London Fog - 04

[TheUdjat]

Scotland Yard-

Inspector Barrington continues to listen attentively, first to Sam, and then to Tommy. Perhaps it is your imagination, but the Inspector seems more receptive to Sam’s words, frowning a little deeper when Tommy speaks up again.

Still, he processes your words carefully, clearly a man of intense thought and consideration. Whatever he may think of your theories, he is at least willing to give them due thought. “Yes, Mr. Cannon, I do find it curious. I took the liberty of checking on Mr. Elias’s background when I met with him, and discovered that the topic of cults is close to him—it was no surprise to hear him talking of it, as he was pursuing a new publication. A story connected to the Carlyle Expedition, linked to mass murders in London... You must forgive me, but I see the profit such literature could make, and I must wonder if this motivated Mr. Elias.”

He frowns a little more, eyes flickering over each of you in turn. “Though I daresay it does not motivate you lot.” His eyes linger on Tommy a moment. “Much.”

The Inspector settles his gaze on Sam, the unspoken foreman of the group. “Mr. Gravener, I can respect what you’re doing—assuming I take your words at face value. Your friend has been grievously killed, and with no rational explanation at hand. We can all accept that such death cults exist, and it would seem that Mr. Elias has fallen victim to his own area of study. From what I have heard from Lt. Poole, a cult is certain likely at work in New York.”

“I am not so sure about London.” He leans back, tapping his fingers thoughtfully. “You have connected Mr. Elias’s killers to a Cult of the Bloody Tongue, an African operation. You say that Mr. Elias’s trail takes you here, to London. But what if the only connection between these two incidents is that Elias was here researching possible cult ties, as well? Even assuming, for the moment, that the Egyptian Murders are perpetrated by a cult, who’s to say there is any manner of link between them and the Bloody Tongue?” He frowns, shaking his head. “It reeks of unlikely coincidence, gentlemen—and madame. The words written in a book belonging to a dead New York playboy are not enough of a connection, I think.”

You begin to feel a sinking feeling—the Inspector is not nearly so agreeable as Ms. Carlyle, or even Lt. Poole. A hardened skeptic. But Barrington’s eyes continue to linger on your group, and at length, he speaks again. “However,” he begins. “Whatever my personal opinion of your business, I think it would be remiss to overlook something that might help this case. I am still not convinced a cult is behind it, but you do come highly recommended... I am inclined to give you a chance.”

“Prove to me that this is a cult, some revived ‘Brotherhood of the Black Pharoah’ as Mr. Elias suggested. As you said, it is your own reputations on the line. All I ask is that you refrain from leaving the city until you have reported back to me on my findings, and that you keep your information closed to the press. If you turn something up, I will follow up on it.”

His eyes narrow again. “But if I hear of any sensational presses with confidential information, reckless illicit activities, or your sudden disappearance, I think my opinion will quickly sour.” He gives his words a moment to sink in.

“If this is acceptable, I will tell you more about the murders.”




List of clues

[VemuKhaham]

Gray was utterly silent as he took the silence Barrington allowed them to let the information sink in to heart. Gray feared he would be of little help in an urban investigation on cults and criminal activity, and resented the thought of being disallowed to leave the city for as long as they needed to discover something. He would perhaps have to break some promises then, both to family and friends. Barrington was indeed proving tough as a negotiator and as an ally. Still, as long as their investigation wasn't outright reckless like the inspector warned them against, Gray had promised to help, and so he was silent as a grave.

[Japic]

Thurman too hold his tongue, turning his eyes to Sam. They had waited for th whole group so that wise decisions could be made. He wasn't about to mouth off to Scotland Yard and get start trouble of the variety they didn't need.

{Thurman will follow if you urban guys think we can do this.}

[Yakumo]

Tommy waits for Sam to answer on their behalf, sensing that the Inspector might not be too pleased with him, or his unorthodox methods of getting what he needs.
He signals for Sam to answer, hoping that he catches the uneasiness that overtook the rest of the group when the Inspector mentioned that they all have to stay in London when only Tommy volunteered.

(If the point of all of us staying is argued Tommy will bring up the fact that the group has its own ongoing investigation and that not all of their skills are handy for this sort of urban investigation. He will politely ask that the Inspector allow the group to leave the city if they wish, as Tommy agreed to stay not the rest of them.)

[MaestroXC]

Sam spreads his hands, palms up, and nods a little, his face a picture of equanimity.

"Of course, perhaps it is a bit premature to ascribe the London killings to a cult; while we have been surrounded by such ever since we began our research, you have good reason to be more skeptical. Before we came to London, none of us, save Mr. Grey, of course, had any knowledge of the so-called Egyptian murders, though I believe Miss Devereaux when she says that the Carlyle books may describe practices that bear a resemblance to facts of the current case."

Sam speaks calmly, his sentences moving from point to mollifying point, the very voice of reason, as he addresses the inspector's concerns.

"Be that as it may, we are in England to meet with certain officials at the Penhew foundation, and pursue additional research. If we can provide some help in bringing those responsible for these murders to justice, all the better. As I said, it is our wish to cooperate fully. Any sensational or reckless activity on our part would no doubt bring the attention of those who we seek to undermine."

After a brief pause, he raises a wry eyebrow, and continues.

"If you should hear of our sudden disappearance, Inspector, I daresay your opinion may no longer be of the highest concern to us.

I find your conditions agreeable, though of course all my colleagues will speak for themselves. I will do all I can to bring Jackson Elias' killers to justice, and to help wherever possible in your investigation."

[Yakumo]

Both suprised and pleased with Sam's speaking abilities Tommy makes a mental note: "Maybe I should let him do the talking more often, I think people find me a little too.... rough around the edges."
Cigarette still dangling from his lips unlit, Tommy speaks up, more calmly than before, "Thanks for having us sir and I apologize if I offended you before; You know, I wanted to be a Police officer myself, but I never got through the academy and turned to private investigation. I had to take some jobs with less-than-reputable characters to keep myself afloat, which I have done a poor job of. I'm actually down to my last 25$ I have a few things to pawn though, but otherwise I'm in dire straights for money. Trust me, we aren't some group of journalists looking for some cock and bull story, so we aren't pulling your leg here for our sake."

Tommy's face gets a little more grave, "If you think I'm not serious enough about cult murders, let me tell you, My ex....Mary...she was killed by the cult in New York. I may not have money, and I may not be getting paid, but I sure as hell don't want that happening to any more people."

"As for staying in London the whole time Inspector, Well I can't speak for everyone as Sam said, but if the investigation leads us elsewhere, we'll tell you, but you can't expect us all to stay. As for the London investigations, I gave you my word and expect to keep it. I have a feeling I'd be most suited for this leg anyway. Is there anything you can help me with, a place to start maybe?"

(OOC: As for Tommy's money situation, He has 25$ The Freighter ticket he worked off en-route. And when he went to his apartment he picked up several things to pawn which you said might be worth a few hundred dollars. Can you give me an exact number on that Udjat?)