Play@YSDC

9am Sunday 14th March 2010, High Wycombe Police Station

One day since Regina Balfour was rescued.

After returning home and to their hotel rooms, Kris, Jocelyn, and Simon fall easily into a deep sleep which is refreshing and thankfully dreamless.

Waking in the morning, a little later than they had become used to, all three feel much calmer than they have in recent days, more relaxed, more content with the world. Looking blearily into the mirror they all find their skin to be healing and on its way to returning to normal, bar a few slight patches of erythema.

Driving into the station it feels like it is going to be a good day.

-----



Once they arrive at High Wycombe Station it is a surprising hive of activity for a Sunday. In the incident room DI Malone is already there, and he doesn't look pleased. Seeing the three arrive he shouts over to them, 'Glad you could finally make it. This case isn't over. Not by a long chalk.'

He shows them a fingerprint analysis on the computer. It shows that the handgun they retrieved from the church is a match for John Allen, AKA Johnny Zero. 'I can bring Balfour in as a witness but you can't tie this to him.' He gestures to the corner of the room where an awkward looking man in a suit is standing. He comes over. 'This is Mr Patel, he's from Legal Services, tell them what you've told me.'

The man seems rather hesitant but eventually he spits out, 'Yes, well, we've received this...' he places a photocopied document on the table, from what is legible on the first page it looks like some kind of court order. 'The long and the short of it is that unless you find overwhelming evidence of harm to young Miss Balfour, she is to be released into the custody of her parents within twenty four hours.'

"We need to bring in Johnny Zero and get him to turn over on Balfour," says Jocelyn. "Any information on his whereabouts?"

CON roll (65% stat):
d%
Healing:
1d6
Divided by 2, that gives me 2 HP back, taking me to 10/12.

Luck roll (35% stat):
d%
Luck increase:
1d10

Luck 46 1d100

1d10

Simon's good mood fades quickly upon hearing this.

"For God's sake, a gun was being stored within the church! You can't tell me Balfour had no idea it was there. We also have some evidence that a symbol on the altar is connected to a cult over in Africa purported to practice human sacrifice.

"Regardless, Jocelyn is correct-- our best lead is to bring Mr. ah, Zero in and hope we can persuade him to flip. I'd recommend allowing us to do any interrogation of him-- we helped to rescue Regina and that may serve to convince him we possess God's favour or some such nonsense."

Con 60 1d100

1d6 halved, so 1. Well no major wound at least.

'This Johnny Zero was identified as being a suspect in a break in at George Lewiston's house on Friday. We haven't managed to pick him up yet' says Malone.

'Well if John...Zero is your man I suggest focusing your efforts on him' sniffs Patel. 'As to lurid African cults and the Reverend Balfour I'm afraid it's just this sort of allegation that has got his solicitor making accusations of racism that we can't afford to ignore. Not after the last incident that led to your suspension Constable, um, Sapru isn't it?'

Malone frowns, 'I haven't even squared that with Deputy Chief Constable Habgood yet. If DS Bates were her usual self you wouldn't even be still working this case' says Malone. 'Still, good work on finding the girl and all that.'

'So focus on finding Mr Zero, we have an address in Wycombe you can check out. Also, we will be interviewing Regina with someone from social services, I don't know whether one of you thinks it would be helpful to join.'

"That could be important too," says Jocelyn. "Perhaps one of us should sit in on the interview. Regina won't think ill of her father, but maybe she observed him with Johnny Zero or overheard them talking at some point. Now that we know what to ask her, those questions will need to be asked. The rest of us should check out his place in Wycombe."

"I'm not the best at dealing with children," Simon grudgingly admits. "But I'd probably have more use there than I would poking around Mr. Zero's abode . Unless one of you believe you'd be better at it."

"No, I think you're the best suited for the interview," says Jocelyn.

Sorry, been a busy week.

Kris remembered hearing the name. ”Let’s head over to Wycombe and see if we can pick him up.”