Reporting To The New Reeve

[Swift]

Dr. Swift arrives at the Avalon fairly early in the night. He knew the Reeve was a busy man, and that what he had to tell the man was either going to be all old news, or something he'd want time to act upon. He checks his coat and cane at the door and with a tip of his hat heads downstairs to the Elysium. Once there, he makes his way through the quiet room to the hall where Dillon Connery 's new office was.

In his satchel he had, along with his laptop and notebooks, a full report of the events leading up to this point. Additionally, he had prepared the report in several formats, not knowing which Dillon would prefer. He had a flash drive with a copy of the report and scans of the journal if the Reeve wished for an electronic copy as well as having printed out his report and prepared the scans in printed format in a three ring binder for the Reeve's review and archives.

Dr. Swift knew Reeve Connery better than any other official officer of the court, but he couldn't help but feel a bit nervous about the entire situation. After all, he had been tasked with investigating these murders along with several others and suddenly found himself more or less alone and at a dead end in the investigation. He hoped he had done the correct thing here, but he couldn't help but wonder if there was anything else he could have done.

So, nervous, but prepared, the doctor knocks confidently three times upon the Reeve's door.

ooc

I know that a couple of those threads are long ones, I just wanted you to have quick access to what the report contains if you wanted to take a look. :-)

[Dillon Connery]

The newly furnished Reeve's office is filled with the jam that is ZZ Top, this evening. Dillon plays the music a little louder than usual, but turns it down a few notches when he hears Doctor Swift knock at the door. He answers in a suit of deep maroon. Clearly not in line with his usual attire, but perhaps he merely has something special planned for later.

The Beast reacts to one familiar with it, snorting, pawing, growling, but in a way that allows Dillon the control to simply greet his cousin with the usual lopsided smile. "Good evening, Doctor Swift. Please, come in and be comfortable."

The Reeve steps to the side, holding the door and welcoming Swift in with an open hand.

A large, dark-stained oak desk, and a pair of squashy leather couches, dominate the room. Dillon's tastes aren't particularly refined, but they are old-fashioned sometimes. There are already shelves gathering books on every subject. Mostly volumes of study, but ranging from the (in Dillon's case) predictable military, martial arts, and religion, to more abstract notions or art and philosophy.

Decorations aren't complete. He is still obviously 'moving in'. But all of the necessities are there. On a drop-cloth in the center of a large black coffee table rests a field stripped 1911 style Les Baer Custom .45 and cleaning supplies.

"I hope the evenings have been finding you well?" Dillon asks, closing the door behind the other if he enters, so they won't be disturbed.

[Swift]

Dr. Swift smiles at the greeting and steps into the office. He glances around briefly as he does so. It is certainly different than the previous resident. Not that that is a bad thing at all. Indeed, to Dr. Swift's way of thinking, this seemed to be an improvement.

"If busy is well, then I have been splendid," he says with a genuine grin for his Priscus and new Reeve, "It seems you have been doing quite wellfor yourself. I do hope you have been well in the process. Allow me to offer my congratulations once more."

After the initial greetings, however, his face grows a touch more somber. "Though the subject of my investigations is less pleasant." He digs out the the report, the binder with the copies of the journal pages, and the thumb drive, and offers them to Dillon. Alternatively he is prepared to place them where ever the Reeve finds most convenient. "My report on the investigation so far. I am, of course, prepared to give a full report myself and answer any questions you may have."

[Dillon Connery]

As they both move to get settled, Dillon bends to slide the cloth holding the pieces of his pistol, gun oil, rag, and brush to the far end of the table. Obviously so that Swift may deposit his presented findings there between them.

"All hours of the day and night, when one has the will to resist the Daysleep, and unknowable years ahead of us." Dillon gestures to the couch opposite the one he normally sits in, but doesn't unless his cousin intends to. "And still, not enough time to do everything, is there?"

After returning the smile with his own, Dillon nods. "I've been well enough. And thanks. This Reeve thing is a far cry from my usual shtick. I can't say Sacramento hasn't been good to me."

There is barely more than a skimming glance through the physical report before the Reeve nods and replaces it to the surface of the table. Not in dismissal, but some measure of knowing. In actuality, Swift's very thorough account will be invaluable in helping get Dillon up to speed. "Oh yes. Mister O'Conner and Sarah LaFleur.

"Nasty business, and a shame. Did you ever meet either of them?"

[Swift]

Dr. Swift smiles in agreement to the Reeve's comment. There is never enough time, is there? At the gesture Dr. Swift takes a seat on the couch.

"I didn't ever meet them personally, no. According to those I spoke with they both left the Domain before I arrived. Perhaps that lack has deprived me of a certain empathy for the case. Still, I cannot help but think this is all highly irregular. And the implications of an old rival to His Majesty being involved is particularly distressing. Sacramento has been good to me as well, and I dislike the notion of anything threatening her."

