September 9th, 1933
Hansen nods to Alphonso, "Good idea, I'll get better results if I head up there with all of you. Let's take the stairs up and see what we can see".
When you all arrive at the Penthouse both Moore and Starkweather are relieved to see that no reporters are with you but seem a bit peeved that you brought the Detective.
Hansen speaks, "I'd like to interview these gentlemen alone if you don't mind folks".
Moore agrees, "Yes, that would be for the best. Why don't you all gather Seamus and anyone else who might be straggling?"
As you exit the Penthouse Gretchen turns to you all, "Meeley, I will seek out zee Priest Fergus and head to zee airport to retrieve your plane yes?" Heading downstairs to the rooms where the rest of the crew are staying the excitement appears to have died down. Mickey, Seamus' friend approaches you, "There ye are. My pal Seamus called me an told me to find you lot. Wants us to meet him at the ship when the sun goes down so we can all compare notes yeah?"
September 9th, 1933
"No but there is an obit in there that can tell you more about him. As for who wanted him dead, well that's the ten thousand dollar question ain't it?
If you are on the Expedition Joe then we can certainly make a deal. Call me Chris, what should I call you?"
Commander J. B. Douglas
Jeremiah Barnes Douglas, Commander in the United States Merchant Marine (ret.), aged fifty years, died September 8th in New York City. Douglas served as an officer in the Merchant Marine during the Great War. He retired from the Service as a Commander in 1926 after twenty five years. He then captained his own vessel, the Arkham, notably on an expedition to Antarctica in 1930–31.
He retired from active life in 1932 to his home in New Hampshire. Known as “J. B.” to his family and friends, Douglas is remembered as quiet, forthright, and a stout friend to all. He is survived by his brother Philip. A graveside Memorial Service will be held September 10th, 11 a.m., at Saint Brigit’s Cemetery in Brooklyn.
"I have a meeting around that time, so I will arrive late. But I will be there."
She goes to make sure her plane gets in the ship, and after tahat goes to look for Sleazy Jack.
Mr. Moore and Mr. Starkweather, I presume? I am Mr. Alphonso Wolf of Goldmans and Sachs. We would like to speak to you concerning the expedition at this time. I think it would be alright if I came to this meeting as well?
If you don't know who I am, then there is no need for me to reveal that. Joe will be fine for now, Chris. The less people that know of my actual involvement, the better, and no one will be able to get any relevant information from you about me. Who I am is of no particular concern. What is of concern is figuring out what the big picture is, and the Captain's demise is only one piece of a much larger puzzle. Working together, I'm sure we can put this puzzle back in the box.
Stanley doesn't apologize for bringing the detective up here. Once ha'd been sure that the man was legit, trying to dodge around the official investigation would only make them look bad. He's an engineer, not a lawyer, deft wordplay isn't his strong suit, and any attempts in that regard would likely only bring unfounded suspicion onto himself.
"I'll be there, for sure," he tells Mickey down below after leaving the penthouse. As far as he's concerned the police should be able to take things from here, but there's no reason why a redundant set of eyes should be a bad thing. He considers it's like checking their math, important to make sure nothing gets added up improperly.
September 9th, 1933
Hansen places a hand on your shoulder, "When I am done kid you can come back in but not till then". He then enters the penthouse and closes the doors behind him.
After about 30 minutes the doors open. Hansen tips his fedora to you and heads to the stairwell.
I the corner of the room a very large man is seated in a chair, the purpose of his presence here is unclear.
September 9th, 1933
Chris shrugs, "Alright anonymous source it is. Tell you what Joe, you head on in and see what answers you can get from Moore and Starkweather and I will head to the police station and see if my contacts there have any new information. Let's say we meet back her in the lobby bar at 6 pm?"
September 9th, 1933
Meeley, Arnault & Stanley
30 or under
Sounds like a plan. Watch yourself, never know who's gonna be next, Chris. Adrian approaches the front desk, waiting for an attendant.
September 9th, 1933
Starkweather smiles, "Certainly my boy, good to have a Goldman along, come to the ship in two days time and we can sign the appropriate paperwork, welcome aboard! Anything else you wish to discuss before we carry on dealing with the crisis at hand? Time is money as you know."
