A possibly necessary location.

When the two arrive at the apartment Mae Ha Rga will put on some gloves and start looking around for Holly's current state of mind.  When he finds the diary he will drop it into an evidence bag without touching it as much as possible.  Then he'll spill the contents of her purse on the kitchen counter (making sure to check for any secret/hidden pockets).

Senor Garcia begins to take pictures of the entire apartment. At the same time, he looks for any hidden cameras, or if there may be additional that could be tied to a different security system.

Wearing gloves as well, he checks for anything that may be written down in Russian.

[Private to GM: I see this post as pretty much RP of the die rolls I made the other day.  ]

Then he calls up the Team on the Secure LESP Communication...
[Private to group LESPradio: +"Justicar here. Hey Team, there is definitely something fishy about this 'Madame Barpofsky', who runs Caveat Allure.  She has no records older than five years when she migrated here from Ukraine to the States... and bought Caveat Allure, whole cloth, for a little under a hundred million and then made regular multi-million upgrades beyond her profits to improve the business with no record of where this money came from.  I can find not records with 'Madame Barpofsky' actual first name.  This SCREAMS a fake Id, and could have ties to Russian Criminal Oligarchs ~ Dirty Money!  Be VERY careful around her and her company as it could easily be a front for something else... sinister.  I'm running 'Madame Barpofsky' Id through INTERPOL... we'll see what they uncover.  If you could potentially get me a partial print of her finger prints that might help. Will keep you informed."+]

Hikari will put in a call to the Team across the Secure LESP channel...
[Private to group LESPradio: +"Justicar here, got some... disturbing news about 'Madame Barpofsky'."

"Interpol matches her photo with Zinaida Navokov, wife of the notorious mobster Valentin Navokov. After the fall of the Soviet Union, Valentin Navokov went from being a mid-level facilitator for the KGB to eventually running several major illegal operations from gambling houses and human trafficking to the transport and sale of consumer goods knock-offs.
Navokov was eliminated in a very public and messy way. In a series of incidents resulting from the transfer of his prior responsibilities, virtually all of Navokov’s close associates were later also killed. Zinaida was deeply investigated, and appears to have nothing to do with any of Valentin's business."

"I think Valentin was a very Bad boy to his criminal underworld bosses..which likely means he stole from them... in a big way. Enough that they felt an example of him and EVERYONE he worked with needed to be publicly and messily eliminated to show their displeasure and warn anyone who might repeat whatever Valentine did to piss them Royally Off! Not sure how his 'wife' escaped their wrath but funny she shows up in America 5 years later new ID with near 100 million in cash to buy a Modeling agency.  Suspicious?"

"Now she might be perfectly legit, so please show discretion in your investigations... we would not want to ruin a good woman's name and business ~ But personally, I smell something rotten."

"Be Very Careful!"+]

{ooc: Gah, sorry about the double post.. I Hate that!}
This message was last edited by the player at 14:31, Sun 12 June 2022.

To Señor Garcia, "I'll go down to talk to the apartment manager.  I'll be right back."
Mae Ha Rga goes down to whichever floor the superintendent lives on and knocks on his door.
"Pardon me, sir."  And he gives his standard bow.  "I'm part of the team investigating Ms. Cook's disappearance.  You had let us into her penthouse a little while ago.  I need to ask you if you ever saw her boss, Madame Barpofsky come to Ms. Cook's apartment?  She's the owner of the Caveat Allure modeling agency."

With Mae Ha Rga gone, Senor Garcia looks around for any sort of powder products (baby powder, make up etc), and thinking to himself that he should have brought soem sort of fingerprint kit. If he finds some, he will begin dusting common areas for fingerprints. Using the flashlight on his phone he will see if he gets any fingerprints then takes pictures of them.

It was a long shot, but if Madame Barpofsky (formerly known as Zinaida Navokov) had visited the apartment, finger-prints might be there.

If he does find any computers or other electronic items he also dusts their keyboards, or if a touch screen device the screen itself. Last, without turning the computer type devices on he takes pictures of any visible serial code, or service numbers.


[Private to GM: 18:02, Today: Secret Roll: Senor Garcia rolled 66 using 1d100.  Military Intelligence 101% (Zinaida Navokov prior dealing with?)).
66 PASS, trying to determine if he's heard the name before, maybe the ex CIA assassin has a contact in the CIA or Stat Dept that can provide non-publicly known info. The two organizations do work together.

18:02, Today: Secret Roll: Senor Garcia rolled 29 using 1d100.  Military Intelligence 101% (Valentin Navokov prior dealing with?)).
29 PASS, trying to determine if he's heard the name before, maybe the ex CIA assassin has a contact in the CIA or Stat Dept that can provide non-publicly known info.  The two organizations do work together.]

18:03, Today: Secret Roll: Senor Garcia rolled 21 using 1d100.  Detect Concealment 110% (looks for CPU's hidden or out in the open).
21 PASS, he wants to dust the key boards for prints.

