Part 8: Bacon, Ghouls, and a train ride north to Inverness

Wednesday, 21 November: George remembers the search of Evan’s (aka Montague Edward’s) house in Weobley, “The refrigerator was full of Scottish food. I recognized the haggis. Assuming he’s Scottish, maybe we should research that area for the report of the stones transported north.”

21-26 November: Down time to research and practice. “If we’re going to confront Bacon next week, we’d best practice our shooting. Oliver, the way you made Coombs laugh at your wild shots, YOU could use some lessons.” And so, George takes John and Oliver to the range to instruct. [George: Firearms failure 93 versus 90]. Oliver pulls the trigger and the round ricochets back, zinging past their ears. George pushes his instructions [Firearms failure 97 versus 90]: John turns to ask if he grip is correct …”Blam!”… the derringer bullet grazes George’s forearm. “God help us!”

George gives up instructing and uses the rest of the week to dig for information regarding his missing fiancée Emma. John takes Oliver back to the Seven Sister’s Library to research the Scottish link. John fails to find any cult or pagan articles of interest. Oliver searches for historical landmarks similar to Stonehenge; nope. “What about the last name Edwards?” Success! An Edwards’ lineage…Lord of Mullardoch. An estate on the slopes of Loch Mullardoch west of Inverness.

Part 7: Premonitions? Or the Obvious?

Max (aka Jenny) and Brian (aka John) are absent. Denny (aka Bartholomew) drops out of the campaign due to his real-life work.

Monday - Wednesday, 12-14 November: Remembrance Day over, it’s time to get back to real work. Oliver greets his secretary, “’Morning Marge. Hope you and your hubby had a relaxing weekend. So, who’s my first patient?” Breakthrough with some treatments as Oliver actually listens with a hint of belief and understanding of his patients’ worries and fears. And with his lunch hours open, Oliver takes time to research. His trip to the Royal Society to ask about Malcolm Quarrie. “He left years ago.” Another day check at Malcolm’s home at 12 Morten Street. The young couple, “He sold the place back in ’26. Seemed upset and left in a rush. Said something about leaving the island. Yes, he left a few boxes…basement if you’d like to look.” Searching turns up Malcom’s copy of Alex’s book and Quarrie’s own book.

George too finds odd jobs around the docks to help pay his bills. And cash to buy a gun. Of course, AFTER he pays the police bribe for the license to carry.

Oded spends his time reading Der Wanderer Durch Den See, trying to learn a spell. Lunchtime finds him wandering the streets to relax; until his eyes play tricks as he’s drawn to a pipe tobacco ad. Smoke rings rising from the pipe. But these rings coalesce into the yellow sign! Oded pulls his blade to slash the smoke and poster. More earnest to read and research. To the library studying astronomy. Just when does the Taurus constellation reach its zenith? The first week of January.

Dinnertime finds the allies comparing notes at their favorite locale.

Part 6 - That ain’t no Angel!

Max (aka Jenny) and Denny (aka Bartholomew) are absent. New player Matt (aka George) joins us. The Persian finally introduces himself.

Friday, 9 November: John and Oliver gather at the corner diner that has become their favorite locale. Jen bows out as she impatiently waits for the police to release her machete from the evidence locker. Bartholomew cannot be bothered as he has buried himself working on his latest contraption. Thus, it’s John introducing a guest to Oliver, “George was admiring naval artifacts at my museum. Sailor he is. As we chatted, I learned he has interest in cults such as we have stumbled upon. Seems his fiancé witnessed a ceremony and now has disappeared. I suggested he join us. Another strong arm in case we encounter that black cloaked ruffian you keep telling us about. Maybe we can benefit each other.” The dinner turns into hours as John and Oliver backfill the story for George. George offering, “I may be late to the show, but a new set of eyes and ears never hurt. Maybe I’ll find something you overlooked.”