Nick Tailor |
Nick looked up as the others talked of going to a pub - and walked off without him. He had a talent for blending into the background, of being overlooked. Quite possibly it was the reason he was still alive, but it still sucked.
If I'd had more... or any... friends at High School I probably wouldn't have thrown myself into wizardry in the first place.
Memories of being the 'new kid' surface.
Hard enough to be move to a new school without it also being in another country, and having a weird workaholic mom and no dad.
Then I found the first book. I knew it was important to a case. Thought I could help by solving the 'puzzles'. Took weeks, and then I started to get it. I'd seen some of the case files by then. I was going to tell mom...
A vision of a face. Of being humiliated. Of being hurt. Of wanting revenge.
The spell was only supposed to cause a momentary distraction. I just wanted to embarrass him. something he's told himself so many times he doesn't even know if it was true at the start ... and then the accident.
Knowing, then, still a child that he was just as bad as the things his mom had been hunting. Keeping the secret. Hoping for a cure in one of the books.
Shaking his head he comes back to the present. Goes into his vault. Decides to trust - really trust - Luminuss.
The feeling of relief when the Book is stored away is incredible. Always he is torn with worry about the book. Fear that it'll be taken. Fear someone else will read it. But now... now it's safe.
They say you can find anything on the Internet, and Nick tries to prove it true. He searches, calls around, and orders what he needs. It'll take time to arrive, but it'll come. Things he never would have risked storing without the Vault. Some things border on the illegal.
It's still possible to find genuine parchment books: though the price is exorbitant. There's a hobbyist in Germany who makes and sells custom journals that'll hold a spell, albeit at $300 a pop - nearly $3 a page. But even this sort of price pales next to the price per gram of some of the ingredients needed for the inks: gold is only a midrange ingredient.
No wonder so many wizards got obsessed with power and money. It's got to be one of the most expensive hobbies you can have.
After that he goes into the city and buys a very large, very expensive suitcase and touristy gear with which to pack it: boardshorts, t-shirts, underware, socks, suncream, a hat, a toothbrush, toothpaste, a lonely planet guide - while he might not need any of this gear normally, he's intelligent enough to plan ahead.
What's the cost?
in vault: spellbook, extra shotgun cells, portable stove, anything obviously a flight risk (like deoderant cans or small bottles of water), spare id
Alan Clarkson aka Nick Tailor |
Mr Clarkson sleeps on the plane - after days of fear and an afternoon spent rushing around he is dead to the world as soon as it takes off. He all but falls asleep in the taxi as he stumbles into his room.
When phone numbers are exchanged he shrugs, looks around and talks quietly - and in a mild american accent, having decided Alan is american.
"Sure. This is my current burner. I'll keep it for the mission. Wait... these aren't your real phones, are they? We can't get new ones now... Try not to call, okay. Use this app, here... I'll show you the link. It exchanges data via a..."
Nick takes his new job seriously.
He tails after Titus as the big man heads away
"Hey, uh, I'll give it a go. I'm not a great runner, but I used to do a bit with my dad. Even did some track at school."
Dad said I did that because mom insisted I do sport, and it was the only team sport that meant I didn't have to talk to anyone. Yeah, well if they'd actually had cricket then I might have been interested.
"No cheating - I promise. 6am, in the lobby." he swears firmly
Looking at the time he sighs, heads upstairs and falls looks around the room.
Day after day of living in some mirror somewhere, camped out on his cheap mattress huddled around a stove with a 2 litre bottle of water did not prepare him for this.
He sets an alarm for 5:40, and 5:50 (because he knows himself), plugs in everything to charge, barricades the doors, lies down on the bed fully clothed and stares at the ceiling, willing himself to sleep.
Ramona Avala |
While John waved at her, Ramona was in a state of mental concentration. She would have noticed his wave, and waved back with a friendly smile, but she would not have beckoned anyone to join her, since she is focusing on her concentration.
However, should anyone approach, she would gladly invite the company.
Later, behind the tree...
Ramona snaps a picture of the casino from her spot behind the tree, making a mental note to share what she has seen with her party.
As Sariel approaches, she starts, glares at him.
"You should really not sneak up on a girl in this place," she chides him. Her expression softens, and she says, "I have indeed found something interesting. However, it would not be wise to discuss it here. Come, let's go back to the hotel."