18:01, Today: Secret Roll: Senor Garcia rolled 15 using 1d100.  Detect Concealment 110% (find common areas with finger prints).
15 pass, dusting areas with prints

18:00, Today: Secret Roll: Senor Garcia rolled 85 using 1d100.  Detect Concealment 110% (find powder products).
85 pass, find some sort of powder product.

[Private to The Maharaja: While the post did get buried, I replied to Mae Ha Rga on the drive up.]
This message was last edited by the player at 01:25, Mon 13 June 2022.

The apartment manager explains that he's paid good money to be available but unseen. He barely sees the tenants, much less their guests.
[Private to Senor Garcia: None of your contacts know more than JUSTICAR discovered, however, several of them suggest that Navokov lost a large shipment of laundered money.]

After sending a few texts to a few contacts he has, and getting some replies, Senor Garcia sends gets on the LESP secure radio frequency and hopes its actually a secure channel.

[Private to group LESPradio:
"All teams be advised; I've made some inquires of my own and there is some suggestion that Valentin Navokov lost a large shipment of laundered currency which what may have been why he was killed."

"This is just speculation and is not to be confirmed intel. But if true, it is possible that Zinaida Navokov, now Madame Barpofsky used that laundered currency to purchase Caveat Allure."

"JUSTICAR, is Madame Barpofsky married or has any male or female companion? If so, said companion may be former KGB or GRU and if so Zinaida Navokov may have had a hand in her husband's death."

"Also be advised that if Madame Barpofsky has any bodyguards in their mid to late fifties they may be former Spetsnaz operators. Some of whom could be augmented."]

[Private to GM:
Has Senor Garcia finding any finger prints he can send to JUSTICAR? He knows fully well that until processed, the prints could just be Holly, her friends, and boyfriends.]

In reply to SSOGM (msg # 8):

Mae Ha Rga pulls $100 out of the wallet he keeps in a zippered pocket on his pants and waves it in front of the superintendant's face.  (FYI - There's nothing but petty cash in there just for occasions like this.)
"A good building manager such as yourself would certainly have only the most reliable gossip regarding his tenants."

The apartment manager defers from taking the money. He explains that part of the lease agreement is that he doesn't gossip, and he's been tested before.
[Private to Senor Garcia: Yes, there are numerous prints that can be sent to LESP Offices.]

Justicar triggered the LESP Secure channel in reply to Senor Garcia...
[Private to group LESPradio: +"Thank you for the Intel Senor Garcia.  I did not see any mention of 'Madame Barpofsky' being married again.. but I'll check for such.  I agree she probably bought Cavaet Allure with the stolen laundered money of her husband's ill gotten gains... that is not necessarily 'illegal' and who knows it could have been her husband's idea to 'get out' of the criminal lifestyle and go legit state-side."

"It IS shady... and I'm certain her husband's criminal former associates would want to have some serious... perhaps even fatal conversations with Zinaida Navokov about the source of her business funds. So we must be careful not to reveal her for risk of her life."

"However, her husband was a former KGB Mid-level facilitator and then went into major Illegal gambling houses and Human trafficking, I don't think one does that and then steals blatantly from self-same criminal moguls and comes away with the 'best intentions' or a desire to change from what they know and what has worked for them for decades!"

"Same goes for Zinaida Navokov, her husband was a information espionage spy and criminal thug and vice peddler.. I'm better she does not fall far from that tree.  I'm going to see if there are and unexplained thefts, corporate espionage reports, or even deaths centered around appearances of the Cavaet Allure models public appearances or presence in their shoots or activities.  These are the stock and trade of Russian Intelligence and typical Russian Mob practices."

"I'm also going to provision the Shadowhawk to be ready to come to New York rapidly with the rest of the Team to assist you as you are correct Senor Garcia if Zinaida Navokov is following her husband's play book ...just more subtly, former Spetsnaz operators could indeed be an asset in her employ and the team will need to be ready with backup."+]
This message was last edited by the player at 12:53, Mon 13 June 2022.

In reply to SSOGM (msg # 11):

Mae Ha Rga is surprised and it shows on his face.
He bows again and quickly puts the money away.
"I am sorry for the insult.  Thank you for your time."
He hurries back to the elevator to go back to the penthouse with his head hung low, absolutely mortified.

[Private to SSOGM: (OOC:  Are there any other apartments/penthouses on the same floor as Holly Cook's or does she have the whole floor to herself?)]

As there are no other tenants in the penthouse, there may no undiscovered clues remaining.

When he gets back to the penthouse Mae Ha Rga says to Señor Garcia, "The building manager was surprisingly ignorant about his tenants.  Did you find anything?"

In reply to The Maharaja (msg # 15):

“I got some me fingerprints, and will be sending the photos to JUSTICAR. They are probably Holly’s prints but it won’t hurt to check who actually has been here or maybe even if somebody other the us has been here after her disappearance and our search.”

