... will you look at that...

After pouring through the tapes for hours, his tired eyes finally blinked at the unusual man and his red socks. He sat back in his chair and took another swig of coffee.

"Mental Note: take more breaks."

Henry thought it was rather odd that a person like that would have entered, at 3 AM to boot, and not left in four days. Either this person was very comfortable in the house, or no one knew he was there. No alarms were triggered, no one saw a thing. This man was either a "ghost", or he somehow arranged to be in the right place at the right time.

Henry looked for any shots of the man's face, or as close as he could get, then sent the images to printer for his own records. He also sent a copy of this to the 'ol' man'. He was sure he would love the discovery.

Then he returned to the security logs and checked to see who was on duty during that time and where. He also checked the visitor's logs, just in case. He double checked the present guests vs this man's appearance. He would return the next day to the apartment in order to question the security personnel about the early morning time.

OOC: Does Henry remember anything about Damian Thorne's socks? For some reason, this figure reminds Henry of Damian, probably the long dark leather long-coat he likes to wear.

[OOC]
A) Damian Thorne had neither a hat nor colored socks.  The only colors there were dark; black, grey, silver, a little white or off-white, antique yellows, etc.
B) You do have a full list of security for the building.  You do have the name for the person at the door at that time; Joe Merry.
C) From the video, you see the person entered unimpeded by the security desk, which is not uncommon when people enter and have their keys/cards.
D) The man (still assumed at this point) does a very good job of hiding his face.

OOC: Great!

The next morning Henry proceeds to visit the scene one more time, this time booking an appointment with Joe Merry.

He'd like to know:

1. Who this man is?
2. What his business is in the house?
3. How come it seems he wasn't mentioned in any of the logs or reports?

That should not take too long. He dedicates the morning to the first business, and the afternoon to the more private business of locating Stacy Allbright. If she's dealing at Nocturna, she might have met the victims at some point.

[OOC]
1. Who this man is?  Joe has no idea who the man is.  As he entered with a key or key card, he was allowed access without question.  You have not reason to think he is lying.
2. What his business is in the house?  A) Only those that need help with access are logged and B) the logs are not perfect either.
3. How come it seems he wasn't mentioned in any of the logs or reports? See above.

***

Stacy Allbright does have multiple 'last known location' entries.

Henry considers the answers he got today. For part of his formal investigation he will call back to see what the other security guards know. He's got a few more questions:

1. Are keys coded? Is there a log kept of their use: time/location?
2. Are keys assigned to people? And if so, do we have key numbers assigned to specific names?
3. Does any other guard recognize this person?


For his informal investigation, he will go and try to locate Stacey in one of these many entries.

[OOC]  Official Investigation: The keys are coded and the time stamp relates to a James Origo.  He lives in the building, on a different floor and different side of the building.  This person was NOT talked to during the initial investigation.

The other guard was not on duty, but said he did not recognize the person entering the building on tape.

Unofficial Investigation: The first address for Stacey is an apartment in "Chinatown"; 3rd floor corner.

After getting the information from the security detail, it dawns on him that this James Origo might just be a regular fellow who comes and goes at odd times. It makes sense that no one would question him, specially if he lives there. He files that information in the back of his head, for later review, and puts it out of sight for now. While the man was not high on the list of suspects, he was definitely not out entirely. Henry made a mental note to investigate the regular goings and comings of Mr. Origo, just to make sure he could 100% declare this man "not a suspect". No point in cluttering up his investigative plate with bad leads.

Later at night, shaped as Penumbra, Henry went out to the rooftops in search of Stacey Allbright in Chinatown. He began a stakeout to see who came to visit her and where she went out. If she was indeed supporting her living with casual sales of narcotics, she would have a regular clientele. Her clients were going to be element that would give her away.

Preparing to obtain more information, he also made sure to have his camera charged, as he was ready to take picture for 'evidence'. He especially made sure to turn his flash OFF, so he would not give himself away by accident. The last time that happened it was embarrassing for everyone involved. He still laughed about it... sometimes.

1)  Another query of the door logs show that Mr. Origo has not come or gone since that date.  Seven days prior to that day was his last check out.

2)  While staking out Stacey's apartment, you do see her meeting an Uber (small sign in front of car), at approximately 10:39 PM.  She is dressed ready for Nocturna.

Penumbra will take copious pictures of his target. He fully expects very few of them to come out right, it being nighttime and the exposure being too short, but he may be able to get a few lucky hits. He ups the chance by taking more.

As they arrive at Nocturna, he will teleport back to the alley and see if he can still infiltrate the place as before. There is a chance Thorne may have increased security, but normal security would not hold him back. His intention this time is to get several incriminating pictures of Stacey selling her wares to clients in the club. He made a mental note to track the security arrangements at Nocturna. He hadn't given it any thought until now, but that 'glowing' shot glass was not something Thorne would be able to buy off a Sears catalog. That was something supernatural alright. This meant Thorne was involved with an eclectic crowd. Henry remembered concluding that it probably wasn't the first intrusion Thorne had to deal with.

As he sits on the opposing rooftop waiting for the Uber to drop her off, he thinks again about Mr. Origo. Perhaps a visit to the fellow was in order. He did seem strangely absent. There was a slight possibility that his card may have been used without his knowledge, and if so, Henry would need to trace that legally for his formal investigation.

Come to think of it, he hadn't heard much from the old man after the Origo details. He wondered what he was thinking just about now.

OOC: If concealment is needed, Penumbra will use Thief (Stealth) untrained 9/9.

