Ch.16a Black Gold (Alex & Ivy)

[Silver Priest]

Having been caught, Alex smiles guiltily and decides to drop the matter. They had too much to focus on without him playing cupid.

"Ah yes, the photo!" Of course, Alex had no real experience with taking photos, but he intended to do his best. "Just slightly to the right--there we go. Look somber, if you would. You're fighting to save this community, and I want to make sure that's reflected in the picture."

1d100

Woah. Apparently Alex should consider a new line of work.

[Philulhu]

If Alex wasn’t a professional photographer, no one would have been able to tell, as he guided Halpert into the windows and got the photograph just so.

For his part, Halpert nodded and smiled, clearly impressed by Alex’s work. “I’m looking forward to seeing the results,” he said. “Now is there anything more I can tell you about the oilmen and the damage they are doing?”

[Silver Priest]

"You and me both," Alex says in a moment of unexpected honesty. While he's not one to toot his own horn he did feel like he had just captured the perfect shot. He couldn't wait to have the picture developed.

But Halpert's words reminded him of what they were really there for, and he quickly sobers. "Yes, that will prove very helpful Mr. Halpert. You mentioned something about people being afraid to attend church due to the oilmen's behavior. Could you elaborate on that? Are there some heathen or unusual beliefs amongst that crowd, or hostility towards God fearing Christians?"

[jp1885]

With Halpert distracted, Ivy takes the opportunity to mooch around the study. She focuses on the bookshelves (easier to explain away if challenged) - inspecting the man’s choice of reading material and also looking for more carved serpents.

[Philulhu]

Halpert considered Alex’s question for a moment, then said, “I didn’t actually witness the behaviour as I was out of town on business that weekend but I believe Richard was there. Perhaps you should ask him?” he suggested. He crossed to the door and pulled on a bell cord.

In the depths of the house, a bell rang, and Richard was there moments later. Prompted by Halpert, the English butler stated that he had been in church when a group of oilmen had attended one of the Sunday morning services. ”They had clearly been drinking the night before, if their demeanour and general behaviour were anything to go by,” he said. “They were vulgar and thought it highly amusing to make noises to try to put off Father Ortega. One of them even turned the order of service into a paper plane and launched it towards the Reverend as he was preaching!”

“It was most unseemly and loutish behaviour. I understand that they have been banned from attending again!”

On the other side of the room, Ivy browsed Halpert’s shelves. He had a moderately extensive collection, covering the natural world and history, to politics and some books on military strategy, She ran her fingers across the shelves but they were plain and unadorned.

[Silver Priest]

"Sounds ghastly," Alex declares with a frown. "Do you know around when these events took place?

"We were actually in the church and discovered someone had carved a snake into one of the pews! The priest said it was unlikely to have been done by a regular, so we were wondering if it had been carved in by one of the oil workers as some sort of pagan prayer. Do either of you know if there's been any interest in serpents from any of these types? I'd love to find the culprit while we were here; the angle of satanic oil workers would shock our readers and needless to say be met with much outcry."

[jp1885]

Ivy tries to gauge Halpert and Richard’s reactions at this revelation.

[45] = 45
Psychology 60 1d100: [ 45 ] = 45

[Philulhu]

Richard thought for moment, then said, “It would have been a few weeks ago. I’m sorry I can’t be more precise but I could check my diary and see whether I made a note of it, if that would help?”

Ivy watched the conversation from the other side of the room but detected nothing untoward.

[Silver Priest]

"That would be a big help," Alex says. "If we can narrow down the culprit we have a lead to pursue that might I add would be highly embarrassing for the oil company. Imagine going into the house of the Lord and being so sacrilegious!" Though a man of nominal religiosity--even after what he's seen-- Alex is playing this angle up a little.

[jp1885]

“Have you noticed any unusual behaviour among your own employees recently?” Ivy asks Halpert.

“Have the oilmen’s ways rubbed off on them, or do they keep themselves to themselves?”

[Philulhu]

Richard excused himself with a curt bow and left to go and check his diary, while Halpert said, “Unusual behaviour? Not that I’m aware of. What exactly do do you mean?”

[jp1885]

“Well, the oil workers must have some interaction with the locals, your staff included,” Ivy replies. “If their roustabout ways were picked up by some, that would add to the story.”

[Philulhu]

“I shouldn’t imagine they would have much to do with each other but by all means talk to them if you wish. I can ask Richard to find out where they are working when he returns, if that would be of use,” Halpert said. He paused for a moment, then continued. “I, err, will still be the main person in your article, though, won’t I?”

[Silver Priest]

"Of course, Mr. Halpert. They're your workers after all. It would only make sense to credit you if they helped us uncover a scandal." Alex says this as though it were self evident.

[jp1885]

“Oh indeed,” Ivy concurs. “You will be the ‘star of the show’, as it were. But if Richard could furnish us with their location, it would certainly help.”

“You’re being so very helpful,” she simpers, inwardly raging against herself.

[Philulhu]

Richard returned shortly, letting himself into the room quietly. ”It was approximately six weeks ago,” he informed them. “Father Ortega had not been here long and they presumably thought to have some sport at his expense. It was most unseemly - they behaved like wild animals.”

“Quite so,” said Halpert. “Now Richard, our guests have expressed a wish to speak to some of the workers. Would you know of someone to whom they might speak?”

Richard considered the question a moment. “Preacher Litton?” he suggested. “He ministers to the workers and their families. He might be the most appropriate.”

[Silver Priest]

Alex frowns slightly; The mark had been less than a month old. And if they were banned from services after that event that meant an oilman was not their culprit. "Hmm... that does not seem to match up with the reported vandalism. Still, it's important information in that it helps us to eliminate some suspects. I ah, read a lot of detective fiction." He explains.

"I believe we've heard of this preacher and would like to speak to him. With Mr. Halpert's permission, of course."

[Philulhu]

Halpert shrugged. “He is a free man, He may talk to anyone that he wishes to,” he said.

The grandfather clock chimed in the corner of the room and Halpert pulled out his watch, frowned and said, “It has been most pleasant meeting you but I have business I must attend to. Richard will show you out.” He bid them farewell and excused himself, leaving Richard to escort them to the front door.

Outside, the day had grown more blustery and the clouds above held the threat of rain. “Would you like me to ask Erasmus to run you back to your lodgings?” suggested Richard.

[Silver Priest]

"Thank you very much for all your assistance," Alex tells Halpert, shaking the man's hand. "Rest assured we will be in touch if we learn anything."

He looks to the clock, trying to determine just how late in the day it is.

[jp1885]

“Thank you Richard. Would you be able to take us to see Preacher Litton?” asks Ivy.