Post by TheUdjat on Aug 4, 2008 12:18:04 GMT -5
"Also, Sir Aubrey Penhew, what is the nature of his relation with the Penhew Foundation, which must've been named after him?"
[Grey knows this already—Sir Aubrey founded the Penhew Foundation, which is indeed named after him. Thurman would know this, too, as it is undoubtedly a sore spot with him.
A note: I am assuming that Maestro's character is present, but silent until he's made it back to the States and can rejoin, if the interview lasts that long.]
Everyone-
With Grey taking the lead for the Penhew interview, you assemble your combined notes and theories and arrange for a line of questioning, then head over to the Penhew Foundation. The building itself lies a bit west of the British Museum in the more wealthy end of town. It is a stately and elegant affair, with higher ceilings and grander windows than either of the buildings flanking it, making it stand out from the crowd. A doorman stands at the entrance to greet anyone arriving, and a narrow stretch of road descends off to one side of the building, where even now a smallish truck descends to pick-up or drop-off a delivery for the Foundation. A couple of the usual dirty, less-than-respectable sort of men linger near the storage entrance to help with matters, kept well away from the building’s main entrance.
All of you are guided into the building by the doorman, where a burly secretary takes your names and checks for the appointment. To the right and left, at either side of the grand opening, rooms designated for study stretch out. A stairwell leading up rests on the left, and the building’s main hallway stretches on past the secretary’s desk, with numerous doors leading from it. The last door, leading straight out of the hallway, presumably leads to the loading area, by your judge of the building’s interior space.
After a moment or two, the secretary finds your scheduled appointment, and leads you back down the hallway to a door that opens into a small waiting room, where another secretary waits—this one female and young, evidently Edward Gavigan’s personal assistant. She invites you to sit and greets you amiably, assuring you that the director will be ready in just a moment to receive you.
You are left to wait for perhaps five minutes, and then the secretary signals you on into Gavigan’s office. The room is large, befitting the Foundation’s director, with beautiful paneling across the walls, a stately desk, and several closets resting behind the desk. Edward Gavigan rises to greet you, a polished man who appears to be in his fifties or thereabouts, well-groomed with a fine suit, clean-shaven. Reaching to shake your hands each in turn, it is easy to notice the wristwatch he wears—a symbol of status, for it is a fairly recent item of personal adornment.
“Please, have a seat,” he says, gesturing to a number of chairs in front of his desk—just enough, you notice, for all of you. He has evidently made certain to be accommodating. “Sorry to keep you waiting—the museum was calling about scheduling a function; if it were anything else, I would’ve tended to it later.”
Looking specifically to Col. Grey and Dr. Osgood, Gavigan gives a little nod of respect. “Special welcome to you, Dr. Osgood, and you, Colonel Grey. I have heard a little of your ventures in the circles of our mutual interests—good things, I assure you. I am surprised we have not had a chance to work together before, our interests overlapping as they doo.”
Sitting back down, Gavigan folds his hands over his lap. “Now then, what is it I can help you gentlemen with?”
[Not sure what reasoning Grey used to arrange the meeting, but adjust as necessary. Grey’s reputation alone might’ve been enough to get a meeting.]
After initial pleasantries, Grey takes the lead in speaking to this man of the scholarly world, asking first about Jackson Elias, and what connection they might have shared. Gavigan takes a moment to think on it, and nods. “Indeed, we spoke just once—not too long ago, in fact. He was interested in information about the Carlyle expedition and Sir Aubrey’s role in it. I can relay what I told him, if you like.”
Assuming you are agreeable, Gavigan nods again. “He was interested in the Expedition itself, foremost. As I told him, it began when the young Mr. Carlyle obtained information from a mysterious African woman about a shadowy period of time of which Sir Aubrey had long been interested in. Seizing the opportunity, the expedition took to Egypt to dig along Dhashur—but alas, the woman’s information proved to be a hoax. She absconded in the night with some 3,500 pounds of the Expedition’s funds, never to be heard from again. The sum sounds like a great deal to you and I, but Carlyle seemed more affected by the defection of his lover than the loss of monetary wealth.” He shakes his head sadly.
“Still, the expedition was not without merit. Sir Aubrey was able to dig several test trenches, to begin the systematic excavation of Dhashur, as he had long planned. A shame he cannot be here to see his work continue.” With another small frown, Gavigan sighs and continues on. “Due to the sour turn of events, perhaps, Miss Hypatia Masters suggested a trip to the cooler climes of the Kenyan uplands, where she might test out some new slides for her photography, and all could relax a little. But, alas, they ventured into dangerous territory, and I believe you already know what happened next.”
“Unfortunately, Sir Aubrey, ever-devoted to the Expedition’s mission, took all the records with him to Kenya, and they were lost in the ensuing massacre.” Grey mentions letters, at this point, and Gavigan nods. “Indeed, Sir Aubrey sent some letters back to the Foundation, but it would be unethical to release them, I’m afraid. Much of it concerns Mr. Carlyle’s personal life, and it would be improper to release such things to outsiders; you understand, I’m sure.”
In asking about the Expedition’s participants, Gavigan is able to reaffirm what you already know about the Expedition’s principle members—Roger Carlyle, Sir Aubrey Penhew, Miss Hypatia Masters, Dr. Robert Huston, Jack Brady, the strange African woman (he appears unable to recall her name), and various workers, assistants, and bearers, most hired on-site in Egypt and not kept on record. Any further specifics, it seems, were lost with the Expedition’s records.
When this line of questioning is complete, Grey asks about Tewfik al-Sayed as well. Here Gavigan frowns a bit quizzically. “Mr. al-Sayed? Yes, he has been known to work with the Foundation from time to time, as a guide familiar with Egyptian customs and the language. He seems to be respected in some circles, and is eager enough for the extra work—and perhaps the free trip back to visit countrymen and family.” He smiles. “Though I am surprised you have heard of him. I am not aware of any connection he has to Elias’s inquiry.”
“Is there anything else I can help you with?”
List of clues
