Sleuth Home - Message Boards - Role Playing Stage


0 0
Airs and Heiresses
  <<First Page  |  <Previous Next>  |  Last Page>>  

Molly Maltese
Molly Maltese
Old Shoe

Jul-6-2015 11:19

New York, 1938
St. Regis Hotel
Rooftop Nightclub

"So there I was, staring down a barrel INCHES from death...and I told the man, 'darling REALLY, if you simply must shoot me do allow me to remove my earrings. They are Cartier, you know." Molly Maltese paused to take a sip of her Red Snapper, popping the olive neatly between her cherub lips before gnashing it to a pulp. "And the man was quite flummoxed, he said- I say, is that Riza Hawkeye?"

She rose, the group of rapt men in tuxedos and women in glittering dresses and furs murmuring their protests as she wended through their knees. But the apparition she was quite sure had been Riza Hawkeye had vanished in the crowd of New York socialites populating the exclusive terrace.

"Well, this place is a bit ritzy for Riza." she murmured, fairly certain her old acquaintance didn't make a habit of populating social-climbing fetes. And she reasoned, any time Riza had appeared before it was hardly ever for a pleasant cause. Well, maybe that was unfair. It just seemed she was more the swirl-of-furs-and-stiletto-daggers type than a frothy socializer like Molly herself.

Peering around, Molly saw nothing but the shadowed faces of revelers partially cloaked in the smoky haze. She had just been about to give up and go back to her companions when the most shocking hubbub began. Over on the north part of the terrace, she could distinctly hear the shouts of men and panicked screeching of females. Moving forward, she could just make out..

"Did you see... The Ambassador... who could have... murder! Someone has pushed the Ambassador off the building!" Molly picked up speed, expertly weaving through the crowd of panicked voices. Sirens already began to sound twenty stories below. Just as she grasped the ledge and looked over, an all too familiar voice sounded in her left ear.

"Oh hello there, old friend. Lovely breeze out today."

Before her stood Riza Hawkeye herself, looking utterly unruffled as several ladies fainted behind her.

Replies

Vulkie3
Vulkie3
Haynes

Sep-2-2015 06:49

*** On the Train to Shanghai ***

It had been a long journey, but when the conductor knocked on her door and opened it, Vulkie smiled. "Are we nearly there?" she asked.

"Yes Miss Nouson; we'll be in Shanghai within matter of minutes," the conductor said and he went on to alert the other passengers as well.

As Vulkie stared out of the window of her train compartment, she could still feel the anger that had been build up inside of her during the whole journey towards Shanghai . It was imperative that she found out where her friends were residing at the moment and more importantly, she still had a score to settle with Hassan...

*** The Train Station ***

As Vulkie stepped out of the train and onto the platform, she immediately got lost in a huge crowd of people, who were either arriving in Shanghai or departing from it, towards destinations unknown.

Vulkie kept on walking, passing several street food stands that were build inside the train station complex. When Vulkie took a look at one of the stands, she could see that the person in charge, who looked like a friendly grandmother type, was preparing some pancakes. As she took in the smell, it made her stomach rumble. She hadn't eaten yet and it was just past dinner time that her train had arrived in Shanghai. Rummaging through her jacket pockets, she produced some money that Tariq had given her. The old lady took the money and examined it closely, before returning it to Vulkie. "But I'm hungry.." she said, giving the old lady her saddest facial expression.

The old lady was moved by this and took the money; in return, she gave Vulkie a delicious pancake, filled with scallion and pork. Vulkie took one bite; she was immediately blown away by the taste. The scallion tasted a bit like onion, and the pork slices were cooked through and through, so that they melted in her mouth...

(cont in next post)

Vulkie3
Vulkie3
Haynes

Sep-2-2015 06:51

As Vulkie kept on walking, she coughed heavily; another stall owner had lit some incense. It smelled like lavender. Vulkie quickly strolled out of the train station and stood in front of the entrance.

