Post by TheUdjat on Jan 3, 2008 16:00:41 GMT -5
Room 410
Lt. Poole regards Jeremy with a frown. “I’m afraid we don’t know of a Samuel, except for Mr. Gravener here. We were alerted by the hotel. But why don’t you tell me a little more about Samuel and what he said about Elias. Especially this ‘Silas N’Kwane’...” He dutifully notes down whatever Jeremy says, but it is clear from the way he regards the young man that he’s not sure how much stock to put in the rambling of a street urchin.
[Credit Rating rolls for Joe, Tommy, and Sam.] Lt. Poole reviews a set of notes and scrutinizes the three of you. After a while, he sighs. “I apologize for troubling you gentlemen. I realize after an incident like this the last thing you’d want is a grilling by the police. But to be frank, this is no isolated incident. We’ve been tracking murders for a while now, as Mr. Cannon might be able to tell you,” he gives Tommy a pointed look. “But information is scarce, I’m afraid. The murder of your friend Elias is unique – usually deaths aren’t reported until days after the act. I’m sorry there weren’t any officers closer to the hotel.”
He folds up his notepad, tucking it away. “What you’ve already guessed at is more or less the pattern. These seem to be ritual killings of some sort, probably of people who learned too much, but the markings don’t seem to trace back to any recognizable sects. Nobody in the area will talk about them for fear of retribution. I’m afraid if you can’t supply us with any additional clues about what Elias may have been involved in, we won’t get much more out of this scene than any of the other murders.” He seems to be speaking earnestly, and not in some ploy to squeeze more information out of you, as might be expected under the circumstances.
“You’re free to go. But please stay in town for the next few days, in case we have any other questions for you.” He looks specifically at Sam. “And I’m sorry for your loss, Mr. Gravener. I hope that our efforts to solve Mr. Elias’s murder are more successful than I fear.”
[You can leave or speak more with the Lieutenant.]
NYU Schuyler Hall
[Chock it up to shoddy bulletin-making, TTC
]
Cowles wraps up his discussion with the other two gentlemen, and the three of you approach, Rebecca at the forefront. She speaks up.
Professor Cowles – a large man with a brilliant red beard and hair a little to wild than is common for a gentlemen – gets a curious look on his face when Rebecca mentions Elias. “Mr. Elias?” he asks. Then comprehension dawns on his face. “Oh yes! The author! I read a couple of his books once, very interesting stuff, especially that bit about Thuggees. That one fellow he interviewed, why...” he trails off, apparently realizing that he has begun to veer off topic. “Ahem. I apologize.”
“I’m afraid I’ve never met the man, actually. I imagine he would be an interesting fellow to talk to, though. You say you’re associates of his, then? I take it he was unable to make the lecture himself? A pity.” The poor man has no idea what has befallen Elias – but then, how would he?
Thurman smoothly interrupts. “No, I’m afraid he wasn’t able to make it.” The archeologist sees little benefit in dragging down the conversation with mention of the author’s death. “But he was very interested in your work. Perhaps we could draft a copy of your notes to take back with us?”
The Professor seems happy enough to pass along his knowledge, even offering his own copy to the archeologist. “Oh, please, take my notes – none of it’s irreplaceable, after all, excepting the slides which, oho, of course I can’t be parting with.”
“Of course,” Thurman agrees, patiently enduring Cowles’s chatter. “Although, as an archeologist myself, I find myself rather curious about these blocks. I confess Australia isn’t my specialty, but I don’t recall any mention of ancient civilizations located there.”
“Aha! That’s what makes this find so spectacular!” Cowles is almost giddy with excitement. “To think of a whole city out there, buried in the desert, just waiting to be unearthed! I would simply love to lead an expedition there. If, ah, I could get the funding...” He sighs. “But it would seem some people are simply not eager to take the risk. But I think it will be the find of the century. Just think of the effort needed to move those blocks! It puts even the Great Pyramid to shame.”
If not stopped, it is likely that Cowles will ramble on for a while longer about the ruins in Australia.
[When Japic gets back, he’s welcome to ask some more questions (in PM if need be), but I just though I’d take a stab at some obvious archeological questions. Rebecca and Jackhammer are welcome to ask more questions, as well.]
