Episode 24: Mystery at the Park

The heroes recieve a mysterious phone call, and meet the caller at Moth Park. There they meet a man who makes a demanding proposal, and see a strange woman in the trees...

A few days go by since Woodward and McMurdoch first met Alistair Straker. It’s been raining solidly over Laketown, the drops pattering the calm water like a swarm of insects. But today the rain has stopped, and there is a thick pall of grey cloud above.

Woodward and McMurdoch are in at work. It is morning. A car alarm is wailing plaintively from somewhere down the street. Janet, the receptionist is back from her vacation and sitting at the lobby desk.

Galloway is out. Woodward mentioned to Galloway that Straker, the Hong Kong film actor, has requested that he accompany the investigators, and he shrugged and said, “Just keep him out of harm’s way.”

Straker arrives

Ethan: Ethan sits at his desk lazily, his coat spilling out various odds and ends as he holds a newspaper in one hand over his head. He sighs as he flips through the paper, revealing the words 'CLASSIFIEDS' in large text.

McMurdoch: McMurdoch is leaning back in a swivel chair, with his feet up on the desk. An empty cup of coffee dangles from his left hand, and a cigarette in his right. His head is tilted back as he blows a stream of smoke at the ceiling fan, watching in wry amusement as the fan blows it into unusual patterns.

McMurdoch’s phone rings, an old fashioned, bicycle bell clatter cutting through the morning head haze.

McMurdoch: McMurdoch puts down the cup and slowly reaches for his phone and puts it to his ear.

McMurdoch: "Mac." He drawls.

McMurdoch: "Who’s talkin' to me?"

McMurdoch: "Info on what?"

McMurdoch: "Just me?"

McMurdoch: McMurdoch puts his phone back in his pocket and turns to Woodward with a quizzical stare.

McMurdoch: "Some nameless dude just called and told me he has some vital information for me. Didn't say what it was or who he was."

Ethan: Ethan sits up straight, his chair making a loud squeaky noise as he sits down. He drops the paper onto his desk. "What's up?"

McMurdoch: "Beyond that I know as much as you do, partner."

Ethan: He leans over and picks up a pen that fell out of his pocket. "Well, you gonna go?"

McMurdoch: "He said to meet him at Moth Park at 10 A.M. next to the statue."

McMurdoch: "Yeah, I think I will."

McMurdoch: "Sure beats bumming around here."

Straker arrives and asks Janet if the 'gents' are in.

McMurdoch: McMurdoch blows a smoke ring at the ceiling."

Ethan: "Need backup?"

Janet: "Certainly."

McMurdoch: "Given the events of the last few weeks... I reckon that would be wise."

Janet: Janet gets up and shows Mr. Straker into the open plan office area where Woodward and McMurdoch are conversing.

McMurdoch: "I'll meet the guy. You cover me covertly... with a shooter."

Straker: "Morning."

Ethan: "Uhh..yo."

Ethan: Ethan folds up the paper and throws it to the side of his desk, were it topples over the rest of the stack of the paper.

McMurdoch: McMurdoch turns to Woodward and grins. "That's a lot of unfinished reports partner."

Ethan: "Uh, Straker, was it? Looks like we might get some action for you to check out."

Janet: "Ethan, and er, Kyle, someone here to see you......"

Straker: "What's the buzz?"

McMurdoch: McMurdoch turns and fixes Straker with a piercing stare. He continues staring as if he's never seen the guy before.

Straker sits on the corner of the empty desk and sparks a cigarette.

McMurdoch: "Straker?"

McMurdoch: McMurdoch turns back to Woodward. The expression on his face says 'who the hell is this guy?'.

Ethan: Ethan shoves his hands deep within his coat and stands up from his chair, leaning on his desk.

Straker: (To McMurdoch) "Er, McArnies," Straker prompts, "A few nights ago? Nearly shot me? You were a bit out of it m'friend..."

McMurdoch: McMurdoch still looks mystified?

