Chapter 5d: Colonel Hollingsworth (Harry)

[HoneyDog]

Having decided to wait until the afternoon to visit Hollingsworth, Harry has some time on his hands. The famous London docks could be a place to make enquiries, but he might need to keep his wits about him if he goes there.

OOC,Do you have an idea about how you'd like to proceed?

[andyw666]

Harry returns to his London townhouse to see to his correspondence and other mundane tasks. Reflecting on the apparent murderer at large, he decides to leave his little Bulldog Puppy revolver at home and instead collects his trusty service revolver, stashing it in a pocket of his overcoat. Harry also decides to leave the Docks for another day, perhaps with some of his friends in tow.

Harry whiles away the morning reading the Times then departs early for the colonel's, wanting to be precisely on time for a 3pm arrival.

[HoneyDog]

Harry takes a cab and arrives at the imposing Hampstead mansion at 3pm. He is greeted by the butler who betrays hint of emotion as he regards Harry.

“May I help you, Sir?” he enquires coolly.

[andyw666]

OOC,Actually, Harry wasn't there the previous visit so the butler really hasn't seen him before.

Harry places his discreet but very good quality calling card, "Capt Harry Addison (ret), Army & Navy Club", on the appropriate tray.

"I wonder if your master could spare two minute to speak to me, in regard to the murder of Major Gower last night? Or if he does not have time now, perhaps he would do me the honour of sharing a drink this evening sometime at the Army and Navy?"

[HoneyDog]

OOC,Yes! I'd forgotten, sorry. I've amended the post.

The butler takes the card and directs Harry to a reception room while he goes off to find his master.

After about ten minutes, the butler returns.

"I'm sorry sir, but the Colonel is accepting no visitors. He has already spoken to the police about Major Gower. And I'm afraid that he has no plans to venture out this evening. He thanks you for your interest though."

The butler moves to the doorway, as if to show Harry out.

[andyw666]

Harry hesitates for one last try. "Very well, but just one last thing before I leave. Could you please ask the colonel if he can tell me anything about Abadan, or point me towards someone who could?"

[HoneyDog]

The butler looks uncertain, but finally relents.

“I will relay your request sir” he says.

He returns after about five minutes. “The Colonel will see you, sir” he says. “Please follow me”.

He leads Harry through the hall to a opulently furnished parlour room. After a few minutes, another man enters. He is tall and broadly-built, with flaring reddish-brown hair and beard. A large scar crossed his left eye, and he leans on a sturdy walking stick. He looks like a physically powerful man, and has a commanding presence. He glares at Harry suspiciously.

“What do you want exactly, Captain?” he asks Harry, with no hint of friendliness in his voice. “Why are you here?”

[andyw666]

Harry stands ramrod straight in a close civilian approximation of 'parade rest', hands behind him, legs apart. He speaks in the manner of a junior officer giving a report while on campaign.

"Sir, it is very good of you to see me and I shan't waste your time will blather."

"My colleagues and I are retired members of Prince Albert's Somersets, all aging man of action. I believe we may have an acquaintance in common, a Mr Alan Paice, bookshop proprietor and formerly of the Buffs? One of my colleagues is his nephew."

"Old Paice told us about the murder of Sergeant Major Crouch and also the death of the man Reynolds, which seemed a strange coincidence. We meet last night at the Army and Navy with Major Gower, god rest him, regarding this very issue."

"The major left us to go home and was shortly after horribly attacked. We arrived on the scene just after the police, and my colleague Dr Preston renderred such aid as he could, but poor Gower was beyond saving."

"With his dying breath, Gower said, 'Abadan, but it was real, alive'. This means nothing to us, I'm afraid."

"We may be old fools who don't know when to lay down the sword but it remains our belief that we can lend assistance and provide insight that the Metropolitan Police cannot. We have all been on campaign and understand the devil's bargains and horrendous choices a soldier may face."

"If nothing else, I hope you will believe me when I say I fear for your safety and that of all former members of your battalion if this pattern continues."

