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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2017 11:51:29 GMT
The clock had barely stopped striking 2 when Jimmy burst from his apartment into the barber shop where the owner, Jez Wodecki was in the process of slowly and steadily adding a teaspoon of milk to the thick gloopy tar he liked to call espresso. He stopped in in mild frustration as the door clattered open but cracked a smile when he saw his tenant.
Jimmy crossed the meticulously swept linoleum floor, a piece of toast clenched between his teeth as he tried to cram the last of a pile of papers into a battered leather messenger bag.
“mthmermoom mther mwthie.”
Jimmy tore the toast from his mouth and swallowed.
“Afternoon Mr Wodecki.”
The barber looked at him and raised his hand in exasperation.
“James, when will you learn to call me Jez. Now, when you’re done exposing the schmutz of the good people of this town, do you think you could remember that tonight’s game night.”
Despite his age, Jimmy appeared youthful for his years and looked at the old barber with a boyish grin. College Barber’s weekly sports night was one of Arkham’s most elite clubs. 14 men, all prominent in their own way, meeting for whatever sport happens to be on that day and is currently in-season. In truth, it was nothing but an old coots gossip and beer night, but Jimmy knew that if ever there was a place to pick up on useful tidbits about the town, this was it. Fortunately, Jimmy had been made an ‘honorary member’ for as long as he remained a resident at the shop and he was in no hurry to move and lose one of his best source of leads. Jez knew what he was up to, but Jimmy amused the old Barber and pretended not to notice.
“Okay, 1. I’ll start calling you Jez if you stop calling me James. 2. If it wasn’t for my noble profession this town would have gone into moral decline years ago and 3. If I’m not back at the top of the third assume something big has happened and I’m not going to make it this week.”
He glanced down at the paper still neatly folded to the story about the Hillford woman and wondered for the millionth time, would this be the break that he was looking for. Paying no attention to Jez’s chortles, Jimmy headed for the door. The Gazette had said to be at APD at 3 pm, and he didn’t want to be late. With a mock salute to the shop, in general, he gave the door a pull and stepped outside.
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Post by Keeper of Darkness on Apr 23, 2017 12:56:23 GMT
The city was bustling as per the normal. The town was quite a ways from the city itself, but this would be the only place the village could come to for help. Until today, nobody in Arkham had actually heard of the missing woman so it was still 'fresh' news. Unfortunately there are many people who always go missing in Arkham, if there was money involved or an older influence it would appear somewhere that it could be noticed by... those who find it interesting.
The old barber shop had a few more patrons in than usual, they sat in their chairs getting an old fashioned shave. They continued Chatting and gossiping to each other about this and that as he steps out.
Walking past the Police Department or to it seemed rather normal, people coming and going as per the normal. A few officers sat outside eating subs and a couple returning from a very late lunch and walking back inside to work.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2017 19:16:18 GMT
2:40 – Jimmy let out an inaudible sigh as he rounded the corner and noticed the gathering of cops outside APD. Since starting on his new venture, he’d gotten to know the local cops, if not by name then by face. He had been moved on by these guys more times than he cared to imagine. They tolerated him, but, he doubted, they would ever take him seriously. On more than one occasion he had been the butt of their jokes.
He couldn’t recall the exact moment that he had decided to add the title ‘Private Investigator’ to his resume. It seemed like a great idea and might even top up his rather paltry wages as a research assistant. Trouble was he’d seen one too many film noir movies. His hopes of trading verbal blows with Rita Hayworth and Lana Turner were dashed as all he ever seemed to do was comfort distressed husbands and wives who were convinced their partners were cheating. Still, he enjoyed the footwork and being outside. After being cooped up in Mu’s library nearly every day for the last 10 years, this was a refreshing change.
Not wishing to be too early, Jimmy perched against the wall and reread the Hillford article again. The chance to join forces with APD might boost his reputation, but the case itself seemed intriguing. Why would a missing person report be filed anonymously? And the attack on Mr Talbort seems a little too coincidental. Jimmy had enough extramarital affair cases under his belt to consider the possibility that maybe Mrs Talbort had taken off on her own accord. But why in such a dramatic way?
