(dp0 S'buildDestination' p1 VD:\u005cwho among us\u005cwau1h.html p2 sS'saveDestination' p3 VD:\u005cwho among us\u005cwau1.tws p4 sS'target' p5 S'sugarcane' p6 sS'storyPanel' p7 (dp8 S'widgets' p9 (lp10 (dp11 S'selected' p12 I00 sS'pos' p13 (lp14 I150 aI10 asS'passage' p15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p16 (dp17 S'text' p18 VWHO AMONG US \u000a \u000aA modern noire murder mystery set in Eastern Europe \u000a \u000a//By Tia Orisney// \u000a \u000a[[START|1]] \u000a p19 sS'tags' p20 (lp21 sS'created' p22 ctime struct_time p23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I14 I18 I12 I5 I271 I1 tp24 (dp25 tp26 Rp27 sS'modified' p28 g27 sS'title' p29 VStart p30 sbsa(dp31 g12 I00 sg13 (lp32 I10 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p33 (dp34 g18 VWHO AMONG US p35 sg20 (lp36 sg22 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I14 I18 I52 I5 I271 I1 tp37 (dp38 tp39 Rp40 sg28 g40 sg29 VStoryTitle p41 sbsa(dp42 g12 I00 sg13 (lp43 I290 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p44 (dp45 g18 VThe last thing you'd expected to find when you walked up to the abandoned observatory was someone throwing a party. Everything else was just like your dead partner had told you it would be, from the tiny Russian village at the bottom of the mountain, to the unpaved winding road, to the wire fence-line partially torn down. The building itself was almost an exact replica of his sketch: a small and abandoned tribute to the plans of the former Soviet Union, long since forgotten by everyone except the local youths in the summertime. \u000aThe fact that it was early winter and that there was already a few feet of snow on the ground with more starting to fall made it even stranger to see the fresh tire tracks and footprints littered around the grounds. The place should have been completely abandoned. \u000a \u000a[[continue|2]] p46 sg20 (lp47 sg22 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I14 I33 I26 I5 I271 I1 tp48 (dp49 tp50 Rp51 sg28 g51 sg29 V1 p52 sbsa(dp53 g12 I00 sg13 (lp54 I430 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p55 (dp56 S'text' p57 VNevermind that now, you tell yourself. It has taken you over half a year to make it this far, you're not going to let some tourists get in the way. You walk inside and put your hat and coat along with the others hanging in the entrance way. With whatever's going on, you want to blend in. \u000a \u000a[[continue|3]] p58 sS'tags' p59 (lp60 sS'created' p61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I14 I39 I3 I5 I271 I1 tp62 (dp63 tp64 Rp65 sS'modified' p66 g65 sS'title' p67 V2 p68 sbsa(dp69 g12 I00 sg13 (lp70 I570 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p71 (dp72 g57 VYou step into the main room and glance at the four other people standing around, talking quietly. No, make that five. An older man just walked in from another room, wiping his hands off on his pants. He glances at you and you instantly recognize him. Warden Leon Abrusti, chief Corrections Officer of the maximum security penitentiary you broke out of the better part of 8 months ago. He stops in his tracks and looks at you, his expression odd. Does he recognize you? No, he couldn't possibly... You've changed everything about yourself. \u000a \u000a[[continue|4]] p73 sg59 (lp74 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I14 I39 I4 I5 I271 I1 tp75 (dp76 tp77 Rp78 sg66 g78 sg67 V3 p79 sbsa(dp80 g12 I00 sg13 (lp81 I710 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p82 (dp83 g57 VThe other four people have stopped talking and are glancing at you, waiting expectantly. A young woman, tall and blonde and not at all difficult on the eyes, steps away from their little group and walks up to you with a bounce to her step. \u201cHi, I'm Nicola,\u201d she offers you her hand. \u201cAnd you must be Mr. Jameson, our mysterious host for the evening, right? We've all been waiting to meet you.\u201d \u000a \u000a[[continue|5]] \u000a p84 sg59 (lp85 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I14 I40 I11 I5 I271 I1 tp86 (dp87 tp88 Rp89 sg66 g89 sg67 V4 p90 sbsa(dp91 g12 I00 sg13 (lp92 I850 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p93 (dp94 g57 VYou take a second before answering to regard her. Mid 20s, American but with a good quality fake continental accent, well off, nice clothes, oddly messy hair, strange choice of emphasis on her words. Too friendly, even for an American. Is she's lying to you? \u000a \u000aCHOICE \u000a1) [[Greet her coldly|5a]] \u000a2) [[Greet her friendly|5b]] p95 sg59 (lp96 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I14 I40 I13 I5 I271 I1 tp97 (dp98 tp99 Rp100 sg66 g100 sg67 V5 p101 sbsa(dp102 g12 I00 sg13 (lp103 I990 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p104 (dp105 g57 V1: You give the woman a terse head shake. \u201cSorry, wrong guy.\u201d An expression flashes across her face faster than you can catch it. \u201cOh? Well, we've all been waiting to meet him. Who are you then?" \u000a \u000a-Give [[her your name|5acont]] p106 sg59 (lp107 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I14 I42 I56 I5 I271 I1 tp108 (dp109 tp110 Rp111 sg66 g111 sg67 V5a p112 sbsa(dp113 g12 I00 sg13 (lp114 I990 aI150 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p115 (dp116 g57 VYou shake her hand, glancing her up and down quickly. \u201cSorry to disappoint you miss, but my name's David White. I'm here on business.\u201d Business is a generic enough term, and you have a whole back story memorized about a wife and family back in small-town home in case she's interested and wants more details. \u000aShe's not. She gives you a polite smile and excuses herself back into her earlier conversation. \u000a \u000a[[continue|6]] \u000a p117 sg59 (lp118 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I14 I42 I56 I5 I271 I1 tp119 (dp120 tp121 Rp122 sg66 g122 sg67 V5b p123 sbsa(dp124 g12 I00 sg13 (lp125 I1130 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p126 (dp127 g57 VYou introduce yourself as David White. An American businessman. From the Midwest, small town. You're not in an interesting line of business, you've got a wife and kids back home, and you don't travel much so you're a little nervous at times. You don't tell her all those lines just yet, but you have them ready in case someone asks. For now David White is enough to dull her interest. She shakes your hand and excuses herself back into her earlier conversation. \u000a \u000a[[continue|6]] p128 sg59 (lp129 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I14 I44 I11 I5 I271 I1 tp130 (dp131 tp132 Rp133 sg66 g133 sg67 V5acont p134 sbsa(dp135 g12 I00 sg13 (lp136 I1270 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p137 (dp138 g57 VYou look around, evaluating both the people gathered here and the room itself. Clearly this building has been abandoned for a while, heavy layers of dust coat the minimal furniture and the paint on the walls is crumbling into piles on the ground. The odd thing is the heavy black electrical lines running along the roof to the light fixtures. Obviously they're a much more recent addition, but why would anyone bother to fix up a condemned building? \u000a \u000a[[continue|7]] p139 sg59 (lp140 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I14 I44 I44 I5 I271 I1 tp141 (dp142 tp143 Rp144 sg66 g144 sg67 V6 p145 sbsa(dp146 g12 I00 sg13 (lp147 I1410 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p148 (dp149 g57 VThere are no windows to break up the concrete walls and floor, typical of Soviet governmental construction, and the only other door is on the far side of the room where the Warden came from. That's where you need to go. Your partner hid the 10 million dollars you'd stolen together in a floor safe in the corner of the basement. You just need to get past these people unnoticed and find a way down. \u000aCHOICE \u000a0- [[check your items|7a]] \u000a1a- [[Introduce yourself to the other three people in the room|7b]] p150 sg59 (lp151 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I14 I46 I25 I5 I271 I1 tp152 (dp153 tp154 Rp155 sg66 g155 sg67 V7 p156 sbsa(dp157 g12 I00 sg13 (lp158 I1550 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p159 (dp160 g57 VYou step to the side and flip through your small shoulder bag of personal belongings. Not much in there other than a fake American passport complete with fake visa, a small amount of Rubles, a toothbrush, a little bar of hotel soap, and a pack of cigarettes and matches. Life on the run means being ready for anything, and you've had more than one near miss getaways with INTERPOL since breaking out. If anyone were to search you now your lack of belongings would be suspicious, but they'd have nothing to detain you on. \u000a \u000a[[talk to the other guests|7b]] \u000a p161 sg59 (lp162 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I14 I47 I14 I5 I271 I1 tp163 (dp164 tp165 Rp166 sg66 g166 sg67 V7a p167 sbsa(dp168 g12 I00 sg13 (lp169 I1550 aI150 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p170 (dp171 g57 VYou walk up to the group. There are three men of different ages and descriptions, all chatting animatedly to the pretty blonde (Nicola, wasn't it?). Off to the side the good Warden is by himself, pouring a glass of wine from a decanter left on a table. You mentally note the table's new and dust free, most likely laid out for the evening. \u000aYou greet the first man and introduce yourself as David White. He gives you a slightly critical look before shaking your hand. He introduces himself as Dr. Anthony Hayes. English. Mid 40s. Either doesn't like you or just doesn't like Americans. \u000aMD? You ask him. \u201cNo, Psychology.\u201d He voice is cool and clipped. He really doesn't like you. You glance at the large suitcase in his hand and he shifts his weight on his feet. \u201cAh... Books. I'm an avid reader. In fact, this bag is rather heavy. I believe I saw a storage room in the back, I think I'll take the weight off.\u201d He leaves through the back door, suitcase in hand. \u000aCHOICE \u000a1- [[talk to the man in the business suit|7ba1]] \u000a2- [[talk to the man in the overalls|7bb1]] p172 sg59 (lp173 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I14 I48 I6 I5 I271 I1 tp174 (dp175 tp176 Rp177 sg66 g177 sg67 V7b p178 sbsa(dp179 g12 I00 sg13 (lp180 I1690 aI150 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p181 (dp182 g57 VThis man returns your handshake firmly with a bored but polite smile. Lukas Tessler, he says. He's a lawyer, here to meet the host Mr. Jameson who contacted him seeking legal advice. Tessler asks you a few casual questions about yourself, and you give him your businessman story. He turns back into his conversation of local architecture with the blonde, and you glance him over. Mid 40s, medium build, middle range suit. Must do well enough for himself, but not stellar. Very controlled way of speaking, but that may just go with the profession. He didn't say what legal advise was being requested, and you didn't ask. \u000a[[continue on|7ba12]] p183 sg59 (lp184 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I14 I49 I4 I5 I271 I1 tp185 (dp186 tp187 Rp188 sg66 g188 sg67 V7ba1 p189 sbsa(dp190 g12 I00 sg13 (lp191 I1830 aI150 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p192 (dp193 g57 VThis man is not so much engaged in the conversation as he is pretending to be. He's standing with his arms crossed over his chest, nodding occasionally but at odd times. When you introduce yourself as David White, traveling businessman, he hesitates before shaking your hand. \u201cI'm Mikhail Czyks,\u201d his local accent is strong and genuine. \u201cMr. Jameson called my agency and they sent me here to do repairs. This place is falling apart, what can they want me to do?\u201d You glance around the decaying room in sympathy. Yeah, it's in bad shape, you agree. They didn't tell you anything about what you're supposed to do? \u201cNo, nothing. Man came, picked up and others up from train station, and we come up here and wait.\u201d Hmmm... he seems genuine enough. Age could be early 40s or a weathered late 30s. Tall but with a rail thin build, his clothes are practically falling off him. Definitely poor. Probably came all the way up here in the middle of a snowstorm because he just needs the job that bad. You give him a friendly pat on the shoulder and tell him as soon as you see Mr. Jameson you'll send him his way. Mikhail nods in gratitude. \u000a \u000a[[continue|8]] p194 sg59 (lp195 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I14 I50 I29 I5 I271 I1 tp196 (dp197 tp198 Rp199 sg66 g199 sg67 V7ba12 p200 sbsa(dp201 g12 I00 sg13 (lp202 I1690 aI290 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p203 (dp204 g57 VThis man is not so much engaged in the conversation as he is pretending to be. He's standing with his arms crossed over his chest, nodding occasionally but at odd times. When you introduce yourself as David White, traveling businessman, he hesitates before shaking your hand. \u201cI'm Mikhail Czyks,\u201d his local accent is strong and genuine. \u201cMr. Jameson called my agency and they sent me here to do repairs. This place is falling apart, what can they want me to do?\u201d You glance around the decaying room in sympathy. Yeah, it's in bad shape, you agree. They didn't tell you anything about what you're supposed to do? \u201cNo, nothing. Man came, picked up and others up from train station, and we come up here and wait.\u201d Hmmm... he seems genuine enough. Age could be early 40s or a weathered late 30s. Tall but with a rail thin build, his clothes are practically falling off him. Definitely poor. Probably came all the way up here in the middle of a snowstorm because he just needs the job that bad. You give him a friendly pat on the shoulder and tell him as soon as you see Mr. Jameson you'll send him his way. Mikhail nods in gratitude. \u000a \u000a[[continue on|7bb12]] p205 sg59 (lp206 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I14 I51 I19 I5 I271 I1 tp207 (dp208 tp209 Rp210 sg66 g210 sg67 V7bb1 p211 sbsa(dp212 g12 I00 sg13 (lp213 I1830 aI290 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p214 (dp215 g57 VThis man returns your handshake firmly with a bored but polite smile. Lukas Tessler, he says. He's a lawyer, here to meet the host Mr. Jameson who contacted him seeking legal advice. Tessler asks you a few casual questions about yourself, and you give him your businessman story. He turns back into his conversation of local architecture with the blonde, and you glance him over. Mid 40s, medium build, middle range suit. Must do well enough for himself, but not stellar. Very controlled way of speaking, but that may just go with the profession. He didn't say what legal advise was being requested, and you didn't ask. \u000a \u000a[[continue|8]] p216 sg59 (lp217 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I14 I53 I24 I5 I271 I1 tp218 (dp219 tp220 Rp221 sg66 g221 sg67 V7bb12 p222 sbsa(dp223 g12 I00 sg13 (lp224 I1970 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p225 (dp226 g57 VHaving met everyone, you take the chance to try and slip out the door at the back and find the basement. \u000a \u000a[[continue|9]] p227 sg59 (lp228 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I14 I54 I25 I5 I271 I1 tp229 (dp230 tp231 Rp232 sg66 g232 sg67 V8 p233 sbsa(dp234 g12 I00 sg13 (lp235 I2110 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p236 (dp237 g57 VEasier said than done, because no sooner than you started to sidle towards that second door than the first door burst open and two more people rush in, brushing the thick layer of snow off their clothes with great fanfare. It's a man and a woman, both well dressed, mid 30s perhaps, and it seems like they're deliberately making as big an entrance as they can. \u000a \u000aThe woman turns to the crowd, a look of fake surprise on her pretty face. \u201cOh! Josef, look! The others' are here already!\u201d The man next to her hangs up their coats and walks to her side, conspicuously placing an arm around her waist. \u201cI certainly hope we aren't too late, we'd hate to have kept you all waiting.\u201d His voice and smile are every bit as insincere as the woman. \u000a \u000a[[continue|10]] p238 sg59 (lp239 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I14 I57 I36 I5 I271 I1 tp240 (dp241 tp242 Rp243 sg66 g243 sg67 V9 p244 sbsa(dp245 g12 I00 sg13 (lp246 I2250 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p247 (dp248 g57 VThe blonde (Nicola, you remind yourself) steps up and introduces herself to them, just as she did to you. The new woman laughs and kisses her on both cheeks. The blonde seems caught off guard but quickly regains her composure. \u201cAnd you must be Mr. Jameson then?\u201d she addresses the man. The couple both laugh as if on que. \u201cOf course you all must know my husband, Josef Resnik, yes? He's been on all the popular shows!\u201d \u000a \u000a\u201cSo, you're not-\u201d the blonde starts to speak, but is interrupted by a flutter of the other woman\u2019s hand. \u201cWell, I'm Petra. Petra Resnik, and don't be telling anyone but I've just been scheduled onto next seasons Celebrity Watch!\u201d She makes a finger to the lips gesture. \u000a \u000aCHOICE \u000a1) [[introduce yourself|10a]] \u000a2) [[keep watching|10b]] p249 sg59 (lp250 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I14 I58 I41 I5 I271 I1 tp251 (dp252 tp253 Rp254 sg66 g254 sg67 V10 p255 sbsa(dp256 g12 I00 sg13 (lp257 I2390 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p258 (dp259 g57 VYou approach the odd couple and introduce yourself. They greet you warmly, a sparkle in their eyes as soon as you say you're an American. The man, Josef, chats unpleasantries with you about the worsening weather and the woman, Petra, begins loudly introducing herself again to the remaining guests. The Warden rolls his eyes and fills up another glass of wine. While you are talking about how much snow may fall by morning, you surreptitiously look the newcomers over. Both early to mid 30s. Expensive clothes but cheap coats hung on the wall. Possibly expensive shoes but they're covered in snow and mud. Did they walk here? The man is tall and muscular. Probably spends as much time at the gym as he does slicking back his hair. You suppose he's got the popular sort of look now. The woman is undeniable pretty, but heavily made up and with dark eye makeup and bright red lips. Her black hair is styled in loose waves, slightly unkempt from the hat she'd been wearing. Both are speaking very controlled, like they're reading lines off a script. You make a mental note to keep an eye on these two, whatever their game is, and you head to the back door again. \u000a \u000a[[continue|11]] p260 sg59 (lp261 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I14 I59 I14 I5 I271 I1 tp262 (dp263 tp264 Rp265 sg66 g265 sg67 V10a p266 sbsa(dp267 g12 I00 sg13 (lp268 I2390 aI150 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p269 (dp270 g57 VThese two are putting on a show alright. All eyes are on them and that seems to be how they want it. The woman, Petra, begins loudly introducing herself again to the remaining guests. The Warden rolls his eyes and fills up another glass of wine. You wouldn't mind a drink yourself, but you don't want to let the Warden get too close of a look at you. The man of the couple, Mr. Famous Guyovich or whatever his name was, starts shamelessly flirting with the blonde, ignoring his wife completely. Good to see romance isn't dead. \u000a \u000a[[continue|10b1]] p271 sg59 (lp272 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I14 I59 I16 I5 I271 I1 tp273 (dp274 tp275 Rp276 sg66 g276 sg67 V10b p277 sbsa(dp278 g12 I00 sg13 (lp279 I2530 aI150 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p280 (dp281 g57 VYou step to the side and surreptitiously look the newcomers over. Both early to mid 30s. Expensive clothes but cheap coats hung on the wall. Possibly expensive shoes but they're covered in snow and mud. Did they walk here? The man is tall, muscular, probably spends as much time at the gym as he does slicking back his hair. You suppose he's got the popular sort of look now. The woman is undeniable pretty, but heavily made up and with dark eye makeup and bright red lips. Both are speaking very controlled, like they're reading lines off a script. You make a mental note to keep an eye on these two, whatever their game is, and you head to the back door again. \u000a \u000a[[continue|11]] p282 sg59 (lp283 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I1 I14 I5 I271 I1 tp284 (dp285 tp286 Rp287 sg66 g287 sg67 V10b1 p288 sbsa(dp289 g12 I00 sg13 (lp290 I2670 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p291 (dp292 g57 VNot fast enough though. The sound of an engine pulling up stirs the apathetic group into attention. It sounds different from a normal vehicle engine. A small jeep, maybe? You hear the sound of a metal door being opened by the side of the building and the vehicle pulling into the adjoining garage. \u000a\u201cOh, I hope it's not another paparazzi! I was so hoping for a nice quiet evening!\u201d That would be Petra making a scene, of course. \u201cDon't worry\u201d, her husband grandly reassures her ,\u201dwe'll just give them our autographs and send them on their way.\u201d \u000a \u000aYikes. You and the Mechanic in overalls exchange a head shake at the duo. \u000a \u000a[[continue|12]] p293 sg59 (lp294 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I1 I45 I5 I271 I1 tp295 (dp296 tp297 Rp298 sg66 g298 sg67 V11 p299 sbsa(dp300 g12 I00 sg13 (lp301 I2810 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p302 (dp303 g57 VTwo men walk through the door at the back, surprising you slightly. There must be an entrance to the garage that way. The first man is about your height and build, though it's hard to tell under his heavy coat. He walks part way into the room and surveys the surprised looks on the guests faces. The second man comes in moments behind him. Tall and muscled and wearing a policeman's uniform. You instinctively back away a few steps, only to realize the first man was watching your reaction. Damnit. \u000a \u000a[[continue|13]] p304 sg59 (lp305 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I2 I36 I5 I271 I1 tp306 (dp307 tp308 Rp309 sg66 g309 sg67 V12 p310 sbsa(dp311 g12 I00 sg13 (lp312 I2950 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p313 (dp314 g57 V\u201cWell?\u201d the tall man demands, \u201cand just what are you all doing in here?\u201d You've been asking yourself the same question, actually. You wait for the perky blonde to ask which one's the host, but it's the Warden who beats her to the greetings. \u201cWe were all invited here to meet a Mr. Jameson,\u201d he starts ,\u201dand you are?\u201d. The question was polite enough but it draws an angry glare from the policeman. \u201cI'm Officer Damator,\u201d local name and accent ,\u201dmy associate and I have come up here to see what you are all doing in a condemned building.\u201d \u000aThe first man hasn't said a word. \u000a \u000a[[continue|14]] p315 sg59 (lp316 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I3 I20 I5 I271 I1 tp317 (dp318 tp319 Rp320 sg66 g320 sg67 V13 p321 sbsa(dp322 g12 I00 sg13 (lp323 I3090 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p324 (dp325 g57 V\u201cWell, my wife and I were invited here to a party,\u201d the man of the celebrity couple joins in. \u201cThough I have to say this isn't quite what we were expecting.\u201d \u201cYes, we rather thought there'd be a different sort of person here,\u201d the wife smiles sweetly at the Psychologist she was talking to, who looks mildly offended. The cop gives them the look you give something unpleasant on the bottom of your shoe. \u000a \u000aCHOICE \u000a#1 [[Wait and watch what happens|14a]] \u000a \u000a#2 [[Try to slip away|14b]] p326 sg59 (lp327 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I4 I0 I5 I271 I1 tp328 (dp329 tp330 Rp331 sg66 g331 sg67 V14 p332 sbsa(dp333 g12 I00 sg13 (lp334 I3370 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p335 (dp336 g57 VYou shift to the side of the room and pour yourself a glass of red wine from the serving table. No snacks anywhere. What kind of cheap party is this? \u000aThe blonde is repeating the story of how they were invited here by a Mr. Jameson whom nobody seems to know much about. He should have arrived here already, perhaps he was delayed by the snowstorm? The policeman's associate speaks for the first time and says there's a blizzard scheduled overnight and everyone needs to return to town. How did they even get here anyhow, there were no other vehicles in the garage? Apparently the original five were dropped off by some driver who picked them up at the train station in town. \u000a \u000aYou've heard enough. No one's paying you any attention, so you start very casually moving over towards the back door. \u000a \u000a[[continue|14b]] p337 sg59 (lp338 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I5 I8 I5 I271 I1 tp339 (dp340 tp341 Rp342 sg66 g342 sg67 V14a p343 sbsa(dp344 g12 I00 sg13 (lp345 I3230 aI150 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p346 (dp347 g57 V\u201cAre you looking for something?\u201d the voice of the Warden stops you just as your hand's on the doorknob. You turn slightly and give him a little smile which he doesn't return. \u201cYeah, the restroom. It's back here isn't it?\u201d You're confident in your American accent, but its just too much a coincidence, meeting your old prison warden here of all places. \u000a \u000a\u201cYou know...\u201d he starts, \u201cthere's something very familiar about you. Have we met before?\u201d You can't tell if he's genuinely asking or just fucking with you. You tell him your David White, American Businessman story. He shakes your hand with an iron grip, \u201cnice to meet you, Mr. White.