In reply to Albert Darlington (msg #7):

Checking the identity of the expected caller, Simmons then saw him into the luxury suite.

The group was finishing breakfast in the suite's sitting room when Darlington was shown in.

"Coffee or tea, sir?"

After serving him and anyone else, Simmons goes back and stations himself at the door to the corridor.

JM settles, without much fuss, on the full English breakfast, though he does search every plate for his kippers before settling on bacon and so on.  At least he got his toast, hopefully with marmalade!  He was used to the simpler breakfast, being in the business he was in, but soon luxuriates in the full breakfast, taking extra helpings of bacon, even, and making a sandwich, wrapping it in a kerchief and slipping it in his pocket for later.

He waves loosely at Darlington when he enters "Do have a bite, I believe there is plenty."  He sips at a third cup of hot black coffee after finishing, looking around at everyone with a smile.

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg #9):

Sipping a cup of tea, Ralph fills DS Darlington on the state of their investigation so far. It wasn't simple or straightforward.

He related about how they believed the Brotherhood of the Dark Pharaoh is behind the Soho Slaying, and was somehow related to the cult of the Bloody Tongue, in New York and Kenya. This Bloody Tongue was responsible for the death in New York of their and Barrington's friend, Jackson Elias, an author who exposed mystic cults and other phonies. They also thought the Bloody Tongue was also responsible for the disappearance of the Carlyle expedition in 1919 in Kenya.

"Where to begin? First, our friend Jackson Elias was researching the missing Carlyle expedition.  Jackson told Jonah Kensington, his editor at Prospero House, that he believed not all the expedition members were dead."

"On this Carlyle expedition was: Roger Carlyle, wealthy playboy. We met his sister, Erica Carlyle, in New York. She said he suffered from neuroses and was addicted to drink. Dr. Robert Huston, a psychiatrist who helped poor Roger, possibly along to continue his treatment. She says he was intelligent and sensitive but had a shady past. M'Weru, an African who seemed like a priestess or princess to Erica, she believes he was obsessed by her and she was using him. Viscount Pevensy Sir Aubrey Penhew, head of the Penhew Foundation here in London, who convinced Roger to fund an archaeological expedition to Egypt. Hypatia Masters, noted photographer, ex-girlfriend of Roger's. Also along was Jack "Brass" Brady, Carlyle's thuggish Australian bodyguard."

"Jonah Kensington, Jackson's editor at Prospero House, has come across Huston's files on Carlyle and has sent them via the mails, they should arrive in a week."

"The Carlyle Expedition started from New York in 1919, then traveled here to London. Then on to Cairo, where they visited a dealer in antiquities, Faraz Najir, then traveled up the Nile on their expedition and at this time, this M'Weru woman stole thousands from Carlyle, then vanished. In Cairo. They then took a side trip to Kenya where they go missing in late 1919."

"Roger's sister Erica arrived in Africa in early 1920, looking for him. The authorities find the bodies, try and hang 5 Nandi tribesmen who insist they are innocent. Case closed. Except... No Caucasian bodies were found.

"In attempting to determine what transpired, Jackson started to follow the trail backwards, first visiting Nairobi in Kenya in 1924. He talked to a Nairobi newspaperman named Johnstone Kenyatta who was convinced something was fishy about the massacre. Jackson met friend in Nairobi, Nils Nelson, a mercenary, who claimed to have seen Jack Brady (but not Carlyle) alive in Hong Kong in 1922, 2 years after everyone in the expedition supposedly died. Jackson also wrote a name, "Sam Meriga", no idea what that means."

"After that, Jonah says he visited China. We found a matchbook from a bar in Shanghai and Dr. Weston identified a photo of a yacht taken in the Whangpoo river in Shanghai."

"Jackson then visited Cairo. After, he travelled to London, visited Mickey Maloney of The London Scoop, where he picked up articles about the Soho Slasher, the Derbyshire Monster and some nightmare-inducing fantasist painter in Soho, Miles Shipley. He visited Scotland Yard and talked to his friend (your superiour) Detective Inspector Barrington about the Soho Slayings and alleged it was this Dark Brotherhood Cult. He also talked to Mr. Edward Gavigan, current head of the Penhew Foundation, then left London for New York in a panic near the end of the last year, 1924."