With one last glance behind the tree, she leads the way back to their lodgings, still always keeping an eye to make sure they are not followed.
Perception, just in case: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27
Sariel Patrick Cornelius |
Should not sneak? poor waif...hopefully she will never meet a cousin of mine...back into the light...because buildings are more private?
Sariel nods his consent and carefully follows her into the Hotel, keeping an eye out. As they enter he building Sariel pauses crossing the threshold, looking into the hotel lobby, following her to the lodgings, noting entrances and exits.
perception check outside 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17
perception check inside 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15
well those are mediocre numbers, good thing Ramona is paying attention :)
GM Pandorica |
three black tinted range rovers pull up out side the casino,
the front and back oes doors open up and a bunch of security goons get out, fanning out and checking the area, then the front passenger door opens of the middles car, out comes a tall blond guy with blue eyes, he walk to the back door open it a two peapel get out, an older fat looking Italian and a woman in a long blue and green dress,
Ramona there is some thing not right about the woman, shes under some kind of glamer, you know what it is, shape shifted. the three go into the casino but the goons stay out side, making a polarimeter around the building.
Sariel Patrick Cornelius |
Edit: I'm assuming Romona and Sariel go to the motel without going to the casino. If Romona heads to the casino instead of the hotel, Sariel will go with her. If that happens please ignore this post. Thank you and if this causes confusion I apologize.
Hhhmmm that was a lot of security goons even for a high end casino …believe I’ll go check that out
Sariel goes to his room and removes his money belt. He selects one of his personal false ID’s and 1,000 euro, replacing the money belt. He places the magic pouch in his left coat pocket and the sap in his left boot. Placing his bags strap over his head and arm, so it looks more like a man purse, he picks up the rooms newspaper and heads toward the casino.
As he approaches the casino he discretely watches the security team. he will take 10 on perception for the security team Taking a seat on a park bench he opens the paper and begins to appear to play the crossword. He actually writes down the license plate numbers of the three vehicles in the crossword boxes, to have Taylor check later.
watching and listening to the security team. What language are they speaking? Are they carrying firearms?
After about thirty minutes outside he will look at his watch, place his paper in his right coat pocket and attempt to walk into the casino. If he is challenged by the security he will answer in French
Kinsman |
Is that all of us? I posted that I was going back to the hotel to rest before the flight tomorrow (along with good ole' fashioned crying and whatnot) as Joe was not interested in going to the bar, nor book shopping.
GM Pandorica |
Joe please read the game thread, I bottled your PC. I a, not going to hold up the game for a slow poster, I made it clear 1 post a day or I bot you, slow games die on here, I like to keep things moving.
When you get back the goons are still there but the casino is closed to the public, they tell you that as you walk to the door.
sorry is closeda, you go next bar ok
If you try they will move you along with force, go round the back and more goons, this place looks like some president is in there the level of gooness going on, one thing that you do recognize, every thing about them screams 'mob'
There is no real way in with out a combat happening so if it's ok I. Going to move things to the next day.
GM Pandorica |
Next day, 10th February 2007
Everyone has a happy night at the hotel, some shorter than others, 6am comes, some go for a run others may sleep in, breakfast starts at 7am until 9am, it's a 5 star hotel so the food is good. The one thing you all note, is there is a lot of Chinese staying at the hotel.
The boat will be docking at 2PM, so you have some time to look around.
Sariel Patrick Cornelius |
Sariel, finding a safe distance in the shadows, watches the security team at the casino until they leave in the wee hours of the morning. He transposed the information from the newspaper to his note pad. He recorded the license plate numbers of the three land rovers and the number of security guards.
lets see if Tailor is as good as he says
When Tailor comes outside to run with Armstrong Sariel approaches him; handing him the piece of paper with the information and tells him.
three vehicles, heavy hitters, private party at the casino, tall blond guy with blue eyes, an older fat looking Italian and a woman in a long blue and green dress. Ramona saw them also, she may have seen something I missed. Security was tight and professional; looked like mob to me. Here’s more particulars see what you can find out. It may not have anything to do with why we’re here; but it certainly doesn’t hurt to get the lay of the land, right?
Sairiel stays outside long enough to watch the sunrise at 7:13 and smokes another cigarette. Grabbing a bagel from the kitchen he goes up to his room.
don't like sleeping in such a public place ...no time to find a hidey hole on holy ground..