[Private to GM: Any computers in the apartment?]

In reply to Senor Garcia (msg # 16):

"We can expect to find her driver's fingerprints on some of the things.  He was the one that brought back her personal effects from the event that Ms. Cook disappeared from."

There are no 'computers' in the apartment, but the entertainment center (large flat-screen, quadrophonic sound, multiple forms of input including turntable, cassette, reel-to-reel, and USB all operated by a few slightly complicated remote controls) can be recognized as a computer slaved to a home entertainment system.

Bellissima was dropped off at the front entrance to the Allure apartments. She identified herself to the front door man and was let into the building and giving directions to Holly's apartment with the word that 2 others were already there.

Walking into Holly's apartment she called out, "Hello, It's Bellissima."  She immediately honed in on Garcia and Maharaja, "Please stop touching things.  You are making things harder for me," she politely requested as she walked over to where they had gathered stuff.  She further explained, "Each person who handles an object leaves their psychic imprint on the object and the last person to handle an object, so far, has left the strongest impression. I am unsure yet whether quantity of time will make a difference, this is a new ability."

She looked at the two men, "Could you please brief me on what you have and haven't handled?"  After she had been briefed by them, the first item she was going to try was the diary.  She would take the diary out of the plastic bag and focus on it intently, reading the psychic impressions on the diary and trying to make a connection with Holly.  She picked the diary because it probably had the greatest personal connection to Holly and hopefully that quality and quantity of contact would override any handling of it by Maharaja. She

[Private to GM: Bellissima is using Object Read on Holly's Diary, her main focus is on trying to find out where Holly is.  What direction she is from Bellissima.  Images of where Holly was.  Checking her Present state.  It has been at least 3 hours since her previous mental search.

13:16, Today: Bellissima rolled 68 using 1d100.  Bellissima Impressions: 64%.
13:17, Today: Bellissima rolled 65 using 1d100.  Bellissima Images: 56%.
13:18, Today: Bellissima rolled 28 using 1d100.  Bellissima Present: 46%.
]

While dusting the various remote controls for the entertainment system for prints Senor Garcia looked at Bellissima but didn’t stop what he was doing. If the young upstart thought it important to be the first person to touch the items in the apartment, then she should have said something over the radio, or taken him up in his offer of a ride instead of assuming he wanted to bring her along just to read other people’s minds.

The old man then detailed these thoughts vocally even though he knew she wouldn’t like it, and further knowing that it would cause further conflict. He maintained a neutral tone of voice the entire time, neither raising nor lowering his voice.

“I suppose if you had ridden here with Mae Ha Rga and I you would have had the opportunity to explain how your powers could be the most useful in this part of the investigation.”

“But because you assumed that I requested a psychic to read other people’s minds and declined my offer, you should have at least said something over the radio.”

Senor Garcia then explained what he had done thus far in the apartment. He didn’t have to like Bellissima, nor did she have to like him, but they still had to work together.

“I have dusted for finger prints in all the common areas, and thus those areas have been touched by me, along with these controls, im just about finished up with them. Other then the diary, where there was literature, I checked to see if anything was printed in a language other then English.”

“I have also photographed the entire apartment, and there are no secret cameras, or microphones, nor is there a secondary security system.”

---

Once done with dusting the controls for prints, and photographing them, Senor Garcia began sending the pictures he had taken over to JUSTICAR for analysis.

[Private to JUSTICAR:
Text message to JUSTICAR: JUSTICAR, I am sending over photos of Holly Cook’s Apartment, and photos of the fingerprints I have found within the common areas and on the remote controls for the entertainment system. You probably won’t find any prints that are not on file, but it’s worth a shot.]

[Private to Detective Broyko:
Text message to Detective Broyko: If you authorize it, we should see if JUSTICAR can determine if Cavaet Allure’s office building or Zinaida Navokov’s residence has any rooms that are shielded against electronic emissions. Such rooms may contain computers or documents inaccessible by the internet and could contain valuable information. Yes, we may not be able to legally gain access to that information.]

Bellissima attempts to get a read on the diary.
[Secret to Bellissima: Holly had made it. She was away from the stifling indifference of her parents and on her own. On her own pretty much sucked. No job, no one that wanted her, then this odd Russian says Holly reminds her of herself, and hires her. Posing for pictures, learning to walk, groomed for a public life, all thanks to Zinny (a pet name for Madame Barpofsky). The diary is a present, from Madame to Holly. "Here," says Zinny, "when you can't talk to me, you can write it here. Don't be afraid of your feelings, pet, and don't let them get so big they control you rather than the other way around."
It was good advice, and Holly took it right to the top.
Only now, she's laying unconscious on some exotic vegetation.]

