-Players:
donnie-darko
Skrittiblak

***

Your reward for two successful cases - the bust of a senator's son for murder and solving a string of odd murders - is a trip west.

As far west as you can go and still be in America.

Hoover's doghouse is Butte, Montana, so whatever happened, you're not officially in trouble. As a matter of fact, you imagine there must be plenty of places worse than Los Angeles. Still, from what you've heard of about the SAC there, you might not consider this a lateral move.

You've not had too much time to get your professional side of your lives ready for a new assignment before you are due at the LA field office. And as usual, between the cross-country travel and the time change Dales has only communicated with you through Margie Callahan's terse phone messages.

It's sunny and cheerful, even at the end of February. Maybe it won't be too hard to adjust. ASAC Bert McMillan, older than either of you but nevertheless as bright as the day outside, meets you both and goes through the details of the office - nothing too challenging. When you feel up to it he takes you to the big office on the second floor and holds the door open before excusing himself.

"Good morning, agents. I'd like to be the first to welcome you to California. Actually, I don't like it, but it appears I have no choice. Whatever you did back east, it appears someone has decided for me how to best use the two of you. It's not like we don't have Commies in the movie studios (http://drhill.tripod.com/ssi3240/pdf/lecture8.htm), or trouble (http://www.crimelibrary.com/gangsters_outlaws/mob_bosses/mickey_cohen/6.html?sect=15) with the Dragna mob with the Mick in jail."

SAC Gustav Javert could pass for Mark Twain if you switched his pipe with a bottle of brown hair dye - then used said bottle and stuck it far up his posterior. The LA field office has been his fief since the last Republican president, although with seniority like that he should by rights be Attorney General. Nothing happens through the FBI in the state of California without his acquiescence - so it's unusual for something to be forced on him.

"I don't know how many women are murdered in this city every year, but for some reason the latest one has drawn some interest back east. Michelle Dowling, age 27, waitress and aspiring actress - she sticks out already!

"That's all I know, and that's all I really want to know. It's now your job to find out anything else that needs knowing. Metro handled the post mortem, so you're best bet is to start there. Follow the standard Bureau protocols if you need equipment or legal clout.

"Any questions?"

"No, you call Mackey back and tell him you aren't going anywhere." Wills wife Jean ordered, obviously upset. "Call him back and tell him that you have a wife who... who doesn't want to leave!"
"You knew this could've happened," Will said wrapping his arms around her waist, ignoring her trying to push him way, and pulled her as close as he could. "You can find another job in LA. Your boss at the Post must know someone at the Times or something."
"Yea... Guess you're right. I was actually starting to like it here. Maybe we'll only stay a month LA, too." Jean replied, smirking.
"Heh, next time Vic and I expose a Senators son to be the murdering goon he is, i'll consult with you first."
"Deal."

***

The drive was as long and boring as Will expected it to be. Passing through countless acres of baren farmland only made him yearn for a simpler life, but always reminded himself that ignoring the worlds problems never made them go away.
Will looked over at Jean, jostling lightly as the car speed over a rough stretch of highway. She'd been asleep for hours. He'd do anything in the world for her and he knew she'd do anything for him. "I don't think she'd appreciate having to move again, though."
The car shook violently as the front right tire drifted over the shoulder and into the ditch. Will snapped out of his dreaming and quickly pulled the car back on the road, dozens of empty beer bottles rattling loudly behind him.
"What happened, did we hit something..?" Jean aksed growzily.
"Huh, what? Uh... no. I just wasn't paying attention. Go back to sleep."
Will sighed.

***

Will greeted Victoria Hawthorn, his partner, with a friendly hug and hello. As they were shown around the offices Will couldn't but feel how similar everything was. Hopefully things work out a bit better here. Atleast it's warmer.
Will winced at the sharp pain in his leg as he and Vic climbed the stairs to the second floor, his old D-Day momento coming back to say hello once again.

***

Knowing how poorly he handles authority figures, Will leaves most of the conversation with Javert with Victoria. If there is one.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

William Wascot
Fast Hero 4

http://www2.filmweb.no/multimedia/archive/00023/Josh_Hartnett_i_Holl_23543a.jpg

STR 12/+1 [4 pts]
DEX 18/+4 [16 pts]
CON 14/+2 [5 pts, +1 at 4th Level]
INT 10/+0 [2 pts]
WIS 14/+2 [6 pts]
CHA 10/+0 [2 pts]

HP -> 37
Fast 9 -> 8 + 2
Fast 8 -> 1d8[7] + 2 (roll (http://krisinchico.brinkster.net/searchroll.asp?username=Wascot#119055))
Fast 7 -> 1d8[6] + 2 (for roll see above)
Fast 10 -> 1d8[8] +2 (for roll see above)

Def 20 = 10 + 4 [DEX modifier] + 5 [class bonus] + 1 [equipment]
Touch 19 = 10 + 4 [DEX modifier] + 5 [class bonus]
Flat-Footed 19 = 10 + 4 [DEX modifier] + 5 [class bonus]

Initiative +4 = 0 + 4 [DEX modifier]

[B]BAB +3
Melee +4 = 3 + 1 [STR modifier]
[B]Ranged +7 = 3 + 4 [DEX Modifier]

Fort +3 = 1 [base save] + 2 [CON modifier]
Ref +6 = 2 [base save] + 4 [DEX modifier]
Will +3 = 1 [base save] + 2 [WIS modifier]

[B]Rep +1
AP 24
Wealth +7(roll (http://krisinchico.brinkster.net/searchroll.asp?username=Wascot#157865))

Empathy 2
Career 2

Stress 0

Hardening 0
Obsessing 0

Belief: Aliens 0
Belief: Supernatural 0
Belief: Psychic Powers 0

Backgrounds: Rural, Military, Law Enforcement

Perks -
Rural
1. Core Skills (Handle Animal, Survival)
2. Feat (Hunter)
3. Competence (Survival)
4. Competence (Survival)
Military
5. Core Skills (Knowledge [Tactics], Navigate)
6. Feat (All weapons proficiencies)
7. Feat (Exotic Weapon Proficiencies [Grenade])
Law Enforcement
9. Core Skills (Diplomacy, Knowledge [Civics])
10. Connection (Records Check)
11. Competence (Sense Motive)
12. Competence (Sense Motive)

Skills -
Knowledge [Tactics] (Int) = +09 (7 ranks + 2 ability)
Listen (Wis) = +09 (7 ranks + 2 ability)
Sense Motive (Wis) = +11 (7 ranks + 2 ability + 2 competence)
Move Silently (Dex) = +11 (7 ranks + 4 ability)
Survival (Wis) = +11 (7 ranks + 2 ability + 2 competence)

Feats –
Two Weapon Fighting
Weapon Focus (Colt Official Police (.38 Special))
Point Blank Shot
Double Tap
Family Man

Talents –
Evasion
Uncanny Dodge 1

Equipment –
Weapons
+ Two Colt Official Police Issues (.38 Special)
Apparel
+ Business suit
+ Leather Overcoat
+ Two sets of casual clothes
+ Two concealable holsters
+ Three pairs of shoes
+ Two sets of work clothes
+ Ten different ties for different occasions
Trunk of 'Small Car'
+ Tire Iron
+ Spare Tire
+ First Aid Kit
+ Car Jack
+ Winchester M1897
+ Grenades
+ 48 Empty Beer Bottles
+ 32 Winchester M1897 Caliber shells
Miscellaneous
+ FBI ID
+ Wallet
+ Driver's license
+ Wedding Ring

History -
Born to cow farmers in the fall of 1925, Will Wascot always dreamed of bigger and better things. The bombing of Pearl Harbour gave him the opportunity he yearned for for his entire life. He enlisted in the army the day after the attack and was soon through basic training. He didn’t see any real action until D-Day. Will was among one of the first waves of men to storm Omaha Beach.

A bullet from a machine gunner tore through his leg, disabling him as soon as he took a step from his landing craft. He fell face first into the water and dropped his Garand. He nearly drowned, but a fellow soldier pulled him from the waist deep water and brought him on shore. Will hid behind a short dune of sand, unable to move. He stayed there until the beach was finally in American control.

Afterwards, the bullet had left Will with a permanent limp so he was sent home. He returned to the farm and decided to become a Police Officer. He joined the local force, but found it to be too uneventful. He tried for 3 years to be transferred to a bigger city, no one wanting to accept him due to his limp. Finally, word came from Chicago that they were terribly undermanned. Just the news Will wanted to hear.

He moved to Chicago at the age of 20 where he earned the reputation of being the kind of guy that shot first and asked questions later. He spent long hours on the shooting range and had a violent temper. He clashed often with his department chief, constantly being threatened with being laid off. Will gained brief public recognition in the way he handled many of his cases.

He met his wife, Jean, a reporter, while she interviewed him for the Sun Times. They were married six months later when he was 25. Three years later, his chief handed him some paperwork and said he was being transferred to a new organization. The FBI. Will moved himself and his wife to Washington D.C.

After inditing a Senators son in a hit-and-run accident resulting in an innocent mans death, Will, now 28, and his partner Victoria were sent to LA as a punishment/reward.

http://216.173.247.96/TR-BrunoVesota.JPG

Gustav Javert, SAC Los Angeles

[courtesy of this site (http://www.spookytoms.com/TP_Sci_fi_Celebs.html)]

Victoria Hawthorne

Outnumber by more than 2 to 1, the Royal Airforce (RAF) fought in the skies over London and other cities inflicting unexpected casualties on the German Luftwaffe in what came to be known as the Battle of Britain. Sir Nigel Hawthorne, was one of the celebrated pilots of the combat. Born in 1906 Nigel had wanted to fly for as long as he could remember.

