4 Whitehall Place
New Scotland Yard
Sunday Afternoon
February 1st, 1925

"That's our man, Dr. Elias, the one I was telling you about," Millicent offered as they neared the gentleman.

"Mr. Harry Price, might I introduce you to Dr. Leonardo Elias and his niece, Rosalie Elias?"

Leo nodded at the man and offered a smile and his hand. "How do you do, Mister Price?"

At an even six feet and one hundred and sixty pounds, has the athletic yet slim build of someone who grew up leading the life of an aristocratic sportsman. Young and handsome, his dark brown hair is perfect combed. Harry wears a thin mustache but is otherwise clean shaven, and cuts a rather dashing figure in an immaculately tailored Seville Row suit worn under an equally well tailored overcoat.

Spotting Millicent O'Connor, Price flicked away a cigarette, and closed the distance and offered a hand and began his greetings "Pleasure to see you again Miss O'Connor."

Shifting his attention to the strangers "Henry Paget Price, but my friends call me Harry. Pleasure to make acquaintance. I hope you are enjoying your visit to London."

"I have been engaged to act as your solicitor. but to make it official you should both hand me a pound note. That way anything you confide in me will be protected. With that out of the way we can get down to  business."

Rosalie studied the young man while introductions were made, offering her own gloved hand in greeting when it came time.  She was older, she guessed, but not by much.  Smiling at his notion, she opened her pocketbook and offered him a fiver.  "How very thorough you are, Mr. Price.  It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.  Millicent had good things to say about you.  I hope you don't balk at the first sign of danger.  We seem to happen upon it at every turn."

'It pays to be thorough." Price said accepting the fiver with a bit of a rakish smile.

"As far as danger, let us hope we can get you out of whatever danger you are in. Speaking of which best you give me some understanding of your predicament so I can be of assistance when we meet with the inspector." Price said pushing the matter a bit as he was eager to get to work.

"Ah, as to that, you must suspend disbelief for a little while, at least.  What we're doing here and why is going to sound quite farfetched." She threw her uncle a glance before continuing.  "It is a bit of a long story, but the condensed version is that we know of a cult that is operating here in London.  They're murderers that believe in ritual sacrifice.  We also know who has been running it and where they are meeting tonight for a ritual where more innocent victims will be killed in the name of their religion.  We mean to stop them.  We have evidence, of course, but it could easily be interpreted as balderdash and ignored.  We're hoping to convince Chief Inspector Barrington to join us in stopping their horrid practice."

Leo nodded at Harry's introduction and request, his hand moving to remove a billfold from an inner breast pocket of his jacket. Once the payment had been made, Leo replaced the billfold and nodded at Rosalie's summary of their current situation.

Once she was finished, his brow furrowed slightly. "Have Miss O'Connor or your employer filled you in on any specifics?"

Harry paused at the Miss Elias' explanation, and he was grateful for her uncle's monetary transaction and question to give him a moment to form his thoughts. Deciding to answer the last question before moving on Harry replied "No I was not told very much, merely that associates of the Carlyle family currently in London were in a spot of trouble and could use the assistance of a solicitor experienced in handling delicate matters. That is not an unusual telephone call for me."

"I am guessing this is related the murders of foreigners dumped into the Thames with their heads knocked in. messy business. If you have evidence that would lead to their apprehension and the end of these killing I would imagine that a solid man like Inspector Barrington would welcome it. Since I have been drawn in I am assuming it is more complicated than it seems. Perhaps you could paint that picture for me as well."

"As you say there will be additional murders this very night, I suggest you tell me as we make our way to Barrington's office."

Rosalie nodded and fell into step beside him as they walked to the entrance.  "The complicated part, Mr. Price, is that this organization is responsible for the death of my cousin, Jackson Elias."

"Uncle Leo's son," she added, quietly.

"My condolences on the loss of your son." Harry said just the correct amount of sincerity. "Your son's passing would explain your interest in the murders, but still, doesn't explain the need for a solicitor."

"If I am going to be able to help you it would be best if I understood any challenges or entanglements that will likely arise from the telling of this tale." Harry understood their reluctance, but in his experience the longer this avoidance carried on the stickier the wicket would be in the end.