He moves the large lounge chair so he can see both the door and the window from its new location. Setting down on the chair he puts on his flash goggles, placing the magic bag on his lap and sets the alarm on his watch for 1:00. he eventually goes to sleep.
John David Smith |
John is prompt as always to breakfast, seeing as he is the first person to arrive he fixes a plate and finds a table large enough for everyone that is secure, and able to watch the room. If anyone does not make it to breakfast by 8:00 am, he will text them and request they come down. When people arrive he will ask, "How was your night? Any plans for the day that can help our investigation?"
His brow furrows at the number of chinese in this part of the world.
John David Smith |
John approaches one of the tables, "早上好,我很抱歉打断请问什么风把你到城里我是新来的,找事情做。"
Alan Clarkson aka Nick Tailor |
Nick wakes up to his first and second alarm.
Groaning he calculates how much sleep he had, adds in the nap in the plane... and bitterly regrets agreeing to get up this early.
He puts on the jug and stumbles into the bathroom, looking at his fully clothed, disreputable looking self while he stands there listening to running water.
A few muttered words and the smudges start to vanish. He adds coffee powder to hot water as a stain on his pants from yesterday vanishes. He walks to the door as his hair straightens itself. Leaves the last of eau-de-nick in the lift as he gets out in the lobby.
Nick comes out of the elevator in the same clothes he was in yesterday. He's got a small backpack on his back, and an empty coffee cup in his hand.
When Tailor comes outside to run with Armstrong Sariel approaches him; handing him the piece of paper with the information and tells him.
"three vehicles, heavy hitters, private party at the casino, tall blond guy with blue eyes, an older fat looking Italian and a woman in a long blue and green dress. Ramona saw them also, she may have seen something I missed. Security was tight and professional; looked like mob to me. Here’s more particulars see what you can find out. It may not have anything to do with why we’re here; but it certainly doesn’t hurt to get the lay of the land, right?"
Nick drags Sariel as he responds
"What the hell do you expect me to do? Really. Are you asking me to use some of my limited and risky exotic skills" Nick somehow makes this sound like he's some sort of tawdry entertainer rather than one of Dee's inheritors "Or are you asking me to look them up on the computer. I mean - I could google them. I could try to hack the Hotel's network and see if there are details they don't care about - risky but doable - but if you want me to hack into the police's files or the CIA or something... this isn't mission bloody impossible.""Tell you what. Think about it, talk to Cooper and when Bob and I get back I'll do that."
Sariel Patrick Cornelius |
Sariel shakes his head
what a poser
Sariel tucks the paper in Tailor's pocket and says
I'm going to sleep, you talk to Smith or don't; do your job or don't; makes no never mind to me.
as Sariel walks away
if that chicken doesn't want to get the information I will. I don't like having a crowd like that in my back yard and not knowing who they are
GM Pandorica |
John approaches one of the tables, "早上好,我很抱歉打断请问什么风把你到城里我是新来的,找事情做。"
A man looks at you a moment
"你的普通话很好,有你镶嵌在中国, 我们在这里与诅咒船,我们是游客"
your mandarin is good, have you studded in china, we are here with the curse ship, we are tourists
Then a woman, a tour guild by the looks of her comes over.
"我们现在得去公交车的每个人都离开"
everyone we have to go now the bus is leaving
She looks at you John.
"对不起,我们要走了,再见了,没有更多问题请我们不在同新闻界谈话"
I am sorry we are going now, goodbye and no more questions please, we don't talk to the press.
Some faces look at you, they all get up and file out, no matter what you say, none will talk to you after what she said to you.
Ramona Avala |
Just before leaving... Ramona snaps a few last pictures of the people getting out of the range rovers, taking a mental note of what she sees and what she senses. She then heads back to the hotel.
She notices Sariel is not headed back to the hotel, and sighs, whispering to him "do not stay here too long, do not let them see you- they have some dark magic among them..."
She motions with her head for him to follow, but doesn't force him if he wishes to stay, and heads off quietly and quickly back to the hotel, glancing back occasionally to be sure she is not being followed by any of the goons.
Poor child, he does not have the sight... He has been warned though, and so if he chooses to tempt fate...
She returns to the hotel where she backs up her image files on her camera puts away her camera. She then puts everything away, and then sets up her outfit for the next day for ease tomorrow, strips and crawls under the cover where she allows herself to drift off to sleep.
