In reply to Imran Singh (msg #83):

"If you say that's Mrs. Shipley, I'll take yer word, mate."

"Cor, whatever you think it is, we can't leave it for a Doctor to cut into. Too many questions!"

He looked around and found a burned carpet in the massive debris pile, pulled it out, dislodging burned wood.

"Mr. Falcon, be a chum and ''elp me get the body in 'ere. Some poor fireman or Bobby daan't need ta see this a-tall, be driven bonkers wonerin' wot the old bird really was."

"Naa sign of Mister Miles, eh? And yer friend Phil wot disappeared, 'es gone, too. Probably buried in the rubble. 'Course, they'll dig it out some day, build anuvver 'ouse 'ere."

John-Marc assisted DS Darlington in getting the corpse into the singed carpet and up the stairs. He seemed quite shaken as well by the horrifying sight of Mrs Shipley, but managed to keep his emotion in check, finding some inner steel.

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg #87):

Karlheinz assisted them in getting the carpet into the back of the truck. He was uncomfortably aware that it was a body, even without being told.

He didn't introduce himself to the other investigators. He seemed like a scruffy young man wearing mechanics overall, speaking (grunting, really) in a German accent.

DS Darlington addressed Singh, Cynthia and the Count.

"Right. I'm gaaang ta dispose of, ah, th' remains, wid Mr. Falcon and his mate."

"You lot can foind yer way back, Roight. Cor, luverly day, innit?"

Somewhat shakily he lit his pipe.

Singh raised an eyebrow, very surprised that a policeman would be planning to destroy evidence in what could well be a capital crime. It was none of his business however. He was simply glad he wasn't asked to lay a hand on the thing. He turns to Cynthia.

"I believe we should depart, Miss. Let's get out of this alley and see about a cab. I'll be glad to get back to the hotel and get out of these wet boots." Perhaps a bath could be arranged; he feels befouled by that experience.

"Yes. And on the way, perhaps you can tell me what was so unusual about Miss Shipley, and what that means for our investigation."

Before the inspector wraps the body and while no one is looking the Count removes a pen knife from his jacket pocket and removes one of the creatures claws lower finger. He then helps with moving the corpse.



"Of course, Mrs Shipley looks to have been burned and disfigured as Mr Singh has said. I have seen no other sign of the others though."

"If you want to look at the body I am sure the inspector can uncover it."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:54, Mon 12 Mar 2012.

In reply to Count Sigismund Bathony (msg #92):

DS Darlington observed but didn't object to the Count's evidence collection. He noted the splintered door frame as he moved through it.

A few minutes later, having transported the loathsome cargo out into the truck, Darlington walked over to the others as they stood in the alley.

"Cor Blimey! That was pert 'orrible but necessary fing, I'll wager."

"I sees yaa lot forced th' door, but I daan't see naow key in th' lock. That means yer friend Phil might 'ave locked that fing daaan there. Thaat's murder most foul in any Magistrate's Godforsaken eye. Naow, no one will 'ave ter explain why they was forced to lock an auld bird daan in 'er cellar while 'er 'ouse burnt daaan around 'er 'ead, yeah?"

Darlington checked his pocket watch for the time. "Well, best be off. Mr. Falcon, kindly wait for me a block daan and around th' corner. I'll fetch the Bobby and we'll be on our way in yer truck."

"Meet back at Mr. Lampton's suite at th' 'otel in one 'our, right?"

"That is a very good point inspector, there may yet be hope in the case of Mr Phil. As for the reporter I hope she also appears."

He the accompanies the others as they set off to find a taxi. When the chance arises he makes a comment to Mr Singh;

"In the secret, dark and forgotten places in the world there be dragons."

In reply to Count Sigismund Bathony (msg #92):

"Goodness, no. Do I look like a doctor?

"Why would Phil try to murder the old lady? She was certainly unfriendly, but hardly threatening. Something doesn't add up. And if Phil had killed her and escaped, wouldn't he be free to contact us? By phone or letter, if nothing else? Something doesn't add up. And frankly, Phil isn't the only, or even the first person I'd chalk up to killing the two of them. Phil had no motive. The only person who would be driven to that point is someone eager to keep his secrets and his supplier under wraps."

Singh secures a cab and helps Cynthia to enter. He doesn't respond to the Count's comment and merely nods in reply to Cynthia's observations.

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg #95):

Detective Sergeant Darlington grudgingly conceded Cythia was right, something the obviously didn't come easily to him.

"A burglary gone tragically wrong is by far th' easy answer, but Oi wouldn't put it beyond a bloodthirsty character loike th' Soho Slayer to tidy up all 'is loose ends an' all."

"We can discuss suchlike at our leisure, but alas, I must fetch my Constable."

With that he tipped his bowler and was on his way.

In reply to Imran Singh (msg #96):

DS Darlington left, as did the truck with it's grisly load.

A cab was shortly summoned, ready to take them back to the hotel.

OOC: I assume that's where you're heading?