Dr. Swift's tone is business like as he speaks, but there is an edge of worry to his voice. "I tried to delve deeper into that in the interim but met with little success. I can't help but feel that the journal contains more clues, but they elude me. I know a couple people that specialize in old texts and have access to equipment that would reveal more information, but bringing them in would also bring in questions we'd rather avoid."

[Dillon Connery]

"Well, technically speaking, too much empathy for the case would be a bad thing," Dillon says with a shrug. "Might color your deductions the wrong way. But I only met Miss LaFleur briefly. She was friends with Madam Alice Brown."

And Martha. Who is increasingly touchy on the subject. Something awkward had been going on between Alice and Martha back then, which Dillon had never deciphered. He couldn't help but feel like his investigation into the Brides had barged in on the trio's bit of drama when they were trying to put a team together for the growing threat.

"Seemed fairly calm for a Daeva, and less impulsive than some, but I only got a very brief sample of her behavior."

The Reeve grows silent for a moment while he considers the variables.

"I'm guessing that by specialists that would cause the wrong kind of attention, you mean mortals who aren't in any way thralled by Kindred society?"

[Swift]

Dr. Swift nods, "Yes. Mostly people I know back at the Stanford department of anthropology. They could probably pull some strings for me and get me an introduction to people here in Sacramento. Or, if it comes down to it, I'm no stranger to the road. I can take a road trip to use the equipment there if I can get access. Of course I wouldn't tell them anything, but we are talking about some of the smartest people in a field specializing in studying old things and civilizations. It would be.....risky." The doctor shifts in his chair. It is a normal gesture for a mortal, but in one of the Kindred it reveals both his nervousness at the suggestion and his relative youth. "That's why I wanted to bring this to you first. I didn't feel it was my place to take such a risk."

"I'm afraid I don't know Madam Brown very well either. She wasn't at the last court meeting." He leaves the obvious question unasked. Dr. Swift is many things, but up-to-date on rumors, gossip, and current events is not one of them. David charged me with addressing that. I've tried some, but I seem to be failing.

[Dillon Connery]

Dillon inclines his head to one side a bit, making an amusingly pensive frown. "You know, I wouldn't be at all surprised if there were other Kindred attached to that group or influencing it in your absence. It might simply be a matter of contacting members of the Domain as well to ensure that Masquerade-sensitive issues are handled properly.

"Mind if I ask whether or not you were Kindred there? Or if it was back when you were mortal?" He also supposed that Swift's correspondence with those particular peers might not have been face to face, but it would be redundant to add that to the question.

"Madam Brown has moved on, now." The Reeve adds this with decidedly mixed feelings. He'd always found Alice to be... volatile. He never knew what to expect of her, and her moods shifted too quick. Still, she could be exceptionally cunning, and had helped him a great deal.

Wherever you're at, I hope you've found Purpose.

"So I suppose it will do no good to dwell on the sentimental aspect of this." A pause. "But I'd rather not simply forget people."

[Swift]

Dr. Swift nods, "Nor would I. If we forget the past we blind ourselves to the future." Well, that sounded more pompous and mysterious than I meant...

The doctor shrugs mentally to himself and then continues on, considering the other question the Reeve asked. He hasn't really advertised his age, but nor has he attempted to hide it. He has made comments to at least a few other Kindred that, should they wish to, could probably let them pretty accurately determine when he was embraced. That, and he still has a valid driver's license -- though admittedly not for a motorcycle. "They are contacts from before my Embrace. I received my doctorate from Stanford in 2005. Shortly after I was working for the Anthropology department on a post-doc in South America. We found some things we couldn't explain and the entire thing was quickly buttoned up. I was less willing to accept this and got the attention of a man call Hopson. He brought me into the fold some time later. I've kept in contact with my colleagues there and with a few profession acquaintances. They think I'm somewhere doing my own research on a grant."

He leans forward, musing for a moment. "You're probably correct about others having similar and useful connections. Perhaps that should be our next step then? Assemble a group of Kindred with the proper contacts and see if we can get some professional equipment and eyes on this without turning them on us."

[Dillon Connery]

"Well, there you go," Dillon says with a slight smile. "Proof that Kindred eyes are watching out for sensitive material from these colleagues of yours and their fields of study. I think that, while maintaining caution, it won't be too great of a risk to use them as a resource for your investigating."

There is another silence, that the Reeve allows to extend only very briefly. "Not to steer away from the subject, but I'd like you to know that I would seriously consider offering you the role of a Deputy, were circumstances better. I can't justify it against appearing to unfairly promote my Clan."

Which is similar to why Swift had missed out on the position of Gangrel Whip. Had he been more proactive in assisting the Domain and rallying the Clan, choosing between he and Tracy would have been extremely difficult indeed.

"Succeed in uncovering more of this mystery, and that may change. If you would be willing, of course."