops of rain that came down in a light drizzle.

---

OOC:

I reopened this to all for any further discussion or parting words, and to give everyone a clearer chance to tell me what they're doing, where the cars are being parked, and how whoever is crossing intends to make the crossing.

I'm updating the game clock to 6:00 pm
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:01, Wed 24 Jan 2018.

In reply to Walter 'Bo' Brandon (msg # 129):

Moretti remained quiet for a moment, picturing the vast stretch of marsh and the collection of tall trees that had bordered the road where he had waited with the car. Recalling it, he understood, with numbing clarity, just how slight their chances of finding the reporter were, especially in the growing dark.

Watching the drops collect on the glass, he nodded. "I hate to admit it, but I know you're right, Bo. This late in the day, raining...there's no chance." He shook his head. "I wish the kid had just stayed put."

"Let's go back inside. Talk to the others. Figure out the best way to hurt these people."

In reply to Vincent Moretti (msg # 131):

"Right you are, Vince."

He goes inside with Vincent and finds the others.

"We figure there's no real chance we can find Tommy tonight. Let's figure out how we can rescue the people that truck will be bringing and then throw a crimp in Gavigan's plans."