[WSN0W]

Resting his arms on the back of the chair, Artair steepled his fingers together as he took in the story. A serial killer? Some things still managed to spark interest in the masses and killers like the Mayan Cutter was one of them. It didn't matter that the body count of even a high running killer was less than a bad day brawl between some gangs or when a neglected tunnel crushes people in the Underground. It's the fear that go with the serial killers that make them so noteworthy.

The others voiced the acceptance and agreement and Artair watched them each in turn before speaking. "Do you have access to the full files of the Mayan Cutter's work and of the new string of murders that have happened in the past 2 weeks? How many new deaths have been attributed to the Copycat?" Drawing in a thoughtful breath, he conisdered a few more questions. "Do you know the lead detective Knight Errant has on the case and what involvement, if any, do you have to that? Does KE know you are looking to outsource investigators?"

The tips of his index fingers ceased tapping together and his hands came to gently rest on the back of the chair. Thoughts of the case and what he would need to do formed in his mind in an orderly fashion, but his next question required a bit more empathy. He himself had no connection to the dead girl, but the Johnson did. The redness in his eyes were likely the result of a father's grief. So Artair softened his voice when he asked, "Have you secured your daughter's body or is she still in custody of Knight Errant?"

[jonathanc]

Oppenheimer sighed heavily. He hated situations like this; it was always awkward, and he wasn't good with "awkward".

"I'm...uh...sorry for your loss, mister. I'll do what I can to help. 8,000 sounds fine....hell, if you don't have any plans for him after we bring him in, I might have some compounds that could be helpful...depending on what you're looking to do..."

Oppenheimer's eyes darted left, then right. "I mean, you are going to be torturing him, right? That's why you want him brought in alive? I'm not judging you or anything, just...you know, I like to have it all laid out there. Better to be up front, right? I mean, do you need him entirely unharmed, or would minor tissue scarring be acceptable?"

[Scarecrow71]

The old ork looks over the lot of you, his expression getting more dark and his shoulders drooping a little lower.

"I have some information for you that may be of use while doing this job for me.  I'm assuming you are in with the other 4, so..."

At this point, he pulls out a pair of old-fashioned reading glasses, setting them on the bridge of his nose as he looks at and enters data into his commlink.  Several seconds later he looks up, and all of your commlinks begin with their annoying, incessant beeping, letting you know the obvious.

"I've pushed some data to your commlinks that may help.  One word of warning - if you're gonna call T, watch your step.  He's not mean, but if you're on his bad side you won't get off it.  And his help ain't cheap.  Anything else you need before you get started?"

When you check your commlinks, you find the data sets that MacCallister pushed to you, as well as his own CommCode to contact him.  You also get details for a temporary account with 500 nuyen - 100 each, just as promised, for showing up and listening.

OOC:  GMail was being a pain in the ass about attaching a file, so I had to use my alternate email address from yahoo.  fflipps "at" yahoo "dot" com is from your GM.

[vinnmun]

*His commlink Arnold Player commlink fowards the email to his Battlecom and takes a ponder at it when he noticed the icon is from the old ork. He looks through the information real quick and processes as it burns into his brain*

"May I ask, you know of anyone that your daughter hung out with in the underground? Also do you have any of your daughter's work for..." he looks at the crew and than back to himself myself to look into?

*He's afraid to hear the words, Knight Errant has some of it for their investigation, he also felt extra annoyed having to talk to a corporate 5-0 for these file entries.*

[WSN0W]

His real commlink gets the message. It's the 'Link MacCallister had when he contacted him in the first place so it didn't surprise Artair when he used it again. He pulled out his commlink to glance at the screen.

Checking the screen on the 'Link first, he didn't seen anything odd before shifting it to his contact display. Back at school, a classmate had sent him a message one that was very...visually intense to get right on his eye shortly after getting contact displays. While he's long since adjusted to the stimuli of reading in that fashion, the experience shaped a habit to glance at his 'Link's display first when things allowed.

Reading the files in silence, his gaze flicked around as some other good questions came up. Unless answers or follow up questions prompted something new, he had nothing more he felt he needed to add at this time. He did compose a few quick messages, one to MacCallister and one to a friend.

Sending the messages as PMs.