Justicar replies with a Text over the LESP Secure channel...
[Private to group LESPradio: +Justicar here, Investigation Team ~ Fingerprints are not as critical anymore, INTERPOL has already confirmed Madame Barpofsky's Id from her photo as Zinaida Navokov.  Fingerprints can completely verify, but at this point are non-critical.  You might try to gently ask about the 'Madame' about her Zinaida Navokov real identity but do so in private and as discretely as possible, it might give some clue as to who might want to abduct Holly Cook if such is a possibility.  I'm sure it is a sensitive subject to approach with her.

Something that occurred to me among asking family and coworkers perhaps Miss Cook had a boyfriend who might also be a source of information about her if you can locate them.

I have just completed provisioning the Shadowhawk and it is ready to bring the rest of the team to New York Rapidly if you should deem it needed.+ ]
This message was last edited by the player at 12:04, Thu 16 June 2022.

Bellissima frowned as she pulled her concentration away from the diary as the only definitively new piece of information she had learned toward finding Holly was that she was surrounded by exotic plants.

She addressed the other two in the apartment, "She is still unconscious and surrounded by exotic flowers."  She opened the diary to the end and started speed reading through the diary, turning a page about every 4 secs, to see if Holly had recently visited a place with lots of exotic flowers or anything to do with exotic flowers.  After finding any reference to flowers that might be in the diary, she put it back in the bag and moved to where Maharaja had spilled out all the items from Holly's purse.

She hovered her hand over the items for a moment, before picking up a lipstick tube, focusing on the psychic impressions, images coming from the tube as she again tried to find Holly,trying to get a clear image of where Holly was or an impression of direction and or distance.

[Private to GM:
Speed Reading the diary: 30 pages per minute, looking for any reference to exotic flowers.

11:30, Today: Bellissima rolled 38 using 1d100.  Bellissima Present: 46%.

11:30, Today: Bellissima rolled 46 using 1d100.  Bellissima Images: 56%.

11:30, Today: Bellissima rolled 79 using 1d100.  Bellissima Impressions: 64%.


11:34, Today: Bellissima rolled 91 using 1d100.  Bellissima Research 90%. BS! Roll!!! :) ]

In reply to Bellissima (msg # 23):

"If we were to assume she's still somewhere in the city the only place I could think of that would have exotic plants would be the New York Botanical Garden."
To Bellissima, "Are you sure she's outside or could she be in a large greenhouse type building?"

In reply to The Maharaja (msg # 24):

As she finished reading the diary she looked up at Maharaja's question, "I am pretty sure it is outdoors.  But not sure if a significantly large greenhouse would register as outdoors."  She shrugged, "If you wanted to call them and see if they can run a search of the grounds, it probably wouldn't hurt."

In reply to Bellissima (msg # 25):

“With your psychic vision are you able to describe what the exotic plants look like?”

Recalling that fact he texted the Sentinel's in New York across the Secure LESP Channel ~
[Private to group LESPradio: +Justicar again, sorry. Not sure if you've visited the actual Event site of Holly's Disappearance or the State Bank breach but when you do remember to get some Geiger Count reading of the background radiation to see if there are any anomalies.. we might if their are be able to track that. Just a suggestion... no one in the police investigations tested for that.+]

Bellissima looked over at Garcia, "I have never seen a plant like these before and I have perfect recall.  If I can't get any more psychic information I will follow up on trying to identify out what kind of plant is around her." She was very worried about how exotic the plants were, they must be someplace very remote.

In reply to Bellissima (msg # 28):

To Bellissima, "If not even a trained botanist could identify their description could they be so exotic as to be alien?"
This message was last edited by the player at 07:05, Fri 17 June 2022.

Hikari will text to the LESP Teams ~
[Private to group LESPradio: +Justicar here, Could you please send me any information you have gathered on Holly Cook's private life? {I have avoided reading the spoiler text as Justicar is not in New York}+]

In reply to Bellissima (msg # 28):
“Type in the description of one of the plants in the internet browser of your phone.” Senor Garcia holds up his own, few years out of date smart phone. “Do that for each plant.”

[Private to GM: 05:36, Today: Secret Roll: Senor Garcia rolled 7 using 1d20.  CPU Ops 60%.
PASS]

Oddly enough, none of the plants show up though there are some analogs.