Ethan: "Crazy kung fu guy. Decided he'd hang out with us and see how the real world of law enforcement works. Heh."

McMurdoch: McMurdoch turns back to Straker, looking interested now. "Are you a blackbelt?"

Bruce steps into the office, with a flak jacketed man who looks to be FBI.

Straker: "Amongst other things."

Bruce and the FBI man sit down at his computer.

Ethan: Woodard raises his finger to his forehead and makes a mock salute with it. "What's up?" He says to Bruce and the FBI agent

Bruce: "Rat spottings, surveillance is paying off. Just going over some previous sightings."

Ethan: "Ah, the bastards. Looks like you guys've got a hang onto it. Come on, McMurdoch. Let's go see about this anonymous informant."

You walk past Janet, the frizzy haired receptionist, and open the frost glassed swing doors of the office, with PSIA marked on the outside, and they judder back and forth in your wake.

You jump in the Volkswagen Jetta, and drive out across the city, along side the river, and find a parking spot outside Moth Park.

It’s a cloudy but dry day, the first after several straight days of heavy rain. Moth Park forms a boundary between a part of the Withers, with warehouses, tenements, and abandoned storefronts – and a more upscale, though past its prime, neighbourhood of brownstones, stores, offices, and restaurants. Those of you from Laketown are moderately familiar with it.

Which entrance will you enter the park by, South, North, or West? Someone make a choice.

McMurdoch: North.

You enter the park via the North entrance gate. Moth Park is enclosed on all sides by a metal fence with a spiked top. Above the gate there is an engraved plaque with writing.

You pass through the gate and enter the walkway.

Ethan: Ethan walks in with his back hunched, hands deep within his pockets as he shiftily peers this way and that, on the watch for trouble.

You pass the empty bandshell, that sits at the Northern end of the park, heading towards the statue, which those of you from Laketown know is in the centre of the park.

McMurdoch: McMurdoch pulls a pack of cigarettes from his shirt pocket and pulls out a smoke. He puts it to his mouth and then pauses. He puts the cigarette behind his ear and pulls a little container from the same pocket, tapping a couple of little blue pills onto the palm of his hand. He tips his head back, swallows and grimaces, then puts the cigarette to his lips and lights it, inhaling deeply.

You head towards the middle third of the park, which is covered with trees, providing shade and a forested experience for those who walk the area’s trails. There are several park benches and picnic sites among the trees.

You head towards the middle third of the park, which is covered with trees, providing shade and a forested experience for those who walk the area’s trails. There are several park benches and picnic sites among the trees.

McMurdoch: McMurdoch scans the park benches as they pass, checking out the people sitting on them, trying to spot anyone acting in a suspicious or unusual manner... anyone who looks even slightly out of place.

At the head of the trail that leads into the wooded area, there is a marker with some information on it. The statue is located in the central forested area of the park.

McMurdoch: McMurdoch heads towards the statue.

As you walk through the forested area, through a gap in the trees McMurdoch sees a young woman dressed in a dishevelled grey raincoat with a partly open umbrella.

She holds her head at an angle, sometimes tilting it to one side so that her left ear almost touches her shoulder. Her dark hair hangs loose, and seems to be tangled with leaves and sticks. Her coat and hair look dripping wet, despite the weather.

You notice her standing several yards away, staring at you. Her lips move as if she is mumbling, but she is making no sound.

McMurdoch: He stops suddenly as if he's just remembered something and turns towards Woodward, nodding his head in the direction of the woman.

Ethan: Ethan makes his way over, then moves towards the woman, staring at her face and lips, trying to understand what she's saying.

Ethan: sense motive

Ethan: [1d20+10] - [12,10] = (22)

You can all see her now. The woman paces between the trees.

You don't get sense from her at all, she just looks like a very odd woman.

As you approach her, she steps behind a tree, and disappears briefly, before reappearing.

Then, she steps into a thicker coppice of trees, and you lose sight of her.