\u201d Shit, he knows exactly who you are... \u000a \u000aThen the lights go out. \u000a \u000a[[continue|15]] p348 sg59 (lp349 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I5 I27 I5 I271 I1 tp350 (dp351 tp352 Rp353 sg66 g353 sg67 V14b p354 sbsa(dp355 g12 I00 sg13 (lp356 I3510 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p357 (dp358 g57 VIt's pitch black inside this windowless concrete structure. Amidst the agitated grumbles you hear the wife of the couple theatrically wail \u201coh dear oh dear\u201d. The repairman turns on a small flashlight he'd had on his belt and the Lawyer opens the front door to let a little bit of light in. \u000a \u000aSomeone clicks at the light switch a few times. \u201cNo, nothing,\u201d it's the Doctor, Dr. Tesler, voice. The Mechanic suggests maybe they blew a fuse, it's such an old building after all. You don't mention how the wiring was clearly new. You can feel the Wardens eyes in the back of your head, like he's expecting you to run at any second. Which was an idea that had crossed your mind. \u000a \u000a[[continue|16]] p359 sg59 (lp360 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I6 I30 I5 I271 I1 tp361 (dp362 tp363 Rp364 sg66 g364 sg67 V15 p365 sbsa(dp366 g12 I00 sg13 (lp367 I3650 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p368 (dp369 g57 VThe Policeman sighs and says something to the repairman in Russian. You can pick up enough words to figure out they're going to look for a fusebox. He whispers some instructions to his associate as he leaves with the repairman through the back door. \u000aGuess you're going to have to wait to find that basement... \u000a \u000a[[continue|17]] p370 sg59 (lp371 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I6 I50 I5 I271 I1 tp372 (dp373 tp374 Rp375 sg66 g375 sg67 V16 p376 sbsa(dp377 g12 I00 sg13 (lp378 I3790 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p379 (dp380 g57 VThe associate tells everyone to remain calm, the lights will be back on shortly. He's going to go out an get their emergency flashlight from their snowmobile. Ah, a snowmobile, that explains the odd sounding motor you'd heard. \u000a \u000a[[continue|18]] p381 sg59 (lp382 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I7 I27 I5 I271 I1 tp383 (dp384 tp385 Rp386 sg66 g386 sg67 V17 p387 sbsa(dp388 g12 I00 sg13 (lp389 I3930 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p390 (dp391 g57 VAs soon as his rather imposing presence leaves, the others stir into action. The Lawyer says he's going to try to find cellphone reception somewhere. The \u201ccelebrity\u201d couple, Resniks was their last name, go outside for a smoke. The Doctor mutters something about wanting to make sure no one was in his luggage. He shakily walks back into the pitch black hallway. If you didn't know any better, you'd swear he's been shooting up. \u000a \u000a[[continue|19]] p392 sg59 (lp393 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I8 I4 I5 I271 I1 tp394 (dp395 tp396 Rp397 sg66 g397 sg67 V18 p398 sbsa(dp399 g12 I00 sg13 (lp400 I4070 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p401 (dp402 g57 VWith both exits blocked by people, you're stuck in this room until the lights come back on. The Warden is hovering behind you, waiting for you to make a move, and the blonde is looking out the door at the storm. It's odd that she hasn't gone outside to wait and instead is staying in a dark room with two strange men... \u000a \u000aCHOICE \u000a#1 [[Talk to the Warden, get it over with|19a]] \u000a \u000a#2 [[Talk to the Blonde|19b]] \u000a p403 sg59 (lp404 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I9 I6 I5 I271 I1 tp405 (dp406 tp407 Rp408 sg66 g408 sg67 V19 p409 sbsa(dp410 g12 I00 sg13 (lp411 I4210 aI150 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p412 (dp413 g57 VYour conversation with the Warden doesn't go like you thought it would. In fact, he spends most of his time talking about himself and how he's out here looking for an escaped criminal. Is there a bounty out for him? Yes, I believe so, but that's not what this is about. This man publicly humiliated me, cost me my job. I want to see him brought to justice. \u000a \u000a[[continue|19a1]] p414 sg59 (lp415 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I9 I41 I5 I271 I1 tp416 (dp417 tp418 Rp419 sg66 g419 sg67 V19a p420 sbsa(dp421 g12 I00 sg13 (lp422 I4210 aI290 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p423 (dp424 g57 VYou casually approach the woman and ask her wouldn't she be more comfortable outside? \u201cWhy, am I in danger around you?\u201d she answers flirting and you wish you could see her eyes in the dark room to gauge her real opinion. No, no, of course not, you're just looking out for her. You can feel the Warden hovering nearby, but you try to keep your voice casual. She says she's staying in here, doesn't want to have to deal with the famous couple. \u201cHave you heard of them?\u201d she asks. No, I'm an American, here on business. I don't watch much local TV. \u201cMe neither,\u201d she says,\u201dthis is my first time to Russia, too. I'm here looking for someone, actually-\u201d \u000a\u201cIs this a private chat, or can I dive in?\u201d the Warden interrupts, \u201cyou said you're an American, is that right?\u201d The question's directed at you. \u000a \u000a-[[give him your cover story|19b1]] p425 sg59 (lp426 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I9 I43 I5 I271 I1 tp427 (dp428 tp429 Rp430 sg66 g430 sg67 V19b p431 sbsa(dp432 g12 I00 sg13 (lp433 I4350 aI150 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p434 (dp435 g57 VWhat's clear is that you both know who the other is. You're not sure why he hasn't done anything yet and instead keeps up this strange \u201cgetting to know you\u201d charade, but you're damn sure not going to make the first move. Play your cards right, maybe you can pin something on him and give him the slip. \u000aYou're also acutely aware that the Blonde is listening to both your every words, pretending to check her nails or some nonsense while leaning against the wall in the dim light. \u000aAfter a few more uncomfortable minutes of reciting fake history while listening to your real one, the lights finally come back on. \u000a \u000a[[continue|20]] p436 sg59 (lp437 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I10 I57 I5 I271 I1 tp438 (dp439 tp440 Rp441 sg66 g441 sg67 V19a1 p442 sbsa(dp443 g12 I00 sg13 (lp444 I4350 aI290 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p445 (dp446 g57 VYou dive into your small town family-man story, throwing in little bits of real details just for authenticity. The Blonde seems genuinely interested, a complete 180 from her boredom the first time you spoke to her. \u000a You're sure the Warden knows who you are, and you brace yourself to have to try and make a run for it, hide out in the woods and come back later. But he hardly asks you anything, simply nodding as you describe how you're hoping for a raise after you return home. In fact, the Warden spends most of his time talking about himself and how he's out here looking for an escaped criminal. \u000a\u201cIs there a bounty out for him?\u201d you ask. \u000a"Yes, I believe so," he says ,"but that's not what this is about. This man publicly humiliated me, cost me my job. I want to see him brought to justice.\u201d \u000a \u000a[[continue|19b2]] p447 sg59 (lp448 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I12 I40 I5 I271 I1 tp449 (dp450 tp451 Rp452 sg66 g452 sg67 V19b1 p453 sbsa(dp454 g12 I00 sg13 (lp455 I4490 aI290 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p456 (dp457 g57 VWhat's clear is that you both know who the other is. You're not sure why he hasn't tried something yet and instead keeps up this strange \u201cgetting to know you\u201d charade, but you're damn sure not going to make the first move. Play your cards right, maybe you can pin something on him and give him the slip. \u000aYou're also acutely aware that the Blonde is listening to both your every words, pretending to check her nails or some nonsense while leaning against the wall in the dim light. \u000a \u000aAfter a few more uncomfortable minutes of reciting fake history while listening to your real one, the lights finally come back on. \u000a \u000a[[continue|20]] p458 sg59 (lp459 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I13 I30 I5 I271 I1 tp460 (dp461 tp462 Rp463 sg66 g463 sg67 V19b2 p464 sbsa(dp465 g12 I00 sg13 (lp466 I4630 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p467 (dp468 g57 VThe Policeman comes back in, saying he found a fuse box and left the Repairman to fix it. Where is his partner? You tell him he went to get a flashlight from the snowmobile and the Policeman frowns. He told him to keep everyone in here. Where is everyone, anyhow? \u000aThe only people left in the room are you and the pretty Blonde. The Warden skipped out to join the married couple for a smoke break as soon as the cop returned. Guess he has a problem with the law also, no surprise there. \u000a \u000a[[continue|21]] p469 sg59 (lp470 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I14 I13 I5 I271 I1 tp471 (dp472 tp473 Rp474 sg66 g474 sg67 V20 p475 sbsa(dp476 g12 I00 sg13 (lp477 I4770 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p478 (dp479 g57 VThe Doctor returns from the back door and mutters something about how he doesn't trust his luggage around \u201call these locals\u201d. The Policeman gives him an icy look and the Blonde comments that the snow's really starting to fall. Shouldn't they maybe call someone to pick them up? It doesn't look like Mr. Jameson's going to be making it today. \u000a \u000aSuddenly Tesler, the Lawyer, rushes in, breathless and wild eyed. He shouts that he was just downstairs and there's been a terrible accident! Somebody, call a medic! The Policeman says there's no reception up here on this mountain, what's going on? \u000a \u000a\u201cIt's that local guy, the repairman,\u201d Tesler says rapidly, \u201cI went down to see if he needed help with the lights and he'd fallen over. There was blood! Please, we must help him!\u201d \u000a \u000aCHOICE \u000a[[#1 stay quiet|21a]] \u000a \u000a[[#2 offer to help|21b]] p480 sg59 (lp481 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I18 I18 I5 I271 I1 tp482 (dp483 tp484 Rp485 sg66 g485 sg67 V21 p486 sbsa(dp487 g12 I00 sg13 (lp488 I4910 aI150 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p489 (dp490 g57 VThe Warden and the Couple rush in, alerted by all the ruckus. The Policeman glances for his partner who's still not here, and tells everyone to stay in this room. Then he and the Lawyer hurry downstairs. \u000aYou need to see what's going on for yourself, so you tell the others you're going to help. The Warden and Blonde join you, talking something about \u201cknowing some first aid\u201d. \u000a \u000a[[continue|22]] p491 sg59 (lp492 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I19 I21 I5 I271 I1 tp493 (dp494 tp495 Rp496 sg66 g496 sg67 V21a p497 sbsa(dp498 g12 I00 sg13 (lp499 I4910 aI290 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p500 (dp501 g57 VYou offer to help the Policeman, telling him you know a little first aid. The Warden and the Couple rush in, alerted by all the ruckus. The Policeman hesitates than nods tersely, telling the others to stay in this room. You hurry with him and the Lawyer downstairs, followed by the Warden and Blonde who've decided to have a look for themselves. \u000a \u000a[[continue|22]] p502 sg59 (lp503 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I19 I44 I5 I271 I1 tp504 (dp505 tp506 Rp507 sg66 g507 sg67 V21b p508 sbsa(dp509 g12 I00 sg13 (lp510 I5050 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p511 (dp512 g57 VThe door from the main room opens to a narrow, windowless hallway with two doors and a staircase going up between them. The first door is marked \u201cgarage\u201d in Russian, , the staircase goes spiraling up and you can't see what's at the top, but half way is a flat landing and a side door marked \u201cstorage\u201d. The door at the end of your hallway is slightly opened, and you see a short flight of stairs going down into the basement. \u000a \u000a[[continue|23]] p513 sg59 (lp514 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I20 I11 I5 I271 I1 tp515 (dp516 tp517 Rp518 sg66 g518 sg67 V22 p519 sbsa(dp520 g12 I00 sg13 (lp521 I5190 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p522 (dp523 g57 VThe Repairman is lying slumped on the ground, a spray of fresh blood against the crumbling wall next to an electrical panel. The Blonde gasps and hangs back, and the Lawyer looks sick to his stomach and kicks at the floor. The Policeman gently turns the Repairman over and mutters a curse in Russian. \u201cHe's dead,\u201d he informs the room. \u000a \u000aYou look over his shoulder and see the side of the man's face caved in. The Warden approaches behind you,\u201dCould... Could he have tripped and fallen? When the lights were out?\u201d The Policeman says he left him here and when the lights came back on, he said that there was nothing wrong with the fusebox and he wanted to look at it some more. \u000a \u000aCHOICE \u000a \u000a#1 [[look around the room|23a]] \u000a \u000a#2 [[examine the body|23b]] p524 sg59 (lp525 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I25 I11 I5 I271 I1 tp526 (dp527 tp528 Rp529 sg66 g529 sg67 V23 p530 sbsa(dp531 g12 I00 sg13 (lp532 I5330 aI150 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p533 (dp534 g57 VYou glance at the corner where your partner hid the money. You see it: the slightly off color floor tile, partially covered up by an empty metal tool cabinet. It looks untouched. \u000a \u000a[[examine the body|23ab]] \u000a p535 sg59 (lp536 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I26 I5 I5 I271 I1 tp537 (dp538 tp539 Rp540 sg66 g540 sg67 V23a p541 sbsa(dp542 g12 I00 sg13 (lp543 I5470 aI150 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p544 (dp545 g57 VThere's no way this man could have tripped and fell. The wound's angled from the back and there's nothing for him to hit his head on. Than you see it: a metal fire extinguisher, placed upright nearby, with blood shining on it. Next to it is the Repairman's little flashlight, crushed like someone stepped on it. \u000a \u000a[[continue|24]] \u000a p546 sg59 (lp547 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I27 I12 I5 I271 I1 tp548 (dp549 tp550 Rp551 sg66 g551 sg67 V23ab p552 sbsa(dp553 g12 I00 sg13 (lp554 I5330 aI290 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p555 (dp556 g57 VThere's no way this man could have tripped and fell. The wound's angled from the back and there's nothing for him to hit his head on. Than you see it: a metal fire extinguisher, placed upright nearby, with blood shining on it. Next to it is the Repairman's little flashlight, crushed like someone stepped on it. \u000a \u000a[[look around the room|23bb]] p557 sg59 (lp558 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I28 I6 I5 I271 I1 tp559 (dp560 tp561 Rp562 sg66 g562 sg67 V23b p563 sbsa(dp564 g12 I00 sg13 (lp565 I5470 aI290 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p566 (dp567 g57 VYou glance at the corner where your partner hid the money. You see it: the slightly off color floor tile, partially covered up by an empty metal tool cabinet. It looks untouched. \u000a \u000a[[continue|24]] \u000a p568 sg59 (lp569 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I28 I56 I5 I271 I1 tp570 (dp571 tp572 Rp573 sg66 g573 sg67 V23bb p574 sbsa(dp575 g12 I00 sg13 (lp576 I5610 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p577 (dp578 g57 VThe Policeman and you exchange a look. This wasn't an accident, was it? He says nothing, and gently sets the body back down. \u000a\u201cWhat's that on his hand?\u201d the Blonde asks, getting over her shock quickly. Someone's placed a large metal key in the dead man's hand. She gingerly reaches out and takes it, turning it over in her palm \u201cThe tag on it says \u201cPlanetarium\u201d, she tells the Policeman who glances up at the ceiling. \u000a\u201cWe're going to go back upstairs and tell the others,\u201d he orders. \u000a \u000aCHOICE \u000a \u000a#1 [[go upstairs|24a]] \u000a \u000a#2 [[stay behind|24b]] p579 sg59 (lp580 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I29 I20 I5 I271 I1 tp581 (dp582 tp583 Rp584 sg66 g584 sg67 V24 p585 sbsa(dp586 g12 I00 sg13 (lp587 I5750 aI150 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p588 (dp589 g57 VYou follow the Policeman up, glancing back at the grizzly scene. The Blonde is scanning the room, taking it all in, but hurries to leave with the rest of the group. Doesn't want to be alone with the body and you don't blame her. The Warden is giving you an accusing look, as if he thinks you did this somehow despite not having gotten out of his sights once since arriving. \u000a \u000a[[continue|25]] p590 sg59 (lp591 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I30 I23 I5 I271 I1 tp592 (dp593 tp594 Rp595 sg66 g595 sg67 V24a p596 sbsa(dp597 g12 I00 sg13 (lp598 I5890 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p599 (dp600 g57 VThe Celebrity Couple is standing by the table in the main room, knocking back glasses of wine. \u201cWhere is my partner?\u201d the Policeman barks at them sharply. \u201cWhat? We haven't seen him!\u201d The man says, clearly not used to being talked at in such a tone. The woman asks what's wrong and the Blonde tells her the Repairman had an accident \u201cIt was no accident,\u201d the policeman growls ,\u201dsomeone bashed his head in!\u201d \u000a \u000aThe woman, Petra, drops her glass in shock ,\u201dWHAT?!\u201d she shouts. \u201cYou can't be serious!\u201d You're a pretty good judge of character, and for once the reactions of these two seems genuine. They had no idea what was going on. Or are better actors than you thought. \u000a \u000a[[continue|26]] p601 sg59 (lp602 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I30 I42 I5 I271 I1 tp603 (dp604 tp605 Rp606 sg66 g606 sg67 V25 p607 sbsa(dp608 g12 I00 sg13 (lp609 I5750 aI290 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p610 (dp611 g57 VYou linger behind, pretending to shake your head and study the grizzly scene. The Blonde hangs back with you and is about to say something when the Policeman barks ,\u201dOut! All of you! This is a crime scene!\u201d You both hurry up, the Blonde not meeting your eyes. In the hallway the Warden is giving you an accusing look, as if he thinks you did this somehow despite not having gotten out of his sights once since arriving. \u000a \u000a[[continue|25]] \u000a p612 sg59 (lp613 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I30 I49 I5 I271 I1 tp614 (dp615 tp616 Rp617 sg66 g617 sg67 V24b p618 sbsa(dp619 g12 I00 sg13 (lp620 I6030 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p621 (dp622 g57 VJust then, the partner returns from outside, kicking heavy clumps of snow off his boots. The Policeman demands to know where he was. \u000aThe other man looks slightly surprised. \u201cI went to get the spare flashlight from the snowmobile,\u201d he explains. \u201cWhen the lights came back on I went outside to look at the storm. It's getting pretty bad, maybe we should come back tom-\u201d \u000a\u201cBut the Repairman's dead!\u201d the Wife blurts out, and her husband wraps an arm around her shoulders. \u000aIf the partner has any reaction to her words, you can't see it. \u201cThe Repairman's dead.\u201d he repeats, and you're not sure if it's meant to be a question. \u000a \u000a[[continue|27]] \u000a p623 sg59 (lp624 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I35 I22 I5 I271 I1 tp625 (dp626 tp627 Rp628 sg66 g628 sg67 V26 p629 sbsa(dp630 g12 I00 sg13 (lp631 I6170 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p632 (dp633 g57 VThe Policeman draws his partner aside, quietly explaining to him the situation while gesturing at you and the others with a sort of \u201cstay put\u201d wave of his hand. You realize the Psychologist's missing from the group. Was he here when you first came up? \u000a \u000a[[continue|28]] p634 sg59 (lp635 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I35 I50 I5 I271 I1 tp636 (dp637 tp638 Rp639 sg66 g639 sg67 V27 p640 sbsa(dp641 g12 I00 sg13 (lp642 I6310 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p643 (dp644 g57 VThe Policeman wants to take another look at the key found on the body. Highly doubtful the man died holding this in his hand, why would he when he was in the basement fixing electrical? So the killer put it in his hand and intended for it to be found, just like how the murder weapon was left deliberately on the scene. \u000a \u000a[[continue|29]] p645 sg59 (lp646 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I36 I27 I5 I271 I1 tp647 (dp648 tp649 Rp650 sg66 g650 sg67 V28 p651 sbsa(dp652 g12 I00 sg13 (lp653 I6450 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p654 (dp655 g57 VThe Policeman says that he and his partner are going to go up to the Planetarium and see what they find, everyone else is to STAY HERE and not leave the room. The Lawyer says he found the body, he should see what's up there also, and the Blonde chimes in agreement. \u000aA long pause as the Policeman glances over you all. You almost think you see a little fear in his eyes. Afraid of one of you, or afraid of being ambushed by the killer? \u201cAlright,\u201d he finally says ,\u201dlet's all go up together. At least this way I can keep an eye on you.\u201d \u000a \u000a[[continue|30]] p656 sg59 (lp657 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I37 I7 I5 I271 I1 tp658 (dp659 tp660 Rp661 sg66 g661 sg67 V29 p662 sbsa(dp663 g12 I00 sg13 (lp664 I6590 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p665 (dp666 g57 VYour little procession files into the hallway and you meet Dr. Hayes coming out of the storage room half way up the staircase. \u201cWhere the hell have you been?!\u201d the partner of the Policeman demands, and you see the cop's hand drift to clasp the gun at his hip holster. \u000aThe good doctor seems rather out of it, and he stumbles slightly as he navigates the steps. He says he went to the storage lockers to check on his belongings and make a phone call. Then he heard all this shouting. So someone was just murdered? The question is so blasé he might as well have just asked if it was still snowing. You see a small object in his hand. \u000a \u000aCHOICE \u000a \u000a[[#1 ask what he's holding|30a]] \u000a \u000a[[#2 stay quiet (cont.)|30b]] p667 sg59 (lp668 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I38 I4 I5 I271 I1 tp669 (dp670 tp671 Rp672 sg66 g672 sg67 V30 p673 sbsa(dp674 g12 I00 sg13 (lp675 I6730 aI150 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p676 (dp677 g57 VYou point to his hand, \u201cwhat's that you got there?\u201d. The Policemen tenses by your side, ready to pull his gun out at any moment. Dr. Hayes calmly regards you and flips up his cellphone. It's an old fashioned style, the kind with a little built in flashlight at the top. Oh, so that's how he was able to see in the dark. Handy thing, that. \u000a-[[ask about the phone|30a1]] p678 sg59 (lp679 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I38 I40 I5 I271 I1 tp680 (dp681 tp682 Rp683 sg66 g683 sg67 V30a p684 sbsa(dp685 g12 I00 sg13 (lp686 I6870 aI150 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p687 (dp688 g57 V\u201cGot any reception?\u201d you ask. \u201cWe need to call for assistance.\u201d The Doctor shakes his head and the Policeman glares at you, angry that you're stepping in on his territory. His partner says he had no bars outside, and the Lawyer confirms it. Inside the concrete's blocking the signal and outside it must be due to the storm. \u000a \u000a[[continue|31]] p689 sg59 (lp690 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I39 I30 I5 I271 I1 tp691 (dp692 tp693 Rp694 sg66 g694 sg67 V30a1 p695 sbsa(dp696 g12 I00 sg13 (lp697 I6730 aI290 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p698 (dp699 g57 VThe Policeman scowls at the Doctor who seems entirely unphased. He tells him there was a key placed on the body, everyone's going upstairs together so he can be sure no one thinks about running away. This is a criminal investigation now, you're all suspects. \u000aThe partner shifts to the back of the group and you all proceed single file up the twisting staircase. \u000a \u000a[[continue|31]] p700 sg59 (lp701 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I39 I53 I5 I271 I1 tp702 (dp703 tp704 Rp705 sg66 g705 sg67 V30b p706 sbsa(dp707 g12 I00 sg13 (lp708 I7010 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p709 (dp710 g57 VAt the top is another small landing and a large metal door with a placard of a telescope. Draped around the handle of the door is a heavy metal chain and lock. The Policeman takes the key from the Blonde, glances at his partner who's looming in the background, and opens the lock. \u000a \u000a-[[go inside the planetarium|32]] p711 sg59 (lp712 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I40 I38 I5 I271 I1 tp713 (dp714 tp715 Rp716 sg66 g716 sg67 V31 p717 sbsa(dp718 g12 I00 sg13 (lp719 I7150 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p720 (dp721 g57 VThe room is smaller than you'd expected, a dark and decaying half dome of white painted concrete. There's a single large window to one side, a dust covered pile of bricks and other construction materials next to the door, and the only piece of furniture is a heavy wooden table with an old fashioned projector. One of the black electrical lines runs from the ceiling down to it. \u000a \u000a[[continue|33]] p722 sg59 (lp723 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I40 I59 I5 I271 I1 tp724 (dp725 tp726 Rp727 sg66 g727 sg67 V32 p728 sbsa(dp729 g12 I00 sg13 (lp730 I7290 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p731 (dp732 g57 VThe group gathers inside the room and looks to the Policeman for answers. He seems as surprised as the rest of them. Someone lost their life to bring you up here, but this room just looks like a regular planetarium in an abandoned observatory. \u000a \u000a[[continue|34]] p733 sg59 (lp734 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I41 I45 I5 I271 I1 tp735 (dp736 tp737 Rp738 sg66 g738 sg67 V33 p739 sbsa(dp740 g12 I00 sg13 (lp741 I7430 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p742 (dp743 g57 VAn awkward silence falls over the scene. The Policeman glances at his partner who shrugs. The Lawyer kicks at the floor again. And the married couple hold hands while the Doctor stares absentmindedly out the window. \u000a \u000a-[[turn on the projector|35]] p744 sg59 (lp745 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I42 I4 I5 I271 I1 tp746 (dp747 tp748 Rp749 sg66 g749 sg67 V34 p750 sbsa(dp751 g12 I00 sg13 (lp752 I7570 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p753 (dp754 g57 VGrowing impatient, you walk to the projector and try to figure out where the \u201con\u201d button is. The Policeman joins you and flips a switch on the side. \u000aNothing happens. \u000a \u000aCHOICE \u000a \u000a[[#1 check that its plugged in|35a]] \u000a \u000a[[#2 start hitting buttons|35b]] \u000a \u000a[[#3 give it a smack|35c]] \u000a p755 sg59 (lp756 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I43 I14 I5 I271 I1 tp757 (dp758 tp759 Rp760 sg66 g760 sg67 V35 p761 sbsa(dp762 g12 I00 sg13 (lp763 I7710 aI150 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p764 (dp765 g57 VThe projector's plugged in. It's connected to the same lines as the lights, so if they're on than it should have power. \u000a \u000a[[start hitting buttons|35a1]] p766 sg59 (lp767 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I43 I54 I5 I271 I1 tp768 (dp769 tp770 Rp771 sg66 g771 sg67 V35a p772 sbsa(dp773 g12 I00 sg13 (lp774 I7850 aI150 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p775 (dp776 g57 VYou start pressing different buttons, play, rewind, unknown, can't read the symbol, and the Policeman shoves your hand away in annoyance. He mutter under his breath something less than complimentary about Americans. \u000a \u000a[[give it a smack|35a2]] p777 sg59 (lp778 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I45 I3 I5 I271 I1 tp779 (dp780 tp781 Rp782 sg66 g782 sg67 V35a1 p783 sbsa(dp784 g12 I00 sg13 (lp785 I7990 aI150 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p786 (dp787 g57 VThe wiring may be new, but the device itself looks pretty old. You give it a firm smack on the casing to the side. The machine makes a clicking sound twice than turns on. A video begins to play, projected across the far wall. \u000a \u000a[[continue|36]] p788 sg59 (lp789 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I45 I31 I5 I271 I1 tp790 (dp791 tp792 Rp793 sg66 g793 sg67 V35a2 p794 sbsa(dp795 g12 I00 sg13 (lp796 I7710 aI290 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p797 (dp798 g57 VYou start pressing different buttons, play, rewind, unknown, can't read the symbol, and the Policeman shoves your hand away in annoyance. He mutter under his breath something less than complimentary about Americans. \u000a \u000a[[check that it's plugged in|35b1]] p799 sg59 (lp800 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I46 I25 I5 I271 I1 tp801 (dp802 tp803 Rp804 sg66 g804 sg67 V35b p805 sbsa(dp806 g12 I00 sg13 (lp807 I7850 aI290 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p808 (dp809 g57 VThe projector's plugged in. It's connected to the same lines as the lights, so if they're on than it should have power. \u000a \u000a[[give it a smack|35b2]] p810 sg59 (lp811 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I47 I5 I5 I271 I1 tp812 (dp813 tp814 Rp815 sg66 g815 sg67 V35b1 p816 sbsa(dp817 g12 I00 sg13 (lp818 I7990 aI290 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p819 (dp820 g57 VThe wiring may be new, but the device itself looks pretty old. You give it a firm smack on the casing to the side. The machine makes a clicking sound twice than turns on. A video begins to play, projected across the far wall. \u000a \u000a[[continue|36]] p821 sg59 (lp822 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I47 I34 I5 I271 I1 tp823 (dp824 tp825 Rp826 sg66 g826 sg67 V35b2 p827 sbsa(dp828 g12 I00 sg13 (lp829 I8130 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p830 (dp831 g57 VThe image displayed is fuzzy at first, but the Policeman gives the device a shake and it slowly clears into a portrait of Dr. Hayes, the Psychologist. You stare at the image for a moment, should something be happening? \u000a\u201cIs the sound on?