Missed Dues.P1

Missed Dues.P1 (Essie, Peter, Jimmy, Riche)

Phillip has retired (for the time being): partly due to his recent marriage but mostly due to his residency in the Arkham Sanitorium

Thursday, 19 Oct 1923: Essie stayed busy throughout the day, cataloging the latest additions to the Historical archives. It wasn’t till she put on her coat to close her office that she overheard conversations by her co-workers, “Did you hear about the thefts on campus last night? The Orne Library and the Museum each had artifacts stolen! Thank goodness I’m a dayshift worker; I wouldn’t know what to do if confronted by a burglar!”

Essie didn’t think more of it till Friday lunch when Riche happened by, “I usually like to spend my mornings at the library, but this is the second day in a row they have been closed. Something about a robbery and them needing to take inventory. I offered my services considering the stolen item taken from the Occult section where I’ve been focused.”

Saturday evening, Oct 21st: It was a welcomed respite by all when Jimmy sent an invite to his Northside Speakeasy (under O’Leary/O’Bannion control), “Drinks are on the house but you’ll have to gamble with your own money.” It was a welcomed invite till Peter realized he needed to shop for a suit, considering THIS speakeasy catered mainly to rich clientele. 

Which provided Essie the chance to guide his shopping efforts. “No, zoot-suits are NOT appropriate. You don’t need a tuxedo; just a nice tweed suit.”

Jimmy was already inside the Northside Speakeasy, tending to the needs of early patrons. He did let Frankie (the doorman) know to keep a lookout for his friends. “Sure thing, Mr. Skora.” With Essie as passenger, Peter circled the block in search of parking. Peter didn’t even consider ‘Bessie’ looked out of place next to the Bentleys and touring cars, as he walked Essie to the front door. They arrived just as Claude (Riche’s chauffeur) pulled the limo up to the curb to then open the car-door for his boss. It was Claude who first spoke, “Mrs. Vance, you look exquisite tonight.” Eye-daggers from her had Peter and Riche adding their own (late) compliments, “As always, you look stunning.”

Frankie recognized Riche (per Jimmy’s description and he a regular). Taking hats and coats, he led them in before rushing off to tell his boss of their arrival. Jimmy led them to the bar where Mike Catpole (bartender) asked, “What wets your whistle?” Jimmy stuck with his club soda as Mike poured: a high ball, whiskey neat, and dry martini for the others. Essie scanned the floor and was surprised to see open gambling tables surrounding a grand dance floor. As a prior Arkham cop, Peter knew enough to explain, “Let’s just say Jimmy’s bosses have enough cops on the payroll to turn a blind eye to the operation.” Which drew a smirk from Jimmy, “Yeah, our other speakeasies keep their tables behind closed doors. The mayor and other politicians and police commissioner prefer this well-protected place.”

It wasn’t long before Essie was on the dance floor during the modest songs. Her 38-revolver slipping in her garter strap reminded her to tone down her moves with Peter at her side. Riche also joined the dance floor scene, either by himself or with the arm of other women willing to join him, as he too waited the chance to dance with Essie. Waiters also seemed to line-up for him as he was quickly known by all to tip VERY well. Riche made it a point to restock his friends’ drinks. Jimmy was more a talker than dancer as he made the rounds checking on all patrons. He bent an ear to listen as others (tongues loosened by alcohol) told fascinating stories. [CON fail] Peter retrieved two ‘whiskey neats’ from the offered tray as he joined the conversation, “It’s not everyday you get the chance to hunt down and confront your parents’ killers.” He had the floor and all ears for long minutes before concluding, “Let’s just say justice was served.”

Even Essie paused from dancing to hear the retell of their story and her memories of the dark-side of Peter that fateful month. [Spot-extreme] At first she puzzled at Riche patting his left breast pocket before checking his right in search of something. Then she remembered the non-descript man who had ‘bumped’ into Riche… did she really see him pocket something before heading to the bar? Essie slipped away to the bar to casually add another olive to her dry martini before striking up conversation with the suspect. The man almost choked on his drink when Essie began to flirt. [Charm-Hard 19] It wasn’t long before Essie directed the conversation, “It’s a little crowded in here.”

Meanwhile, Riche realized he’d misplaced his wallet needed to tip the waiter. He too headed to the bar, “Say Mike, did I leave my wallet?” Riche raised his eyebrows when he overheard Essie propositioning to the stranger. He was even more intrigued when he caught her wink and head-tilt directed his way. Jimmy also saw Essie’s signals and tagged along as she led the man down the hallway towards the bathroom. Peter was the last to catch sight of his departing friends and offered apologies to his gathered audience, “If you’ll excuse me. Nature calls.”