Ethan: Ethan moves back towards the statue, shaking his head as he leans his back against it.

Straker follows Ethan, putting the woman from his mind.

McMurdoch: McMurdoch looks at him and raises his eyebrows, as if asking what happened.

Ethan: He shrugs. "Might need to keep an eye out on that one. No idea what she's going to do."

From the opposite direction, coming along the paved path, you hear the click of hard heels, and then see a man approaching.

The man is dressed in a charcoal suit, and a tan overcoat. He is wearing dark sunglasses, and has black, straight hair, combed back, and is balding on top.

The man stops a few metres away from you.

McMurdoch: McMurdoch turns to face the man. He nods his head in the man's direction. "McMurdoch. Kyle."

Ethan: Ethan raises his head to look at the man.

Man in Tan Overcoat: "Who is this?" says the man, pointing to Straker.

McMurdoch: "Backup."

McMurdoch: "You wanted to talk to me."

Man in Tan Overcoat: The man opens his suitcase, and pulls out an oblong metal object.

Ethan: Ethan quickly tries to make the object out.

Ethan: [1d20+10] - [3,10] = (13)

Man in Tan Overcoat: “It looks like a metal. Can't be too careful."

Man in Tan Overcoat: "Please remove your weapons."

Ethan: Ethan raises an eyebrow.

McMurdoch: McMurdoch smiles. "That puts us at a disadvantage, my friend."

McMurdoch: "This is a dangerous town, isn't it Woodward."

McMurdoch: He turns back to the man.

Man in Tan Overcoat: "It's not the weapons that worry me. You can keep them. Just remove them from your person's and hold them so I can sweep you."

Man in Tan Overcoat: "And any other metallic objects, please."

McMurdoch: "Sweep us for what?"

Man in Tan Overcoat: "Wires, transmitters, bugs etcetera."

Ethan: "I'll play for now." Woodard says as reaches into one of his pockets and pulls out a scalpel. He twirls it in his fingers before putting leaning down and putting it on the ground.

Straker follows Ethan's lead, surrendering his pocket knife.

Ethan: He reaches into several other pockets and pulls out a camera, a medical kit, several clips of .357 ammo, a flashlight, a bolt cutter, his car keys, etc.

Man in Tan Overcoat: He runs the detector it over each of you.

McMurdoch: McMurdoch waits until Woodward has been checked for wires. "OK then." He mutters. He then reaches into his pockets and extracts a revolver, a zippo lighter and a silver hipflask.

Ethan: Lastly he pulls out a colt python revolver and holds it at his side as he undergoes the detector sweep.

McMurdoch: McMurdoch reaches down and in a leisurely fashion, picks up his possessions and puts them back in his pockets. He takes a drag on his cigarette and blows the smoke into the air in a long, slow stream.

"Thankyou for responding to my message. My name is Robert Dalmas. I used to work for the National Security Agency, and I believe that there is a conspiracy within our country to bring down the government, and replace it with a foreign controlled power."

McMurdoch: "OK then. What's the business you wanted to talk about?"

Ethan: Ethan sits down, his back against the statue as he puts his belongings back and listens.

"I have come to you for help, because it is unlikely your organisation is part of the conspiracy."

"You have also come up in covert surveillance reports, along with an associate of yours, Leo Rhodes."

McMurdoch: "OK then..." McMurdoch taps ash onto the ground. "Which organisations are involved?"

"I believe this conspiracy has run very deep. So deep, that it may go to the very top."

"I believe the NSA is at the heart of it, but that may be only because of my particular vantagepoint, being ex NSA myself.

McMurdoch: "The top being...?" McMurdoch raises an eyebrow quizzically.

"I have suspicions, but no proof yet, that there may be FBI, and other government agencies involved."

"The top? Director General of the FBI perhaps, Director of the NSA, I believe most definitely. The President? Who knows? God help us if he is."

McMurdoch: "There's always a big man or big men behind things like this. Men with money... influence."

McMurdoch: McMurdoch’s brows furrow with concentration.

