Doc listens to Sal, and Garrett, then turns to Garrett with a raised eyebrow, "Are you sure you haven't been watching too much NCIS or Criminal Minds or something? I'm sure if it was murder that the police are already investigating, and won't need amateur-hour help. What makes you think anyone is in danger?"
"Oh, I don't know, the Professor's mysterious death, the note he left at his eulogy, the person who just got up and left with a spooked expression on his face, those people over there with extremely worried looks on their faces."
"And my friend sitting next to you is an FBI agent."
With that, I continue out the door.
"Oh, I don't know, the Professor's mysterious death, the note he left at his eulogy, the person who just got up and left with a spooked expression on his face, those people over there with extremely worried looks on their faces."
"And my friend sitting next to you is an FBI agent."
With that, I continue out the door.
Doc follows Garrett out the door, still talking. "Still think you're jumping to conclusions. But let's go with it. Say you're right and someone is going to kill the Prof's students, or whatever. What would we do bout it?"
Doc sounds like he's half-way between genuinely interested and let's humour the crazy person.
Doc follows Garrett out the door, still talking. "Still think you're jumping to conclusions. But let's go with it. Say you're right and someone is going to kill the Prof's students, or whatever. What would we do bout it?"
Doc sounds like he's half-way between genuinely interested and let's humour the crazy person.
"Let me throw that question back at you. If they do start dying or disappearing in "accidents", what are you going to do? I'd rather feel foolish than feel quilty, is all I'm saying."
Garrett turns and directs his next comment at Riven. "I-I'm sorry if I seem a bit forward about this, but I don't want this to turn into the same kind of mess, like back then. If I hadn't been so skeptical, maybe we could have saved more."
"Back then? Sorry if I'm trampling on old memories." Doc looks thoughtful, "You really think there's something to worry about?"
Peering at Riven, he says, "FBI? For real?"
Riven nods at 'Doc', "Perhaps I should try and speak to the youth myself, we don't want to scare him off with intimidating numbers."
Like before...yeah, I definitely don't want to see that again or go through it. Having to watch so many die, so needlessly; if indeed a new cult is becoming active and violent it is best to find out now before its too late.
Garrett waits at the doorway, and continues talking to 'Doc'.
"Yes, these are the kinds of things the late Professor would talk about. I never really paid it any mind, I was usually studying for my medical degree, but I should have."
Garrett searches his pockets and find a cigarette and a lighter, and lights it up and starts smoking.
"Riven called me a while ago, asked me to help investigate in some cult murders. I performed some autopsies, but I never really looked, you know? I didn't really think they had died of anything other than natural causes. I overlooked the EpiPen marks on the wrists because I was too busy playing the Scully to his Mulder."
Alex makes his way across the parking lot to where the nervous youth paces back and forth along the hedgerow, speaking in harsh whispers to whoever is on the line.
Coming around the corner of a black SUV, he hears the last parts of a sentence "...the fifth! That means two more and then we're all f!&*ed! I told you this was stupid! If you don't burn that shit tonight, I will..." The young man cuts off at Alex's approach, eying him with irritation. Cupping his hand over the cell phone, he says flatly "What?"
The fifth? Fifth what exactly? Burn what? Well Alex, it seems like your calmness after the storm is over. So much for working on getting that new exhaust system too.
Alex looks at the man, his face one of concern, “I’m sorry to intrude; it’s just I saw you leave in such a hurry. Were you close to the Professor?” Keep the situation calm man, let him think you’re just another mourner, maybe something about the ‘meetings’.
"Sh!t. That's some crazy stuff, Garrett. I can see why you're a bit jumpy about this. So is Alex working on the case now?"
Doc looks casually over as Riven approaches the youth then turns back to the group, saying, "Can't imagine what help I'd be, but If there's anything I can do..." He trails off, looking uncomfortable.
Alex's calm demeanor seems to take the edge of the boy's hostility, though he still remains somewhat guarded. "Y-yeah. I guess you could say we were close. I'm in his 101 class. Or, well, I guess I was in his class. Not his class anymore, heh." He smiles nervously. "Me and some other students would hang out with him in private lectures after hours, talkin' about stuff. That's all. He was pretty cool for an old dude."
