Part 1 - Crimson Letters: ‘Witch Trial’ papers are missing

Months pass since the werewolf and kidnapping cases which exposed Herman to the likes of undead and potential greater beings. And per his recently acquired phobia, he‘s been reading a lot. Such as a review of last year’s “Scopes Trial” where a Tennessee teacher was accused of violating the Butler Act, which made it unlawful to teach human evolution in any state-funded school. “Evolution. Ha. What was the evolution of those undead?” And an even bigger volume to read, the recently published “Mein Kampf” written by a German named Hitler.

29 Sept, 1926: Herman has remained in Boston looking for his cousin Lillian. Which explains why Dean Fallon of Miskatonic University gives him a call, “Yes, Doctor Bunyard. I remember your help with that ‘clinical lycanthrop’ patient last year. Might I ask your assistance in another matter. Please bring your team here in 3 days for a meeting. And please, be discrete about the matter.”

Team? Herman calls his last associates from the kidnapping case.

Dr Herman		Zebadiah (Zac) Hunter/Tracker With his coon-dog 'Slim' at his heels	Philipe (Tony) Canadian Trapper A throwback to the French-and-Indian war

3 Oct, 1926:Early 50s, well dressed, Dean Fallon beings with chit-chat before diving into the problem. “An elderly Bostonian, Josh Hobhouse, was a devote collector of books and artifacts of colonial Arkham. He was quite the hoarder until his death last February. His distant cousins in Philly, the Cobs, tasked us to inventory the collection with promise of gaining “loan” of some items for display in our museum and library. Unfortunately under our watch, some items have gone missing. Professor Leiter was in charge of cataloging with his assistant student Ms. Court. Early last week Emelia Court entered his study finding him dead on the floor; a possible heart attack. She remembers his last days acting erratic…maybe early symptoms? Anyway, Professor Roach was put in charge to continue the inventory. And that’s when it was discovered items missing. Specifically the ‘Witch Trial papers’ of which the Cobs are aware. You can imagine the embarrassment and stain this university would suffer if the papers cannot be found. I, we, need your discrete help in tracking down the papers and other minor items missing.”

We haggle over a reward. The dean offering $250 a-piece. Herman asks for access to “the private collection” of books, such as the translated version of El Azief (i.e. Necronomicon) but is turned down. We are given keys to professor Leiter’s office and house.

Our 1^st actions: view the body. Across the campus quad to the coroner’s office in the School-Of-Medicine basement. Dr. John Wheatcraft, physician and tutor; upper 60s, walrus moustache, excess skin from a lot of lost weight. He forewarns us of an exceptionally disturbing sight of the body. As the slab is drawn from storage, the facial expression hints at death from fright. Looks like he’s bitten thru his lower lip. No pupils; white mass. Zeb asks about the toxology report: nothing out of the ordinary. “From the autopsy, I’d suggest all his organs failed at once. Not the normal gradual decline. Lack of oxygen to all at the same time.” John is acting nervous as if he’s hearing noises the rest of us miss. Philipe asks of haunting in this buildings. None known. “Notice his body is fresh. Doesn’t support the fact he died last week!”

We excuse ourselves as we head to Leiter’s office, entering with the key. Single desk, filing cabinet, fireplace, and a broken mirror hanging from the wall. P and Z search the desk and cabinet. Nothing; the file cabinet empty. Empty named folders; someone has taken the time to remove the evidence. The desk: a matchbook from “Hibbs’ Roadhouse” with the name “Lucy” written inside. A piece of art; initials CH. [Unbeknownst to the others, Philipe finds a $25 poker chip from Atlantic City he pockets]. Herman checks the mirror which seems to have broken from extreme heat. As he touches it, it falls, “CRACK!” Soon sounds of someone approaching.

“Who are you? How’d you get in?” A young woman heard the mirror crash and has come to investigate. Emelia Court. 20ish (she’d be attractive if she didn’t dress so doughty). Philipe tries to intimidate her. Strong willed. While the doctor apologizes showing the key and mentioning Dean Fallon, Philipe follows the woman as she returns to her own room. Which gives Herman time to search the fireplace finding the burnt edges of papers. Seems someone may have burned the file cabinet contents. Etching on the edge of page remains look similar to the art found in the desk. Herman makes a mental note to ask the coroner if Leiter’s hands had soot on them.

Amelia bears Philipe’s annoying presence and questions. As a student of Arkham history, she was selected to help Professor Leiter. Selected over another jealous student, Tony Flinders. “Claimed I won out because Leiter always hit on the women. But his obsession with the dark side was his downfall. Too caught up with the lore of local witches. Too interested in the topic of witches. Leiter? He had an interest in the irreplaceable items. He took a lot of such items to his house for further study before officially turning them in for cataloging.” And once again some hear footsteps as if someone walks just outside the room. But the hallway is empty.

Philipe asks what such items might bring on the black market. “And what can you tell me of Leiter’s female interests? Who is Lucy?” He’s had many young “assistants” over the years. Lucy is a local waitress who colors her hair. Philipe changes tactics trying to win over the student as opposed to his earlier intimidate; he winks as we say goodbye. Emelia shutters as she mumbles, “Not a chance you …”

Professor Roach’s office is a pig-sty. Stacks of folders, a jumble of loose pages. A very drab and boring person. Sweats a lot. And smells it. Fidgety; constantly running his hand thru his greasy hair. Milton Roach fiddles with his radio that seems to cut out. Philipe suggests, “Give it a bash. Brogan maintenance.” The radio comes to life as the coke-glasses man turns to ask , “Who are you?” A quick intro with the mention of Dean Fallon and Professor Leiter draws the response, “Work hard all your life and he walks in…I was tenured…should have been put in charge of the History Department. Good Professor Leiter? That skirt chaser?! And he gets the job.” An obvious disgruntled worker. And bore. Insufferable. Which drives Philipe off with the inventory in hand as he seeks Emelia’s office. With Milton unsuccessfully pleading for its return and safe storage under his care.

Milton admits how he knew Leiter’s file cabinet was empty. How he went to the professor’s house (with Fallon who had the keys). Found some of the personal items Leiter had remove from the Hobhouse collection. And personally discovered the ‘Witch Trial papers” missing. Gloated how Leiter was in debt; gambling losses at the Atlantic City casinos. “I found his gambling log detailing his losses. How he owed the mob big time!”

CONCLUSION: https://rigglew4.blogspot.com/2017/03/entry-8-witch-way-is-up.html