And that’s when another patron exited the men’s bathroom and had to squeeze past Essie and her companion. And that’s when her companion happened to watch the man’s departure and thus caught sight of Riche and Jimmy… “Hey, what’s going on? Am I about to be robbed or mugged?!” Which was about the time Petter arrived. Tapping Jimmy’s shoulder (“You got this.”), Peter brushed past everyone and stepped into the bathroom. Essie broke the awkward silence and drew the revolver from her garter belt, “Just give it back.” Now Riche understood while Jimmy could only silently follow along, unaware. Essie tried to give the man a break, “Let’s just say I saw you pick up… the dropped… wallet.” NOW Jimmy understood and stepped in, “Hand it over, because if I have to dig for it and find it…” The wallet was quickly offered. Jimmy snatched it and handed it over to Riche, “Count it.” Riche thumbed thru the thousands of dollars and thus didn’t notice the few missing dollars used to buy the man his drink at the bar.

As Essie sputtered, “How could you?!”, Jimmy snapped his fingers to call a bouncer. “We need a more private setting to continue this discussion.” The procession walked back into the main room, around the long bar, and into a side card room that had a poker game in session. “Clear out! Just leave your money and cards on the table. If anything is missing when you return, it’s on the house.” Nothing else needed to be said as these patrons knew Jimmy. Essie joined the exiting crowd so she could retrieve Peter and lead him to this inquisition. They arrived in time to witness…

Boiling mad a robbery had occurred in his establishment, Jimmy was long on questions and short on patience. “Who are you? Who else have you rob? Today and any prior visits? Who let you in… who gave YOU the password?!” Jimmy’s rings left gouges on the man’s face as he slapped him around. Johnny Fingers spilled all that was asked. Peter reached into Johnny’s coat and retrieved his wallet, collecting his ID before tossing the wallet back at the man. If Essie wasn’t there… Jimmy was SO ready to break the man’s kneecap. He settled for a punch in the gut and orders to the bouncer, “Toss him in the alley and let Frankie know to keep a future lookout for any more Southside scum.”

Monday morning, Oct 23rd: Peter sought out his police contact and handed over the ID, “Let me know what you can find.” A few hours later he handed the report over to Jimmy, “Like you said, Southside lowlife.”

As for Riche: he returned to the Orne library and was happy to find it open. Riche struck up (quiet) conversation with Ms Kolasky (desk clerk) who he knew per all his prior visits, “Were you scared about the break in and theft?” Lucy first looked for her slave-driving supervisor before answering, “Apparently it happened last Wednesday after closing. The police say the thief climbed up outside for entry. There were no alarms to disable; so, he had the roam of the entire place but only took that single scroll. Fool. There were more valuable items all around and at his fingertips.”

Meanwhile, Essie did her own digging on another topic as she met with Dr. Henry Armitage regarding the recent robbery. Essie was shocked to learn the stolen dagger was one she and her departed husband Richard recovered in their southwest Texas dig all those years ago. “If I remember correctly, wasn’t it cataloged as a ceremonial dagger used in rituals related to the spirit realm?” Henry confirmed her memory and added, “I’m not sure what it has to do with the dagger, but a Greek scroll was stolen the same night. According to Professor Anthony David, who was translating it, it’s a worthless but interesting piece of work. And now that I think about it, the professor’s house was also broken into!” Essie stopped at the ‘School of Languages’ to chat with the professor, but learned he was in classes. His secretary offered, “He usually gets off around 5pm if you want to see him then.”

Prof David’s house: They all gathered by noon. Riche was the first to suggest they visit the professor’s house before his arrival home. Another plain 2-story house on West Pickman Street owned by the University and subleased to staff. Peter parked ‘Bessie’ in front as they all climbed the porch to knock at the door. No answer. Jimmy briefly thought about picking the lock… Riche and Jimmy each took a side of the house to inspect while Peter lit a cigar on the porch to wait along with Essie. And that’s when Peter noticed the nosy neighbor across the street peeking out her window. Just as the sound of Riche echoed from the side of the house, “Prof David? Anyone home?”

Essie and Peter crossed the street and knocked, “Sorry to disturb you, Mame. I’m detective Graves assigned to the burglary division. I couldn’t help but notice you a responsible citizen protecting your neighborhood. I was hoping YOU might know something about the break-in.” Gladys relaxed, “Oh, yes. Scary to think there’s theft in OUR area. I didn’t even know about it till I read the papers. Early in the morning? If I had a dog, maybe he would have barked. No, I just live with my cats.”