Next morning, dressed in a sharp hem-dyed skirt and wide brimmed hat, Ramona is up shortly after 8 with a little espresso, water, and fruit breakfast. She has her digital camera with her and discreetly goes over the pictures from last night.
She watches as John impressively converses in Chinese with a group of tourists. Once they leave, she beckons him over to her table, as well as any other companions in the breakfast area.
GM Pandorica |
The blond guy, nothing, but the cars, they get you come place, you contact a one of your guys on line, he dos a search of the deep web, gets you a Mafia watch site, that has an image of a black range rover with the same number plate tagged by another unknown poster on the site. They where asking what a known Mafia ride was doing at a ship sinking inquest on the island 18 mouths ago, and had taken a number of Photos. No posted giving any idea what. As you look over the images you clock a blond guy in one of the news photos. He's a dead spit for the guy you where told to look for, Mr Blond. He's not tagged and no one sees to have said anything about him. But there he is. if it is the same guy that is, if you had a photo from last night you could check.
You look into the ship that sank and a name comes up.
Juan Ramon Paz Fernandez
You look up the casino and on the list of Ex-owners
Juan Ramon Paz Fernandez
You can only find one image of the guy, from an there Mafia watch site.
Alan Clarkson aka Nick Tailor |
Sorry Titus, we seem to have move passed it
Nick insists on taking his backpack and running in his normal clothes, but he does run, and he has the basics of the techniques.
He's got good endurance: he'd never make a major team, and he's nowhere near Titus's League of course.(guessing a bit here)
Con 12 should be able to do a five mile run/jog, I figure
He's puffing like stream train and pouring with sweat when you get back to the hotel.
He goes up to his room afterwards
[/ooc]
Figure this is where all the contacting happens. Not sure if you still want rolls, but...
knowledge:streetwise: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
knowledge:technology + computer: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 15 + 1 = 17
Nick feels a little guilty about giving Sariel both barrels.
Got to learn not to talk to people till the first coffee kicks in.
At Breakfast
A grumpy looking Nick trudges over to the breakfast buffet, still carrying his backpack. He loads up his bowl with sugary breakfast cereal, puts a piece of bacon in his mouth and looks around.
Seeing "Cooper" and "Jasmine" he walks over and sits down at the table.
"Hi Coop" he says in a voice muffled by bacon. "Got something for you. Check out this article Bill found."
Plonking his plate down (and spilling some milk) he draws out and opens his laptop in one practised move, placing it facing John, and only John.
GM Pandorica |
Time can move back, so feel free to post events I have skipped.
The dinning room is fairly empty now, you see out the window a bus take the Chinese away some place, non of them is looking at you. Nick you would see the bus go by.
The guy in linked to a betting syndicate run out of Canada into the USA to get past the new gaming laws internet gaming. The big location for this betting syndicate is Macau in mainland China.
A note is slipped under your door, its from the local police, they say they will be fine seeing the representatives of the life insurance company at 10:30am this morning.
As your running with Nick, you run a little ahead and look back to see if he is keeping up as you do someone bumps into you. A young local looking guy.
Make a Perception check please DC20
I am going to stop here for a while as some of you have info from last night and some from today, its time to share, talk and speculate.
once you are all happy I will move things along again, but a little slower as I wanted to get things to a interesting point from which you can go a number of ways.
Titus "The Titan" Armstrong |
Hey bro. Whatch where you're running here.
He thinks little of it until. perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33
Alan Clarkson aka Nick Tailor |
The 'Article' is little more than a word doc with a bunch of embedded images and links... and about a million little comment bubbles.
S SAID: "three vehicles, heavy hitters, private party at the casino, tall blond guy with blue eyes, an older fat looking Italian and a woman in a long blue and green dress"
Number plates: XXXXXXX XXXXX XXXXX
PLATE 1: Nothing
PLATE 2: Nothing
PLATE 3: Image of a black range rover with that number plate.
MafiaWatch logo
Quoted comment: "what is a known Mafia ride was doing at a ship sinking inquest on the island?" - dated 18 months ago.
(Arrow pointing to BLONDE GUY and SUNK SHIP)
BLONDE GUY: Photo of Blonde Guy. Same date & location as PLATE 3
Question Marks and "Is this the guy? Need photo." comment
SUNK SHIP
Image of the sunk ship. (Arrow to JUAN RAMON PAZ FERNANDEZ)
CASINO
Image of the casino. List of ex-owners. (Arrow to JUAN RAMON PAZ FERNANDEZ labelled "an ex-owner")
JUAN RAMON PAZ FENANDEZ
Image of Juan - and a Mafia Watch Site logo.