McMurdoch: McMurdoch looks up, sharply. "Who gave you my name?"

"Mr. McMurdoch, I have been running a small operation of my own, along with a couple of friendly insiders. We have seen some of your work, and have read reports of both sides of the divide about the Sebastian Singer incidents. We decided your team would be useful allies."

"Let me see, did you ever see a man wearing dark glasses, and pushing a rickshaw loaded with water melons?"

McMurdoch: McMurdoch turns to Woodward with a look of surprise on his face.

Ethan: "Outside of the Staine's residence. I remember."

McMurdoch: "He was quite quick, if I remember rightly..." McMurdoch starts to blush.

Man in Tan Overcoat: "Yes, that was a nearly disastrous mistake, a surveillance operation which was poorly handled. But our mistakes are in the past. That was agent Sam De Vierd. He has been following your case for some time."

Ethan: "What makes you think that we'll be able to do anything that you're not already able to do? What makes you think that we want to?"

McMurdoch: "There's a lot of corruption in this town. We've seen a lot of it recently..."

Man in Tan Overcoat: "We are no longer members of the NSA. We are now outsiders. You are insiders. You have access, means, contacts. And most importantly, we believe you are honest citizens, uncorrupted by the conspiracy."

Man in Tan Overcoat: "You can help us, and help your country."

McMurdoch: McMurdoch's voice has descended into a mutter, the cigarette between his lips bobbing up and down and dropping ash onto his jacket.

McMurdoch: He hunches his shoulders.

McMurdoch: "How do we know you're the good guys?"

Man in Tan Overcoat: "I am talking about treason, at the highest levels. The very fabric of our laws and society at stake."

Man in Tan Overcoat: "I can tell you more, but I can't prove this entirely, not yet."

McMurdoch: He takes the cigarette out of his mouth and clears his throat and repeats in a louder tone.

Man in Tan Overcoat: "You will need to trust us, like we are trusting you."

McMurdoch: "How do we know you're the good guys?"

Man in Tan Overcoat: "Let me tell you about the NSA, and what has happened there."

Man in Tan Overcoat: "Things at the NSA changed a lot in the last year. A special task force was set up by the agency, and its operations became internally very secretive."

McMurdoch: "How long ago did you leave?"

Man in Tan Overcoat: "I first became suspicious when a wave of restructuring happened. Over the course of a year, the agency director died of a heart attack and was replaced. They new director sacked over three quarters of the staff and replaced them."

Man in Tan Overcoat: "A few months back, I was sacked."

Man in Tan Overcoat: "In my last days with the agency, I noticed increased monitoring of Washington congressmen and senators, the point where this seemed to be all that the agency was doing. Setting up some sort of site in the desert. I don’t know what exactly they’re up to out there, but I tapped into the task force computer, and they have opened up some sort of communications channel with Bolivia."

McMurdoch: "So how do we know this isn't 'disaffected ex-employee syndrome'?" McMurdoch stabs a long bony finger at the man's chest.

Man in Tan Overcoat: The man lifts his hands in warning to McMurdoch.

Man in Tan Overcoat: "If I tell you more, things may fit into place."

Man in Tan Overcoat: There was the Sebastian Singer incident. You know about him. He contacted me with details about some sort of downed craft in the Bahar desert. He claimed that on a geological site dig, a meteorite fell. He says that the NSA appropriated the object, and then tried to cover up the incident, by attempting to silence him. He is still unaccounted for.

McMurdoch: McMurdoch spreads his hands and shrugs, signalling for the man to continue.

Man in Tan Overcoat: "I believe this was a rogue satellite, that the NSA wanted to keep secret from NASA and the Pentagon."

McMurdoch: McMurdoch turns to Woodward again, his eyebrows raised in surprise.

Ethan: Ethan shakes his head and shrugs.

Man in Tan Overcoat: "I don't believe you have heard from Singer since. We don't know if he is alive or dead."

