Book Three: Out of Time

[Mant72]

Dr. Francis Morgan:

Knowing Ms. Ford is certain to slam the door in the investigators’ faces at any moment, Frank promptly asks, ”What do you know of your father’s dealings in New Orleans?”

[Grognardsw]

Claire Ford's Residence
Andover, Massachusetts
10:15 am, Oct. 9, 1925


"Enough of this tip-toeing. Ms. Ford, do you remember Dr. Raymond Randolph?" asks Marius.

"Yes, I remember Raymond," answers Claire. "He was a sweet man in his old age. His aging was a miracle, or a curse, depending on how you look at it."

"Do you not find it odd that this man, Dr. Raymond Randolph was also the man who visited you in Paris to convince you to return home to you?" Marius demands.

Claire rubs her cigarette out on the arm of the wooden porch chair. She glances around then gets up. "Let's go inside."

The men follow her into the house. The black lab is the last in. It is a well appointed if sparsely decorated house. No one else seems home. There is evidence about showing Clair's companion or husband works at Phillips Academy down the road. The group sits down in the living room and Claire closes the front door.

"I know what you are all doing. My father and I never got along and I tried to leave but its difficult. He is involved with bad people whose religious beliefs are beyond strange. I don't know why my father is involved with them." She seems to shudder. "He has dragged me into this against my will. I tried to get away. Now this pregnancy... I can't be complicit in this anymore."

"I was placed in the social services agency through my father and assigned to Raymond to gather information on what had happened to him - the machine in the cave, the crystal, the aging. Raymond recognized me; his mind was sharp still, though he reached a point and it declined quickly. He said the crystal has space-time effects and powered the machine. It wasn't calibrated correctly - it transported him from the cave but the side effect was aging. It suffused him and the aging didn't stop. He told me this in the end, begging me to help stop what was going on. He kept his notes hidden, or didn't take any. I don't know."

"What awaits us in the Nevada desert?" inquires Reginald.

Claire pauses and seems to think. "I haven't heard of anything going on in Nevada."

"Who runs your father's operations in Glasgow?"

"I know he has an office in London, but I haven't heard of business in Scotland."

"Where does your father travel on the summer solstice?" continues Reginald.

"Every year he vacations in a different place. This past summer he vacationed in Haiti. I don't know where he will go next summer."

Dr. Morgan chimes in: ”What do you know of your father’s dealings in New Orleans?”

"Father has an office there and handles commercial financing and real estate transactions. He helps those people."

"Look, I want what you and the government are doing to succeed."





Lorecraft Bookshop
The Old Spite House
13 Harbinger Way
Marblehead, Massachusetts
11:45 am, Oct. 9, 1925


"Henry Peterson Lorecraft at your service," says the proprietor to Dr. Clarke.

[DadsAngry]

Dr. Clarke:

"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Dr. David Clarke, a scholar of Archaeology and esoterica. And who is your little friend?" David holds out his hand for the cat to examine.
"A fellow colleague of mine from the local university a Dr. Raymond Randolph was researching mystic travel until his passing just recently. I've decided to continue his work. Might you have any books on the subject?"

[SocraticLawyer]

Reginald Wilkins, bookdealer
Reginald stands in amazement.

Could it be that this woman is not a witch after all? Might this group actually have an ally? Have the bookdealer's studies of the strange occult manuscripts so warped his mind that he believes everyone to be a member of the cult?


Or, perhaps, is it all a ruse?

Reginald dares to believe Ms. Ford. Do you know of any old books or other texts that have come into your father's possession recently? Have you seen any strange drawings, pictograms or the like? Particularly involving the moon, or a moon goddess?

[DadsAngry]

Marius:

Marius eyes the young girl then says "I believe her. She's the first person, to be honest with us. Is there anything else you can tell us that might help us. People or place we should investigate? Odd business associates or requests from your father and associates? Any strange habits or anything you can think of that is out of the ordinary?"

[Grognardsw]

Lorecraft Bookshop
The Old Spite House
13 Harbinger Way
Marblehead, Massachusetts
11:46 am, Oct. 9, 1925


In Lorecraft’s Bookshop Dr. Clarke and the bearded proprietor talk.

