Price greeted the others as they were introduced. He was surprised to see anyone who had survived the ordeal at the hands of those mad cultists at the table, and seemingly ready to enter the fray.

"Very sorry to hear about Mr. Cotton. Hopefully, he recovers fully in time."

"I did a bit of research myself. Information on Viscount Pevensey, the foundation, and the various properties and assets which left to the foundation after Kenya."

Price produced a folder of his own and pushed it across to Barrington.

"With Gavigan on the run, he might try and utilize either the funds or even use one of the estates or townhouses has a hideout."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:50, Tue 16 Oct 2018.

Leo nodded at the commentary concerning the value of rest. "A good night's sleep is always better than the alternative - particularly if that alternative is a dirt nap. Thanks for coming, and we are all sorry for your losses as well."

Leo looked at what was being sorted with a nod, then opened the envelope to briefly inspect the contents before closing it again. "This will be helpful as we continue to look into the associations that Gavigan and those like him have around the world."

The physician's lips pressed together at the news of Tommy. "I'll visit Tommy before we leave, and then hopefully when we return. Perhaps he will be back to normal again in time."

Leo offered his hand to those to whom he was introduced. "It's nice to meet you all - I'm Doctor Leonardo Elias, from New York."

A tall, muscular, disheveled man shakes Doctor Elias hand forcefully and says, "Glad to meet you doc and a yank at that!  You ain't workin with them folks at Bethlam I hope.  They's just doing their jobs I recon, but the damnedest bunch of doc's I've ever seen.   After what happened to me being beat up, seeing the damnedest monsters and then be chained to a pillar, I guess they wanted to make sure my marbles were still in me head.

Sorry to go so, I'm John Amboy, but me friends call me 'Tiny'.

McNeil had spent much of the morning reminding himself that his time in London was temporary. Travel to England was a professional necessity on occasion, but one that he enjoyed less and less with passing years. A consultation with faculty at King’s College had brought him into the city, but Erica Carlyle’s request had prompted him to remain. Once he had read the letter from Bradley Grey and conversed with Harry Price, he knew that his interest in what had transpired went deeper than the money that had been offered, or simple curiosity about the fates of Roger Carlyle, Aubrey Penhew, and the rest of their ill fated expedition.

As introductions were made, memories of Jackson Elias, and their friendship, drifted through his mind.

He offered his hand to Jackson’s father. ”Dr. Elias. Dominic McNeil. You may not recall, but we met once before, when you were here in London with Jackson Elias. Jackson and I kept up a correspondence for many years. I considered him a mentor, and a close friend. I am very sorry for your loss, sir.”

Rosalie regarded their new acquaintances with her usual quiet reserve, studying them each with open interest.  After her uncle introduced himself, she made hers as well.  "Thank you for that, Mr. McNeil.  We started this investigation because of Jackson's horrific death.  I'm pleased that you were acquainted with my cousin in better times.  I'm Rosalie Elias, Leo's niece."

"Mr. Amboy, I'm pleased to see you've recovered from your ordeal so rapidly.  What was done to you and the others was truly horrific.  I shudder to think what might have happened had the Chief Inspector not arrived when he did.  I'm certain that they meant to sacrifice you all in the name of their twisted cult."

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Elias," McNeil replied, "I've read of your travels with Jackson in his books. He always spoke very highly of you."

He glanced at Amboy, feeling a sharp pang of sympathy for what the man had experienced. Briefly, images from a deep cavern within the Zijin Shan sought to encroach on his thoughts, but with a moment's effort, he was able to push them away. Even as he did, he regretted that it was not much later in the day, his throat feeling suddenly parched.

"I'm truly sorry for all that you had to face, Mr. Amboy. You're certainly to be praised for your courage."

Leo looked at Tiny and paused before nodding slowly. "I don't regularly work directly with anyone at Bethlam, but some of those there are considered leaders in their field. I have corresponded with Doctor Stephenson on occasion. That said, I'm glad you didn't end up needing much of their help. And it's very nice to meet you Tiny."

Leo then turned to look a bit more closely at Dominic. "Ah, yes, Dominic. It's good to see you again. I wouldn't have been able to place you without the context, but I do recall that meeting. Thank you for your condolences, and I hope you've been well."