"linked to a betting syndicate run out of Canada into the USA to get past the new gaming laws internet gaming. The big location for this betting syndicate is Macau in mainland China."
Kinsman |
Moving down to breakfast, Joe will start to put together a big plate of food, but then pause for a moment as if hesitating before settling some fruit and fruit juice, and join the others at the table.
"So I found a note that says we have a 10:30 am appointment with the local police. I assume that one of you set it up." pausing to chew a piece of apple before adding "So, do we have any theories as to what the cause could be?"
Titus "The Titan" Armstrong |
unarmed attack: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23
Titus grabs the boys/mans arm for a second and then lets him go on his way.
John David Smith |
John reads over the information, adjusting his suits tie as he returns to his seat. Looking up at Nick questioning, "Anything making you believe this is connected to our case?" John spots Kinsman coming in and eyes him, acknowledging his presence without breaking John's own concentration. The news of the police meeting is welcome news as it had been John's first priority this morning. "I didn't set it up, but it could be the Lady's doing. I had requested a contact on arrival. Were you left a name of who is leading the case or who we're speaking with. I prefer to never go in blind to any encounter with the police."
"Before we make contact with the police, I don't speak Italian, do any of you? If not we're going to have to hire a translator."
Alan Clarkson aka Nick Tailor |
John reads over the information, adjusting his suits tie as he returns to his seat. Looking up at Nick questioning, "Anything making you believe this is connected to our case?" John spots Kinsman coming in and eyes him, acknowledging his presence without breaking John's own concentration. The news of the police meeting is welcome news as it had been John's first priority this morning. "I didn't set it up, but it could be the Lady's doing. I had requested a contact on arrival. Were you left a name of who is leading the case or who we're speaking with. I prefer to never go in blind to any encounter with the police."
"Before we make contact with the police, I don't speak Italian, do any of you? If not we're going to have to hire a translator."
"You need to ask Bill and Jasmine about this. I told Bill to talk to you... I might've been a bit harsh - but it was 6am."
"I don't speak Italian, but they've probably got someone who speaks English. I guess I could probably help someone fake it for an hour or so if I had to."
"If this is a 家庭 thing, then the cops could be in on it."
Kinsman |
"I don't speak Italian, but I do speak a few other languages: Arabic, Korean, German, Mandarin Chinese, French, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and obviously English. I've always had a gift with them, and some languages are similar enough that I was able to quickly pick them up."
John David Smith |
"I don't speak Italian, but I do speak a few other languages: Arabic, Korean, German, Mandarin Chinese, French, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and obviously English. I've always had a gift with them, and some languages are similar enough that I was able to quickly pick them up."
"Good, I can not speak Korean. I can speak Spanish though. Where on earth did you learn so many languages? Military background doesn't usually see such diversity."
Kinsman |
"Like I said, languages just come naturally to me. I grew up in a multi-lingual home (my parents were 3rd generation Russian emigrants). To be fair though, I'm actually surprised that more people don't speak multiple languages."
GM Pandorica |
If your not going to the Police station please let me know
When the group is done with eating they head off to the Police station, they are meet at the entrance by a local police Inspector. He checks your IDs and seems happy to help. He shows you into his office. She seems to share it but the other officer is out. You take your seats and he offers fresh coffee. He sits down behind is desk, on which is a large file.
"I speak English, do no need to for you to try, please sit. This is the file of our investigation, at the preliminary inquest to days after the sad event. Its was found that the 4 men had not placed new air in their diving equipment the night before the dive, not noting it that they they entered the water with only low air levels in their tanks and as a consequence, diving to 30m, they got into difficulty and drown."
He opens the file.
"Both Crew said they where not in a position on the boat to see the pre dive prep and that all 4 men had been drinking the night before and during the day of the dive."
He hands over some photos showing the boat, dead men, diving kit, autopsy photos showing nothing out of the ordinary.
"I have to say, when the company who the four dead men worked for contacted head office and said a team of investigates from their insurer was coming to review the case, I was worried that we may have missed something. But this file in front of me is clear, all I can see is in order and we followed to the letter of the law, the corrects procedures, the inquest and coroner came back with a clear ruling, deaths my misadventure. What I am worried about now is why you are here, did we miss something? of so what?"