September 9th, 1933
You tell the clerk your name and he asks a bell hop to escort you to the Kitchens.
Once there you take a freight elevator to the top and are led own the main hall to a set of double doors.
The bell hop opens them and you see the two men, Moore and Starkweather, who were depicted in a few of the photos in today's paper. Sitting on te other side of the room is a large man who you assume to be a bodyguard.
Starkweather looks to Moore who opens dialogue, "Greetings Dr. Dr. Greene informed me late last night that he wished for you to be part of the crew, can I ask what has sparked your interest at this late stage?"
as well as his personal kit, taking time to arm himself from this point forward with his side arm. He will then return to the hotel with his bags and rejoin the crew figuring time spent with them is what is best. He will alert those he met if possible he is joining them and going to pack and return.
What took my interest is that strange things are happening around here, and none of it makes a damn bit of sense. Then I get called out to the boat, where more things don't make sense. Then I hear about this trip to a place where even more things aren't making sense. But it all seems connected. Which means it all makes sense when you put it together. Are you understanding me?
September 9, 1933
What exactly do you mean by fixing this problem? And what the hell is so damn important in Antarctica to start killing people for it? Is there some kind of hidden, untapped resource there?
September 9, 1933
Starkweather speaks, "We are going to ask a few Expedition members to aid an officer who is part of the Expedition with an independent investigation. We plan on leaving in two days and want this matter resolved before then. If it is not the authorities may well detain us all until the matter is solved".
I'd say it's probably connected with the recent murder then. People don't just go all Midnight Marauder on some guy on a boat for no reason. So am I supposed to do now?
September 9, 1933
You expect me to have access to the body so soon, and do an autopsy now? I could try, but it seems unlikely. If we're finished here, I suppose I have work to do.
September 9, 1933
September 9th, 1933 - 5:30 PM
The Amherst Hotel in the early evening still has reporters though not nearly as many as it did in the morning. Those who remain behind are down at the bar hoping for a break or drinking because they know one is not coming.
---
At the appointed time with Gretchen in tow, you arrive at the bar at the hotel. The plane will arrive in two days, just under the wire but at least it will be there.
Sleazy Jack already has a booth and motions for you to come by, "Alright Doll, whatcha got for me?"
---
You enter the bar and spot Chris sitting at the far end speaking with a few colleagues, he excuses himself from them and approaches you at a rapid pace, "Hey Joe, you want to talk here or take a walk?"
September 9th, 1933 - 6 PM
putter around Central Park all day at Arnault's suggestion. The fresh air and "bird watching" even this late in the warm season gives them both a respite from a heavy few days of activity and dramatic events. The two men then catch a cab to be at the ship for 6 pm as Moore and Starkweather instructed. The two men are a few minutes late but cl;early not the last to arrive as Meeley and Gretchen are not there yet.
finishes packing to take the adventure of a lifetime, not something he thought he would be doing when first coming to work at Goldman and Sachs but a finance man must be ready to do what must be done to protect an investment, especially one this large with the future of his career riding on it. A quick can ride brings him to the ship the SS Gabriel. Security let's Alphonso through and he sees just how large this ship is up close and personal, impressive to say the least. He see a few men head up the gangplank and follows suit...
eats breakfast with Packard and Christopher in the bowls of the ship. The three spend the rest of the day on the ship touring it and learning its ins and outs much better than they would have with the whole crew here working, well Packard was on the ball already but the other two get up to speed. As the sun begins to set, Seamus shows up with his buddy Mickey, "Evening Phoebe, how are you and how is the kid feeling?" he asks pointing at Christopher. Christopher frowns, "This kid is just fine pal".
After some small talk most of the others arrive...
Seamus looks at the assembled group, "Alright, the butter and egg men asked me to do what I could to solve this murder. Right now, I am on a leave of absence form the force and don't have the resources I normally would. That is why you are all here, you will be my squad looking into this matter. Our leaders believe, and I think they may be right, that until the murder is solved, the Expedition'll be all wet and we'll lose the bulge in the race for looking for whatever the hell it is we're looking for.