"Right," Vulkie thought to herself, "Where do I go next? If I were a foreigner, of a detective on a case with ambassadors from foreign countries involved... where would I go first?"

Vulkie thought for a few moments, until it struck her; from her previous visits to Shanghai, she remembered that Shanghai had a foreign district. Or like the British used to call it, an "International Settlement". Her best bet would be to go over there and walk around, hoping to run into her friends.

*** The International Settlement ***

As Vulkie walked through the International Settlement, she noticed that most of them were indeed foreigners. She could hear traces of English and also French, but German wasn't also unknown in these parts. Vulkie walked past a newspaper stand and stood still for a moment; she was thinking about buying a newspaper, to see if anything interesting had happened.

As she rummaged through her pockets, she realised that she had spent the money already on food. Making sure that the newspaper stand owner wasn't looking, she scooped up a copy of The North China Daily News. Walking away a bit, she began to read the front page, which covered a whole article about...

As Vulkie read the headline again, surprise was spelled all over her face. "ATTEMPTED MURDER AMBASSADOR USA. AMBASSADOR JOHNSON RECOVERING IN HOSPITAL."

Vulkie began to read the article; she read that at least 3 snipers had been found dead by the local authorities, and also some of the Ambassador's guards. Several unidentified persons were also seen at The Consulate General of the United States, but no viable witnesses were found who could describe these persons. The Ambassador was currently recovering at the Renji Hospital, located at 145 Middle Shandong Road.

(cont in next post)

Vulkie3
Vulkie3
Haynes

Sep-2-2015 06:54

(in regards to the newspaper article, a correction should be made -> I believe that the gang got rid of the bodies? My apologies; just think about the newspaper detailing lots of bodies found, most of them bodyguards. As to the "snipers" - one assailant was found on the Ambassador's balcony)

Vulkie3
Vulkie3
Haynes

Sep-2-2015 06:57

As Vulkie dropped the newspaper, she immediately tried to stop a nearby passing rickshaw and stepped inside. She told the rickshaw driver the address and off they went.

*** The Hospital ***

The rickshaw stopped at the hospital entrance and Vulkie got out. The building looked impressive. It was at least 6 floors high and people kept walking in and out. As the rickshaw driver stepped off his bike, Vulkie rummaged through her pockets. As she showed the rickshaw that she didn't have any money, he began to swear to her in Shanghainese and spat in front of her on the ground. She apologized in English, saying: "I'm sorry, but I'll be back in a bit!" and rushed into the hospital.

She stood in front of the reception desk. As the receptionist eyed her, he deduced that Vulkie was a foreigner and began to speak in very poor English. "Wha u wan?" he asked. "Wha mattel u?" she added.

"I'm here on behalf of someone who is currently undergoing surgery. A man named Johnson.. he's the US Ambassador here in China.." Vulkie said, slowly, so that the receptionist could understand. The receptionist seemed to think about it for a bit and said: "He no hele. U go."

As Vulkie became frustrated, she slightly raised her voice and began to speak a bit faster: "Look, I KNOW he is in here, in this hospital. A newspaper article SAID SO!"

"HE NO HELE. U GO!" the receptionist shouted back. Vulkie got really angry at this point and hauled the receptionist out of his chair and almost dragged him out of his reception office window. "LOOK, I KNOW HE IS HERE. NOW TELL ME!!!" she shouted, not caring about who could hear her.

All of a sudden, a hand was placed on her shoulder. She let go off the receptionist and turned around, staring into the face of an unknown man. "Ma'am, if you don't control yourself, I'm afraid you're going to have to leave. You're upsetting the people here with your attitude. It's bad enough for them to be sick and bad enough to hear you go ape nuts.." the man said calmly.



Vulkie3
Vulkie3
Haynes

Sep-2-2015 06:59

"Look..." she said, gritting her teeth together, "I am a DETECTIVE! I've been working with a group of other people on an assassination streak involving AMBASSADORS. And I know Johnson is IN HERE. NOW BRING ME TO HIM!" Vulkie shouted and she pushed the man away. He immediately recovered himself and started to hold Vulkie's arms together. "LOOK MA'AM, I TOLD YOU! LEAVE, NOW!" the man shouted. Just then, another man creeped up behind the man holding Vulkie.

