Archer exchanged greetings and handshakes, his expressionless face hiding what he makes of the trio of 'consultants.'
In a casual, matter-of-fact tone, Archer said, "Watson tells me we're investigating the same gang of criminals. Perhaps we could swap stories. I'm happy to start."
Once they settled in somewhere, Archer succinctly took them through his legwork of the last day or so.
Archer tells him everything from this post forward to the present, including his current plans for next steps:viewtopic.php?p=210622#p210622
"Plenty of leads there that need to be followed up. I'm staying on in Providence to chase a few of them down, but I could use some help with the rest.
"Watson filled me in on your activities up through yesterday. Anything further since?" Archer asked around his cigarette.
Turning back to face Wilkins he says "Yes, we have had dealings with both. Hazrabad was involved in a series of thefts at numerous institution that occurred shortly before we left for Europe. We encountered him and the Whatley's Horace and Henrietta his sister on our steamer to France. Hazrabad was caught and detained by a private investigator by the name of Sam Archer. The Whatley's continued their journey across Europe as did we on the Orient Express. We had a strong suspicion that they and Hazrabad were seeking to rob Mount Latmos for it's artifacts, something Hazrabad was notorious for. We encounter Horace Whatley for the last time as we were descending Mount Latmos. He attempt to murder us but thanks to Mr. Archer and our guide we were able to escape with our lives. Were Hazrabad and the Whatley's more than just thieves? Were they part of this cult of Selene?"
Marius listens to Sam Archer's story, and confirms his own experiences with the private eye through the help of his notebook. He is quite taken in at this private eye's command of the facts related to each of their cases.
'The more I get into this thing, the less I I feel like I understand any of it. Pulp authors? You mean like those magazine writers? My sister subscribes to one of those I think, The Blue Book, but I've never been much into reading fancy stories. You really think Carcosa might be playing this guy for a sap and stuffing him with clues he can pass off as stories? It seems like that guy has his fingers in a little bit of everything, I can't figure what it is he gets out of it.' He plops down into a chair and starts rubbing his forehead as though all this mystery is making his head hurt.
Starbeard wrote:Marius Albertoni, hunter 'Pulp authors? You mean like those magazine writers? My sister subscribes to one of those I think, The Blue Book, but I've never been much into reading fancy stories. You really think Carcosa might be playing this guy for a sap and stuffing him with clues he can pass off as stories?
Archer said, "It's never easy to guess a madman's motive. But like I told Watson, if I was hunting a lunatic," his eyes accidentally glancing at Isaiah, "...who thought he was Napoleon, I'd bone up on my French history."
"Perhaps the stories are coded messages to secretly communicate with other cultists. This thing seems widespread. They need to coordinate somehow."
"Lovecraft seems harmless. Still lives with his aunts. But it's worth a few hours to check him out, and his latest Carcosa-inspired story. Maybe we can break the code.
"If any of you are around tomorrow, you might be better suited than I am to meet with him. Isn't one of you a librarian or some such?"
"...Were Hazrabad and the Whatley's more than just thieves? Were they part of this cult of Selene?"
"And who or what was Selene?" wonders Dr. Morgan aloud. "After what we saw in the caves, I think the Selene mythology is something beyond our ken."
"I read about those murders in The Globe," adds Edith. "There was one in Arkham too."
BOI Agent Watson listens to Archer's theories. "Coded messages through stories...interesting. We'll have to watch this Lovecraft character."
Isaiah Bartlett, who has been silent, considers Archer's recommendation that one of the more academically inclined investigators replace, or join Archer, in talking with Howard Lovecraft tomorrow.
A secretary enters the room with a message for Harold Matthers. The Arkham professor of engineering reads it with some concern. His wife and son were in a car accident. They are okay, but his wife has a broken leg and his son is rattled. She implores him to return home.
Harold smiles to himself as Archer suggests one of them come to meet Lovecraft. He has just started reading the man and is very intrigued by his imagination. "If there's room for more than one, I'd love to be there. He's a fantastic tale-teller!"
When the secretary hands him the message, he unfolds it and read it. His grin fades immediately and he leaps from his seat. "Cassandra! Oh, no. This is terrible." He paces a bit. "Isaiah, please tell Reg that I have to go now, on the next train back to Arkham. Cassandra and our youngest were in a car accident." As Isaiah starts to ask questions, Harold cuts him off. "I don't know much more than that. The eldest must have been at school. Cassandra has a broken leg. The boy's fine, though. She needs me."