He is worried about what trouble him may be in if they messed up the case?
You had a mate, he liked to dive, you spot something odd in the images of the kit, the dive webbing has a place to a Yet there is not one any where in the kit photos
The sea around where the boat was is shallow, no way it gos down 30m
John David Smith |
Sense motives 1d20 ⇒ 2
Bluff check 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14
Diplomacy check 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21
John smiles at the man hoping to put him at ease before even looking at the files. "Nothing to worry about sir. It is just company policy to do a follow up investigation. Anything you can tell us about the investigation? Something that may not have made it in to the file. We aren't looking for a mistake from you, more looking to see if the crew can be held liable or any way to avoid such a high payout."
Alan Clarkson aka Nick Tailor |
knowledge: civics : 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20 According to here this covers Law and procedures
knowledge: earth and life sciences : 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14 According to here this covers Forensics
heal (trained): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
sense motive (untrained): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
While never formally trained as a police officer or medical examiner, growing up as he did has given Nick a pretty good education in how both jobs work. He carefully goes through the files looking for anomalies or exceptions.
Kinsman |
Joe will stand in the back, saying nothing. While he thought that he might be translating, clearly there was no need; Since he had no training with "cop stuff", he decided to just stay out of the way and let the others do their thing.
Sariel Patrick Cornelius |
I’m using spoilers to keep the posts uncluttered, please feel free to read them.
The Chicago Street was dark and cold; a light snow was falling. Sariel would need to watch where he stepped not to leave tracks. The large man stumbled up the steps from the basement exit, almost tripping over himself as he passed into the street. Sariel slipped from his hiding place in a doorway near the speak-easy, into the shadows behind the heavy man; his face was red from alcohol, his breath fogging in the cold, his walk a stumbling waddle. Sariel snuck up behind him, reaching under his coat and began to lift the billfold. Just as the worn wallet eased out of the pocket the man turned, quick for a fat man, he cuffs Sariel with a large paw, knocking Sariel into the gutter, the wallet flopping to the ground, open, revealing the man’s police badge. The man bellows in rage as he begins to remove a small revolver from his coat pocket and stepping back to distance himself from his would be attacker; he catches his boot on the curb, falling. The man’s ankle twists and snaps, his head making a sickening thud as it hits the lamppost; the same lamppost that Sariel had knocked the bulb out of, to take advantage of the dark. The man lays still bleeding from head and ankle, the bone protruding out through his pants. Sariel grabs the wallet and the gun, reading the badge number and name as he runs, William E, Collins. Sariel tosses the wallet into a storm drain but keeps the money and the revolver.
Ivar awakens gripping the handle of the Beretta like he had that first revolver, sleeping with it for several years; he lifts his goggles and looks at his watch.
Just four hours sleep… been to long not sleeping on holy ground… wonder if that’s causing the dreams… William E, Collins, been a long time since I remembered that name, let alone the face… and my alias is William… wonder if some orphaned freak is going to kill me…well no reason to die on an empty stomach.
Sariel cleans up and gathers his gear. Shouldering his bag he leaves the key at the desk and heads to the dining room.
The dining room was beginning to fill. Sariel sat with his back to the wall; the kitchen door and entryway clearly visible. He ordered his meal in French, no reason not to practice. The steak, cooked rare, was amazing and the vegetables better after being dragged through its drippings. The glass of Chianti went well with the steak and the cappuccino well with the cigarette after. As he pays for the meal he thanks the server and asks him to compliment the chef. On his way out of the dining room he picks up a paper.
Sariel awaits the team outside of the hotel; as they approach he joins them and asks
Are we headed to the boat now? I hope the information from last night let us know who we are sharing the neighborhood with.
GM Pandorica |
the cop dos not look to happy, but says
"I hear from the harbour manager that someone has hired the boat this tragic incident happened on, he said, its booked a birth here later today. I take it that would be you, if it is then you will be going no? going to the dive location. Its what I would do, the site is out of our doristation you under stand, we cant be held responsible for any thing that may have happened there. also the boat is registered to a main land company, that also mains it not our responsibility. So we can't be held accountable for like that. So long as you understand that, if you know what I mean. Is not really our problem, 4 men die, is said but diving in the seas so far away from help, drinking and not looking after your equipment properly. Is all very sad but to use the case, as you say, is open and closed case, the 4 made a mistake now they are dead, is that simple."
he picks up his desk phone and starts to dil
"well you can look at the fire, if you need to copy some pages, we have a photocopy down the hall. I have a meeting at 11:30, so let me know now what you need copys of and I will get a Girl to make then."
