Leo didn't have any further questions for the man, but thought it wise to heed his warning. He leaned closer to the others. "We will look out of place here. Shall we go somewhere less conspicuous to discuss and plan?"

"A capital idea, Dr. Elias," Harry said, gesturing for the others to stand up as he did. Faraz Najir hadn't moved too quickly, but was evidently leaving their gathering now.

They filed out of the building in Najir's wake. The community room was beginning to clear out in anticipation of the next call to prayer, and they were able to move out among the crowd, though they slipped out of the mosque rather than following Najir into the prayer hall.

Down the street, Harry spotted a tea shop where they could gather that seemed to be empty of patrons for the moment, likely on account of them all being at the mosque for the prayer time. The owner still seemed to be there, and Harry found a table for them in the far corner of the small shop, ordering a pot of tea and cups for the lot of them, taking a sip of his and waiting for the owner to depart.

"Avery makes a mean cup of Earl Gray, but this tea here is nothing to sneeze at. So, what're our next steps?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:23, Thu 21 Nov 2019.

”Based on what Najir told us, I would say that locating and speaking with Warren Besart should be one of the priorities,” McNeil offered, “I think he might be able to shed some light on the Carlyle Expedition and their motives. He may also possess some valuable insight into the Brotherhood of the Black Pharaoh.”

“Visiting with Omar Shakil also has the potential to yield some key information.” He shrugged. ”Breaking into the man’s home and getting a look at his records and collections would likely be even better, but there would certainly be danger involved. I have a feeling you would have sufficient social standing to secure an interview with him, sir.” He nodded to Leo. ”Perhaps a social call could also serve to obtain a clear idea of the layout of his home, for those who might try to obtain information through less...ah, traditional means later on..”

He drew some tobacco and papers from his jacket, suddenly thankful that his hands had something to occupy them. ”At some point, I’d like to do some research on this idea of tunnels existing beneath the Sphinx. It might be that the folklore surrounding those accounts could provide a clearer idea about what the Penhew Foundation might be seeking.”

Leo took a sip of tea, grateful for what seemed like a respite. Even though they weren't in immediate danger, the constant feeling out being of place didn't help. Avoiding attracting undue attention helps, but just being a group of European descent likely made them somewhat noteworthy.

His attention went over to Dominic as the man offered his thoughts. "Yes, Besart seems like he should be our primary focus." He thought about Shakil for a moment, then nodded. "I will try to arrange a meeting with Mister Shakil. I agree that a social call would seem a good first step."

The physician rubbed his chin in thought. "In addition to researching the tunnels, I'd also like to get a look at what remains of Najir's ruined shop."

Fredde gulps down the strong, hot tea. She disliked being in the mosque. It hadn't seemed like a place for a white woman to be.

"Where's the entrance to these tunnels?"

The guide had promised to wait outside nearby while they met with Najir in the mosque, and had found his way into the tea shop when the party did. He didn't participate in the conversation, but did chime in when Dr. Elias mentioned an interest in seeing Najir's old shop.

"I can take you to the place if you wish - Najir's old shop; it is not far from here, maybe a few blocks away."

Leo nodded, though looked around for any dissenting opinions. "I'd like a quick look, though is there a way to do so without being obvious? The shop may be watched by people we'd rather not meet."

He looked over the group, scratching his beard as he smiled, considering.

"These two, pull their veils a bit down lower to hide more of the face, and follow behind, heads a bit lower. I will walk in the front, and ustaaz here can follow me so they will see the bearded men coming first," he pointed to Dominic.

Looking at Leo and Harry, he frowned a bit. "For you two...there is little to be done. The clothing you have purchased is good. It will help you avoid the most notice, but if they look closely they will see your faces. If you had beards perhaps...some of your features could be hidden. While you are here, perhaps it is good for you to consider this if you wish to blend a bit more. But for today, I think you have done the most. The best thing is to be quick. I will speak as if you are interested in purchasing or renting the place. Most people avoid it, believing it to be cursed by demons, so it may actually be most believable that I am trying to sell it to a white man."

He grinned at the suggestion that he would present himself as attempting to bamboozle the group.

"It is a crowded street, and it will be busy, except for around Najir's old shop which sits empty now. If you do what you came to do quickly, and we leave quickly, then I think you can avoid notice."

McNeil nodded in silent agreement with Asim’s proposal. Rubbing his jaw, he recalled recently having toyed with the idea of shaving his beard off. He was suddenly glad he had resisted the impulse.

"Should I also try to grow a beard, as well?" Rosalie joked.  "It would certainly be cooler than this getup."  She'd removed her headscarf to give herself some air as she fanned her face.  Cairo in February wasn't sweltering, but it was still a bit uncomfortable to be wearing long sleeves and a long skirt.

"Uncle, if you'd like me to go along on your social call, I'd be more than willing.  Of course, I could also assist Mr. McNeil with his research.  It is up to the two of you to decide where you think I'd be better placed."

Fredde wore the gown and headscarf without too much discomfort, though she disliked how they restricted her freedom of movement.

"Like Ro says, set me down anywhere you think I'll be the most use."

Leo nodded at Rosalie's suggestion. "Yes, please join me on the social call. He may wonder why I'm in Cairo, and one possible explanation is that I decided to accompany you here. We can determine if it's better to all stick together or split up once we've taken a quick look at Najir's old place."

The physician gestured in the direction they seemed destined to go and nodded to Asim. "This sounds like as good a plan as any. Let's go."