"Jasper, what is all the fuss about? I was just having a..." Marc said, as he positioned himself next to Jasper and looked at who he was holding. Marc couldn't believe his eyes; he stared at Vulkie, who was still alive after what had transpired a few days ago. He stood nailed to the ground, not knowing what to say.

Vulkie was taken aback for a moment. As Jasper looked at Marc, he asked: "Do you know this woman, Mr. Lacrimosa?"

Vulkie immediately retorted by slapping Marc in the face. "Ma'am, that was uncalled for!" Jasper retorted and held her back, as Vulkie struggled and began to shout at Marc.

"YOU DROPPED ME OFF THE TRAIN, YOU SON OF A BITCH! YOU DROPPED ME!" Vulkie shouted, while staring furiously at Marc and feeling her blood boil slowly.

"No, I didnt!" Marc calmly retorted back. She didn't understand that he didn't drop her deliberately.. he was tackled, for god's sake...

"YES, YOU DID! YOU LET GO OFF ME ON PURPOSE! WHO SAYS YOU DON'T WORK FOR SPHINX?!" Vulkie shouted back at him and pushed Jasper out of the way, with a rage she had never felt before; he fell down immediately on the floor.

As Marc stared at Jasper for a second, he didn't see Vulkie coming at him and shoving him as well, causing Marc to stand into an unstable position, which resulted into him falling next to Jasper on the floor.

(cont in next and last post for the moment :) )

Vulkie3
Vulkie3
Haynes

Sep-2-2015 07:00

As Vulkie observed Marc for a second, she could see a large bulge under Marc's right arm.Vulkie presumed that it was one of Marc's hidden guns. Deciding that she was going to end this once and for all, she slipped her hand into Marc's jacket and grabbed his revolver from his holster and cocked it. After Marc saw what she did, he activated his wrist gun mechanism and the small Derringer was put in his hand, cocked and ready to fire.

"DO IT! DO IT, YOU BITCH! PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS AND PULL THE TRIGGER!" Marc shouted at Vulkie. Jasper stood frozen to the spot...

Molly Maltese
Molly Maltese
Old Shoe

Sep-2-2015 09:44

"Anyway, Ed. Would you be a doll and fetch me that blanket there on the couch? It's a bit nippy in here." Molly asked, rousing herself from their involved conversation. Wordlessly Ed went to fetch the blanket as Molly watched, moving past the pile of two or three cases that Vulkie had been travelling with. Since Vulkie was no longer with them, no one was quite sure what to do about her bags. They sat in a silent monument.

As Ed rounded a small round case of hers, his toe inadvertently struck it and the case went flying, scattering all manner of plain articles of clothing and functional sundries on the floor.

"Oh dear." Molly got up to help scoop it back into the case, clucking her tongue. Soon her clucks turned to an "oh...my...lord..."

From her fingers dangled a priceless ruby choker with opals inserted at tasteful intervals. Molly stared at it wordlessly for a moment, her mouth working as Ed frowned at her.

"Is something the matter?" he asked, looking at the flashy piece of jewelry.

"This...this is MINE!" Molly breathed. "It went missing."

Molly blinked once or twice and then grabbed Ed by the front of his shirt. "I swear, if that little weaselly bitch is alive I want you to haul her in! She's a nasty-- jewel thief-- I can't even believe this!" She lunged as if to go through the rest of the cases, when suddenly the door swung open.

"You will never believe what--" Marc began, then stopped as he took in the scene. Awkwardly Jasper followed behind as he pushed forward a noticeably smaller figure bound in handcuffs..

Molly looked at Vulkie as she stood there fuming in handcuffs and wondered briefly if she had seen an apparition. Had Vulkie returned from the dead? BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, her necklace.