Posted in Egypt in 1927 to serve and protect England’s foreign interests, Nigel took himself an Egyptian bride and settled comfortably. He had not expected to be pulled out of his comfortable abode to protect his homeland in 1936. By then he had a 7 year old daughter; young Victoria Hawthorne.

In London 1937, St Paul’s Cathedral remained almost alone in the midst of devastated streets as a symbol of survival while Churchill rallied the nation with eloquent speeches. Unable to launch an amphibious invasion against a superior navy and facing mounting air losses, Hitler broke off what came to be called the Battle of Britain.

Stymied in Britain, axis forces turned to Eastern Europe and North Africa. The Italians assaulted the British stronghold in Egypt in September and were repulsed into Libya, but Hitler salvaged the operation and push to within 100 miles of the Suez Canal. Nigel found himself returning to Egypt, this time to defend his family rather than his homeland.

In an effort to protect his daughter he had her flown to a boarding school in Surrey, England where the fighting had since died down. There she got a proper English education, and learned to speak the Queen's English as well as the history of the British Empire and a host of other things such as how to play the flute. Her father continued to fight over the Suez against the Nazis in Eastern Egypt. In February 1938, Nigel Hawthorne’s plane was shot down – the Nazis pushed deeper into Egypt and Hawthorne’s wife Jasmine raped and murdered by the briefly occupying Nazi forces.

Though the Nazis were beaten back later that year, this was no consolation to the young Victoria Hawthorne, half-Egyptian half-British left familyless in a boarding school in Surrey. When her father died the RAF sent her back an ornate case containing his sword. Inscribed in it was the marking “This sword saw service with Sir Nigel Hawthorne, noble pilot of Her Majesty’s Royal Airforce”.

When she finished her A-levels in 1948 with excellent scores she moved in with her uncle (her father’s older brother) in Alabama who had emigrated to the US in the late 20s to escape rising tensions in europe that would reach a boiling point in 1939.

Now in 1953, Victoria is 24 years old. Though quite young she has an excellent British education and got a has gotten a degree from Columbia University in New York in Journalism. (Which had been accepting women since 1918.)

Victoria doesn’t feel she belongs anywhere. Briefly she wanted to be Dorothy Dandridge and took up acting – which she had a natural talent for having grown up with multiple languages and cultures – but more recently she has joined up with the FBI.

As a half-black woman she is able to see both the civil rights struggle from the perspective of the brave men and women who are fighting for representation and from the would-be oppressors who are altogether uncomfortable with the changes coming.

Her father died when she was 9 at which point, though she continued to go to boarding school in Surrey, her only familial connection was Uncle Charles (Chuck) in Alabama. Since she has lived in the US since she was 9 she considers the US home more than she does the UK. Also she seeks to distance herself from the memories of the War which are much more fresh in Europe than in the States. She has never been back to Egypt, and since Nasser's revolution in 1952 and the strong anti-British sentiments emerging from the country it is unlikely she will ever return.

Background
Academic (2 Perks)
• Knowledge (current events), Research
• Feat (Fencing)
University (4 perks)
• Decipher Script, Knowledge (Behavioral Sciences, History, Theology & Philosophy)
• +1 Wealth, Connection – Professor Barrington of Columbia PhD Theology (passion for paranormal events)
Press (4 perks)
• Gather Information, Sense Motive
• Connection – News Archive
• +1 Wealth

Class: Charismatic Hero 4

STR: 14 (+2)
DEX: 10 (+0)
CON: 13 (+1)
INT: 16 (+3)
WIS: 12 (+1)
CHA: 16 (+3)

HP: 20 (average – not rolled)
Def: 12 (+0 dex, +2 class)
Initiative: +0

BAB: +2
Melee: +4
Ranged: +2

Fort: +4
Ref: +2
Will: +2

Rep: +2
AP: 6
Wealth: 7

Empathy: 2
Career: 1

Bureacracy: +1

Stress: 0

Hardening: 0
Obsessing: 0

Belief (Aliens): 0
Belief (Supernatural): 0
Belief (Psychic Powers): 0

SKILLS
Bluff +12 (7r, 3 cha, +2 deceptive)
Decipher Script +12 (7r, 3 int, +2 studious)
Diplomacy +12 (7r, 3 cha, +2 trustworthy)
Disguise +12 (7r, 3 cha, +2 deceptive)
Gather Info +13 (7r, 3 cha, 1 syn, +2 trustworthy)
Sense Motive +8 (7r, 1 wis)
Research +12 (7r, 3 int, +2 studious)
Perform [flute] +10 (7r, 3 cha)
Knowledge [current events] +10 (4r, 3 int, 2 edu, +1 syn)
Knowledge [behavioral sciences] +8 (4r, 3 int, +1 syn)
Knowledge [history] +6 (3r, 3 int)
Knowledge [theology & philosophy] +9 (3r, 3 int, 2 edu, +1 syn)

FEATS
Fencing (proficient with swords), Deceptive, Trustworthy, Educated, Studious, Personal Firearms Proficiency

Equipment
1937 RAF Wilkinson Sword (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v151/skrittiblak/Wilkinson.jpg) – originally owned by her father.
Attack: +3 melee, 1d8+3, 19-20/x2, slashing.

RAF Scabbard for Wilkinson Sword
Holding Case for Sword and Scabbard
Standard Sidearm
Flute and Wooden Flute Case
Variety of clothing ranging from casual to ‘ballroom elegant’. Including associated peripherals and adornments such as jewellery and heeled shoes.
FBI ID
Purse
Small Car

Note on equipment: Unless otherwise noted, wooden flute case and holding case for the sword are in the back of her small car. When wearing men’s clothes (trousers) she will occasionally attach the scabbard to the trouser-belt and wear the sword as an adornment.

Since the last adventure with Will, Vic has acquired and learned how to use a sidearm, though not with his particular skill.

Vic is quite content to take any information they have on file and leave Gustav Javert alone.

All the same she walks around the California precinct asking anyone normal questions and asking whether they found anything unusual about that particular case.

Even people that only heard of it in passing. You never know what idle gossip can turn up.

Gather Information: 33 (http://krisinchico.brinkster.net/searchroll.asp?username=VictoriaHawthorn e#158549) (Natural 20! Come on bring on the jiucy details early!)

Action Point: 4 (http://krisinchico.brinkster.net/searchroll.asp?username=VictoriaHawthorn e#158550)

Total = 37. Come on! No one can beat that. Even Epic D&D characters would drool over that kind of information gathering skills!

Victoria hopes her little inquiry turns something up.

[I'm going to take some liberties with that roll, it's shame to let it go to waste]

Javert is obviously uncomfortable handing what appears to be a meanginless case to two agents he's unfamiliar with, but what can he do? No one in the FBI field office has heard about this case before.

The LAPD Metro office is close by; Victoria insists on walking. The two of you have no trouble getting a look at the post mortem investigation report:

Michelle Dowling dod February 15th, late pm (cf Coroner's rpt Kafesjian Mark). Cause of death asphyxiation. Body found in a rubbish bin 2/18 behind a line of stores on Vermont Avenue by an employee of a clothing store. ID confirmed with fingerprints. No relatives in the area. Last known address 1318 Tularosa Drive. Most recently employed as a waitress, Hideaway Lounge on Pico. Initial investigation by Tpr. Daniel Rypien. Last seen at 347 Woodruff Ave, Westwood 2/18 approx 7:00 pm.

The brevity of the report seems odd to Victoria, and she says so. Quickly and efficiently she hunts down several other cops to fill in what she considers gaping holes; Will can't help but wonder if the life of a single girl unfamiliar to LA strikes some uncomfortable parallels.

She does find out that Dowling's car was found abandoned on February 19 at the corner of Olive and West 3rd Street. There were no keys (in the car or on her person) and the car is currently at the LAPD impound lot.

It's especially odd to you both that there doesn't seem to be any work done since the victim was found and IDed. The case is certainly open, and Victoria wonders why a detective has not been assigned to the case as of yet.

[Neither of your characters would seem to be the starstruck type, but you can both make a Knowledge: Pop Culture check for some additional information].

As you return the report to the file room, one of the cops asks why the Bureau is interested in the case:

"So what's the Bureau's interest in the case?"

[I put a mapquest link to her home (not that I want you to go there first....) at the bottom. Her body was found about 6 blocks west and her car to the southwest a bit - in general the locations aren't important but they're real if you want an idea of the city]

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?ovi=1&mqmap.x=71&mqmap.y=51&mapdata=OE4WNszgW9wANXlfwZH722wBaLHA6km% 252bnkwNsGOnffgckt0roNaCzkIfaRd2eGZGvoYe d0fv%252f3Bl6VjDMgfEUIr%252byFj1clgxc8kk sOc%252bE72LqAGPH8fc2c0ItJXG4J4iKJncEe5U 7xZmBZpx58cdlbsso%252bHpfwRI99kJrZj8XfH5 YlAfRYxR3b7aAZq9GRGNAe0NY5uoslVvHGC7nk%2 52foW1GmM3sqS3Al7hui6vHLBzz2hC%252bPHD1r nhADLvWH%252fFfomklJaEmmxrnuqXK1F%252bub 4k3k79ZrJY8dI3shikaG6J43fBpZfkWlfOFBOcYw BXEFi8lz5479OmTVFDNsAwFKbvehuoX15bxN7Gu3 Qlj9af5Q%252bql8Wn3umskbymPMwYlfc0kMbfj4 1%252bSZ6pnwm2r4bYd0O6WAiD5ICYsvy77E87tT 61o2UypcWY287FcLgL9P104BRP214N9KEU1oAM4z rPqVxQDwMiASI4YHQLwllqUN9iSv1a6o8gOFWEes qsulr7JGmfDSDbw%252fEBCQxcMvHShnmm1kZKF6 UcX5%252bVtccaBPD91kHbfG8g%253d%253d

[OOC: That picture of Javert will haunt the dreams of my future children]

"It's not in my nature to ask," Will lied to the clerk. He had, of course, been wondering that himself.

