Entry 5 - London: ransacking Soho spice shop, Gavigan revealed, devils in the dark, Mirs island

As we are about to leave the artist's bungalow, Yosef remembers the ledger he's signed for the purchased artwork. Once back at Guin's house, we take time to review the book. "Maybe we can crosscheck the names of other purchasers with the names of those recently reported killed. Or maybe the other purchasers are cultists seeking magical elements." Yosef's finger hovers over the name prior to his entry, "How about this Tewfik al-Sayed...address in Soho...a spice/antiquity dealer. Bought a picture of a pharaoh standing before a pyramid. Doesn't sound like the wack-job paintings we've seen."

But first, a call to the police station and inspector Barrington to put a Bobby on-patrol as there are suspicious foreigners across the street keeping watch; maybe casing the joint for possible burglary. Ironic, considering our next move.

Five whites climb out of the glitzy car in the depressed Soho neighborhood then enter the shop.

Guin already at the counter, introducing herself to Tewfik, inquiring about the various spices and artifacts.

Yosef taking a different approach first viewing the bland wall décor then stepping forward to ask if he has more artwork available. A reference to Shipley's paintings and rumors some being sold in Soho. But denial, "I'm just a simple spice dealer. Besides I've heard of those paintings. Risqué, foul, decadent. More to your English taste? Not something us Ala loving foreigners would accept." Surprisingly Yosef doesn't push the fact we know Tewfik bought such painting.

So when the owner notes it's lunchtime, Guin invites herself along to experience the Middle-Eastern flavor and atmosphere at the club around the corner...The Blue Pyramid.

Which gives the rest of us opportunity to break-in the backdoor by use of the "brick" key. We climb the stairs to stifling heat, noting a central fireplace that replicates the temperatures of Egypt. A couch aligned to view the painting hung on the opposite wall...a black pharaoh standing before a leaning pyramid.

Other than the tilted pyramid, Eddie studies the painting, soon growing nauseous. Meanwhile Rene finds an out-of-place robe in the bathroom. Ancient Egyptian runes embroidered in the sleeves. A black skull cap clipped to the robe. Both collected by the retired cop. Yosef kept himself busy at the desk. Unable to pick the lock, he breaks it with his machete to find two ceremonial curved blades and a scroll with hieroglyphic marks.

Fortuned timing to exit before Tewfik's return. Guin arriving to explain her midnight appointment, "Seems a certain belly dancer at the Blue Pyramid has a dislike for Tewfik."

We Climb into the car when suddenly a face peers in, "I recognized your driver. What are you doing out here?" [Tony just showed up to play] Without pause, we drag James into the car as we speed away. "Find a hotel; Guin's house is being watched." The young student first stunned to learn of our robbery but then excited to study the artifacts we reveal. But the Egyptian scholar is at a loss, "Maybe we can research more at my work. If necessary ask Dr. Gavigan." Expecting trouble, Guin takes time to cast a spell on Eddie and Rene...StoneSkin.

Then off to the Penhew Foundation where the receptionist informs us, "Mr. Gavigan is in a meeting right now. I'll send him to your office when he finishes." But Eddie and Rene are more interested in the meeting so they sit in the lobby as the others go into James office to reference books and records. So it's only Rene and Eddie who recognize the Egyptians exiting the meeting as those seen spying on Guin's house. Which has them following at a safe distance as their foe walk toward the familiar club, The Blue Pyramid.

Meanwhile, Gavigan enters James office to question what he has to show. Offering little real details. The robe: more ceremonial for embalming. "But look at the material. Too new; an imitation probably for a vendor selling to the gullible Englishman." But he takes a different tone when Yosef reveals the twin blades. "WHERE DID YOU GET THOSE?!" Almost taking a stand of himself being robbed. Those belong here at the foundation; I cannot allow you to take them as personal property. James offering the compromise to lock them in his own safe for the night.

A reluctant director exiting the office and then the foundation. But continued research now has the team questioning the directors information. "Why would he lie to use?" Which explains why they soon decide to exit the foundation with the artifacts in hand. Arriving at the car just as an out-of-breath Rene confronts them, "Gavigan's in league with the brotherhood." And he proceeds to explain...

As Rene and Eddie walked back from the club, they recognized an angry Gavigan storming down the opposite sidewalk.

Following him to the spice shop, they slipped around back to listen in as the director screamed, "How could you let them steal half your powers?! You fool. Your lucky one of my students brought them to me. I can get your blades back. You need to take out this meddling group." Rene explained Eddie confronting the two and even taking a shot at the director. The bullet bouncing off his skin, just like we'd expect our StoneSkin spell to work. How Rene too took a shot drawing a trickle of blood before the director disappeared in a puff of smoke. Thus Rene's reason to warn the others as he left Eddie to deal with Tewfik.

And that's when Eddie pulls up in his own "borrowed" car (hot-wired), "I've got a wounded and gagged Tewfik in the car. Let's get the hell out of here." A hotel room interrogation gone bad. Well, we got the news we expected. Tewfik admitting a brotherhood trying to squash English rule, restore Egyptian heritage and power. Gavigan their leader. Just surprise Rene killed Tewfik rather than turning him over to inspector Barrington so Scotland Yard could solve their murders.

 
Midnight came too quick as Eddie drove the borrowed car dumping Tewfik's body before accompanying Guin for her belly dancer meeting. Yalesha accusing Tewfik of killing her brother; a sacrificial killing part of the brotherhood ritual. "Dozens of them meet here every Monday and Friday night to drive north. Returning the next day as is high on power." Then our walk back to Guin's car when the street lamps start bursting turning the alley into darkness and Guin suddenly gagging.

A shadowy tentacle covering her mouth. Rene rushing forward with his flashlight that causing the appendage to draw Guin further into the shadows as more street lights and Rene's flashlight bulb burst. Eddie's welder torch staying bright but not reaching the shadowy threat with any beam. Then Yosef's beam cutting the tentacle which releases Guin as the creature screams and shoots skyward.

Guin gasping for breath as she urged, "Don't ask, just get the hell away from here! Tomorrow night we have a rendezvous to follow the brotherhood."

The next midnight, quarter moon, 4 dark cars sped north unaware of the lone car following at distance, Eddie at the wheel. James peering thru field glasses trying to see if his boss Gavigan was part of the group. "I recognize 3 fellow Foundation students, all Egyptian heritage." Miles along gravel roads, undulating hills, till the cars cross a bridge connecting an island outcropping. Slowing as they realize it is a swing bridge now cranked out of alignment.

"Now what? Do we climb over to set the bridge and continue pursuit? Or do we wait here for their return then cross to explore what they might have been up to?" Guin pointing out the lettering on the bridge, "If you'll note the bridge is named MIRS. That's Egyptian for Egypt."