At the look from Isaiah and Marius, Harold continues, "I know that if we don't stop this cult, there might not be an Arkham to return to, but I have to go. She was by my side the whole time when I took ill two years ago."
He calls Isaiah over for a moment. "Isaiah, I wanted to tell you something earlier, but never got the chance. You were right. In this, we can't fight fire with fire. I know I said the spells might simply be science we don't understand, but there's a reason our Lord forbade them. His battles have to be fought his way, and fighting the ancient gods and goddess is definitely one of his battles. And one more thing," Harold leans closer and whispers, "At the book shop, there's a box with some vials I mixed up today. The black liquid is super slick and makes it next to impossible to stay on your feet. The white liquid is a super sticky glue that will hold anything together once it dries. Use them as you see fit. You might find it helpful to read the stories from Lovecraft before going to visit him. The magazines are next to the box of vials."
The professor says his good-byes to the rest of the investigators and leaves. He is visibly shaken.
Grognardsw wrote:"And who or what was Selene?" wonders Dr. Morgan aloud. "After what we saw in the caves, I think the Selene mythology is something beyond our ken."
"I read about those murders in The Globe," adds Edith. "There was one in Arkham too."
"My good friend Harold has been delving into the Testament of Selene, so I imagine he will have more information. But he has shared some of his insights with me."Reg will summarize the tome based on what he knows from Harold: viewtopic.php?f=168&t=3508
To Edith, Reg says, "There have been similar murders in other cities as well. We know of at least one in Boston, and we suspect many others."
To the group, he asks, "What did you see in Turkey? And what became of the Whatelys?"
"I hope your wife will be fine. I wish all the best to you, Doctor. And I'll pray for you. I understand that you want to be next to your family in these trying times..."
Isaiah listens to Dr. Matthers carefully. "Thanks for the information. I'm sure we'll find a way to put your inventions to use. Take care, Dr. Matthers."
Then he returns to the other investigators.
"This Lovecraft character... Are you sure we have the time and resources to meet him? Shouldn't we concentrate on our New York trip?"
Starbeard wrote:Marius Albertoni, hunter 'The more I get into this thing, the less I I feel like I understand any of it.... It seems like that guy has his fingers in a little bit of everything, I can't figure what it is he gets out of it.' He plops down into a chair and starts rubbing his forehead as though all this mystery is making his head hurt.
Archer said, "Watson, better get an ice pack for your 'consultant' here."
The flatfoot was going to make a speech about the problems with amateur sleuths when suddenly one of them dropped out of the case entirely. It proved a better example than any speech Archer could make.
Fulci wrote:Isaiah Bartlett, wise old man "This Lovecraft character... Are you sure we have the time and resources to meet him? Shouldn't we concentrate on our New York trip?"
Archer said, "Maybe. But I see Carcosa as the ringleader. His last known whereabouts, and his home turf, are Providence. Most fugitives stay surprisingly close to home. It's where their support structure is.
All these other suspects, the Whatelys, the 'Pharaoh', even Chertovskii, are all spokes in a wheel, but Carcosa's the hub. If we smash the hub, the spokes fall apart and so does the wheel.
If we can't find the hub, we'll need to feel our way up a few spokes until we do. But I'm not convinced yet that we can't locate Carcosa. I'd like to give it at least one more day in Providence. Then I'll call in the outfield, and catch up with you in New York.
"If the librarian wants to meet with Lovecraft in my place, that'll suit me just fine. He's liable to get more out of him than me, talking bookworm to bookworm and all."
Grognardsw wrote:"And who or what was Selene?" wonders Dr. Morgan aloud. "After what we saw in the caves, I think the Selene mythology is something beyond our ken."
"I read about those murders in The Globe," adds Edith. "There was one in Arkham too."
"My good friend Harold has been delving into the Testament of Selene, so I imagine he will have more information. But he has shared some of his insights with me."Reg will summarize the tome based on what he knows from Harold: viewtopic.php?f=168&t=3508
To Edith, Reg says, "There have been similar murders in other cities as well. We know of at least one in Boston, and we suspect many others."