\u201d the Lawyer asks, coming up to join you and the Policeman next to the device. You fiddle with a dial and a computerized sounding voice emanates from small speakers on the walls. \u000a \u000a[[continue|37]] p832 sg59 (lp833 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I48 I3 I5 I271 I1 tp834 (dp835 tp836 Rp837 sg66 g837 sg67 V36 p838 sbsa(dp839 g12 I00 sg13 (lp840 I7710 aI430 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p841 (dp842 g57 VThe wiring may be new, but the device itself looks pretty old. You give it a firm smack on the casing to the side. The machine makes a clicking sound twice than turns on. A video begins to play, projected across the far wall. \u000a \u000a[[continue|36]] p843 sg59 (lp844 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I48 I10 I5 I271 I1 tp845 (dp846 tp847 Rp848 sg66 g848 sg67 VUntitled Passage 9 p849 sbsa(dp850 g12 I00 sg13 (lp851 I8270 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p852 (dp853 g57 VYou've missed the first part of what was being said, but the rest seems to be some sort of accusation: \u000a\u201c-guilty of the charge of having intentionally giving an excessive prescription to a patient known to be suicidal, with the intention of having him overdose. There was a criminal investigation of which you were acquitted, despite the patient's life insurance policy recently being transferred to your benefit.\u201d \u000a \u000a[[continue|38]] p854 sg59 (lp855 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I49 I41 I5 I271 I1 tp856 (dp857 tp858 Rp859 sg66 g859 sg67 V37 p860 sbsa(dp861 g12 I00 sg13 (lp862 I8410 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p863 (dp864 g57 VEveryone turns to stare at the Psychologist, who's crossed his arms and is pouting in the shadows. \u201cWhat?! What are you all-\u201d his eyes dart around the room, taking in the shocked and angry looks from the others. \u201cThey're lies, they're all damn LIES!\u201d He shouts and storms out of the room. \u000a \u000a The Policeman starts to go after him when: \u000a\u201cOfficer Damator.\u201d the machine voice continues, an official looking ID image of the Policeman projected against the wall. The man in question stops and pauses, looking nervously at his reflection. \u201cYou are found guilty of the crime of beating your young wife Masha Damator to death in a drunken rage, then of and abandoning your only child into the welfare system.\u201d \u000a \u000a \u000aThe Policeman looks frantically at his partner who merely raises an eyebrow. \u201cThe is all bullshit!\u201d he declares, stomping away. \u201cKanaks, keep them in here. I need to find that man before he leaves!\u201d And with that he disappears down the stairwell. \u000a \u000aThe Lawyer moves to turn off the projector, and the partner (Kanaks apparently is his name, you note, he'd never introduced himself) stops him. \u201cLet's just see what all this is about.\u201d \u000a \u000a[[continue|39]] p865 sg59 (lp866 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I50 I27 I5 I271 I1 tp867 (dp868 tp869 Rp870 sg66 g870 sg67 V38 p871 sbsa(dp872 g12 I00 sg13 (lp873 I8550 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p874 (dp875 g57 VKanaks himself is the next movie, as it turns out. \u000a\u201cBrock Kanaks, professional bounty hunter\u201d the voice continues, and you raise your eyebrows at his title. \u201c You are found guilty of intentionally and unlawfully killing a suspect who was being uncooperative of arrest, and then using your police connections to cover up the crime.\u201d \u000aTo your surprise you see him nod slightly at his accusation. That's not a good sign. \u000a \u000a[[continue|40]] p876 sg59 (lp877 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I52 I47 I5 I271 I1 tp878 (dp879 tp880 Rp881 sg66 g881 sg67 V39 p882 sbsa(dp883 g12 I00 sg13 (lp884 I8690 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p885 (dp886 g57 VThe Lawyer's face is next, with an image that looks like it was taken out of a newspaper article. \u000a\u201cLukas Tesler, you are found guilty of defending in a court of law the innocence of a man you knew to be guilty. He was freed of charges and upon his release killed an innocent woman and her two children.\u201d \u000aTesler backs away from the projector as if he was afraid it would bite him, his face pale and stricken. \u000a \u000a[[continue|41]] p887 sg59 (lp888 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I53 I34 I5 I271 I1 tp889 (dp890 tp891 Rp892 sg66 g892 sg67 V40 p893 sbsa(dp894 g12 I00 sg13 (lp895 I8830 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p896 (dp897 g57 VYour own turn is next. Your image, your mugshot from your arrest, is displayed across the wall and you know what's coming: \u000a\u201cWilliam D. Wilson, international bank robber and fugitive.\u201d You can't stop the flinch at the use of your real name, and the knowledge that the Warden can confirm everything the voice is about to say.\u201dYou are found guilty of the crime of leaving your partner to die during a shootout with the police. His death could have been avoided if you'd stayed to perform emergency care .\u201d \u000aThat wasn't the whole story of what happened, but it was true. Your partner had been shot through the chest, and as he was dying he told you the truth: the money he'd hidden wasn't buried in a well in the grounds here like his map had indicated, but really under the floor of the basement. He'd confessed he'd planned on shooting you and taking all the 10 million for himself, but with his last breaths he told you the truth and he wanted you to have the money and split with his daughter, his only living relative. Maybe if you'd stayed behind you could have performed CPR or done something for him, but that would have guaranteed you being caught and spending the rest of your life behind bars. \u000a \u000aCHOICE \u000a \u000a[[#1 refute the accusation|41a]] \u000a[[#2 stay silent|41b]] p898 sg59 (lp899 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I53 I52 I5 I271 I1 tp900 (dp901 tp902 Rp903 sg66 g903 sg67 V41 p904 sbsa(dp905 g12 I00 sg13 (lp906 I8970 aI150 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p907 (dp908 g57 V\u201cIt's not true,\u201d you tell the others, though most of them are paying you little attention. Knowing their turn is next. \u201cThey used the name William Wilson,\u201d the Warden points out. You're about to argue and then the next video comes on... \u000a \u000a[[continue|42]] p909 sg59 (lp910 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I54 I43 I5 I271 I1 tp911 (dp912 tp913 Rp914 sg66 g914 sg67 V41a p915 sbsa(dp916 g12 I00 sg13 (lp917 I8970 aI290 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p918 (dp919 g57 VYou press your lips tightly together. Saying anything would be worse than saying nothing. You can feel the presence of the Warden behind you. \u201cThey used the name William Wilson,\u201d he points out. You're about to argue and then the next video comes on... \u000a \u000a[[continue|42]] p920 sg59 (lp921 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I54 I59 I5 I271 I1 tp922 (dp923 tp924 Rp925 sg66 g925 sg67 V41b p926 sbsa(dp927 g12 I00 sg13 (lp928 I9110 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p929 (dp930 g57 VIt's the Wardens'. Of course it is. \u000a\u201cWarden Leon Abrusti: you are guilty of overlooking repeated instances of guard brutality to inmates during your leadership of a maximum security prison. When one of these instances lead to the death of a prisoner, you filed the papers as being a suicide.\u201d \u000aAbrusti says nothing. You stare at him and he stares at you. \u000a \u000a[[continue|43]] p931 sg59 (lp932 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I55 I39 I5 I271 I1 tp933 (dp934 tp935 Rp936 sg66 g936 sg67 V42 p937 sbsa(dp938 g12 I00 sg13 (lp939 I9250 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p940 (dp941 g57 V\u201cIva and Bogdhan Franc\u201d it's the two celebrities turn now, and you can't remember their names but it sure wasn't what the tape just called them. \u201cYou are guilty of conning a Czech business owner out of his life saving and causing his companies bankruptcy. When you left Prague, the man shot himself and his wife jumped off a bridge.\u201d \u000aAt this, the woman of the couple screams and rushes out of the room, her husband chasing after her. \u000a \u000a[[continue|44]] p942 sg59 (lp943 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I55 I44 I5 I271 I1 tp944 (dp945 tp946 Rp947 sg66 g947 sg67 V43 p948 sbsa(dp949 g12 I00 sg13 (lp950 I9390 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p951 (dp952 g57 V\u201cNicola Larson, aspiring journalist and murderer.\u201d It's the blonde turn and to her credit she remains stoic though you sense she's ready to bolt at any second. \u201cYou greed and ambition lead your cameraman to his death when you recklessly pursued a dangerous mafia hitman in the hopes f a career making headline. When the situation turned bad you refused to call for backup in the fear of someone else stealing your story.\u201d \u000aNicola turns on her heels and stiffly walks out the door. \u000a \u000a[[continue|45]] p953 sg59 (lp954 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I55 I48 I5 I271 I1 tp955 (dp956 tp957 Rp958 sg66 g958 sg67 V44 p959 sbsa(dp960 g12 I00 sg13 (lp961 I9530 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p962 (dp963 g57 VNine down, one left to go. \u000a\u201cMikhail Czyks.\u201d The dead repairman. \u201cYou are found guilty of drinking on the job and performing faulty electrical work that caused a fire in a housing complex, killing three people and injuring numerous others. Though you were investigated, the police found insufficient evidence to press charges against you.\u201d \u000aOuch. Maybe its for the best that Mikhail wasn't around to hear this. The fact that he died while fixing an electrical panel is suspiciously ironic. \u000a \u000a \u000a[[continue|46]] p964 sg59 (lp965 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I55 I51 I5 I271 I1 tp966 (dp967 tp968 Rp969 sg66 g969 sg67 V45 p970 sbsa(dp971 g12 I00 sg13 (lp972 I9670 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p973 (dp974 g57 VThe projector whirs to a stop. \u000aThe only people who remained to watch the whole show are you, the Lawyer, the Warden, and the Bounty Hunter. No one wants to be the first persons to leave. \u000a\u201cWell, isn't that something...\u201d you say finally, tapping your fingers against the wooden table. \u000a\u201cWe both know ours is the truth, don't we?\u201d the Warden comments. Just what the hell does he want from you? \u000a \u000aCHOICE \u000a \u000a[[#1 tell him off|46a]] \u000a[[#2 leave the room|47]] p975 sg59 (lp976 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I57 I28 I5 I271 I1 tp977 (dp978 tp979 Rp980 sg66 g980 sg67 V46 p981 sbsa(dp982 g12 I00 sg13 (lp983 I9810 aI150 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p984 (dp985 g57 V\u201cGo fuck yourself,\u201d you spit at him. The Warden glares and steps forward, but the Lawyer steps between you two before it can come to blows. \u201cLet's just all go downstairs and get out of here, okay? I've had enough of whoevers' sick joke this is.\u201d \u000a\u201cNo shit,\u201d the Bounty Hunter agrees ,\u201dI've heard more than enough.\u201d He shoulders past you out the door. \u000a \u000a[[continue|47]] p986 sg59 (lp987 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I58 I28 I5 I271 I1 tp988 (dp989 tp990 Rp991 sg66 g991 sg67 V46a p992 sbsa(dp993 g12 I00 sg13 (lp994 I9810 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p995 (dp996 g57 VThe four of you leave the room; the Bounty Hunter first, than you, than followed by the others. You descend the stairs in silence and return to the main room. \u000a \u000a[[continue|48]] p997 sg59 (lp998 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I15 I58 I45 I5 I271 I1 tp999 (dp1000 tp1001 Rp1002 sg66 g1002 sg67 V47 p1003 sbsa(dp1004 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1005 I9950 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1006 (dp1007 g57 VDownstairs, the Policeman has gathered the remaining people around. You notice the wine decanter is almost empty; looks like someone's been hitting the sauce pretty hard. \u000a\u201cThis is now a criminal investigation,\u201d he begins. \u201cI'm going to go back into town and get backup. You are all suspects who will be taken to the station for questioning. We'll be sending up a vehicle to collect you shortly.\u201d He turns to leave and the Bounty Hunter, his partner or associate or whatever he is, pulls him to the side for a quiet word. You glance around and see that everyone else looks as displeased at the announcement of a police investigation as you are. After seeing those videos, you're not surprised. \u000a \u000a[[continue|49]] p1008 sg59 (lp1009 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I0 I10 I5 I271 I1 tp1010 (dp1011 tp1012 Rp1013 sg66 g1013 sg67 V48 p1014 sbsa(dp1015 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1016 I10090 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1017 (dp1018 g57 VWhen the Policeman leaves to the garage the Bounty Hinter announces that he's been put in charge. No one is allowed to leave the room without his permission. You need to go to the toilet, you ask him first. \u000a \u000aThe man of the couple, Josef or what his name really is, steps forward and demands to know what authority a Bounty Hunter has to keep people against their will. \u000a \u000a\u201cMy own, you got a problem with it?\u201d The Bounty Hunter crosses his arms and stares down the other man who glances back at his wife for direction. The Lawyer is less cowed, however, and demands to see the Hunter's credentials: if he's going to act like a police sidekick, he'd better have the paperwork to back it up. The three of them begin arguing, with the wife chiming in with a sniping comment whenever she can. \u000a \u000aThe sound of the snowmobile roars by outside and into the distance. The Psychologist, watching the spectacle with a bored expression, says he's going back to \u201ccheck on his belongings\u201d again. You turn to slip out the back door as well and you notice that the journalist has disappeared as well. \u000a \u000aCHOICE \u000a \u000a[[#1 check the planetarium again|49a]] \u000a \u000a[[#2 look in the storage room |49b]] \u000a \u000a[[#3 go to the basement|50]] p1019 sg59 (lp1020 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I0 I32 I5 I271 I1 tp1021 (dp1022 tp1023 Rp1024 sg66 g1024 sg67 V49 p1025 sbsa(dp1026 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1027 I10230 aI150 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1028 (dp1029 g57 VYou go back up the stairs to the planetarium. The room's unchanged since you last saw it. You glance out the window at the darkening evening sky and heavy snow falling. If you can get to the money tonight it's going to be a real pain in the ass getting out of here with the weather like this. \u000aBut that's a problem for later. You don't want to get too far ahead of yourself. Find the money first, than worry about how to get it out of here. \u000aYou leave the planetarium; you weren't sure what clue you were looking for, but you didn't find it in here... \u000a \u000a[[check the storage room|49a1]] \u000a[[check the basement|50]] p1030 sg59 (lp1031 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I2 I8 I5 I271 I1 tp1032 (dp1033 tp1034 Rp1035 sg66 g1035 sg67 V49a p1036 sbsa(dp1037 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1038 I10370 aI150 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1039 (dp1040 g57 VYou try the door to the storage room half way up the winding staircase. It's locked. The Doctor said he was going in there, but why would he lock the door after himself? Because he was doing something he didn't want you to see, obviously. You shake your head, better keep a close eye on that one. You move on to the next area. \u000a \u000a[[check the basement|50]] p1041 sg59 (lp1042 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I2 I49 I5 I271 I1 tp1043 (dp1044 tp1045 Rp1046 sg66 g1046 sg67 V49a1 p1047 sbsa(dp1048 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1049 I10230 aI290 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1050 (dp1051 g57 VYou try the door to the storage room half way up the winding staircase. It's locked. The Doctor said he was going in there, but why would he lock the door after himself? Because he was doing something he didn't want you to see, obviously. You shake your head, better keep a close eye on that one. You move on to the next area. \u000a \u000a[[check the planetarium|49b1]] \u000a \u000a[[check the basement|50]] p1052 sg59 (lp1053 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I4 I31 I5 I271 I1 tp1054 (dp1055 tp1056 Rp1057 sg66 g1057 sg67 V49b p1058 sbsa(dp1059 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1060 I10370 aI290 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1061 (dp1062 g57 VYou go back up the stairs to the planetarium. The room's unchanged since you last saw it. You glance out the window at the darkening evening sky and heavy snow falling. If you can get to the money tonight it's going to be a real pain in the ass getting out of here with the weather like this. \u000aBut that's a problem for later. You don't want to get too far ahead of yourself. Find the money first, than worry about how to get it out of here. \u000aYou leave the planetarium; you weren't sure what clue you were looking for, but you didn't find it in here... \u000a \u000a[[check the basement|50] p1063 sg59 (lp1064 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I5 I38 I5 I271 I1 tp1065 (dp1066 tp1067 Rp1068 sg66 g1068 sg67 V49b1 p1069 sbsa(dp1070 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1071 I10510 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1072 (dp1073 g57 VYou open the door to the basement and almost knock down the Journalist who'd been standing at the top of the stairs. She quickly tucks something into the pocket of her coat. \u000a\u201cPlaning on going out?\u201d you ask her nonchalantly as you walk down past her. It takes her a minute to figure out what you mean. \u000a\u201cEr, no,\u201d her voice is nervous, is she hiding something or afraid to be alone with you? \u201cI was getting cold so I put my coat back on. I don't think there's any heating in here.\u201d \u000aYou nod and glance at the body of the repairman, deliberately keeping your back to her in case she wants to try something. \u000aInstead, Blondie comes down and joins you. She looks the body of the Repairman over. \u201cNot squeamish anymore?\u201d you ask, hoping to get rid of her. \u000a\u201cNo, not anymore,\u201d her face is still calm but there's a slight edge in her voice. She gestures at the blood splatter on the wall. \u201cIt's low down, from an angle.\u201d \u000aHer comment hangs in the air. \u000a\u201cIt means the Repairman was crouched here working on the panel when he was hit from behind,\u201d she explains with a slight roll of her eyes. \u000aIs that important? \u201cWell, if he'd been standing up we might have been able to guess the height of the killer. With him crouching though, anyone could have done it.\u201d \u000a\u201cAnyone of us?\u201d you ask, wondering where she's heading with this. \u000a\u201cDid you do it?\u201d she can look you in the eyes when she asks that question, you have to give her that much. \u201cWhat they said about you on the video, I mean.\u201d she clarifies ,\u201dI know you didn't kill this man. We were together the whole time.\u201d \u000a \u000aCHOICE \u000a \u000a#1 [[tell her the truth|50a]] \u000a \u000a#2 [[tell her the video was lying|50b]] p1074 sg59 (lp1075 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I6 I13 I5 I271 I1 tp1076 (dp1077 tp1078 Rp1079 sg66 g1079 sg67 V50 p1080 sbsa(dp1081 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1082 I10650 aI150 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1083 (dp1084 g57 VYou tell her that everything that the video said was true, but it wasn't the whole story. There was more to it than they said. She looks away from you and nods. \u201cYeah, mine was too.\u201d \u000aJust then, before you can respond, the Bounty Hunter upstairs throws open the door. \u201cThere you two are. Didn't you hear me call for you?!\u201d You shake your head \u201cno\u201d and the Journalist asks what's going on. \u000a\u201cOfficer Damator's snowmobile just crashed into the side of the mountain, that's what's going on!\u201d he shouts ,\u201dhurry up, we're mounting a rescue party!\u201d He grabs you by the arm and starts hauling you up to the main room. \u000a \u000aCHOICE \u000a \u000a#1 [[tell him you don't want to go|51a]] \u000a \u000a#2 [[offer to help in any way you can|51b]] p1085 sg59 (lp1086 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I8 I6 I5 I271 I1 tp1087 (dp1088 tp1089 Rp1090 sg66 g1090 sg67 V50a p1091 sbsa(dp1092 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1093 I10650 aI290 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1094 (dp1095 g57 V You tell her everything on the video was a lie. They even called you by the wrong name. This is just a bad joke from someone with too much time on their hands. She looks away from you and nods. \u201cYeah, mine was a lie too.\u201d \u000aJust then, before you can respond, the Bounty Hunter upstairs throws open the door. \u201cThere you two are. Didn't you hear me call for you?!\u201d You shake your head \u201cno\u201d and the Journalist asks what's going on. \u000a\u201cOfficer Damator's snowmobile just crashed into the side of the mountain, that's what's going on!\u201d he shouts ,\u201dhurry up, we're mounting a rescue party!\u201d He grabs you by the arm and starts hauling you up to the main room. \u000a \u000a \u000aCHOICE \u000a \u000a#1 [[tell him you don't want to go|51a]] \u000a \u000a#2 [[offer to help in any way you can|51b]] p1096 sg59 (lp1097 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I9 I4 I5 I271 I1 tp1098 (dp1099 tp1100 Rp1101 sg66 g1101 sg67 V50b p1102 sbsa(dp1103 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1104 I10790 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1105 (dp1106 g57 V\u201cI couldn't give a shit if you want to help or not, you're coming!\u201d he growls at you. \u201cWe're going to need as many strong men as we've got if we have to dig him out!\u201d He drags you to the main room where the Warden and Lawyer are putting on their coats and gloves. \u201cI told him you'd be happy to help,\u201d the Warden says with a smile. \u201cThen I'm sure you're coming too, huh?\u201d you reply and he glares but nods. \u000aJust what is his problem with you? \u000a \u000a[[continue|52]] p1107 sg59 (lp1108 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I9 I59 I5 I271 I1 tp1109 (dp1110 tp1111 Rp1112 sg66 g1112 sg67 V51a p1113 sbsa(dp1114 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1115 I10790 aI150 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1116 (dp1117 g57 V\u201cThat's the fucking spirit. Last thing we need is a dead cop on our hands after all the other shit that's been going down.\u201d He drags you to the main room where the Warden and Lawyer are putting on their coats and gloves. \u201cI told him you'd be happy to help,\u201d the Warden says with a smile. \u201cThen I'm sure you're coming too, huh?