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Median tells Ross she can't detect any thoughts on the other side of the door, and gives him the go ahead to phase through the door if he can, making sure to stand in between him and the outside world, just in case the cops have someone watching the place.
Let's wait to see if someone answers. If not, then that's a good idea.
Median knocks, unsure about whether the victim lived alone. She also tries to detect any thoughts on the other side of the door.
Median nods at Joseph's good advice and then proceeds up the stairs to find the correct address.
Median was getting close to burnout on the talking-to-people front, but she tried to rally and pulled up the information from Valda on the last victim's address so they could head out.
After Jennifer tells her about the binoculars, she says Okay, I'll inform the family.
After Jennifer and Ross are out of the house, Median calls in the wife and points through the window at the building, asking what it is. She will tell her that one of her team outside found a path, and that the killer was almost certainly observing the family and staying there. They bag up the little doll things (letting the couple see them if they insist, but no touching) to destroy later. Median takes pictures of everything with her phone to send to Valda... forwards the pics to Jennifer as well, in case she wants to update mystery voice. Then they get out of the family's hair. Since this whole thing presents a possible ongoing threat to the rest of the family, she tells Valda that the police should be informed and a watch put on the house if possible... unless Valda has the resources to take care of that through the supernatural community, which could be more effective.
Median takes the call, glancing over at the window to see if she can see Jennifer. Ah. Did you find anything?
Median points out some places to look in the bathroom and the air conditioning vent for the people that are with her , and goes and looks behind the television herself.
Thank you. We will be quick. I hope we are wrong. She looks around when she gets in and goes to the far side of the residence (or if there are floors, she goes upstairs). As soon as she can duck behind a door she casts a quick Detect Magic cantrip, and then walks through carefully, seeing if anything pings. She doesn't disturb anything that she doesn't have to, and remains overly respectful of their property.
Ma'am, we usually prefer not to get into the details too much with grieving family members, but I understand that you need the truth here, so I'll tell you all I can. We found evidence of some kind of bizarre ritualistic symbolism... in other words, what seem like tiny little voodoo dolls made out of hair and teeth and other bits. In the last place we found several, in the bathroom, bedroom, balcony, kitchen... obvious places where the victim lived, but really small, in places just out of sight, or where they would be easily overlooked. We think the perp... er, the stalker may have done this with all the victims, ahead of time, and perhaps used bits of hair or teeth from past victims as well. Honestly, there is very little chance of physical harm to you from these things, even though all body remnants are labeled hazardous by the department. It's more psychological damage if you find something like that and wonder if the hair is your son's hair... that sort of thing. If you give us just 20 minutes to come in and do some scans, either we'll find nothing, and you can rest easier, or we'll find something, maybe help some other families find peace, maybe get a little bit of evidence that helps catch this guy. Please.
Sir, sir... we are not accusing your son of anything at all. We found evidence that the murderer may have been stalking some of the other victims without their knowledge, and broke into their places of residence and left... bits of hair and teeth and other... uh, "organic material." If that same thing is here, there might be evidence we could use to catch the killer, and you don't want that sort of thing in your house anyway. Did your son stay here with you? All we want is a chance to scan for that sort of organic remnant and if it is there, to remove it.
I'm really sorry to disturb you, sir. I know that you have been through a lot lately. Unfortunately some hazardous materials were found at the homes of some of the other victims. We just need to make sure that everyone is safe. Is this the correct address where the victim, a... Median makes a show of consulting her notes. ... Mr. Chaytor... was a resident?
Median goes around back to see if someone is home and willing to talk to them.
Oh, sure, I get it. Can't tell the public all you know or you'd risk your job. Don't worry, we know you're really one of us. I'll mail an autograph to your precinct for you. Let me just call on the spirits really fast to see if we can learn anymore from the beyond. She closes her eyes and says "Oh spirits, guide us to the truth." She says other nonsense stuff, mixing in the correct gestures and words to cast Detect Magic and then opens her eyes to take a good look as Jennifer asked, holding it for at least three rounds to get an idea of what type of magic (if there is any there). After she is finished, she waves at the cop and says Okay, that was helpful. Farewell, and good luck on the investigation! Thanks so much for all of your help! Median flashes him her brightest smile, and leaves to go find Jennifer and then go interview the parents.