To the group, he asks, "What did you see in Turkey? And what became of the Whatelys?"
OOC: What are you summarizing? There is a lot of information on the thread and I don't know what you are referring to. Dr. Clarke does not trust you and right full so. He has no knowledge of you and is very taken back by your knowledge of him and your demands to know of things that he holds secret. Understand he came to your store to a book on a particular subject and not to give you all his information to a stranger. It may be you might have information that could help him but your heavy handed approach is not working.
DadsAngry wrote:OOC: What are you summarizing? There is a lot of information on the thread and I don't know what you are referring to. Dr. Clarke does not trust you and right full so. He has no knowledge of you and is very taken back by your knowledge of him and your demands to know of things that he holds secret. Understand he came to your store to a book on a particular subject and not to give you all his information to a stranger. It may be you might have information that could help him but your heavy handed approach is not working.
Apologies if this was unclear. I don't know how to imbed a specific post in a link to the thread. I meant for Reg to reference FrankL's excellent summary of the Testament of Selene.
It seems obvious that Clarke does not trust Reg. His companions, however, seem intrigued. The Selene summary was in response to Dr. Morgan's question.
Clarke came to the shop seeking info regarding mystic travel. Given the proximity to the Randolph visit and other info he has learned (some via PM), Reg was able to make the connection to Clarke's group and connect the dots. He's given what information he has, in his own way.
What Dr. Clarke chooses to do with this information is, of course, up to you.
"Thank you Dr. Matthers for your help in the investigation," says Agent Watson to the departing Harold Matthers. "Best of luck with your family."
The BOI agent turns to Archer and Isaiah. "Well Mr. Bartlett, we'll leave it up to you on whether to join Mr. Archer in the meeting with Mr. Lovecraft, or go to New York. With the others going to Brooklyn, you could be spared. You can come the next day if need be."
Edith looks on pensively as Dr. Clark and Reginald Wilkins tensely parley.
"David, I know I want more answers after what we saw in Turkey," says Edith. "The explorer in me says this transcends archeology."
Dr. Morgan is looking intently at The Testament of Selene, looking like he is about to say something.
Dr. Morgan gently places his hand on Dr. Clark's shoulder, giving a consoling squeeze to emphasize his sentiments, "David, I understand your uncertainty and hesitation, but I have to agree with Edith. What we bore witness to in Turkey was unfathomable. Hell, it temporarily unhinged me. I'm still reeling from the horrors, but I want more answers as well. I think we should trust Mr. Wilkins and assist with things in any way we can."
Dr. Morgan then turns to Mr. Wilkins and inquires about The Testament of Selen,"Mr. Wilkins, is this book by chance for sale?"
Grognardsw wrote:"Thank you Dr. Matthers for your help in the investigation," says Agent Watson to the departing Harold Matthers. "Best of luck with your family."
The BOI agent turns to Archer and Isaiah. "Well Mr. Bartlett, we'll leave it up to you on whether to join Mr. Archer in the meeting with Mr. Lovecraft, or go to New York. With the others going to Brooklyn, you could be spared. You can come the next day if need be."
"Right, then. Let's pay a visit to this Demiurge of fears..." agrees Isaiah.
He gets the pulps Dr. Matthers mentioned he had stowed away, and takes a look at them. Even the cheap paper is repulsive.
Archer looked at his new partner, Isaiah. "Swell."
"The reading circle is tomorrow afternoon. Tonight, I want to take a crack at Darrin McCoy, away from his mouthpiece. McCoy hates Carcosa almost as much as we do. Now that he's outta stir, maybe he's ready to throw Carcosa over."
"Tomorrow morning, I want to visit the local offices of a realty company that's been dealing with Carcosa. See if he owns any other properties in Providence where he could be holed up." (unless it's early enough in the day to do this right now, Grog!)
"Be careful with McCoy," Isaiah warns Archer. "The man is possessed, if you ask me. He was as uncooperative as possible. But I think you might just have a chance dealing with him, though..." he adds, as an afterthought.
"Well alright, if you think we can trust this chap." he says to Dr. Morgan "Times like these I wish Mr. McClain was still with us or Mr. Archer for that matter. Both seems to have a far better perception of people than myself. Mr. Wilkin is there a more private place to talk? A private sitting room with coffee or tea perhaps?"
