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.”

Part 5: Interview of a madman and poor Jenny without her machete; PHEW!

[last minute cancellations by Tony, Denny, and Brian put the weight on Jenny and Oliver. Who couldn’t roll worth a damn!]

Wednesday, 7 November, 1928: Last night was a long night after explaining to the bobbies why Jenny felt she had to defend herself and kill Peter Morrison. Jenny feeling more remorse at having lost her machete (“It was Billy Black’s”) than the fact she had killed…again. Morning couldn’t come soon enough, with a letter delivered from Mr. Grahame Roby authorizing his PI Vincent Tuck to show his files detailing his 1925 research of Alexander’s activities and contacts. But that will have to wait as Oliver calls Dr. Highsmith to announce his coming visit to check on Alex. “Remember, no meds as I want to see him as he’d be released.” But Oliver fails to convince the doctor [failed Persuade 92; failed Push 96]. Dr. H insisting on half-meds. Oliver dejected as he and Jen board the 10:20am train for their trip to St. Agnes asylum. The long 5-hour trip…enough time for Oliver to try enlisting other passengers to support his position on no meds. A long medical summary to his trapped audience, “If you’d but show up at the asylum to support my position. Yes, yes. The steps of St. Agnes asylum.” The passengers saying anything to get the madman out of their face. Them not able to get off the train fast enough when it pulls into the Weobley station near 4pm.

A taxi ride to the Red Lion Pub to secure rooms before heading out to the asylum. But instead, they find Dr. Charles Highsmith and nurse Price waiting in the pub, “I thought it best to talk here first before your visit with patient W.” Oliver surprised, “Had I known you’d be here, I would have told my backers to join us to express their support of no meds.” Oliver doesn’t notice a few of those train passengers stepping into the pub only to quickly turn and exit once they hear and see Oliver, “Oh hell no! That man is insane and should be locked up himself. There’s gotta be other lodging.”

Obviously stressed, Charles offers, “The 2^nd nurse killing just days ago has everyone on edge. I’ve learned you’re a serial-killer profiler for Scotland Yard; I was hoping to get your take on what has been happening.” The details: nurse Frederick Long killed 4 days ago in the kitchen in the middle of the night. The butcher knife recovered. Blood everywhere. Two blood types identified (O and A). Nurse Price confirming there were two blood types identified at nurse Yates’ murder within Lucius’ cell. But Yates was killed in a padded cell with a barred window and locked door. Long was killed in the kitchen with easy access. “Long’s truncheon was still hanging from his belt; he must have known his assailant and thus caught by surprise. The doors were locked which has the police and myself wondering if these could be an inside job. Thus, we’ve ordered the nurses to pair up on shifts.” Oliver and Jen ask more questions without answers.

Part 4 - Alexander’s book and associates

[Denny and Angela could not attend; thus, the absence of Bartholomew and Evie.]

Sunday, 4 November, 1928: As John reads about the stabbing death of Dr. Trollope, Oliver gasps at the description of the attacker, reported by a newspaper boy who witnessed it all, “A tall man, in a long dark coat.” Oliver turns to Jen to remind her, “That sounds like the same man who told us to leave after the murder.” The others at the table stunned, “What murder?!”

Jen talking thru her mouthful of food (as if it was no big deal), “It wasn’t murder; more self-defense as he stabbed me first.” Oliver choking on his food as he tries to explain, “We only went to interview Mr. Talbot Estes; you know, the producer of that Carcosa play. Next thing I know, Jen drops a book, Estes is on his hands-n-knees to pick it up, he screams about Jen taking something, Jen screams in pain, then her machete flashes and Estes has a new grin from ear to ear. And that’s when the man in all black appears at the back door and commands us to leave. I’m sure the same tall man that confronted me at the bar the other night. So, hell yes we ran. And this morning I read how Mr. Estes’ house burnt down last night.”