\u201d you reply and he glares but nods. Just what is his problem with you? \u000a \u000a[[continue|52]] p1118 sg59 (lp1119 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I10 I5 I5 I271 I1 tp1120 (dp1121 tp1122 Rp1123 sg66 g1123 sg67 V51b p1124 sbsa(dp1125 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1126 I10930 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1127 (dp1128 g57 VAnd so you get shoe-horned into a 4 man search and rescue operation: you, the Bounty Hunter, Warden, and the Lawyer. The two \u201ccelebrities\u201d were useless and the Doctor would have just been a liability. No surprise, the Journalist had made herself scarce when you were leaving. \u000a \u000a[[continue|53]] p1129 sg59 (lp1130 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I11 I25 I5 I271 I1 tp1131 (dp1132 tp1133 Rp1134 sg66 g1134 sg67 V52 p1135 sbsa(dp1136 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1137 I11070 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1138 (dp1139 g57 VIt's a miserable mile long walk to the crash site. The weather's steadily getting worse and with the fading daylight you can barely see more than a few meters in any direction. The outline from the snowmobile's treads is already hard to follow and your plans of getting the money and then just disappearing into the night are fading with every step. \u000aWhen you finally arrive, the snowmobile's entire front end is crunched down. It looks like it hit the cliff wall of the mountain at incredible speeds, and the Policeman's body was thrown a good 30 feet away. \u000aWhen you get to him, the image is... not pretty. He's definitely dead, that's for sure. At least it saves you the trouble of having to dig him out and carry him back. \u000aHowever, you notice that his gun is still in the holster of his belt. If you can distract the others, you may be able to take it without them noticing. The way things have been going, it might just become a critical part of your escape plan. \u000a \u000a[[continue|54]] p1140 sg59 (lp1141 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I12 I15 I5 I271 I1 tp1142 (dp1143 tp1144 Rp1145 sg66 g1145 sg67 V53 p1146 sbsa(dp1147 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1148 I11210 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1149 (dp1150 g57 V The Bounty Hunter crouches next to the body, shaking his head. \u201cHell of a way to go,\u201d he comments ,\u201ddidn't know him well but he seemed like a decent enough sort of guy.\u201d You resist the urge to mention a certain video to the contrary. It doesn't matter now, anyhow. \u000aHe reaches into the Policeman's coat pocket and takes out his wallet, flipping through the contents. You raise an eyebrow and he catches the look you're giving him. \u201cIt's for his ID number,\u201d he explains, sounding vaguely embarrassed at how it must look ,\u201dwhen I can get a signal I need to call into the station and they'll want it.\u201d \u000aRight then, he didn't really look like the petty thief type of person. \u000a\u201cLet's check out that vehicle, see if we can figure out what happened.\u201d He gives you an almost friendly pat on the back as he leads you to the snowmobile, your previous hostilities to each other now forgotten. Guess nothings warms up an icy relationship better than a grizzly sudden death. \u000aYou're going to have to get the gun from the body later. Visibility's so poor they may not even see you over there if you're quick enough. \u000aYou and the Bounty Hunter rejoin the others at the crash site. \u000a \u000a[[continue|55]] p1151 sg59 (lp1152 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I12 I34 I5 I271 I1 tp1153 (dp1154 tp1155 Rp1156 sg66 g1156 sg67 V54 p1157 sbsa(dp1158 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1159 I11350 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1160 (dp1161 g57 VThe Warden points out that the tracks are leading straight into the wall. It's not a slide like you'd expect if he'd somehow just lost control. The trunk of the snowmobile is also open, possibly having been damaged during the crash. \u000a \u000aCHOICE \u000a \u000a[[#1 investigate the bottom of the snowmobile|55a]] \u000a[[#2 investigate the trunk|55b]] p1162 sg59 (lp1163 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I13 I15 I5 I271 I1 tp1164 (dp1165 tp1166 Rp1167 sg66 g1167 sg67 V55 p1168 sbsa(dp1169 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1170 I11490 aI150 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1171 (dp1172 g57 VYou dig your way down to the bottom but its too dark to make out much. You ask the others for a flashlight, but no one has one. Didn't the Bounty Hunter say he was getting one earlier, when the Repairman was killed? \u000aOkay, something to think about. You light one of your matches and cautiously look at the undercarriage, there's a lot of spilled substances down here that might ignite if you're not careful. \u000aAnd you think one of them might be brake fluid. Which would explain why it crashed the way it did. You're not a mechanic, you're not sure, but you think that's what it is. \u000aYou crawl out and tell the others your findings. \u000aIt's just the Bounty Hunter and Lawyer. The Wardens gone? \u201cLooking at the body, apparently\u201d they tell you. You think about that gun in the holster. Something else to weigh on your mind. \u000a \u000a[[investigate the trunk|55a1]] p1173 sg59 (lp1174 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I13 I44 I5 I271 I1 tp1175 (dp1176 tp1177 Rp1178 sg66 g1178 sg67 V55a p1179 sbsa(dp1180 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1181 I11490 aI290 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1182 (dp1183 g57 VYou open up the trunk but find it empty. The Bounty Hunter says that they had survival equipment in there. \u201cSurvival equipment?\u201d you ask. \u201cLike cold weather gear, ropes and tire chains, I think some rations and similar.\u201d \u000a\u201cBut... aren't we going to need that stuff?\u201d the Lawyer says, looking more concerned about that than the crash itself. \u201cIf we're stuck here now, and have to walk back, wont we need those things?\u201d \u000a The Bounty Hunter shrugs ,\u201dit's not that far away to town. 10, 15 kilometers at the most, is that about right?\u201d You nod, it took you a while to walk up here, but you were counting on downhill being faster. The Lawyer looks deeply alarmed at the prospect and you can't help but grin a little. A city boy, clearly. \u000a \u000a[[investigate the snowmobile|55b1]] p1184 sg59 (lp1185 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I13 I48 I5 I271 I1 tp1186 (dp1187 tp1188 Rp1189 sg66 g1189 sg67 V55b p1190 sbsa(dp1191 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1192 I11630 aI150 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1193 (dp1194 g57 VYou open up the trunk but find it empty. The Bounty Hunter says that they had survival equipment in there. \u201cSurvival equipment?\u201d you ask. \u201cLike cold weather gear, ropes and tire chains, I think some rations and similar.\u201d \u000a\u201cBut... aren't we going to need that stuff?\u201d the Lawyer says, looking more concerned about that than the crash itself. \u201cIf we're stuck here now, and have to walk back, wont we need those things?\u201d \u000a The Bounty Hunter shrugs ,\u201dit's not that far away to town. 10, 15 kilometers at the most, is that about right?\u201d You nod, it took you a while to walk up here, but you were counting on downhill being faster. The Lawyer looks deeply alarmed at the prospect and you can't help but grin a little. A city boy, clearly. \u000a \u000a[[continue|56]] p1195 sg59 (lp1196 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I15 I54 I5 I271 I1 tp1197 (dp1198 tp1199 Rp1200 sg66 g1200 sg67 V55a1 p1201 sbsa(dp1202 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1203 I11770 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1204 (dp1205 g57 V\u201cIt's getting to dark to do anymore,\u201d the Bounty Hunter says. \u201cWe'd better head back to the observatory soon.\u201d \u000a \u000aCHOICE x1 \u000a \u000a#1 [[ask about the flashlight|56a]] \u000a \u000a#2 [[ask about spending the night in the observatory|56b]] \u000a \u000a p1206 sg59 (lp1207 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I16 I11 I5 I271 I1 tp1208 (dp1209 tp1210 Rp1211 sg66 g1211 sg67 V56 p1212 sbsa(dp1213 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1214 I11630 aI290 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1215 (dp1216 g57 VYou dig your way down to the bottom but its too dark to make out much. You ask the others for a flashlight, but no one has one. Didn't the Bounty Hunter say he was getting one earlier, when the Repairman was killed? \u000aOkay, something to think about. You light one of your matches and cautiously look at the undercarriage, there's a lot of spilled substances down here that might ignite if you're not careful. \u000aAnd you think one of them might be brake fluid. Which would explain why it crashed the way it did. You're not a mechanic, you're not sure, but you think that's what it is. \u000aYou crawl out and tell the others your findings. \u000aIt's just the Bounty Hunter and Lawyer. The Wardens gone? \u201cLooking at the body, apparently\u201d they tell you. You think about that gun in the holster. Something else to weigh on your mind. \u000a \u000a[[continue|56]] p1217 sg59 (lp1218 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I17 I9 I5 I271 I1 tp1219 (dp1220 tp1221 Rp1222 sg66 g1222 sg67 V55b1 p1223 sbsa(dp1224 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1225 I11910 aI150 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1226 (dp1227 g57 V\u201cIt's too bad no one thought to bring a flashlight,\u201d you comment, staring at the dark sky. \u201cDid you say you were going out to get one from here earlier?\u201d The Bounty Hunter's face is unreadable, but he pretends to check the pockets of his coat. \u201cGuess it must've fallen out in the snow on the walk here.\u201d \u000a \u000a[[continue|57]] p1228 sg59 (lp1229 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I18 I44 I5 I271 I1 tp1230 (dp1231 tp1232 Rp1233 sg66 g1233 sg67 V56a p1234 sbsa(dp1235 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1236 I11910 aI290 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1237 (dp1238 g57 V\u201cAre you sure spending the night there is a good idea? Two people just died. Everyone's going to be on edge.\u201d \u000aThe Bounty Hunter shrugs again. \u201cDon't have much choice. We can't have some sort of nighttime exodus down a mountain in the middle of a blizzard.\u201d \u000a \u000a[[continue|57]] p1239 sg59 (lp1240 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I19 I3 I5 I271 I1 tp1241 (dp1242 tp1243 Rp1244 sg66 g1244 sg67 V56b p1245 sbsa(dp1246 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1247 I12050 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1248 (dp1249 g57 VThe Lawyer shuffles his feet and tucks his hands under his armpits. \u201cIf we've seen all there's to see, then can we head back now? Before all my fingers and toes drop off?\u201d Sure thing. The Bounty Hunter whistles for the Warden to join up again, and you begin the long walk back to the observatory. \u000a \u000a[[continue|58]] p1250 sg59 (lp1251 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I19 I47 I5 I271 I1 tp1252 (dp1253 tp1254 Rp1255 sg66 g1255 sg67 V57 p1256 sbsa(dp1257 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1258 I12190 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1259 (dp1260 g57 VYou've almost made it to the front door when the Warden grabs your shoulder and drags you back a little from the others. \u201cI think it's time you and I had a chat, don't you think?\u201d He speaks quiet enough to be only heard by you. The kind of chat that we can't have inside? \u201cExactly. Before we go in and keep pretending we don't know each other, we need to get something settled.\u201d \u000aYou think about how he was the by the Policemans body for so long. It would have been impossible for him to not see the gun. But it'd also be too stupid of him to shoot you right here in front of everyone. Not exactly a reassuring thought when faced with the prospect of spending the night here. \u000a \u000aCHOICE \u000a \u000a[[#1 hear what he has to say|58a]] \u000a[[#2 attack him now, when he's not expecting it|59]] p1261 sg59 (lp1262 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I20 I54 I5 I271 I1 tp1263 (dp1264 tp1265 Rp1266 sg66 g1266 sg67 V58 p1267 sbsa(dp1268 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1269 I12330 aI150 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1270 (dp1271 g57 VHe hasn't directly threatened you yet. If he's going to shoot you, you might as well hear why. \u000aYou wait until the other two have disappeared through the front door before turning to him. \u201cAlright, what's this about?\u201d \u000a \u000a[[continue|58a1]] p1272 sg59 (lp1273 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I21 I37 I5 I271 I1 tp1274 (dp1275 tp1276 Rp1277 sg66 g1277 sg67 V58a p1278 sbsa(dp1279 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1280 I12470 aI150 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1281 (dp1282 g57 VThe Warden crosses his arms over his chest, like he's trying to look imposing. No gun, you notice. But it doesn't mean its not in his pocket... \u000a\u201cThis is about the money, Mr. William D. Wilson. I know you think it's about revenge for you two breaking out and costing me my job, but its not. It's always about the money.\u201d Right, the money I stole and you just want your cut of it? Is that it? \u000a\u201cExaaactly,\u201d he says with a grin ,\u201dnow I think we understand each other. I'm not even being greedy here! I'll even let you keep a million.\u201d \u000aNinety percent's not greedy? \u000a\u201cNo, greedy's if I told Mr. Vigilante Cop Buddy here who you really are, got my share of the bounty on your head, and then took all the money for myself. That would be greedy.\u201d \u000aYeah, the Bounty Hunter. You hadn't forgotten. He's a big problem. \u000a\u201cWhy haven't you done exactly that, yet?\u201d you ask. \u000a\u201cBecause I need your help. You're going to help me get the money out of the well, and then we go our separate ways. Come morning, of course.\u201d \u000aThe well. Of course. Somehow the Warden must have gotten a hold of your partners old map, the one with the wrong location drawn in. \u000a\u201cGonna be stuck here all night together, huh?\u201d you deadpan. \u201cWhat are we going to do, play poker all night to keep awake?\u201d \u000a\u201cGot a pack right here in my pocket,\u201d he tosses back, patting his coat from the outside. \u000a \u000aOkay, you've heard enough. There's no way you're spending the night cooped up here with this asshole, just waiting for him to stick a knife in your back AND think you're his lapdog as he's doing it! \u000a \u000a[[attack him!|59]] p1283 sg59 (lp1284 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I22 I47 I5 I271 I1 tp1285 (dp1286 tp1287 Rp1288 sg66 g1288 sg67 V58a1 p1289 sbsa(dp1290 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1291 I12610 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1292 (dp1293 g57 VYou nod, pretending to think about what he's saying. Then like lightning you draw back and punch him as hard in the jaw as you can. He sees it coming and dodges just enough to get hit in the eye instead. He tackles you and you both fall to the ground, kicking and punching and hitting each other everywhere you can find and kicking up a flurry of snow while doing it. \u000aYou get in some good hits and take a few yourself before you're suddenly pulled off him and shoved away. The Lawyer's grabbed you by your arm, and the Bounty Hunter's holding back the enraged and bloody nosed Warden by the neck with one hand and the gun with the other. \u000a \u000a[[continue|60]] p1294 sg59 (lp1295 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I23 I15 I5 I271 I1 tp1296 (dp1297 tp1298 Rp1299 sg66 g1299 sg67 V59 p1300 sbsa(dp1301 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1302 I12750 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1303 (dp1304 g57 VYou blink at it a few times. How did he- When he took the Policeman's wallet, of course. Son of a bitch, you sure didn't see that one coming... \u000aHe follows your gaze to the gun. \u201cEarlier,\u201d he explains. \u201cFrom when he left the building. Gave it to me on his way out for crowd control\u201d Now you two want to tell me what's going on?\u201d \u000a \u000a[[continue|61]] p1305 sg59 (lp1306 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I23 I41 I5 I271 I1 tp1307 (dp1308 tp1309 Rp1310 sg66 g1310 sg67 V60 p1311 sbsa(dp1312 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1313 I12890 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1314 (dp1315 g57 VYou wrench your arm out of the Lawyers grasp and smooth down your clothes. The look the Warden is giving you is murderous, but he keeps his mouth shut. \u000a\u201cListen, if you two have a problem with each other it's not my concern,\u201d the Lawyer interjects, trying to calm down the situation. \u201cBut next time you might want to think about beating the crap out of each other when you're not being watched?\u201d He gestures over his shoulder with his chin to where the silhouette of a figure is watching you all from the window of the planetarium. You can't make out who it is, but now they've seen you two fighting and the Bounty Hunter holding a gun. \u000aWith a heartfelt curse directed at your bad luck, you go back inside the Observatory. \u000a \u000a[[continue|62]] p1316 sg59 (lp1317 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I23 I42 I5 I271 I1 tp1318 (dp1319 tp1320 Rp1321 sg66 g1321 sg67 V61 p1322 sbsa(dp1323 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1324 I13030 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1325 (dp1326 g57 VWhen you enter the main room, the Celebrity Couple and the Doctor are in the midst of their own heated conversation. It hasn't quite come to blows like yours just did, but it's clear that your presence is breaking up something about to happen. \u201cLittle surprised he's not \u201cchecking on his luggage\u201d, the Bounty Hunter mutters under his breath at you. \u000aSpoke too soon, the Doctor immediately turns stomps away, not even bothering to hear the whole story from the Lawyer past \u201cThe Policeman's dead.\u201d \u000aThe Couple exchange a meaningful look, and quietly ask what happened. \u201cIt doesn't look like an accident. We think the brake lines were cut.\u201d \u000a\u201cBut... that snowmobile was our only way out of here!\u201d the woman wails. \u000a \u201cWe can't even call a taxi, there's no goddamn cellphone coverage anywhere!\u201d her husband joins in. \u000aAnd another man just died, you think about pointing out. But nobody seems to care much about that. \u000a\u201cSo what are we going to do? Spend the night here?!\u201d \u000a\u201cThat's the idea,\u201d says the Bounty Hunter. \u201cI'm sure we've all slept in worse places.\u201d Meaningful glance over the couple. \u201cIn the morning the storm'll have passed and if we can't get a signal, one of us walks out and gets help.\u201d The woman begins to whine at her husband to do something. The Bounty Hunter starts to walk away when the Lawyer stops him. \u000a\u201cThere's something we're forgetting about here,\u201d he begins. \u000aThe two dead bodies and the accusatory video? Nope, haven't forgotten about those. \u000a\u201cI'm referring to how the local police might react to this scene. In a small Russian village like this, they may not take too kindly to a dead local worker and a policeman, both murdered, and surrounded only by foreigners who shouldn't have been up here to begin with.\u201d \u000aWell it sounds really bad when it's laid out straight like that. \u000a \u000aCHOICE x1 \u000a \u000a#1 [[So you think the local police will blame us for their deaths?|62a]] \u000a#2 [[Are you afraid of the police?|62b]] p1327 sg59 (lp1328 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I23 I46 I5 I271 I1 tp1329 (dp1330 tp1331 Rp1332 sg66 g1332 sg67 V62 p1333 sbsa(dp1334 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1335 I13170 aI150 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1336 (dp1337 g57 VThe Lawyer says he thinks the local police will take one look at the dead officer with the cut brake lines and they're not even going to ask questions. We'll all be arrested and when they find that video up there? It's going to get very bad for us. \u000aThe Bounty Hunter agrees. They look after their own out here. If they're angry enough they might not even take us into the station, if you know what I'm saying. The couple gasp, horror written across their faces. It seems everyone here has a reason to be afraid. \u000a \u000a[[continue|63]] p1338 sg59 (lp1339 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I26 I45 I5 I271 I1 tp1340 (dp1341 tp1342 Rp1343 sg66 g1343 sg67 V62a p1344 sbsa(dp1345 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1346 I13170 aI290 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1347 (dp1348 g57 V\u201cYeah, I am, I'll admit it. And you should be too if you knew anything about what they're like out here. \u000aThe Bounty Hunter agrees. They look after their own out here. If they're angry enough they might not even take us into the station, if you know what I'm saying. The couple gasp, horror written across their faces. It seems everyone here has a reason to be afraid. \u000a \u000a[[continue|63]] p1349 sg59 (lp1350 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I27 I4 I5 I271 I1 tp1351 (dp1352 tp1353 Rp1354 sg66 g1354 sg67 V62b p1355 sbsa(dp1356 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1357 I13310 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1358 (dp1359 g57 V"So what are you suggesting we do next," you ask the Lawyer. \u000a\u201cI'm suggesting we say nothing,\u201d he says. \u201cWe wait until morning, and walk out. We get on a train, bus, whatever, and go our separate ways. We try to get out of the country, and we never speak of this again.\u201d \u000a \u000aCHOICE \u000a[[1- Sounds like a plan.|63a]] \u000a[[2- Why are you so eager to leave?|63b]] p1360 sg59 (lp1361 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I28 I4 I5 I271 I1 tp1362 (dp1363 tp1364 Rp1365 sg66 g1365 sg67 V63 p1366 sbsa(dp1367 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1368 I13450 aI150 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1369 (dp1370 g57 VYou agree: we all go our own ways in the morning. Someone will find the bodies soon enough, but it might be long enough for us to get a head start. The Couple hesitates, than nods in agreement. Nobody has to mention the video, guess we've all got skeletons in our past to hide. \u000aAnd that just leaves the Bounty Hunter... \u000a \u000a[[continue|64]] p1371 sg59 (lp1372 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I29 I21 I5 I271 I1 tp1373 (dp1374 tp1375 Rp1376 sg66 g1376 sg67 V63a p1377 sbsa(dp1378 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1379 I13450 aI290 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1380 (dp1381 g57 V\u201cWhy would you possibly want to stay?\u201d the Lawyer snaps back. \u201cIf it wasn't for this storm I'd be out the door already!\u201d \u000a\u201cYeah, us too,\u201d the Couple agrees. Nobody has to mention the video, guess we've all got skeletons in our past to hide. \u000aAnd that just leaves the Bounty Hunter... \u000a \u000a[[continue|64]] p1382 sg59 (lp1383 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I30 I3 I5 I271 I1 tp1384 (dp1385 tp1386 Rp1387 sg66 g1387 sg67 V63b p1388 sbsa(dp1389 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1390 I13590 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1391 (dp1392 g57 VHe paces the floor, hand on his chin, thinking over all the possibilities. You're waiting to test his response. If he's against the plan, maybe he actually did have some connections with the Policeman and wants to see justice be brought. If he goes for it, than probably his criminal accusation was true. He's a very bad man and if he finds out who you are, you're in a lot of trouble. \u000aYou glance at the Warden who's been here the whole time but hasn't said a word. He's holding a snowball against his blackening eye and the last of the wine's in a glass in his hand. Whatever's on his mind he's not about to let you know. \u000aThe Bounty Hunter stops his pacing and turns to look at you,\u201cWhere's the blonde girl? The Journalist? She's not here.\u201d \u000a \u000a[[continue|65]] p1393 sg59 (lp1394 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I30 I21 I5 I271 I1 tp1395 (dp1396 tp1397 Rp1398 sg66 g1398 sg67 V64 p1399 sbsa(dp1400 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1401 I13730 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1402 (dp1403 g57 VYou blink twice. You'd forgotten completely about her. When was the last time you saw her? \u000a\u201cThe Doctor's gone too,\u201d the Warden finally speaks up. \u201cBut he was here just a minute ago.\u201d \u000a\u201cI think its about time we look at that luggage of his,\u201d the Bounty Hunter scowls, and you couldn't agree more. He asks the Couple when was the last time they saw her. \u000a\u201cUm, just after you four left to the crash site,\u201d the man begins ,\u201dshe was with us for a few minutes and then we turned around and she was gone. We thought she'd left to freshen up, but she never came back.\u201d \u000aThe last time you'd seen her she was in the basement, acting strange. You didn't think much of it at the time, but the money's down there and... \u000a \u000a-[[offer to go search for her. You'll take the basement, someone takes the upstairs, someone the gara-|66]] p1404 sg59 (lp1405 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I31 I52 I5 I271 I1 tp1406 (dp1407 tp1408 Rp1409 sg66 g1409 sg67 V65 p1410 sbsa(dp1411 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1412 I13870 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1413 (dp1414 g57 V\u201cNo, we're not going to be splitting up. Out of the question.\u201d the Bounty Hunter stops you mid sentence. \u201cNot when two people have just been killed.\u201d \u000a\u201cAgreed,\u201d the Lawyer adds ,\u201dfor all we know she may be the third victim.\u201d \u000a\u201cOr the killer,\u201d suggests the Warden, drawing looks from the others. You doubt his idea, she doesn't seem the type. Or maybe you're just being fooled by her pretty face? It's been known to happen before, and there's definitely something odd about her. \u000a \u000a[[continue|67]] p1415 sg59 (lp1416 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I32 I38 I5 I271 I1 tp1417 (dp1418 tp1419 Rp1420 sg66 g1420 sg67 V66 p1421 sbsa(dp1422 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1423 I14010 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1424 (dp1425 g57 VAnd so it's decided: the Bounty Hunter (acting as the new self appointed leader) divides the people into two groups of three. It's going to be you, the Lawyer, and himself searching the Planetarium first for bodies and clues, then the outside grounds. The Couple and the Warden are taking the garage first, then the basement. If you spoke up now for basement duty it might seem suspicious, so you're just going to have to get down there later. Unless they know exactly where to look, there's no way they could find the money under the floor. \u000a \u000a[[continue|68]] p1426 sg59 (lp1427 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I32 I50 I5 I271 I1 tp1428 (dp1429 tp1430 Rp1431 sg66 g1431 sg67 V67 p1432 sbsa(dp1433 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1434 I14150 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1435 (dp1436 g57 VOn the way up to the Planetarium, the Bounty Hunter stops at the storage room and tries the door. \u201cIt's locked.