Will turns to Victoria. "We should head over to the M.E. I'll drive."

Knowledge: Pop Culture (15 (http://krisinchico.brinkster.net/searchroll.asp?username=VictoriaHawthorn e#158674)).

Victoria Hawthorne asks the Chief of Police of the LAPD office why no detective has been assigned to this case.

In her mind Vic decides the next step would be to examine the car for anything thats been missed and she says as much to Will.

Vic must get past a succession of higher brass before speaking to the chief (Mark Parker). The best answer she gets from the chain of command is some nonsense about manpower and "current demands" on the force. Most of the people she confronts think that this is an isolated incident and that there is little danger to the public at large.

For Victoria
Ms. Dowling was last seen in Westwood. While the actual street address is unfamiliar to you, many actors live nearby and there are some large homes in the area.

"So Will? What's it to be Westwood or the car impound first?"

Holy crap that's annoying. I forget he was logged in.

"Well, I didn't see a coroners report with her file so i'm doubting she was examined. I want to head over to the M.E. and hope she hasn't been cremated yet. And the dump sight has probably been cross-contaminated a thousand times over in the time it took for us get the case. I'd say Westwood after we have a chat with the medical examiner. Those are my thoughts anyways." Will sighed, "And I'm gonna need a map..."

ME Mark Kafesjian is tall and lanky, and enjoys the echoing sounds of his cowboy boots on the tiled floor of the coroner's office. You would expect someone who works here to have simple ways to keep himself company.

"We released the body to her mother, who drove up from San Diego. She left us a picture - not a bad looking gal. We had to make her with fingerprints since the killer performed some post mortem mutilation. That would indicate to me some sort of obsession with her identity, but for the life of me I don't know why - she's not a celebrity."

The picture shows a shy, pretty blonde. The autopsy pictures are less appealing.

"Not much in the way of forensic evidence. I think the killer had the corpse around for a few days, and may have tried to clean up. A few fibers, no useful prints - not much to proceed on."

You can both make a Research Check while poring over the autopsy report.

If Will doesn't see it listed in the report, he asks, "Any signs of sexual assault pre or post mortem? Did you get a chance to do a wet mount to check for semen?"

Will picks up the good picture of the poor girl. "You don't mind if I take this?"

Research Check - 14 (http://krisinchico.brinkster.net/searchroll.asp?username=Wascot#158840) + 3 (http://krisinchico.brinkster.net/searchroll.asp?username=Wascot#158842) [AP] = 17
Time - 3 (http://krisinchico.brinkster.net/searchroll.asp?username=Wascot#158841)

A shiver runs down Vic's spine when she looks at the pictures and she hands them promptly to Will. It's a sick world we live in.

Give me dinosaur-turkeys anyday over human perverts.

On the other hand Vic has no difficulty pouring over the report in detailed and ordered fashion. With a pencil she jots sidenots and personal interests in the margin.

Being tough is Will's job; looking over reports is more up Vic's alley.

Research: 30 (http://krisinchico.brinkster.net/searchroll.asp?username=VictoriaHawthorn e#158846)

To Will: "While there are no signs of assault, we did find evidence that it may have been post coital. I think he - well, someone she was with that night - used a Trojan."

Vic notices from the file designation of the report that the one she's holding appears to be a second, or amended, copy or a previous report. When she presses Kafesjian, he admits, "Umm, when she was brought here, someone had misidentified her, and we had to change it then."

"Can you tell us who misidentified her? The misidentification could have been done on purpose. Or worse the original identification may have been correct and the fingerprint analysis may have been forged as a way of covering up who was really killed. Especially if the real target was someone famous or important. I hear there are a number of celebrities that live in Westwood. What can you tell me about the original report?"

"One of the examiners who brought the body back thought she was Marilyn Monroe. He swears he has no idea why, now - she sure doesn't look like her."

Comparing the picture in Will's hand with the up-and-coming actress, you have to agree.

Will stared at the picture, burning her image into his mind. "Cause of death?"

"Asphyxiation: she was suffocated, but there was no sign of struggle. My guess would be a heavy pillow, perhaps after she had already gone to sleep, so she had no real way to fight back. Which again might indicate some kind of serious relationship between her and her killer.

The post mortem wounds were probably a reaction to the death; maybe the killer feeling remorse, although it's too late. I've read about cases like that, where the victim's identity influences the perp's pathology. It usually takes an external stimulus - something that profoundly affects the identity obsession - to convince him to finally dump the body."

To the M.E, "Anything else?"

To Vic, "Unless there's something else you wanted to ask, I think we should check out this girls place."

While Victoria and Will are heading towards Wills car, "If the examiners thought it was Marilyn Monroe, it's plausible that the killer did as well. Maybe when he found out... he killed her. Suffocating someone doesn't usually fall in the premeditated category."

"Yes. I agree - this looks like a crime of passion."

"Listen. Before we head over to Westwood and see where she died; I'd rather check out the impound and her car. I just have an itchy feeling about a car thats been stolen and released - especially if the person was murdered."

"Call it woman's intuition."

"I know better than to argue with that. Let's check it out."

Will and Victoria head on down to the impound lot.

The impound lot is on the rapidly developing edge of the city, close to arid scrubland towards Mexico. a quick flash of your badges and you are able to check out Ms. Dowling's car: a postwar Packard with quite a few miles on the odometer. After a quick but thorough look, the car has no signs of forced entry or hotwiring, or any struggles. You're both pretty sure that whoever left the car used the keys.

[Where to, Westwood or her apartment on Tularosa? Just to clarify, she was last seen in Westwood; you've not seen anything indicating where she was killed.

You guys really got back into the game quick - this is great!]

Will slams down the back hatch to the Packard. "Nothing. I could be wrong, of course, but I don't think the car was ditched by our killer. Why ditch the car a couple blocks away from where you dump the body, and even closer to where she lived?"

Will removes his latex gloves and tosses them into the smashed out window of an old black sedan. "I think her apartment should be next, it's just a little north, her landlord outta let us in. Then the dumpsite."

After seeing your badges, the landlady is more than happy to let you in.

"Michelle was a good girl, never loud or out late with men. I hope you find whoever hurt her - apart from one detective I don't think the police have come by at all."

Unfortunately, she doesn't recall any recent boyfriends. "I do think she was seeing someone, but I didn't meet him. Naturally, I would never let my girls bring men here without a chaperone! As for friends, I know she worked at a nightclub and was close to several of the other waitresses there - all of them waiting for their big break.."

"Thank you Miss, we'll call you if we need anything."

I guess we'll take our time and search everything that we can.

The landlady leaves you alone as you begin your search. The contents of Dowling's apartment are typical for what you expect a young aspiring actress to have. There are no photos of her with any men, but several with her and an assortment of female friends. In a box in her closet is a Land Camera.

Wil lifts the lid of a rolltop desk and finds a stack of resumes. Oddly, the name on top of each one is Marilyn Monroe. Looking more closely, the acting credits are all movies with Monroe in them: Monkey Business, We're Not Married!, Don't Bother to Knock.... The address is Tularosa drive, however, and a stack of publicity photos beneath the resumes are Dowling's alone.

While Vic looks for a diary or journal, she discovers a stack of Diner's Club receipts in a cabinet - everything from mid-December of last year is signed "Marilyn Monroe" in what appears to be Dowling's handwriting.

Will inspects the camera quickly to see if the negatives have been removed yet. Either way, if someone other than the vic used the camera recently he'd like to know about it. Will bags it as evidence for fingerprinting and further analysis. "You never know."

[OOC: is that all Will finds of interest? Some resume's and a camera? And i'll wait to see if Victoria finds anything other than the receipts/shares her ideas before posting more.]

The camera still has undeveloped film in it. As far as other things of interest, nothing else sticks out. I would've thought what I told you was weird enough :(

OOC: Heh, not saying it's not weird, just wondering. You want to NPC Victoria until Skritti can pick up playing her again? I know i'm eager to see where all this leads.

"A Marilyn Monroe impersonator, perhaps?" wonders Victoria idly, "Pretended to be Monroe and then her boyfriend found out she was faking it?"

The picture Will has looks nothing like Marilyn Monroe, however. There's no way someone would mistake the two.

Will-When you got into town, Jean had thought it would be funny to buy a map to the stars' homes. It might still be in the car....if you burn an Action Point

"Boyfriend, agent, pimp... who knows. If the FBI were put on the case maybe it's someone important. I'm gonna contact the DA to subpena the phone records from her apartment."

Will uses the phone in Michelle Dowlings apartment to call who he needs to call. [ooc: If I have to roll for it, that's cool, but I do have probable cause for the records.]

Afterwards, Will tosses the camera and the stack of resumés into the trunk and slams it down. As he and Victoria are sitting in the car, "There's a map in the glovebox. It's one of those 'maps to stars homes' kinda things. Jean bought it as a joke. Take a look and tell me if Ms. Monroe is listed on it. I'd bet you a stiff drink that she lives in Westwood."

I'd bet you a stiff drink that she lives in Westwood."

Vic looks through the map. 347 Woodruff, to be precise.

"Curious! That's exactly where Dowling was last scene according to the report. I hope that's not another one of those mistaken identity errors."

"I suppose thats our obvious next move."

Without further ado, Will drives he and Victoria to the address listed.

Marilyn Monroe's home is a nice, but not ostentatious, ranch house hedged by tall palm trees. There are no automobiles in the semicircular driveway, so you can drive right up to the door. After you knock an older gentleman opens the door for you. He is momentarily taken aback when you give him your names and the reason for your visit, but hides it quickly beneath an inscrutable mask.