Titus "The Titan" Armstrong |
SM: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
So wait a minute here. Your saying the equipment was their own. They didn't charter and rent the stuff? If they were experienced divers which I''m to assume they were if they owned their own equipment it is pretty likely they did check it probably before they started drinking. Guys I know that go snorkeling and diving take it pretty seriously. So fowl play seems like it could be the cause here. We are not here to judge what you guys did. Just trying to figure things our for insurance purposes. You understand that right?
Titus leans back and relaxes trying to show and unthreatening approach in his body language.
Sariel Patrick Cornelius |
I may as well find out a little about the casino while I’m out here
Sariel, deciding to ask a few questions about the casino from last night. He works the crowded street asking questions that seem like normal tourist information. If he gets someone extremely chatty he will try and find out the casino’s owners name, and any pertinent information available.
he will be asking questions until he sees the team or until it’s time to leave for the boat.
streetwise: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12 phooey, can't blame a guy for trying
GM Pandorica |
Random info
"Its just a small casino nothings ever gos on there, its a bit how you say, shabby, not like the ones on the mainland, now there is this place....And the girls they... and all for 100 Euros!"
"You know who owns it right Tom Cruse, he flys in his hollywood friends, well, that's what they say"
"Place is a rip off mate, keep clear, I lost $800 Ozzy bucks in there last week, and they sell p**s for Italian beer mate"
"O yes its nice, you can book it of for weddings you know, you want me to book it for you"
just what is useful of any, That is the problem with a low roll.?
Titus "The Titan" Armstrong |
Alright. I'm with you so the equipment was delivered to the boat. So either the crew is playing dumb and you guys bought it or they were just a chartered boat and had nothing to do with checking the dive equipment. So do you guys have the equipment. Maybe we can figure out where it came from. Inspector you have been a great assistance to us so far. I'm sure your office did all it could we thank you for your aid. My fellow insurance inspectors may have more questions if you don't mind.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (2) + 16 = 18 Trying to put him at ease, hoping he will share anything he is holding back.
Kinsman |
Watching quietly, Joe was surprised when Titus began asking questions.
Guy looks more like a wrestler than Colombo. I wonder why the cop is so defensive?
John David Smith |
John cracks a smile shaking his head slightly. "So anything useful got sent away. This is screaming cover up more and more." John reaches for the file for the first time opening it to see the day the event took place. Finding the day of the week and date he closes the file back and returns it to the inspector.
Titus "The Titan" Armstrong |
Titus looks to J.D.
Well Mr. Cooper if you have nothing more, We should probably be going so we can make are departure time. Inspector could we get the shipping addresses those laptops were sent too please.
Titus stands and extends his hand.
I am Mr. Lee and this is Mr. Cooper. If you happen to remember anything else please give us a call. I will leave you our numbers.
He looks to J.D. making sure all is on the up and up and good to go.
Alan Clarkson aka Nick Tailor |
The moment they have left the cop behind office and have some privacy, 'Alan' speaks up
"I looked through the forensics and procedures in the file, and everything seemed in order. No anomalies except the simultaneous drowning. Nothing seemed to have been missed. We want to go anything further we'd need bodies, equipment or laptops."
GM Pandorica |
you take copys of the parts of the file you need, then the cop shows you out.
"Well best of luck, if you do find a criminal act behind this place let us deal with it. But as I said it was just a sad accident. Chow"
and hes off back into the cop shop. Its 11:20 and boat should be coming into to the docks now. If you had head down you can meet her coming in.
Are you going to collect the diving gear booked for you from the dock side diving shop?
GM Pandorica |
You make your way to the docks, there coming in you see the yacht you have rented the one them men died on. As you get close you see two men talking to a 3ed, they spot you as there is no where to hide walking the jetty to the bait. The 3ed man turns and wasps away to another boat. The two men wave at you. Come up and the taller ones says,
"you must be the party we are expecting, if you have bags we can carry them onto the boat for you. I am Esmond this is Carlo, it is a pleasure to meet you"
They are the two crew men from the photos in the police file.