\u201d You tell him it was locked earlier also, before you left to the crash site. This is where the Doctor kept going throughout the evening. \u000a\u201cIf anyone's in there, open up!\u201d the Lawyer bangs on it with his fist. \u000aNo answer. \u000a\u201cFuck this,\u201d the Bounty Hunter mutters, pulling out a screwdriver from his pocket that you didn't know he had. He starts working on the lock with it and tells you and the Lawyer to ,\u201dgo on up, I'll be with you in a minute. I need to see what's been going on it here.\u201d \u000aYou glance at the Lawyer who shrugs, than continues on up the stairs without you. \u000a \u000aCHOICE x1 \u000a \u000a[[#1 stay with the Bounty Hunter|69]] \u000a[[#2 go with the Lawyer|70]] \u000a[[#3 give them both the slip and go to the basement|71]] p1437 sg59 (lp1438 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I32 I55 I5 I271 I1 tp1439 (dp1440 tp1441 Rp1442 sg66 g1442 sg67 V68 p1443 sbsa(dp1444 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1445 I14290 aI150 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1446 (dp1447 g57 VWith remarkable speed, the Bounty Hunter jimmies open the door lock. Inside is another small room, windowless of course, with a single light bulb illuminating a row of metal storage lockers along the left wall and an empty line of coat hooks along the right. There's a small table in the corner with a box marked \u201cemergency\u201d. \u000a \u000aCHOICE \u000a \u000a[[#1 check the box on the table|69a]] \u000a[[#2 check the lockers|69b]] p1448 sg59 (lp1449 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I35 I37 I5 I271 I1 tp1450 (dp1451 tp1452 Rp1453 sg66 g1453 sg67 V69 p1454 sbsa(dp1455 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1456 I14430 aI290 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1457 (dp1458 g57 VIt's empty. There's little pieces of blackish soot on the inside. The Bounty Hunter picks up a piece and sniffs it. \u201cCharcoal. Probably was a box of emergency flares,\u201d he surmises. \u201cShame, we could have really used those.\u201d \u000a \u000a[[check the lockers|69b]] p1459 sg59 (lp1460 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I36 I15 I5 I271 I1 tp1461 (dp1462 tp1463 Rp1464 sg66 g1464 sg67 V69a p1465 sbsa(dp1466 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1467 I14430 aI430 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1468 (dp1469 g57 VMost of the lockers are empty or have uninteresting items in them like an old flannel shirt, old notebook with various astronomical observations, and another flashlight which doesn't work. The door of the last locker's slightly open and inside is the Doctor's suitcase. \u000a \u000aYou pull it out and set it on the table, studying it while the Bounty Hunter works at the locks on it. The suitcase is a very old fashioned style, expensive leather, and looks barely used. The Doctor had said it was heavy, but when you lifted it it could barely have weighted more than a pound or two. \u000aWhen it's opened, inside you find a small amount of personal effects (comb, read glasses, pens), an alarming number of unmarked bottles and needles, and an empty glass bottle. You pick it up and the label reads \u201cChloroform\u201d. \u000a \u000a\u201cWell, that's an interesting find, isn't it?\u201d the Bounty Hunter comments before checking the suitcase of hidden panels. \u000a\u201cNo identification, no passport,\u201d he says, \u201cI'm guessing he got drugged out of his mind, got spooked with the killings, and took off on his own.\u201d \u000a\u201cDamned stupid thing to do in this weather,\u201d you say. \u000aThe Bounty Hunter nods ,\u201d We're probably better off witho-\u201d \u000a \u000aAnd then the lights go out again. \u000a \u000a[[continue|69b1]] \u000a \u000a p1470 sg59 (lp1471 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I37 I6 I5 I271 I1 tp1472 (dp1473 tp1474 Rp1475 sg66 g1475 sg67 V69b p1476 sbsa(dp1477 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1478 I14570 aI430 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1479 (dp1480 g57 VThere's a moment of silence as both of you freeze. The Bounty Hunter tells you not to move a muscle, and you hear the familiar click of a gun. \u000a \u000aCHOICE \u000a \u000a[[#1 hold your ground|69b1a]] \u000a[[#2 sneak out quietly|69b1b]] p1481 sg59 (lp1482 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I37 I48 I5 I271 I1 tp1483 (dp1484 tp1485 Rp1486 sg66 g1486 sg67 V69b1 p1487 sbsa(dp1488 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1489 I14710 aI570 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1490 (dp1491 g57 VYou ask him where that screwdriver he's been using came from. He doesn't answer you. You tell him that you have a match in your pocket and you're going to light it, just stay calm. A pause, and then ,\u201dgo ahead.\u201d \u000aIn the dim light you see the Bounty Hunter right where he was before, gun in hand. Does he think you're the killer now? \u000a\u201cLet's just be civilized about this,\u201d you tell him. \u201cLet's head down and go get the others.\u201d \u000a\u201cYou first, he tells you, and gestures with the gun to the door. \u000aYou both start slowly walking downstairs; you're leading with a gun in your back. Then there's the sound of a door opening and sudden gust of wind along the staircase that blows out your match. \u000a \u000a[[continue|69c]] p1492 sg59 (lp1493 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I39 I13 I5 I271 I1 tp1494 (dp1495 tp1496 Rp1497 sg66 g1497 sg67 V69b1a p1498 sbsa(dp1499 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1500 I14710 aI710 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1501 (dp1502 g57 VThe Bounty Hunter calls out to you to stay still, but you keep going, crouching low. You creep out he door and start feeling your way down the sitars. \u000aThere's a sudden gust of wind and the quiet sound of a door closing, but you can't tell where its coming from. Then suddenly someone bumps into you. \u000a\u201cWhat the fuck!\u201d It's the Bounty Hunter, and he grabs you by the shoulder. \u000a \u000a[[continue|69c]] p1503 sg59 (lp1504 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I39 I41 I5 I271 I1 tp1505 (dp1506 tp1507 Rp1508 sg66 g1508 sg67 V69b1b p1509 sbsa(dp1510 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1511 I14850 aI570 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1512 (dp1513 g57 VYou turn and tackle the BH, trying to wrestle the gun from him in the dark. A shot goes off, barely missing you by the sound of it, and you both end up falling down the stairs. The Bounty Hunter pulls away part way down, and when you reach the bottom you're trying to dig out a match to light when someone jumps on you from behind and presses a foul smelling rag over your face. You struggle valiantly, but with the wind already knocked out of you it's not long before you pass out... \u000a \u000a[[continue|72]] p1514 sg59 (lp1515 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I40 I29 I5 I271 I1 tp1516 (dp1517 tp1518 Rp1519 sg66 g1519 sg67 V69c p1520 sbsa(dp1521 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1522 I14990 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1523 (dp1524 g57 VYou both enter the Planetarium but find neither the Journalist or the Doctor there. Something about the room looks a little different, though. You start looking over the table with the projector for clues. \u000a\u201cIs your video true?\u201d the Lawyer asks you, eyes following the electrical lines running from the device and out the door. \u000a \u000aCHOICE x1 \u000a \u000a[[#1 Say that it's true|70a]] \u000a \u000a[[#2 Why is he asking?|70b]] p1525 sg59 (lp1526 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I41 I56 I5 I271 I1 tp1527 (dp1528 tp1529 Rp1530 sg66 g1530 sg67 V70 p1531 sbsa(dp1532 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1533 I15130 aI150 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1534 (dp1535 g57 VYou say that yeah, your video was true. For the most part. But you don't know how whoever did all this could have found out about it, though. \u000aThe Lawyer nods thoughtfully. \u201cMine is true, yes, but it left out the part about how the man I'd set free had mafia connections who were threatening my family. When he was released, he killed three people before being caught again.\u201d He sighs deeply before turning his back to you and going to the window. \u000a \u000a[[continue|70c]] p1536 sg59 (lp1537 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I42 I40 I5 I271 I1 tp1538 (dp1539 tp1540 Rp1541 sg66 g1541 sg67 V70a p1542 sbsa(dp1543 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1544 I15130 aI290 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1545 (dp1546 g57 V\u201cI'm asking because I just realized that I'm alone with you in this room,\u201d he says quietly, watching you from the corner of his eye. \u000aAnd you think I'm the killer? \u000aA long pause, then,\u201dNo. No, I don't think you killed the other two. But...\u201d He doesn't need to finish the sentence, and you point out he could as well be the killer and now you're alone with him. \u000aThe Lawyer nods thoughtfully. \u201cMy video is true,\u201d he confesses ,\u201d but it left out the part about how the man I'd set free had mafia connections who were threatening my family. When he was released, he killed three people before being caught again.\u201d He sighs deeply before turning his back to you and going to the window. \u000a \u000a[[continue|70c]] p1547 sg59 (lp1548 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I43 I32 I5 I271 I1 tp1549 (dp1550 tp1551 Rp1552 sg66 g1552 sg67 V70b p1553 sbsa(dp1554 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1555 I15270 aI430 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1556 (dp1557 g57 V\u201cThere's someone outside!\u201d the Lawyer suddenly whispers, as if whoever it is might hear him. You quickly move to his side and you can barely see it through the falling snow: the faint outline of a figure walking, illuminated by a flashlight. You can't identify who it is, but the only one who could have a flashlight is the Bounty Hunter. \u000a \u000aThen the lights go out. \u000a \u000a[[continue|70d]] p1558 sg59 (lp1559 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I43 I54 I5 I271 I1 tp1560 (dp1561 tp1562 Rp1563 sg66 g1563 sg67 V70c p1564 sbsa(dp1565 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1566 I15410 aI430 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1567 (dp1568 g57 VIt's pitch black in the room. You tell the Lawyer to stay calm, you're going to get a light. He doesnt say anything , but you hear him shuffling away from you. You pull out your matchbox from your pocket and fumble in the dark a little to get one lighted. It takes your eyes a second to adjust, and by then the lawyer has crossed the room to near the door, an unidentified object in his hand. \u000aHe whirls around at the light, a look of horror on his face. \u201cWhat... what are you doing?\u201d he stammers. \u000aI'm giving us some light, what the hell are you doing? \u000aThe lawyer hides the object behind his back and hold up his free hand, \u201cyou... you're really him! You're the killer, aren't you?!\u201d He looks terrified and is edging toward the door. \u000a \u000a[[continue|70e]] p1569 sg59 (lp1570 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I44 I44 I5 I271 I1 tp1571 (dp1572 tp1573 Rp1574 sg66 g1574 sg67 V70d p1575 sbsa(dp1576 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1577 I15550 aI430 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1578 (dp1579 g57 VYou shake your head at him, just where is he getting this from? \u201cIf I was the killer, why would I-\u201d \u000aHe runs out he door and down the stairs, not waiting to hear you finish. You sprint after him, your match blowing out in the dash. \u000aThen part way down the stairs, someone tackles you. You can't tell if it's the Lawyer or not, but the cry of pain as you strike out wildly almost sounds like the Bounty Hunter's. You and your attacker begins to wrestle, and a shot goes off, barely missing you by the sound of it. You loose your footing and you both end up falling down the stairs, your attacker pulling away part way down. When you reach the bottom you're trying to dig out another match to light when someone jumps on you from behind and presses a foul smelling rag over your face. \u000a \u000aYou struggle valiantly, but with the wind already knocked out of you it's not long before you pass out... \u000a \u000a[[continue|72]] p1580 sg59 (lp1581 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I45 I4 I5 I271 I1 tp1582 (dp1583 tp1584 Rp1585 sg66 g1585 sg67 V70e p1586 sbsa(dp1587 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1588 I15690 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1589 (dp1590 g57 VYou quietly go back downstairs, listening for any noises from the others but hearing no one. When you get to the bottom, you hear voices coming from the garage and the door at the end to the basement is open with a light on inside. You're certain it was closed when you went up earlier with the others. You can faintly hear the sounds of movement coming from inside. \u000aYou quietly move to it and peak in. \u000a \u000a[[continue|71a]] p1591 sg59 (lp1592 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I45 I41 I5 I271 I1 tp1593 (dp1594 tp1595 Rp1596 sg66 g1596 sg67 V71 p1597 sbsa(dp1598 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1599 I15830 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1600 (dp1601 g57 VIt's the missing Journalist, very much still alive and tearing the room apart. She's even moved the tool cabinet on top of where the money is, but she doesn't seem to have noticed the slightly different looking tiles yet. \u000aYou rush down to stop her before she can find it, and she whirls around with a yelp. She stares at you, wild eyed, for a moment, then lunges for the fire-extinguisher murder weapon. \u000aAnd then the lights go out. \u000a \u000aCHOICE \u000a \u000a[[#1 stand your ground.|71aa]] \u000a[[#2 run away.|71ab]] p1602 sg59 (lp1603 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I46 I25 I5 I271 I1 tp1604 (dp1605 tp1606 Rp1607 sg66 g1607 sg67 V71a p1608 sbsa(dp1609 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1610 I15970 aI150 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1611 (dp1612 g57 VYou back up and try to pull out and light a match, but she smacks you HARD over the head with the fire extinguisher. You fall to your knees in a daze and you hear her jump back and scramble to the doorway exit. Suddenly she screams and there are sounds of a struggle than rapidly running away footsteps. Seconds later you're on your feet, trying to follow, when someone tackles you. You can't tell if its the Journalist or someone else, they don't make a sound as you lash out at them in the pitch blackness. They press a foul smelling rag over your face and you struggle valiantly, but its not long before you pass out... \u000a \u000a[[continue|72]] p1613 sg59 (lp1614 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I48 I11 I5 I271 I1 tp1615 (dp1616 tp1617 Rp1618 sg66 g1618 sg67 V71aa p1619 sbsa(dp1620 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1621 I15970 aI290 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1622 (dp1623 g57 VYou turn and run, stumbling in the pitch darkness. You trip over some object on the ground and fall, and immediately someone tackles you. You can't tell if it's the Journalist or someone else. They don't make a sound as you lash out at them in the pitch blackness. They press a foul smelling rag over your face and you struggle valiantly, but its not long before you pass out... \u000a \u000a[[continue|72]] p1624 sg59 (lp1625 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I48 I59 I5 I271 I1 tp1626 (dp1627 tp1628 Rp1629 sg66 g1629 sg67 V71ab p1630 sbsa(dp1631 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1632 I16250 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1633 (dp1634 g57 VYou wake up an indefinite time later with a pounding headache and the lights back on. Someone's dragged you back into the main room, where it looks like the remaining people have gathered. \u000aThe wife of the Couple is screaming at the Warden, accusing him of attacking her husband whom you don't see anywhere. She has a black eye and her face is streaked with mascara like she's been crying. The Warden is nursing a wound on his head to go with his black eye, and he's insisting to the Bounty Hunter that it was her husband who attacked him, not the other way around. The Bounty Hunter also looks rather worse for wear, his clothes are torn and he's got a painful looking split lip. He's holding back the Wife who looks ready to tear the Wardens throat out. The Lawyer is hovering between them, trying to diffuse the situation and get a word in edgewise but not having much luck with either. The Journalist is standing in the far corner by herself, arms wrapped around her chest and looking deeply upset over something. She meets your eyes and scowls at you. \u000aNo sign of either the Husband or the Doctor. \u000a \u000aCHOICE \u000a \u000a[[1- talk to the Lawyer.|72a]] \u000a \u000a[[2- talk to the Journalist.|72b]] \u000a \u000a[[3- talk to the Bounty hunter.|72c]] \u000a \u000aNo point in talking to either the Wife or the Warden, they're both too busy shouting accusations and threats at each other. p1635 sg59 (lp1636 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I16 I49 I23 I5 I271 I1 tp1637 (dp1638 tp1639 Rp1640 sg66 g1640 sg67 V72 p1641 sbsa(dp1642 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1643 I16390 aI150 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1644 (dp1645 g57 VYou approach the Lawyer and ask him what happened. You note he's one of the few people here without any visible cuts and bruises. He claims that when the lights went out he was upstairs. He'd just seen a figure with a flashlight walking outside on the grounds and he was heading down to investigate and see if it was the Doctor when the lights went out. Suddenly he heard someone rushing up the stairs so he hid under a table. He couldn't see anything but heard footsteps walking by. Then the person left and he waited a minute. He heard the sounds of a fight and someone falling down the stairs, than a woman screaming and a lot of commotion. He stayed upstairs, afraid to use his lighter in case the killer came back. A few minutes later the lights came back. When he came downstairs he found the Bounty Hunter at the bottom of the stairs, a nasty bump on his head. He says you were found unconscious in the hallway, a broom handle on the ground near you that you must have tripped over in the dark. \u000a \u000a[[talk to the journalist|72a1]] \u000a p1646 sg59 (lp1647 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I15 I40 I5 I271 I1 tp1648 (dp1649 tp1650 Rp1651 sg66 g1651 sg67 V72a p1652 sbsa(dp1653 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1654 I16390 aI290 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1655 (dp1656 g57 VThe Journalist claims that she was downstairs in the basement looking for clues when the lights went out and someone attacked her. She was able to get away at first, but they locked her in the basement with the body. She spent several minutes screaming for help before the lights came back on. The Bounty Hunter confirms that when they found her she was banging at the door and shouting. \u000a \u000a[[72b1]] \u000a \u000a p1657 sg59 (lp1658 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I15 I46 I5 I271 I1 tp1659 (dp1660 tp1661 Rp1662 sg66 g1662 sg67 V72b p1663 sbsa(dp1664 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1665 I16390 aI430 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1666 (dp1667 g57 VYou approach the Bounty Hunter who claims that he was searching through the Doctor's locker when the lights went out. He lit a match and went downstairs, but the match blew out when a door opened and there was a sudden breeze. Then someone attacked him from behind, he didn't see who, and tried to suffocate him with a cloth soaked in chloroform. The Bounty Hunter struggled with his attacker and ended up tumbling down the stairs and was knocked out. Maybe the killer thought the fall had killed him? When he woke up the lights were on and the Warden and the Celebrity Wife were having a screaming match in the main hall. He and the Lawyer were trying to break it up, and then they heard shouting from downstairs. It was the Journalist locked in the basement, and you were unconscious in the hallway. \u000a \u000a[[talk to the Journalist|72c1]] \u000a p1668 sg59 (lp1669 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I15 I48 I5 I271 I1 tp1670 (dp1671 tp1672 Rp1673 sg66 g1673 sg67 V72c p1674 sbsa(dp1675 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1676 I16530 aI150 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1677 (dp1678 g57 VThe Journalist claims that she was downstairs in the basement looking for clues when the lights went out and someone attacked her. She was able to get away at first, but they locked her in the basement with the body. She spent several minutes screaming for help before the lights came back on. The Bounty Hunter confirms that when they found her she was banging at the door and shouting. \u000a \u000a[[talk to the Bounty Hunter|72a2]] p1679 sg59 (lp1680 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I16 I6 I5 I271 I1 tp1681 (dp1682 tp1683 Rp1684 sg66 g1684 sg67 V72a1 p1685 sbsa(dp1686 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1687 I16670 aI150 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1688 (dp1689 g57 VYou approach the Bounty Hunter who claims that he was searching through the Doctor's locker when the lights went out. He lit a match and went downstairs, but the match blew out when a door opened and there was a sudden breeze. Then someone attacked him from behind, he didn't see who, and tried to suffocate him with a cloth soaked in chloroform. The Bounty Hunter struggled with his attacker and ended up tumbling down the stairs and was knocked out. Maybe the killer thought the fall had killed him? When he woke up the lights were on and the Warden and the Celebrity Wife were having a screaming match in the main hall. He and the Lawyer were trying to break it up, and then they heard shouting from downstairs. It was the Journalist locked in the basement, and you were unconscious in the hallway. \u000a \u000a[[continue|73]] p1690 sg59 (lp1691 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I16 I8 I5 I271 I1 tp1692 (dp1693 tp1694 Rp1695 sg66 g1695 sg67 V72a2 p1696 sbsa(dp1697 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1698 I16670 aI290 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1699 (dp1700 g57 VYou approach the Bounty Hunter who claims that he was searching through the Doctor's locker when the lights went out. He lit a match and went downstairs, but the match blew out when a door opened and there was a sudden breeze. Then someone attacked him from behind, he didn't see who, and tried to suffocate him with a cloth soaked in chloroform. The Bounty Hunter struggled with his attacker and ended up tumbling down the stairs and was knocked out. Maybe the killer thought the fall had killed him? When he woke up the lights were on and the Warden and the Celebrity Wife were having a screaming match in the main hall. He and the Lawyer were trying to break it up, and then they heard shouting from downstairs. It was the Journalist locked in the basement, and you were unconscious in the hallway. \u000a \u000a[[continue|73]] \u000a p1701 sg59 (lp1702 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I16 I18 I5 I271 I1 tp1703 (dp1704 tp1705 Rp1706 sg66 g1706 sg67 V72b2 p1707 sbsa(dp1708 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1709 I16670 aI430 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1710 (dp1711 g57 VYou approach the Lawyer and ask him what happened. You note he's one of the few people here without any visible cuts and bruises. He claims that when the lights went out he was upstairs. He'd just seen a figure with a flashlight walking outside on the grounds and he was heading down to investigate and see if it was the Doctor when the lights went out. Suddenly he heard someone rushing up the stairs so he hid under a table. He couldn't see anything but heard footsteps walking by. Then the person left and he waited a minute. He heard the sounds of a fight and someone falling down the stairs, than a woman screaming and a lot of commotion. He stayed upstairs, afraid to use his lighter in case the killer came back. A few minutes later the lights came back. When he came downstairs he found the Bounty Hunter at the bottom of the stairs, a nasty bump on his head. He says you were found unconscious in the hallway, a broom handle on the ground near you that you must have tripped over in the dark. \u000a \u000a[[continue|73]] \u000a \u000a p1712 sg59 (lp1713 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I16 I24 I5 I271 I1 tp1714 (dp1715 tp1716 Rp1717 sg66 g1717 sg67 V72c2 p1718 sbsa(dp1719 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1720 I16810 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1721 (dp1722 g57 VNow it's your turn to explain how you ended up where you did. \u000a \u000aCHOICE \u000a \u000a[[#1 tell them the truth, what you know of it|73a]] \u000a[[#2 lie|73b]] p1723 sg59 (lp1724 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I17 I8 I5 I271 I1 tp1725 (dp1726 tp1727 Rp1728 sg66 g1728 sg67 V73 p1729 sbsa(dp1730 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1731 I16530 aI290 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1732 (dp1733 g57 VYou approach the Lawyer and ask him what happened. You note he's one of the few people here without any visible cuts and bruises. He claims that when the lights went out he was upstairs. He'd just seen a figure with a flashlight walking outside on the grounds and he was heading down to investigate and see if it was the Doctor when the lights went out. Suddenly he heard someone rushing up the stairs so he hid under a table. He couldn't see anything but heard footsteps walking by. Then the person left and he waited a minute. He heard the sounds of a fight and someone falling down the stairs, than a woman screaming and a lot of commotion. He stayed upstairs, afraid to use his lighter in case the killer came back. A few minutes later the lights came back. When he came downstairs he found the Bounty Hunter at the bottom of the stairs, a nasty bump on his head. He says you were found unconscious in the hallway, a broom handle on the ground near you that you must have tripped over in the dark. \u000a \u000a[[talk to the BOunty Hunter|72b2]] \u000a p1734 sg59 (lp1735 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I21 I57 I5 I271 I1 tp1736 (dp1737 tp1738 Rp1739 sg66 g1739 sg67 V72b1 p1740 sbsa(dp1741 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1742 I16530 aI430 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1743 (dp1744 g57 VThe Journalist claims that she was downstairs in the basement looking for clues when the lights went out and someone attacked her. She was able to get away at first, but they locked her in the basement with the body. She spent several minutes screaming for help before the lights came back on. The Bounty Hunter confirms that when they found her she was banging at the door and shouting. \u000a \u000a[[talk to the Lawyer|72c2]] p1745 sg59 (lp1746 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I22 I39 I5 I271 I1 tp1747 (dp1748 tp1749 Rp1750 sg66 g1750 sg67 V72c1 p1751 sbsa(dp1752 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1753 I16950 aI150 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1754 (dp1755 g57 VYou tell them your version of events, carefully leaving out any details that might seem too suspicious and reflect badly on you. You tell them honestly that you were attacked in the dark, but you also have no idea by whom, and then they suffocated you with a cloth soaked in presumably chloroform. And that's all you know. \u000a \u000a[[continue|74]] p1756 sg59 (lp1757 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I24 I45 I5 I271 I1 tp1758 (dp1759 tp1760 Rp1761 sg66 g1761 sg67 V73a p1762 sbsa(dp1763 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1764 I16950 aI290 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1765 (dp1766 g57 VYou lie and tell them a carefully edited version of what happened, leaving out any details of the real events that might reflect badly on you. You tell them that when the lights went that you were attacked in the dark, but you also have no idea by whom, and then they suffocated you with a cloth soaked in presumably chloroform. And that's all you know. \u000a \u000a[[continue|74]] p1767 sg59 (lp1768 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I24 I47 I5 I271 I1 tp1769 (dp1770 tp1771 Rp1772 sg66 g1772 sg67 V73b p1773 sbsa(dp1774 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1775 I17090 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1776 (dp1777 g57 VThe Bounty Hunter and Lawyer stare at you incredulously. You can tell they don't think much of your story. Before they can interrogate you further, however, you hear a sharp bang in the distance outside. Like a gunshot, but louder and further away. Moments later there's a faint roaring sound, and then the whole building begins to shake. Everyone scrambles against a wall as the shaking intensifies. This goes on for about half a minute, and then it stops. \u000a\u201cWhat the hell was that?