Glancing down at his watch, Jimmy made his way towards the laughing and joking cops and the entrance of APD.
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Post by Keeper of Darkness on Apr 23, 2017 20:07:22 GMT
The Arkham Police Department looked wonderful, earlier in the year they finished a complete overhaul of the old building and opened its doors with a new modern day office building. Everything was new, polished and looks absolutely amazing. Officers outside the doors all look up at Jimmy approaching and give salutations as he walks towards them, "Hey Jiimmmmyyy! Where have you been?! How's life?" They were like an ole boys club. "You here for that case Jimmy? Volunteerin' like the good ole days?" They scoot over to make room for him by their cars. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2017 20:53:27 GMT
In response to their calls Jimmy smiles and puts on an air of mock bravado as he perches on the hood of one of the cars.
"So it seems you guys couldn't do your jobs and it looks like they have had to put out a plea for the big guns! What's the lowdown? I know you blues you gossip like old women - what are they saying over at Hillford?"
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Post by Keeper of Darkness on Apr 23, 2017 21:06:17 GMT
A woman comes walking out of the police department and down the stairs. She walks over to the boys just in time to hear the question from Jimmy. "Couldn't do our jobs? Really? There isn't anything we can do, the only thing left behind is the mess the old man left in the garden. Something the boys here say you have to see to believe, and no one will go back there again once they do."
Lelia holds out her hand in greeting to Jimmy, "Officer Simon, I'll be going with you out to the victims house." She seems new, a bit naive and someone Jimmy wouldn't have seen around the department yet. Fresh from the Academy.
The boys nod and look to Jimmy, "Victim was out looking for his missing wife in a nearby wooded area, looks like he left his property to head into town and was attacked by a transient. No prints, no tire tracks; nothing. We've been out there all month combing the woods, so we've called in Officer Leila to go out with some fresh eyes. You will need to be careful, the victim set traps all over the back of his property. It isn't human, but it certainly smells like a crime scene."
The boys continue to chat and drink coffee, letting Leila and Jimmy alone to chat.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2017 22:05:37 GMT
At the officer's mention of 'being seen to be believed' Jimmy's ears pricked up. This case, it seemed, had just gotten a whole lot more interesting. Turning to Officer Simon he realised that he'd not come across her before. She had a rookie aura about her, but seemed ballsy enough to handle things. He gestured to the cops drinking coffee
"So they have you doing all their dirty work huh? Allow me to introduce myself, I'm Jimmy, Jimmy T'Pint. Researcher and occasional PI. reporting for duty m'am"
He mock saluted her and gave her his best smile.
"So where's the rest of the team and who do we report to?"
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Post by Keeper of Darkness on Apr 23, 2017 22:10:10 GMT
The gentlemen officers eating lunch pipe up behind them, "Afraid it's just you two at the moment Jimmy, give it a few minutes to see if anyone else turns up. You two are going to be spending a couple days together so you might as well talk a bit. Captain has money and rooms set aside for whoever goes, along with a hire car to go up into the mountains to the victims house."
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2017 23:23:13 GMT
Caleb was still rushing from his recent hunt with Ayet. On his way back from the mountains he had picked up a newspaper and saw the ad. asking for people to help in the missing persons case.
Now Caleb stood outside the Police Department with a grin across his face, normally he was being shoved inside with his hands in cuffs. Caleb wasn't sure who to talk to about helping, he liked this town and he had certain skill sets that would allow him to help. As he walked the pavement along the front of the station he overheard the man and woman discussing the case.
'Excuse me folks, I'm here to help out with the missin' lady job.'
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2017 8:39:19 GMT
Jimmy looked back in the direction of the cop and then turned his attention to Lelia.
