Day 2 - Palmer & Pickering

Nov 8, 2023 1:37 pm
You all spend the evening, and a fine dinner, discussing yourselves and your ideas regarding Harold. But it's clear you'll need more facts because speculation can only go so far. You retire to your rooms after an eventful night.

The next morning you each awake to a message waiting for you with a front desk clerk, a hostel worker, or motel employee as your situation dictates. The message is from Ingrid asking you to meet at the law firm of Palmer & Pickering, Attorneys-at-Law. She needs your help with a matter regarding her missing father. A meeting has been scheduled for 10am with an address in downtown Boston.

Palmer & Pickering is a prestigious legal firm with offices overlooking Boston Common, the oldest city park in the United States. Their office walls feature paintings of formidable old partners and maps of Boston dating from the Revolutionary War. A secretary has you take a seat until all of you arrive. At ten past ten a door with "George Pickering" in gold letters on the frosted glass opens and out steps a man. He is a dapper gentleman in his 60s, with thick glasses and an unfashionable suit. He still possesses a keen, analytical stare, which he slowly
applies to each of you in turn as you introduce yourselves. That finished, he nods to himself and says, "Well then, step into my office please." He steps aside and directs everyone into the well-appointed but functional room. Five grey fabric chairs have been arrayed in a semi-circle opposite a heavy wooden desk of mahogany.

After everyone is seated, Pickering brings you up to date with the facts. Memphis the Great disappeared about a month and a half ago, and his mansion has been lying empty ever since. Recently, the bodies of three burglars were discovered by the house’s caretaker. The police have completed their investigation (which Pickering admits to exerting some pressure on the police to finish quickly and hush-hush), determining that the burglars must have quarreled over their loot, and then killed one another. Pickering explains that he doesn't believe the official story and something strange happened in the house and wants the truth concerning the break in and the murders of the burglars. To this end, has asked the person who discovered the crime scene, the caretaker, to the offices so the investigators may begin their work immediately. He then calls for tea and coffee. "Now then, any questions before you begin?"
Nov 8, 2023 1:37 pm
After taking several sips of unusually-good tea - a taste Barrington picked up in his time over in Europe during The Great War - he speaks up:

"As I think you know, sir, all five of us here were at Harold's performance last night - that we saw Ingrid while we were there - and that the evening was beset by strange unexplained occurrences."

"While there, I couldn't help but notice a lot of tension between Harold and Ingrid, more than I would have expected from just the evening's incidents."

"With Harold, Ingrid, Memphis the Great, and us somehow all tied together with things now - and as we were invited here at the request of Ingrid, would she be available to meet us, to fill us in on recent events? Whether she could give us some information on any recent strange behaviour or happenings around her, Harold, or Memphis the Great?"
Nov 9, 2023 10:46 am
Mr. Pickering nods along to Barrington's questions. "Yes, Ms. Schwartz did tell me of your meeting and that's why she's called you hear. I hardly believe a stage accident is a strange occurrence though. As for Ms. Schwartz's relationships, that is none of my concern. I am employed by Memphis the Great. Ms. Schwartz is only involved because she is his daughter and currently the only relative we have contact with. I am afraid she is occupied for most of the day but, as I have said, I have the caretaker here for you to interview. Then you may inspect the crime scene and hopefully find some answers there. You should have a pretty busy day, I would think." The lawyer takes a sip of his coffee.
Nov 10, 2023 1:45 am
"Why would you want our help though? Most of us are strangers to Memphis. How could we help?"
Nov 10, 2023 3:56 am
He ponders Idella's words for a moment. "Because strangers are exactly what we need. People without skin in the game, without history, without assumptions. You can look into this matter completely unbiased and uninfluenced. Ms. Schwartz thinks you are level-headed and reliable and those are the two qualities we need most. I need to know what happened in that house and there is no one in town who's judgement I would trust."
Nov 10, 2023 12:21 pm
"Objective eyes makes sense, Sis." John looks around the room at the others. "Anyone have somewhere else they need to be? Otherwise, I say let's get started."

KCC

Nov 10, 2023 12:38 pm
Charles takes up the mantle of doddering old man once again, as he so often does around those he hasn’t quite had a chance to assess just yet. Once he got the lay of the land, he would fit himself into whichever role was most beneficial to him.