\u201d the Journalist asks, cautiously stepping away from the wall. \u000a\u201cAn avalanche, probably,\u201d the Bounty Hunter guesses ,\u201dwe're lucky it didn't hit us here, we could've been buried here for days.\u201d \u000a \u000aBefore the others can turn the questioning back to you, you decide to find out what the Celebrity Couple and the Warden's stories are. \u000a \u000aCHOICE \u000a \u000a[[#1 talk to the Wife|74a]] \u000a[[#2 talk to the Warden|74b]] p1778 sg59 (lp1779 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I25 I57 I5 I271 I1 tp1780 (dp1781 tp1782 Rp1783 sg66 g1783 sg67 V74 p1784 sbsa(dp1785 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1786 I17230 aI150 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1787 (dp1788 g57 VAccording to her, she and her husband and the Warden were in the garage, looking for clues about where the Journalist or Doctor might have gone. Suddenly the lights went out and the Warden jumped on her and tried to strangle her! (You notice an absence of bruising on her neck, but keep quiet and let her continue.) She says her husband started bravely fighting him off in the dark and she ran back inside, calling for help. She tripped over someone's body in the dark and she thought the was dead so she started screaming. Then the lights came back on and she'd tripped over the Bounty Hunter who was laying at the bottom of the stairs. \u000a \u000a[[continue|75]] p1789 sg59 (lp1790 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I26 I26 I5 I271 I1 tp1791 (dp1792 tp1793 Rp1794 sg66 g1794 sg67 V74a p1795 sbsa(dp1796 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1797 I17230 aI290 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1798 (dp1799 g57 VAccording to the Warden: the three of them were searching for clues in the garage when the lights went out and the Couple attacked him. He fought back, and the wife jumped on his back and was tearing at his coat, trying to mug him or strangle him or something. (You notice the torn pockets of his coat, that much of his story is true at least...) The Warden says he elbowed her to her face, probably giving her that black eye, and she ran inside screaming like a banshee. Then her husband hit him hard and he was briefly knocked out. He woke up when the lights came on again and the Bounty Hunter dragged him back inside, with the Wife howling threats at him. He didn't do anything to her husband, and he has no idea where he is now. \u000a \u000a[[continue|75]] p1800 sg59 (lp1801 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I26 I27 I5 I271 I1 tp1802 (dp1803 tp1804 Rp1805 sg66 g1805 sg67 V74b p1806 sbsa(dp1807 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1808 I17370 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1809 (dp1810 g57 VYou ask if anyone's seen the Doctor? No, no one has since before you all went to the Policeman's crash site. \u000a \u201cHe'd left a few of his personal items in a suitcase, but his passport was gone,\u201d the Bounty Hunter tells the others. \u201cHe's probably run off into the night, if he's lucky he'll freeze to death instead of falling and breaking his neck.\u201d \u000a\u201cBut what if he's still here?\u201d the Lawyer asks. \u000a\u201cYou mean... that you think he's been the next victim...\u201d the Journalist says, reading between the lines. \u000a\u201cOr he's the killer, and he's just pretending to be dead. It's a long shot, but possible\u201d the Lawyer answers. The Bounty Hunter looks at you and you shrug. Yeah, it's possible. He was acting strange all evening, and now to just disappear without a trace? It's definitely suspect. \u000a \u000a[[continue|76]] p1811 sg59 (lp1812 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I27 I4 I5 I271 I1 tp1813 (dp1814 tp1815 Rp1816 sg66 g1816 sg67 V75 p1817 sbsa(dp1818 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1819 I17510 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1820 (dp1821 g57 VYou've gathered all the information that you can right now. Where do you want to search next? \u000a \u000aCHOICE \u000a \u000a#1 [[Downstairs in the basement|76b]] \u000a#2 [[In the garage|77]] p1822 sg59 (lp1823 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I28 I8 I5 I271 I1 tp1824 (dp1825 tp1826 Rp1827 sg66 g1827 sg67 V76 p1828 sbsa(dp1829 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1830 I17650 aI150 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1831 (dp1832 g57 VDownstairs: There's a broom fallen in the hallway that wasn't there before, and the basement itself has been torn apart. Luckily, you can see that the slightly off color floor tile in the corner where the money is hasn't been tampered with. You can't make a move for it now with everyone watching, however. \u000a \u000a[[continue to the garage|77]] p1833 sg59 (lp1834 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I29 I9 I5 I271 I1 tp1835 (dp1836 tp1837 Rp1838 sg66 g1838 sg67 V76b p1839 sbsa(dp1840 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1841 I17930 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1842 (dp1843 g57 VThe Celebrity Wife demands that you search for her husband, he could be out there injured with a killer on the loose! The Bounty Hunter asks everyone to pool together every piece of lighting equipment they have. It's a rather disappointing list: your pack of matches, one candle the Journalist found downstairs, and the Lawyer has a flashlight app on his cellphone. That's it. \u000a \u000aCHOICE \u000a \u000a[[#1 take the candle and matches|79]] \u000a \u000a[[#2 take the cellphone|79]] \u000a p1844 sg59 (lp1845 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I29 I58 I5 I271 I1 tp1846 (dp1847 tp1848 Rp1849 sg66 g1849 sg67 V78 p1850 sbsa(dp1851 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1852 I18070 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1853 (dp1854 g57 VThe Bounty Hunter splits the 6 of you up into two groups: the Wife, Journalist, and Lawyer in the first, and you, the Bounty Hunter, and Warden in the second. \u000a \u000aCHOICE \u000a \u000a[[#1 follow the single footprints to the left|79a]] \u000a \u000a[[#2 follow the two footprints to the right|79b]] p1855 sg59 (lp1856 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I30 I0 I5 I271 I1 tp1857 (dp1858 tp1859 Rp1860 sg66 g1860 sg67 V79 p1861 sbsa(dp1862 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1863 I17790 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1864 (dp1865 g57 VThere definitely was a fight in here alright, judging by the debris scattered around and the occasional spot of blood from someone's punched nose. The gate is closed but the exit door to the outside is slightly open. \u000aYou push it open fully and see three sets of footprints in the snow heading away from the building. The first set seems older, with the outlines mostly lost in the fallen snow, and they take off to the left down the mountain road. The other set has two sets of prints, slightly fresher but still too vague to make out any details of the owner. These prints go to the right, away from the first, and along the side of the building. \u000aIt occurs to you now that the storm largely passed by. A little snow is still falling, but for the most part it's just a dark and moonless night. You ask for how long you were out, and apparently it was a while and it's now the middle of the night. \u000a \u000a[[continue|78]] p1866 sg59 (lp1867 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I31 I34 I5 I271 I1 tp1868 (dp1869 tp1870 Rp1871 sg66 g1871 sg67 V77 p1872 sbsa(dp1873 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1874 I18210 aI150 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1875 (dp1876 g57 VThese footprints are definitely older than the other two, they're hard to follow in many places as they wind their way down the steep mountain road. After maybe half a mile they end in deep snow, where the avalanche you heard earlier must have fallen. Whoever went this way either made it out and is having a cold night, or they're trapped under there. There's nothing you can do for them now, not until you have more light. \u000a \u000a[[continue|79a1]] p1877 sg59 (lp1878 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I32 I47 I5 I271 I1 tp1879 (dp1880 tp1881 Rp1882 sg66 g1882 sg67 V79a p1883 sbsa(dp1884 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1885 I18210 aI290 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1886 (dp1887 g57 VThese two sets of footprints are definitely more recent, but its hard to make out many more details. They form a clear path, however, and the three of you follow it along a wide open field at the side of the observatory. \u000aWhen you get out of possible earshot from the others, the Warden finally breaks the tense silence that had fallen over your group. He insists on his innocence in anything that may have happened to the husband: \u201cThey attacked me in the garage! I swear it! They're a bunch of fucking con artists and maybe the killers for all I know. I didn't do anything to them!\u201d \u000aYou have your doubts that he's telling the full truth, but the Bounty Hunter agrees that their whole \u201cwe're famous but you've never heard of us\u201d alibi is incredibly thin. You agree to talk to the Wife in private when you get back. \u000aThe path you were following comes to an end at a small hill with a well. \u000a \u000a[[continue|80]] p1888 sg59 (lp1889 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I32 I50 I5 I271 I1 tp1890 (dp1891 tp1892 Rp1893 sg66 g1893 sg67 V79b p1894 sbsa(dp1895 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1896 I18350 aI150 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1897 (dp1898 g57 VAlong the way back to the observatory, the Warden finally breaks the tense silence that had fallen over your group. He insists on his innocence in anything that may have happened to the husband: \u201cThey attacked me in the garage! I swear it! They're a bunch of fucking con artists and maybe the killers for all I know. I didn't do anything to them!\u201d \u000aYou have your doubts that he's telling the full truth, but the Bounty Hunter agrees that their whole \u201cwe're famous but you've never heard of us\u201d alibi is incredibly thin. When you get back inside you're going to need to talk to her in private. \u000a \u000a[[continue|79a2]] p1899 sg59 (lp1900 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I35 I9 I5 I271 I1 tp1901 (dp1902 tp1903 Rp1904 sg66 g1904 sg67 V79a1 p1905 sbsa(dp1906 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1907 I18490 aI150 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1908 (dp1909 g57 VSuddenly, just as you're nearing the building, you hear someone screaming inside. You rush in and find the Wife of the Couple wailing on the floor in tears. The Journalist is hovering over her, trying to comfort her and calm her down. The Lawyer's face is very grave and he tells you ,\u201dthere's something you all need to see.\u201d He leads you outside and follows the tracks to the right. \u000a \u000a[[continue|80]] p1910 sg59 (lp1911 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I35 I20 I5 I271 I1 tp1912 (dp1913 tp1914 Rp1915 sg66 g1915 sg67 V79a2 p1916 sbsa(dp1917 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1918 I18630 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1919 (dp1920 g57 VA dim light emerges from inside the well. When you look in, you can faintly make out the outline of the Husband. The pool of blood surrounding him is illuminated by a flashlight. He must have been the figure the Lawyer saw wandering outside before the lights went out. \u000a \u000a[[investigate the area|80c]] p1921 sg59 (lp1922 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I36 I4 I5 I271 I1 tp1923 (dp1924 tp1925 Rp1926 sg66 g1926 sg67 V80 p1927 sbsa(dp1928 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1929 I19330 aI150 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1930 (dp1931 g57 VYou ask the Bounty Hunter again where did the rope come from? He confirms that it was part of the survival equipment in the snowmobile. Either the Husband stole it earlier, before the Policeman drove off, or somehow he stole it after the snowmobile crashed (the trunk was open). But the Husband wasn't even there at the crash site. The Lawyer agrees, it just doesn't make sense. \u000aThe Bounty Hunter looks shiftily to the side, there's something he's not telling you... \u000a \u000a#1 [[Ask about the avalanche|82a1]] p1932 sg59 (lp1933 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I41 I46 I5 I271 I1 tp1934 (dp1935 tp1936 Rp1937 sg66 g1937 sg67 V82a p1938 sbsa(dp1939 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1940 I19330 aI290 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1941 (dp1942 g57 V The Bounty Hunter thinks the avalanche could be an accident, or it could be deliberate. The Lawyer points out there was a boom sound right before the shaking, but perhaps it was the fresh snow collapsing and starting the avalanche? You agree that the timing is very suspicious, but it was snowing heavily and here on a mountain an avalanche is certainly a possibility. This is something else that has to wait until the morning light. \u000a \u000a[[Ask about the rope again|82b1]] p1943 sg59 (lp1944 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I41 I48 I5 I271 I1 tp1945 (dp1946 tp1947 Rp1948 sg66 g1948 sg67 V82b p1949 sbsa(dp1950 g12 I01 sg13 (lp1951 I19330 aI430 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1952 (dp1953 g57 VThe Lawyer offers to be the next one to talk to the Wife, she's in a delicate emotional state right now but we need to find out what her husband was doing in a well in the middle of the night in a snowstorm. The Bounty Hunter offers to talk to the Warden about it and then they'll compare stories. \u000a \u000a \u000a[[Ask about the rope again|82c1]] p1954 sg59 (lp1955 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I41 I50 I5 I271 I1 tp1956 (dp1957 tp1958 Rp1959 sg66 g1959 sg67 V82c p1960 sbsa(dp1961 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1962 I19470 aI150 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1963 (dp1964 g57 V The Bounty Hunter thinks the avalanche could be an accident, or it could be deliberate. The Lawyer points out there was a boom sound right before the shaking, but perhaps it was the fresh snow collapsing and starting the avalanche? You agree that the timing is very suspicious, but it was snowing heavily and here on a mountain an avalanche is certainly a possibility. This is something else that has to wait until the morning light. \u000a \u000a[[Ask about the husband|82a2]] p1965 sg59 (lp1966 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I41 I51 I5 I271 I1 tp1967 (dp1968 tp1969 Rp1970 sg66 g1970 sg67 V82a1 p1971 sbsa(dp1972 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1973 F19470.0 aF290.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1974 (dp1975 g57 VYou ask the Bounty Hunter again where did the rope come from? He confirms that it was part of the survival equipment in the snowmobile. Either the Husband stole it earlier, before the Policeman drove off, or somehow he stole it after the snowmobile crashed (the trunk was open). But the Husband wasn't even there at the crash site. The Lawyer agrees, it just doesn't make sense. \u000aThe Bounty Hunter looks shiftily to the side, there's something he's not telling you... \u000a \u000a[[Ask about the husband|82b2]] p1976 sg59 (lp1977 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I41 I53 I5 I271 I1 tp1978 (dp1979 tp1980 Rp1981 sg66 g1981 sg67 V82b1 p1982 sbsa(dp1983 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1984 I19470 aI430 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1985 (dp1986 g57 VYou ask the Bounty Hunter again where did the rope come from? He confirms that it was part of the survival equipment in the snowmobile. Either the Husband stole it earlier, before the Policeman drove off, or somehow he stole it after the snowmobile crashed (the trunk was open). But the Husband wasn't even there at the crash site. The Lawyer agrees, it just doesn't make sense. \u000aThe Bounty Hunter looks shiftily to the side, there's something he's not telling you... \u000a \u000a#1 [[Ask about the avalanche|82c2]] p1987 sg59 (lp1988 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I41 I54 I5 I271 I1 tp1989 (dp1990 tp1991 Rp1992 sg66 g1992 sg67 V82c1 p1993 sbsa(dp1994 g12 I00 sg13 (lp1995 I19610 aI150 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p1996 (dp1997 g57 VThe Lawyer offers to be the next one to talk to the Wife, she's in a delicate emotional state right now but we need to find out what her husband was doing in a well in the middle of the night in a snowstorm. The Bounty Hunter offers to talk to the Warden about it and then they'll compare stories. \u000a \u000a[[continue|83]] p1998 sg59 (lp1999 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I41 I55 I5 I271 I1 tp2000 (dp2001 tp2002 Rp2003 sg66 g2003 sg67 V82a2 p2004 sbsa(dp2005 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2006 I19610 aI290 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2007 (dp2008 g57 VThe Lawyer offers to be the next one to talk to the Wife, she's in a delicate emotional state right now but we need to find out what her husband was doing in a well in the middle of the night in a snowstorm. The Bounty Hunter offers to talk to the Warden about it and then they'll compare stories. \u000a \u000a \u000a[[continue|83]] p2009 sg59 (lp2010 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I41 I57 I5 I271 I1 tp2011 (dp2012 tp2013 Rp2014 sg66 g2014 sg67 V82b2 p2015 sbsa(dp2016 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2017 I19610 aI430 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2018 (dp2019 g57 V The Bounty Hunter thinks the avalanche could be an accident, or it could be deliberate. The Lawyer points out there was a boom sound right before the shaking, but perhaps it was the fresh snow collapsing and starting the avalanche? You agree that the timing is very suspicious, but it was snowing heavily and here on a mountain an avalanche is certainly a possibility. This is something else that has to wait until the morning light. \u000a \u000a[[continue|83]] p2020 sg59 (lp2021 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I41 I58 I5 I271 I1 tp2022 (dp2023 tp2024 Rp2025 sg66 g2025 sg67 V82c2 p2026 sbsa(dp2027 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2028 I19750 aI10 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2029 (dp2030 g57 VYou still have a few more questions to ask. \u000a \u000aCHOICE x1 \u000a \u000a[[#1 How could the husband have gotten the Policeman's flashlight?|83a]] \u000a[[#2 What are their thoughts about the Doctor?|83b]] p2031 sg59 (lp2032 sg61 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I41 I59 I5 I271 I1 tp2033 (dp2034 tp2035 Rp2036 sg66 g2036 sg67 V83 p2037 sbsa(dp2038 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2039 F19190.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2040 (dp2041 S'text' p2042 VLater: \u000aIt took a while, but you finally got the Wife of the couple to calm down and stop wailing. You're now positive that she's been lying about a lot of things, but her grief for her husband is genuine. She had no hand in whatever happened to him at the well, though you're not ready to write her off the other murders just yet. \u000aNow the Journalist is with her, trying to comfort her and gently ask her what really happened. If she doesn't succeed, the Bounty Hunter's going to question her next and you can guarantee he won't be so considerate. You approach him and the Lawyer to talk the situation over. \u000a \u000aCHOICE \u000a \u000a#1 [[Ask about the rope again.|82a]] \u000a#2 [[Ask about the avalanche|82b]] \u000a#3 [[Ask about the husband|82c]] \u000a p2043 sS'tags' p2044 (lp2045 sS'created' p2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I45 I8 I5 I271 I1 tp2047 (dp2048 tp2049 Rp2050 sS'modified' p2051 g2050 sS'title' p2052 V82 p2053 sbsa(dp2054 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2055 F19890.0 aF150.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2056 (dp2057 g2042 VYou ask the Bounty Hunter how could he not notice the missing survival equipment when he went to get the flashlight during the first power outage? When the Repairman was killed? \u000aRather than answer your question, the Bounty Hunter gets angry. \u201cAre you accusing me of something here or just talking out your ass?\u201d \u000a\u201cHe's got a point,\u201d the Lawyer says, agreeing with you. \u201cThe lights have been out twice, we've been walking in the woods, and you've never once pulled out the flashlight. You never got it, did you?\u201d \u000a\u201cJust what are you implying?\u201d the Bounty Hunter growls. \u201cEveryone here's been acting suspicious as hell, you two included.\u201d He gestures at the other three people in the room. \u201cThat woman and the Warden are clearly lying to our faces, we haven't seen the Doctor in hours, and the Journalist disappears the second anyone's back is turned!\u201d \u000aAnd then the lights go out again for the third time. \u000a \u000a[[continue|84]] p2058 sg2044 (lp2059 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I51 I31 I5 I271 I1 tp2060 (dp2061 tp2062 Rp2063 sg2051 g2063 sg2052 V83a p2064 sbsa(dp2065 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2066 F19890.0 aF290.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2067 (dp2068 g2042 VYou ask them what do they think about the Doctor disappearing? Do they believe that he just took off like that? \u000a\u201cWell,\u201d the Lawyer begins, \u201cthe last time any of us saw him was...right after we got back from the Policeman's crash site. He was talking to the Couple, it didn't look too friendly, then the lights went out, and he disappeared.\u201d \u000a\u201cSomething else we need to talk to the Wife about,\u201d the Bounty Hunter says. \u000aAnd then the lights go out again for the third time. \u000a \u000a[[continue|84]] p2069 sg2044 (lp2070 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I51 I33 I5 I271 I1 tp2071 (dp2072 tp2073 Rp2074 sg2051 g2074 sg2052 V83b p2075 sbsa(dp2076 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2077 F20030.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2078 (dp2079 g2042 VChaos suddenly erupts in the room. You can't see a thing, but someone runs into you. It's the Lawyer who starts screaming for you to stay the hell away from him. You hear the Bounty Hunter trip and stumble in the dark. Something is knocked over and one of the women starts screaming. It sounds like the Wife. \u000a \u000a[[turn on your light|85]] p2080 sg2044 (lp2081 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I51 I34 I5 I271 I1 tp2082 (dp2083 tp2084 Rp2085 sg2051 g2085 sg2052 V84 p2086 sbsa(dp2087 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2088 F20170.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2089 (dp2090 g2042 VYou fumble in your pockets for your light but can't find it. The screaming continues, as well as sounds of a scuffle. \u000aSuddenly there are three gunshots in rapid succession. The room goes quiet and you drop to the floor and crouch. It's impossible to make out any shapes in the pitch blackness. \u000aYou hear the sounds of footsteps running right toward you. \u000a \u000aCHOICE \u000a \u000a[[#1 avoid the person, they could have a gun|85a]] \u000a[[#2 tackle the person, you need to know who they are|85b]] p2091 sg2044 (lp2092 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I52 I53 I5 I271 I1 tp2093 (dp2094 tp2095 Rp2096 sg2051 g2096 sg2052 V85 p2097 sbsa(dp2098 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2099 F20310.0 aF150.