A polite, young policeman shows up at the apartment. He introduces himself as Officer Smithsen and explains that at Detective Broyko's request they are securing the apartment as "crucial to ongoing investigation" and if you wouldn't mind try not to tear the tape when you leave.
[Private to Bellissima: As to the lipstick tube
Holly's putting on her favorite shade, while he waits in the background. She's nervous, and a little scared. "Where do you want to have dinner, love?" says a voice from the background.
Holly notes the man's back is to her, and grimaces into the mirror. "Madame has asked me to dinner to discuss some new shoot. There's something about training to jump off a building, so I'm not sure if she's serious. I'll eat there."
The man steps forward. He's not bad looking, and Holly thinks of him as charming. He puts a hand on her shoulder, she leans in to him. She trusts him, but she doesn't love him. "That's a question I have asked about us, lately. I know how I feel, Holly, but I don't know about you."
Holly steps away and turns to face him. From his well-muscled legs to the fantasy art tattooed all over his arms and chest, he is unique. But she's through with him, and she can't hide that. How do you tell the Provider you don't need anything he provides?
"Vitaly, I can't lie to you. These past months have been grand, but I'm not a settle kind of gal. If we can't keep it shallow, and have fun, I won't keep seeing you."
For a moment, everything fades to black. Then Holly opens her eyes, finding herself in the kitchen. Vitaly, the baddest boy she ever dated, is gone. He told her he was the Provider, because when he was in prison he could get what anyone wanted. He also told her it was rare that he got what he wanted. She slumps down on the stool, and as she puts her hands to her face smudges her hair with the lipstick in her hand.
With a few deep breaths, she 'got out of herself' as they put it. Cleaning up the lipstick in her hair, she began to re-apply her makeup for dinner with Madame. There would be clients, there, and it was always important to keep the clients happy.
There are no landmarks near Holly that could be used to determine her location.]

Bellissima shook her head as she came out of trance to see the young officer at the door.  "Will do officer.  Thanks for informing us," she paused in thought, "is there going to be a police watch outside of the office?" 

After the officer left, Bellissima turned toward Garcia and Maharaja, "We need to make a copy of holly's Diary and send it to Hikari." She held up her smartphone as a suggestion on how to make a copy of the diary. "Holly was involved with the Provider a known criminal. I don't think there is anything in the diary about the Provider, but I looked through it quickly and might have missed something."  She looked at Garcia, "The Provider's name is Vitaly he has fantasy tattoos and he served in prison for a time.  He might have a teleportation power as well."

She frowned in thought, "Unfortunately I didn't see any identifiable landmarks around her unconscious body." She informed the two men to keep them informed of what she was discovering.

Bellissima gets on the LESPradio mainly for Hikari but everyone else as well for their own investigations.

[Private to group LESPradio: Hikari, I have discovered additional information about Holly.  Right before the jump event, she had been dating Vitaly who she identified as the Provider, a criminal that served prison time and could get anything anyone wanted while in prison.  She turned down his advances because he wanted to get into a serious relationship and she wanted to keep it just fun.  What is really interesting is that she lost some time after she turned him down.  From her perception, everything turned black, then she opened her eyes, found herself in the kitchen and he was gone.  She had been in her bedroom getting ready for meeting Madam Barpofsky for dinner."  She then relays a description of Vitaly with his fantasy tattoos, "If you find a picture, I can confirm his identity.  The diary should be getting copied and put on servers soon."]

After she gets off the radio, she picks up Holly's purse, looking for a direction or distance away or more info on Vitaly as she sends in senses to gather psychic impressions off of the purse itself.

[Private to GM: Still trying to get a bead on where Holly is, but also any info on whether Barpofsky knew of Vitaly.

22:10, Today: Bellissima rolled 92 using 1d100.  Bellissima Present: 46%.

22:10, Today: Bellissima rolled 92 using 1d100.  Bellissima Images: 56%.

22:09, Today: Bellissima rolled 54 using 1d100.  Bellissima Impressions: 64%.]
This message was last edited by the player at 03:17, Sun 19 June 2022.

At the arrival of the polite police officer, Senor Garcia looks the young man over.

[Private to GM:

These are better safe than sorry rolls....

00:04, Today: Secret Roll: Senor Garcia rolled 68 using 1d100.  Impersonation 97% is Police uniform legit?
PASS, want to make sure the uniform is correct for this part of NYC, Burrough, district. In maintaining the cover of a Diplomatic Security Service Agent, which has a large processed in NYC due to DSS being responsible for the safeguard of UN diplomats he would probably know the various NYC police districts/Burroughs.

00:02, Today: Secret Roll: Senor Garcia rolled 44 using 1d100.  Interrogation 105% Is Police officer lying about being a police man?
PASS, just trying to determine if voice inflection or facial mannerisms show the kid is lying.]

---

When Bellissima mentions copying Holly's diary, Senor Garcia holds out his hand "I can make a copy of each page and send to the team." This would also allow his to read the book himself.

At the mention of Vitaly being the 'Provider' and also possessing fantasy tattoos, Senor Garcia asked for more details. "Can you describe some of these fantasy tattoos? Were any of the tattoos written in the Russian language?" at this last question he explained. "I am fluent in the language and can pass as a native from most of Russia's Easter provinces."

At the mention of Holly dating Vitaly in Bellissima's radio communication to the team, he looked at his notes to see if any of Holly's former boyfriends have the name Vitaly as either a first or middle name.

[Private to GM: Senor Garcia also sends a text to his State Dept/CIA contacts. He passes on the information that the Provider did go by the name Vitaly when interacting with the subject of a missing persons case. That he spent time in prison, has fantasy tattoos, and may be able to teleport.