[HoneyDog]

“I see, Captain” Hollingsworth says. He has listened to Harry’s speech impassively, a faint twitch of the eyebrows all that displays his emotions. “At least you’re not casting insinuations like that dratted Scotland Yard Inspector. But rest assured, this is nothing more than a coincidence. A dreadful coincidence, no doubt. But you need not trouble yourself. I’ll take your warning under advisement, but honestly you’ll probably find that those men had some personal issues which they were unable to deal with. But now I must ask you to leave. Good day sir.”

He opens the door.

“Fordyce!” he calls. “Please show the Captain out.”

The butler appears.

[andyw666]

OOC,Can Harry make a Psych roll to gain some insight into the colonel's honesty and/or fear levels?

"Of course, Colonel, and I thank you for your time. Just one last thing, can you tell me what this word Abadan means?"

[HoneyDog]

OOC,Go ahead.

“No idea” rumbles Hollingsworth. “Must have been something to do with Gower.”

[andyw666]

Psych,Harry's Psychology roll is 70% and he rolls... [dice]0[/dice]

[HoneyDog]

OOC,Harry can see Hollingsworth's jaw clench and eyes narrow each time Abadan is mentioned - the word provokes a reaction in him.

[andyw666]

Harry takes a deep breath, looking defeated, and glances around the room. "It would be wrong to depart without complimenting you on your most agreeable residence. And this room is a treasure. Well good day to you, Colonel." He ambles towards the exit.

OOC,Can Harry make a Spot Hid or History our anything roll to identify any remarkable items as he glances about the room?

[HoneyDog]

OOC,Roll Luck.

[andyw666]

Luck,Is 70% and Harry rolls... [dice]0[/dice]

OOC:   Critical success if it matters!

[HoneyDog]

Harry is escorted to the door by the butler, feeling Hollingsworth’s eyes on him as he leaves. As the door is shut behind him, and he prepares to walk up the drive to look for a cab, he hears a voice.

“Excuse me, I’d like to talk to you for a moment.”

He turns around to see a beautiful and elegant woman in her late twenties or early thirties. Despite her beauty, she looks pale and anxious.

“I’m Ramona Hollingsworth, Nicholas’ wife. Perhaps you’d like to tell me what’s going on.”

[andyw666]

Harry is suddenly all attentive, here is a world he is more familiar with. He raises his hat politely. "Madam, delighted to make your acquaintance. My name is Harry Addison, I was formerly a captain in another regiment. Perhaps we might take a short walk in your delightful garden, somewhere ideally out of eyesight and earshot of your esteemed husband, whom I fear does not like me. And I shall explain my mission."

Harry politely indicates some neutral direction that will accomplish those goals and he then continues.

"In brief, my colleagues and I, all retired members of Prince Albert's Somersets, believe that someone is murdering members of your husband's former regiment. We have no idea why but an enlisted man and a sergeant-major are both dead. And then last night, poor Major Gower, God rest him, was cruelly slain not half an hour after I was discussing this very issue with him at the club."

"The major, with his last breath, mentioned the word Abadan. I have no idea what it means. Your husband the colonel denies all knowledge. I must confess, however, that I believe he recognises the word. I cannot conceive of a reason why he would keep that knowledge from me though."

[HoneyDog]

Mrs. Hollingsworth accompanies Harry somewhat reluctantly. She looks at him, her arms crossed, listening intently.

“And why exactly are you so interested in my husband and his men, Mr. Addison? Why should he talk to you?”

[andyw666]

Harry shrugs. "Well, we are members of the same club, and my colleagues and I are offering our services for free."

"My friends and I are all former soldiers and I suppose we are all still in the habit of seeing problems and wishing to take action to correct them. Beyond that, I assure you my friends' motives are entirely altruistic and based around protecting our brothers in arms. All else aside, old Paice is my colleague James' uncle, so we are naturally protective of him."

"For myself, I enjoy writing and intend to produce some magazine articles, possibly a book, on the reminiscences of old soldiers. Something similar to the works of Captain Gronow after the Napoleonic Wars. I had thought an article about retired soldiers facing retribution for old campaigns would be rather interesting. I do this primarily for posterity though, not money, and of course would never publish anything that might harm a good man's, or lady's, reputation."

"So your husband can talk to me or not as he sees fit, it won't stop us either way, but I do not understand why he would lie about knowing something when asked."

Psych,Psych roll to gain some insight into the motives of Mrs H? Beyond the obvious of spending time in Harry's company of course.