As you 'press' against the 'building' at Nocturna, you find the same barrier, but this is harder.  Before, you felt repulsed and slowed.  Now this feels more solid; hand to a brick wall solid.  It has DEFINITELY changed in nature.

You are able to settle in a nice dark spot to watch the building.  It is going to be a long night of photo taking, but nothing happens right away.

[OOC] You would need to roll against the 'force' keeping you out.  Give me an idea what your next move is, and if you are going to stay all night (we need not RP that unless you want to).

OOC:

Interesting. Well, this 'force' effect was in place when Penumbra wanted to use his senses. And it was also an effect when he wanted to 'phase' through things. Since he remembers the layout (roughly), he'll pick a spot in an interior wall and attempt to teleport to it.

Pictures taken will be only of Stacey, since that is his only objective tonight. He's checking her activities.

[OOC]  Going to teleport in when verses taking photos?  Just need to know which way I take things.

[IC]  It seems to be much like the last time you were here; goths getting to the club late.  There is a line, the bouncers are seen and area immediately around the club is clear.  The few other clubs in the area are operating as well (the crowds and types of people at those clubs very, but sticking close to the 'industrial' vibe of the area).

OOC: Both! =)

He will be teleporting in IN ORDER TO take lots of pictures of Stacey after she arrives. This time he'll start paying attention to the bouncers and spot for any other (new) security measures might have come into place. If the entry has been this blocked, there is bound to be something 'more' to deal with.

He'll also keep an eye on Mr. Thorne, in case he's here, but he won't follow him. He'll try to avoid him if he can.

Let me know if Penumbra is able to get some good photos. He's looking for things like 'money exchanging hands' and 'drugs exchanging hands'. Perhaps followed by 'buyer lighting up the drugs and using them'. Something concrete, with her face nice and clear in the shot.

[OOC]
Roll against OV/RV of 10.

[IC] From what you can tell on the outside, there has been no change to the security.

Sure. What stats am I using? Or is this a hidden perception check?

[OOC]Sorry...to 'teleport' into the club.

OOC: Oh! Whoops! I thought that had already happened.

Let's see: Teleport 6. This is going to be tough.

12:56, Today: Penumbra rolled 5 using 2d10 with rolls of 1,4.

Wham! Like running into a wall at a good pace. Ouch!

You find you cannot teleport into the club.  The wall is solid; there was no pain, but no forward motion as you would expect.

... hmmm... blocked by Thorne's 'upgrades'... I am going to have to look into that...

Henry will stay back and finish his task, as best as he can, by waiting for Stacey to arrive and taking what pictures are possible from his vantage point.

OOC: Henry will do what he can and won't pursue a re-entry into the club... for now. The fact that it has been sealed so much stronger makes him keenly suspicious.

He'll continue his pursuits on the following day, with his first order of business being a visit to Mr. Origo.

As you wait, you do catch Stacey coming in and out of the club.  Seems that she has a few customers, both from the club and one or two that are not, meeting her outside.  The bouncers do not trouble her on exit or re-entry.  You are able to get some good pictures, but they won't be enough evidence for much; you see the meet, but the exchange is covered purposely by her coat, or their puffy sleeve, a hug, or a hat that gets passed back and forth.  It is definitely how she does business and not a mistake.  This goes on till 3 AM, when she leaves in a Lyft.

***

The next day, when you go to find Mr. Origio, you do not get and answer at his apartment.  A check in with the desk, and the day security says, "I haven't seen him in a while.  Maybe a couple weeks now."

OOC: Sorry, been a bit absent. Lots of work, and also keeping up with my other commitments. I will work to get a post up as soon as I can. =)

Henry continued the conversation with the desk clerk.

"Thank. Please let him know I have a few questions for him. Nothing urgent or serious, just something he could help with."

He walks away from the building but makes sure to mark to memory a window to his apartment. He would visiting later on.

Henry continues the day without much other incident, catching up on his paper work and making sure he puts in the legwork on the formal investigation.

As the evening arrives, he will wait until about 10 pm and go visit Mr. Origio's apartment. He'll approach from the dark, shift to the rooftop, and from there watch for about half an hour until he can be certain that the apartment is empty. Once he's confident he will shift into the apartment through a window.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:49, Thu 08 Oct 2020.

You have no issues getting in unnoticed.  Any security you encountered is not made for somebody of your nature.  Once in the apartment, you find it clean; the bed is made, dishes washed and way, no perishable food in the fridge, no cell phone or computer to find at the desk (plugs and some peripherals, but no devices).

Henry checks on the "use" of the living space. He's specifically looking to see if anyone has been here recently. This could be something like checking on the garbage, unwashed laundry in a hamper, leftovers in the fridge, any unwashed dishes, half-read books, things that would indicate a regular person having been there in the last day or two.

1. You don't find anything in the trash.
2. You find the shampoo, shaving supplies and toothbrush are missing.
3. You do not find any books.
4. There is dry cleaning in the closet with Mr. Origio's name on it.
5. You do not find luggage.
6. You find one cigarette butt in the corner of the dining room, but no ash tray and the apartment does not stink of smoke.  The dining room has four chairs, a glass table and a plant in the corner.  The kitchen is separated from the dining room by an island with two bar stools.
7. Mr. Origio's car is not in the garage.

The apartment is nice, but not large.  It has one full bath, two bedrooms, dining room and kitchen.

[OOC]I cannot find a good floor plan, but if you want one, I can do one in Visio quickly.