Stubborn Detective vs. Solo Jenny (NotZ & Carcosa Narrative)

Excerpts from detective Harwick's files:

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September 7, 1925 (Monday)

Tip from Steve at New Your harbor. Ms. Guinevere Barnes listed among the passengers on SS De Grassse from Le Harve, France. First Class. Could be coincidence, but must check it out in case it isn't. Tip from Steve delayed by at least three days. Barnes not likely to sit still in New York. Will gamble and attempt to intercept her in Arkham.

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September 15, 1925 (Friday)

Stumbled upon unexplored caves underneath Barnes's house in Arkham. Blood on the ground in large amounts, both fresh and frozen. Much colder than outside. Saw de Luca putting his coat over Barnes's shoulders. Confronted both suspects over recent disappearances in and near Arkham. Barnes claimed investigating them. Barnes made no connection between recent disappearances and Ms. Fairchild's murder. Barnes repeatedly denied involvement and de Luca was getting visibly anxious and agitated. Attempted to fire warning shots, but gun jammed. Was threatened with bloodied machete and had to withdraw into the caves. Bonked my head in the dark and momentarily lost consciousness. Both suspects escaped. Upon further examination, firing mechanism on my gun was frozen solid. How? Sabotage? Did not pursue Barnes.

The Gathering: R2. Jenny’s house is still standing! 8 XP (Ghoul Priest, Icy Ghoul, Attic, Cellar, 3 bonus XP).

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September 15, 1925 (Friday)

Got myself holed up in one of Arkham's watering holes. Late into the night someone tapped my shoulder. She introduced herself as Ruth Turner], mortician at St. Mary's. Identity to be confirmed. Ms. Turner claimed to approach me because she overheard the names Barnes and de Luca being mentioned. When? I was drinking alone. Pretended to be on good terms with the suspects and smooth-talked Ms. Turner. She claimed to had met Barnes just an hour prior, during an escape from the mortuary. It seems Barnes attempted to get the mortician off the premises, presumably to dispose of the bodies without raising further suspicion. Ms. Turner avoided the topic. As far as I could tell, she wasn't intimidated, rather she was being grateful to Barnes. Sly woman, that Barnes. Ms. Turner wanted to go to ground, but I heartily advised her to at least stay in Arkham. Then, Ms. Turner said Barnes and de Luca had already left and were headed towards Arkham Woods for reasons unknown. Slammed cash on the counter and immediately went after them.

The Midnight Masks: R1. Jenny interrogated The Masked Hunter, Herman Collins, Peter Warren, Victoria Devereux & Ruth Turner! "Wolf-Man" Drew got away! 9 XP (The Masked Hunter, Herman Collins, Peter Warren, Victoria Devereux, Ruth Turner, Miskatonic University, Graveyard, Northside).

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September 16, 1925 (Saturday)

Requisitioned one horse. Saw suspects' car parked near Hangman's Brook. Eerie silence. Old Man always warned me against riding in the dark and especially in dense forests, but I'm good in the saddle and had to make up for lost time. Followed Barnes and de Luca's trail as best as possible, but the path seemed to twist and turn upon itself and besides the suspects doubled back at least three times. Heard chanting in the distance. Threw caution to the wind and rode blindly towards the sound. It was going to be Ms. Fairchild's case all over again! Saw torchlight and managed to intercept the suspects deep in the woods. Pointed gun at Barnes and ordered her to drop her penknife. She did just that, but as I came nearer the horse must've stepped on the upright blade and spooked something fierce. Was thrown off and entangled in the underbrush. Strained myself, but couldn't stand up. Saw Barnes stealing the horse and riding off with de Luca. Heard her sarcastic "Thank you, Detective!" Still couldn't get myself off the ground. Was terrified something was wrong with my spine. It rained that night. Later the chanting had stopped. Whatever Barnes was up to, it was done.

The Devourver Below: R1. The ritual to summon Umôrdhoth was broken! 5 XP (5 bonus XP), 2 Mental Trauma.

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September 25, 1925 (Friday)

Barnes nowhere to be found. Went to the collapsed ritual site once again, but it would take more than I could afford to hire enough guys to remove the rubble. Scoured the area for clues to show to the local Sheriff, but found nothing of substance.

Curse of the Rougarou: R2. The Rougarou is destroyed and the curse is lifted! 2 XP (Broadmoor, Audubon Park).

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September 28, 1925 (Monday)

Need some serious rest after this is all over. Trailed Barnes and de Luca since early in the morning. Eventually the two of them decided to attend the newest performance at the Ward Theatre. Barnes wouldn't even dress up for the occasion and neither did de Luca. Whim? Sat in the audience three rows behind the suspects. Nodded off. As far as I can tell it happened around the end of the first act. Hadn't felt tired, but the actors droned on and on. Awoke outside near the theatre. Soaked and chilled to the bone. Ruined jacket. Presumably was dragged outside by an usher or some janitors. How come I wasn't roused? Barnes slipped some cash into their pockets?

