Chapter 6: Who is Claude Owen?

[evil_scientist]

Isadora Carmichael

"The most distinctive property of the spores was that we found that if we inserted cells from the fungi into a dead specimen of another fungi species, it began to show signs of activity at the cellular level, if only for a brief period.”

Isadora is trying hard to wrap her mind around these alien subjects - biology is not her strong suit.

"Does that mean that the cells, when transplanted, live on in a different body?"

He looks at the companions in turn. “What is worrying to me, and I believe I mentioned to you before Alice, is that Albert had expressed an interest in Herbert West and his work. Are your companions familiar with the rumours about West?”

"I'm afraid not... These rumors must be contained inside the campus walls."

[HoneyDog]

“In reply to your first question, it does mean that, although only for a very short time. West was rumoured to have discovered the means to reanimate dead tissue. At first I thought it must be nonsense, but after examining the fungi, I have to at least begin to entertain the possibility that he may have found something.”

Winside looks thoughtful.

[Mr. Handy]

"I've heard some of the rumors," says Alice. "He's been compared to Dr. Frankenstein, and I can see why. Like in the novel, this research could be dangerous. Does Dr. West know about the fungi?"

[HoneyDog]

“How would I know anything about West or what he knows? I never met him. He left the university in disgrace years ago before he completed his studies.”

[Mr. Handy]

"We'll have to ask in the School of Medicine to see if anyone there knows about any connection between Owen and West," says Alice, "as well as additional information about Owen. Thank you Dr. Winside, you've been a great help."

[HoneyDog]

“Well, I doubt you’ll find anyone who can tell you about West. I would concentrate on finding out exactly what Owen is up to. Good luck.” Winside shakes everyone’s hand.

OOC,Shall we move to the School of Medicine?

[Mr. Handy]

OOC,Yes, Let's do that.

[Starspawn338]

OOC,I'm willing to follow Alice's lead. If I have anything to add, I'll speak up.

[HoneyDog]

The Miskatonic School of Medicine is adjacent to St. Mary's Teaching Hospital, situated in a three-story building. It is well-funded and thus is well-equipped with modern pharmaceutical and pathology labs, a medical library, and dissection and autopsy facilities. Certainly, and particularly in terms of post-mortem medical science, it is probably the best equipped school in the state outside of Harvard.

Entering the school just before lunch, our investigators encounter the reception, manned by a serious but not unkind-looking lady of middle age.

[Mr. Handy]

"Good morning, ma'am," says Alice. "I'm Alice Stanton. I have some questions regarding one of the medical students, Claude Owen."

[HoneyDog]

The woman frowns at the mention of the name. “I’ve heard of you, Miss Stanton” she says. “What would you like to know about Claude?”

[Mr. Handy]

"Well, let's start with what he's been doing lately," says Alice. "What research has he been pursuing? Have there been any...difficulties with him?"

[HoneyDog]

The woman snorts in frustration.

“I have no idea about his research, but knowing where he is would be nice. He hasn’t attended classes all week. Although there are some here who might count that as a blessing, I’m getting worried. We’ll have to contact the authorities. Why are you asking about Claude, if you don’t mind?”

[Mr. Handy]

"I'm making inquiries on behalf of the University," says Alice. "I'm afraid I can't go into details, as I need to be discreet in my inquiries, but I'm sure you can imagine what sort of things he might have done. Perhaps there is some clue as to where he has gone in his dorm room. Has anyone looked through it yet?"

[HoneyDog]

The woman shakes her head. "I've no idea. Of course I've called his dorm but the monitor there hasn't seen him. Unfortunately I don’t think many people are that concerned – Claude has a habit of alienating people. Still, we plan to inform the police if he isn’t heard from by the end of the day.”

[Starspawn338]

"Has he ever missed time like this in the past, perhaps while working on a project?" Harrison interjects.

[HoneyDog]

The woman turns and grabs a file from a shelf. Rifling through it, she says "There don't appear to be any other long-term absences, so this is out of character".

She closes the file and puts it back on the shelf. She drums her fingers on the counter, looking concerned. "I'll probably have to do another inventory check" she mutters, half to herself.

[Mr. Handy]

"Inventory check?" asks Alice. "Do you think he might have taken something?"

[HoneyDog]

She sighs. "Well, he's been known to borrow lab equipment without asking. He always returns it, but of course it doesn’t look good. And anytime anything else disappears, he’s the usual suspect”.

[Mr. Handy]

"We could look in his dorm room to see if there's anything like that in there and bring it back if we find anything," says Alice.