Cynthia sits in the car on the ride back, pondering for a while before speaking. "Mrs. Shipley died from the fire, didn't she? That's not how the Soho Slayer operates. At this point I wouldn't put it past the slayer being involved somehow. A collector or someone tying up loose ends maybe."

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg #99):

"Given the types of people their work attracted and that they where moving in occult circles the outcome does not surprise me."

"It is a shame that our loose ends could not also have been tied off. To our other business in the case of your missing contacts. Is there some significant event coming up ? If they are collecting captives it may be very soon."

Park Lane Hotel
London
2 PM

Following a short ride to the hotel, the group entered through the side door, in order to shake off the eyes they could somehow feel following them. Singh and the Count were filthy, and Cynthia not a lot better.

After the wet burned mess of the house, and the horror of the basement, it was time to get cleaned up, perhaps even take a short bath, then take a late supper.

The answer to Cynthia's question was that it was suspected the Soho Slayer was somehow related to or was a part of the Brotherhood of the Dark Pharaoh. This was due to the similarities between the fatal injuries suffered by victims (clubbed with the killing stroke of a spike to the heart) and those described in Life As a God. As in the loathsome diary the pattern seemed to be the victims, while kidnapped a week or two earlier, were ritually sacrificed at the time of the new moon. This would occur on the 24th, just over a week hence.

In reply to The Keeper (msg #101):

Fulty related his and Storm's experiences during the day:

"I called and left a message with "Abdul" at the Woking telephone number. The Imam we talked to outside the Blue Pyramid Club contacted us and we met him at his Mosque. Which is not surprisingly, also in Woking."

"He confirmed that Ai'yesha and the bartender (her brother, Rahman) did not show for work last night, as Darlington reported yesterday. The Imam said they lived in a flat above the club. They felt unsafe so they made arrangements to relocate with fellow parishioners at the Mosque in Woking yesterday, but never showed."

In reply to Prof. Ralph T. Fulty (msg #102):

"The Imam said he and other volunteers at the Mosque were willing to be of assistance, seeings how the police were declining to get involved (the good Detective Sergeant excepted, of course). I said we'd consider all offers and contact him in good time but couldn't promise anything."

"So, what are our options and leads?"

"We've scoured Tewfik's warehouse and found some articles that we have little idea how they fit into the puzzle. The Blue Pyramid is merely a watering hole where our predator chooses and takes his prey, to possibly be killed at Gavigan's estate (al Misr House) up north. Our aerial reconnaissance of Gavigan's estate (al Misr House) was reasonably successful, but we only saw the surface."

"That leaves the Penhew Foundation as our only to-be-examined lead in or around London. The Derbyshire Monster is also a possibility, but damned if I can see how it's related."

"I suspect of the two remaining places to be searched, the Institute will prove easier. Is it occupied at night?"

Howard joins the others, making his bath available to Count Bathory and offering to provide clothing, should their sizes align. Once everyone is bathed and changed, he has Simmons serve cocktails.

"Given the brutal nature of the murders, an isolated location, such as Misr House, would seem a likely site.

"Miss Holloway, are you suggesting we burgle the Penhew Foundation? Are the offices extensive?"

In reply to Major Charles Storm (msg #103):

Ralph slapped his forehead in bafflement at his own stupidity.

"My word! I almost forgot! The London City records also showed that the Penhew Foundation and Gavigan hold title to another warehouse, a different one, in Limehouse on the docks!"


Keeper's Note: I forgot to add that in. In fact, I'll post some more notes to the clue thread regarding properties.

When he returns to the group refreshed and suitably attired the Count listens with interest as Professor Fulty relates the information he has acquired.



"On this point I think I can be of assistance. As you know when I understood my manuscript to have been stolen I and my colleague Mr Perkins took it upon ourselves to watch the foundation building as my two encounters with Mr Gavigan had proved unsuccessful."

"The building is in a upper class area and as such my usual sources for observation where absent. There are no beggars or other street people and most foot traffic dies down about 9 o'clock. As the area is somewhat well-to-do the police presence is minimal.”

"There was also that night delivery by truck so it would not be unexpected that people are around and in the building late in the evening.

At this point he asks for a Mint Julep from Simmons, heavy on the Bourbon.

"I don't recall hearing about a night delivery. What was delivered? Might it be a portrait? Or perhaps a body?"

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg #108):

Professor Fulty sipped his tea.

"I recall something along those lines. Your man Perkins, wasn't it? Good fellow for keeping watch all night for you."

"Some history there between the Count and Mr. Gavigan; a couple years ago, someone purporting to be acting on behalf of the Penhew Foundation and the Carlyle Expedition swindled the Count out of a valuable manuscript, "Africa's Dark Sects". Old Gavigan disavowed all knowledge of the blackguard, and that was that."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:57, Mon 19 Mar 2012.

"Well. I imagine we can't go skulking around during the day, but would we have a way to get in at night? Another friendly rogue who might happen to 'find' a door unlocked?"