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2100 (dp2101 g2042 VYou crouch lower and shift to the side as the footsteps run by you. In the last moment you stick your leg out and trip them. They fall to the ground and you grab them by the ankle. It's the Journalist. She starts screaming, kicking, and clawing at you. \u000aThen the lights come back on. \u000a \u000a[[continue|86]] p2102 sg2044 (lp2103 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I53 I59 I5 I271 I1 tp2104 (dp2105 tp2106 Rp2107 sg2051 g2107 sg2052 V85a p2108 sbsa(dp2109 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2110 F20450.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2111 (dp2112 g2042 VWhen the Journalist sees that its you who grabbed her she starts clawing at your face and shouting \u201cit's him! He was trying to kill me!\u201d. You try to restrain her and she knees you between the legs. You slap her hard and she elbows you in the face only to get pulled off you by the Bounty Hunter who roars at you two to STOP! LOOK! He points to the other side of the room. \u000aThe Wife is standing over the body of the Warden. She's disheveled and crazy eyed and holding the gun in her hand. The Warden's dead, three shots squarely in his chest. \u000a \u000a[[continue|87]] p2113 sg2044 (lp2114 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I54 I16 I5 I271 I1 tp2115 (dp2116 tp2117 Rp2118 sg2051 g2118 sg2052 V86 p2119 sbsa(dp2120 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2121 F20310.0 aF290.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2122 (dp2123 g2042 VYou wait until the footsteps have almost ran by you and then you lunge out at them, dragging them to the ground. It's the Journalist. She starts screaming, kicking, and clawing at you. \u000aThen the lights come back on. \u000a \u000a[[continue|86]] p2124 sg2044 (lp2125 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I54 I20 I5 I271 I1 tp2126 (dp2127 tp2128 Rp2129 sg2051 g2129 sg2052 V85b p2130 sbsa(dp2131 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2132 F20590.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2133 (dp2134 g2042 VNobody moves for a second, then the Lawyer slowly approaches her from the corner he was hiding in. He tells her to put the gun down and she points it at him, stopping him in his tracks. She's clearly in shock and the Lawyer raises his hands, telling her to keep calm and realize what she's doing. He's distracting her from the Bounty Hunter who's carefully sneaking up behind her. She lowers the gun slightly and the Bounty Hunter makes his move, lunging up grabbing her from behind. She screams and fires off one shot, missing wildly before dropping the gun. The Lawyer kicks it away and pins her arms behind her back as she struggles to get free. \u000aThe Bounty Hunter shouts for someone to give him something to tie her up with. You've got nothing but the Journalist tosses him some telephone wires. \u000a \u000aCHOICE x1 \u000a \u000a[[#1 ask the Journalist where did she get those from|87a]] \u000a \u000a[[#2 talk to the Wife|87b]] p2135 sg2044 (lp2136 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I55 I44 I5 I271 I1 tp2137 (dp2138 tp2139 Rp2140 sg2051 g2140 sg2052 V87 p2141 sbsa(dp2142 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2143 F20870.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2144 (dp2145 g2042 VYou ask what are we going to do with her now? She's clearly unstable. The Journalist suggests locking her up somewhere until she calms down. \u000a \u000a[[continue|89]] p2146 sg2044 (lp2147 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I55 I45 I5 I271 I1 tp2148 (dp2149 tp2150 Rp2151 sg2051 g2151 sg2052 V88 p2152 sbsa(dp2153 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2154 F20730.0 aF150.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2155 (dp2156 g2042 VShe glares at you and says she just pulled it out of the wall, it wasn't connected to anything. \u000a \u000a[[continue|88]] p2157 sg2044 (lp2158 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I56 I40 I5 I271 I1 tp2159 (dp2160 tp2161 Rp2162 sg2051 g2162 sg2052 V87a p2163 sbsa(dp2164 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2165 F20730.0 aF290.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2166 (dp2167 g2042 VThe woman's sobbing against the floor as the Bounty Hunter ties her arms behind her back. You're not going to get anything out of her now. \u000a \u000a[[continue|88]] p2168 sg2044 (lp2169 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I56 I50 I5 I271 I1 tp2170 (dp2171 tp2172 Rp2173 sg2051 g2173 sg2052 V87b p2174 sbsa(dp2175 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2176 F21010.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2177 (dp2178 g2042 VYou put her into the storage room and \u201clock\u201d the door shut from the outside with some more of the phone line wiring. The Bounty Hunter says that he tied her securely, she wont be going anywhere until we can figure out whats going on. She's shouting from the room to be untied, so you all go down to the bottom of the stairs to get away from her noise. \u000a\u201cSo that's it then?\u201d the Lawyer asks. \u201cSHE was the killer all this time?\u201d \u000aIf you have any questions you want to ask, now's the time. \u000a \u000aCHOICE x1 \u000a \u000a[[#1 Why wouldn't she have shot the WARD earlier if she had the gun?|89a]] \u000a[[#2 How could she have even gotten the gun?|89b]] \u000a[[#3 Do you really think she's the killer?|89c]] p2179 sg2044 (lp2180 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I58 I2 I5 I271 I1 tp2181 (dp2182 tp2183 Rp2184 sg2051 g2184 sg2052 V89 p2185 sbsa(dp2186 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2187 F21290.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2188 (dp2189 g2042 VThe Journalist says she'll go in and talk to her, see if she can get any information out of her. If she says anything at all, she'll let you all know. \u000aYou don't like the idea, but you agree that her talking to the Wife alone is your best chance at getting answers. \u000aThe Lawyer unties the door and lets her in. \u000a \u000a[[continue|91]] p2190 sg2044 (lp2191 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I59 I21 I5 I271 I1 tp2192 (dp2193 tp2194 Rp2195 sg2051 g2195 sg2052 V90 p2196 sbsa(dp2197 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2198 F21150.0 aF150.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2199 (dp2200 g2042 V\u201cMaybe she was waiting for the right moment, and when the lights went out she just snapped?\u201d the Bounty Hunter guesses. \u000a\u201cOr maybe the Warden attacked her and it was self-defense?\u201d the Journalist counters. \u000a\u201cYou women always stick together, don't you?\u201d The Journalist glares at him and the Lawyer rubs his temples. It's been a long night. \u000a \u000a[[continue|90]] p2201 sg2044 (lp2202 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I59 I27 I5 I271 I1 tp2203 (dp2204 tp2205 Rp2206 sg2051 g2206 sg2052 V89a p2207 sbsa(dp2208 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2209 F21150.0 aF290.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2210 (dp2211 g2042 V\u201cI had the gun with me up until the lights went out the second time,\u201d the Bounty Hunter admits. \u201cWhen I woke up it was gone. Anyone could have taken it.\u201d \u000a\u201cWhy didn't you mention this to any of us before now?\u201d you ask, getting angry. \u000a\u201cBecause I didn't want to get shot in the back by whoever took it.\u201d \u000a \u000a[[continue|90]] p2212 sg2044 (lp2213 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I59 I32 I5 I271 I1 tp2214 (dp2215 tp2216 Rp2217 sg2051 g2217 sg2052 V89b p2218 sbsa(dp2219 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2220 F21150.0 aF430.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2221 (dp2222 g2042 V\u201cHer husband was just horribly murdered,\u201d the Lawyer answers. \u201cIf she believed the Warden was responsible, that's motive enough to shoot him.\u201d \u000a\u201cWhat about the other two deaths, the Policeman and Repairman?\u201d you ask. \u201cShe had no reason to want them dead.\u201d \u000aThe Bounty Hunter nods in agreement. \u201cWe need to calm her down and find out what she knows.\u201d \u000a \u000a[[continue|90]] p2223 sg2044 (lp2224 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I17 I59 I37 I5 I271 I1 tp2225 (dp2226 tp2227 Rp2228 sg2051 g2228 sg2052 V89c p2229 sbsa(dp2230 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2231 F21430.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2232 (dp2233 g2042 VOutside the door, the Bounty Hunter quietly tells you and the Lawyer that it's time the three of you talk the situation over in private. \u000a\u201cI think I know what's going on here,\u201d he begins, \u201cI'm placing my bets on the killer being Blondie in there.\u201d He gestures to the door behind him. \u201cEvery time someone's died, she's disappeared. When the Warden got shot, she was running away and you caught her. I bet she gave the other woman my gun and put her up to it, let Wifey do the dirty work for her.\u201d \u000a \u000aCHOICE \u000a \u000a[[#1 agree with him that it's possible|91a]] \u000a[[#2 disagree, the evidence is pointing somewhere else|91b]] p2234 sg2044 (lp2235 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I18 I1 I23 I5 I271 I1 tp2236 (dp2237 tp2238 Rp2239 sg2051 g2239 sg2052 V91 p2240 sbsa(dp2241 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2242 F21570.0 aF150.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2243 (dp2244 g2042 VYou think back to the times she disappeared or was caught searching in the basement. Most people would go out of their way to avoid being around a dead body, but other than her initial appalled reaction she seemed pretty unmoved by it. If she knows about the 10million hidden in there, it would be a motive enough to kill the Repairman if he was getting in her way. But what about the others? Maybe she was afraid of the Policeman getting backup and the Warden might have been... blackmailing her? With what? You're grasping at straws here. You just don't have enough information yet. \u000a \u000a[[continue|92]] p2245 sg2044 (lp2246 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I18 I2 I11 I5 I271 I1 tp2247 (dp2248 tp2249 Rp2250 sg2051 g2250 sg2052 V91a p2251 sbsa(dp2252 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2253 F21570.0 aF290.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2254 (dp2255 g2042 VThe fact that she was running away during the last blackout isn't enough to peg these crimes on her. Maybe she was just scared for her own safety? And there's always the question of motive. If she knew about the 10million hidden in the basement, it would explain why she kept going down there, and it would be a reason enough to kill the Repairman if he was getting in her way. But what about the others? You think back, trying to remember where she was during each of the murders... \u000a \u000a \u000a[[continue|92]] p2256 sg2044 (lp2257 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I18 I2 I13 I5 I271 I1 tp2258 (dp2259 tp2260 Rp2261 sg2051 g2261 sg2052 V91b p2262 sbsa(dp2263 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2264 F21710.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2265 (dp2266 g2042 VThe Lawyer seems more skeptical about this theory than the Bounty Hunter. He argues that it might well be the Doctor who's never been accounted for. Men in his line of work have a history of going crazy themselves. Maybe he's been hiding out here all the time? We need to search the place for him. \u000a \u000a[[-and leave the Wife alone with a woman we suspect is a serial killer?|93]] \u000a \u000a p2267 sg2044 (lp2268 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I18 I2 I17 I5 I271 I1 tp2269 (dp2270 tp2271 Rp2272 sg2051 g2272 sg2052 V92 p2273 sbsa(dp2274 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2275 F21850.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2276 (dp2277 g2042 V\u201cIf the Doctor's here, we need to find out,\u201d the Lawyer insists. \u201cThere's only one door into that storage room, it's the safest place for them to stay while we search the building.\u201d \u000a\u201cExcept there's no we in this,\u201d the Bounty Hunter says, backing away from you two. \u201cI'm not going anywhere with either of you, just waiting for the lights to go off and I find out I'm wrong about the Blonde.\u201d \u000a \u000a[[-so what are you saying?|94]] p2278 sg2044 (lp2279 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I18 I3 I50 I5 I271 I1 tp2280 (dp2281 tp2282 Rp2283 sg2051 g2283 sg2052 V93 p2284 sbsa(dp2285 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2286 F21990.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2287 (dp2288 g2042 V\u201cI'm saying I'm OUT. I'm leaving. Alone.\u201d The Bounty Hunter starts backing down the stairs, watching you both intently. \u000a\u201cSo what? You're just going to try your luck not freezing to death in the snow?\u201d the Lawyer asks, sounding irritated and worried at the same time. \u000a\u201cNot exactly. I'm going to wait outside, let the real killer pick the rest of you off and reveal himself. And for that, I know I'm better off alone.\u201d \u000a\u201cSo you think it's one of us then?\u201d the Lawyer asks, gesturing between you and him. \u000a\u201cWell, I know its not me, I prefer my odds by myself.\u201d \u000aAnd with that he turns and walks down the stairs. \u000a \u000a[[continue|95]] p2289 sg2044 (lp2290 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I18 I4 I6 I5 I271 I1 tp2291 (dp2292 tp2293 Rp2294 sg2051 g2294 sg2052 V94 p2295 sbsa(dp2296 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2297 F22130.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2298 (dp2299 g2042 VNow it's just you and the Lawyer. He eyes you carefully, clearly sizing you up as he backs a little away from you. \u000a\u201cDid you lock the door to the Planetarium?\u201d he asks, and you look up to the top of the staircase. The heavy lock and chain's been put back on. \u000a\u201cNo, that's new...\u201d you mutter. Why would anyone... \u000a\u201cSo what happens now?\u201d he asks you. \u000a \u000aCHOICE \u000a \u000a[[#1 search the building alone|95a]] \u000a[[#2 search the building together|95b]] p2300 sg2044 (lp2301 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I18 I4 I13 I5 I271 I1 tp2302 (dp2303 tp2304 Rp2305 sg2051 g2305 sg2052 V95 p2306 sbsa(dp2307 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2308 F22270.0 aF150.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2309 (dp2310 g2042 VYou tell him that the two of you should split up and look for any clues about the Doctor. If you don't find anything, maybe the Wife will be ready to talk. \u000a\u201cSo you think I might be it, don't you?\u201d he asks, glancing over his shoulder down the staircase as if he expects the Bounty Hunter to jump out on him at any second. \u000a\u201cIt's crossed my mind,\u201d you tell him. \u201cThe list's getting shorter by the hour.\u201d \u000aHis expression is odd, but he nods in agreement. \u201cOkay, I'll check the basement and downstairs. You go find a way into that planetarium. That would be a likely spot for the killer to be hiding; maybe it even has a secret exit outside? These old Soviet buildings had a lot of little spaces.\u201d \u000a \u000a[[continue|96]] p2311 sg2044 (lp2312 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I18 I5 I31 I5 I271 I1 tp2313 (dp2314 tp2315 Rp2316 sg2051 g2316 sg2052 V95a p2317 sbsa(dp2318 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2319 F22270.0 aF290.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2320 (dp2321 g2042 VYou tell him that the two of you need to stick together and search the building for any clues about the Doctor. If something happens or the lights go out again, we'll need to watch each others' backs. \u000aHe hesitates for a second, you can tell he doesn't like this idea. \u201cThe thing is-\u201d he begins. \u000a\u201cYou think I'm in, don't you?\u201d you ask, studying him to gauge his current emotional state. \u000a\u201cIt's crossed my mind,\u201d he admits. \u201cThe list\u2019s getting shorter by the hour.\u201d \u000aHis expression is odd. You know he's got something else on his mind, but doesn\u2019t want to say. Maybe teaming up wasn't the best idea. If he's not the killer he may still do something reckless and get you both dead. \u201cOkay, you'll check the basement and downstairs. I'll go find a way into that planetarium.\u201d \u000a\u201cThat would be a likely spot for the killer to be hiding; maybe it even has a secret exit outside?\u201d he wonders. \u201cThese old Soviet buildings had a lot of little spaces.\u201d \u000a \u000a[[continue|96]] p2322 sg2044 (lp2323 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I18 I5 I33 I5 I271 I1 tp2324 (dp2325 tp2326 Rp2327 sg2051 g2327 sg2052 V95b p2328 sbsa(dp2329 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2330 F22410.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2331 (dp2332 g2042 VThe Lawyer turns to go down, but you stop him. There's a few questions you need to ask him first. \u000a \u000aCHOICE x2 \u000a \u000a[[#1 What do you think is going on?|96a]] \u000a[[#2 How do you think the Wife got the gun?|96b]] \u000a[[#3 What about the Bounty Hunter?|96c]] \u000a p2333 sg2044 (lp2334 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I18 I6 I34 I5 I271 I1 tp2335 (dp2336 tp2337 Rp2338 sg2051 g2338 sg2052 V96 p2339 sbsa(dp2340 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2341 F22970.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2342 (dp2343 g2042 V\u201cSo you just expect me go into a suspected killers hideout unarmed?\u201d you ask, making your voice angrier than you really are to try and scare something out of him. \u201cYou're trying to get me killed, aren't you?!\u201d \u000aThe Lawyer raises his hands in a conciliatory gesture. \u201cListen, I just want to live through the night, okay? I know I'm not the killer. And we both know its not one of the women. It's got to be either the Bounty Hunter or the Doctor.\u201d \u000aYou cross your arms, unconvinced. \u000a\u201cOkay, okay,\u201d he says quickly ,\u201dif you still don't believe me, here, take this:\u201d He reaches into his coat and hands you the gun, holding it to you by the barrel. Where the hell did he get that from? \u000a\u201cWhen the Bounty Hunter was tying up that woman, he'd kicked it away on the floor\u201d he explains, \u201cand when no one was looking I picked it up. It only has 2 bullets left, use one to shoot the lock to the Planetarium. If the killer's in there, use it to threaten him and then lock him in the room.\u201d \u000a \u000a[[continue|98]] p2344 sg2044 (lp2345 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I18 I8 I6 I5 I271 I1 tp2346 (dp2347 tp2348 Rp2349 sg2051 g2349 sg2052 V97 p2350 sbsa(dp2351 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2352 F22550.0 aF150.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2353 (dp2354 g2042 V\u201cI still think it may be the Doctor. Maybe he's gone crazy or took too many drugs and just lost it. We haven't seen him in several hours, but it just doesn't make sense that he'd take off alone into the night. \u000a \u000aCHOICE \u000a \u000a#1 [[How do you think the Wife got the gun?|96a1]] \u000a#2 [[What about the Bounty Hunter?|96a2]] \u000a \u000a p2355 sg2044 (lp2356 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I18 I8 I11 I5 I271 I1 tp2357 (dp2358 tp2359 Rp2360 sg2051 g2360 sg2052 V96a p2361 sbsa(dp2362 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2363 F22550.0 aF430.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2364 (dp2365 g2042 V\u201cMaybe when the lights went out the second time she took it off the Bounty Hunter when he was out. She said she'd tripped over him in the dark. Or maybe the Warden stole it during your fight with him outside, and they took it off him when the jumped him in the garage.\u201d \u000a\u201cIs that what you think happened back there?\u201d you ask. \u000aHe shakes his head,\u201d I don't know. I really don't.\u201d \u000a \u000aCHOICE \u000a \u000a#1 [[hat do you think is going on?|96b1]] \u000a#2 [[What about the Bounty Hunter?|96b2]] \u000a \u000a p2366 sg2044 (lp2367 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I18 I8 I19 I5 I271 I1 tp2368 (dp2369 tp2370 Rp2371 sg2051 g2371 sg2052 V96b p2372 sbsa(dp2373 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2374 F22550.0 aF710.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2375 (dp2376 g2042 VYou ask him if he thinks the Bounty Hunter could be the killer. \u000a\u201cMaybe...\u201d he answers carefully. He's acting a little strange, but maybe he's just scared and you're reading into things too much? \u201cMaybe he is. The Policeman's break lines were cut; he's been up in everyone\u2019s business; he'd be in a position to know these details of peoples personal lives.\u201d \u000a\u201cA lot of people here might have had access to private records,\u201d you point out. \u201cThe Warden and Policeman easily, maybe the Doctor. Maybe the Journalist, too. She could have found out who all of us are and is still going for that breakthrough story.\u201d \u000a\u201cYou left me off the list,\u201d he points out. \u201cAs a lawyer, I could've heard things too.\u201d \u000a\u201cYou're absolutely right\u201d \u000a \u000a#1 [[What do you think is going on?|96c1]] \u000a#2 [[How do you think the Wife got the gun?|96c2]] \u000a \u000a p2377 sg2044 (lp2378 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I18 I8 I43 I5 I271 I1 tp2379 (dp2380 tp2381 Rp2382 sg2051 g2382 sg2052 V96c p2383 sbsa(dp2384 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2385 F22690.0 aF150.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2386 (dp2387 g2042 V\u201cMaybe when the lights went out the second time she took it off the Bounty Hunter when he was out. She said she'd tripped over him in the dark. Or maybe the Warden stole it during your fight with him outside, and they took it off him when the jumped him in the garage.\u201d \u000a\u201cIs that what you think happened back there?\u201d you ask. \u000aHe shakes his head,\u201d I don't know. I really don't.\u201d \u000a \u000a[[-Ask him why you have to be the one to go upstairs|97]] p2388 sg2044 (lp2389 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I18 I8 I51 I5 I271 I1 tp2390 (dp2391 tp2392 Rp2393 sg2051 g2393 sg2052 V96a1 p2394 sbsa(dp2395 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2396 F22690.0 aF290.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2397 (dp2398 g2042 VYou ask him if he thinks the Bounty Hunter could be the killer. \u000a\u201cMaybe...\u201d he answers carefully. He's acting a little strange, but maybe he's just scared and you're reading into things too much? \u201cMaybe he is. The Policeman's break lines were cut; he's been up in everyone\u2019s business; he'd be in a position to know these details of peoples personal lives.\u201d \u000a\u201cA lot of people here might have had access to private records,\u201d you point out. \u201cThe Warden and Policeman easily, maybe the Doctor. Maybe the Journalist, too. She could have found out who all of us are and is still going for that breakthrough story.\u201d \u000a\u201cYou left me off the list,\u201d he points out. \u201cAs a lawyer, I could've heard things too.\u201d \u000a\u201cYou're absolutely right.\u201d \u000a \u000a[[-Ask him why you have to be the one to go upstairs|97]] p2399 sg2044 (lp2400 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I18 I8 I59 I5 I271 I1 tp2401 (dp2402 tp2403 Rp2404 sg2051 g2404 sg2052 V96a2 p2405 sbsa(dp2406 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2407 F22690.0 aF570.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2408 (dp2409 g2042 VYou ask him if he thinks the Bounty Hunter could be the killer. \u000a\u201cMaybe...\u201d he answers carefully. He's acting a little strange, but maybe he's just scared and you're reading into things too much? \u201cMaybe he is. The Policeman's break lines were cut; he's been up in everyone\u2019s business; he'd be in a position to know these details of peoples personal lives.\u201d \u000a\u201cA lot of people here might have had access to private records,\u201d you point out. \u201cThe Warden and Policeman easily, maybe the Doctor. Maybe the Journalist, too. She could have found out who all of us are and is still going for that breakthrough story.\u201d \u000a\u201cYou left me off the list,\u201d he points out. \u201cAs a lawyer, I could've heard things too.\u201d \u000a\u201cYou're absolutely right.\u201d \u000a \u000a[[-Ask him why you have to be the one to go upstairs|97]] p2410 sg2044 (lp2411 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I18 I9 I41 I5 I271 I1 tp2412 (dp2413 tp2414 Rp2415 sg2051 g2415 sg2052 V96b2 p2416 sbsa(dp2417 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2418 F22690.0 aF430.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2419 (dp2420 g2042 V\u201cI still think it may be the Doctor. Maybe he's gone crazy or took too many drugs and just lost it. We haven't seen him in several hours, but it just doesn't make sense that he'd take off alone into the night. \u000a \u000a[[-Ask him why you have to be the one to go upstairs|97]] p2421 sg2044 (lp2422 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I18 I9 I49 I5 I271 I1 tp2423 (dp2424 tp2425 Rp2426 sg2051 g2426 sg2052 V96b1 p2427 sbsa(dp2428 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2429 F22690.0 aF710.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2430 (dp2431 g2042 V\u201cI still think it may be the Doctor. Maybe he's gone crazy or took too many drugs and just lost it. We haven't seen him in several hours, but it just doesn't make sense that he'd take off alone into the night. \u000a \u000a[[-Ask him why you have to be the one to go upstairs|97]] p2432 sg2044 (lp2433 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I18 I9 I56 I5 I271 I1 tp2434 (dp2435 tp2436 Rp2437 sg2051 g2437 sg2052 V96c1 p2438 sbsa(dp2439 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2440 F22690.0 aF850.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2441 (dp2442 g2042 V\u201cMaybe when the lights went out the second time she took it off the Bounty Hunter when he was out. She said she'd tripped over him in the dark. Or maybe the Warden stole it during your fight with him outside, and they took it off him when the jumped him in the garage.\u201d \u000a\u201cIs that what you think happened back there?\u201d you ask. \u000aHe shakes his head,\u201d I don't know. I really don't.\u201d \u000a \u000a[[-Ask him why you have to be the one to go upstairs|97]] p2443 sg2044 (lp2444 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I18 I9 I58 I5 I271 I1 tp2445 (dp2446 tp2447 Rp2448 sg2051 g2448 sg2052 V96c2 p2449 sbsa(dp2450 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2451 F23110.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2452 (dp2453 g2042 VThe Lawyer backs down the stairs, nervously watching you hold the gun. \u201cI trust you, just... not a lot.