"This is where our involvement begins, early this year."

"In New York Jackson summoned us for assistance but we found him murdered in his room at the Chelsea hotel. We found a sigil carved in his forehead that is the trademark of the Cult of the Bloody Tongue, and several documents. Documents led me up to Prof. Anthony Cowles at Arkham University in Massachusettes, who investigated an extinct "Bat-People" cult in western Australia, but says he never personally met Jackson."

"Other documents also led us to a "Ju-Ju House" (mystical Kenyan imports) in New York and Silas N'Kwame. There was some kind of cult there engaged in some unholy ritual, which led to a terrible massacre where Dr. Weston's brother, Detective James Weston, was tragically killed. Most of those Kenyan cultists, part of the Cult of the Bloody Tongue, have been rounded up the last few days, but not Silas N'Kwame or the man we believe is the high priest. They have disappeared."

"We suspect there is some connection between the Bloody Tongue (New York, Kenya) and the Brotherhood of the Dark Pharaoh (London) but we've found nothing substantial. The ritual murder weapon of the Brotherhood isn't what killed Jackson and isn't what the cultists in New York used, and Barrington didn't mention any ritual sigil here like the Bloody Tongue used."

"That leads us to our investigations. We haven't turned up much more than what I've told you. There's something odd about Director Gavigan, I can't put my finger on it. Dr. Weston identified the steam yacht in Jackson's photo as the "Dark Mistress" which the Lloyd's Registry says is out of London and owned by "Arthur Penhurst",  which is close to but not the same as Aubrey Penhew. The note about Harvard not having the book Jackson was interested in, Dr. Weston found out the British Museum and London Library both lack it as well. John-Marc here read Jackson's set of Nairobi Notes and thinks there may be a connection between the flying monster of the Bloody Tongue in Kenya that Jackson writes about and the Bat-Wing cult in Western Australia, but that's mere conjecture."

"I am going to the library myself tomorrow, see if I can find out more about this Brotherhood of the Dark Pharaoh, as they seem to have been active here in London or England for at least a century. We also received some occult books and material from Erica that belonged to Roger Carlyle. Beastly stuff, horrid and blasphemous. Especially Life as a God, written by an Englishman who joined the Brotherhood a century ago."
This message was last edited by the player at 09:47, Mon 24 Oct 2011.

Cynthia arrives to breakfast a little late. She seems distracted today, and busies herself with her book rather than listen intently to her own adventures described ... again. But as Professor Fuly wraps up, she becomes a little more interested, waiting to see what the police can offer in this most unique situation.

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg #11):

"Howard! You read that lunatic's diary, Life as a God. There are things in there that could be of interest to the police investigation."

"Such as the description of the ritual murder weapon. The police theory is the Soho Slayer is one madman, Jackson's theory was it was the work of a cult. This could be evidence of a cult link stretching back a century. Unless it's a madman who read this foul book? Seems doubtful."

Darlington settles down and drinks a cup of tea whilst munching on a bacon sandwich. Between bites he goes over the details that the police have gathered in the case so far.

"The Soho Slayings seem to share a distinct M.O. The limbs of the victim are broken before a single wound pierces the chest and punctures the heart. Autopsy has determined the fractures are caused by a blunt instrument, and the killing blow is delivered by a long spike with a sharp tip. The method of killing is the only common element between the 3 confirmed and 21 suspected victims.

The 3 confirmed victims share the same Modus Operandi: resided in London; all were addicted to drink or opiates, were last seen alive at the Blue Pyramid Club; and their bones broken before a single killing blow to the heart with some kind of spiked weapon. These 3 confirmed victims of the "Soho Slayer" were the last reported missing this past November, December, and January and all were later found in the Thames.

Many varied somewhat in the MO, not all have been identified (and therefore their residence was unknown), there are possibly other victims, etc. Also, Barrington was going over death notices because autopsies were not conducted in many of the supposedly accidental deaths.

Of the remaining 21 suspected victims not all have been identified, because autopsies were not conducted in many of the supposedly accidental deaths.

1) They share the same wounds, which is why Inspector Barrington included them in the "suspected victim" category.

2) Most, but not all, were poor, foreigners, and/or addicts. Both sexes, from the late teens to the late 60s, and many different races.