With providing this information Senor Garcia asks his contacts if Valentin Navokov used Vitaly as an alias or had the ability to teleport.

Yes, while relaying information the LESP team has uncovered to other entities may seem like betraying the LESP team, Senor Garcia would really only be contacting people he trusts, such as Col Flagg. Plus, while he is providing info to his contacts, he is asking for info in return, some of which may be classified.

23:58, Today: Secret Roll: Senor Garcia rolled 26 using 1d100.  Military Intelligence 101% reach out to old contacts.
PASS]

Hikari returns to the Justicar suiting up... and receives Bellissima's LESP call and replied...
[Private to group LESPradio: +"Thank You Bellissima, I'll get right on doing some more background investigation into this Vitaly/Provider.  I have made some startling discoveries into the Blue Flash Events.  There is a High Probability that both Events were artificially created and worse have set up a Dimensional Threshold that will occur again with in 24 hours give or take some variance.  The Quantum Physics explaining it are not important right now.. what IS important is that the Dimensional threshold created for long-distance transport will VERY likely open again and potentially transport ...something Not of our Universe here from whatever side Dimension was used to transport Holly Cook and the State Bank heist.  There is a high likelihood of an imminent threshold opening at the State Bank as it took place over 24 hours ago.  The Area of the State Bank needs to be evacuated and a cordon set up to keep people away.  The Sentinels should be there in case ... something unpleasant arrives.  I'm going to investigate the Holly  Event site here.. there is a possibility that I can trigger the Threshold event sooner than the 24hour period and perhaps get some readings that may allow me to track the Quantum Tunnels to the exits possibly lead me to her current location."+]

Justicar is on his way to retrieve the Severed Bungee cord ... when he starts receiving the digital copies of Holly Cook's diary from Senor Garcia...

He texted back...
[Private to group LESPradio: + Data received, Senor Garcia. Thank you ~ Will keep you all informed of any developments.  Be careful at the State Bank... no idea what could arrive through the Dimensional Threshold! +]

The officer smiles at Bellissima, "I've no idea, ma'am, I'm just here to tape off the apartment. There are no unusual fingerprints in Holly's apartment, they confirm the presence of 'known associates', but add nothing to this data.
[Private to Senor Garcia: The police officer is exactly what he says he is, charged with doing exactly what he says he's doing.
The 'Provider' is mentioned in Holly's diary as a 'stop on the wild side'.
The government contacts have no new information on the Provider, except to indicate that stories about him inevitably compare him to Rasputin who the Provider claims as an ancestor.]
[Private to Bellissima: Nothing indicates whether or not Barpofsky knew Provider.
This time, it's a table in an Italian restaurant with Holly and Vitali sitting. Vitali motions for a waiter and asks for Holly to receive a fresh glass of wine, chilled if possible. Holly tells him thank you and says, wide-eyed, "it's like you read my mind".
Vitali replies, "of course, dear".
When the waiter demurs (as the wine is better at room temperature), Vitali says to the waiter, "but you'll do it because she's beautiful and deserves everything her way."
The waiter replies, "but I'll do it because she's beautiful and deserves everything her way."
The reading is unusual, because most psychic impressions are left because the owner of the object has strong emotions associated with the incident. The strong emotions registered on the purse belong to Vitali, who is definitely not the owner.
In present day, Holly is still amongst the exotic plants, quiescent.
Psychometry will never indicate the actual location of the subject. In the text for Psychometry, the book indicates it will supply "general location (that is to say, a bedroom, office, street, outdoors, etc.; no address or sense of distance is provided)". In other words, there is a glimpse of where the subject is. If there are no clues at the subject's location (there aren't), it will reveal the location without revealing where the location is.
It's sort of like in the Justice League cartoon where Lex Luthor and Flash have switched bodies. Lex Luthor runs the Flash's body into a bathroom quipping "now I'll know his secret identity, at least" before whipping off the Flash's cowl in front of a mirror and stating "I have no idea who this is."]

Bellissima frowned as she placed the purse back down, turning to Maharaja and Garcia as she activated the team radio, [Private to group LESPradio: Warning, there is a strong indication that Vitaly the Provider has mind reading and some type of mental control powers. He might have others mental powers as well.  Be cautious when approaching him.]  She gave out the warning toward everyone else of the new tidbit of info she gathered on Vitaly.

"We should head over to the bank, if Justicar is right, then our abilities might be needed there," Bellissima was good at math, but physics wasn't her subject of study.  If Garcia and Maharaja agreed, she would follow them out to Garcia's car for the trip toward the bank.