Lt. Poole regards Jeremy with a frown. “I’m afraid we don’t know of a Samuel, except for Mr. Gravener here. We were alerted by the hotel. But why don’t you tell me a little more about Samuel and what he said about Elias. Especially this ‘Silas N’Kwane’...” He dutifully notes down whatever Jeremy says, but it is clear from the way he regards the young man that he’s not sure how much stock to put in the rambling of a street urchin.
[Credit Rating rolls for Joe, Tommy, and Sam.] Lt. Poole reviews a set of notes and scrutinizes the three of you. After a while, he sighs. “I apologize for troubling you gentlemen. I realize after an incident like this the last thing you’d want is a grilling by the police. But to be frank, this is no isolated incident. We’ve been tracking murders for a while now, as Mr. Cannon might be able to tell you,” he gives Tommy a pointed look. “But information is scarce, I’m afraid. The murder of your friend Elias is unique – usually deaths aren’t reported until days after the act. I’m sorry there weren’t any officers closer to the hotel.”
He folds up his notepad, tucking it away. “What you’ve already guessed at is more or less the pattern. These seem to be ritual killings of some sort, probably of people who learned too much, but the markings don’t seem to trace back to any recognizable sects. Nobody in the area will talk about them for fear of retribution. I’m afraid if you can’t supply us with any additional clues about what Elias may have been involved in, we won’t get much more out of this scene than any of the other murders.” He seems to be speaking earnestly, and not in some ploy to squeeze more information out of you, as might be expected under the circumstances.
“You’re free to go. But please stay in town for the next few days, in case we have any other questions for you.” He looks specifically at Sam. “And I’m sorry for your loss, Mr. Gravener. I hope that our efforts to solve Mr. Elias’s murder are more successful than I fear.”
[You can leave or speak more with the Lieutenant.]
NYU Schuyler Hall
[Chock it up to shoddy bulletin-making, TTC
]Cowles wraps up his discussion with the other two gentlemen, and the three of you approach, Rebecca at the forefront. She speaks up.
"Hello, Mr. Cowles," she begins. "We're....associates of Mr. Jackson Elias. We learned about this lecture from him and thought the subject matter very interesting. I was curious: have you known Mr. Elias a long time and worked directly with him on his writings or projects?"
Professor Cowles – a large man with a brilliant red beard and hair a little to wild than is common for a gentlemen – gets a curious look on his face when Rebecca mentions Elias. “Mr. Elias?” he asks. Then comprehension dawns on his face. “Oh yes! The author! I read a couple of his books once, very interesting stuff, especially that bit about Thuggees. That one fellow he interviewed, why...” he trails off, apparently realizing that he has begun to veer off topic. “Ahem. I apologize.”
“I’m afraid I’ve never met the man, actually. I imagine he would be an interesting fellow to talk to, though. You say you’re associates of his, then? I take it he was unable to make the lecture himself? A pity.” The poor man has no idea what has befallen Elias – but then, how would he?
Thurman smoothly interrupts. “No, I’m afraid he wasn’t able to make it.” The archeologist sees little benefit in dragging down the conversation with mention of the author’s death. “But he was very interested in your work. Perhaps we could draft a copy of your notes to take back with us?”
The Professor seems happy enough to pass along his knowledge, even offering his own copy to the archeologist. “Oh, please, take my notes – none of it’s irreplaceable, after all, excepting the slides which, oho, of course I can’t be parting with.”
“Of course,” Thurman agrees, patiently enduring Cowles’s chatter. “Although, as an archeologist myself, I find myself rather curious about these blocks. I confess Australia isn’t my specialty, but I don’t recall any mention of ancient civilizations located there.”
“Aha! That’s what makes this find so spectacular!” Cowles is almost giddy with excitement. “To think of a whole city out there, buried in the desert, just waiting to be unearthed! I would simply love to lead an expedition there. If, ah, I could get the funding...” He sighs. “But it would seem some people are simply not eager to take the risk. But I think it will be the find of the century. Just think of the effort needed to move those blocks! It puts even the Great Pyramid to shame.”
If not stopped, it is likely that Cowles will ramble on for a while longer about the ruins in Australia.
[When Japic gets back, he’s welcome to ask some more questions (in PM if need be), but I just though I’d take a stab at some obvious archeological questions. Rebecca and Jackhammer are welcome to ask more questions, as well.]