"This loot, as you say; what was it exactly? The men died over it, according to the police. The official story, of course. But the loot must have been of sufficient quality for the police to be satisfied with the explanation." he says, sounding every bit his age, in stark contrast to last night.
Nov 11, 2023 9:30 am
Yuna continues jotting short-hand notes in her notepad while looking up every few moments to nods and catch the attorney's eyes. "That's what you hire me for, looking into your client's disappearance. I would certainly like to have a look around his home and this issue of the burglars leaves some threads to pull. Do we know their identities?"
Nov 11, 2023 10:41 am
Barrington leans back from the desk, and continues enjoying his tea - it seems like the other members of their impromptu party have got this in hand.

He is very keen to help investigate what is going on with Memphis the Great, and by association also hopefully Harold. He's worried about both of them, both as colleagues and as, not exactly friends, but people he appreciates and cares about. He's not doing this for the money - although he is curious about the fee he can expect from a fancy law firm such as this.

In addition to checking out Memphis the Great's house today, he'll definitely want to also catch up with Ingrid and Harold. But for now, he thinks, let's see how this here situation plays itself out.
Nov 12, 2023 4:06 am
The lawyer sips his drink and answers, "Yes, it was in the papers. They were the Leary brothers, known criminals of petty theft and burglary. As to what 'loot' they were after, I can only guess that because Memphis is a wealthy man they were seeking money once word got out that he had disappeared for a number of weeks."

Pickering sets his cup down, stands up and straightens his suit. "I think it best if I bring in the caretaker, Mr. Madison, now and you can ask him any further questions." He strides to the door of his office and beckons to someone standing outside. A man only a little younger than Pickering walks in hesitantly, wearing a cheap suit, while his hands reveal a life as a manual laborer. He bobs his head in a small bow. "Hello, I'm Caleb Madison, and I work for Mr. Memphis."
Nov 12, 2023 5:22 am
"I note you say 'work', Mr. Madison. Mr. Pickering and yourself seem not to have written Memphis off yet. I'm curious, after so many weeks missing, why? Was it common for the man to disappear for days at a time?"
Nov 12, 2023 10:41 am
The man dips his head in the affirmative. "Oh, yes, ma'am. For weeks. Mr. Memphis was a world traveler, searching for mystics and shamans and magicians from countries the world over. Usually he would always inform the staff when he was going to be traveling, which he didn't this time. But disappearing for a few weeks is not out of the ordinary at all."
Nov 12, 2023 12:18 pm
"I see. And what are your duties while he is away for such periods?"
Nov 12, 2023 12:34 pm
"The usual. Keep the house and grounds clean. Mostly landscaping, gardening, dusting, sweeping, airing out the rooms, that sort of thing."
Nov 12, 2023 1:51 pm
Thank you for taking the time to come and meet with us, Mr Madison. I've got a couple of questions for you:

Had you noticed any strange or unusual occurences or visitors to the house in the weeks before Mr Memphis was last at his home? Perhaps a change in Mr Memphis's routine or demeanour?

While you are looking after the house in Mr Memphis's absence, are there any areas of the building or grounds that you are required to keep away from, that you don't have access to?
Nov 13, 2023 10:14 am
"For the first question, no, sir. No one has been to the house in quite some time. There were never any unusual occurrences until the burglars will killed in the prop room. Strangest occurrence of my life! For the second question, I don't go up to the attic where Mr. Memphis keeps his library. It doesn't need much cleaning and he tends to that himself. I can't say I don't have access to it, but I never go up there and I think that's how Mr. Memphis likes it."

KCC

Nov 14, 2023 3:42 am
"You say that Mr. Memphis was a world traveler. A… a searcher for mystics and shamans and magicians from countries the world over." he says, gesturing with his hands as if the words were a newspaper headline.

"Did he ever return with off trinkets from his travels? Souvenirs, perhaps? Or gifts from those that he had met on his globe trotting journeys?"
Nov 14, 2023 4:53 am
Yuna narrows her eyes at Charles's question, but shifts her gaze to Mr. Madison, curious about the answer and what Charles may be getting at.
Nov 14, 2023 8:01 am
"Well, yes, of course, sir. What world traveler of Mr. Memphis' means wouldn't come back with souvenirs and mementos? I don't quite see what this has to do with the robbery and murders. Surely you don't think the robbers were after some knickknacks from Spain or Bhutan, do you?"