After waiting for a few minutes, Monroe enters the room, clad in an oriental-looking robe. You can tell that she is counting on her burgeoning reputation to mke her entrance a memorable one, but she can't quite pull it off yet - especially when notices Vic with surprise.

"Leonard told me there were FBI agents at the door - I must admit I expected you both to be male. How can I hep you?"

Will swallows hard and glances at Victoria, hoping she didn't notice his hesitation. "We're investigating the death of a young woman who was last seen in this area." Will takes Michelle Dowling's picture out of his pocket and shows it to both Marilyn and the older man.

After a moment, Will asks the man, "And you are..?"

"Working on anything interesting Miss Monroe?" asks Vic afterwards in an attempt to come off as a fan, and a friendly collected one at that.

Good cop / Bad cop. What a cliché.

"And you are..?"

Leonard is from the studio, to help out around the house and make sure I'm safe. From people like that strange woman. I'm sorry about what happened to her, but when she was here, she said this house was hers and demanded to be let in.

She turns to Vic and adds, "I do have a movie coming out soon, of course. Niagara (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046126/) ."

"My name is Victoria Hawthorne and this is my partner Will Wascot. We're FBI agents and if we could have a few moments of your time, we're looking for information about a young woman that visited you some time ago. Her name is Michelle Dowling - do you know her?"

[OOC: Skritti, i'm gonna assume you missed something. Might wanna re-read the last couple posts :p]

"...she was here, she said this house was hers and demanded to be let in."

"And what did you do?"

I'm sorry. My brain is completely fried at the moment. I must have misread the post completely last night. Ignore it. :)

[Skritti - why are you frazzled? It's not like anything happened in Rome last week]

"Why, I refused, of course! Surely you realize what an outrageous thing it was for someone to do."

LOL! Its actually work thats crippling me at the moment. I get home very late - try to post in all the games I'm participating in. I feel guilty dropping any. :)

"Did she seem innebriated at the time? Was she acting like a crazy person? Or was she calmly and rationally declaring this was her house?"

"I don't think she was drunk, but she sounded sincere enough. Of course, it could have all been an act.

Anyway, when she realized I wasn't going to let her in, her friend drove her off in a huff. Then I called the studio, like I'm supposed to do if something strange happens, and they sent Leonard here to make sure nothing else did."

"I'm sorry. Her friend? Could you describe her friend please? Or better yet hang on a moment I'd like to use your phone to call the precinct..."

If she can she'll ask for the PD's criminal sketch artist and get Marilyn to describe the person she saw over the phone to the sketch artist.

"I didn't see him well enough, but I could tell he was a man. You know."

"Tall or short, caucasian? What did his voice sound like. Anything helps Ma'am."

While Victoria questions Ms. Monroe, Will has a quick look around the entrance of the house/outside the door.

Search - 6 (http://krisinchico.brinkster.net/searchroll.asp?username=Wascot#159832)

Finding nothing except the obvious, will says to Leonard, "You were here all night?"

Assuming the guy doesn't say anything suspicious and Marilyn backs his story up, will says to Victoria. "I think we should head to the dinner where the vic, Ms. Donnelly, worked. If the guy was a boyfriend, a coworker might know who he is."

"He was Caucasian, Miss Hawthorne, that's all I could tell. He never left the car.

I'm sorry I can't help any more. I don't see why it is such a big deal that someone would want to be me. This is Hollywood, after all. I came here to be Marilyn Monroe."

Leonard confirms that nothing else happened after he arrived. It is getting on towards late afternoon, so a trip to the Hideaway lounge may have to wait.

Before leaving she asks, "Any chance of us having a cursory glance about the apartment, ma'am? I won't touch anything, promise."

"Why on Earth would you need to do that, Miss Hawthorne?

Before you can reply, Leonard nixes the idea.

"Okay, just asking. We don't have a warrant anyway. Consider it a fan's curiosity," she smiles winningly.

Diplomacy: 23 (http://krisinchico.brinkster.net/searchroll.asp?username=VictoriaHawthorn e#159894)

If her attempts to be friendly fall flat or if Leonard's attitude towards me is too unfriendly to be shifted by a diplomacy check Vic and Will will just call it a day and head on home.

And by home, you mean the office.

Will's gonna have the negatives from the camera checked out, and have prints made of all the shots. And Victoria should call the agent listed on the vic's resume's (I assume there is one).

Other than that, unless Skritti has more ideas, we wait.

That's a good idea, can we contact Michelle Dowling's agent?

There is no agent on the resume, just a statement allowing for references upon request. Neither of you recall seeing her in any films, and after taking a closer look at her resume, and making a Knowledge (Pop Culture) Roll of 15, all the movies on the resume are Monroe's.

If Will is going to leave the camera at the FBI field office, the pictures will be ready after lunch tomorrow. We can pick up things on the morning of Friday February 20 unless you have unfinished business on Thursday.

[OOC: Hurray, I had a good idea! And i'm gonna pass on the Knowledge check, just wouldn't be right if Will kept up with pop culture.]

Will, sitting behind his desk, is lost deep in thought. All the photos of the girl he could get, including the ones of the crimescene and her autopsy, are pinned to the pale wall of the small office he shares with Victoria.

"The report says she was identified by her fingerprints, which means she was in the system." He tells Victoria. "Let's see if the vic had a record. Could mean something." Will calls whomever he needs to call to find out.

[OOC: Also, am I gonna get a copy of Michelle's phone records?]

Knowledge: Pop Culture (19 (http://krisinchico.brinkster.net/searchroll.asp?username=VictoriaHawthorn e#160077))

"I've been reading up on Hollywood," says Vic as a way of justification, "And I recognize all these titles. These are all Miss Monroe's movies. We have a serious nutcase on our hands."

"But she also had a regular job..? You know more about psychology than I do. Do you know any actual cases of dual-personalites?"

"Dual personalities doesn't seem to be the right sort of mental illness for this sort of case - typically in such cases the person in question develops more than one personality but ultimately they are both his or her personality.

This looks like a case of obsession with another person. Envy to be taken to an extreme. I suspect deep down Michelle wanted to be Marilyn Monroe - as many young woman in Hollywood trying to make it as actresses probably want.

That said I don't want to leap to conclusions. They generally don't call us unless something weird comes up. Its obvious other people made the mistake of confusing her for Marilyn Monroe - like the policeman who IDed her originally. There could be something funny - some kind of swapped identity maybe. I hear that the surgeons in this area can really change a woman's appearance.

What if - and this is a big what if - but what if the young lady we met today wasn't originally Marilyn Monroe but Michelle was..."

...she glances up and realizes Will has arched his eyebrow...

"Well don't look at me like that! I'm just trying to think outside the box! You're right it's a stupid idea!"

And just in case my Knowledge in behavioural sciences can get us any further here's a knowledge check:

Knowledge (behaviour): 21 (http://krisinchico.brinkster.net/searchroll.asp?username=VictoriaHawthorn e#160082)

The phone records will take longer as they need to consult the physical switchboard operators (I assume...). You make a quick call down to LAPD; she got her prints done in San Diego a few years earlier, during a fingerprint drive (one of Hoover's many publicity ideas).

During the night, Victoria think long and hard about Michelle Dowling. Her Marilyn persona appears to be sincere and complete, especially since she tried to "fool" Monroe herself! Then you recall something that the coroner said when you first looked at the medical report.

We had to make her with fingerprints since the killer performed some post mortem mutilation. That would indicate to me some sort of obsession with her identity....I've read about cases like that, where the victim's identity influences the perp's pathology. It usually takes an external stimulus - something that profoundly affects the identity obsession - to convince him to finally dump the body."

In the morning, you have a note from Javert's secretary, requesting you to go over to Fox Studios and speak with one of the execs (Myron Baumann, "an old personal friend" according to the note) about your investigation.

When she calls Will the next days she tells him about the notes. She also says,

"I think she was murdered by someone obsessed with Marilyn Monroe. I also think the obsessor realized she wasn't Marilyn only after he murdered her, and the prompted him to dump the body. Perhaps we should see if the young actress has been receiving any fan mail that throws up some red flags."

"On those reciepts you found in her apartment, she was signing her name as Marilyn Monroe. We should check that place out, after the studio and we talk to Baumann. I'm assuming they receive Monroe's fanmail at the studio."

Will shrugs as he heads to the studio.

Vic follows still considering alternate explanations.

[OOC - Here at the studio you want to meet with Baumann and try to get at Monroe's fan mail. Is that correct or am I missing something - for example, trying to get info about Michele Dowling or Monroe's agent? Just let me know]

20th Century Fox Studios is already bustling early in the morning. The gatehouse guard lets you in without delay, apparently expecting the two of you. You are directed to one of the administrative buildings, and a large office overlooking the main roadway in.

In a little bit Myron Baumann comes in. He is sweating and already looks as if he's in a hurry. But he makes a conspicuous display of sitting behind his mammoth desk and smiling before you.

"I'm glad to see that Gus has such diligent agents working on this tragic case. But I have received assurances from the LAPD that the Dowling case will receive due attention from them. I must admit I'm surprised that the FBI is still interested, so let me be blunt.

As you may or may not know, the premier of Niagara is only a few weeks away. I've been in the movie business for twenty years, and let me tell you this movie will turn Marilyn into a star - unless it is sidetracked by publicity surrounding a scandal potentially involving her.

I'm sure that Gus would agree with us at Fox Studios, that if your investgation were to remain under wraps and inconclusive, no one is hurt worse than before and everyone could gain.

Everyone."

[BTW - Myron is convinced (and incidentally, correct) about the importance of the film]

Will grits his teeth and grimaces to himself.

