4 Genius Loci: Renewed Interest

[Umbral Dragon]

The happenings between the Asylum and the Warwick have brought some enlightenment. As such the investigators follow new leads into the ever twisting miasma of the Kirby Asylum.

[Mr. Handy]

Carl gathers his notes, as well as any witnesses who wish to accompany him, and searches for a judge who might be sympathetic to shutting down a dangerous institution and freeing a man being held unlawfully against his will. He has gotten to know some of the judges by now during his time as a Texas Ranger.

[Umbral Dragon]

The investigators decide it would be better to cover more ground if they split up and get a fresh start in the morning. For now they each have time to contemplate their current situation before the evening is over...

[jp1885]

Coach doesn't linger outside the hotel and it's damn 'management' for long. Having made up his mind to seek out the various local building contractors in the morning, he returns home and digs out a copy of the local directory, making note of their numbers and addresses.

For the first time in a long while, he also fishes out his old shotgun from it's place at the back of a cupboard. He cleans and oils it, making sure it still works before stuffing a box of shells into his sports bag.

"I hope I don't have to use it," he says to himself, "but I can't be sure I won't..."

And on that thought he settles down for an early night.

[HoneyDog]

Joseph decides to accompany Carl. Perhaps some local judges may have had legal run-ins with the institution, and they can get a sense of what is going on there.

[Zero]

The gangster spent the rest of the evening at his home, shooting billiards and periodically meeting with members of his crew as they reported in on the day's happenings. Business had been relatively good that day. However, the incident at the casino and Betty's goons was still fresh on his mind. What exactly was that dame's game anyhow? He resolved to put out a few feelers to see if he could find out. Perhaps he could turn the tables on her next time. Finally, while the Wheel was off dealing with a family matter, Jimmy arranged for a new driver to take his place.

[Umbral Dragon]

Jimmy finds that Betty is his competition in the area, however, her clientele is normally in the upper echelon of society.

[Umbral Dragon]

Coach begins to ask about the construction project to remove the capstone and finds that no one remembers anything about it. He is relegated to Archival research.

[Umbral Dragon]

Carl and Joseph have an interesting conversation with THE Judge of Harris County. He tells them unless there is hard evidence, anything that happens at the Asylum is only circumstantial at best. It would not be in his best interest to support such incredible accusations by signing a warrant. If it turns out to be nothing but a Ranger's active imagination he doesn't want to look like a fool. "Thanks for stopping by fellas. Next time, maybe we'll take a fishing trip. I'd like that. See you two sooner than later. I have to get back to business as usual..."

[Mr. Handy]

"Thank you, Your Honor," says Carl politely before leaving with Joseph. After they're outside, he speaks to him. "Well, that didn't work. It's a shame those photographs didn't develop, or that would have done it. If the testimony of multiple eyewitnesses to these injuries isn't enough for him, what will be? The only legal way to get the hard evidence he wants is to get that warrant, but we can't get it without having the hard evidence first."

[jp1885]

Coach sighs, well aware that he'll need to start poring through records and archives - something well out of his comfort zone. Upon reflection however, he decides that this whole business is out of his comfort zone and thus, with a shrug, he gets on with it.

He decides to seek out the local chamber of commerce first to see if they can tell him anything. After that he plans to head to city hall (or wherever the records are kept) to look for contracts, permits and planning applications for the work at the asylum.

[HoneyDog]

"Maybe we can find a home address for Berger" Joseph tells Carl.

[Mr. Handy]

"Yes, that's a good idea," says Carl. "His address is a matter of public record. We should see what else we can learn about his past too. He's up to his eyeballs in this."

[Umbral Dragon]

Ooc: Library use checks for Coach.

[Zero]

Jimmy the Chin shot a glance toward Coach as the were driven to the City of Houston's Chamber of Commerce. The mobster figured they'd have the most success with the workers themselves, but he decided to follow his companion's lead for now.

"So you're going by the moniker of Coach these days, huh? You didn't really think everyone would forget about your past, did you? Those goons at the casino knew you straight away. You need to change your whole look if you're gonna ever be able to go incognito, especially in the circle I run in." he said to the former athlete.

OOC:   A little behind my recreational activities of late. Hope to stay on track now though, guys.

[jp1885]

Coach sighs, fixing Jimmy with a world-weary gaze.

"I've had the same conversation with myself buddy, but there comes a time when you've got to face up to what you've done, even if you get reminded of it now and then. I ain't gonna change for anybody - my players accept me for who I am, that's good enough."

Library Use 20%,[dice]0[/dice]

Alas Coach is unable to root out any information regarding McBride or the building work at the hospital.

"Okay, maybe we should talk to the builders themselves again, with you with me, maybe they'll be more forthcoming."

[Umbral Dragon]

Despite feeling like he's fumbling in the darkness,
Coach manages to find what appears to be some journal pages in a file which happens to fall out onto the floor. He manages to slip them into his sports coat and leave the Archives with them, undetected...

[Umbral Dragon]

The journal entries are from a Dr. Shrine. His notes are mundane except these.

[jp1885]

Coach leaves the records office and surreptitiously passes the papers to Jimmy.

"Hanging around with you is giving me bad habits, but I managed to filch these..."

"Looks like Dr. Shine had a big hang-up over that stone, as if it was kinda keeping the madness at bay. What's with all the mumbo-jumbo about a symbol? I gotta say the place sure gave me the creeps. Whether or not there's something weird going on this still points us in the direction of McBride and that building work."

[Umbral Dragon]

Spot Hidden checks!