KCC

Nov 16, 2023 8:47 am
"Yes, yes. You’re quite right! How often do we fill our bags with knick knacks and trinkets from far away places. Soon to be broken or forgotten.

Are those the kinds of artifacts that your employer returned with? Nothing that wasn’t to be touched? Nothing that took pride of place in a collection somewhere?"
Nov 16, 2023 11:11 am
"Perhaps you can tell us, Mr. Madison, when was the last time Memphis left on such a trip, prior to this current disappearance? Might you know where he traveled to?"
Nov 16, 2023 1:43 pm
"No, nothing that sticks out in my memory. His last trip was a tour of western Europe for his stage show. England, France, Germany, Spain, and Portugal I believe. He was gone for several months."
Nov 16, 2023 10:18 pm
"Well, if we are to look over the home and investigate, it seems this to be a place you know much better than any of us. Is there anything we should be aware of? Nothing particularly or abnormally dangerous or curious to your eye, is there?"
Nov 17, 2023 12:53 am
"Oh, no, sir, I wouldn't work in a place that was dangerous. Memphis is a great magician, sir, it's all smoke and mirrors. Nothing dangerous about him or his tricks. Besides the unfortunate deaths there has been nothing dangerous about the house at all."
Nov 17, 2023 1:07 am
"Right, ok," Yuna leans forward, a glean in her eye, "So, Mr. Madison. What you've told us is two men were killed there, you watch the home, take care of it, there's nothing out of the ordinary and nothing dangerous otherwise. In a sense, you have told us absolutely nothing that Mr. Pickering couldn't have told us. So why did he bring you in here? Why talk to us at all?"

KCC

Nov 17, 2023 3:14 am
Charles brings the cup of coffee, which had been offered at reception, up to his lips; the perfect way to hide the smile breaking across his face.

The reporter had a keen mind, and a cutting way with words. Charles often fancied himself in such a way, but he couldn’t quite get a handle on his verbosity.
Nov 17, 2023 3:48 am
Mr. Madison runs a hand through his hair. "Well, I suppose, because I found the bodies and Mr. Pickering didn't. Also there were three men killed, not two. But besides the police who arrived and took the bodies away, I'm the only one who knows the...circumstances of their demise."
Nov 17, 2023 5:58 am
Yuna's eyes narrow, a thin smile hitting her lips. "Right, three. How clumsy of me. Now - that's an interesting point. I had assumed they shot each other, but that's also rather clumsy on my part. I'm guessing from your hesitation these circumstances were not so clear-cut, hmm?"
Last edited November 17, 2023 5:59 am
Nov 17, 2023 7:09 am
OOC:
Ahhhh very well done there @C1NDER! I'd already given up trying to get anything useful from him...
Last edited November 17, 2023 7:12 am
Nov 17, 2023 10:35 am
Mr. Gardener bobs his head in a nod. "Right you are, ma'am. A lot of assumptions. If the men had just shot each other I wouldn't be here. And I wouldn't have nightmares about it. Or pieces of it rather. It was a bit much to take in all at once. I just remember a lot of blood, bulging eyes, blood-soaked shirts. They had all stabbed, cut, and hanged each other. But what I dream about is the hand. One severed hand with its fingers still twitching. In my dreams sometimes it beckons to me, other times it wags its finger in disappointment like my ma used to do when I was a child. The rest is hazy. Maybe I don't want to remember it. I'm sure the police have all the gory details that are too much for my stomach."
Nov 17, 2023 11:17 am
A look of horror on his face, Barrington shudders at Mr Gardener's gruesome description of the death scene. Collecting himself, he swallows and then asks:

"Do I understand right, Mr Gardener, that three people had stabbed, cut, and hanged each other? Or was that just the fate of two of them, and something else - I assume similarly awful - happened to a third? Or is the third person you refer to the twitching-fingered severed hand?"

"A follow up to that - do you surmise that all three people were burglars? If that is what you assume for two of them, then what of the third?"