"In your eyes, Ms Dowling might be a nobody, but to me she's a human being with a family, friends and people who care about her. How would calling her case inconclusive help her?"

"Sad as her story is, what can anything we do help her now? Instead, I want you to consider the wisdom of my request." He hands you both an envelope from a desk drawer. "I want you each to have two tickets to the premier of Niagara while you think it over."

Will stands up from his chair.

"If the only reason you called us here is to bribe us, then you can go to hell." Will tosses the ticket down onto the desk. "And if we find that you've had anything to do with the death of Ms. Donnelly, then you're going away for a long time."

Unless Vic wants to smooth things over, Will leaves the office.

(Taking 10 on any bluff checks neccessary.)

Vic gives a little bit of a school girl giggle as Will storms off. She winks and takes the two tickets.

"I'll keep him under control."

When she leaves she shows Will the tickets.

"Don't worry. I have no intention of leaving the case unsolved. I just figured they could be something to barter with in Hollywood. Plus he won't get in our way as much if he thinks I'm not interested in solving the case."

Since you're inside the gates of the studio, it's easy enough to find the mail room in an adminstrative building near the freight entrance. It is staffed by several young men and women sorting through a huge amount of letters and small packages.

Vic tells Will she plans to pose as Miss Monroe's PR person, (she'll grab a couple of the Monroe photos they have in the car to put in her wallet), but she asks Will if he'd like to go in as the Fed.

She warns him that doing that might bring wind of their investigation up to Myron - who will do everything to get in their way.

"If we go in as feds, then all she has to do to stall us is ask for a warrant. Go in as her PR person, i'll wait outside. Good luck."

Victoria walks in with incredible confidence. She uses an alias for which she has a relevant peice of fake-ID, like a driver's license.

"Hello. My name is Naomi Veron and I'm a public relations personnel employed by Ms Monroe to handle fan mail."

She promptly requests for the fan mail and apologizes for any protocol slips - she's new at the job.

Bluff: 32 (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=78720) (natural 20!)
Disguise: 16 (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=78720)
Diplomacy: 27 (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=78720)

The mailroom employees bluster as they scurry to fulfill your request. There is a small sack of mail, about 100 or so letters.

Victoria will take the sack and leave.

"There's quite a bit of mail here... so I'll sift throught it tonight on my own. Where to next Will?"

Will thinks for a second, still sitting on a bench outside the admin building. "Let's bring the letters to the car, then I wanna talk to the security guard at the gate. If Ms Donnely has ever tried to come in here posing as Marilyn, he might know."

The guard doesn't recall anyone like her trying to come in, especially posing as Marilyn Monroe.

As far as the letters are concerned, I am unsure whether Research or good old fashioned Search covers going through them. If you want, you can Take 20 with whatever, but it will take most of the day.

As Will drives to ??? you can make Spot checks [the ever cautious driver Will can add a +2 circumstance bonus] - over 17 for spoiler There is a nondescript green sedan tailing you.

I guess we're heading back to the office.

Spot - 15 (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=79071) + 4 (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=79072) = 19

"Looks like we've got someone's attention. Hang on." Will steps on the gas [bringing the car to highway speed], flying right through a red light. If the sedan didn't stop either, Will tries to loose the car in the heavy LA traffic.

Hide 14 + Action Point 4 = 18 (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=79074). (Rolled 4 + 4 Dex + 8 Size + 4 AP - 2 Speed = 18)

After a few quick turns and double backs, you don't see the tail.

Let me know your plan as far as the fanmail.

Victoria Hawthorne grips her chair tightly not really following what's going on as Will dives into the traffic.

Compulsive typo correction - can't resist! Loose = not well fitting (as in the clothes are too loose); Lose is failure or the verb for lost (Will tries to lose the car in the heavy LA traffic)

Research check: 28 (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=79080)

Victoria will look over the letters in a moment of downtime. Given her excellent research skills (thats a 16 rolled above) she'll take 1/20 of the time to read through the mail by rolling instead of taking a 20.

While Victoria goes over the letters, Will goes to check on the status of the photos.

You bring the mailbag into an unused office and begin sorting through Monroe's mail [are you taking any precautions to conceal what you're doing?]. Most are typical letters from gushing fans, but a few stand out.

Three are from fans named "Michelle," but only one of them is from an LA address (not Dowling's).

One is a handwritten note with no return address:
M: Sorry it didn't work out with us. I stil kick myself when I think about losing you. Call me for lunch if you ever get the chance. -H

Another one which catches your eye is from an agent:
Ms. Monroe: I have waited patiently for a return call from Murray for too long and have decided to GO TO THE SOURCE. I have received a third prank letter and I AM SICK OF IT. You are wasting my TIME and MONEY. Please stop immediately or I will consider LEGAL ACTION.

And an anonymous one is pretty interesting too:
Do you really want that film to see the light of day? Contact me and we can work this out.

Victoria shares her findings with will. Out of curiosity what does the third Michelle letter read like?

Hey guys. My grandparents are coming up to Rome to see me this weekend and I reckon I'll be pretty busy Friday to Sunday. You know me, I'll probably stay up and squeeze a post in when I get back home at night, but just in case I don't I thought I'd post a warning. My posting may be flaky this weekend.

ooc: Do I have the pictures from the camera now?

"Nicely done. I'm thinking we should go talk to Ms. Monroe again. Might even be followed again. That could be fun."

The third letter is pretty fluffy - I loved you in Monkey Business, you're much prettier than Ginger Rogers, what's Cary Grant like, can't wait for your next film, et c.- not too obsessive.

The prints from Dowling's camera show her modeling a dress, walking in Griffith Park with some other ladies, and two pictures of a sandy-haired man sitting at a dinner table.

What will you do with the letters now that you've read them? True, most them won't be missed, but you probably don't want to spread the fact that you swiped them. As for more investigating, figure it's mid afternoon on Thursday.

[Don't worry about posting, S - have a good weekend. Me, I get to take time off from moving my wife's office to stain our deck!]

[OOC: I guess we'll bring the letters with us when we go to talk to Marilyn again.
As far as I can tell, we have 3 places to check out. The diner, the lounge and to question Marilyn (maybe she can shed some light on those 3 letters).]

After Will tells Victoria about the picture of the man in the diner, he asks, "Should we hit up the diner, Marilyn or the Hideaway Lounge first?"

Mid-afternoon on a Thursday.... seems like the Lounge time to me. :)

[There were several restaraunt receipts she signed as Marilyn; not just one diner. I would scratch that off the list if that's your reason for going. Sorry if I was unclear about that]

The Hideaway Lounge relies on nighttime darkness for its ambience; in the late afternoon California sun it looks as grey as a burned-out TV tube. Only the owner (Jerry Veasey) and two waitresses are present. Veasey informs you that Michelle stopped showing up for work about three weeks ago and hasn't asked for a paycheck. One of the waitresses (Irene Miller) professes to have been a friend of Michelle's, although they hadn't talked for about ten days. Irene apparently didn't know her "friend" was dead, since she breaks down crying and has to excuse herself for the night, leaving Veasey grumbling about being short.

[ooc: I'm assuming Irene didn't just leave the building entirely?]

Sense Motive on Irene [legit emotions?] - 24 (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=79970)

She is crying in her car, and looks pretty sincere.

Will gives a quick look at Victoria, signalling he's going to talk to Irene. "Find out what you can."

Will notices her crying and pauses for a second before knocking on her window. After he gets her attention and she rolls down her window/opens the door he explains to her that he and Victoria are doing their best to put her killer behind bars and comforts her as best he can, which probably isn't that great.

After, he pulls out the photo of the man in the diner. "We believe that this man might have had something to do with your friends killing. Do you know who he is?"

"I think that was the boy she was seeing, sir."

"Do you know his name?"

"She called him Denny. They had only been going out for a week or so when I saw her last - and that was at least another week ago."

"Did she tell you his last name? Anything you tell us can help us find him."

Diplomacy - 20 (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=80476)

Thats an unsually diplomatic manouevre from Will. :)

Victoria will ask questions of Jerry Veasey including who she used to enter with; who she would chat with when she waited but most importantly if she ever passed around a resume or photos of Marylin Monroe while she worked there.

She'll keep the questions professional but curteous. She'll assure him, if he needs to be, that they really won't take much of their time.

Veasey is not aware of any special customers or unusual people Dowling may have met while waiting tables. "She was pretty responsible, but at one point she just stopped coming in for work. All of a sudden."

Irene doesn't know the guys last name [sry].

Will lets Irene drive away after getting her full name, address and phone number then walks back into the Lounge.

Will asks Veasey a couple questions, "Do you know this man?" Showing Veasey the picture. And, "Did Michelle have a locker or anywhere to keep some stuff here?"

Veasey doesn't recognize the guy, and says Michelle didn't keep any personal things at the club.

"Ok, thank you for your time."

As Will and Victoria head towards Will car, he asks her, "Where to next?"

Guys, I'm really sorry but there's no way I can keep this posting up.

I love the game, but I'm going to drop it. Like all the other games I'm participating in.

Take care Skritti, good luck in whatever the future brings you.

So, Mr. Hero, what's next for us then? I'm willing to have a 1 on 1 game or if you want to find another player to fill in for Skritti, that's fine with me too. I can even play as both (!) Will and Victoria. I'm crazy like that.

I was surprised you had so many going for so long.

Take care.

donnie, we can keep going for a while, if you want to play both. Let me think on an official long-term strategy and give you an answer in a bit.

"Will, which of those three letters worries you the most?"

"I guess it depends what's on the 'film.' Why?"

"Would Dowling's killer blackmail the'real' Monroe if he had trouble telling the two of them apart? Never mind the fact that no one will look kindly on our discovery."