That would also be awesome. :)
Oh, sorry officer, my mistake. You sure you don't want to give us a good quotation for Supernatural Stories? You'd be famous instantly. We have a huge following on our true crime blog. This one seemed interesting for sure. I'm betting it was a werewolf. It has all the signs. Is it true that you guys were issued special silver bullets, and that the tell tale footprints changed from human to bestial MID-STRIDE? I mean, this is the story of the century, really. Your name is going to be the first thing I refer to, in fact, officer... She peers at the badge, saying the last name loud and clear.
Median spots someone recording Jennifer, and uses her silent/still spell ability to cast Prestidigitation without any external sign, uses the spell to interfere with the camera and wipe any data collected over the last day. She taps the watcher on the shoulder and says, loudly enough for Jennifer to hear, "Oh, are YOU here to look into the ULTRA MYSTERIOUS deaths TOO? I just KNOW the police are keeping something from us! Hi, I'm Median. Median Maxwell, I'm sure you've heard of me. I'm the author of "Vampires Among Us" and "Ghosthunting for Fun and Profit" among many, many other titles. Tell me what mysterious things you've seen... maybe I can get a good quotation for my next book! Would you like my autograph? I just happen to have a pen here..." She also tunes in her telepathy to hear what the person is thinking.
Thanks for the information. She looks around the employee areas anyway, just in case.
But if they don't find anything, then she thanks the man and goes to see what Jennifer is up to.
We're actually investigating as representatives of the supernatural community, which I assume you are part of because of your safe that lights up with magic like a disco ball. I understand if your answer is no, but do you mind if we look quickly through the employee only area of the store? We found some disturbing things at the last crime scene, and want to make sure you are going to be safe.
Median asks the proprietor "Were you here when the body was found nearby?"
Median looks around for doll like things. If she has to cast detect magic, she will, but even knowing the proprietor isn't human, she is reluctant to perform magic in public like this.
Median walks in. Normally she liked little places like this. They were usually overpriced, but it was fun to browse, and every now and then you would find a treasure. Used book stores were much better than pawn shops, threat-level wise, but they were both interesting.
Well, let's see. Hanna was killed here, in this apartment... so are other dolls going to be found at the sites of the other killings, or are they in each person's home? The others are a man, Mr Chaytor, who was killed behind a small pawn shop off main street, and Ms Anders, who was found in a park. What time is it? If it is open, maybe we should go look around inside and outside the pawn shop and see if there are any interesting dolls around. The park victim was killed in the morning. We should definitely check that too, but maybe in the morning we could get some possible witnesses. There were none reported, but that doesn't always mean there actually were none. Thoughts?
Median gathers up the remnants of the poppets, to make sure that no one can use them to redo the spell. Then she says Well, we seem to have accomplished something, but we don't know exactly what. Are we done searching this place? Does anyone have the ability to trace these poppets back to the person that made them? If not, should we move on to the next victim's family, or does anyone have a better plan or another possible lead?
Err Jennifer, can you check with your contact and see if that affected Hanna?
Well, they creep me out. If we just don't know, then let's err on the side of destruction of evil.
She's dead, and we have permission from her mom. Tell her to chill. They don't know what they are? Ugh. So... what happens if we destroy them? What do you guys think?
She brings the ones she found over to the group. Jennifer, you said you were in communication with whoever is hiding Hanna... can you find out from her if she made or knew about these? I am inclined to destroy them, but if she knows about them, there might be a reason that I am not seeing. Are they what is keeping her spirit here?
With her detect magic still up, Median walks around the plants and then the rest of the apartment, checking to see if there are any more of these things. As she passes the others, she tells them about the one hidden in the plant pot.
What Joseph found sounds interesting, but Median is in the middle of a spell so she doesn't react immediately. Instead, she moves in closer to find out what is in the plant pot.
Confused, Median casts detect magic to see if there is anything affecting the plants. Clearly they didn't need to be watered.