Alex smiles at the youth’s humor, “I always wanted to get into those lectures.” Alex sighs as if feeling he had lost out on something, “His Sevenfold Circle was pretty intense. Some of my friends were able to make it and filled me on what happened, the discussions really. It was all intriguing to me, but life always seems to get in the way doesn’t it? Seemed I always got stuck busy with work.” Alex smiles again as the thought strikes him, “Do you think it might be worth trying to revive some of those old groups, you know have a last fair well to the Professor? I could get in contact with some of his previous students and perhaps you could gather some of the current, well recent members?”
How deep did these discussions go Stampf? What did you get these students into?
"O", Alex extends his hand and smiles, "My name is Alex, well I was more commonly known as Riven when I attended his classes. Either one works for me."
The youth raises an eyebrow at the mention of the Sevenfold Circle and shakes his head at the offered handhsake. "Naw, man. If you want to get together with the other Sevens, count me out. I've seen enough of that shit, and I don't want to end up like Stampf. If you want to know more about it, pff... hold a seance." He chuckles wryly, raising a finger to Alex as he brings the cell phone back to his ear.
"I'm coming back to the apartment. We'll talk," he says before flipping the phone closed. "Nice meeting you, uh, Riven. Cool name."
"Seen enough?" Alex allows the puzzled thoughts to show on his face, "I thought they were just discussion groups? Was there something more going on there?"
If the youth answers; the conversation will continue. If he doesn't or does and leaves Alex will get the license plate. He will memorize it, not write it down so as to not alarm the boy.
"Sh!t. That's some crazy stuff, Garrett. I can see why you're a bit jumpy about this. So is Alex working on the case now?"
Doc looks casually over as Riven approaches the youth then turns back to the group, saying, "Can't imagine what help I'd be, but If there's anything I can do..." He trails off, looking uncomfortable.
"No, we...fumbled the case. We solved it after the fact." Garrett nods to Doc, "You may need to help him. I've got quite a caseload right now, I may not be able to pitch in like I did back then. His FBI buddies probably shunned him after the incident, I know my colleagues would do the same to me, so we may be the only back up he has."
"Trust me, man, the less you know, the safer you are," the youth says to Alex before walking away. Most of the attendees have begun to filter out of the funeral home at this point, and the boy joins up with the other young persons who all begin walking down the street as a group.
Sal turns to Toni, and the others...a look of concern on his face. "Let's go outside and talk for a moment". Those who follow may read the above spoiler for Sal, as he will share this information.
He will also take the time to try and remember the faces that seemed shocked, and what type of vehicle the young man that ran from the building left in. If he sees any of the worried people leave the building, he will take a moment to introduce himself, and had them his card...as a man of the cloth willing to offer counseling.
"Hey guys...wait up a minute". "Weren't you in one of the professor's meetings". "I swear I think I saw you guys there before I stopped going". "Could we get together somewhere and have a little chat". "Maybe I could help you with any fears of doubts you might have".
[ooc]Persuasion + Presence?, and spending a WP point.
Exploding dice
Total of (4) Successes
Salvatore's agressive fraternizing seems to draw the attention of a few of the youths just outside the building, including two of the women in the group you all spotted inside.
"I... yeah, we were part of his study groups... but I don't recognize you. I'm Michelle," the heavily-pierced female says. "This is Tisha." She gestures to the dark-haired, heavyset girl with a diamond stud in her nose who responds with a curt nod.
Upon being offered the card, they both look at it quizzically and smile awkwardly. "I don't... think we need any kind of grief counseling, but thank you for the offer. Mostly we're just worried because..." Michelle glances around nervously before dropping her voice to a harsh whisper. "We think that whatever killed the professor might come looking for some of us next."
At this point, the youth with the cell phone Alex had been talking to joins the group and they all collectively begin walking down the street together, the two girls offering Salvatore a smile and wave as they depart.
Alex goes back to his new 'friends' and waits till they are alone.
"It would seem that the Professor wasn't the only one to die mysteriously." He pauses allowing for those implications to sink in, "I would like to follow this group." He gestures to the youths walking away, "But I think we would be noticed to easily."
Is this just a threat for the recent members of this group or are the older members also in danger? Perhaps some of these very same people i've just met may be in danger from whatever cult is doing this.