“This is Menes,” answers Mr. Lorecraft, rubbing the cats head. “Mystic travel you say? That rings a bell. Yes, I recall Mr. Randolph.”

The book seller ambles across the shop to a bookshelf on the back near an open window. Dr. Clark can smell the sea and hear the lapping of waves.

“Here we have the travel section... travelogues, guides, journals and such. Astral travel is well represented. There is a bit on dream travel, but more is found on that subject in the dream section.” He points to another shelf against the right wall.

“How is Mr. Randolph? He seemed a determined researcher for one of such advanced years.”





Claire Ford's Residence
Andover, Massachusetts
10:17 am, Oct. 9, 1925


At Claire Ford’s house, the investigators hope the daughter of the financier cultist may prove to be an ally.

“Father has a library at the house, but who doesn’t? I doubt he’s cracked open many of those spines, unless they’re accounting ledgers.”

“I haven’t heard him say anything about a moon goddess. Father does have an expensive telescope that he never uses.”

“Randolph said the cave in Turkey had something to do with a moon goddess.”

Marius asks several open-ended questions. Claire answers: "I'm not close to my father, or rather I try not to be, as much as he drags me in and around. I've had glimpses into his business world, but I really don't know how to answer such a broad question. I think his businesses are all legal, though I'm not lawyer. His associates I can't speak of, though they seem to be all over the country and the world. You must have lines of investigation."

“What are you all trying to get?” Claire asks bluntly.

"I can give you the address of his New York residence, and his private second office, which is where he is usually at, not the public office. I'm friendly with his chauffeur, if that helps. "





Bureau of Investigation
Providence Office, RI
9:00 am, Oct. 9, 1925

Agent Mulder sits down at the typewriter in his office to write up the report on the raid last night at the wharf location of the alleged cultists, based on information provided by Reginald Wilkins and Marius Albertoni.

"At 9:00 pm we proceeded..."

[SocraticLawyer]

Reginald Wilkins, bookdealer
It occurs suddenly to Reginald that he has no idea how last night's raid at the wharf went. He hopes they find out soon.

Where is your father's residence? And the private second office? Is there anything unusual about either?

[Mant72]

Dr. Francis Morgan:

Frank remains skeptical of Ms. Ford’s openness; however, he nods his head in agreement with her willingness to help. ”Thank you for the assistance, Ms. Ford. The addresses and the chauffeur’s information will prove very helpful.”

The mention of her father’s telescope prompts Frank to recall the investigators’ find in the basement of the “Shunned House.” He makes mental note to bring this up to the others at a more fortuitous time.

[DadsAngry]

Dr. Clarke:

"Mr. Randolph passes away not long ago, natural causes. That is why I'm here to continue with his research. Unfortunately, it seems that I am going to have to start from scratch. Upon visiting his widow I was unable to locate his research notes. Do you recall what volumes Mr. Randolph purchased?" he says as he thumbs through the travel section.

[DadsAngry]

Marius:

“What are you all trying to get?” Claire asks bluntly.

"Nothing specific, just wondering if any of your fathers business associates come across as odd. Do you feel you and your unborn child are safe here?"

[Grognardsw]

Claire Ford's Residence
Andover, Massachusetts
10:18 am, Oct. 9, 1925


The investigators are cautiously optimistic that Claire Ford may actually help them. It's true that her father had required the Miskatonic expedition to retrieve her in Paris. Was she more than just a rebellious daughter? Does she indeed feel trapped by her father?

"His residence is 432 Park Avenue in Manhattan, and his private office is 150 Front St.," says Claire to requests for the addresses. "Father's chauffeur is Lenny - Leonard Eisenstein. He's always had a soft spot for me. I can tell him to talk with you."

"Is there anything unusual about either address?" asks Reginald.

"Besides nice views, I don't know," says Claire.

"Do any of your fathers business associates come across as odd?" queries Marius. "Do you feel you and your unborn child are safe here?"

"He does a good deal of international business, so I've seen a lot of foreigners," says Claire. She seems to hesitate...

"When I was younger I caught him in prayers that weren't Catholic, in our chapel in the old house in Long Island. That was when mum was alive. We were raised Catholic. I asked Father what it was about, and he brushed if off. I didn't understand the language, though I've heard him speak it on occasion to some of his business associates."