Seeing the plants, Median starts for the kitchen to get some water for them.
Median checked the address they were given. Yep, this was the place. She proceeded up the steps and tried the key.
Median responds to Jennifer's call. Okay, we'll take a look around and then head over to Hanna's. I'll text you the address. She texts the address, then rounds up anyone who wants to help, and they do a circuit of the block, seeing if they can spot the undead daughter. If they don't see anything, they proceed to her former place of residence.
Median takes the key and thanks Mrs. Chou for talking to them. She leaves the house with everyone, but doesn't see Jennifer... or Ross... in order to update them and go on to their next destination. She texts Jennifer >Hey, don't see you. Anything up? Mrs. Chou gave us a key to Hanna's place, so we can look around there. Are you coming back, or do you want to meet us there? ... Is Ross with you?<
So far I think this must have gone on during the conversation inside the house... all good. If I think of other questions, I'll post, but so far, just fun to read about the chase. Better clue than I was getting. :)
Loving the chase scene. :)
Thank you so much. Let me get your number, and I will keep you updated if we find anything that relates to your daughter. She gets the exact address on Maple Street, and writes down that and the name of the Security firm in her notes, and accepts the proffered key.
While I personally believe in an afterlife, as I think is evidenced by this situation and much else that I have seen, still, nothing you have said can make me believe that you did your daughter a disservice. In fact, you seem to have been one of the most loving and protective mothers that I can imagine, not only protecting your daughter as you raised her, but you also felt to protect her independence as she grew up and became her own person. There is no shame in that. Your identification of your daughter seems valid, and if she is still here instead of in an afterlife, then it is up to us to find a way to restore her to peace, so that you and she can see each other again someday. My colleagues may have additional questions, but I only have two more. One, what was the name of the security firm that your daughter worked for, and two, do you mind if we look over your daughter's place? It could be important in helping us discover what happened.
Median is glad that the woman isn't trying to cling to a false version of reality that denies the paranormal at least, but doesn't know how far this extends. Well, let's start there then. How do you know it wasn't a trick? I assume your daughter, before, wouldn't have been capable of making dents like that. Was it something she said that made you certain?
Are you aware of any connection between your daughter and any of these people: <>? Can you give us an overview of your daughter's habits? What did she like to do? And since we're investigating the supernatural side as well, can you also give me an idea about her general beliefs? Had she ever expressed interest in spirituality of any sort, or had she become involved with any new set of friends recently?
When they go to the door, Median documents the dents and cracks by taking pictures with her phone, and then when they are greeted, she asks Mrs. Chou if she would like to have the dents repaired. Good day, Mrs. Chou. Before we get started with further questions, I was wondering if you would like to have those dents repaired. No charge, of course, it would be paid for by the department.
After that, whether she wants the repair done or not, Median follows up with We're the team that has been assigned to find out what happened here. We might ask you some questions that seem a little bizarre, but I assure you, we're just trying to cover all the bases. I'm not sure if you recognize me. I'm Median Maxwell, the paranormal researcher. It's my job to determine whether this was actually your daughter coming back, or just a horrible trick perpetrated by someone who wanted to scare you for some reason. So, we're going to ask you about your daughter and also about your own history, just to get a sense of what the possibilities are. Where would it be most comfortable for you to talk?
Yeah, let's start with Hanna.
All right. It isn't much, but I agree with Ross... have to start somewhere. Let's set up interviews with the families, and Valda, I assume you can get us word immediately if there is another sighting, so we have a chance to get to the scene in time to do more?
You think they all had something in common, rather than being random opportunity victims?
Do we have any information on the original deaths of the three... I don't mean pictures and the like. Location. Someplace to start looking? Since everyone in the morgue didn't get up again, whatever happened had to happen before they got there, so I'm guessing we need to trace them back to something or somewhere else.
I'll go ahead and second Vengeful Dead. Sounds like a good one.
My character is updated as well, although I probably forgot something as usual. :) Good enough for now though.
I am probably going to need the weekend to get to the level up, sorry. Just busy... but happy birthday! :)
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