"I'll see if I can get access to the coroner's report, see if I can't find anything on there that would give me grounds to continue the investigation," Garrett says. He looks around for a moment, searching his pockets, and pulls out his iPhone.
"Lets share contact information. Riven, you have my number already, I believe I may have...yours...ah! Here. Doc, do you have a number we can reach you at? I'll just dial yours and you can add me to your contacts."
"Sounds good. I'll also make a few calls." Alex turns to Sal, "Did you know that boy I was talking too? He didn't want to share his name. Perhaps you or," he looks at the others, "May be able to fit into this group they are quickly assembling? Garrett and I can speak with the Attorney."
Turning he begins his walk inside then stops looking back at the others, "Unless any of you have a better idea or just don't care to look into this further."
"Sounds good. I'll also make a few calls." Alex turns to Sal, "Did you know that boy I was talking too? He didn't want to share his name. Perhaps you or," he looks at the others, "May be able to fit into this group they are quickly assembling? Garrett and I can speak with the Attorney."
Turning he begins his walk inside then stops looking back at the others, "Unless any of you have a better idea or just don't care to look into this further."
Toni quickly hurries after the departing group. "Wait, please," she calls. "Do you know what's happening? This whole thing is so strange. Lucas never mentioned anything like this when we were together."
Toni quickly hurries after the departing group. "Wait, please," she calls. "Do you know what's happening? This whole thing is so strange. Lucas never mentioned anything like this when we were together."
The youths exchange some looks of annoyance at Toni's query, but the one Alex had questioned smiles at her. "I wish I did know what was happening, lady. What I do know is that the Professor dropped dead for no apparent reason, and the rest of us aren't real eager to join him. He was into some deep spiritual shit, and I think it got the best of him. Trust me, the less you know, the safer you are."
Sal watches the gang leave with interest. "Maybe some of us should follow them, to see where they hang out". "No need to confront them at this time if we know that". "Meanwhile, I'd like a word with that attorney". Sal then heads back into the church, hoping someone else picks up the tail.
Doc heads back inside and tries to spot any other mourners who seem unusual or out of place in the crowd. He is disturbed by Garret and Alex's certainty about something that sounds so outlandish, and he's unsure whether, or even how, to get involved.
In passing Alex, he says, "You're probably the only one who can follow that group discretely. Or can you find out their addresses from their cars, or some FBI database?"
"Indeed I could, however," Alex gestures to his attire, "I don't think i'm dressed for the task."
Looking over at Toni as she talks to the youths, "Hopefully she can meld into them and tag along."
Garrett will be walking inside to speak with the attorney. He's fairly certain that he wouldn't be able to blend with the youths-or tail them, for that matter.
"Doc, I know you think I'm crazy, but maybe speaking with the attorney will help clear some things up."
Garrett walks down the aisle towards the attorney.
"How has life been treating you since college? I know you dropped out of med school, what did you end up doing?"
Seeing that nobody else is eager to follow the students, Sal will sigh, throw up his hands and head towards his van.
"What's with you guys"? "You're acting like these kids are behind a terrorist plot or something". "I doubt they'll be charging through the streets of Chicago like we're in Bullet or something...hellbent on loosing the fuzz".
"Geez! I'll follow them". "I just want to know where they're going, or hanging out now". "Don't want to confront them, or make accusations". "We sure are a paranoid bunch".
Sal then cranks his van, holds the door glass in place with one hand while he rolls down the window with the other..., and rattles off in the wake of the students.
"Life's been pretty good. I think you need a real passion to get through med school, and I could fake it for a while but... You can't do it for someone else, in the end. I started to realize that to get good at something, anything... I mean really good... I'd have to give up the distractions. And I decided music wasn't. A distraction, I mean. It was the f+#~in' point, you know?"
"Oh no, I understand. School is long and expensive, and you might not even make it, so that passion needs to be there, I agree. I thought I really liked helping people, and then Alex gave me a call, and I found that crime solving is a really interesting passtime, too." Garrett keeps walking, trying to find the lawyer.
Alex follows Garrett and 'Doc', listening to their conversation while looking out for the attorney. He's got to know something, perhaps he is aware of what exactly the professor was into? Perhaps he also was a member of those circles? Bah, stop theorizing, just find him.