Leo raised his eyebrows slightly. "Mmmmm....I don't think we need a solicitor, but your knowledge of law and the ability to speak with those whose duty it is to dispense justice will likely be quite useful."

Leo looked over at Rosalie and then back to Price. "I feel we should have further discussions somewhere more private, if you really haven't been brought up to speed by Miss Carlyle or Miss O'Connor. Do you have accommodations nearby, Mister Price?"

"No need. They have accommodation for private conversations between a solicitor and his clients at Scotland Yard. They will respect our privacy I assure you." Price replied. With his interest raised by this request for a private chat, Harry led them into the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police and requested just such a room from one of the deal sergeants on duty.

A familiar figure to some there, Price was given the room and the privacy he needed to speak with his new clients. He listened to the tale that they wove for him, which seemed to grow stranger, and stranger in the telling. But given the nature of the assignment, while his instincts may have been to gently disassociate himself with them, he called Bradley Grey to confirm that these were reputable people. After receiving assurances from Grey, he was somewhat content to go forward, despite his own doubts on the matter.

In the room, Harry listens to the trio relate their tale. Between his time in the trenches and his experience dealing with clients relating their crimes, Price had mastered hiding his reactions. Though in this case he did feel compelled to have a few cigarettes. The story itself was mad, but Harry trusted his instincts and his gut was telling him that they believed every word of it. Which left three options, the first that they were mad, and the second that it was true and the third was some combination of the first two. But all that was irrelevant at the moment, in any case, they needed to counsel and Erica Carlye was a very good client.

"First let me offer my condolences on the loss of your Mr. Bishop. I'm very sorry."

"As to the rest, I think when we speak with the Inspector we may want to stick to the events in London, and specifically the facts as they relate to this cult of foreigners murdering innocents in London."

"Clearly as you say this involves someone as highly placed as Edward Gavigan, it is important if we make an accusation, we have some hard evidence to support it. What is your best evidence of his involvement?" Price asked.

Leo nodded at the response from Harry. "Thank you for your condolences. I have no plans to fill Barrington in on anything besides what's been going on in London. I do not believe he wanted us involved in finding those that committed all these murders, so we will need to be prepared for some unhappiness on his part."

Leo frowned for a moment. "As for Gavigan, that's a good question. Given what we've told you, what do you think is the best evidence against him? Or perhaps said another way, what evidence do you think we should bring to him?"

Price let of breath animated with by the smoke of his Chesterfield "Well, we need to find a way to present it so as to avoid the Inspector of feeling compelled to call Mr. Gavigan and warn him. We need to present the evidence in such a way that he can believe that a man like Gavigan could be corrupted into involving himself into such an affair."

"I suggest something along the lines that Gavigan having spent too many years reading about Egypt lost his mind and it manifested in an obsession with immortality. You are a psychiatrist, I am sure you could craft a convincing diagnosis. Mysteries of the mind and what not. Perhaps he and Lord Penhew were homosexual. The death of his intimate caused him to snap."

"While Barrington is a sensible man, the upper class do have a proclivity for being eccentric. Wouldn't be the first time one of us cracked up. Add the foul play around the disappearance of your Mr. Bishop who disappeared after meeting with Gavigan, throw in a bunch of blood thirsty Arabs at his country house preparing for some awful rite and I imagine we have the makings a yarn that could get him to bite."

"What do you think?" Price asked.

Leo furrowed his brow as he contemplated the suggestion from the attorney. "So...instead of presenting evidence, you want me to go to the inspector and lie to him? And not just any fabrication, but you want me to falsify my professional judgement to an officer of the law?"

Leo looked over at his niece for a moment and then back to Price. "I take it you don't think there's any good evidence then?"

"A vague note referring to some mysterious people discovered after a break in that resulted in the killing a security guard? The problem is the evidence points as much or more in your direction. Please feel free to lay out your plan. I will offer you my legal advice." Price replied.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:36, Thu 31 Aug 2017.

Rosalie worried at her lower lip for a moment.  "Disclosing the entire truth would certainly not be in our best instance.  Our midnight foray into the foundation, for instance, should probably not be mentioned.  However, we can show him the business card we found on my cousin when he died and the letter he was writing that shows he was involved in Jackson's murder.  We can also give him our suspicions that Gavigan is involved in the cult operating in London based on disturbing things we saw in his office.  Surely that would be enough to entice Barrington to investigate, especially if we tell him the rumors of a cultic ritual taking place this very night."