(Detective Harwick wouldn't describe his nightmares in his case files. Especially since that particular nightmare involved him, Jenny Barnes and Leo de Luca wading through dismembered bodies in the Dressing Room. The suspects would clutch some improvised weapons in their hands, trying their best to go toe to toe with an eldritch creature. Detective Harwick couldn't decide whether to open fire at the creature or take out Jenny, hoping it had some of connection to the vile woman and would perhaps be satisfied if she was slain. Alas, Leo de Luca had similar ideas and pushed the detective straight into the screeching maw. Detective Harwick wouldn't wake up until much later. His nightmare was vivid and realistic, but if it were real the detective would be dead and, clearly, he wasn't.)

Curtain Call: R1. Jenny tried to warn the police! The Stranger is onto Jenny! 7 XP (Royal Emissary, Agent of the King, Balcony, Lighting Box, Trap Room, Rehearsal Room), Stranger Tally: 2, Conviction Tally: 1.

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September 28, 1925 (Monday)

Assisted firefighters. While on the road noticed the suspects moving in the opposite direction towards Southside. Wanted to pursue after them, but couldn't ignore the blazing manor. Afterwards pointed out footprints near the ruined shed and a discarded can of gasoline. Two sets of footprints, male (size 11), female (size 7.5, high-heeled, but with broken heels). Barnes and de Luca, no doubt about it. If it weren't for all the people burned alive inside the manor I would had been glad I was finally being listened to by the authorities in Arkham. Or so I hoped. Could be that nothing short of catching them red-handed and with witnesses would be sufficient for the Sheriff. Hitched a ride to Southside.

The Last King: R1. Jenny interviewed Constance Dumaine, Ishimaru Haruko, Sebastien Moreau and Ashleight Clarke! Jenny slayed the monsters at the party! 5 XP (10 clues), Stranger Tally: 2, Conviction Tally: 2.

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September 28, 1925 (Monday)

Barnes evaded pursuit. Went back to the police station in case the arson scene report was "misfiled" or otherwise failed to reach the Sheriff. Near midnight, Sheriff was absent. Persuaded one of the greenhorns to let me spend the night at the station. Was offered warm tea with honey for the cold. Nice guy, that Moore.

September 29, 1925 (Tuesday)

Had an uncharacteristically productive meeting with the Sheriff. Turns out Barnes visited the station earlier yesterday, after the King in Yellow. Furthermore, there was another incident at Arkham's Historical Society. It was ransacked. I knew the witnesses would be either intimidated or bribed, so I advised the Sheriff to question them in the most direct manner possible. I also shared my current theory, that Barnes and de Luca are enforcers employed by a cult engaged in bloody feud against another secret society, presumably Silver Twilight Lodge, the one that purportedly has their hands on Barnes's sister Isabel. Perhaps not ‘employed’ per se, but simply let loose in Lodge's general direction. The answers were within our grasps, the Sheriff needed only to pressure the witnesses.

Echoes of the Past: R1. Jenny took the onyx clasp! 2 XP (Hidden Library), Stranger Tally: 3, Conviction Tally: 3.

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October 2, 1925 (Friday)

Intercepted Barnes in the Asylum's Garden. Barnes was in de Luca arms, visibly terrified. No, it wasn't just visible, it was spectacular. That was real madness in her eyes and she was mumbling incoherently. De Luca attempted to throw her over the fence, but I had the gun and he had his hands otherwise occupied. Orderlies and guards rushed over from inside the Asylum, where Barnes was apparently up to no good. Both suspects were successfully tackled and afterwards I had an argument with Doctor Mintz, since the man would not hand over Barnes to the authorities. That woman had to answer for what she did to Ms. Fairchild. Being committed to an Asylum was not enough. She shall hang!

But, that could wait until tomorrow. Today, I can finally sleep soundly.

(Detective Harwick wouldn't continue these case files, since the case was as good as over. Besides, as we well know, Detective Harwick had no reason to mention the nightmares to come in an official log.)

The Unspeakable Oath: R1. The king claimed it's victims! INSANITY.

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Honestly, it was an unexpected loss. The scenario was going smoothly and I decided to wait around to catch the Pallid Man. I had resources to spare, Elusive and "I'm outta here!" in hand. Then. with one turn remaining I was faced with an insane combination of two Descent into Madness, one Whispers in Your Head (Doubt) and Stubborn Detective. Then, on my only evasion attempt.