"Bare with me, i'm just a county boy. You mean... did the killer think he was blackmailing the real Ms. Monroe, but actually just Ms. Dowling?"

"It seems to me that the killer was with Dowling while she was pretending to be Monroe. If he was as deluded as Dowling was - they would have made some couple - why would he be trying to contact another one?

In fact, what if seeing the real Marilyn alongside the fake is what triggered the murder?"

"Well, we might be able to get Monroe to give us an ID of the killer if he's the one in the picture... and the one who picked her up."

Will unlocks the passenger car door for Victoria before walking around to the drivers side.

"Then we'd have to find him. I wonder if he drives a green sedan."

dd, I'd like you to be in charge of what you'd like the characters to do, if that works

Alright then, Will and Victoria drive to Marilyns place.

There are two cars in her driveway. One of them is empty, and the second one is too once two large gentlemen come out and approach your vehicle. It looks like the same car that tailed you out of the studio.

Before stepping out of the car, Will reaches under his coat and unlatches one of his guns from the holster. "Just in case," he tells Victoria as she tries to hide the fact that she's done the same thing with the Walther P38 she's kept strapped to her hip since the 'incident' in the lumber yard.

They step out of the car, and flash their identification. Victoria asks, "Can I help you gentlemen?"

Neither of them are carrying anything, but they both look pretty tough.

"We're from Fox Studios security. And we've received several complaints that you have been bothering Miss Monroe."

Make a Sense Motive check of 15 If they are official employees, Fox is run by the mob.

Make a Spot check of 20 They appear to have handguns in shoulder holsters.

Will's Rolls
Sense Motive - 12 (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=84006) + 3 (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=84007) = 15
Spot - 8 (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=84011)

Victoria's Rolls
Sense Motive - 10 (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=84013) + 3 (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=84014) = 13
Spot - 8 (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=84015)


Victoria replies first. "If she thinks we're hassling her, then she can talk to a lawyer and file an official hassle complaint with our department, or the DA."

Will listens for any noise coming out of the house. Listen - 19 (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=84016)

Sensing these guys aren't actually with the studio, Will pipes up before the goons can reply. "Either show us some ID or get out of our way, gentlemen, before we have you arrested for obstructing justice."

"We have orders from Mr. Baumann to make sure nothing bothers her before the premiere. You can take it up with him"

They appear surprised by your defiance, but haven't done anything about it.

"This is an ongoing homicide investigation. I'll tell you one more time. Either get out of our way, or there's going to be problems." Will places his hands on his hips, causing his overcoat to open, revealing the butts of two handguns in his shoulder holsters.

Intimidate - 20 (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=85075) (that'd be a crit)

Victoria, doing the same, except places her left hand on her gun, steps up beside Will.

Aid Another - 22 (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=85076)

"Go home, gentlemen."

The door to Monroe's home opens, and a man steps out. Will does a double-take when he sees him.

http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers_and_honorees/hofer_bios/images/DiMaggio_Joe_3.jpg

"We don't need a fight breaking out in the driveway. Is there something I can help you all with?"

Will, over his initial surprise of seeing Joe DiMaggio come out of Marilyn's house, continues to stare down the two thugs.

Victoria is the one who answers. "We're here to talk to Ms. Monroe... and you are?"

He looks at Victoria sheepishly, only half from the lack of recognition. "I'm her ... umm ... boyfriend. Guys, take the rest of the day off. We'll handle things here."

The thugs look at each other, and at Will one last time, then wordlessly get back in their car and leave.

"You're the Feds Marilyn told me about? Is she in any danger?

"Not from us, sir. Can we come in?" Victoria replies.

Will watches as the goons drive away. Still got it.

"Sure. You look on the level to me - more than those hoods. Marilyn will be down in a minute."

She comes in soon dressed in jeans and a tight black blouse. "Joe, can you get us some coffee while I talk with these agents again?" DiMaggio leaves the room. When he does, her personality changes and she has a deadly serious, almost angry, look on her face.

"Well, you got past the studio goons, but Joe seems to think you're not wackos. There must be something going on. So what's so important that you need to bother me again?

"We have reason to believe that the person who killed Ms. Donnelly thought, at least at one point, that she was you. We also intercepted an anonymous letter." Victoria pulls the letter out from the case file and shows it to Marilyn, "This came through the studio and it implies that you were being blackmailed. Anything you want to tell us?"

She laughs aloud, surprising you both. "That's from Anne Bancroft. Sort of a running joke about a film we did together. She wants me to fly to New York. Maybe I'll go back there with Joe."

"How did you get it, anyway?"

Give me a story and a Bluff check if you want - and a Sense Motive for Marilyn's explanation if you want.

Will listens to her story [Sense Motive - 23 (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=85645)+ 3 (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=85662) AP(just in case)], while Victoria spins a tale of how they came about the letter.

"Well, when a suspicious letter comes through the studio a flag gets raised. And since we were already at the studio when the letter came through, a screener came and got us and asked if we could investigate. Simple as that." Victoria smiles.

Bluff - 31 (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=85658)

[ooc: with a roll like that, Will almost thinks that's how it happened.]

She sounds convincing, and apparently so do you.

Are there any other letters which raised a flag?

"This one might mean something to you," Victoria said as she pulled out the one threatening legal action and handed it to Marilyn.

"I'll give it to my agent. This guy says he's gotten resumes from me with phone numbers that turn out wrong. We've told him that we have nothing to do with it. I think he's just mad that I'm not changing representation."

"Do you know his name?"

"The other agent? Sure it's Lloyd Threlkeld. Ooh, are you going to set him straight?"

"We'll have a chat with him. Do you know where his office is?"

After Marilyn answers, Victoria takes out the picture of 'Denny.' "One last thing. Is this the man that came and picked Ms. Donnelly up when she came by here?"

She gives you a Culver City address.

She looks at the picture for a second, and says, "Maybe. He does look familiar."

"The name Denny mean anything?'

"No, I'm sorry.

"Well, thank you for your time, but we need to keep the letters for now. Good luck with the Niagra premier." Victoria looks behind her to notice that Will is already heading out the door. She chases after him and catches up to him as he reaches the car. "You could have said thank you."

"This mystery agent guy... Threlkeld... might be our man. Thought he was getting with a big star, but, he should have read the fine print."

"Doesn't mean he's a killer though," Victoria responds as she leans on the roof over the passenger side of the car.

"It's still the best lead we've got," Will says as he slides into the drivers seat.

They head over to Threlkeld's office.

His office is not as swank as you'd expect a high roller's to be, but it does have one of the new-fangled "air conditioners" you've heard about. It is loud, but seems to be doing a good job cooling the room. Threlkeld's desk is messy, but when he hears why you've arrived he seems overjoyed.

"I don't know what is going on, but I've tried complaining to her agent for months and have never got a response. I've gotten at least four resumes from girls claiming to be Marilyn Monroe, who arent. Who do I have to talk to at the FBI to nip this in the bud?"

Disregarding Threlkeld's question, Will asks, "Where were you the night of February 18th?"

"I - I was home, I guess. Why are you asking me that? What about my problem?"

He is not the guy in Dowling's picture, by the way.

Will continues to ignore Threlkeld's questions.

"Were you home alone all night?"

"Yes, with my wife. Am I being accused of some crime?"

"Did you ever meet with any of the girls that sent you resume's?"

"I tried to talk with the first girl, but she was a headcase. Totally convinced she was Marilyn Monroe. When I got the next resume, I thought someone was pulling my leg."

Victoria shows the agent the picture of Michelle Donnelly. "Was this one of the women you talked to? She was probably dolled up to look like Marilyn."

"No, she doesn't look familiar."

"Where did you meet with the first girl?"

"And we're going to need to talk to your wife to corroborate(?) your alibi. Is she home now?"

"Ummm, we went to lunch at Harold's. And my wife is home, if you need her."

He gives you the number.

[btw, just want to make sure the 1 on 1 thing is working for you, dd]

[I'm fine with the 1 on 1. I've had some trouble with finding Victoria's voice, but keeping her the voice of reason to Will's relatively impulsive ways seems to be fine for now.]

"What did you two talk about? Every little thing could mean something."

"Very little, when it became apparent that she was not the real thing. That's why I have been complaining to Marilyn's agent to look into this. It's got to be a crime or something."

Victoria shows Threlkeld the picture of Denny. "Have you ever seen this man?"

"Who is he?"

"He was the girl's boyfriend. We think he may have killed her."

As he answers, Victoria thinks she may have connected atleast one dot. She pulls out the letter from the case file signed 'H'. "Harold's Dinner is probably owned by a man named Harold, who just might have signed his name with an H. Denny would be a logical nickname..."

"His name could be Harold, but he might be going by Denny."

Victoria catches the look from Will, but ignores it for the time being.

"Look, if it will help you, take the resumes I got. I don't need 'em."

It's late on Friday, so unless you want to do anything before the weekend, the two of you will split up.

[I was thinking on letting Vic research the names of the girls in the resumes. Then Wil could go on his own if you'd like. BTW, if you have anyone who you'd want to play in this thread, I'm cool adding someone. But if the solo adventure thing works for you, I can run some stuff that way and keep Vic on the sidelines as an NPC.]

"Thank you, we would appreciate that."

Victoria takes the resume's from Threlkeld and she and Will head back out to the car. "You want to tell me what you're thinking?"

She shows Will the letter signed H and tells Will what she thinks. "I think 'Denny' is Harold, of Harold's Dinner. Calling him Denny could be like a joke. You know, Denny's restaurant?"

"Funny."


[Not sure if you want to split up Vic and Will now, it's your call. Also, I'm fine with solo, the only problem is having no one else to bounce ideas off of, but an NPC partner could help. And there's no one I know that's into playing online.]