I was told by one of my buddies that the police have taped off the Commander's hotel room but not thoroughly investigated it yet. That's cause Detective Hansen, a real abercrombie, is still conducting interviews of the crew and anyone else that the Commander may have interacted with at his Hotel.
That gives us a small window, tonight in fact, to sneak into his cave and investigate to figure out if we can solve this murder. I hear there're a few more people that are coming to help us out, in the meantime anyone got any questions?"
Stanley frowns a bit puzzling through the verbiage. What in blazes is an 'Abercrombie'? "I'm not sure all of that was English, but I think you were saying that we would break into and investigate Commander Douglas's hotel room? I'm not very much up on my slang, or sneakiness for that matter. Do you have a plan for if we get caught, god forbid? That seems like it might make even more trouble for the expedition."
September 9, 1933 - 5 PM
As the train arrives in Grand Central Station you bid adieu to Thomas Pickert and with your luggage seek a transportation to the Amherst Hotel.
Soon enough, Reginald is at the front desk of that same Hotel on 5th Avenue. The clerk looks frazzled when you arrive, "Can I help you sir? I am afraid we have no vacancies at the moment..."
September 9th, 1933 - 6 PM
Seamus grins, "An abercrombie, ya know, a know it all?"
Mickey speaks up, "That's where I come in, while you lot sneak in and take a look see I'll create a distraction like ta' get 'em away from tha' doer. Nifty idea right?"
Seamus nods, "Yeah, that".
September 9, 1933 - 5 PM
As the train arrives in Grand Central Station you bid adieu to Thomas Pickert and with your luggage seek a transportation to the Amherst Hotel.
Soon enough, Reginald is at the front desk of that same Hotel on 5th Avenue. The clerk looks frazzled when you arrive, "Can I help you sir? I am afraid we have no vacancies at the moment..."
** spoiler omitted **
Success
Reggie smiles broadly at the clerk. Yes please. Can I bother you for a pen and piece of paper please? He waits patiently until the clerk returns with both. Thank you so much. he says and starts writing.
Prying ears necessitate that I ask via writing. I have an appointment with Dr Moore. Please ring his room announcing Reginald Farley. Please provide his room number via note. I appreciate your discretion. Thank you.
Reginald Farley
He hands the note to the clerk and smiles brightly again.
Meeley doesn't like Sleazy Jack at all, but she knows she will need a contact back home soon enough. Somebody to keep her informed while she is away.
"Somebody murdered J. B. Douglas, and the police doesn't know who. But it seems somebody wants to prevent the expedition to reach the antarctic as planned, and even sent notes and warning to various members of it. Bad luck it wasn't me, as I would love to interview the man that sent them."
She takes Sleazy Jack's hand.
"And what did you get for me?"
September 9, 1933 - 5 PM
The clerk writes back, Take the service elevator to the penthouse. Knock on the door, if they are expecting you they shall answer
"Sorry sir, as I said no vacancies, the bathroom is in the back should you wish to use it before seeking lodgings elsewhere.."
September 9th, 1933 - 5:30 PM
Jack grins, "That is something else and it has some connection I bet to what I found out.
Douglas made several phone calls from the phone on the desk. The clerk did not know who he called, but he did overhear part of one conversation where the name “Lexington” was mentioned. The clerk could not give any details as to the exact time these calls were made.
One of the rival expeditions is being led by an Acacia Lexington and I doubt it's a coincidence..."
Reggie nods to the clerk. Thank you. I'll do just that. Have a good evening. Reggie does as instructed. He makes his way to the penthouse and knocks on the door.
September 9, 1933 - 5:10 PM
The door opens answered by a very large man in a business suit, "Who are you and why are you here?" His tone does not sound warm or inviting.
Surprised Reggie take a step back. Begging your pardon. I was looking for Doctor Moore's suite. I'm expected. My name is Reginald Farley.
We can talk here. Better than drawing attention by moving around. What have you learned?
September 9, 1933
"Alright Joe, here's the low down. The cops phoned the Commander's brother a Phillip Douglas. That guy told the police that his brother came here to refuse to Captain the ship. So the coppers are interviewing all of the crew cause they think maybe someone got a bit miffed that the guy did not want the job and he was bumped off, that someone is Starkweather himself!"