McNeil fell in step behind the doctor and his niece. Glancing over at Harry Price, he said, ”I think I’m better off sticking with libraries and dust covered books. Probably safer for all involved. It’s been years since I was civilized enough to make a respectable showing at any sort of social call.”

“On the other hand, I imagine such a visit would fall right into your realm of expertise,” he told the solicitor.

"The meeting with Shakil? Let's talk more about that when we're in the comfort of our hotel, my friend. There's a little tidbit that I held back in Najir's company that may determine whether or not that's a wise idea," he said to Dominic.

Leo raised an eyebrow as Harry spoke. "Sounds good, Mister Price. Let's head back there after we get our peek at Najir's shop."

Once more, Asim lead their small procession into the Old City, weaving into narrow alleys that were redolent of aromatic secrets, the scents of strange spices and perfumes mingling with that of foreign foods and sweat and dirt as they found themselves before a site that all seemed to avoid, a wide open area cleared around it. Those that even came close could be heard invoking the name of Allah and moving quickly to clear from around it.

The spot where Asim lead them was a burned-out hole in the ground. Some trace elements of what was presumably a structure remain, though the whole area is blackened and soot covered, even the very earth on the floor which is effectively a large and wide hole about three feet deep.

"Best we are here not too long. I am not sure what there is to see...but this is it. It is said that some five or six years back, a demon burned this place to the ground." Asim didn't act as if he believed any such thing, but for all of his bravado, he seemed to edge back a bit from the perimeter of the area and studied their faces for the first indication that they wished to be taken back to the hotel.

OOC:

It is clear even from a casual inspection that there is nothing here but rubble and refuse.

As they walked by, Leo tried to casually reconstruct what had happened in his mind's eye.

He did respond to Asim's comment. "Hm, that long ago, eh? Interesting that it hasn't been fixed up since."

"Nobody of any respect wants anything to do with this place, and even those willing to roll the dice with the place are wary of what others will think of them. Blasphemers are not well looked upon." He shrugged.

Leo nodded at the response, then kept casually moving along behind their guide. He had seen what he'd come to see.

OOC:
13:38, Today: Dr. Leonardo Elias rolled 40 using 1d100 with rolls of 40.  Sanity (67).

When they had regrouped at the hotel and Asim had taken a break, Price arranged a rather secluded corner of the hotel's bar for them to get a table around. There weren't many takers at the bar at this time of day, giving them a wide berth for their conversation.

"Yesterday I had a chance to meet with a local newspaperman, Nigel Wasif. During the course of our conversation, we each laid our cards on the table. Amboy threw caution to the wind and told the whole tale of Gavigan, but it turned out to work for the best. It was the type of reveal that seemed to gain Mr. Wasif's trust. He told us about Omar Shakil, and that he was involved with the Brotherhood of the Black Pharaoh."

He let that sink in for a moment.

"I thought that given the events that took place in the English countryside, that we may wish to think more carefully on the prospect of visiting the country estate of a wealthy cult-related figure. It feels all too familiar. We're strangers in a strange land here, Dr. Elias. There's no Lieutenant Poole and Constable Hawkins and a cavalry of bobbies to come to our rescue."

Leo's eyebrows rose as he heard what Price had to say. "Hm, yes, that does sound familiar and your warning is well taken. Perhaps in that case we should focus on Besart first?"

Leo cared about the well-being of his friends and family, though the importance of getting to the bottom of this mystery was worth some risk. But not poorly considered and ill-advised risks that were unlikely to yield positive results.

He nodded.

"Wasif did also mention that someone or the other on the Clive Expedition might have been connected to the Brotherhood, so there's an element of risk there, though he doesn't have proof other than some meetings they had with this Omar Shakil. That makes Besart the lowest risk prospect to start with. Does anyone have any ideas as to how we can locate a skittish and cagey Frenchman?"

”We could, of course, involve Asim in the search for Besart, though I anticipate that he may only be able to come up with hints and rumors. Clues that would require further investigation. It sounds as though Besart, unlike Vanheuvelen, is putting forth considerable effort to remain hidden”

McNeil crossed his arms. ”I had planned to pay another visit to the Egyptian Museum soon. I’m confident that Dr. Kafour, my friend that is on the staff there, would allow me access to their library to research the question of the tunnels beneath the Sphinx. But I could inquire about Besart with him. Since he was closely connected to the Carlyle Expedition, Dr. Kafour might know something of what became of him afterward.”

“I have a hunch that Besart is still using his expertise to scratch out a living here in Cairo. My thought would be that he could be arranging sales of antiquities...or similar items of value on the black market. If anyone is feeling brave, perhaps Asim could point us toward a saloon in the Old City where such transactions are frequently made.”

Leo frowned at Price's response. It seemed there were potential enemies everywhere. He wasn't certain which was worse, actual enemies or that they now felt like they could be anywhere.

"Starting with the museum seems a wise move. Relatively low risk."

Rosalie was frowning, lost in thought for a moment as Harry's warning drew up memories of all those that they'd lost to such terrible circumstances.  Her family was shrinking, condensed now to only a bare handful, and she felt such emptiness at that loss.  Still, as a practical woman, she knew she couldn't fully throw herself into grief.  Not yet.

She sighed. "As Najir said he'd been looking for the man for some time without any luck, I doubt we'd do much better by simply scouring the old city blindly.  Perhaps Asim could make inquiries for us in the Old City to see if anyone has noticed the Frenchman about.  To better hone in on his location, we do need more information about the man, either gathered from those that knew him and might know his habits, or from articles on the expedition that might mention him and his role.  Do you think Vanheuvelen might know more about him?"