You tell me what you want to do.

But we will start up on Monday morning.

Do I still have control of Victoria?

Yes, don't tell Jean. She's not into that kinky s**t.

[holy crap. that was funny]

Over the weekend, Victoria studies the resume's to see if she can pull anything of interest over them. Meanwhile, Jean is out of town for the weekend so Will gets drunk and shoots things at the local shooting range. Average weekend, I guess.

[Not sure what rolls to use for Vic's research, if you can call it that. I'll post more after I find out if Vic noticed anything].

Victoria spends the majority of the weekend at one of the newspapers in LA, making some good contacts. She is also fairly certain she has identified two of the four girls that have sent resumes, but will need to cross-check various bureaucratic angles now that things are open on Monday. She is pretty confident that the others will fall into place soon.

[I need to piece together names and backgrounds and such, which will have to wait until after RotS. Sry]

One of the resumes Threlkeld received was Dowling's. You recognized it from the other copies at her house.

Based on the pictures that accompanied the resumes, two of the women that sent resumes (Olive Mercer, Ethel Hawkins) are missing. Their pictures appeared in the papers when their disappearances became newsworthy. She is unsure about the third (final) one.

"Coincidences are a scientific anomally," Victoria says as she sits across from Will behind her desk.

"Then that means we're not just looking for a boyfriend who killed in the throes of passion."

"We're looking for a serial killer."

"Exactly." Will calls who he needs to call to get all the case information on the missing women and demands to have it on his desk within the hour, whether he's there or not. "For now, let's go to Harold's Diner. I could use some breakfast, and if 'Denny' does work there, or own it or whatever it could be the break we needed."

"I'll finish my background check's when we get back too, then."

The food at Harold's is good, the lead isn't.

"Don't worry, Will, there are plenty of avenues I have left to check out. We haven't seen any police reports, for instance. I can get these now that the weekend is over."

"I guess we've got research to do. Hurray."

They head beack to the office, prepared for a long day behind a desk.

Make a roll! You can aid Vic if you want....

Victoria's Research - 28 (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=92573)

Wills Aid Another - 20 (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=92574) [I seem to crit alot... not that I'm complaining :)]

Witnessing Victoria's research skills up close is impressive. She seems to have already acquired a fair amount of contacts already, and just about all of her hunches pan out. You stand by with a map of the relevant area, and making phone calls that don't require as much schmoozing.

Olive Mercer was pronounced missing on December 12, 1952, two days after her car was found on Wilshire and South Flower (That's about three blocks from Dowling's car, Vic adds).

Ethel Hawkins's car was found on Beaudry and 5th on August 1st, 1952 near Beaudry and Fifth Street (Guess where that's close to? says Vic as you push a pin close to the other two). She didn't show up for her church choir rehearsal the next day.

Vic is unsure about the gap in time between these disappearances until she IDs the last of the girls who send resumes. She is Betty Witherspoon, a nursing student who checked into a sanitarium in late October after family members described here as having problems with her identity. Just in time for lunch she has an address for her.

"This got really weird, really fast I'd have to say," Will said, nodding to himself.

"Why didn't we know about this?"

Will shrugs, "Maybe no one knew about it." He grabs the keys to his car, and they head out.

[ooc: great game, by the way. I don't think i've said that yet :)]

Where to?

[thanks - and you were worried I wouldn't want you to play...]

Would've posted earlier, but went out of town today. It is a holiday here, afterall.

I guess I figured you could read my mind. Will and Vic are heading to Betty Witherspoons.

[I thought it was the 24th - is it a Monday thing?]

Betty lives with her sister in a Parklabrea apartment. She seems pretty well-adjusted, and when she finds out why you have come, she gets very serious. "I'll help in any way I can."

[Apparently there's this queen that has her own day. We put her face on our money, and she gives us a long-weekend. Win-win i'd say.]

"We think that all the girls that have gone missing have been taken by someone with a Marilyn Monroe... fetish. Can you think of anyone that you've come into contact with that might be capable of doing something like this? Even the smallest bit of information can help."

"Well, the reason I had treatment was because I was behaving like I thought I was her. My sister and the other tellers at the bank where I work were worried, but I really couldn't notice any differences. I spent about a month there, and now I seem fine."

Will was content to stay behind Victoria as she asked the questions. He expected her to mainly ask about her condition.

"Do you know any of these women?" Victoria asked as she showed pictures of the missing girls to Betty.

No, but that was the guy I was dating right before I got my treatment.

Will suddenly becomes interested. "This guy?" He says, holding the picture infront of her. "Who's he?"

His name is Dennis Sherman. After I got out, I stopped seeing him.

"Do you know where he lives? We'd love to have a chat with him."

She gives you an address in Santa Monica.

You going today?

As they leave Betties house, Victoria suggest heading over there as soon as possible but Will has another idea. "Let's have a couple uniforms pick him up and bring him to us. Been a while since i've been able to interrogate anyone."

When they get to their office, Will calls the police to get them to pick Dennis up and Victoria calls the DA to see if they have probable cause for a search warrant for his apartment.

As Vic makes the necessary preparations for a warrant, the cops return, saying that no one was home.

[Vic can roll a Profession check, modified by her Career score, for the warrant]

Victoria's Check - 11 (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=95082) + 1 (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=95083) AP

Will makes sure the police set up a surveilance while he and Victoria wait for word on a warrant.

The cops are there until dark. During that time they speak with the landlord, who verifies this is still Sherman's address, but he does not come home. While Vic tries to secure the warrant, you investigate a bit more into the guy.

Research over 15
He has a short police record, for a number of barfights. About a year ago, he was brought in and questioned about the disappearance of a girlfriend, Mary Jo Meachem, but was never held or charged for anything.

Research over 20
He is a construction worker by trade. In the last couple years, since he arrived in California, he has worked on both homes and sets for several movies - including We're Not Married.

Vic is unsuccessful getting a warrant, but finding him is obviously the best lead you have.

Will's Research - 18 (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=95480) + 5 (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=95481)

Will shows his findings to Victoria. "Does he have any family around here?"

His parents are both dead.

"Let's put out an APB on him. Make sure the cops know he's not being arrested, just brought in for questioning." Will States.

"Yes, father," Victoria smiles.

"...And i'll call Marilyn to make sure there's still someone there to protect her. Our boy might be ballsy to want the real thing now."

Will you two be involved in the surveillance or something else?

Might as well. Will and Vic head there now.

I didn't know if you had anything else planned. The cops have planned to watching in eight hour shifts, and the next one ends at 11:00 pm. I can go ahead to then, but if you want to check early, say the word.

11pm sounds fine.

Will and Vic grab a couple coffee's and prepare for a long night.

There are no cop cars, undercover or otherwise, in view as far as you can see outside his apartment complex. A light appears to be on in a window of his flat.

[sorry this was the cheesiest way to get you guys to do the showdown; but you deserve the bust, no?]

As Will and Vic pull op across the street from the apartment, Victoria asks, "Where the hell are the cops? Aren't they supposed to be here?"

"Supposed to... yeah. Someone's getting fired if they missed out on him." Will steps out of the car and Victoria follows quickly after. "And there's a light on in his apartment."

"Then let's go check it out," Victoria says as she draws her gun.

-----

Will listens through the door for a second [Listen - 23 (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=96038)].

There doesn't seem to be any sounds coming from the apartment. The door is locked.

"The door was open when we got here."

"Wait... what?"

Will kicks the door in.

"You can't do that! We need a warrant..!"

Will shrugs and takes a couple steps into the apartment. "FBI! Is anyone here?!"

A single bulb burns in the kitchen; you hear something there but cannot see anyone. the hallway to the rest of the apartment is dark.

"Something doesn't feel right here, Will."

Still standing a couple steps into the apartment, Will draws one of his guns. "You're right... Wait here while I clear the apartment." He steps into the kitchen.

Spot - 11 (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=96515)
Listen- 14 (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=96516)

Victoria shuts the door to the apartment and searches for a light switch or something else around her.

Search - 12 (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=96517)

It is the muffled sound of silverware tinkling inside a closed drawer, as if something is rummaging through it or crawling inside it. But Wil is the only person in the room.

Vic backs to the apartment door and turns on a lamp with her free hand. The room is uncluttered, just a couch and small tables, no TV.

Will slowly opens the drawer.

Will stares down, watching a spoon curl itself slowly among straight and bent pieces of silverware.

He can try a Will save using Charisma as the bonus stat; I will do Vic's.

"Will, he's in the back bedroom," Victoria mumbles.

Will Save - 8 (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=96782)

What next?

Did he pass or fail the check? What about Victoria?

You get a stress point from watching the spoons bend, but other than that you seem to be fine.

Vic looks a bit spooked, but nods at you with a look of determination.

Will tries to put the image of spoons bending out of his head, there is no spoon. He and Victoria head for the bedroom with guns drawn, ready for anything.

With about ten steps you are right outside the bedroom door.

Will takes a deep breath. "Mr. Sherman, we're coming in!" He nods to Victoria who swings the door open and Will takes a step inside.

A man who looks like Sherman is sitting on the bed. He looks up at you with a strange mixture of fear and anger on his face.

"You have to leave now," he whispers, almost pleading. "I can't control it any more."

"Get off the bed, Mr. Sherman! You're coming with us!"

He doesn't move, but looks over at Victoria. "Before I saw them, when the Army put that stuff in my head, I could handle it. But when they were together, it was too much. I can't be sure anymore."

"Will, something's wrong. I -- I can't get a bead on him."

Victoria looks shaken, although her sidearm is still pointed up at Sherman.

Will quickly glances at Victoria, not sure what she means. His attention quickly goes back to Sherman, though.