McMurdoch: McMurdoch continues looking at Woodward. "Neither do we." He says slowly.

Man in Tan Overcoat: "Mr. McMurdoch, I see you are a suspicious man by nature. That is a good thing. Trust nobody, always be alert. Like a cat."

McMurdoch: "I don't like cats. I'm a dog man, actually."

Man in Tan Overcoat: Suddenly the man looks McMurdoch in the eye and says sharply, "What do you take your blue pills for, Mr. McMurdoch?"

Ethan: Ethan closes his eyes and sighs. "I still wonder what happened to him, after our little chase off the train."

McMurdoch: McMurdoch stops dead still, the hand holding the cigarette poised before his lips. "I beg your pardon? What did you just say?"

McMurdoch: McMurdoch’s face starts to go red.

Man in Tan Overcoat: "I said, " repeats the man. "What do you take your blue pills for?"

Man in Tan Overcoat: "You see, I'm curious. I am too a suspicious man by nature."

McMurdoch: "Listen, buddy... there are some things that you haven't told us. Those things are your business and not mine. Well this is my business and not yours. COMPRENDE AMIGO?"

McMurdoch: McMurdoch looks enraged, his face flushed red, his breathing fast, the hand holding the cigarette shaking.

Ethan: Ethan stands up and makes his way towards McMurdoch and the man in the overcoat.

Man in Tan Overcoat: "Understood. Let us trust each other."

Man in Tan Overcoat: "Now, I suppose you want to know what I want from you."

McMurdoch: "Fair enough." McMurdoch looks slightly mollified, but his hand is still shaking.

McMurdoch: "What do you want us to do?"

Ethan: He stands next to McMurdoch and gives him a meaningful look.

Man in Tan Overcoat: "I have the location of the site where man of their communications are being transmitted. It is in Bolivia. We need a team to go there and find out what operation is taking place."

McMurdoch: McMurdoch returns the look with an 'I've got it under control' look.

Man in Tan Overcoat: "Furthermore, I know that an agent, one who I am particularly suspicious of, is booked in an apartment in Cash Tower in two days time."

McMurdoch: "Cool. I can get to practise my Spanish."

Man in Tan Overcoat: "I want you to investigate the agent, and find out what she is up to."

Man in Tan Overcoat: The man puts the detector back in the black briefcase.

McMurdoch: "Do you have her name? A photograph?"

Ethan: "...Excuse me." Ethan holds up his hand. "You expect us to go to... Bolivia?!"

Man in Tan Overcoat: "She goes under many names. We don't know which. It may be Selena Hart, or Melissa Reeves. We have a photo."

McMurdoch: McMurdoch extends his hand.

Man in Tan Overcoat: He hands you a photo of a woman, in a blue dress, with red hair. Quite striking.

McMurdoch: McMurdoch passes the photo to Woodward.

Ethan: Ethan's face is still one of shock. "...Bolivia?!"

Man in Tan Overcoat: "I understand that finances are thin, and that your agency is struggling. However, we have a wealthy benefactor, and can provide you with a cashflow injection if it is necessary."

McMurdoch: McMurdoch turns to Straker and nods at him to come and take a look at the photo.

Straker gives it his attention

Straker: His face has been an expression of 'what the hell am I getting into' so far.

Ethan: "Right. Before any more discussion takes place, let's hear about that. Money. Denero. Okane."

Straker: (Off-handedly) "Pretty..."

Man in Tan Overcoat: "The necessary cash injection can be arranged over the next day or so. I know your personal bank account numbers."

McMurdoch: McMurdoch turns to Straker and winks.

McMurdoch: He turns back to the man and adds "And who is this mysterious benefactor?"

McMurdoch: "I always like to know who I'm working for. He who pays the piper..."

Man in Tan Overcoat: "I would like you to report back your investigations by next Tuesday. That gives you one week."

Man in Tan Overcoat: "That, I cannot tell you. This is a matter of National security, and believe me, Mr. McMurdoch, the very lives of our citizens may be at stake."