The youths exchange some looks of annoyance at Toni's query, but the one Alex had questioned smiles at her. "I wish I did know what was happening, lady. What I do know is that the Professor dropped dead for no apparent reason, and the rest of us aren't real eager to join him. He was into some deep spiritual s&@~, and I think it got the best of him. Trust me, the less you know, the safer you are."
Toni looks at the young man who smiled at her. "Please, can I come with you? I'm a little scared and you look like you know what's happening."
"So how did you and Alex meet, for that first case?"
Doc is half looking for attorney, but more of his attention is on the diminishing crowd of mourners. Looking for anyone out of place or unusual, to talk to.
"So how did you and Alex meet, for that first case?"
Doc is half looking for attorney, but more of his attention is on the diminishing crowd of mourners. Looking for anyone out of place or unusual, to talk to.
"Well, he called me to do some autopsies-I have really good qualifications in that respect, I get calls from the county all the time if the cause of death can't be identified. At first, I couldn't find anything out of sorts about the bodies-aside from the fact that they were dead, of course. Obviously, when multiple people start dropping like flies for no reason, something suspicious is going on. I suspected a poison of some kind, but couldn't find the delivery method-they'd concealed it well."
Garrett is still looking around for the attorney.
"Of course, there was pressure to end the case quick, whatever it took. I wanted to preserve my job and status, so I didn't follow up on leads like I should have."
The young man regards Toni coolly, his eyes wandering somewhat as he hears her plea. "Well... we're about to hop a bus back to the dorms but, ah... yeah, you can come along. Safety in numbers, right?" He smiles, regarding his companions who exhibit expressions ranging from disgust (the females) to elation (the other men).
Meanwhile, Doc and Garret locate the professor's attorney packing up the sign-in book and a few miscellaneous condolence cards left behind as the crowd continues to depart, save only a single slightly weeping young woman still situated at the casket and a friend who waits patiently nearby.
"Something I can do for you gentlemen?" the attorney replies, looking up from his task.
Seeing Tony get on the bus with the students, Sal makes sure to keep up with them, and follow in his van.
"Yes, I'm Dr. Garrett Briggs, and this is my colleague, Dr. Davis. We were former students of the Professor, and we had a few questions, if you have time?"
Garrett smiles warmly and waits for a response.
The attorney offers a slight roll of his shoulder and gestures vaguely. "I'll answer what I can, though you understand that some information about my client may still be confidential, even posthumously."
"Is his cause of death and the circumstances surrounding it confidential?" Garrett inquires.
"And, do you have a business number I can contact if I have any other inquiries?"
"The cause of death was determined to be a stroke brought on by a carotid embolism. Apparently the good professor's cholesterol was dangerously high, even if he appeared in otherwise good health. His physician had advised him several years ago to reduce his intake. I suppose he didn't listen... or perhaps he didn't care."
The attorney shrugs. "As for my contact information, here is my card," he produces a business card from his breast pocket, featuring an office phone number and general e-mail inquiry address.
Alex will approach the woman weeping at the casket and attempt to console her, "I'm sorry for your loss ma'am. His passing has hit us hard. He must of meant a great deal to you."
To the attorney, "Can you tell us when the Professor wrote his eulogy? Was it prepared a long time ago, or perhaps more recently?"
Mr. Gage furrows his brow a bit in consideration of Doc's questioning. "Truth be told, I'm not certain how long ago he actually wrote it. He came to me about two weeks ago expressing the desire to draft a will and handed me the letter when we met to go over the details that weekend. That would've been about three days prior to his death, but again I am unsure if he had written it well in advance or not."
Meanwhile, the weeping woman sniffs and thanks Alex for his condolences, but remains otherwise silent as she draws a handkerchief from her handbag and dabs at her streaking mascara.
Toni looks back at the other, older alumni of Professor Stampf's courses, then boards the bus with the younger ones. During the bus ride, she will engage in small talk with the women, trying to overcome their initial bad reaction.
When she has a chance, she will introduce herself to the spokesman of the group, the one who ran out of the funeral. "Hi, I'm Toni Morena. I took Professor Stampf's courses several years ago. Why did his death cause so much excitement? There was nothing to indicate anything other than a natural death, was there?" The last said with her eyes going wide and a worried expression on her face.