"Listen buddy, I don't care if you're mommy spanked you too hard as a kid, your dad didn't spank you or the Army brainwashed you. What did you do to those girls?!"

"They were just phantoms on the screen. They weren't real. And now I can't tell the difference."

"Will? Where are we? What are we shooting?"

"Will? Where are we? What are we shooting?"

"God damn it, Vic. Get a grip!"

[Grapple - 18 (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=97506)]

Will steps up to Sherman, pulls him off the bed, drives his knee into the back of the mans head and slaps a pair of handcuffs on him.

"Dennis Sherman, you're under arrest for the murder of Michelle Donnelly."

Sherman is resistant, but not trying too hard (no AoO). You manage to grab him, but will have to do an opposed grapple check on your next round.

"I don't know what he did to you, fella, but let go of my man."

The last five words are spoken through Victoria's gritted teeth. Her gun is still raised, but she is looking at you.

I think we need initiative.

Grapple - 24 (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=97643)
Initiative - 11 (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=97644)

Will hauls Dennis to his feet, placing Dennis between himself and Victoria.

"Put the gun down, Victoria."

(during the last action) Sherman's grapple roll was 11, so he lost and you are running the show. With a 20 you twist him around suddenly and drive him onto the bed. Vic is standing about 6 feet away in the doorway.

Her initiative is 20 and his 13. This round you can cuff him with another grapple check at the end of the round (no rules for using cuffs in a grapple - have to make some) assuming he doesn't break free.

Victoria continues to hold the pistol, although she no longer looks confident with it, and looks as if she is suddenly surprised at it's weight. She closes her eyes and flinches as the gun goes off, showering you with plaster from the far wall.

Sherman is face down on the bed, but he pulls out a butcher knife from under his pillow and hacks at Will. The blade slaps against his pant leg but does not draw blood.

"Shoot him, honey!" Sherman grunts as he flails away with the knife. "He's trying to take me away!"

I'm a little confused, but not much. How did he pull the knife and attack me if I have him completely grappled?

I figure you have to have him held before you get the cuffs on him. So the first thing you did was made your touch attack - that was the 18 you rolled.

Then you do opposed grapple checks - you got a 24 & he got an 11, so you would normally get to damage him. Since you wanted to cuff him instead, I figured you had him turned around and are in the process of getting the cuffs on him. I don't think you could get him cuffed with the two of you standing up and him resisting. So you knee him in the back, get him bent over and one hand into the cuffs. Instead of trying to escape, he used his other hand to grab the knife under his pillow. Since you are behind him, you got a concealment/visibility bonus like he couldn't see you.

If you keep the grapple up in this round (ie win another check), he will be cuffed. That's how I always read the grapple rules, anyway. If you're not cool with that let me know.

[actually, that makes quite a bit of sense. Thanks for clearing that up.]

Grapple - 22 (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=97936) + 6 (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=97936)
Will grabs Dennis' outstretched arm as Dennis tries to slice open his leg. He slaps on of the cuffs down onto Dennis' wrist (hopefully causing the knife to fall out, as well), the other end to the bedpost.

He then takes a 5 ft. step from the bed, and points his gun at Victoria.

"Drop the gun, Vic."

[If there's enough time in the round, he also draws his other gun and points it at Dennis.]

The knife falls to the carpet. Sherman struggles to get out, knocking over a small night table next to the bed. Other than the bed and the overturned table, the only other things in this room are a rickety-looking chest of drawers next to the doorframe where Vic is standing, and a mirror hanging on the wall opposite from the bed (to your right/Vic's left as you stand to face her). A door in the same wall presumably leads to a closet.

Victoria is no longer intent on Sherman, but is now pointing the gun at you.

My name's not 'Vic,' mister. Let him go.

"Then I guess that FBI ID in your lapel pocket was planted there by me? And your other ID in your back pockets as well?"

Will readies an action. If "Victoria" checks out her ID, and drops her attention from Will, he will try to disarm her with his free hand.

Disarm - 24 (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=98184)

She doesn't appear distracted. And don't forget she would have an attack of opportunity.

This is a costume. I am an actress. I'd like you to explain what you are doing here.

[Actually, I don't think she would get an AoO. You can't make attacks of opportunities with a ranged weapon, and can't use your hands unless your unarmed attacks are considered 'armed.']

"I'm his agent..."

Will tries his disarm attempt now.

She could use the pistol as a melee weapon, which changes things. Plus it's her turn to act - but try to talk her down first.

Why do you keep calling me Victoria?

[ooc - I am going to have to revisit that AoO rule, unless you want thugs knocking guns out of your hands for all eternity :evillaugh ]

Keeping his gun pointed at Victoria, he tries to talk her back into reality.

"Because that's your name. Take a look at this," Will slowly reaches into his coat pocket and pulls out his FBI identification. "My name's Will Wascot," he says as he shows the ID to her. "You're my partner, Victoria Hawthorne. You have ID in your pocket as well."

I'm not that slow, pal. You have ten seconds to start making sense, or I'm shooting you and taking him with me.

BTW she is holding her action. Check the room description and consider what you have to work with.

Will quickly scans the room to look for something within reach that he can use to his advantage.

"Look..! There's a mirror right there." Will drops his gun on the floor. "I'm unarmed. All I want you to do is take a quick look at your reflection." Will raises both his hands. "I won't move a muscle."

Victoria turns her face to the mirror.

Son of a...
Will? WILL!! LOOK OUT!

Sherman kicks out at your knee from his awkward position at the edge of the bed. He fails as the gun goes off again. The shot slams into the mattress.

My God, Will, I'm sorry. I don't know what happened.

[I guess Victoria looking in the mirror works better than my original idea. Disarming her, then locking her in the closet. C'est La Vie.]

Will snatches the gun he dropped from the ground beside him.

"Get the hell outta here, Vic. Wait outside; you're too god damned dangerous." Will stands up, trains his gun at Sherman. "On second thought... put the junk in my trunk in the backseat."

He notices her obvious aprehension. "Least you could do for trying to kill me."

Will steps closer to the bed, preparing to release Sherman from the bed. "Try anything, and I won't hesitate to blow your brains out. Got it?"

[It was my wife's idea]

"That's the problem. I can't control it. Look, I have some sleeping pills in my medicine cabinet. That seems to calm things down."

Will sighs and goes to look for the pills.

You find them and return with a glass of water. He swallows them without a problem.

[donnie, this is pretty much the end of the action, unless you have something specific to do with this guy. I'm not gonna have him miraculously escape or anything frustrating like that. If you want to wrap up the case we can]

Fine with me, but I was planning on having Will question him to get the whole story and whatnot. So, if you want to quickly write up Dennis Shermans side of the story, that would be great.

Also, are we going to be switching over to those other boards?

He is not very talkative, but explains that he met Monroe on a movie set where he was building the sets. The crew recalls her flirting with him, but only as a way to make her costar jealous. Apparently something clicked in his mind and he became obsessed with her.

He offers no explanation as to why Dowling and even Vic acted the way they did. Neither does Vic, but she is pretty shaken by the whole experience, which she can only remember with your assistance.

Will sits behind his desk with his feet up, munching away at a dry turkey sandwich he picked up from the deli down the street for supper. Victoria was reading aloud the report they had been working on for the past couple hours.

Well, Victoria had been, anyways. Will was really just there for moral support.

"Agents Hawthorne and Wascot examined the body of Michelle Dowling. The coroner found that the body had been asphyxiated. No ligature marks were present on the body, but severe petechial hemorrhaging was sure sign of a smothering, possibly by a pillow. The agents then led an investigation under the assumption that Ms. Dowling knew her killer.

"Over the course of the investigation, the agents discovered that Ms. Dowling had started to think she was Marilyn Monroe. This included sending in resume's to different agents under Marilyn's name, and showing up at Marilyn Monroe's house demanding that it was, in fact, her house."

Will stiffles a yawn as she continues to read.

"Agents Hawthorne and Wascot discovered other women that exhibited the same signs of dimmentia as Ms. Donelly had. Many of them had gone missing and were presumed dead. There was one other link between all the women that could be interviewed: Dennis Sherman.

"Agents Hawthorne and Wascot went to Sherman's apartment to interview him, but the door was ajar," Victoria sighs loudly and continues to read. "The agents found Dennis Sherman sitting on his bed where he was arrest after a short struggle. 2 shots were fired by Agent Hawthorne, neither hit Mr. Sherman.

"Dennis Sherman has admitted to killing the women and is currently awaiting a grand jury indictment."

"Pretty good, a bit long though."

"You noticed I left out the part with you stuffing him in the trunk of your car?"

"What else was I gonna do? Let him sit in the backseat? I'm still used to being a cop, not having to wait for one to show up." Will crumples up the alluminum foil his sandwich was wrapped in and tosses it into the trashbin on the other side of the small office. Almost; he missed by about a mile.

"So, what's next?" Victoria asks as she stands up and takes her coat from the rack by the door.

"I don't know. But I think it's time I spent some quality time with Jean, if you know what I mean." Will stands up as well, taking his coat from the back of his chair.

Victoria rolls her eyes as she flips the light switch off as they leave the office.

In a much colder place.

And you're sure the report does not mention Sherman's ... unusual habits?

As far as our sources say, that's correct.

That's quite fortunate for everyone involved. Especially Mr. Sherman.

I'll make the necessary arrangements.

donnie, I am going to try and scare up more players. I'd like your input on whether you want them with you on cases as opposed to in the FBI stable for other adventures.

This is to everyone (not including myself and Committed Hero) that reads this game.

This game will no longer be played on the WotC boards, it is being continued here (http://groovygamers.com/viewforum.php?f=87).

So, anyone still interested in the continuing adventures of Will Wascot, and whoever he can sucker into playing his partner, come join us.