Play@YSDC

London, December 9th, 9am
The companions are in good time to meet the 9am for Dover at London Bridge. The station is quieter than usual, being a Saturday, and they are able to get their tickets without any fuss. They board the train and set off.

As the Kentish countryside rolls past, Paice regales the heroes with tales of his service in Egypt and Sudan with the 1st Battalion of The Buffs.

“Ah, The Buffs. I know you Somerset lads are a proud lot, but you can’t hold a candle to The Buffs” he winks. “Finest infantry regiment in the British Army.”

“Yes, we had some good men in The Sudan” he relates. “I was still just a subaltern then. Not the best officer material I’m afraid, not like young James here. Our CO though, he put me through my paces. Nicholas Hollingsworth, ‘Fearless Nick’ we called him. He joined us in India before we shipped out. A tough man, quick to anger, but I swear there are none braver. We had a tough time of it back then, a lot of fighting and a lot of men killed and wounded, including me. Herbert Crouch was with us then too, together with some other men who will probably be at the funeral. I’m hoping you can meet Colonel Hollingsworth”.

Harry, slightly grumpy at somehow being talked into attending a funeral for someone he doesn't know and in the country no less, is uncharacteristically quiet this morning. He takes a seat and immediately appears to fall asleep.

"Sounds like just the man I'd like to meet," says Reg. "You know, I've been thinking about putting the uniform back on. Perhaps the Buffs would take me." He doesn't think it would be polite to point out that they are now short a sergeant-major, though the fact is obvious.

Helena remained silent in the background, fast asleep.

“I’m sure they’d be glad to have a man of your caliber, Sergeant-Major” says Paice. “Maybe we can ask the Colonel to put in a word for you. He’s retired now, though. I think everyone you’ll meet is”.

Dr. Francis Preston

Preston nods ruminatively.

"I don't suppose anyone could tell me more about Hollingworth?" Helena said, showing absolutely no sign of transitioning between sleeping and being suddenly awake.

“Well…” Paice collects his thoughts. “As I said, a very brave man. Smart too. A good leader. But…not very compromising. He’s used to getting his own way. I think the other ranks found him a bit harsh. He’s not one for suffering fools, let me tell you. I think we all had a good tongue-lashing from him at some point.”

He pauses. “After The Sudan, he retired. Built himself a big house in Hampstead, and got married a couple of years after that. What was the name… yes, Kandahar House. I went there only once. Big place.”

Dr. Francis Preston

"Kandahar?" Preston murmurs. "Sounds Indian. Or Sudanese, perhaps..."

"Afghan, I believe," says Reg, having heard more than his share of old war stories. "I have an uncle who fought there. "

"yes i currently read a story about Khandahar, it is indeed in afghanistan" James approves

Helena nods. "Oh my. That's...certainly fresh.

“That’s right, Afghanistan. He served there too” confirms Paice.

The train pulls into Dover station at about 11.15 am. The companions stop for a nice cup of tea to refresh themselves before heading to the funeral at the Church of St Mary The Virgin by cab.
The service is about to begin, so the companions and Paice file in. To Paice’s consternation, the attendance is very small. There are two women who are sobbing quietly, and only six men scattered around the church, either sitting singly or in pairs.

As the attendees move out towards the graveside, the companions wrap themselves against the cold air blowing off the Channel. The wind whips around them as the vicar reads his final words, and Herbert Crouch is laid to rest.

The two women continue their sobbing throughout the ceremony. A man stands to the back. He is of middle age, dressed in modest clothing. He watches our heroes with interest.

As the funeral ends, the party begins to break up. Another of the mourners approaches Paice, and shakes his hand. He is small and thin, with lank blond hair, and it is unfortunate to say, fairly rodent-like in appearance. His age is hard to place; somewhere between late 30s and late 40s. His clothes were smart about ten years ago.
Despite his unfortunate appearance, the ever cordial Paice greets him warmly.

“Hello Norton” he says as he shakes hands. “I’m glad to see you. What an awful event.”

“You got that right Sir” says Norton, in a thick Kentish accent. “Poor Sergeant-Major. ‘E din’t deserve none of that.”

“Are you all that came, then?” wonders Paice. “What about the Colonel?”

Norton manages to stop himself from sneering. “Must be busy. Busy man, the Colonel is. Haven’t seen him at the club lately.”

Paice looks crestfallen. “He wasn't at Reynolds' service either. I know that most of the old battalion are either still serving or have moved away, but I did expect more than just the two of us. What about Major Gower?”

Norton loses some of his attitude. “The Major was kind enough to pay my fare down here, sir. He sent a loverly wreath, too.”

Norton indicates a large floral display. He glances curiously at the assembled companions.

“Everyone” says Paice. “This is Toby Norton, late of my platoon. He was with me in The Sudan”. He introduces the companions.

Dr. Francis Preston

"A tragedy, indeed," Preston says. "Particularly to lose two comrades so suddenly. I presume there was a police investigation into the murder?"

"Oh yes" says Norton. His voice drops and he indicates the man standing towards the back. "I think that bloke's a copper".