A lot of discussion before they decide to get Mr. Grahame Roby’s version of his brother’s involvement in the family double-homicide. Oliver drives all to Mr. Roby’s estate surrounded by a tall, spiked metal fence with buzzer speaker at the gate. John steps forward, “We’d like to speak to Mr. Roby about his brother. Tomorrow? No, it’s important we see him now. Appointment?” Jenny tries to bluff their way in. Oliver offers, “This is about the pending release of his brother Alexander.” The magic words that unlock the gate. An elder maid, Ms. Vetch, leads them to the parlor. Soon a gentleman in suit and bowtie appears, “You have 10 minutes before my next appointment. Now what’s this about my brother? So, you’re the expert psychologist; tell me, do you plan to release him? So, you haven’t made a decision yet; let me offer advice.”

Part 3 - What Murder?!

Wednesday, 31 October, 1928: Nothing else to see or learn in Lucius’ cell, they back out of the room. [Group Luck roll: 00] Coming face-to-face with nurse Price!

Oliver rambles before coming up with an excuse, “I…I found the cell unlocked and felt it prudent to check it out.” Nurse Price not believing, “How dare you! I must tell Dr. Highsmith.” John stepping in to save face [Persuade/Intimidate success], “Yes. Do call the doctor and explain how this patient gains access to pencils to pass along to Alex. How he possibly stole your keys to unlock his cell. How a man in a straight-jacket could perform these feats. Or was it oversight by a nurse leaving the cell unlocked?” Now Price rambling, “No. No…no need to get the doctor involved. I’ll speak with nurse Evans who performed the last rounds. No need to mention this incident.” Oliver adding conclusion, “I think it best for us to search Lucius…just in case.” So, they entered the cell, guarded the patient after removing the jacket, and failed to find anything.

Nurse Price looking quite embarrassed and tense as the group meets with Dr. Highsmith. Oliver giving his assessment, “I haven’t made a final conclusion but my initial impression is Mr. Roby is not ready to leave. I’d suggest you wean him off meds before I return for another evaluation. In the meantime, I’d like to speak with Dr. Trollope. You’ve already arranged a meeting with him on the 2^nd? At his own office in London’s Whitechapel district? Thank you.”

It’s been a long day and thus another night in Weobley at the Red Lion Pub. After midnight when a scream down the hall erupts; all rushing to Evie’s room where she sits on the edge of her bed sweating profusely and quite disturbed. John knocking and entering to the smell of rancid fruit yet none visible. “I was walking down a busy street, fumbling with my house key, when it suddenly changed to a small, grotesque, human-like figure. A fetish. Suddenly the streets are gone, the city gone. It’s a flat land with the smell of water in the air, mixed with the sweet smell of rancid fruit. 9 pagan-like stones surround me. Then the people around me blink out of existence; I’m alone. Then suddenly being lifted up for inspection like a child eyeing an insect. An insignificant speck.” Oliver was the last to enter the room and could not smell anything, “I told you not to eat those pickled eggs at the bar. No wonder you dream of that smell. Your belching the source of what John smelled upon entering.”

Part 2 - Asylums on every corner; Life is like a box of nuts.

Saturday, 20 October, 1928: The haunting experience at the seance had Oliver retreating to Hyde Park to seek spiritual guidance from his father who was murdered near the same park bench. [Failed SAN check even with bonus die] His father appeared only to torment him, “Did I raise a crybaby? Face your fears…and quit drooling on yourself. Life is hard; your patients show you that.” So much for self-healing. Oliver decided a trip to seek professional counsel elsewhere. Why not East Anglia where the 1925 deaths occurred. There is an asylum there. Treatment AND research; two birds with one stone. “Ring, ring. Evie, I’ll be out of the office a few days tops. I’ll call if I get held up. But I should easily be back in time for our 29 Oct meeting.”

Evie was planning her own phone call; long distance…Trans-Atlantic…to America. “Yes operator, Boston; Penguin Publishing…. Hello? Yes, I’m trying to get in contact with Mr. Chambers. Author of romance novels? No, I’m looking for the Chambers who translated ‘The King in Yellow’. The same author?! My, what different topics. I know it’s Saturday. Fine, then PLEASE have him telegram me soonest. We saw a play here in London based on his book translation of ‘The King in Yellow’. The audience reacted quite… Well, I was hoping he could tell me the source of his story; his inspiration. Anything to help us solve this dire mystery. By the way, is there an outlet here in London that sells his romance novels?”