CH2-10a Brichester bound

[ghill]

Approaching, the building Andy and Albert see its in rather poor repair, old and worn, but clearly weather proof and secure. There are three doors, a set of large double doors (like a set of oversized garage doors) and a third door to the left. All the doors have been padlocked with relatively new padlocks, while the double doors look and feel as though they have also been bolted and barred.

[carnage_lee]

This is a 'scouting job'?

If so - we make a list and head off to B&Q

bolt-croppers, crowbar, gloves, storage boxes (the lidded plastic ones that 'the kids toys go in') - we also need 'wooly' hats or suchlike.
Do we need a van (by the description of the amount of stuff that was seen ?)

Can we see through any windows? If so does it look like Gossham's stuff is still there?

[ghill]

Jacob said that the items were near the door, Andy has to boost Albert up so he can look through an unpainted vent window from where he can confirm that the boxes are still there.

There is no suitable store for Andy and Albert to equip themselves locally so they have to drive the 20 minutes back towards Cheltenham. From the description of the goods they decide that the contents can probably be loaded into the boot and or the back of the car.

OOC:   Mid july its going to be late in the evening before things are dark.

[Mr. Handy]

Spoiler:

It's probably just as well you're buying the burglary tools out of town. Someone local could have remembered you buying them and put two and two together after the break-in.

Clay seems ideally suited for this. You might want to contact him.

[carnage_lee]

OOC:   I'd like to get a consensus with PapaG but I'm not sure going after dark is that good an idea - it's automatically 'suspicious' if spotted by anyone but going later afternoon wouldn't necessarily seen as such. Might be an idea to buy new padlocks and replace them - then post the keys to the landlord - that's if we cut them off... bolt croppers are fairly hard to use, it's often far easier to break the hasp away from the door (noisier though). As the 'lock-up' is reasonably remote and screened from view I would guess it's best to just drive in.. keep an eye out for any 'nosey-parkers' (or those damn pesky kids) - go in through the small door - grab Gosshams stuff and drive off. If anyone is around then 'we are lost' or 'is this so and so's place' and we leave with a nod and a smile. We could phone ahead and get the landlord to go to the cottage... the loss adjuster needs to see something ... or 'I saw two shifty blokes poking around that cottage what got damaged by that fire' - if the landlord's at the cottage - he aint gonna be at the lock-up. Needless to say we need to avoid the rozzers... don't fancy being nicked for 'going equipped'. I think a simple plan is best. (Disclaimer: Dear Theresa May - This is a game - I am not planning nor have I ever planned a burglary and most definitely not participated in one.)

[ghill]

Spoiler:

Lets be clear Clay is neither cracksman or a jumpsman. He is a rampsman or a rusher. That is if it involves violence of some measure, he's probably your man.

[carnage_lee]

OOC:   I don't plan on involving Clay this is definitely not up his street - besides he's otherwise occupied.

[Papa Gateau]

OOC:   Sorry,forum notifications seem to be sketchy. I agree, I think we should act as though we belong there. Just cut the chains, grab what we're after and be gone. Amongst our purchases should be some basic over-alls and gloves. I'd say head out around 4:30pm - before people get home from work and any mums should be distracted by their kids just returned from school. Alternatively we do it late at night - 3-4am when all good folks are asleep. When Albert looked through the window did he see any burglar alarm sensors (PIR and/or door latch) and/or is there an alarm siren/box on the outside of the lock-up? Spot Hidden[60] - Papa Gateau rolled 1d100 and got a total of 2: 2

[ghill]

OOC:   Albert noticed an external alarm bell (old fashioned round ringer type) mounted externally, and evidence the window was alarmed tape contact, on that basis the door might also be alarmed. However, its hard to see how you could see how you could alarm the double garage type doors as they are so flexible that the wind would constantly be setting off any contact type alarm. In addition there didn't seem to be a phone line connected to the building.

[Papa Gateau]

OOC:   Ok - so part of our shopping after the recon will be some of those scouring sponges (a picture paints etc.) which we can insert between the bell and the hammer so if the alarm does go off it won't make any noise. We'll also buy a new pair of trainers each - same make and size (Andy and Albert are close enough in SIZ that we should be able to do this) which we'll destroy/burn after the break in. @carnage_lee - you good with this, are we ready to rock?

[carnage_lee]

OOC:   Sounds good to me - nice thinking

[ghill]

OOC:   Either one or other of you want to run an IC description up to the point you break the locks on the doors.

[carnage_lee]

OOC:   Will do

[carnage_lee]

After dropping Liz off so that she could continue with her programming tasks Albert and Andy continued on over to Deerhurst. The soon make out the cottage that Gossham had rented, it being the only dwelling currently undergoing extensive building repairs. The roof had obviously been partly destroyed and a large blue 'tarpaulin' had been secured to cover the hole, keeping the weather out. Driving out of the village they soon come across what has to be the lockup set back from the road behind a thick hedge. Not seeing anyone about they stop the car and walk along the drive, not wanting to loiter too long they both quickly take stock of the building.

