[IC]Chapter 1.4b - Millie's House

[Raiko]

The Adams' House – 163 West 131st Street, Harlem, NY
7:30pm - Wednesday 14th January, 1925

Amy, Cynthia and Marcus make their way to the address of Hilton and Millie Adams, a brownstone rowhouse on West 131st Street, close to 8th Avenue.

As they crunch though the snow and approach the front steps of the house, a train can be heard clattering south on the 8th Avenue elevated railway, but the street itself is mostly deserted. Most residents are staying warm indoors, out of the snow.

[Silver Priest]

Marcus lights another cigarette, relishing the small amount of warmth it gives off in the cold night.

"So, guess you gals had better take the lead here. I'm not expecting trouble, but keep an eye. It's entirely possible whatever bad apples framed Hilton are keeping an eye on his wife- and her visitors." He looks around, trying to appear casual as he does so. He's not expecting to find anything but it paid to be cautious.

Spot Hidden 66%,[dice]0[/dice]

[jp1885]

"Yeah, we gotta play this real easy."

Cynthia saunters up to the building. Following Marcus' lead she pauses to light a cigarette, looking around casually and listening out for anything unusual over the sound of the trains.

Spot hidden 51% FAIL,[dice]0[/dice]

Listen 55% PASS,[dice]1[/dice]

[Mr. Handy]

"Okay," says Amy. "You should speak to her first, since you met her husband." She too takes a nervous look around.

OOC,Listen roll (55% skill) outside the brownstone: [dice]0[/dice] Spot Hidden roll (69% skill) outside the brownstone: [dice]1[/dice]

[Raiko]

None of the investigators notice anything unusual. The street is quiet, and so even with the falling snow limiting visibility and damping noise, it should be relatively easy to spot a tail.

There are lights on downstairs inside Millie Adams' house, but the curtains are all drawn, so nothing can be seen inside.

[Mr. Handy]

Realizing that there is nothing for it but to knock, Amy does so.

[jp1885]

Confident that no-one is lurking nearby, Cynthia stands next to Amy and tries to look friendly.

[Silver Priest]

Marcus tries as well, though he suspects this is a failing battle. Still, he tries to go for "bodyguard" more than "thug."

[Raiko]

The door is opened by an elegant African-American woman, she is wearing a neatly pressed blouse and woolen skirt and her hair is perfectly styled.

She looks a little surprised to see her three visitors outside the door.

"Hello, can I help you?"

[jp1885]

Not wanting to be overheard in the street, Cynthia takes a step forward.

"Hello, er, Mrs. Adams? Your husband asked us to swing by - may we come in?

[Mr. Handy]

"Good evening, ma'am," says Amy with a friendly wave and smile.

OOC,Charm roll (67% skill) meeting [b]Millie[/b]: [dice]0[/dice]

[Silver Priest]

Marcus gives a nod.

[Raiko]

"Yes, I'm Millie Adams," she replies.

Millie steps back to make room for the investigators to step inside, out of the cold.

"I've been expecting you, I think, but I'd been told to expect a young lady and two men?"

[jp1885]

"Oh?" Cynthia is immediately suspicious, but tries to remain casual. "I didn't think anyone rang ahead. Who told you we were coming?"

She scrutinises Mrs. Adams' reaction.

Psychology 79% hard pass,[dice]0[/dice]

[Mr. Handy]

Amy realizes what must have happened. It had been Cynthia, Marcus, and Atauchi that had visited the prison, so whoever told Millie about their visit must have told her there were one woman and two men.

[Silver Priest]

"Cynthia gets that alot," Marcus says casually. He shoots her a ghost of a smile to ensure her he means no harm.

[jp1885]

For a split second, Cynthia glares at Marcus. Then, realising the good humour behind his comment, rolls her eyes and supresses a chuckle.

[Raiko]

Marcus' comment breaks the ice, Millie smiles and leads the investigators inside the house and into the living room, speaking as she walks.

"Yes, a friend told me that you'd probably be visiting, she's waiting inside."

There is a lady sat on the living room sofa, she is a small Caucasian woman, with a dark complexion and long wavy black hair. She's pretty and probably in her mid-twenties. Millie introduces her friend:

"This is Rebecca Shosenburg, she works for The Times and she said that you'd been to visit my husband."

[jp1885]

Cynthia's suspicions are put at ease at the mention of the journalist's name and she smiles in greeting.

"I see, looks like we get to kill two birds with one stone. You probably already know that I'm Cynthia Vallier, psychology student and researcher at Columbia, and that I interviewed Mr. Adams today as part of my research - accompanied by my associate here."

She nods to Marcus.

"And this is my pal Amy."

"So yeah, research. However, you might not know that we have, shall we say, a deeper interest in the case. Millie, I'm convinced that your husband has been framed. These killings and disappearances are, I think, linked to a wider conspiracy that my friends and I have had some experience of."

She pauses, wondering how much information to give away considering how reticent she'd been with Mr. Adams.

"The least you know about that the better I think - suffice to say we're on the same side here. We'd be interested to hear your side of the story Mrs. Adams, and yours too Miss Shosenburg."

[Mr. Handy]

"Hi," says Amy with a smile. "Pleased to meet you. I didn't visit the prison yesterday, but Cynthia filled me in on it. You obviously know more about the case than we do. If you share what you know, maybe we can help."