If only the condolences would have remained limited to Jackson. But now it had spread. The losses of Stanley, Vincent, and Bo stung. He hadn't yet had time to fully process, and really hadn't done a very good job of assessing Rosie's mental state. He would have to rectify that soon.

Harry sat by as the others chatted, the events of the night before were still weighing heavily on his mind. They had lost both Mr. Moretti and Mr. Brandon, and the young Mr. Cotton was in the madhouse. While they had broken up Gavigan's little piece of hell on earth, he was in the wind and appeared to have allies across the globe.

Hearing the words of the big Londoner, Price was reminded of the strength and character of the common working Englishmen, real salt of the earth types. During the work of the war in the trenches, time and time again he had drawn strength from his men.

"Hear, hear." Price quietly echoed in affirmation of McNeil's praise of Mr. Amboy.

Price had learned another thing in the last war when the artillery starts falling it was best to charge ahead and get into the enemy's trenches, "After what most of us experienced last night, I guess the question is what next?"
This message was last edited by the player at 00:49, Thu 18 Oct 2018.

Tiny nods to the woman and responds, "I was at Gallipoli in the Great War and it was hell, but the last few days make it seem like a little walk in the park.  The bastards that took me and some others was so much worse than the Turks. Them Turks was just defending their lands, the bastards just seemed to love frightin and killin.  If I ever get me hands on them bastards, they will be a cursing their mum's for bringin into this world.  I want to live long enough to help them bastards into the next life."

He turns to the other man and says, "No need to be sorry mate, but thanks. As for courage, na, just had to keep on tryin to stay alive as long as possible.  Wish I coulda done more for the other poor souls I was with.  I got caught by my own curiosity when it got the better of me. I was snoopin at a wharf, lookin through some crates. Found some munitions and some other really strange stuff. Then I got billied. So, twas a bit of my own undoin, sadly.  Next time I'll be a lot more careful."

"I think Mr. Price echoes a question that I've been wondering myself. You all came to England with a certain purpose in mind, I think, a curiosity of sorts. Despite protestations to the contrary, perhaps a vendetta. I couldn't blame you were that to have been the case. I'd wager you likely got more than you bargained for, though I can't imagine that things have come to a satisfactory resolution here with Gavigan's flight and many unanswered questions. We seem to have only scratched the surface of something that I'm having a hard time wrapping my mind around. So as young Harry said, what's next?"

He looked mainly to Dr. Elias, but his gaze touched Rosalie, Harry, and Dominic in turn.

The tall women in man's boots, trousers, and jacket stubs out a cigarette and half-rises to extend a hand to Harry Price: "Hullo, Price, we've not met, but your firm's been gettin' together the registration an' such for my new 'plane. I got the documents alright, but then my mechanic went missing.

"I understand from Barrington here that you lot probably saved his life. I'm grateful --he's a good boy even if he's part Gyppo. I guess he won't be able to fly with me when I head south. Pity.

"Don't s'pose none of you know any good mechanics, eh?"

In reply to Fredde ten Boom (msg # 13):

Tiny eyes the tall woman for a few moments, tilts his head a bit to the left, introduces himself and then responds, "I picked up some repair skills in the Marines.  I could at least look at what needs fixin."

Price offered a smile, "Glad we could be of service. Given the circumstances please call me Harry."

"Well given the global nature of Gavigan's associates, an aeroplane could certainly prove useful."

"As for what is next, I was thinking it would be worthwhile to thoroughly search the Penhew Foundation. Perhaps we can turn up further clues as to the nature of this cabal." Price said redirecting the conversation to the job at hand.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:16, Thu 18 Oct 2018.

In reply to John 'Tiny' Amboy (msg # 14):

"Oh! HawHaw!" Fredde guffaws, dropping back into her chair and lighting a fresh cigarette from her case, "All is shipshape right now--it's a brand-new machine, you know--but nothing stays that way, so it's best to have a good mechanic along when you're traveling any distance. And I mean to fly back to the Cape, first stop Cairo!"

Leo nodded at Harry's suggestion. "I think searching the Foundation is a good idea. They may have removed anything of worth once they were discovered, but it's worth a shot."

He looked over to Barrington to see if he would approve of such.