Those in the conversation feel free to make Psychology or other Skill Checks you may think applicable.

"The baby? What baby?" Claire asks, a confused look on her face.





Lorecraft Bookshop
The Old Spite House
13 Harbinger Way
Marblehead, Massachusetts
11:47 am, Oct. 9, 1925


"Yes, Mr. Randolph was very advanced in age," says Mr. Lorecraft, petting Menes in his beard.

The bookshop proprietor checks his accounting ledger.

"I'm not one to share customer's purchase information, but given he has passed and you're continuing his work, I suppose I can make an exception." He pages through the ledger then pauses and looks up at Dr. Clarke. "And I assume you'll be making purchases then?"

"Mr. Randolph purchased a volume on Turkish history, a book on Eastern European pagan religious practices, a treatise on ley lines, a pamphlet on dream projection, and several volumes on dream interpretation."





Bureau of Investigation
Providence Office, RI
9:30 am, Oct. 9, 1925

Agent Mulder finishes the final paragraph in his lengthy report on the wharf-side raid of the suspected cultists.

"...and two agents died in the explosion. Several arrests were made for illegal production of alcohol, assault and attempted murder. Questioning will proceed this afternoon."

Agent Mulder takes a sip of his coffee and lights another cigarette. He'll have to give Reginald and Marius a call later to update them.

[DadsAngry]

Marius:

For Marius Psychology 6% [1d100] = 93

Confused at Clarie's response "The unborn baby in your belly, child. You do know how babies are made, don't you?"

[DadsAngry]

Dr. Clarke:

"Yes, Yes of course. I'll purchase everything that Dr. Randolph purchased that is available today and order the rest."

[Mant72]

Dr. Francis Morgan:

Frank openly stares at Ms. Ford’s protruding belly, ”Your child to be. We just spoke of your due date, Ms. Ford.”

Psychology (05): [1d100] = 68

Spot Hidden Check (45): [1d100] = 84

[SocraticLawyer]

Reginald Wilkins, bookdealer
Reginald makes a note of the addresses and names provided by Ms. Ford. He asks her no additional questions.

Psychology (05): [1d100] = 74

Spot Hidden (50): [1d100] = 79

[Grognardsw]

Claire Ford's Residence
Andover, Massachusetts
10:19 am, Oct. 9, 1925


Claire looks at her pregnant belly in confusion.

“I... no... it shouldn’t be... yes... of course...” She suddenly sways and grabs the arm of the chair. There is sweat on her brow. ”I don’t feel right.”





Lorecraft Bookshop
The Old Spite House
13 Harbinger Way
Marblehead, Massachusetts
11:48 am, Oct. 9, 1925


“I generally don’t have multiple copies of the same book on hand, such is the nature of antiquarian book shops,” says Mr. Lorecraft. I do have another history of Turkey by another author, and a book on pagan practices. As for the others, I do have a book search service and can work my channels to procure those other volumes. It may take several weeks to a month.”

[SocraticLawyer]

Reginald Wilkins, bookdealer
Reginald looks away from Ms. Ford, focusing instead on the surroundings. He gets a very bad feeling in the pit of his stomach.

The nervous bookdealer slowly backs away from Ms. Ford. He tries to stay behind Marius, who he knows is armed.

[Mant72]

Dr. Francis Morgan:

”Ms. Ford!” Frank exclaims and rushes to her side. ”Here, you must sit.” He tries to help ease her into the nearest chair. ”Rest here, and I’ll get you some water.”

He promptly leaves for the kitchen.

[Grognardsw]

Dr. Morgan returns with a glass of water. Claire seems to have recovered.

“Thank you,” she says.

A suspicious Reginald watched Claire as Dr. Morgan left the room. She sat and seemed dazed, massaging her temples as if experiencing a bad headache. She mumbled a few words that were hard to make out (Listen roll please.

“I’m sorry. I guess this pregnancy is taking more out of me then I thought. I hope you make progress in your investigation.”

[SocraticLawyer]

Reginald Wilkins, bookdealer
Listen roll (25) [1d100] = 68

Reginald shakes his head. Did Ms. Ford actually say something, or is his paranoia getting the better of him?

If no one else asks any further questions, Reginald prepares to leave. Thank you for your help, Ms. Ford.