Chapter 2: A Question of Identity

[Silver Priest]

"He sounded like the old Henry Atwater," the aspiring doctor admits. "Unlike the other one with the unusual accent. But of course that's not possible." Eyes narrowed in contemplation, he seems deep in thought.

[HoneyDog]

“No, that’s not possible” says Stuckey. “Unless there’s some kind of scam going on. Maybe the old guy is going to take the fall for killing Cardigan?”

[Philulhu]

”He recognised Mr Appleton and myself straight away,” mused Bruce, “Though that’s by no means a conclusive argument for that old man in there being Henry Atwater. Are we really suggesting that he and the old man somehow swapped bodies? That’s impossible!”

[HoneyDog]

Stuckey pokes a stubby finger into Bruce's chest.

"No-one's suggesting anything apart from you, mister" he says sternly. "Keep your crazy theories to yourself, and try and help us figure this out. You're supposed to be a professor."

[aine]

Fort has been thinking.
“The Professor might be on to something. I once saw this film where a chap banged his head; lost his memory but was convinced he was someone else; Chap B.
It was only when they let him out of hospital and he got on the ‘bus back to his old home that he realised he was actually Chap A!”
Fort chuckles in recollection.

[Silver Priest]

"In that case, perhaps further gentle questioning would be wise, either by us or his doctor. Ask him questions assuming he is in fact Henry Atwater; before long; his childhood address, the name of his teacher in 4th grade, so forth. Before long he won't be able to answer them, and that will allow us to shake this delusion from him when he is confronted with absolute proof that he is not Henry Atwater. Of course, that doesn't help us find the actual man."

[Philulhu]

Bruce pushed Stuckey’s hand away irritably. ”Do you mind?” he snapped.

“I’m all ears to hear what you think happened, Detective. I merely stated that the man in their recognised me and that it seemed impossible, nothing more that that!”

[Starspawn338]

At this point in time, Harrison is not willing to speculate about anything. Although it would appear highly improbable that Henry and this man switched minds or bodies or if there were some other highly probable reason for what was going on, it was a mystery that needed investigation and it was far more interesting than his doctoral work at the moment.

"I do believe that we must focus on finding Henry Atwater. If he was capable of leaving, he will be capable of answering more questions when we find him."

[SunlessNick]

"He didn't claim to know me," Emily puts in. "And if he was faking he probably would have. I never met Henry Atwater," she clarifies to Stuckey. "I could try again, pretend to be a friend of his... if he's really... he'd know better."

[HoneyDog]

The doctor reappears.

"He's sleeping now, and I would request no more visits for today. He's still very weak and he needs plenty of rest if he's going to pull through."

He turns to Fort.

"As to your question about the deformity, I don't know. It could be from birth, or some undiagnosed condition."

"It's plainly a ruse of some kind" says Stuckey. "Some convoluted plan to do away with Cardigan. I'm going to post a guard on this door, Doctor. This man is a suspect, whatever his condition."

[Mr. Handy]

"We should get over to the sanitarium," says Alice. "We'll need to find out what Mr. Atwater did there and how he escaped, and see if we can find and follow his trail. Some of those dogs that were used in the search could be useful for that."

[Silver Priest]

Henry nods in agreement.

[HoneyDog]

Stuckey shakes his head.

“Slow down Miss, we’ve already been over it. He’s gone, we’re not sure how, but he probably just walked out. He wasn't locked up. It doesn’t make any difference anyway. And as for dogs, he’s wearing new clothes, see? Why don’t you all go on about your business, and we’ll be in touch if there are any developments you can help us out with.”

OOC, Shall I move things on?

[Mr. Handy]

OOC, Okay.

[Philulhu]

OOC, OK with me.

[aine]

Fort looks at his watch,
“Cripes, I’ve got a match to get to. I’ll hook up with you all later.” He smiles jovially and then rushes out the door.

[Starspawn338]

OOC, I'm ready to move on.

[SunlessNick]

OOC,Ok.