"We're in the process of obtaining a warrant to search the Penhew Foundation as we speak, but I'm afraid that I won't be allowed to take civilians in with me," he said, thinking over the idea.

"However, I think that I could retain subject matter experts as consultants to help us identify what might be important. There would be a small amount of remuneration accompanying such a task. I think that an Archaeologist could certainly provide insight into some of our findings there and help distinguish with routine matters, and those that might have to do with the matter at hand. Mr. McNeil, I understand you are currently engaged by another employer, but could Scotland Yard retain your services in this small matter?"

The question caught McNeil by surprise, prompting him to raise his eyebrows. Working for the police. That was certainly novel, especially in light of the reputation he held in certain circles. How had Thompson at the British Museum put it? ”A superstitious occultist and a treasure seeking mercenary.” Had Barrington asked after him at the Museum, or at Oxford, the Inspector might well have thought twice about retaining his services. Granted, there were plenty of others on the Isles that would attest to his expertise, and his value out in the field.

He nodded. ”I don’t anticipate any conflict with my present employer,” McNeil answered, ”I’ll be happy to assist the Service, Inspector. Having the opportunity to examine your findings could certainly prove helpful to the Elias family’s concerns as well.”

Truthfully, in light of everything he had learned from Carlyle’s file, and the events that Price had related to him, he was eager to have a look at Gavigan’s collection, especially those relics and written works that could shed light on the man’s beliefs and associations.

”Inspector...if I could make a small request. I might benefit from some assistance in my examinations. Would it be out of the question for one or two members of the Elias family, or their associates, to accompany me?”

"Mr. McNeil, if one of them has expertise in History, Archaeology, or Anthropology, I could easily make the case for their inclusion," he said, looking over to the Elias party to see if any of them seemed to fit his criteria.

OOC:

While I as Keeper am aware, I'm not sure that at any point Rosalie's professional credentials have been made known to DCI Barrington
This message was last edited by the player at 04:29, Thu 25 Oct 2018.

"Well, that rules me out." Price said.

"Though I would be keen to see any legal documents you might find. I am wondering if there are no legal means to strip control of the Viscount's estate and the Penhew Foundation and place them in the conservatorship."

"I've a bit of knowledge in Anthropology and Archeology, as well as a few languages.  I'd be happy to accompany you, Mr. McNeil, especially as I wish to view these acquisitions, myself.  I'd especially like to have a look at that mirror, Chief Inspector.  Mr. McNeil?"  She gestured to the hallway and the rooms beyond that contained the gathered artifacts from Gavigan's property.

In reply to Chief Inspector Barrington (msg # 20):

Tiny frowns, then shrugs, when he hears the inspector's list of skills. "Sounds like I don't fit that bill. I best be back to the docks, already lost me place to stay.  If you're ever seeing them bastards again, look me up. I've got a long list of things to settle with 'em.  I thank you all for helpin savin me bacon at that hellhole." Tiny moves towards the door.

Leo nodded at Rosalie's desire to join the group going back to the Foundation. It would be good for her to be along.

As Tiny went to leave, Leo frowned and furrowed his brow. The man seemed to be what the pilot needed, but he seemed to prefer a retreat to the docks.

Leo turned toward Fredde. "Miss ten Boom, what sort of aircraft do you pilot?"

In reply to John 'Tiny' Amboy (msg # 23):

"Amboy, hold on. How'd you like to go out to the Croydon Aerodrome and have a look at my new kite? I'll pay you for the day. How about it?"

She rises from her seat and nods at the others: "Nice meeting you folks. Harry, I'll be stopping at the Astor Court for another couple of nights, if you need me. Good hunting."

"Very well. I'll fill out the necessary paperwork and provide you with some temporary credentials shortly. After that, I will certainly allow you to examine the evidence we've collected on a consulting basis as well as accompany us to the Penhew Foundation, should the warrant be granted - which I think likely given what we have discovered so far."


OOC:

Harry, you can make a Law roll to know some of the things you're wondering.

In reply to Fredde ten Boom (msg # 25):
Tiny turns around quickly and faces the lady flier.  He nods in agreement, his face lights up and he says, "Just call me Tiny, if you please. I'd love to see your plane ma'am.  I have not seen one close up since the war and I'll wager your is a hum dinger.  Wonderful, just wonderful!"