Everyone,You can roll Spot Hidden about Norton.

Spot Hidden 45%,[dice]0[/dice]

Helena examined Norton carefully. Not entirely trusting of the man.

"I can't really tell," says Reg, the midday sun's glare ruining his vision, "but it wouldn't surprise me none."

OOC,Spot Hidden roll (55% skill) about [b]Norton[/b]: [dice]0[/dice]

SpotHid,Harry's skill is 50% and he rolls... [dice]0[/dice]

Harry seems preoccupied with the fact he is attending a service involving his social inferiors, but is attempting to put a brave face on it (yet still looking slightly pained).

Dr. Francis Preston
"It's a shame the Colonel couldn't attend after all," Preston observes. "I know some of us were keen to meet the man."

OOC,I'll roll for Juulm to keep things moving: James Winter Spot Hidden 75: [url=http://orokos.com/roll/577347]Spot Hidden[/url]: [u]1d100[/u] [b]18[/b]

James and Francis and Helena,You get the distinctive whiff of whiskey emanating from Norton, although he doesn't seem to be drunk.

"Yes, well, hopefully he'll be back at the club before long" says Norton to Francis, although his tone seems to indicate otherwise.

The party are moving back towards the gate of the churchyard. It seems that the funeral is over. The attendees begin to move off, apart from the man tentatively identified as a policeman, who seems to be watching everyone.

"Shall we speak to the policeman?" suggests Reg. "We can offer to assist him."

Dr. Francis Preston

"Yes, that might be an idea."

As the other attendees depart, Preston asks Paice, "What is this club that Norton fellow spoke of?"

James Winter

James agrees and starts to walk towards the officer
[dice]0[/dice]
[dice]1[/dice]

Harry perks up a bit. "Eh? Club?
Did I hear something about a club?"

OOC,Norton is still with you.

Paice fills the companions in.“That’s the Army and Navy Club in Pall Mall. Norton here has a job there. Some of you might be members already? I have a membership, but I don’t use it too often. Usually got my head buried in a book.”

Winter & Addison & Preston,Roll Knowledge. If you pass, you have membership. [url]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army_and_Navy_Club[/url]

All this is said as the approach the potential policeman. As they draw near, he eyes them a bit warily, although he is obviously curious. Up close they can see that he is quite a powerful-looking man, and perhaps older than he looks at first glance.

“Can I help you gentlemen and lady?” he says in a neutral tone.

i can't seem to find the knowledge skill.
Here's my roll anyway:

[dice]0[/dice]

Dr. Francis Preston
"Ah, yes, I have a membership of the club too but can't say I remember the last time I visited."

Preston makes the introductions to the supposed police officer. "As current or former army personnel we were naturally perturbed and curious about this terrible event. Have they caught the culprit yet, do you know?"

"Perhaps we can be of help to you," says Reg. "If there's any way I can assist your investigation, I'd be pleased to do so."

"I'm willing to follow along if possible." Helena replied, nodding along.

She kept her distance away from Norton as she does not trust Norton.

Juulm,Knowledge is Education x5, so for James is 75.

“Well, you read me correctly Sirs” says the man. “I’m Sergeant Morrison of the Dover Police, and one of the men investigating the death of Sergeant-Major Crouch. Did any of you serve with him?”

“We did, Sergeant” says Paice, indicating himself and Norton. “We were in the same company. Can you tell us what happened?”

“Well, I can’t give out details about the case. Suffice to say that he was murdered, strangled to death outside his home. Did he have any enemies, and feuds that you know of?”

Norton looks bemused and shakes his head.

“No Sergeant, not that I know of” says Paice. “Any sergeant-major worth his stuff is bound to be unpopular to some of the men, and Crouch was a gruff man, but he was well-respected to my knowledge. Most of the men we served with, those who survived that is, have retired now. I don’t think that there are many of us left in the Home Counties area.”

Everyone,You'll have to roll Law or Persuade to get any more out of the Sergeant.

"I didn't know the deceased personally," says Reg, "but he and I have much in common, including our rank. I feel a certain kinship with him, and I'd like to help bring his killer to justice."

OOC,Persuade roll (15% base skill) to get the Sergeant to open up about the investigation: [dice]0[/dice]

Sergeant Morrison can understand such sentiment. He nods at Reg gravely, and hesitates a little before he starts to speak.

“Truth is, we don’t have a lot to go on. Crouch doesn’t seem to have had any enemies or problems here. He lived a quiet life according to most who knew him. He was found in his garden, nothing was missing from the house so robbery wasn’t a motive. One of the neighbours reported seeing a very tall figure near the back gate of his cottage on the night of the murder, but it was too dark to make anything out.”

He hesitates again, and frowns. “Whoever killed him was extremely strong. His windpipe was crushed, and the bones in his neck were ground together. Finger-shaped bruises were left on his throat. That’s about it so far. I came here today in the hope that the murderer might have shown up, but you all seem to be of reasonable height.” He smiles grimly.

"Could it be possible that this was a professional assassination? It seems like if there's not much evidence to go on, then it certainly seems possible that the murderer knew what he's doing." Helena asked.

