Part 83: Blackwell Epiphany - Update 12 (Part 1)

Update 12

In yesterday's update, Rosa and Joey were finally granted access to George Ostin's apartment, where they learned two things. A man named Michael apparently knows a hell of a lot about us, and there is a strange ghost lady on the roof who thinks she's famous. We'll follow those two threads up today and see where they lead.

George's Lobby (Alternative)



Before leaving George's apartment building, Rosa checks back in with the doorman.

I'm afraid not. I only started working here a few months ago. That apartment has been vacant the whole time.
Did George know anyone named Michael?
I'm afraid I don't know.

Unfortunately, he continues his usual trend of being very unhelpful.



Next up, Rosa tries the Grace Church. It sounds like Michael was a member of the Grace Group, so presumably he came here regularly at one point, but I don't expect this guy to be any more helpful than George's doorman.

In my line of work? I know more than I can count.
Do you recognise this phone number?
I'm afraid I haven't memorized a phone number in over ten years. Perils of modern technology.
Yeah. That's what I keep telling her, but you think she listens?

Of course, Gabriel's either utterly useless, or very good at being evasive. He's probably got nothing to do with the roof ghost, but Rosa gives it a try anyway.

So there's this woman that might have died in a penthouse apartment...
I'm afraid I don't know who you are talking about. I am sorry.

Of course you don't.

Police Station



Let's talk to someone who is actually trying to help us.

Um. You're going to have to be more specific than that.

Yeah, without a surname we're going to struggle with that. Fortunately, we have Michael's phone number.

Does this phone number mean anything to you?
Not really, but I can trace it for you.
Trace it?
Run the number, see who it belongs to. Within reason, anyway. Where'd you find it?
I found it on George Ostin's phone.
Oh. We ran that number already.

I guess it makes sense that they would have done that.

You did?
Yep. It belonged to Grace Church. Probably calling for donations or something.
Yeah. Or something.
Hm. Thanks anyway.

Reeeally? That should give us something to pin Gabriel down with, anyway.



Rosa also asks after the roof ghost.

It's not in any of the reports. Do you have a name?
No. Not yet. But she lived across from George. Can't you look it up that way?
I can't, no. The way the system works, I can only look it up by the victim's name. Not address. Sorry.

Hm. We'll have to figure that one out later.



For now, it's off to Grace Church!

I guess we are. Whoever this "Michael" is, he made a call from Grace Church.
Right. So let's get over there.

We're already there, Joey. Let's head inside.

Grace Church



Time to turn the screws on Father Ullman.

A man I'm looking for made a phone call from this number. His name is Michael. It's very important that I find him.
I'm afraid I don't know who you are talking about. I am sorry.

Come on. We've had enough of this runaround.

Are you SURE you don't know anybody named Michael who made a call from this church?
Quite positive.

Well, he might not know the guy, but the phone is a landline based at the church. We should at least be able to get to that.



Why would you need to know that?
Michael used the phone. Maybe he left a clue behind when he did.
He could have used any one of a dozen offices in our administration wing.

Oh, come on. This has gone from Gabriel being useless to obvious distraction tactics. Rosa isn't about to let up on him.

Really. over a dozen.
Yes. So if you want to locate Michael Cooper, you'll have to find another way.

Wait. Looks likes Gabriel just gave the game away. Rosa picks up on it immediately.



...pardon?
You said Michael Cooper.
Isn't that the gentleman you are looking for?
No. I just said his name was Michael.

Gabriel squirms for a moment before responding.

... So you did. Slip of the tongue. My apologies. It IS quite late, and I'm tired.
So you don't know anyone named Michael Cooper.
No. I don't.

Bullshit. He's not getting out of it that easy.



Rosa's starting to get angry with this.

I told you. I don't know any Michael Cooper!

Still, Gabriel refuses to talk. Rosa can keep trying to ask him, but he clams up tight. He's a stubborn little dude.

That tactic ain't working, sweetheart. You need to come at this some other way.



Since we now know Michael's full name, we can Oogle him.

Huh. So Michael Cooper was a priest? Interesting.

That's quite a coincidence.



Furthermore, when we look up Gabriel, we see that they both went to the same seminary school, and were in fact there at the same time for a year or two. It seems very likely that Gabriel does know who Michael Cooper is, if it wasn't already obvious before. (It was.)



Rosa presents Gabriel with this information.

So?
So. It's a pretty big coincidence, wouldn't you say?
I... um...

He's floundering here. Sick of the runaround, Rosa can interrupt in one of three ways. She can demand that Gabriel stop lying:

Please stop lying to me.
I'm not lying.
You're not telling me the whole truth either. Are you?

She can threaten to get the police involved:

Do you really want the police involved with this?
You're not a police officer.
No, but I CAN bring them in.
You have no right. They'd never do it.
Maybe I don't, but I can try. Either way, they will be looking at this church. And at you.

Or she can try to emphasize how important it is for her to know:

Listen. You have no idea how important this is. Michael is in danger. Real serious danger.
From who?
I don't know. But you can't protect him.
And you can?
I don't know that either, but I'm going to try.

Whichever way she goes, Gabriel mulls over his options briefly...

...



...until, finally, his facade cracks, and he opens up with Rosa. At last!

He came to me scared. Begging me to protect him. To give him sanctuary. He was ranting. I should have turned him away.
But we roomed together at the seminary. We were close friends once. What could I do?

Coming to the church for protection, huh? I guess that makes sense, considering what he was up against.

You can take me to him.
He's raving. He's mad. He says he is in a battle for his very soul.
Is this true?
Yes. Yes it is.
*sigh* He's in the school. It's closed for the winter break, so it seemed like a good a place as any to hide him.

He's still hiding around Grace Church, hey? That's convenient. Hopefully this time we can get some answers and he doesn't just shoot himself like Lia did.



Please. Do whatever you must. Just... don't come back here.
Don't worry.



I suppose with your record, it was only a matter of time.
*sigh*

Outside, Rosa and Joey prepare themselves to head to the seminary school.

So this Michael Cooper guy is hiding out at Grace School. Let's go talk to him.
The entrance to the school is around the block. Let's go.



True to her word, Rosa removes the Grace Church from her list of possible destinations, so fingers crossed we've seen the last of Gabriel. Instead, we can now visit the Grace School.



They round the block and approach the school. Of course, with a snowy footpath in front of me, I naturally have Rosa make tracks

I know you're in front of a school and all... but do you HAVE to act like a kid?
Nyeah.



Just in case we forgot why we're here, Rosa prompts us. She takes a second to look around, but other than the traffic lights, there isn't much to see.

No need to pay attention to that. There aren't any cars out tonight.
Things like traffic lights stopped having any meaning around the time I died.

She quickly catches up with Joey before going in.

I always used to wonder what it would be like to go to this school. Never thought it would take... this.
This place was around even in my day. You ever go here?
No. It's one of the more expensive private schools in the city. Not really an option for a foster kid like me.
Right.

That's enough talk. Let's see if we can dig up Michael.

(continued next post...)