Play@YSDC

Skipper looks at Des with mild amusement. "Whadda you care if it's true or not? To quote Winston from Ghostbusters, if there's a steady paycheck in it, I'll believe anything you say."

He looks at an old fashioned CWC analog watch on his wrist. "We've got plenty of time before 11 then. Lots of poking around opportunity."

Skipper pulls a digital SLR camera out of his backpack and speedily changes the telescopic zoom lens for a much stubbier close range version. Camera in one hand, coffee in the other, he grins. "I'm good."

Jordan bought the flapjacks and ate them during the interview. He finishes them in time to follow the others to the store. "I've heard of poltergeists," he says. "Never believed in them before, but I've come to understand that anything's possible."

"Grandma? I'm twenty-two..." Izzy mutters, feeling outraged and rather upset at Des' comment. Still, it doesn't matter. She knows that sooner or later, Des will get a sharp shock when she sees precisely what sort of cases the Folly deals with regularly...


Magic roll (60%):

1d100

"Mr. Anderson, how long has the shop been operating for? Was it always a bookshop, or did it used to be something else?"

22?! Wow, that seems ancient to Des…

Unless I’m mistaken, Des has neither Magic nor Occult. Would Sense Vestigia work, or is the trace too old?

"Might I examine your injuries, Mr. Anderson?" asks Jordan. He doesn't know anything about magic, but at least this would be within his realm of expertise.

Snapper wrote: ↑Thu Jan 05, 2023 6:37 am

While the magic people are doing their thing, can Skipper try a Read Person to make some assessment of Anderson? Assuming that's how Read Person works.

Yes, go for it.

1d%dp30%

Skipper keeps half an eye on Anderson but can form no judgement.

Anderson is pretty shook up by his ordeal and, having already been treated by paramedics, might be reluctant to be examined again. Maybe a Social roll might persuade him?

“I don’t know how long the shop’s been open for; I’ve only been working there a couple of years. The building’s eighteenth century I think,” Anderson replies to Izzy’s question.

“I’ve no idea what it used to be before, but I know it was originally three shops: the one on New Row and two adjacent ones that back onto it from Garrick Street. Someone back in the day knocked the walls through and turned it into a single shop. It’s a total nightmare when it comes to shoplifters - lots of dead space.”

Des made a mental note of that last comment, should she feel the need to come back at a later date. Not that books were easy to move on, but if times got hard…

Izzy makes a note of the building's estimated date and history, as relayed by the unfortunate Mr Anderson.

"Thanks for that. You've been a great help, I think that might be enough for us for now, unless the others have more questions. If anything else comes to mind that you think could help, please get in touch," she says, handing him a card with her name and work mobile number, Force ID number, and the address of the Folly.

"He does have a crime reference number, yes?" Izzy asks PC Singh as an aside.

PC Singh nods.

"Yes, a crime number has been provided. Does anyone else have any questions, or can I let Mr. Anderson go on his way?"

"I'm a doctor," says Jordan. "I know you were already treated in hospital, but I may be able to find some clues that would help us bring your assailant to justice."

Social roll (60% skill) to convince Anderson:
d%
Hard success.

"I don't have any further questions at this time," Leo added. "Thank you both!"

"No questions from me, I'm good."

Skipper throws his camera's sling strap over his neck, the backpack over a shoulder, and drifts just outside the coffee shop, clutching his latte. One-handed, he starts taking a few snaps of Stonewaters down the lane.

Before the team leaves the Cappuccino Lounge, Jordan quickly examines Anderson.

The bruising is consistent with the man’s account: he has been hit by a number of blunt objects, seemingly thrown from a few metres away.

Skipper looks back at his newfound, apparent colleagues, gestures that he is taking some photos, then wanders off. He crosses to the other side of the New Row and ambles along until he is roughly opposite Stonewaters, taking a few photos as he goes. And sipping coffee.