3) Out of 24 (confirmed/suspected victims) about half  had their last known residence confirmed as somewhere in London, a third from cities and towns around England and even Wales and Scotland and Ireland, the rest were last address unknown, so were possibly foreigners or travelers without documentation.

4) Many of the bodies of suspected and all the confirmed victims (12 total) were found dumped in the Thames. 10 more were found alongside road or rail lines NE of London (the furthest one being found on the outskirts of Colchester). 1 was found offshore by fishermen off Mersea Island, one washed up by Felixstowe. Almost all of these deaths were ruled as traffic/rail/boat-related accidental deaths, not foul play.

5) The victims all went missing at a rate of 1 or sometimes 2 a month stretching back to at least 1923, on a regular schedule or interval of unknown significance.

6) The 3 confirmed victims were the last 3 to go missing and the last to be found (all in the Thames). One went missing on 19 November 1924, 19 December 1925 and the last 17 January 1925. No one yet is reported missing in February and March. The first two were middle-aged prostitutes, (Daisy Blackmun, Sarah Riley) and one a Morphine-user (Kieran Kemp). A "Rashid Ka'im Basara" was reported missing on 16 February 1925, whereabouts unknown.

7) Each confirmed victim was found 8-10 days after disappearing. Time of death difficult to determine, possibly 24-72 hours prior to discovery. For suspected victims, where data exists, the pattern seems to be similar. No suspected victims who exhibit the common MO of death went missing for less than a week."

"Alcohol or drug addicts. Not chicken addicts? I guess Phil is safe."

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg #14):

"Yes, it's my policy never to mix chicken with drugs or with too much alcohol."

"This fella you know called Jackson Elias claimed to Inspector Barrington that the murders were the result of a group known as the Brotherhood of the Black Pharaoh. When Barrington interviewed Edward Gavigan, director of the Penhew Foundation, he claimed the cult was a myth and that Elias was just a deluded glory-seeker. This Elias chap left London pretty much immediately after Inspector Barrington interviewed Gavigan. A coincidence?"

"Gavigan is connected to the Blue Pyramid Club via Tewfik al-Sayid, a spice dealer and importer who frequents the club. Al-Sayid and also guided an Penhew expedition in Egypt a decade ago, and also denied the Brotherhood's existence. We have information from Aiyeesha that Tewfik is involved in something dodgy at that club and may make a move there soon."

After imparting his wisdom, Darlington swallows the final bite of his bacon sandwich, leaving a red smear of tomato ketchup on the corner of his shirt lapel that he either doesn't notice or doesn't care about. He learns back in his chair and belches with vigour and gusto.

"Pardon me manners. Better out than in. So, the way I see it is that there is a definite link between these savages you ran into in New York and the Soho Slayings. There is also information, however circumstantial, linking Edward Gavingan to both. We have three separate major fronts of investigation. Edward Gavigan and The Penhew Institute. Tewfik al-Sayid's businesses and residence. Tewfik's suspicious dealings at The Blue Pyramid Club."

Darlington takes a pipe from his inner pocket. "Mind if I puff? I also want to ask you about your security. I noticed yesterday afternoon, whilst watching the Blue Pyramid, that Mr Singh here was being followed by a tail. A very suspicious looking dark-skinned man of Arabic origin. There may be a very real chance that certain interested parties are well aware of your current dwellings and movements."

"We've spoke with gavigan. While I'm aware of some methods that would quickly gather evidence, one police officer visiting us is enough for the time being. I think we need to close down that lead, unless someone has something new.

"We have time to visit Mr. al-Sayid and see what he can contribute. I'm not sure if an interview is most appropriate, or if it would be better to seek some other method of evidence-gathering.

"We also have the dancer's boyfriend, you mentioned last night. I don't know if we were given any hard leads on that.

"Regarding security ... I suspect we'll be tailed where-ever we stay, as long as we're quite as meddlesome as we've been thus far. But if you have a specific suggestion, I think we're open to it."

In reply to Albert Darlington (msg #16):

It seemed that everyone was looking towards Darlington, who was, after all, the professional detective, with the most to give in the way of guidance.

"So Aiyesha's husband Rashid is missing, but his disappearance hasn't been reported and he's not been found. Have any unidentified bodies turned up in the Thames in the last month?"