"You would think, but a well-placed man like Gavigan is going to be given the benefit of the doubt. Even with evidence. That is why I suggested adding a bit of color to our portrait of Gavigan.In particular suggesting some rather nasty secrets that play into the stereo type of an academics, especially one with his interests."

"If he is as you say, up to his neck with a cult of murderous Arabs, telling a few lies about the man certainly would acceptable. But perhaps given your training Dr. Elias you might have some insights into true qualities of a man like Gavigan that would serve the same purpose." Price added.

The room they had been given had a window that allowed them to look outside near the front of the building while they spoke. As they continued their conversation, they heard the sound of vehicles approaching. A couple of police vehicles followed by a lorry pulled up to the front of the building.

A man recognizable to Harry as Inspector James Barrington got out of one of the vehicles, and began to supervise the unloading of the lorry, as several bobbies began to empty the vehicle of various crates, bringing them into the station.

Looking out the window a moment Harry turned to the others "Let's hope those are crates of evidence that implicates Mr Gavigan."

"Shall we take advantage of the commotion to speak with Barrington?"

Leo shook his head. "This is something that should be discussed privately with him."

He considered the thoughts from the others. "We also don't need to implicate Gavigan in anything if we could get the inspector to believe that the Misr House itself is of interest. If he were asked to stake out a location rather than go after the man himself...that might be an easier sell."

"I wasn't suggesting we discuss it with him in front all those Bobbies, rather that we approach him and convince him to meet with us in public." Price replied.

"As for what you wish to say to him, I have given you my advice, you are free to take whatever approach you choose. But as you say there will be killings tonight we should probably not waste any more time."

Rosalie rose from her chair.  "Shall we go see if he will meet with us, then?"  She opened the door herself and headed outside.

With Miss Elias already having made the call, Harry Price spared a glance toward her uncle and followed her out the door.

This was certainly not the afternoon he had planned. He just hoped that this crazy story had some truth to it, just not too much of it. England was full of Occultists, they seemed harmless enough. Hell, there was even a rather famous one named Harry Price. Perhaps that was who these two should have spoken to in the first place.

Leo nodded and followed his niece and their newfound attorney out toward Barrington.

"Take it all to the evidence room. If there's too much, move it to secondary storage," an officious looking, well dressed man said, instructing other police who were carting in an incredible amount of boxes, some of which appeared to be heavy.

He looked over at Price, surprised to see him, casually looking over Dr. Elias, and giving a tip of his head to Rosalie. "Mr. Price," he said in greeting with a friendly smile, extending his hand to the attorney. "What brings you here? A cut above your usual sorts of clients, it seems."

"Take it all to the evidence room. If there's too much, move it to secondary storage," an officious looking, well dressed man said, instructing other police who were carting in an incredible amount of boxes, some of which appeared to be heavy.

He looked over at Price, surprised to see him, casually looking over Dr. Elias, and giving a tip of his head to Rosalie. "Mr. Price," he said in greeting with a friendly smile, extending his hand to the attorney. "What brings you here? A cut above your usual sorts of clients, it seems."

"What do you mean Inspector? My clients include some of the worst people from the best families." Price said with good humor.

"But as usual your instincts are correct, my clients today are a cut above the others." Price said motioning to his clients. "Chief Inspector Barrington may I introduce Dr. Leonardo Elias and his niece Miss Rosalie Elias."

With the introduction made, Price spared a glance toward the crates hoping to spot some indication of their origin.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 21:28, Tue 12 Sept 2017.

He gave a good natured chuckle at the jest from Price, as from an old colleague.

At the introduction, he exchanges a handshake with Dr. Elias. "Very glad to meet you, Dr. Elias," he said. "How do you do, Miss Elias?" he asked Rosalie with a friendly tone.


"This may sound strange, but that's not the first time I've heard that surname this week, or in the last month. There's no chance that you're any relation to the late author, Mr. Jackson Elias?"