Andy cheack the double doors, they're old but servicable, secured on the iside by bolts - no easy way to open them from outside.

Albert heads towards the side door, old but locked with a surdy padlock and hasp. Albert notices a small window set high up the wall and calls Andy over , with Andy's help Albert can see the boxes that contain Gossham's papers look like they're still there.

Albert points out the old bell on the side of the building "The window's alarmed, maybe the small door too, well probably." he shrugs.

Taking a last look about the two 'investigatos' head back to the car and head off, stopping after five minutes at a convenient layby.

Over the course of the next fifteen minutes or so they discuss their options, finally deciding on 'breaking in' later on that day. Coming up with a suitable shopping list they then head off in search of a 'DIY' store to obtain the items on their list. Heading towards Cheltenham they come across a small retail part with a 'Homebase' store and a 'Sports Direct outlet amonst others.

From Homebase they scoot around pushing an annoying shopping trolley that keep pulling to the left and pick up most of the items they had listed and soem others as 'camoflague'.

Crowbar, paint brushes + rollers, 5l trade matt emulsion (white 3 tubs), masking take, car sponges, a padlock, bolt croppers, dust sheet, a couple of plastic storage bins (lidded), overalls (two pairs), some latex gloves, a saw, tool-kit (screw-driver, hammer, spanners, etc.) and a small step-ladder, cleaning cloths and a bottle of methylated spirits. Paying for those then while Andy puts that lot into the car Albert heads into the sports store to purchase a couple of pairs of cheap trainers.

The two then spend the rest of the afternoon wiping all the tools down, whist trying not to disrurb Liz as she taps away at the keyboard.

At the appointed time both men put in the overalls and their new trainers, old clothes into a small holdall, then drive off to the lockup arriving at around 4pm. Andy directs Arlbert who reverses into the drive and up to the double doors.

Checking that no one is about they unpack their 'disguise', the dust sheet goes on the floor followed by the tubs of paint, rollers and brushes. They pop the lid on a tub and fill a tray and Andy starts to apply the paint to the wall, meanwhile Albert sets up the step-ladder and using the sponges and masking tape stuff the inside of the alarm bell to dampen any sounds. Using Andy's inexpert rollering and the car as cover Albert collects the bolt croppers...

[ghill]

The padlock presents some resistance to the bolt cutters such that Albert has to remove the cutters and try again, but with a final grunt he manages to break the padlock. Slipping the door open slightly Albert slips inside.

The inside of the lock-up is cluttered with tools, garden supplies, car parts, camping gear and old furniture most of which looks as though it has been untouched for some time. In a space by the door however is a selection of dismantled furniture and a collection of about a dozen boxes each clearly marked “Adrian”. Most of the boxes hold either clothes or textbooks, all of which have been clearly smoke damaged.

Three of the boxes however are of distinctly more interest. In stark contrast to the other boxes the contents of the final three have been packed with a great deal of care. All there have been opened recently (Albert knows this was Jacob) the books and artefacts inside were clearly carefully packed; the cardboard boxes themselves have been filled with Styrofoam chips.

The smallest of the three boxes what appears to be several years’ worth of correspondence, all of which has been carefully tied up with ribbon. There are several hundred letters, some of which are several sides in length. Working carefully through the letters for anything of interest will clearly be a few days work.

The second box is packed with books, each individually wrapped although a number have been torn open.

The Third box is a heavy wooden packing case, inside of which are four smaller boxes. Again it looks as though these have been open recently and quickly returned (Again, Albert and Andy are aware Jacob opened this box)

[carnage_lee]

Andy Wade

"We'd better take those two..." Andy says pointing to the boxes containing the letters and the books. "I don't think we'll get that packing case into the car, let's just take the smaller boxes." With that Andy starts to move the box of letters to the doorway... "You better keep doggo Albert, just in case.", Andy looks nervously to the doorway.

[ghill]

As far as Andy can see there is no one around. In fact Andy thinks unless someone was to come down the short lane, its hard to see how anyone would even notice they were here.

[Papa Gateau]

Alright fella - you do the lifting and I'll do the watching Albert winks and smiles before going outside and checking the lane and around the lock-up.

[ghill]

Albert can see people walking passed at the end of the lane, but no one seems the slightest bit interested in what is going on at the lockup.

[Papa Gateau]

It's all clear out there, couple people out for a stroll but I don't think they know we're here - let's get this stuff in the car and get out of here sharpish Albert picks up one of the boxes from the door and pits in the boot of the car.