"Seems to me that there's not much a rookie and a PI can do on their own - officer, do you have any information on the missing women and her husband? No point aimlessly wandering about the woods if there are other leads we can follow" what say we hit the books first? We coul..."
Jimmy turned as a new voice interrupted him. The man seemed familiar, he'd definitely seen him around but couldn't place the name... holding up his hand in greeting Jimmy beckoned the man over.
"One more for our elite squad" Jimmy grinned
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2017 15:27:20 GMT
Leila looked over at the boys and rolled her eyes, it woukd seem she was being thrown to the lions den on all this just gettung to the department and no realy time to be briefed on what was going on. Just the basics everyone probably knew.
"Well. If theres traps guess we better be watchin our steps eh?" She looked back to jimmy and turns as the new voice joined them
"Well looks like were sittin at 3. In ready to move as soon as you boys are"
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Post by Keeper of Darkness on Apr 24, 2017 16:15:03 GMT
The officers motion to a car pulling up and stopping in front of the station, "The car will take you all where you need to go. There are some cabins set aside should you need to stay the night. You want some clues Jimmy, but there ain't any, ya'll are the last resort to figure this out. The misses is still a missing persons case and the other detectives already went through the house. We're hoping some fresh eyes will find something that was missed now that the police are out of the way."
He pulls an envelope out of his pocket to hand to Jimmy, "Keys to the house and outbuildings. I'd take some boots if you go out back of that place, ya'll going to need them."
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2017 16:46:48 GMT
Caleb produced a bent cigarette from behind his ear, a crooked smile played on his lips as he eyed the unlikely duo before him. Lighting the smoke he looks at Leila, his thick Irish accent obvious as he speaks,
'So you must be Batman,'
Then turning to face Jimmy,
'That must make you the boy wonder or is it blunder?'
scratching his stubble covered chin, he seems deep in thought,
'I'm not sure who that makes me though?'
he smiles again and laughs.
His hand slips into Leila's and he kisses the back of it,
'I'm Caleb Molloy, traveller and professional trouble seeker!'
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2017 18:20:56 GMT
Jimmy let out a sigh, his hand moving self-consciously through his scruffy brown hair. He'd come up against guys like this constantly at MU. Guys who thought a little smile and a lot of swagger could accomplish anything.
"Oh good. the joker of the pack, just what we need." Turning to Layla he gestures towards Caleb. "Do we really need a 'professional trouble seeker on this case' I mean, how do we know we can trust him?"
Jimmy looked at the Irishman appraisingly deciding whether or not letting him come would be the right thing to do.
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Post by Keeper of Darkness on Apr 24, 2017 18:31:39 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2017 21:22:23 GMT
Caleb looked at Jimmy with a gain on his face,
'Trust me? Course you can trust me big fella!'
He took a long drag on bis smoke and blew the smoke out into the air,
'Anyways the paper said somethin' about a transient attacking someone, well to be honest you two stand out like sore thumbs and not a one would talk wit ya.'
Ooc: Jimmy how did you put your text in the grey box?
ST Edit:
[quote]you put in the quote box.[/quote]
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2017 22:21:17 GMT
Jimmy noticed that the cops seemed to be watching them with interest and he had zero desire in having them doubt his abilities any further, but damned if he was going to let this Cassidy wannabe patronise him any further.
"Listen O'dimwit or whatever the hell your name is, I don't know what your problem is or why you have decided to volunteer for this but need I remind you that a woman is missing and the last thing we need is you spouting one-liners every five seconds. Officer Simon, I'm going to get my boots and a few things that might come in useful, shall we say meet here in an hour for departure?"
Without waiting for a reply he turned on his heel and stalked off.
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Post by Keeper of Darkness on Apr 24, 2017 22:34:28 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2017 0:09:39 GMT
Leila looks between the two gentlemen and watches the new comer. "Everybody can be at least somewhat useful" She notes looking at them. She watches the two banter a bit back and forth before Jimmy mentions meeting back in an hour so he could gather a few things. She simply nods.