"Sergeant Darlington, no one's put the Penhew Institute under direct watch? Or Tewfik's warehouse?"

"Let's assume Jackson is right and these killing are ritual related. Dates have great significance in rituals and cults. And religions! Do you have any theories on the significance of the dates? It sounds like the missing are taken every 30 days. It's not the full moon, obviously."

http://www.timeanddate.com/cal...r=1925&country=9

"We don't have to do anything direct, or illegal. I think we have much to gain simply by observation."

"I think we have to ask ourselves what we are here to accomplish and stick to what will further that goal.

"I believe we want to discover the truth behind Jackson Elias's death and complete his investigation into the Carlyle Expedition's disappearance. At least the former. To do that, we have to get the facts being concealed by Gavigan and the Penhew Foundation. We also need to talk to Tewfik al-Sayid.

"I propose to go see Mr. Al-Sayid at his place of business today."

"Who, that you do not count as a friend, knows you lot are here in London? From what I can tell, it stands at myself, Inspector Barrington, Malone and Mungo from the Scoop, and Gavigan. I can vouch for Barrington and the fellas from the Scoop, and I know for a bleedin' fact that I am on the level. That leaves Gavigan. He must 'ave keeping an eye on your movements ever since you went to meet 'im. The fact that the tail was an Arab just confirms the link between Twefik and Gavigan in my mind."

"I agree that Tewfik al-Sayid needs to be investigated. But I don't fink you are the people to carry out that investigation. If there is a crimal link between Tewfik and Gavigan, then you going to see 'im won't do any good, it'll just give away our 'and. I reckon you lot look into the Penhew foundation in more detail, and leave the Tewfik investigation to me, a face he is not already suspicious of."

"I also fink that you oughta leave this 'otel. Whoever is keepin' an eye on ya knows that you're 'ere. If you stay in this place then they will be able to follow every move ya make. I say you should check out tonight, late at night under the cover of darkness, and decamp to a less... opulent and visible lodgings."

Lampton pulls a sour face and shoves his plate away: "Quite frankly, Darlington, other than the six of us who came together from America (and Simmons and Singh, of course), I don't know of anyone concerned in this matter that I know to be trustworthy. Even these companions I never knew until about a fortnight ago.

"I don't consider most journalists above underhanded dealings that might suit their purposes. As I said before, the activities of the police as regards these Soho disappearances have not inspired confidence. You say you vouch for Barrington, but, when it comes right down to it, who vouches for you? No offense.

"You say that we should trust you to interview al-Sayid. Well, why hasn't that been done already?

"You tell us to 'look into the Penhew Foundation' in more detail. Well, we got nowhere with Gavigan. Unless you can suggest a course of action in which we might be able to do more than plow through articles of incorporation, stock offerings and financial reports, and decades of newspaper files searching for i don't know what -- Well, I confess I'm at a loss as to how to proceed on that front."

"Admittedly, we are amateurs, but we are involved. I ask you to use your professional knowledge to suggest how we can be of use, rather than shunting us aside. Otherwise, we must proceed according to our best ideas."


Howard throws down his napkin. "As for changing hotels, I am not inclined to waste time with such an exercise, only to find ourselves in less comfortable quarters that are less secure than one of the finest establishments in London, which ought to count for something.

"Singh was followed. Webley was menaced. We are engaged in a dangerous project against dangerous foes. No place will make us safe. They're as like to find out our new location as they did this one. What's the point?"

[ooc - Yes, I'll take an Idea roll, please.]

In reply to Howard Lampton (msg #21):

John-Marc took a call from Karlheinz. The weather improved enough for him to shuttle the Brisfit back to Lympne Aerdrome.

Lampton idly studied the calender. In a way, their job was easier than the police. They already had some suspects, an MO (as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle termed it in the "Sherlock Holmes" stories), and so on. It would help if they knew why this was happening, as that could be key to their safety and to defeating the cult once and for all, and to this end the pattern underlying the actions of the Brotherhood could be examined.

"Perhaps I and Mr. Webley, if he is willing, could serve as decoys at the Blue Pyramid. If we could be selected as the next victim -- while actually keeping our wits about us, of course -- it might give us a great deal of insight."