---

Harry (and anyone else with an inclination towards the crates) you can make a Spot Hidden roll
This message was last edited by the player at 01:15, Wed 13 Sept 2017.

19:37, Today: Harry Price rolled 36 using 1d100 with rolls of 36.  Spot Hidden  45.

Harry Price decided it would be best to let either of the Elias family field the question but was ready to step in as needed. The story was all a bit crazy, and it would sound better coming directly from the distraught family. Harry could come in as needed and make adjustments as well as suggesting a course to the Inspector.

PM:

"A pleasure to meet you, Inspector," Rosalie said warmly.  She cocked her head.  "Jackson?  Yes, he was my cousin.  Uncle Leo's son."  She threw her uncle a worried glance.  "How did you come to hear about Jackson, Inspector?"

Leo also glanced over toward the crates, though his attention was mostly on the Inspector.

11:03, Today: Dr. Leonardo Elias rolled 31 using 1d100 with rolls of 31.  Spot Hidden (28).

"It's nice to meet you too, Inspector. And yes, as my niece said, Jackson was my son." He waited to see what sort of response Rosie's query might elicit.

"My clients have a matter they wish to discuss with you. Given its nature, it would be better to do so in private."

" Would it be possible to steal you away Inspector?" Price asked.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:33, Sat 16 Sept 2017.

"As to how I came to hear of your cousin's unfortunate fate, it was by another set of his relatives of his that came to see me about something just a few days ago. As it's highly unlikely that multiple relatives of his have journeyed here independently to London and ended up in Scotland Yard to speak with me, I can only presume it's related to the same matter," he said to Rosalie, taking in Leo and Harry while he spoke as well.

"Yes, let us repair to my office and we can discuss this further." He lead the group to his office, and took a seat behind his desk while he addressed them.

"So, what's this matter you wish to discuss with me?"

---

OOC: Sorry, I actually composed a post for this and thought I posted it yesterday. Oh well!
This message was last updated by the player at 17:47, Mon 18 Sept 2017.

Rosalie took a seat and nodded sadly.  "Ah, yes.  That is the reason why we have come.  We were here in search of clues related to Jackson's death and have discovered several distressing things.  First, there were rumors of a certain cult in London, which we wished to dismiss as ridiculous fancy, but now believe them to be true.  We have also uncovered that they may be meeting secretly, tonight, in fact, to undergo a ritual that involves human sacrifice."

Price watched Barrington's reaction to help weigh when he might need to step in and try to keep the discussion from going off the rails. Barrington was no doubt to bring the Thames River killings to an end, hopefully, he would seize on this lead.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:45, Mon 18 Sept 2017.

Barrington leaned back in his chair and exhaled a heavy sigh, closing his eyes for a moment. The dark circles underneath his eyes belied a lack of sleep, and despite being well groomed, he seemed to have a bit of a haggard look to him. It lasted only a moment before he regained his composure.

"Your late cousin came to me with a similar tale. Cults and the like. I dismissed it as folly, as you might imagine that I would. I'm sure that your other relatives have told you as much. I have come to consider the matter differently, however, and perhaps wish that had considered his words more seriously at the time," he said.

"As you're likely to read about it in the papers, you might as well know it's wrapped up with all those crates you saw us hauling in earlier. We received an alert rather late last night that there was a car that apparently drunkenly crashed into a warehouse in Limehouse and then drove away. When we went to investigate, we found that some kind of illegal shipping operation had been going on there. The place was filled with guns and ammunition of every shape and caliber, or so it seemed. We haven't cataloged everything quite yet. But more than that, there were various items of likely occult orientation. That, and a variety of other telling signs and indications. We seized a ship too, with more occult items bound for the orient. Nothing, though about a gathering or human sacrifice, however."

He drummed his fingers on the desk. "So, what all information can you provide me about this gathering?"
This message was last updated by the player at 17:59, Mon 18 Sept 2017.

Harry was not sure if the Inspector's response was good or bad news. Certainly, it was good that Barrington was cooperating, but the details he offered only seemed to confirm the unbelievable events that had been outlined by the Elias family. Up till that moment, Price had hoped all the mad talk would turn out to be just that madness, but now even the very steady Barrington appeared to believe it to a degree.