She held up the offending piece. "Vulkie, I hope you get used to the feel of those handcuffs you little thieving wretch!"


The Cloaked Figure
The Cloaked Figure

Sep-2-2015 15:27

"I'm telling you, Mr. Ambassador," Agatha pleaded, "there is a guardian angel out there! Sphinx came for me and this hooded person just saved me!"

Stubbing out his cigar, Archibald Kerr rubbed his temples and sighed. "Agatha... I have enough to deal with as it is. We are overspending our budget on security for the embassy, there is a syndicate out to kill me, I've just gotten word that Johnson is being shipped home and replaced, and now you wish for me to use precious resources to track down some phantom?"

"He... well it saved my life!" Agatha responded.

"It?" Kerr responded, "We are not even sure if this figure is a man or a woman?"

"Well..." she began, "from the little I could understand, Sphinx thought it was a man. I did hear it speak but I couldn't tell. It certainly was nimble on its feet. It spoke English with an an American accent. If it's trapped here we certainly should repay the kindness."

Kerr shook his head, "Agatha, it's just not feasible. I know you wish to do right, but I can't spare men to scour the streets for a ghost."

"I understand sir." Agatha reluctantly replied.

Seeing the look on her face, Kerr's gaze softened, "I'll tell you what. I'm going to send out a wire to the other diplomats in the area. Find out to whom this phantom belongs. If it's as trained as you say, and you did mention it killed a man, then someone is bound to have brought him or her here for protection."

He walked over and picked up the receiver, "Yes, indeed. Should we find this phantom I'd much like to pay its government for its services. These are dangerous times and one could use a strong bodyguard. You'll soon see that sense shall come of things yet!"

"Thank you sir!" Agatha nodded gratefully, "I'm sure you're right."

The Cloaked Figure
The Cloaked Figure

Sep-2-2015 15:29

"Now then," Kerr said sternly, "I need you to deliver some documents to Ambassador Johnson in the hospital. They are crucial papers concerning our meeting this past week and he must deliver to President Roosevelt when he is returned back to The United States. I am sending Berkeley and Ling along to guard you."

M. Lacrimosa
M. Lacrimosa
Thespian

Sep-2-2015 20:21

Two armed men in suits stood outside Kent's door. Jasper flashed his badge and I.d. "I'm Special Agent Jasper Mayfield and this is Agent Marc Lacrimosa. We are following up on a lead and we need to ask him a few questions. After a few moments of arguing with the guards, they finally let Jasper and Marc inside. Ambassador Johnson was lying in his bed in silence as they walked in.

"Ambassador Johnson, my name is Jasper Mayfield. This is my partner Marc Lacrimosa. We'd like to ask you a few questions if you are feeling up to it."

"Yes, I remember both of you. You two...and Molly Maltese. You three saved my life. Thank you."

"Ambassador," Marc said, "I understand you must be in pain, but can you answers few questions?" Kent lowered his head. From shame or embarrassment or shame, Marc could not tell. But one thing was for sure, and that was Johnson had screwed up. He would recover according to his doctors, and he was lucky he didn't lose his Johnson.

"Why did Sphinx come after you and the other ambassadors?" Jasper started.

Kent continued to hold his head down staring at the blanket that covered him. He took a deep breath. "I...I can't..."

"You can't what, Mr. Johnson?" Jasper asked. He continued on. "Kent you're going to have to confess to whatever you know. Either to us to those at home, and we can spare you here of the humiliation."

Kent took in another deep breath and began to explain. "It was an international plot. It's no secret that Sphinx runs a network of underground brothels. But they also have a large opium ring. That is, if you know who to talk to."

Marc and Jasper listened in disbelief as Johnson continued. "I contacted the other ambassadors and told them about it. It took a lot of convincing, but I talked them into joining me."

"So you all blackmailed them," Marc cut in.

  <<First Page  |  <Previous Next>  |  Last Page>>  

[ You must login to reply ]