And that’s when Prof David pulled into his driveway. He pondered why the two men (Riche and Jimmy) were leaning against a car parked in front of his house. His first thought was more reporters or gawkers drawn to his plight. But when Peter arrived with his badge… “A detective? Did Dr. Armitage hire you? I knew the police just swept the report under the rug when I told them it was worthless research. At least the thief didn’t get everything. I kept my personal notes at work and have just brought them home to study what might be of interest and worth stealing. Come inside and I’ll show you.”

Anthony spread out his notes on the kitchen table and began to ramble on and on what little sense he’d found, “Best guess is it’s a mathematical formula concerning unusual geometries.” [Occult- hard] Riche’s eyes widened as he began to recognize some of the symbols, “Matter translocation, channel. I remember reading other Orne Library books with these symbols that suggest time or distance travel.” Anthony harrumphed, “Preposterous! Why, you can clearly see… travel… yes, channel, movement. My God man, you might have something there!” Essie picked up on the conversation, “Who else knew you were translating the scroll? Has anyone else tried to check it out of the library? Can you provide a list?” Anthony promised he’d get his secretary to compose such list, “How can I get ahold of you?”

Tuesday morning, Oct 24^th: Essie was already at work. Peter called into his office, “Marina, hold all calls. I’ll be out for the day.” He arrived at Riche’s penthouse to find the man still in his bathrobe with coffee in hand. Together, they concluded Johnny’s pickpocketing was just a ‘red herring’; nothing to do with the university thefts.

Meanwhile, Jimmy was called into his boss’s office. ‘Nails’ O’Keefe stood behind Mordecai O’Leary who cracked walnuts with a hammer as he had his nose buried in the newspaper. Without looking up, Mordecai asked, “What’s this about a pickpocket in MY joint?! And you just let him go? Nails, demonstrate to Mr. Skora what he SHOULD have done. Jimmy knew not to resist when Nails came forward, grabbed his right hand and placed it on the table, “clicked’ open his switchblade, and drew blood from the base of Jimmy’s thumb. “Except we cut if completely off.”

That’s when Jimmy noticed the paper laid down and his boss staring at him, “You know what really burns me?! You let a Southsider in. Just like I took kindly to another Southsider. I give a little leeway to the small-time thief Sticky Jack, and he stiffs me for my cut. Well, a little bird tells me he got offered a choice job by some new player in town. Handsome reward for a caper to lift 3 items in one night. Greed, it’s the downfall of lesser men. Jack forgot to deliver my cut.” Mordecai slammed down his hammer on more walnuts, obliterating them and leaving a deep dent in his tabletop. “Ya got one week. I need you to: find out what he stole, for who, and I want my cut. I want answers! Now get out!”

A phone call to Riche and soon all were together, sharing Jimmy’s assignment. “I think we know what was stolen. But what do we know about this Sticky Jack character?” Peter offered one of his street contacts in the southside which required a short drive. Soon face-to-face, his contact revealed Jack was:  a freelance burglar of wealthy homes in the Campus area who sometimes worked for O’Leary, who claimed a percentage. “He’s an Italian Catholic member of the Sacred Heart Church on South French Hill Street.” [A familiar neighborhood, east of the Walnut Street political campaign lights project!]

Sacred Heart Church: Riche congratulated the gardener for his well-kept lawn and flowerbed. It was easy to hear the man’s Italian accent which got Riche and Jimmy both speaking in the same language to earn his trust. “Yeah, Sticky Jack is a member, but Father Anthony Morency only knows him as Jack Fulton.” Father Morency was busy at the altar, getting ready for another service when they entered. Seeing new faces laced with determination, he greeted them, “I see you come with heavy hearts and heavy pockets, what can I do for you?” It was a standard greeting meant to entice a donation, but Father was shocked when Peter placed a crisp $20 bill into the plate. Any conversation about Jack Fulton was prompt and complete to the father’s best knowledge. “I’m not saying he was a gangster, but he was known as a petty thief every once-in-a-while for which he asked absolution. But I haven’t seen him in church since Easter.”

Peter thought twice about reclaiming his $20 bill as they exited the church. But as they were climbing into their car, they were interrupted by the gardener. “I couldn’t help but overhear. I don’t know his address, only that he lives somewhere in Lower Southside. Jack and his best friend Joe Spoon (better known as Greasy Spoon) frequent the Sycamores Speakeasy. In fact, I saw them there last week. It was Sticky paying for the drinks. Boasted about coming into money and ‘more where that came from.’ When I mentioned how I ain’t seen him in church, he laughed about finding another religion.”

TO BE CONTINUED: https://wjr5oakley.blogspot.com/2023/10/missed-duesp2.html