Man in Tan Overcoat: The man pulls out a dossier and hands it to you. The information you need is contained in there."

Man in Tan Overcoat: The man clips his briefcase clasps together neatly, turns, and departs the way he left.

Man in Tan Overcoat: His heels click back down the paved path, away from the statue.

McMurdoch: McMurdoch nods at Woodward. "You take it partner. You know how bad I am at losing things."

Ethan: Ethan takes the briefcase from McMurdoch. "I don't like this one bit," he says, watching the man leave the park.

Straker: "This is heavy."

McMurdoch: "Yeah I know... I'm getting a bad vibe about this too."

McMurdoch: "But we've got no cases at the moment..."

Man in Tan Overcoat: The man disappears around the bend in the path.

You are alone in the park

What are you going to do now?

McMurdoch: "And they will probably be paying quite well."

Ethan: "I'd rather deal with the mob."

Ethan: He sighs, moving towards the statue and leaning against it, hands and briefcase at his sides.

McMurdoch: "Oh, come on... it could be fun... Bolivia man... sun, senoritas..."

McMurdoch: "What the hell! I'll do it!" McMurdoch slaps his thigh and flashes them a crazy grin.

Ethan: "We can't head to the office with this..."

McMurdoch: "What about you, Straker? Are you in?"

McMurdoch: "I saw you eyeing up the photo of that pretty agent. She got your interest, didn't she."

Straker: "What the hell - I get the idea our friend will shoot anyone who knows his tale."

McMurdoch: "What does the dossier say, Woodward?"

Ethan: "I guess we should take a look, though. See what we're dealing with. Can't do it here, though. Well, what do you say, my place or yours?"

McMurdoch: "How about MacArnies?"

To summarise, the man wants you to visit a site in Bolivia, but the cash will not come through for a day or two. He also wants you to investigate a suspicious woman booked into Cash Tower in 2 days time, but he hasn't told you which to do first.

Ethan: "That's practically the office!"

McMurdoch: "But no tequila this time. I don't know why, but even thinking about that stuff makes me feel ill these days."

McMurdoch: Is everyone happy with this idea: The team heads for MacArnies where they read the dossier and discuss what they are going to do over a couple of beers.?

McMurdoch: OK... two votes for MacArnies... so...

McMurdoch: The team heads back to Macarnies to read the dossier and discuss what to do.

You head back to McArnies in the VW Jetta.

Straker: ((What time is it?))

McMurdoch: McMurdoch speaks Spanish, by the way.

It's about 11:00 am.

Ethan: Ethan doesn't even speak English, as far as his sheet is concerned!

McMurdoch: McMurdoch drives the car with one hand out the window, tapping cigarette ash onto the road, the radio blaring, his brow furrowed with concentration and concern.

You arrive at McArnies for an early lunch, or late brunch.

There are a few punters, but it is mostly empty. The grey weather seems to have pervaded the atmosphere in here too.

McMurdoch: As soon as they get their first beer, McMurdoch tries to convince Woodward that the mission to Bolivia is a good idea.

Rod McArnie is not around, but the other barman, the British guy, is there.

Straker gets a soda & black.

McMurdoch: "Come on, Woodward. What's the problem. This could be the trip of a lifetime. So far none of our missions have taken us much beyond Laketown."

McMurdoch: McMurdoch plants a pint o lager in front of Woodward.

Ethan: "This feels wrong to me somehow."

Straker: "You think the man was lying?"

McMurdoch: "I know... something feels a bit funny."

McMurdoch: "Not necessarily lying... but definitely withholding some of the truth."

The barman serves Straker his Soda and Black.

Ethan: "Sending us off to a foreign country to deal with a conspiracy in the NSA..." Ethan waits for the barman to leave. "Then saying they'll pay us, but we'll have to wait for awhile. It's like someone is trying to get rid of us."

McMurdoch: McMurdoch pauses, his glass poised before his lips. "You know, you could be right there..."