Pleased that matters had changed his opinion, Rosalie continued.  "We have done our own bit of investigating and think this ritual will happen at a place called Misr House.  Misr means Egypt in Arabic.  Though we have yet to visit this place, we heard that it was on the coast on an island in a place called the Naze.  The previous owners were Jim Barton and Samantha Riley.  Does any of that mean something to you?  Ring any bells?"

"No, those names don't have any significance to me. You've said they are the previous owners...who is the current owner? And...what proof can you offer?" he asked.

Leo nodded at what Rosalie mentioned. "We discovered the name of the place on a calendar on today's date, at a place we believe to be a gathering spot for the group that has been causing the disappearances and murders here in London."

Leo put a hand out to forestall immediate response. "Now, we're not here to ask you to jump in and arrest anyone based on what we've discovered. However, we believe that some surveillance might help you break open your case."

Barrington had been looking for Rosalie to an answer, though when Leo stepped in to provide his answer, he listened patiently, before shooting a glance in Price's direction. He spoke respectfully to his guest, but he didn't mince words, seeking instead a focus on clarity in his request.

"Dr. Elias, let me be frank. I'm meeting with you at this moment because I think that the matter you and your family members seem interested in may be one and the same as the matter I'm currently investigating. I'm hoping that there are particular pieces of information that you have which may match information I've discovered through above board investigations, and which thus might give credence to additional leads you are able to provide. But, to be clear, the information you've provided me thus far is vague at best.

"Now, please understand that I do not mean to impugn your character, but it seems as if you and your relatives and associates may have obtained information by sources and methods, that by your vagueness, I can only assume you are less than eager to reveal. Let's leave those questions aside for the moment. Right now, I don't need to know how you came about information. I do need to know what that information is specifically. If it's useful to me, we can then visit the question of whether I will be after anything more and you can have time to speak with Mr. Price in private before revealing anything further," he said.

He smiled amiably. "Despite what Mr. Price might have told you, I'm not here to trap you into an admission of wrongdoing. But if you don't have anything more than what you've told me so far. If you don't have names or addresses and more specifics on the shocking nature of the claims you all have made, then I'm afraid there's simply not really any merit to our having a discussion. So...I leave the ball in your court."

Price turned to Dr. Elias and his niece "While the Inspector and I are normally working at cross purposes he is an honorable man. If what you told me is true, I think it would be best to lay out your suspicions and the evidence that supports them."

"Lives are at stake." Price said.

19:23, Today: Harry Price rolled 39 using 1d100 with rolls of 39.  Law 75%.

"Chief Inspector, thank you for your candor.  We only wished to not bias your investigation.  We devoutly wish to see the people responsible for Jackson's murder brought to justice.  Our purpose for being here is rather personal, as you can imagine, and that sometimes colors our opinion.  Please, forgive us the vagueness of our queries.  It is sometimes difficult to know whom to trust... even among law enforcement."

Reaching into her bag, she produced the evidence they'd brought with them, placing it on Barrington's desk.  "In most cases, much of this would be considered circumstantial or coincidental, but we could not accept that.  The card that led us to the Penhew Foundation belonged to Jackson, which brought us to Edward Gavigan.  That letter was found in his private study, alluding to Jackson's murder and our visit to his office.  In that letter, he said he means to deal with us.  Perhaps not by name, but the threat is there, nonetheless.  He is the current owner of Misr House, which we discovered after we heard the rumors that there was to be a cultic meeting and sacrifice there."

"We hoped that you would send your forces there to corroborate our suspicion. If there is no activity, then we have merely wasted your time.  But if our information is correct, your forces might very well save lives tonight."

Barrington quietly listened to her tale and accepted the proferred evidence. He stroked his chin an he considered what he had been given, saying mostly to himself "I see...Penhew Foundation, eh?" and other things that mostly remained under his breath. After a few moments during which he had presumably forgot there were others in the room he abruptly looked up.

"As I'm sure you all understand, I'm not at liberty to share names and details pertaining to my investigation, but I think the information you've provided me is helpful and will generate a few leads that I can follow up on. It may even prove that this Misr House you speak of is fertile ground for investigation, but as I've mentioned that's outside of my jurisdiction, strictly speaking. That having been said, I do plan to make inquiries in both Colchester and Harwich to see whether or not I might operate there with some assistance therein. If I'm to make any meaningful progress in the timeline you've outlined, I need to begin that work immediately."