“Well, the murderer certainly knew what he was doing, but it doesn’t take much knowledge to know how to choke someone” replies Morrison. “If the killer was hired, we still don’t know what the motive was. If any of you hear or remember anything pertinent, please be sure to share it with us”.

"Thank you, Sergeant," says Reg. "I'll be sure to let you know if I observe anything." If I'm considered of reasonable height, he thinks, then the killer must be quite tall indeed.

Know,Harry's Know is 85% and he rolls... [dice]0[/dice]

"The Army & Navy? Why it's my club! Not that I've spent too much time there this last decade. Traveling too much."

"And I will let you know too if I hear anything in relation to this." Helena stated, looking around with mild interest.

At this inopportune moment, Harry finally focuses on the Sergeant.

"Sergeant, Captain Harry Addison,
late of Prince Albert's Somersets. Forgive me if this seems impertinent but one presumes that the investigation of a murder such as this is led by a commissioned officer?
May I be so bold as to enquire who that might be?"

Sergeant Morrison is unfazed by this demand.

"You're mistaken sir. We don't have commissioned officers in the police. And my rank and standing is more than sufficient to conduct investigations without continual supervision. The officer in charge of the investigation is Inspector Banks. You are welcome to go to Dover Police Station to talk with him if you like".

Somewhat peeved, he asks for and receives the names and addresses of Paice and Norton.

Dr. Francis Preston

"I think we can best be of assistance to the investigation by using our shared army background to learn more about the victim from those closest to him," Preston says. "For instance, as it appears a couple of us are members of this same club we could speak to the Colonel who was his commanding officer." He turns back to Sergeant Morrison. "I presume you are aware that another former member of the same unit died suddenly not long ago in odd circumstances?"

James WInter

I agree with the doctor, i have the strong feeling that the reason of the murders are conected.
Do you know anything about that officer?

“No, I wasn’t aware” replies the Sergeant, looking interested. “Can you tell me more about this? Another man was murdered?”

“Well, it wasn’t ruled as a murder, just a tragic accident” explains Paice. “Another man from the battalion, Orland Reynolds, fell off the platform at Charing Cross Station and was killed by a train last week.”

"It might be worth a second look," says Reg. "If it wasn't an accident after all, there could be more clues. Perhaps someone should ask the witnesses if they saw a very tall man on the platform."

Paice laughs, albeit a little nervously. “Thanks for taking an interest everyone, but I’m sure that it’s just a terrible coincidence. You really shouldn’t trouble yourselves. The Dover police seem to have everything in hand. Sergeant, please contact me if you require anything else”.

He turns to Norton. “Are you coming back to London, Norton?” he asks.

Norton nods. The news about Reynolds obviously took him by surprise, but he says nothing.

"Well, I'll be sure to look into the reports regarding your friend Reynolds" says Morrison, "but unless there's something linking it directly to this case..." he spreads his hands in a gesture of supplication. "By the sounds of it, it was already ruled to be an accident".

Paice nods in affirmation.

Morrison touches his hat. "Good day to you gentlemen. Ma'am." He moves off, huddled against the cold.

Harry sniffs. As an aside to his colleagues, he mutters, "Commissioned or not, an inspector's the one with officer's epaulettes on his shoulders."

Dr. Francis Preston

"Well, what say we head along to the Army and Navy Club in Pall Mall for a refresher?" Preston suggests. "Maybe we'll run into the Colonel there and perhaps some others who knew the deceased. Norton, Paice here tells us you work there?" Perhaps that accounts for the smell of whiskey on the man's clothes despite not seeming drunk, he thinks.

"Perhaps a drink would be nice." Helena stated. "It seems most appropriate in a situation like this."

“That’s right sir” replies Norton to Preston. “The Colonel and Major Gower were kind enough to fix me up with a job there. In fact, I’ll be working tonight. Perhaps the Major, and even the Colonel will be there.”

He glances doubtfully at Helena. “I’m afraid you’d have to use the waiting room, Miss. Gentlemen only, you know” he mumbles apologetically.

“Well, I’ll come along, and maybe I can introduce you. Shall we return to the station?” asks Paice.

OOC,Unless you want to do anything else here, I'll return the action to London and the club in a new thread tomorrow.

Harry looks much cheerier.

"That sounds more like it. A decent dinner, drinks, and perhaps a few hands of cards. Enough of this penance in the country!"

Helena intends to get involved, and heads off to find a clothing store.

OOC:   Can Helena find a clothing store or something to purchase male clothing to be used as disguise? It's okay if that doesn't work.

OOC:   sure, no worries. But if a stretch anyways.

No, that would be too ridiculous, Helena thought, hiding a slight distance away from Paice, perhaps she could disguise herself as a hostess or as one of the workers there. Bribing one of the guards could work too, so long as it doesn't delve into the worst case scenario, then she should be fine. Worst comes to worst, she'll just sneak in the old fashioned way.

Helena pondered slightly about risks and, ultimately, the benefits, and realised that it's probably not worth it.

IDEA 65%,[dice]0[/dice]