Dirk Chambers, the FBI hotshot, you may remember, is walking past the bar, and sees you through the window. "He makes a mock gun at you, pulls the trigger and laughs. Working hard!" he shouts.

McMurdoch: "But this guy knows stuff about a couple of our unsolved cases. The crater in the desert, remember?"

McMurdoch: McMurdoch scowls and mutters something under his breath.

McMurdoch: "Anyway. What have we got to lose?"

Ethan: "Our lives. Our jobs."

McMurdoch: "Those are on the line anyway. We've faced plenty of danger at home. How about facing it in an exotic locale? With senoritas and margeritas." McMurdoch winks at Straker.

Ethan: "I owe you enough that if you're going through with it, I'll stick with you. But I'm telling you flat out I don't like it."

McMurdoch: "Besides... I'm in the boss’s black book at the moment. I'd prefer for any s**t to hit the fan in Bolivia... that way I'll avoid being suspended."

McMurdoch: "OK then... shall we have a vote? We're a team right?"

McMurdoch: "I vote for Bolivia." McMurdoch turns to Straker.

Straker: "An I have a vote? I've never been to Bolivia, so yes."

OK, you'll need to wait for the money, and will need permission from Galloway

McMurdoch: McMurdoch raises his glass and clinks it with the others. "Salud amigos! Bolivia here we come!"

The team leaves McArnies, and heads back to the office to finish the chores of the day.

END OF SCENE

The day of work draws to a close, and you head out of the office.

What do you do with your evenings?

Ethan: hide the evidence

Straker: Go looking for entertainment.

McMurdoch: McMurdoch heads home in his beat up old yellow mini, arriving as the sun goes down. He cooks up some nachos with red-hot salsa, polishes his shotgun, and then settles down with a book on Aztec archaeology in his favourite armchair, with a glass of scotch and a cigarette.

McMurdoch, as he is driving as the sun goes down, looks in the rearwivew mirror and sees the woman, dressed in a dishevelled grey raincoat. She stares back, tilting her head.

McMurdoch, roll drive check.

Straker is watching TV, and sees the words, "LENORE HANGED MURDER HELP US TREE MOTH" in a ticker message at the bottom of the screen.

The next day, you hear a radio report.

"The body of a young woman has been found in Moth Park. She’s been identified as Lenore White, a city resident who worked in a nearby office building. The report states that a park worker found the body in a culvert in the arboretum early that morning. The police estimate that she died four days earlier. Her body had been covered up by leaves, branches, and other debris, possibly stirred up by the inclement weather. The cause of death has not been released, but police consider it a homicide."

McMurdoch: [1d20+2] - [20,2] = (22)

Straker: ((Good roll))

McMurdoch: (Drive check)

McMurdoch briefly loses control, but manages to pull the vehicle back on track.

You arrive at work the next morning.

Galloway is there, and Janet too.

McMurdoch: McMurdoch shakes his head wondering where he saw the woman before. When he looks next in the mirror, she is gone.

Ethan: Ethan is flipping through his newspaper, oblivious to the surroundings, when he drops it and starts cursing.

McMurdoch: McMurdoch pulls out a cigarette and lights it. He pulls out the pack again and offers one to Straker.

McMurdoch: "What's up, boss?" He asks Galloway.

Straker declines - he's bought his own now.

Straker: "Thanks anyway."

Galloway: "The usual."

McMurdoch: McMurdoch saunters over to the coffee machine and pushes the buttons for a strong black coffee with four sugars. "The usual in this town means unusual, boss. How usual?"

McMurdoch: He turns and winks at the others.

Galloway: "No budget, no money, FBI cases to help with. The usual."

McMurdoch: McMurdoch walks over to Woodard and Straker. He mutters quietly out of the corner of his mouth. "OK... who'se going to ask him?"

Straker: (Quietly) "Not my boss."

Ethan: "Ah, about that. McMurdoch and I are going to take a trip out of town of a bit."