In reply to Bellissima's Warning Justicar Text's in reply...
[Private to group LESPradio: +"THAT is ...very unsettling. CMZ...if you are questioning 'Madam Barpofsky'/Zinaida Navokov... you might want to ask her if she knows anything of this Vitaly / Provider as he's Russian and her ex-husband was once KGB? I'd ... word the question delicately... as possible."+]

In reply to Bellissima (msg # 38):

Mae Ha Rga nods in agreement with Bellissima.  He'll leave the apartment doing his best to not disturb the police evidence tape and head down to the car.

As Senor Garcia finished up taking pictures of the diary and sending them on to the rest of th team he nodded at the mention of going to the bank. "If we are going into a potentially dangerous situation, I'm going to need to change into the tactical gear I have stashed in my SUV."

[Private to GM:
Is Senor Garcia's SUV parked on the street or in an underground parking garage? ]

Continued in New York City, The Bank of State Facility
[Private to Senor Garcia: The SUV can be parked where ever you want it to be.]

Justicar will immediately post to the Secure LESP channel...
[Private to group LESPradio: +"Justicar here.  New Intel ~ Vitaly / Provider may in fact be the leader of a Russian Supervillain Team called the Refusenik's.  Currently seeking any intel on their number and potential powers.  I can understand with a leader who can control minds how they have stayed in the realm of 'Rumor' and Urban legend.  Be Very careful.  Bellissima I don't know of any technological means to shield from mental influence... at some point I might like to, if your willing, investigate such protections."+]
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 15:09, Mon 20 June 2022.

Bellissima got out of the police car outside of Holly's apartments and headed up with the others as she nodded at the same police man that was outside of Holly's apartment when she left to go to the bank.

"We are back," Bellissima greeted the young man as he opened the door for them.

Once they were inside, Bellissima looked back at the others, "Please don't handle anything that looks like it might have belonged to a man, just call me over.  I am not sure how long it takes for someone to over write the previous owner. I will come over and search it for psychic impressions and maybe we can find Vitali," she shrugged as she outlined her hope as she started looking through the apartment, looking in the bathroom for anything that might have belonged to another person, like a second used toothbrush, or a man's comb.  Maybe even hair that doesn't match Holly's hair, maybe a different type of shampoo that was advertised for men.

Lilibeth exited the police cruiser and smoothed out her dress as she stood, taking in the sight of the apartment building. It was definitely nicer than her own and hers was hardly a ramshackle dump. She followed behind Bellissima as she spoke to the police officer on duty, guarding Holly's specific apartment.

When Bellissima warned everyone against touching things, Lilibeth tried to put her hands in her pockets, only to remember that she was wearing her favorite sundress, which had no pockets. So she instead clutched her purse strap with one hand while the other rested on it.

She felt like maybe she should have gone back to the LESP but then thought of something. She went to the bathroom and looked around for any medicine.

OOC
Lilibeth is just looking for any medications, prescription or not. If she finds any, she is evaluating them against her medical knowledge.
Runa rolled 29 using 1d100.  Paramedic 50% - Success.

Runa rolled 40 using 1d100.  Chemistry 50% - Success.

A couple minutes after they got into the penthouse Mae Ha Rga is in a all out sprint on the next roof over from Ms Cook's building.  He leaps with all his might to jump onto her balcony.
Opening the balcony glass door, "Did I miss anything yet?"
Observing they are looking for men's items he will check the bedroom for any men's clothes.  In particular shirts and boxers.

There is almost NOTHING personal in Holly's apartment. Investigation will show that most of the clothes, all of the furniture, and all but one or two of the cosmetics weren't bought by Holly. Most of them are promotional samples, the rest are gifts. The clothes in the closet, from hats to shoes, were invariably given to Holly after a photo shoot or fashion show. There are several (really terrible) screenplays in her wastepaper basket; Holly didn't write any of them. In retrospect, Holly would have left the apartment the previous weekend, and it was likely cleaned Monday morning.
There is nothing remotely male in the apartment.

When Josh comes up, he watches as the others search closets and drawers.  He begins to search under and behind things.  Places housekeeping might skip because of how unlikely it is for those areas to get dirty.  Behind and under dressers, bureaus, the entertainment center, bookcases, and such.  His strength comes in handy for moving such things easily and safely.
It looks pretty clean, he says.  He then cocks his head quizzically, his expression thoughtful.  Has all of her stuff been collected as evidence?  Or was it packed and shipped somewhere?

14:47, Today: Chimp Man Z rolled 75 using 1d100.  Criminal Science/Crime Scene Investigation @ 65%.

14:46, Today: Chimp Man Z rolled 17 using 1d20.  Perception. 

Bellissima shook her head in confusion as she stopped in front of Jacob. "Maybe this was only her work address and she has a place that she owns under her name or a false name somewhere else and never told anyone about it.  Maybe that was how she was maintaining her separation from Madame Barpofsky?"  That was the only thing she could think of to explain how bare this apartment was  of any personal effects.