In reply to Imran Singh (msg #23):

"Yes, I like that idea.  I've been thrown out ehhh... inside quite a few clubs.   I was never was able to stay very long though."

"Are you sure this is a good idea? Even if they need some special criteria for a ritual killing, I don't think they'll hesitate to kill you both just normally if things seem suspicious. And I'd be awfully pained to lose you, Mr. Singh. Oh, and you of course as well, Phil."

In reply to The Keeper (msg #22):

Lampton leaves the table and goes to his room. In a moment, he is back with one of the books. He stands by a window, studying its pages in the sunlight.

In reply to Howard Lampton (msg #26):

With a start, something was revealed to him about the pattern of the disappearances.

The rest of the group tried to come to a plan. Darlington was going to question Tewfik al-Sayyid, Fulty and Storm would check out whatever records they could find for the Penhew Foundation, Gavigan, even Tewfik's spice warehouse.

Singh and Phil volunteered to act as bait in the Blue Pyramid. That night? For the foreseeable future? Right now, this plan seemed to be in the embryonic stage at best, with many questions unanswered. How would the group tail Tewfik (presumably) when he took one, the other, or both? Where would they go? What if they got into trouble?

Darlington and Falcon were most keen on relocating to a different hotel or other lodgings. The others seemed reluctant to leave the lap of luxury, despite the fact someone seemed to know they were there. The Park Place was very large and cabs could be caught on 3 sides, plus there was the tube. It was unlikely they could all be tailed if the took precautions like going out side exits, switching taxis, etc. Also, it seemed safe as houses unless the presumed cultists wanted to come into the open, and they'd have to know which rooms they were using.

With a knock on the door, Phil's suits arrived!

Stepping to the secretary in the corner of the room, Howard snatches up the desk calendar. "Look here," he says, flourishing the calendar, "According to Life as a God, the cult is quite regular in its activities. Victims are taken when the moon is at half-wane; kept prisoner for a week; and sacrificed when the moon is dark. The next new moon is eleven days from now on the 24th. So they'll seize their next victim sometime on the 17th!

"Really, Sergeant, it's damned elementary. I'm surprised the police didn't tumble to the schedule."

He paces a moment, tapping his fimger on his lower lip. "It's no good setting out 'bait' before the 16th at the earliest, Singh. You and I and Webley are better employed with al-Sayid, I think.

"Darlington, can you call him down to the Yard for his interview? With him out of the way, we three can visit his establishment. There must be a room there for holding the next victim and probably for the sacrifice itself. If we can find it, we'll be in a position to disrupt their next attempt, if nothing else."
This message was last edited by the player at 10:32, Thu 03 Nov 2011.

Lamptons' suggestion to Darlington made sense, as did his revelation that the next victim would be taken in 4 days time, on the 17th. Therefore no further plans were made to stake out the club or set any sacrificial victims, at least for now.

The rough plan for the day was that Fulty, Storm and Dr. Weston would research the records on Tewfik's warehouse to see if they could find floor plans, identify possible modifications, or even just determine ownership. The same would go for the Penhew Foundation, and Gavigan in general.

One stumbling block to entering Tewfik's warehouse in Soho was if he weren't there, they would have to force entry, and do it in some way that wouldn't leave obvious tampering. As it turned out, none of the group seemed to possess the required skills. Darlington could cover for them to a degree but they would have to be a little subtle in some sense.

John-Marc said he thought Karlheinz, his friend and business partner, could probably handle a lock, but he was either in the air ferrying the Brisfit back to Lympne Aerodrome or was already there. It would take the rest of the day for him to return via train or by the road. Flying back to Croydon and taking the train would take time, too.

"I know just the chap," declared Dr. Weston. "An... acquaintance of mine. Friend. Owes me a favour. Let me make a telephone call." A short call later Dr. Weston reported, "it's set. My friend will meet us there and provide access. He'll have a look around, too."

So far, the people going to the warehouse were Howard, Imran, Cynthia, John-Marc and Phil.

Tewfik would be called in to Scotland Yard for 11:00 am. Using Darlington's knowledge of the area, the group going to the warehouse would wait at a telephone call-box (booth) in a pub near the warehouse for Darlington to confirm Tewfik had arrived at his office for questioning. Darlington could tie up Tewfik for a couple hours without difficulty but without evidence it would difficult to hold him overnight. Assuming Tewfik had a rich and powerful patron like Gavigan on his side.