September 9, 1933 - 5:10 PM
A voice from inside the hotel room calls out, "Let him in Vincent, he is expected".
As you enter you see two men sitting at a desk smoking cigarettes and poring over several documents.
he one speaking to you looks more like a Professor than an adventurer so you suppose that must be Moore, "Dr. Abbot phoned ahead and said you would be coming down though he did not give great details as to why, so tell me Reginald, why are you here?"
Starkweather look so stressed and angry that he does not even look in your direction.
Meeley gives Sleazy Jack a kiss on the cheek.
"Thank you. I will keep in touch, and give you an inside track on the expedition. And I will expect for you to be my eyes and ears back here."
She departs, looking for the rest of her companions.
Reggie moves into the room by navigating past the large Vincent. He gestures to a chair to see if he can take a seat. Doctor Abbot is worried about you and the expedition, Doctor Moore. Based on your recent difficulties, I dare say, he has valid concerns. He also believes that recent events may be tied to the original expedition, or more specifically, the secrets surrounding it.
Reggie prepares and sets to smoking his pipe. I have been fully briefed on the Universities first expedition and it's anomalies. It is his belief, as well as my own, that in order to better protect you and this expedition, We must be proactive, rather than reactive. If recent events are tied to the past expedition and the belief that it's buried secrets remained buried, then an assumption must be made that some of the first expedition may be behind it. I was enlisted due to my military service and loyalty to the University. In summary, I'm here to protect your interests both physical and professional. The best way to do that is to get ahead of this.
Reggie takes a few puffs. If you can bring me up to date on current events sir, It would be most helpful in discharging my duties.
Quietly sitting and listening as the menfolk talk. Staring at Seamus with a shocked expression. You want to take a bunch of civilians to raid someones house in what I am assuming would be illegal since you are not asking other cops, right?
Running her hands though her hair and speaking up again before Seamus has a chance to answer, What kind of distraction? What are we looking for? What happens if we get caught?
Alphonso listens carefully to the plan with a dull expression on his face peering at the woman and her spunky questions for a moment with a raised eyebrow (secretly admiring her) and then says, "it is only illegal if we are caught so the precautions against such must be iron clad, a small wane smile on Alphonso's lips towards Phoebe."
So you're telling me that the person who hired him is the one suspected of killing him? Well stranger things have certainly happened. I'll look into it. His cause of death was drowning, whether that was before or after he wound up in the watery depths is another story.
Shifting her gaze to look at Alphonso while dropping her hands back to her lap. No it is still illegal but I am wanting to know what will happen if we get caught.
" Vell, I am in. I find zis business all fery intriguing and I'm sure Mr Seamus here vill be able to talk us out of any trouble should zee plan go awry... Contacts in the force and the like? "
September 9th, 1933 - 6:05 PM
Seamus shrugs, "If we get caught we might get arrested if I can't talk us out of it. Of course, Starweather and Moore will just bail us out. The charges will be no more than trespassing". He shrugs as if it is no big deal.
Mickey laughs and nods at Alphonso, "Who'll be looking for yer selves when I pull tha' wee fire alarm I ask ye'?"
Meeley and Gretchen arrive as Seamus and Mickey complete their comments.
September 9, 1933
Chris grins, "Stranger things have happened. Of course just cause the cops may think it doesn't mean its true. Call me when you find out something further, in the meantime, I'm hitting the office to get my scoop in!" He rushes out leaving you behind.
.
September 9, 1933 - 5:10 PM
Moore appears alarmed at the theories you present, "I should certainly hope that none from the original Expedition would seek to thwart this one. Even if they did, murder? It is unthinkable!"
Starkweather sighs, "We have been blaming the sabotages on rival Expeditions or simply bad luck. Small issues have been cropping up. Ledgers incorrect, items not being shipped or shipped to the wrong location. But with young Christopher being fished out of the water bruised and now the Commander dead we may well need to consider that an old member would be out to stop us.
The who and the why are the biggest questions obviously".