The Investigation (Everyone)

[aine]

Maud steps around the lady sitting on the steps. She nods politely and hurries over to the carriage, suddenly remembering who the lady was and wondering what she was doing. "Must live around here I suppose, strange that she's waiting on the step." she muses. She climbs aboard and sits by the window to surreptitiously overhear Gary's conversation while she tries to powder her tear-swept face. It's not much good with a small mirror and lantern-light.

[BenTheRat]

Gary looks incredulous. "So you want to interview me here, on a doorstep, at this hour in the evening? I don't this so miss Alicia. While his money maybe good, I'd recommend finding better company to keep. Good evening, and please do not continue to follow us if that is what you were doing." And Gary heads over to the carriage.

[Mr. Handy]

Reg also boards the carriage. "What is this, Victoria Station?" he asks, bemused. "Everyone seems to be converging on this address, and I do not believe for a second that it is a coincidence."

[yockenthwaite]

Alicia calls to Gary: "I only followed you here because I wanted a chance to talk to you some more, not to interview you. I think we might have been able to help each other in the investigation, given my investigative skills. But I accept your reluctance to deal with me. I won't be following you again."

Alicia decides to head back to the newspaper offices, to find out as much as she can about Peter Blaylock before the night is over, the original lead she was given, and research things from that angle, herself. She walks down the road, looking for a carriage to take her to where she needs to go.

[BenTheRat]

Gary, deciding he was perhaps a bit rude, and couldn't let the lady walk down the street alone. "Alicia, how do you think you can help?" Trying to decide if he can trust this woman. "Reg, I know your not a taxi service, perhaps we can give the young lady a ride home and find out what she knows?"

[Mr. Handy]

"I quite agree," says Reg sliding over to make room. "No lady should have to go unescorted. However, the carriage is not mine. Mr. Maurice?" He glances out at Alicia. "Miss, how is that you came here in the first place? Did you arrive in that other carriage?"

[royya]

I will never say no to a young lady. It's going to be tight and crowdie but WE WILL MANAGE IT!
Richard reply with the last words intended to calm his probably frustrated driver Bill. He then address Alicia but still tries to keep the books and letters from her reporter's prying eyes
Miss Douglas, can you share with us your helpful information.

[yockenthwaite]

Relieved, Alicia smiles at the kinder welcoming words, and climbs into the carriage. "I came by another carriage, I'm not sure if you would have seen it. It left after you entered the building. I'm looking into Peter Blaylock and what has happened to him: he seems to have vanished completely, even his family don't know where he is now. My enquiries are still at the early stages, but I'd hope to find out more soon - I am good at ferreting out information. And then there's also the mysterious Russian woman I've heard word of, Countess Bogdansky or something like that, though that probably has nothing at all to do with this."

[BenTheRat]

Gary can't believe his ears, "Peter is missing as well," he burst out before realizing what he said. Then he sought to recompose himself.
"What exactly have you heard?"

[Mr. Handy]

Reg listens interestedly, but says nothing as yet.

[yockenthwaite]

Alicia turns to Gary. "That Peter had a fight with a friend, and the police were called. And he has been missing ever since then, his family don't know where he is, and would like to find him."

[aine]

"That's awful Miss Alicia, is Peter a friend of yours? And do you mind me asking: is the Countess Bogdansky a real countess or a stage name do you know? Have you seen this strange Russian lady?"

[royya]

Richard orders Bill to drive first to Alicia's flat.
So both Arthur and his close friend Peter are missing, what are the chances they are together?

He mutters to himself and turns to Alicia
Tell me Alicia, are you familiar with the name John Bidwell? It seems that our kind Arthur exchanged frequent letters with that man.

[yockenthwaite]

"Peter isn't a friend of mine, but I have been asked to look into his disappearance," says Alicia. "As for Countess Bogdansky, who knows! As I said I don't even know if there's any link to Peter and his friend - to be honest there probably isn't - but I have heard of this mysterious Russian lady who may be in town, and Russian agents are apparently seeking her in connection with unspecified crimes. I've never heard of the name John Bidwell before, sorry. Do the letters give any further clues to who he might be, such as his background and address, and why he was writing to Arthur?"

[BenTheRat]

"Yes I believe it is highly possible Arthur and Peter are together. They were teammates at college and best friends." Gary says.

[royya]

I found some letters Arthur and John exchanged with each other. The letters are poems about ghosts and spiritualism.
My plan is to go over and read them all, maybe this could be a link.
Richard takes out the pile of books and letters he took from Arthur's flat
I found several poems about "dark queen of Eastern splendor." - Hmmm.. disturbing....

[Mr. Handy]

"Miss Douglas," says Reg, "you said that you were asked to look into Peter's disappearance. By whom were you asked?"

[aine]

Maud frowns, "I got the impression from Signor Borelli that the police seperated Arthur and Peter when they had the argument. I assumed Peter was sent home but... what if he stayed and had something to do with what happened later." Maud thinks on,"And if they are both sportsmen it would be hard to subdue both of them if they were together so... either one may well be in league with you-know-who."

[yockenthwaite]

"By Travisham, I regret," says Alicia, turning to Reg, "but apparently on behalf of his mother. I do not intend to turn this into a salacious article. I can only give you my word on that. I hope you'll trust me. Yes I write some things for Travisham's paper, but I also write others for more respectable (albeit smaller print) outlets, and my long-term goals are far away from the likes of Travisham. And in this case turning it into print is not my plan. I'm more curious myself, and would like to help his family. And that Russian lady, whether she turns out to be connected or not, intrigues me." She turns to Maud. "Who do you mean by you-know-who?"

[Mr. Handy]

"I had a feeling it might have been Travisham," says Reg. "Why is he concerned about Peter Blaylock, though? I doubt it's out of the kindness of his heart. What does he hope to gain? He seems to have something against Lord Godfrey. Perhaps he is seeking some sort of advantage over him."