After the call, they would proceed directly to the warehouse where they would meet Darragh. He would stay outside as lookout and if there was police trouble he would try to lead them off, even take the blame if needed. Darlington's supervisor Barrington could pull strings to clear anyone caught of charges if needed but it was hoped it wouldn't come to that. If needed, their taxi was paid to wait at the end of the alley so they could make a quick departure if needed.

11:00am

Scotland Yard

At the appointed hour, a disgruntled Tewfik al-Sayyid arrived at Scotland yard. He was dressed in a suit, hat and cane, like any normal if modestly successful London businessman. Only his dark and pockmarked face, dark eyes and thick moustache betrayed his foreign origin. He waited impatiently as Darlington made contact with the group waiting in the pub by the telephone with the news. He would delay al-Sayyid as long as he could, probably at least an hour and likely three, but advised them not to tarry.

For good measure, he kept Tewfik waiting for a good half-hour before even deigning to admit him into his presence. The man seemed angry and off-balance as he waited, brimming with impatience but attempting to conceal his ire at officialdom.

Soho

Once the call was completed, the group consisting of Howard, Cynthia, Imran, John-Marc and Phil quickly made it to the "Foreign Spice Emporium" warehouse's rear door. They were met by Dr. Weston's friend "Darragh", a shifty-looking wiry redhaired ruffian dressed in shabby coat and cap, smelling strongly of fish.

"'Eeloo 'dere. Ah've opened de dure an' 'ad a squizz. Thar's naw wan inside an' oi couldn't fend nathin' interestin', 'ope yer fend waaat you're lookin' for. I'll whistle if someone cums an' den lead dem away. Gran' luk t' yez!"

Clerkenwell

Dr. Weston, Ralph Fulty and Charles Storm ensconced themselves in the London County Record Office building, which also housed the London County Council Members Library. If there was a record of what they wanted, it would be in there somewhere. The records stretched back eleven centuries or longer, in some cases.

They were looking for plans of Tewfik's "Foreign Spice Emporium", the Penhew Foundation, and any titles or deeds belonging to the Foundation, Gavigan or the missing Penhew.

Fleet Street

Over on Fleet Street, Mickey Malone called Molly "Mungo" Fuller into his cramped cigar-smoke filled office. He asked her to interview the Soho-based artist, Miles Shipley, for the London Scoop. "Interview this geeza. Get me summit interestin' I can print. Make it up if ya 'ave ter! Roite, get aahhht of 'ere."

Well, I suppose Cynthia peers in the open doorway, pausing to listen for a moment, against any other clerks or employees still lingering. What do we see in there?

Tewfik al-Sayyid's "Foreign Spice Emporium"

The "Foreign Spice Emporium" was located on Waldour St. in Soho, among a row of slightly disreputable furniture stores and furniture-makers.

The building seemed to be 2 stories with small warehouse on the ground and one or more flats on the top floor. The flat had no entry from the outside so it was reasonable to assume it was Tewfik's and could be reached from inside the shop.

Realising that the situation required some measure of boldness, they crept into the small rear storage room and quietly closed the outside door.

Peering in, it was clear the rear of the narrow warehouse building was taken up by a store-room. Storage shelves held dozens of boxes, casks and crates of spices and herbs. The air was thick with many smells and scents.

Venturing further in past the connecting door, they saw the front of the shop was filled with display shelves. On the shelves were boxes and bins of Tewfik's wares. There was a cash register and a set of stairs up. Light came in through curtains hung in the front windows, and a "CLOSED - Please Return Later" sign had been hung on the door. The front room, like the rear, was dim and musty.

In the far corner by the window was a set of stairs leading up:

http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/2070/tewfikb.jpg
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:49, Sun 06 Nov 2011.

(So it's pretty clear there can't be any hidden rooms or stairs down, correct? When we walk on the floors, is there any suggestion of a basement from how thick and well reinforced the floorboards are?)

Once it's clear the building is empty, Cynthia carefully creeps up the steps to the upper level, always keeping her eyes and ears open.