"And finally - why didn't you tell us that a third person was involved from the beginning?"
Nov 17, 2023 3:02 pm
"Yes, all three were killed. They were all brothers. I didn't mention it because it didn't occur to me that you would jump to the conclusion it was just two. The brothers were well known in this city so I also assumed you might have known. I do, however, think there was a fourth. The police think otherwise. How could three brothers turn on each other and all die of their wounds leaving no survivor? It baffles the mind. But I am not a detective, just a simple groundskeeper, so what do I know about the minds of burglars and apparent killers?"

KCC

Nov 19, 2023 8:51 am
"A groundskeeper may be needed on the question of a fourth. Perhaps, if you were to imagine yourself as a criminal man, you might tell us where such a trio, if indeed it was three, might enter the property.

A hedge that allows access to the grounds, but is hidden to the eye? A gate, unknown to most, left unlocked for ease of passage after hours?

It’s there we may find a four-set of prints entering the property, and a single set returning.

If indeed there was a fourth. Besides that, it sounds like it may be necessary to engage with the police on the grisly details!"
Nov 19, 2023 10:36 am
Mr. Gardener clears his throat. "I'm sorry if there was a misunderstanding. The police concluded there were only three. No evidence whatsoever of four. That was just my speculation as to how all three--brothers no less--have killed each other with no survivors. The thieves broke into Memphis' prop room on the first floor, smashing through the window and crawling through. I would assume they knew no one was home and probably wouldn't be for days if not longer and were not too subtle about their burglary attempt. But you are correct the police know more about the investigation than I."

KCC

Nov 19, 2023 10:40 am
"Ah, well… perhaps the fourth brother will remain in our dramatic retellings of this story at dinners with our associates!" he says, giving a brief laugh to signal the book being closed on the issue.

"I suspect our keen eyed reporter here will have a contact at the police department. Would that be right, Ms. Yuna?"
Nov 19, 2023 4:05 pm
John sat quietly, knowing to many questions could confuse things. He tried his best to keep the details straight.
Nov 19, 2023 7:15 pm
"I do," Yuna says with a nod, "and it appears we've exhausted the limits of your assistance for the time being. Mr. Gardener, thank you for your time. I could have follow-up questions, if you'll remain in town. Will you continue to be staying at Memphis's home, or...?"
Nov 20, 2023 10:21 am
"Oh, I don't live on the premises. I have my own place with my wife. I'll leave you my address. I hope I have been of some help to solve this mystery. Mr. Memphis doesn't deserve to have his reputation tarnished by this horrible event."
Nov 21, 2023 12:12 am
Mr. Pickering opens the door and thanks the caretaker for his time. After shutting the door he turns to all of you. The lawyer fishes a key from his pocket and hands it to the young reporter. "A key to the Memphis house. Please treat the house with respect during your inquiries. In addition, I will offer a $100 reward for solving this mystery. The police officer in charge of the investigation was Inspector Edwards if you want to find more about the official case. Good luck."
Nov 21, 2023 7:19 am
Yuna quickly takes the key and smiles, "Yes, of course. Thank you for the opportunity, Mr. Pickering."

KCC

Nov 21, 2023 11:48 am
"You won’t have to wait very long, I assure you! Keen minds and strong bodies one and all!" Charles says, gesturing to those gathered around.

"We shall have your culprit before long!" he says with a determined nod.

And your money…
Nov 24, 2023 1:22 pm
OOC:
So where would people like to go next?
Nov 24, 2023 6:59 pm
Yuna looks to the others, "I think it might be a good idea to speak with this Inspector Edwards, to get the official story and see if there's anything more we can nudge out of him on it. Perhaps, too, we could take a look at what the papers had to say on it - surely there would be a story from the day, or day after, the bodies were found."
Nov 24, 2023 7:56 pm
Barrington shifts in his chair. He's eager to get to see The Great Memphis's house... But he's starting to get a really bad feeling about whatever is going on here. maybe he doesn't want to be rummaging around that place on his own?

Thinking a bit more about what he's seen so far, Barrington remembers back to the strange interactions he saw between Ingrid and Harold...