[WSN0W]

Message to MacCallister:

Yes, I will accept the job for the 8000 Nuyen. If the investigations come across a need for a major expense I will contact you and we can discuss if the expense is worth while before proceeding.

Is access to your daughter's body viable? If she is under the care of Knight Errant due to the investigation, may we be given your permission to view her or is that something we should take up with the Detective you recommended we interface with?

I am sorry for your loss.

- Artair

Message to Grace McKnight (My Lone Star Detective contact, 2 Con, 4 Loyal):

Gracie,

How's your shift schedule looking these days? Able to grab a beer or three in the near future?

- A

[Father_Twilight]

Father Twilight perused the data on his commlink swiftly, taking in the details and thinking about the situation.

Based on what this says, our killer is either a copycat, or perhaps the real killer was never caught. Either way this gives me a couple ideas of leads to follow up on.

He glances around the table briefly before looking at MacCallister.

"Your daughter was an awakened, do you have the name or comm number of the Talismonger she frequented? There may be some information there. Also, do you know if she was with anyone the night she died? Anyone we could contact to start retracing her steps the night she was killed?"

[Scarecrow71]

All Characters
As you begin to ask questions, MacCallister holds up his hands in a showing of asking you to slow down.  He shakes his head a couple of times as he checks his comm, and then looks up at you.

"You're right," he says towards Artair.  "If there are expenses, we can talk about that later."

He calls over one of the waitresses, ordering another few drinks, and by the look of him you'd guess those drinks won't be full very long.

"I've pretty much told you guys all I know at this point.  She was only found 4 hours ago, so I have no idea where her body is right now.  I got a call from Tosh at Knight Errant telling me about finding her, at which point he suggested we have someone look into it.

"I don't know who she hung with, and I've given you the address I have for her.  If she had a talismonger or other awakened friends, you might find clues in her apartment.  Or by talking to Tosh.  I don't know.

"As for her body...probably not an option.  I haven't even seen it yet.  Had she not been my daughter, Tosh probably wouldn't have even cared about some random girl in the Underground.  But he knows me, which means he knows who she is.  Sorry - was.

"That's all I've got, guys.  I've told you everything I know at this point.  Which is why I am hiring you - to find out what the fuck happened here, and then bring that asshole to me.  I'd do it myself, but I've got a funeral to plan and a wife to console."

[Operator]

Tosh was on that case. These rumors can't be good for his temperment.

Solifuge adjusted the glasses resting on his eyes, scrolling over the data forwarded to him by MacAllister. He also signaled for a waitress, giving her a measured grin. "Bring me a menu, love; I don't get many opportunities to dine out." After the waitress ran off to fulfill his request, Solifuge turned his attention to MacAllister and the other gathered gentlemen, offering the commcode of his public link to the runners. The active link's profile identified him as Norman Smith, a troll in his mid-20s whose interests included bodybuilding and martial arts trids. "I will speak with Tosh about the case; we are acquaintances."

<@Tosh>
<DT, are you working today? I have a few questions for you, and if lunch at the Rhino floats your boat, send me a message.>

[vinnmun]

Dataminer nodded at Macallister in his response. And once Solifuge said he'd talk to Tosh he would turn to him, "Do me a favor and see if he can get us a copy of whatever casefiles he can lend us. I'd rather not have to do this that hardway, but am very willing to do it." he grins devilishly and writes on a napkin how to contact him and receives the team's commcodes but memorizes it if they write it down for him with ease. It seems to be something like an email / matrix dropbox."It's an encrypted mailbox that I only have access to. If anything, leave a message and I can get back to you guys."

He gets up from his seating, "I'm never much for tlak, so I do apologizes." he tries to be as cordial as possible, but than again he's not use to these kinds of interactions. "I'm going back to my dwelling and do what I do best. I might have something to help us out so let me know what the plan is for....your 'meatings' " he snickered at his horrible play on words joke and than goes serious through his Tengu holo mask and heads back out to his bike and would drive back to the bus, but would stop at an electronic store to buy a fiber optic cable. ((spending the 5 nuyen unless otherwise))

[jonathanc]

Oppenheimer is quiet, mostly. He reviews some of the materials on his commlink, and takes long sips of water from his glass. Finally, amidst the conversation at the table, he speaks up again.

