Chapter 8: October 30th

[HoneyDog]

Blessing shakes his head.

“No, neither the symbols nor the purpose behind them is known to us. I’ve been trying to think about what they mean, but I really have no idea. I’ve never seen anything like them before. As for the locations, it seems to me to be more of a matter of opportunity. She is obviously targeting inebriated men.”

[Snapper]

Crozier:

"Very well. My next thought is to assess any possible opposition we may face while trying to locate the nurse. Who are these other three ruffians we've seen and what is their connection to this?"

[HoneyDog]

Blessing

“They are also searching for her. The reason I am conducting my search independently is because, frankly, I do not trust them to treat her respectfully; they may well hurt her. If the big one, Mansche, is present, she would be safe as he is not a bad man, but the other two are well, frankly, cruel and sadistic. They treat the inmates terribly if they can get away with it.”

[Mr. Handy]

"There's also Estes Hackett and his vigilantes," says Alexander. "They've made it quite clear they'll string her up if they find her first."

[HoneyDog]

Blessing nods.

“Yes, she’s in great danger. And she’s also of course dangerous to those around her. She must be found. I will try to join forces with you tomorrow so search for her. She won’t be easy to find. You say this Haberdasher’s might have information?”

[Philulhu]

”We certainly hope so,” replied Vic. “If we can identify the buyer of the cotton reel, it may lead us to where she has been working.”

[HoneyDog]

"Excellent!" exclaims Blessing. He is looking more cheerful than previously. He checks his watch.

"I should return to Malbray soon. Let us meet tomorrow at this haberdashers".

[Snapper]

Crozier:

Crozier, nods, happy to have a plan of action.

"Right, batten down the hatches, ladies and gentlemen, and be ready for anything. Tomorrow morning we start the search. Where shall we meet, and at what time?"

[HoneyDog]

Blessing

"It appears that the inquest resumes in the afternoon, so if you give me the address of the haberdashers, I can meet you there at 9 am".

[Snapper]

OOC,Could Crozier make another psych roll at this point to make some assessment of Dr Blessing's state of mind?

[HoneyDog]

OOC,Sure!

[aine]

Isolde says nothing but inclines her head. She does, however, want a private word with her companions before the morrow.

[Snapper]

Crozier:

Psychology 40%,[dice]0[/dice]

[HoneyDog]

Crozier,Blessing seems to be energized by the conversation. He is obviously motivated by concern for the woman, and this feeling appears genuine.

Blessing stands up again.

"I really should take my leave" he announces. "I must thank you all for your assistance, and I will see you tomorrow."

He gets the address of the haberdasher before he leaves.

OOC,You can stop him if there is anything else you want to ask.

[Mr. Handy]

"You're welcome," says Alexander, "and thank you, Doctor. We shall see you in the morning."

[Snapper]

Crozier:

Crozier tips his top hat. "Until the morning, doctor."

[aine]

Isolde waits for the doctor to go before turning to the others.
“I’m not sure what else we could do; more murders will happen if we dont catch the culprit soon and the doctor is our best lead; he knows who she is. He’s so jittery it seems to be the best thing to go along with him.”

Isolde sighs, “I don’t like keeping the police in the dark either and we’ll have to be careful not to become accomplices. If you’re not happy to meet the doctor on his own grounds tomorrow, I do understand.”

[Mephistophilis]

Harry grimaces, 'I'm no gentleman, if I need to report this doctor to the police to save more lives I will, whatever we've promised him. It seems to me his fancy for this woman has put the lives of many people in danger.'

[Snapper]

Crozier:

Crozier smokes his cigar in silence, waiting for the others.

"I am confident this man's concern for the nurse he talks about is quite genuine, and I'm a reasonable judge of character. I believe we can trust him to act accordingly, for what it's worth."

"Brown, we all want to stop this woman. But that is not the same as surrendering her to the police. Events may satisfy us that she is no longer a danger to anyone once back at the asylum. In the meantime, we need the doctor's assistance, if only to identify her. What I can say without doubt is he won't help us if he thinks we'll involve the police."

"I would also say that Dr Blessing and Dr Campbell here have reached a gentlemen's agreement, however little you care about such matters. For anyone to break that agreement would be to dishonour the Seekers."

[Mr. Handy]

"Aye, I quite agree," says Alexander in a firm tone. "I willna go back on my word."