They were going to have to get ahold of Holly's financial records from the IRS to be sure of anything.  "Her public bank accounts are probably just fronts as well.  She probably has private bank accounts that she hasn't revealed to anyone.  The IRS might be the only place we can get a look at her complete records," she suggested to Jacob not even sure that they had enough reason for the IRS to release Holly's records to them.

Frowning, Bellissima looked at the others, "I am heading back to the bank and then a library," she informed the others as she started considering the things stolen from the bank.  She hoped  George Jefferson was still there.

If her stuff has been packed nad shipped, it's likely to her real address, or to where ever her next job was going to take her, Jacob advises.  I suppose we'll need to contact Madame Barpofsky again.
He turns to Bellissima.  Why would she have hidden accounts, if she isn't into anything illegal herself?  He shakes his head.  You can check if you want, but I think that is a deadend.
He switches to his radio.
[Language unknown: Enñn Lotoel, ica ck chent newhi ate conandwil k Ineprovir artastwhi nceectsta Eenithous oslo Stheesbe.]

Bellissima shrugged at Jacob, "It is just an impression I have of her that she has one foot ready to leave."  She looked around the sterile apartment, "I don't have anything solid I can point to and we probably can't even get her records without some more solid reason than a feeling."

She shrugged her shoulders, "I have nothing more to go on to find Holly here.  Maybe it is time to focus on Vitali and see if I can find a hint to his location."

She left the apartment and went downstairs and out as she approached the police car ferrying them around, "Hey Officer Smith, could you drive me back to the bank?  I want to check out some things there.  Should have done it before I left the bank."

As Bellissima appears to be the lead on this case Mae Ha Rga will also head back to the bank by the same means he left it.  He'll open the balcony door and take a running leap from as far back into the apartment as he can get with Positive Energy active.

Having not found anything even remotely worth bringing to the attention of the others, Lilibeth shrugs her shoulders and returns to the rest of the team that had gathered there. "Whats next?" she asks, managing to sound cheerful despite having learned nothing new about the disappearance of Holly Cook.

Jacob looks a bit depressed momentarily.  This has been a dead-end.  Let's go get the Brady Bunch and head back home.
He turns to their driver and suggests it is time for them to return to One Police Plaza.

Lilibeth nods her head, saying, "OK. Maybe one of the others will find something. I'm sure a break in the investigation will come our way." Her tone was cheerful, conveying a sense of certainty that they would eventually be successful .

In reply to Chimp Man Z (msg # 77):

[Private to group LESPradio:"What about if we visit the local Russian mob hangout?  They could have some information on how to find or contact Vitali."]

Jacob looks at the driver.  Is there a way we can get a meeting with the local Russian mob?

The driver looks almost startled. "It's been all over the papers and the 'net that you guys are LESP. No way any 'mob' of any nationality would sit down with a cop! Whaddaya think, this is some kinda movie? Fuggedaboutit!"

They might, if they realize we aren't looking into their business dealings, Jacob says matter-of-factly.  We don't have jurisdiction over anything they do here, and we don't actually suspect any of them as being involved in her disappearance.  We only want to talk to Vitali about places she might like to go, if she might have said something about going away for awhile.
He is intentionally not mentioning other suspicions he has heard over the radio on their dedicated frequency.
This message was last updated by the player at 18:09, Sat 30 July 2022.

"How would we convince them we aren't really interested in arresting them?" Lilibeth asks Jacob. "I'm an OK singer but I haven't taken any acting classes yet."

Mae Ha Rga arrives back at the penthouse.
"Señor Garcia drove back to Center City.  And Bellissima also headed back after researching about Frank Frazetta.  What have we got over here then?"
This message was last edited by the player at 07:01, Mon 01 Aug 2022.

Remembering from her days in the Army that its important to keep your team updated, especially on your location, Lilibeth activates her LESP issued radio for the first time.
[Language unknown: "Iehe ec Lesalleraain, terhatoun il u isch as fimo Esspreare tiolstth. M ei in is of latereessstr, ou ndhou ingineandone mo uner."]

Jacob remains silent, lost in his own thought as they travel to One Police Plaza, and the NYPD headquarters there.  Upon arrival, he discovers The Brady Bunch had been quite civilized, even helping to get water or pour coffee for officers and civilians alike.  "They were better behaved than some of our officers," one of the receptionists says to him.  He thanks them for keeping an eye on the spider monkeys, and for allowing them into their jurisdiction.  He also fields a few questions about working with the police as a super powered.
After a couple of hours of questions about procedures and heirarchy, they finally head to the Prius, two of the monkeys reaching up in an attempt to hold Lilibeth's hands, while the one called Mike climbs up onto Jacob's shoulder.
Once in the car, the Brady Bunch scampers into the backseat and actually put on seatbelts, covering two or three of them at a time.

"Awww" was Lilibeth's response when the pair of monkeys, completely unprompted, reached up to hold her hands while they walked. Thankfully she wasn't what anyone would call tall so she didn't have to bend over to walk and hold their little hands.