"I'd like to go and have a word with Ingrid, I think - I have a hunch that maybe she knows something that could help us out with this. Could you perhaps put in a call to her, Mr Pickering, asking her whether she would be free to meet up later today? Perhaps at midday at Mr Memphis's house?"
Nov 26, 2023 4:41 am
Mr. Pickering makes a call from his office. After a few minutes he lets Barrington know that Ingrid can be available after lunch and will meet him at the Memphis house at 2pm.
Nov 26, 2023 5:02 am
"Ok, good," Yuna says, "Plenty of time to follow up with Inspector Edwards then. Does anyone care to join me at the station, before heading to the Memphis House?"

KCC

Nov 26, 2023 11:19 am
"Perhaps less is more when it comes to the police? I don’t think they’d take too kindly to out-of-towners such as myself snooping around into their business.

No! No! Perhaps you and the twins here ought to chase down the police? Familiar faces may make for loose lips!"
Nov 26, 2023 6:43 pm
"I agree. No need to stir up too much interest. With Yuna's credentials we might even get to see an official report."
Nov 26, 2023 7:03 pm
"Sounds like a good plan to me. Mr Wilde, how about you and I head out together, and leave the police to the others?

I won't deny that I'm intrigued by your, er, unusual insights and opinions on magic - perhaps we could take a late breakfast, early lunch, together and you could tell me more?

Or perhaps we could head out together already to Mr Memphis's house to get a first impression of the location?"
OOC:
If splitting the party like this is a problem, no problem for me that I wait for Nakane, John, and Idella to visit the police before meeting up with them and Ingrid after lunch
Nov 27, 2023 7:43 am
OOC:
I encourage my players to split the party! Its usually beneficial in investigative games.
Nov 27, 2023 9:14 am
"We'll meet at the house, then," Yuna agrees.

She looks to the Browns, "Would the two of you like to join me then, or do you have other plans?"
Nov 27, 2023 12:48 pm
"I think we're available for this."
Nov 27, 2023 1:03 pm
"I think that's where we'll do best."

KCC

Nov 28, 2023 1:36 am
OOC:
Oh, an ill fated first trip to the house for us two! They’ll be two more mysterious murders to solve by the time the others arrive! Split! Split! Split!
Nov 28, 2023 5:15 am
OOC:
That's the spirit, Mr Wilde! WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG OH AND DON'T FORGET TO BRING THAT BOOK WITH YOU I'M SURE IT ISN'T AT ALL DANGEROUS
OOC:
EDIT: Ah, it's Nakane who has the book, my mistake.
Last edited November 28, 2023 6:50 am
Nov 28, 2023 5:18 am
OOC:
Does Mr Wilde look like he needs help walking, or some other aid? He is selling himself here sometimes as a fairly doddering confused chap - although ahem MAYBE THAT'S AN ACT heh. But, yeah, I think if he looks like he could do with some help, Barrington would offer it.
Nov 28, 2023 5:25 am
Barrington takes his leave of the others, holds the door open for Charles to leave with him, planning to drive over together to Memphis's house in his slightly worn-looking Model T Ford.
OOC:
I can see Barrington being affluent enough to own a low-end car - it sounds like that's fairly reasonable for maybe the mid/end of the 1920s? Does that work for you, @nezzeraj? If not, no problem, we can take street car and/or bus instead, some form of public transport? I guess it's not so important - main thing is that we get there lol
Nov 28, 2023 6:37 am
OOC:
Yeah, it's fine to have a car! I appreciate you taking initiative. You also don't have to ping me in my own game, I will definitely see it lol. I'll get a post up tonight moving on to the next scene.
Nov 28, 2023 7:46 am
Yuna pauses on the way out and hands Barrington the key to the Memphis House. "Don't lose it," she says flatly, "We'll meet you there around two, to meet with Ingrid."

She leaves with Idella and John, heading to meet with the investigator.
Nov 28, 2023 8:10 am
Barrington takes the key, makes a show of conspicuously placing it in his inside suit pocket, and tells Nakane

"No need to worry about that, Miss Yuna. I'll guard it with my life."
OOC:
Perhaps some ominous presaging-of-disaster music plays in the background as he says that... or maybe not. Everything's fine, I tell you...

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