IC - 24 - They Think It's All Over

[Mephistophilis]

There's no further sounds from the intercom but after thirty seconds Kris hears the latch on the door click. He pushes it open and steps inside the stairwell. There are doors off to the left and right, number 1 on the left, 2 on the right. And stairs beyond. Otherwise, apart from the mail boxes numbered 1 to 6 and the floor covered with pizza delivery fliers and other junk mail there's nothing he wouldn't see in a hundred other blocks of flats.

PC Grey peers over Kris's shoulder. 'Want me to hang back?'

[Philulhu]

Kris shook his head. ”No, back me up in case it goes pear-shaped,” he said quietly.

Keeping an eye on the door to the flat, he stepped over to the mail boxes and checked out the one belonging to flat 2, looking to see if there any mail that might suggest it was being emptied regularly.

[Silver Priest]

Simon waits in the vehicle for any word. I hope Kris knows what he's doing. This looks like a place filled with ruffians.

[Mephistophilis]

The post box for flat 2 is slightly odd, in so far as it is not filled to the brim but Kris can see a few flyers and what looks like junk mail and bills poking out around the hatch, like someone's opened it and post has half fallen out and then they've closed it again without emptying it completely.

[Philulhu]

Can I try a spot hidden? Just in case it’s boobytrapped?

Spot hidden (40%) 1d100

[Mephistophilis]

You worried about the post box or the door to the flat? I'll take your roll to cover both either way.

[Philulhu]

It was the mailbox, just in case someone’s left a little surprise in there.

[Mephistophilis]

Kris has a poke around the mailbox, trying to get a look inside. As far as he can see it is just a normal metal box, opened with a key at the front. There's no sign of any traps or anything else untoward. Similarly, the door to number 2 is a single solid piece of wood, thick because it's a fire door, painted an off-white colour. There's a small glass spyhole at the top. There's a keyhole. He can't see any evidence of wires or string or anything else that might imply a boobytrap.

Managing to slide out one of the bills from the box, Kris sees it is an overdue television licence demand addressed to James Williams, Flat 2.

[Philulhu]

”Looks like we’re in the right place,” said Kris. Turning his attention to the door, he squatted and looked through they keyhole.

Spot hidden again, should I need it for spotting anything through the keyhole.

1d100

Edit: Oh crap…

[Mephistophilis]

Crouching down at the level of keyhole, Kris attempts to look through.



Unfortunately it is a cylinder lock and he can't see anything through the pins.

While he is still crouched, he hears the sound of a bolt being drawn on the other side and the handle turns. The door opens inwards and standing above him there's a tall, rough looking white man who seems to be in his forties. He's pretty large and well muscled with tattoos on his bare forearms. 'What d'you want?' he barks before clocking the armed officer and taking a step back, raising his hands. 'Woah, calm down.'

Everyone roll Spot Hidden and Listen

[Mr. Handy]

Jocelyn sees something.

Spot Hidden roll (60% skill) watching the building:
d%
Listen roll (55% skill) watching the building:
d%

[Philulhu]

Listen (35%) 1d100

Spot hidden (40%) 1d100

Despite the sudden appearance of a mab’s crotch at eye level, Kris was still focused enough to spot something in the apartment.

[Silver Priest]

1d100 30 Listen

1d100 Spot Hidden 25

"What are you thinking we should have for lunch?" Simon asks Jocelyn, oblivious to everything else.

[Mr. Handy]

"Hold on, I just saw something," says Jocelyn.

[Mephistophilis]

Behind the hulking guy in the doorway, Kris thinks he can see something behind him. It's dark, and it's hard to see round this guy, but he's sure he can see something moving further back in the apartment. He tries to stand with as much dignity as he can muster and steps into the doorway. But the man stands in his way, not threateningly, just blocking his ability to move or see inside properly.

Behind him Kris can hear the sound of Ollie shouldering his weapon. 'Armed Police. Step back, down on your knees, hands behind your head.'

The man still doesn't move but raises his hands above his head, 'I think you've got your wires crossed mate.'

-----

Sitting in the car with Simon, prattling on about lunch, Jocelyn sees movement from the direction of the flats. There's a man in the window of a ground floor property. He seems to be trying to open it. It is difficult to tell from this distance but Jocelyn thinks he has dark skin.

[Mr. Handy]

Jocelyn taps Simon on the shoulder and points out the window. "There's a man in the window of that flat," she says as she opens the door and gets out of the car. "Looks like he has dark skin. He could be Johnny. Get on your mobile phone and let Kris know. Don't use the radio." She approaches the flat carefully, taking full advantage of available concealment so as not to be seen coming that way from the window.

[Silver Priest]

"Right, of course," Simon nods, getting on his phone and giving Kris a call.He feels like James Bond, or at least Luther.

if Kris answers: "Man in the window of one of the ground floor flats-- he might be trying to pull a runner."

[Philulhu]

Having picked up the call, ”Out of my way!” snapped Kris, pushing the man to one side and hurrying through the apartment, looking for the man who was trying to escape.

[Mephistophilis]

Give me a DEX roll to see who acts first.

[Mr. Handy]

Jocelyn is slow to react.

DEX roll (65% stat) to act faster:
d%