McMurdoch: "Or did I just nominate myself for the role by opening my big mouth?"

McMurdoch: "OK then..."

Galloway: "OK, teaming up with Southern PSIA, are you?"

McMurdoch: McMurdoch turns back to Galloway. "Ahem... Ah... Boss..."

Ethan: "Yeah, that's it."

McMurdoch: "No... we've got a new assignment..."

McMurdoch: "...Bolivia..."

Galloway: "Right. Well, you might need to get McMurdoch to drive the Jetta down South, because we haven't got budgets for flights."

Galloway: "Bolivia? What the hell? You can't go to Bolivia, we need to arrange it with the government, all sorts of trouble."

Galloway: "PSIA is U.S. only, McMurdoch, you should know that by now."

McMurdoch: McMurdoch turns to Woodward. "Show him the dossier, Woodward."

Ethan: "We're taking a bit of uh, vacation, then."

McMurdoch: "We met with an ex NSA man yesterday. He claims to have uncovered a plot. Serious treachery, involving government agencies."

Galloway: "Dossier, vacation? What the hell? Has some Withers voodoo drug lord got hold of your minds?"

McMurdoch: "We're tracking one of the rogue agents."

Galloway: Galloway's face darkens.

Galloway: "What was this man's name?"

McMurdoch: "No boss... they're all running scared from my mind." McMurdoch flashes Galloway a grin.

Ethan: "They never tell their names. Frankly, I'm sure this'll just turn out to be a wild goose chase."

McMurdoch: "Ah..." McMurdoch turns to the others with a 'give me some help here guys' look.

Ethan: "If I made up a name at random, like, um... 'Robert Dalmas', what would you say?"

Galloway: "Sounds very suspicious to me. Why would he approach the paranormal agency? We don't exactly have a great reputation."

McMurdoch: "I think it's our lack of reputation that he wants, boss. He wants a team that won't attract attention."

Galloway: "Dalmas? Dalmas, hmm..."

Galloway: "Haven't heard of him."

Galloway: "I see. Well, you did the right thing, coming to see me about it."

Galloway: "Well, we are happy to work with the NSA. I mean, it’s their job to protect the country."

Galloway: "Ultimately, that's our job too, just on a smaller scale."

Galloway: "You'll have to take a boat down there, though, or cycle if you run out of gas."

Galloway: "We're down to our last set of thumb tacks."

McMurdoch: "That's OK. The money's sorted. They're covering our expenses."

Galloway: "Great. The NSA always had the most resources."

McMurdoch: "So do we have your blessing, boss?"

Galloway: "If the NSA need our help, of course."

McMurdoch: McMurdoch turns to the others and beams. "Let's go, boys!"

Straker: "You've got a plan?"

END OF SCENE

McMurdoch: McMurdoch looks at Straker as if he's just asked an absurd question. "A plan... moi?"

Galloway: The next day, you see the money in the account. Just enough for 3 economy class tickets to Bolivia from Laketown International Airport.

The next day, you see the money in the account. Just enough for 3 economy class tickets to Bolivia from Laketown International Airport.

Are you going to fly to Bolivia, or investigate the dusky read head in the photo?

Or something else...

Vote now,

1 = Bolivia

2 = dusky read head

3 - something else

Straker: 2

McMurdoch: Investigate this Dalmas and see if he's legit?

Good thinking.

I'm not sure if you're skills will be up to it, but you can try and get something.

Roll an investigate skill check, McMurdoch, if you want.

You need a pretty high roll.

McMurdoch: McMurdoch looks at Woodward. "While one of us is sorting out the money and tickets, the others can check up on this Dalmas guy... and see if he's legit."

McMurdoch: "Which do you want?"


McMurdoch: [1d20+9] - [3,9] = (12)

McMurdoch: McMurdoch calls Woodward on his mobile. "Woodward. McMurdoch here. About that Dalmas... nothing. Absolutely nothing."

So Robert Dalmas remains shrouded in mystery.

END OF SCENE.