"I...uh...I used to be a doctor. Well, sort of. It's possible that I might be able to get something out of the coroner's notes, if anyone here can acquire them. Other than that, well....I won't be much help until we find the guy."

[WSN0W]

Artair looked at the other investigators (He didn't see himself a 'Runner. Or tried not to anyways.) and back to the grieving father. When Dataminer rose to leave, Artair held up a hand. "Perhaps we should shift to another table? Do proper introductions and work out an outline of a plan while leaving," Artair nodded his head towards MacCalliser, "him some privacy with his thoughts?"

He was far from rolling in the nuyen these days, but sometimes you needed to spend a little to make a little. "We can wash down their sampler platter with some soybeer while we talk." Using his public link IDing him as Gabriel, he'll order a troll sized sampler platter and some beers and set the link to tune into some of the local entertainment vids. Then he ignores the link like he was just a guy watching sports in a pub.

Rising, he turns his chair around and pushes it under the table and gestures to a different one that will let them give the Johnson some space.

[Father_Twilight]

Dinivin nodded his head at Artair's suggestion and stood with him, tucking in his chair before giving the grieving father, and his employer, a parting nod. He sat at the table his new associate chose and used his commlink to place an order for a cup of soycaf. At the same time he checked to verify that his link was broadcasting his fake SIN of Gabriel Veracone.

We are an interesting bunch, I wonder what all of our talents are?

Dinivin steepled his fingers in front of him and observed his new comrades over them while he waited for his soycaf. Once all of the Runners took a seat he spoke his piece.

"Perhaps we should get more comfortable with each other and have a round of introductions? I'm known as Father Twilight, and no the priestly garb is not a joke. I have access to magic and spirits. When it comes to the job, my first inclination is to go investigate the victims home and try to retrace her steps before her death."

[Scarecrow71]

Artair
It takes a few minutes, but eventually your commlink starts beeping.  When you check it, you see the familiar holo-pic of Gracie.

<<To:  Artair>>
<<From:  Gracie McKnight>>
<<My shift schedule sucks ass, but I might be able to check out for a bit.  When and where?>>


Solifuge
Almost at the same time Artair's comm starts beeping, you get the flashing holo-pic indicator that you also have a new message, and this is one you recognize immediately.

<<To:  Solifuge>>
<<From:  Detective Theodore Athack>>
<<Rhino?  You just meet with Mac?  I got lunch coming up, so I'll be there in thirty.>>


Data Miner
As you get up and are ready to leave, you see everyone start to gather around one of the other tables.  You can either continue to leave (and spend the nuyen on a cheap FO cable), or you can sit with them.  Your choice.


All Characters
As you start to gather around the table, you glance back over at MacAllister and see that he is getting himself ready to leave.  You aren't sure where he's going, but it takes a couple of Ork bus-boys to help him to his feet.  Once on his feet, he stumbles around a bit, the alcohol obviously impairing his sense of balance, and he then heads to the door.  On the way past your table, he says Call me if you get anywhere with this.  Keep me updated.  And remember - I'd prefer he be alive when you deliver him.  Battered and bruised is fine, but I want him alive.  And at this, he leaves.

Whatever orders you want to place for food and drink will arrive in a most timely manner.  Just remember to deduct an appropriate amount of nuyen from whatever you have (10 for a burger, 5 for a beer, etc.).  Discuss whatever you need to discuss at this point, and I'll interject when necessary.

[Operator]

<<To: Detective Theodore Athack>>
<<From:  Solifuge>>
<<Yeah, I just spoke to Mac; he's not taking the news too well. I'll save a seat for you.>>

Solifuge shifted in his seat, placing an order for a beer and a basket of fried cheesesticks; it would only be polite if he waited for Tosh to arrive before following up on the main course. "Well, Father, as long as you're not a target then you'll be fine. I'm called Solifuge, as some old ork said I looked like an ordinary spider who got injected with pure hez. I work best as a legbreaker, but I also like to surprise smoothies by blending in with polite society."

The slender troll leaned back as his appetizers were delivered, biting down on one of the cheesesticks with a satisfied grin. "I do tend to draw attention, however. It must be the accent."

Solifuge will spend his 100 nuyen from the meeting to cover the cost of his lunch with Tosh. He's paying for both of them, and they have large appetites.