The Investigation (Everyone)

[Dr. Bloodworth]

Strizhakov and Varcholek both nod. "Fine enough. I too would wish for a peaceful resolution, Mr Maurice, but we need to prepare for the worst as you say. So we are off to see this Max first, correct?"

[Mr. Handy]

"Yes, that sounds like a plan," says Reg. "We learn what we can from Max, then equip ourselves for the final confrontation and track this Jezebel down. We had best leave forthwith; we may not have much time."

[royya]

Richards nods in agreement and calls for Bill to prepare the carriage and the horses for a ride.
I suggest we must leave now, in the evening. Arthur could be in real trouble and another day can be fatal for the young man. In addition, we can catch the fellow Max in his resident in the evening, who knows where he would be in the morning.

I have a spare pistol for you Reg
Richard says as he goes to a locked cabinet to take his hunting gear (rifle and knife).
I have another collection of old haunting knives that saw good days.

[yockenthwaite]

"Yes agreed," says Alicia. "Can I borrow one of your old hunting knives Richard? It would be better than being completely unarmed, should the worst happen."

[Mr. Handy]

"Thank you," says Reg, "but I have no training with pistols, only with rifles. I think it would be better to give the pistol to one of the ladies. They should have the means to defend themselves, and I have my own weapons already."

[aine]

"I could take the pistol if one of the gentlemen shows me how to prime it." Maud says shyly. "It's best to have something as a last resort I suppose and it might scare them off if I just wave it about. Or something."

[Dr. Bloodworth]

The two ladies take the weapons, and as the Russians show Maud how to use the pistol, Bill comes back in to tell Richard that the carriage is ready. All the assembled pile into the carriage; the two Okhrana agents arrange things so that they are seated at the windows, and they keep a close watch on the surroundings. The ride from Richard's house to Greenwich is a long and bumpy one. The address on Haddo Street proves to be an unused farrier's yard. A rickety wooden staircase leads to an apartment above the abandoned shop.

"Not the most hospitable looking of places, is it, sir?" Bill says as he turns to speak to Richard.

[Mr. Handy]

"It might look odd if all of us make the approach," says Reg. "Only a few of us should go up to the door, while the rest of us wait in the carriage and watch. I can come with to the door in case you need some extra muscle, but we should also bring someone who's good at talking to people."

[aine]

Maud grins, "I'm usually pretty good at talking my way into places but I reckon Mr. Maurice and Miss Alice are the professionals."

[royya]

I can talk him out or intimidate him if need should arise.
Richard replies as he climbs down from the carriage, holding his haunting rifle.

You follow me.
He say to Reg, Strizhakov and Varcholek
To others he add
Stay behind us or with Bill

[yockenthwaite]

"I agree that too many people approaching at once is unwise," says Alicia. "I'm sure that Mr Maurice can handle any negotiations needed. I will wait here in the meantime. Good luck everyone." She looks intently out of the carriage, trying to see as much as possible about the surroundings.

[Mr. Handy]

Reg follows Richard to the front door, keeping alert to his surroundings.

[aine]

Maud waits with Alicia in the carriage.

[royya]

Maybe you can check out the shop below the apartment in the meantime.
Richard reply to Maud and Alicia

stay down, beneath the staircase and hide
Richard say to Strizhakov and Varcholek and turns to Reg
Here, hold my rifle and stay behind me. conceal it behind your back.

With that he climbs the staircase to the apartment above the abandoned shop.

[Mr. Handy]

Reg nods, carrying the rifle behind his back as he follows Richard. It is only his huge frame that allows him to hide the lengthy weapon.

[aine]

Maud looks at Alicia, "Well I suppose we could. But unless the door is miraculously unlocked we will be limited to peering through the grubby windows." She climbs out of the carriage and walks quietly over to the shop. She peers in at the window.

[yockenthwaite]

Alicia follows Maud, and like her approaches the windows, before considering whether the door is unlocked.

[Dr. Bloodworth]

Richard and Reg move to the At the Door thread below. Alicia and Maud can stay in this one.

The doors to the shop are secured by a large chain and lock, and judging by the amount of rust on the metal, it seems to be pretty likely that the shop has been closed up for quite some time. Alicia and Maud move between the windows - owing to the proximity of Haddo Street to the river, the windows are a little bit cleaner than they would otherwise be. Looking inside, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot to be seen.

Both of you,Make me a Luck roll.

[yockenthwaite]

OOC,[url=http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3458271/]Rolling Luck (stat 35%) while looking at outside of abandoned shop (1d100=87)[/url]

[aine]

Luck (75),[url=http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3459592/]1d100=51[/url]

Maud takes out a hanky and tries wiping a spot on the glass. She then looks at her dirty hanky in disgust.