"I'll doubt check everything on my end and we'll leave then. Don't be late, we'll leave with out'cha." She looks to Caleb with a raised brow. "What interest do you have on this case anyways?"
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2017 7:28:12 GMT
Caleb watches Jimmy leave,
'Well he's an angry little fella!'
Lifting his hat from his head and smoothing down his hair,
'I have interest in keeping Arkham safe, to make sure any fellow travellers are given fair treatment and also I couldn't let house two go off on your own. You'd get into all sorts of trouble!.'
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Post by Keeper of Darkness on Apr 26, 2017 14:40:17 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2017 18:46:47 GMT
Jimmy's list of stuff
Camera
sturdy boots
canteen
First aid kit
Map of the area
Lighter
Knuckle duster
Days worth of non-perishable food
Emergency blanket
Climbing rope
Compass
Torch
Spare batteries
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2017 18:47:58 GMT
Matilda was nervous as she stood outside the Police Department. She wanted to help as it was the right thing to do but part of her wanted to run back to her apartment and read her books. She ignored that urge to run. She left work early to be here. She was not going to back out now.
She checked her phone for the time. It was an old iPhone that had seen better days, it was broken but it had things on there she could not lose. She turned it off as it was rude otherwise before having a few moments before trying to open the door.
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Post by Keeper of Darkness on Apr 26, 2017 18:52:09 GMT
Leila turned and looks at Matilda approaching, "Are you here to volunteer?"
There weren't too many people that rushed to the police station at this time of day very often and she wanted to make sure she knew who everyone was before going up into the mountains with them. Some case this was, strangers, unknown people and a location out in the middle of nowhere. She hoped this mean she'd get a promotion if this case was successfully solved.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2017 20:20:06 GMT
Matilda looks at this officer and pauses before replying to her, "Oh yes I'm here to volunteer my services I urm saw the newspaper. The sun was still blazing overhead, there was still enough time to go and find supplies.
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Post by Keeper of Darkness on Apr 26, 2017 20:27:28 GMT
"The others have gone to gather what they need for the trip, there is a rental car that we'll be taking up into the mountains and we'll wait for you here. Make sure you really want to go, we might be up there for a couple of days." She studied the woman, actually quite content that someone so obviously coming from the school will make a good addition to the search party.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2017 20:58:12 GMT
Equipment List.
Zippo lighter,
packet of cigarettes,
large hip flask of rum,
Smith & Wesson Model 629 revolver, loaded and three quick reloads.
Bowie knife.
Caleb checked his revolver and knife were safely fixed in place, both in easy to reach places. He only carried them when wolfing out wasn't and option.
He too walked over to the car and waited for the others, he would take this chance to try and make friends with Jimmy.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2017 21:09:36 GMT
Matilda smiles a little bit,quite pleased that she is now going to be seen as useful again. She felt the sun beat overhead as she started to think what does she needed as she did not know what on earth she needed for this trip.
After rushing home and running around the flat for things she might need, She decides that she did not want to over pack her bag. She packed what she saw as essentials into her yellow bag
Matilda's equipment
Mini torch
Water bottle
Travel cereal bars
Pen and paper
Sturdy boots
Waterproof jacket
She looked at her phone again before turning it off, nobody knows her, so the chance of someone calling would be low. She was more concerned about who else might be in this group.
She grabbed her bag and left to head back to the Police Department to wait for this rental car. She feels nervous as she waits.
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Post by Keeper of Darkness on Apr 26, 2017 21:16:43 GMT
The car would be there waiting for them all when they arrive. It was upgraded to a small minivan with ample room in the back for all of their equipment. The car would pick everyone up and take them towards the village. OOC: We are moving into: hogwartsbynight.boards.net/thread/271/hillford-plot-road-hillsFrom this point on you guys can split into different threads if its easier for you to explore, but keep in mind that you may need to communicate. You can use the posted thread in the OOC plotting area or the private message thread group to discuss if you need to. |
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