After making a few notes on a pad he held, he handed the information back to her with a tight-lipped smile. "Well, I'm certainly glad that an anonymous source has provided us with so much information to go on today. I will look into taking action tonight if I'm able to get the proper approvals in time, but there's no guarantee. That said, I do plan to make the attempt."

"Thank you, Chief Inspector," Rosalie said with all sincerity.  "I do hope that your investigation proves worthwhile."  She collected their body of evidence and tucked everything back into her satchel.  Taking that as his dismissal, she looked to her companions to see if they had anything further to add before rising.

Leo nodded at the response from the inspector. "Yes, thank you for your time and your consideration, Inspector. Best of luck with your inquiries today - we would be glad of any help you can provide."

Leo looked to Rosie with a nod then glanced over at Harry to see if he had anything to add.

"Where might I be able to reach you all? I can leave word at your hotel if I make progress in the case, or send word back to America if you all plan on returning there afterwards," he said as he rose, tearing off a page and proferring a blank pencil and pad to either one of the Elias's.

"Or should I simply send word to Mr. Price's firm?" he asked.

Leo nodded at the last suggestion. "Sending word to Mister Price's firm would be the surest way of contacting us. I expect he regularly picks up messages from them."

"Very well then. My sincere thanks at bringing this information to me. It may be the lead I need to catch these devils," he said, putting down the pencil and pad, and extending his hand to Dr. Elias and Harry Price in turn.

"As far as I'm able within the confines of the laws which bind me, I'll do my best to keep you informed. I'll inform my secretary that if any of you call, she is to pass the message along to me."

Leo shook the inspector's hand with a nod and a smile. "We will keep you posted if we discover anything else as well."

Unless there was anything else added by Harry or Rosalie, Leo would head directly out.

Price having been someone persuaded given Barrington's willingness to listen to what had previously sounded like madness decided to try and persuade Barrington to keep the matter close to his chest and to if at all possible offer his assistance later that night.

"We appreciate your willingness to hear us out. It sounded like madness when I first heard it, but those crates of arms indicate that someone beyond just a bunch of bloodthirsty Arabs is involved in this affair and is willing to kill whoever gets in their way. Inspector, it sounds like your intervention could mean the difference between life and death in this matter. I hope you are able to arrive with a detail of your men."

Sparing a glance at the contraband arms "Perhaps bringing a few crates of that 'evidence' along with you in case it is needed in a pinch might be a thought as well."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:53, Sun 05 Nov 2017.

"We'll see what comes to pass, Mr. Price. I expect we'll be in touch one way or another," he said, giving a glance toward the crates the men were carrying.

"Well then, thank you for your time Inspector." Price said offering a gloved hand.

Once the Elias family was prepared to depart he walked off in their company.

OOC:

Can I presume that you all are going to head over to Harwich to sync up with the rest of your group?

OOC: Yes from my perspective.

OOC: Sounds good. I've opened up the Misr House thread for you all to jump into.

Given what he has seen and heard, Price agrees to accompany his clients. But would like to stop off at his townhouse and change his clothes.

"Hastings we have company." Price said as they entered. "We are off to the country for a bit of hunting." Harry added with some truth.

At his place, Harry has his valet Hastings layout his hunting suit, a pair of high leather hunting boots, and a hunting cap. As he began to dress he asked Hastings to prepare his usual hunting bag and to pack a lunch of Italian style cold cuts and to prepare a flask of brandy.

Once dressed, Price took his favorite heavy hunting coat from the closet and put it on. If he was going to be wandering around in the country, Price figured it was best to be dressed for it. Harry then picked a suit and shirt and laid them on the bed for Hasting to pack for him as well as some toiletries. Just in case they ended up in some country police station he wanted to be prepared to be dressed for that too.

Walking over to his desk he took his old service weapon from the desk and put it in his oversized pocket. Given what he had seen in the crates, and the horrors that had been described he decided he might need it. Then he picked his favorite walking stick from a collection and headed back out to his guests.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:46, Wed 01 Nov 2017.