\u201d he says, then scurries away. \u000aYeah, the feeling's mutual at very best. But you check the gun and it does indeed have two bullets left. \u000aThen you remember that way back, right after the Repairman was killed, it was the Journalist who had the key that unlocked the door. Before you go up there, you need to talk to her. \u000aYou knock on the door to the storage room softly, then open it and step inside the small room. \u000a \u000a[[continue|99]] p2454 sg2044 (lp2455 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I18 I17 I15 I5 I271 I1 tp2456 (dp2457 tp2458 Rp2459 sg2051 g2459 sg2052 V98 p2460 sbsa(dp2461 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2462 F23250.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2463 (dp2464 g2042 VThe Journalist is talking to the other woman who's calmed down by now enough to talk. She looks up at you with real fear in her eyes, but the Journalist holds her hand. \u201cIt's okay, Iva,\u201d she reassures her. \u201che's not going to hurt us.\u201d And she knows that for sure, does she? \u000aSteeling her resolve, Iva ,the Wife, looks up at you, and starts to tell you their real story... \u000a \u000a[[continue|100]] p2465 sg2044 (lp2466 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I18 I18 I13 I5 I271 I1 tp2467 (dp2468 tp2469 Rp2470 sg2051 g2470 sg2052 V99 p2471 sbsa(dp2472 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2473 F23390.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2474 (dp2475 g2042 V\u201cBoghdan and I aren't... aren't who we've said we were. We're not famous. We're not even on TV.\u201d \u000aYou snort and fight back a grin. Yeah, no shit. \u000a\u201cWe're... we're con artists, just like the video said.\u201d Her voice wavers but she continues. \u201cWe'd gotten a big score with this family in central Europe, but then it was getting too hot for us so we fled out east. We found our way here to this village. That's where we met Abrusti, the Warden.\u201d \u000aYou raise an eyebrow, but let her continue. \u000a\u201cWe were staying at the hotel in town, low on money and waiting for our next mark. Last night this rich Frenchman comes in, throwing Rubles around on cheap women and making a spectacle of himself.\u201d \u000aAh Warden Abrusti, he sounds just like you remember him. \u000a\u201cHe was obviously well off, so my husband and I think we can roll him for all he's worth. Maybe even enough to leave the continent, try our luck in America. So we take him to the bar, get him drunk. The plan's for me to catch his eye, get him to take me back to his room. Than I let my husband in, he knocks him out, and we rob him and take anything he has.\u201d \u000aHer honesty is almost refreshing after the night you've been having. Almost. \u000a \u000a[[continue|101]] p2476 sg2044 (lp2477 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I18 I18 I14 I5 I271 I1 tp2478 (dp2479 tp2480 Rp2481 sg2051 g2481 sg2052 V100 p2482 sbsa(dp2483 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2484 F23670.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2485 (dp2486 g2042 V\u201cWe'd been threatening and blackmailing the Warden the whole evening, trying to get him to give us the map or cut us in on the deal. If he didn't, we told him we'd tell everyone about it. He still refused, saying he already had another patsy in line who would be doing it for free. My husband flew into a rage and attacked him in the garage. I tore the map from his pocket and then the lights went out. My husband struck him again and knocked him out. Then I gave him the map and ran back inside, tripping over the Bounty Hunter just like I said before. When my husband didn\u2019t come back in a few minutes, I knew something had gone terribly wrong...\u201d At this, her voice breaks and she begins to sob against the Journalist's shoulder. \u000a \u000a[[how did your husband get the climbing equipment and flashlight?|103]] p2487 sg2044 (lp2488 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I18 I18 I15 I5 I271 I1 tp2489 (dp2490 tp2491 Rp2492 sg2051 g2492 sg2052 V102 p2493 sbsa(dp2494 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2495 F23530.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2496 (dp2497 g2042 V\u201cYes, I know it's not a nice way to make a living, but we were getting desperate.\u201d she continues, occasionally looking to the Journalist for a comforting squeeze of the hand. \u201cRobbing Abrusti was the original plan, but then he just gets hammered and starts going on and on about this 10million US dollars that's hidden nearby somewhere and that's why he's here. He claims he found a map with the personal effects of a convict who'd escaped his penitentiary. Of course we didn't think too much of this story at first, but he went into so many details about the convicts and the location, we started to believe him.\u201d \u000aSo of course they figured out who you were after they heard your tape... \u000a\u201cWe decided to leave him alone that night, to follow him up here and see what he does. We had a taxi drop us off a few miles down the mountain, he wouldn't come closer in the storm, and we walked up here ourselves. That's why we arrived so late.\u201d \u000a \u000a[[So what happened when the lights went out?|102]] p2498 sg2044 (lp2499 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I18 I18 I17 I5 I271 I1 tp2500 (dp2501 tp2502 Rp2503 sg2051 g2503 sg2052 V101 p2504 sbsa(dp2505 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2506 F23810.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2507 (dp2508 g2042 V\u201cEarlier, when the lights were out the first time, we had sneaked into the garage and stole the equipment out of the snowmobile,\u201d she admits. \u201cThen the Doctor walked in and caught us. He was clearly strung out and paranoid and he said he just wanted to leave, so we struck a deal with him: we keep the climbing gear and flashlight, and he takes the rest of the equipment and walks out. We didn't think for a minute he could have been dangerous, we just wanted to keep him quiet.\u201d \u000aNever trust a junkie. \u000a1 cont. Didn't it strike you as odd the Doctor was so eager to leave after the 1st death? \u000a\u201cWell, no, it didn't. It struck us as more odd that nobody else wanted to leave." \u000a \u000a[[Did she really think the Warden killed her husband?|104]] p2509 sg2044 (lp2510 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I18 I18 I21 I5 I271 I1 tp2511 (dp2512 tp2513 Rp2514 sg2051 g2514 sg2052 V103 p2515 sbsa(dp2516 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2517 F23950.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2518 (dp2519 g2042 V\u201cSo you think the Warden found your husband and pushed him into the well? But wasn't he knocked out?\u201d you ask her. \u000a\u201cHe must have woken up!\u201d she insists. \u000a\u201cBut why would he cut the rope then, wouldn't he need it for himself to get the money?\u201d \u000aHer jaw goes slack, eyes glassy. \u201cI... I don't know...\u201d \u000a \u000a[[So you shot the Warden?|105]] p2520 sg2044 (lp2521 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I18 I18 I22 I5 I271 I1 tp2522 (dp2523 tp2524 Rp2525 sg2051 g2525 sg2052 V104 p2526 sbsa(dp2527 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2528 F24090.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2529 (dp2530 g2042 V\u201cWhat happened when the Warden died?\u201d you ask. \u201cDid you shoot him?\u201d \u000a\u201cNO! I was arguing with him, the lights went out, and someone tried to strangle me! I thought it was the Warden so I was trying to get away and scream his name, but he was choking me so I couldn't say it. Then I heard the gunfire right next to my ear and then the lights came back on. There was the gun in my hand, but the killer must've put it there! I didn't do it! I didn't do it!\u201d \u000a \u000aThen her face crumples. The questioning is becoming too much for her and she begins crying uncontrollably. \u000a\u201cOkay, that's enough,\u201d says the Journalist. She gently unwraps the Wife's arms from her neck and stands up. \u201cLet's talk,\u201d she says to you. You move to the edge of the room for a whispered conversation. \u000a \u000a[[continue|106]] p2531 sg2044 (lp2532 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I18 I22 I1 I5 I271 I1 tp2533 (dp2534 tp2535 Rp2536 sg2051 g2536 sg2052 V105 p2537 sbsa(dp2538 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2539 F24230.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2540 (dp2541 g2042 VCont. \u000aYou tell her what the Lawyer said, about how he still suspects it's the Doctor. She shakes her head but keeps listening. Then you tell her about what the Bounty Hunter said as he was leaving, about how he's waiting for the rest of us to get killed and then will pick off whoever is left because they must be the murderer. \u000aHer eyes widen,\u201dSo he just left us like this? He's waiting outside?!\u201d \u000aYou tell her that's what he said, but there's always the chance he's really the killer and is still in the building. \u000a\u201cAnd what do you think?\u201d she asks you. \u201cDo you think the Doctor could be behind all this?\u201d \u000a \u000aCHOICE x1 \u000a \u000a#1 [[Tell her he could be.|106a]] \u000a \u000a#2 [[Tell her you suspect the Bounty Hunter.|106b]] \u000a \u000a#3 [[Tell her you suspect the Lawyer|106c]] \u000a \u000a#4 [[Tell her you suspect she's the killer|106d]] \u000a p2542 sg2044 (lp2543 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I18 I22 I43 I5 I271 I1 tp2544 (dp2545 tp2546 Rp2547 sg2051 g2547 sg2052 V106 p2548 sbsa(dp2549 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2550 F24370.0 aF150.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2551 (dp2552 g2042 V \u000aShe shakes her head. \u201cI don't believe it. It just doesn't make sense.\u201d \u000aNot a hell of a lots making sense tonight, sweetheart. \u000a \u000a[[continue|107]] p2553 sg2044 (lp2554 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I18 I23 I49 I5 I271 I1 tp2555 (dp2556 tp2557 Rp2558 sg2051 g2558 sg2052 V106a p2559 sbsa(dp2560 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2561 F24370.0 aF290.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2562 (dp2563 g2042 VShe pauses then nods. \u201cHe... he's definitely a possibility.\u201d \u000aThere's something she's not telling you, but you'll be damned if you know what that is. \u000a \u000a[[continue|107]] p2564 sg2044 (lp2565 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I18 I23 I51 I5 I271 I1 tp2566 (dp2567 tp2568 Rp2569 sg2051 g2569 sg2052 V106b p2570 sbsa(dp2571 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2572 F24370.0 aF430.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2573 (dp2574 g2042 VShe pauses, eyes searching yours. \u201cI do too,\u201d she agrees carefully. \u201cHe's the only one who makes any sense.\u201d \u000aThere's something she's not telling you, but you'll be damned if you know what that is. \u000a \u000a[[continue|107]] p2575 sg2044 (lp2576 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I18 I23 I54 I5 I271 I1 tp2577 (dp2578 tp2579 Rp2580 sg2051 g2580 sg2052 V106c p2581 sbsa(dp2582 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2583 F24370.0 aF570.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2584 (dp2585 g2042 VShe glares at you for that. \u201cNow you know that's a lie.\u201d \u000a\u201cDo I?\u201d you ask with a raised eyebrow. \u000a\u201cI was with you the whole time the Repairman died. You didn't leave my sight once, which means I didn't leave yours.\u201d \u000aShe's pretty when she's angry, you think. She takes a deep breath and rubs her temples. \u000a \u000a[[continue|107]] p2586 sg2044 (lp2587 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I18 I23 I57 I5 I271 I1 tp2588 (dp2589 tp2590 Rp2591 sg2051 g2591 sg2052 V106d p2592 sbsa(dp2593 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2594 F24510.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2595 (dp2596 g2042 VYou tell her about how you're going into the Planetarium and the Lawyer gave you the gun with two bullets but you think she still has the key. She nods, she'd almost forgotten about that. And no, she stops you before you ask, she wasn\u2019t the one who locked the door. She has no idea why anyone here would, unless they were trying to hide something. \u000aShe gives you the Planetarium key and tells you to \u201csave all the bullets. If the killer's not in there, we're going to need all of them to get out of here alive.\u201d \u000a\u201cWhat about you two?\u201d you ask. \u000a\u201cI'm going to stay down here with Iva. I'll lock the door from the inside and we'll be safe.\u201d \u000aYou nod and turn to leave, but she stops you with a hand on your shoulder. \u201c I'm trusting you to let us out, okay?\u201d she pleads, her eyes big and soulful and you can't help but notice how she's trying to manipulate you into doing her dirty work. \u000aYou close the door quietly behind you. Let her think what she wants but you're not striking her off the list just yet. \u000a \u000a[[continue|108]] p2597 sg2044 (lp2598 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I18 I24 I0 I5 I271 I1 tp2599 (dp2600 tp2601 Rp2602 sg2051 g2602 sg2052 V107 p2603 sbsa(dp2604 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2605 F24650.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2606 (dp2607 g2042 VYou unlock the Planetarium and slide the chain out as quietly as you can; you don't know who's listening in but you're betting someone is. The door opens mercifully without a squeak and you step inside and turn the lights on, gun in hand in case someone jumps you. \u000aNo one's here. Something about the room looks a little different from the last time you saw it, but there's definitely no killer hiding out here right now. \u000aFirst things first, though. You pop out the two bullets from your gun, hold it by the barrel, and with all your might swing the handle down against the metal door. It makes a terrific, echoing \u201cbang\u201d and you hope that it's convincing enough to fool the Lawyer or whoever else that you just wasted a bullet on the lock. \u000aThe lights flicker on and off twice but then stay on. Odd... \u000aYou put the bullets back in, cock one into the chamber, and start searching the room for clues. \u000a \u000a[[continue|109]] p2608 sg2044 (lp2609 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I18 I28 I15 I5 I271 I1 tp2610 (dp2611 tp2612 Rp2613 sg2051 g2613 sg2052 V108 p2614 sbsa(dp2615 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2616 F24790.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2617 (dp2618 g2042 VThere was a pile of old building materials by the door that you didn't have a chance to look at earlier. You push the bricks and dried up paint cans to the side and, lo and behold, there's a smaller second circuit breaker on the wall behind them. You jimmy it open with the edge of a painters spatula. It looks recently installed, much newer than the one in the basement which probably came with the original building. \u000aYou don't know much about electricals, but there's this black and green side piece attached to the main breaker that looks out of place. You force it off and examine it. The writing on it's in Russian, but you make out enough to guess this is some sort of short range remote device. \u000aSo someone could have had a radio switch in their pocket this whole time and been turning the lights on and off from anywhere in the house? If you find that person with the switch, you may have just found the killer. \u000aYou smash the device under your heel and keep looking. \u000a \u000a[[continue|110]] p2619 sg2044 (lp2620 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I18 I28 I16 I5 I271 I1 tp2621 (dp2622 tp2623 Rp2624 sg2051 g2624 sg2052 V109 p2625 sbsa(dp2626 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2627 F24930.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2628 (dp2629 g2042 VYou decide to check the projector itself but don't find anything. You pop out the tape of the incriminating videos and pocket it in case the police sweep this building later. \u000aIn the desk itself you find a hidden drawer at the underside of the tabletop. You probably wouldn't have found it otherwise, but it was sticking out just slightly. As if someone was in a hurry when they last used it. \u000aYou pull out the drawer, and inside are three items: \u000aThe first is a detailed blueprint of the building. Perhaps this explains how the killer was able to move so quickly around; he simply had the layout memorized. \u000a \u000a[[continue|111]] p2630 sg2044 (lp2631 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I18 I28 I18 I5 I271 I1 tp2632 (dp2633 tp2634 Rp2635 sg2051 g2635 sg2052 V110 p2636 sbsa(dp2637 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2638 F25210.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2639 (dp2640 g2042 VAnd the last item is the most intriguing of all: a folder with a full dossier of details on ALL ten of the people here. It contains numerous newspaper clipping, online articles, and photographic evidence supporting all the crimes the ten of you were accused of. \u000aYou don't have time to read them all, so you skim over the rest and focus on the remaining living suspects: the Bounty Hunter, Wife of the Couple, Journalist, Lawyer, and the Doctor. \u000aAs it turns out, all five of them have a history of mental illness and run-ins with the law. The Bounty Hunter has an incredibly long wrap sheet of crimes ranging from minor to he should have been in the cell next to yours. The Journalist has been arrested numerous times for breaking and entering, and is on several different medications. The Con Artist Couple have been implicated in several murders over the pasts decade. The Doctor is under investigation for an accusation of secretly killing off two of his patients with intentional overdoses. He also appears to have a real death fixation, having written numerous books on the subject and even volunteered at a funeral home. Lastly, the convict that the Lawyer got released on a technicality killed the Lawyer's own family, not just some random woman and kids. Funny, he'd left that part out of his story. You wouldn't blame him if it was just something he didn't want to talk about... \u000a \u000a \u000a[[continue|113]] p2641 sg2044 (lp2642 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I18 I28 I19 I5 I271 I1 tp2643 (dp2644 tp2645 Rp2646 sg2051 g2646 sg2052 V112 p2647 sbsa(dp2648 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2649 F25070.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2650 (dp2651 g2042 VSecondly there's a small cloth bag. The fabric feels brand new. You open it and find... an instruction sheet? Yes, it's an instruction sheet for night vision goggles. The text is in English, so whoever brought it here didn't buy it locally. If you find who has those goggles, it's another piece of pretty damning evidence. \u000a \u000a[[continue|112]] p2652 sg2044 (lp2653 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I18 I28 I21 I5 I271 I1 tp2654 (dp2655 tp2656 Rp2657 sg2051 g2657 sg2052 V111 p2658 sbsa(dp2659 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2660 F25490.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2661 (dp2662 g2042 VIt's not a big room and it doesn't take you long to conclude there's certainly none of those \u201clittle Soviet spaces\u201d the Lawyer mentioned. The only way out is the window, but it doesn't have hinges. \u000aYou dump the contents of the metal drawer from the projector onto the table top and go to the window. Carefully wrapping your hands in your sleeves to protect from shards of glass, you swing the drawer against it. The window cracks promisingly. Three more blows and some help from your booted foot and you've got it open enough to crawl out. It was noisy work, unfortunately, and anyone listening probably figured out what you just did. \u000a \u000a[[continue|115]] p2663 sg2044 (lp2664 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I18 I28 I22 I5 I271 I1 tp2665 (dp2666 tp2667 Rp2668 sg2051 g2668 sg2052 V114 p2669 sbsa(dp2670 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2671 F25350.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2672 (dp2673 g2042 VSuddenly the door behind you slams shut! You dash to it but it's too late; you hear the lock and chain click into place second before you slam into it. Stupid, stupid move on you part, you berate yourself. You were so engrossed in the files and what they could mean that you didn't notice that someone was watching you. \u000aAs you scan the small planetarium, it occurs to you that anyone of the others could have locked you in. The Doctor definitely is not here now, but that doesn't mean he wasn't using this room as a hideout. The Journalist and Lawyer both new you were in here and the Wife could have overheard. And of course the Bounty Hunter only said he was going outside, you didn't actually see him go. \u000aAnyone of them could be the killer and was just locking you in here to finish you off later. Or... or maybe they assume you're the killer, and just trapped you... \u000aYou shake your head violently, trying to clear your thoughts and to focus. There are too many ifs and maybes, but they can wait. Right now you need to find a way out of here... \u000a \u000a[[continue|114]] p2674 sg2044 (lp2675 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I18 I28 I24 I5 I271 I1 tp2676 (dp2677 tp2678 Rp2679 sg2051 g2679 sg2052 V113 p2680 sbsa(dp2681 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2682 F25630.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2683 (dp2684 g2042 VYou crawl out onto a narrow landing. The ground is a vague dark shape 30 feet plus below you, but dawn's just starting to brighten the horizon so you can at least see what's in front of your feet. The snow's finally stopped but dumped a thick layer on the roof, so you have to climb down with extreme care. \u000aYou slowly crawl your way along the edge, trying to find the safest way down. At the far side of the roof you see an emergency fire escape ladder, so you head there. You slip and slide across the icy roofing tiles, but always manage to catch yourself. You're not usually very acrobatic, but apparently when the situation demands it you can still surprise yourself. \u000a \u000a[[continue|116]] p2685 sg2044 (lp2686 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I18 I28 I26 I5 I271 I1 tp2687 (dp2688 tp2689 Rp2690 sg2051 g2690 sg2052 V115 p2691 sbsa(dp2692 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2693 F25770.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2694 (dp2695 g2042 VWhen you reach the ladder you breathe a sigh of relief. Almost down now. The ice-cold metal is painful and sticks to your hands as you carefully climb down. \u000aThen, just as you reach the bottom wrung, someone grabs you from behind and pulls you down! You struggle and lash out, then freeze up when you feel the cold steel of a knife pressed on your throat. \u000a\u201cThat sure was fast, I'm impressed...\u201d It's the Bounty Hunter. Of course he must have heard the window smash and was waiting for you here. \u000a \u000a[[continue|117]] p2696 sg2044 (lp2697 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I19 I7 I0 I5 I271 I1 tp2698 (dp2699 tp2700 Rp2701 sg2051 g2701 sg2052 V116 p2702 sbsa(dp2703 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2704 F25910.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2705 (dp2706 g2042 V\u201cBefore I kill you,\u201d he continues, \u201cjust tell me one thing: why did you do it?\u201d He loosens his grip on you slightly to let you breathe, but keeps the knife where it is. \u000aYou realize then that the Bounty Hunter must think you're the killer and you've just finished the job with the remaining people and are trying to leave. \u000aYou tell him the truth: that someone locked you in the Planetarium and you had to break the window to get out. \u000aThe Bounty Hunter pauses and you wait, wondering if this is the end or if you have a chance of fighting him off... \u000a\u201cYou know what?\u201d he says ,\u201dI actually believe you. The killer's got to be a really smart guy to be able to pull off all this. Getting locked up in your own hidey hole by one of these other fools? Too sloppy and stupid, doesn't match the MO.\u201d \u000aHe quickly frisks you but struggles with holding you down and keeping the knife on you so that he misses the gun somehow. Luckily, when you were climbing down from the roof, you were afraid of dropping it so you'd shoved it down your pants. Guess he wasn't too eager to check //there...// \u000a \u000a[[continue|118]] p2707 sg2044 (lp2708 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I19 I7 I4 I5 I271 I1 tp2709 (dp2710 tp2711 Rp2712 sg2051 g2712 sg2052 V117 p2713 sbsa(dp2714 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2715 F26050.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2716 (dp2717 g2042 VHe slowly pulls the knife away and steps off you. You straighten yourself up and glare at him. Looks like it's finally your chance for a little one-on-one conversation with the Bounty Hunter. \u000a \u000a[[continue|119]] p2718 sg2044 (lp2719 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I19 I7 I7 I5 I271 I1 tp2720 (dp2721 tp2722 Rp2723 sg2051 g2723 sg2052 V118 p2724 sbsa(dp2725 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2726 F26190.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2727 (dp2728 g2042 VThe Bounty Hunter begins to tell you his story. He admits that he's been following you for weeks now, or at least he was following an escaped bank robber. He didn't know you were the mark until the tape played, you don't look anything like your mug shot anymore. \u201cAnyhow,\u201d he continues, \u201cyou've got a high bounty on your head for breaking out of prison, so I followed you to this town to capture you and cash in on it. Along the way I met a vigilante cop who was looking to improve his standing in the world. Like every government official in the former Soviet states, the Policeman had a major chip on his shoulder and minimum wage at best.\u201d \u000aYou nod but keep silent, debating whether to just pull out your gun and shoot him now or not. \u000aThe Bounty Hunter continues. \u201cI knew there had to be a reason you were coming to this little shit-hole Russian village, and it wasn't to hard to figure out what that reason was. But I needed some help first. So I told the Policeman about your bounty and offered to split it 50-50 if he gets me up here and helps me arrest you. It didn't take a lot of convincing.\u201d \u000a \u000a[[So what happened?|120]] p2729 sg2044 (lp2730 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I19 I7 I9 I5 I271 I1 tp2731 (dp2732 tp2733 Rp2734 sg2051 g2734 sg2052 V119 p2735 sbsa(dp2736 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2737 F26330.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2738 (dp2739 g2042 V\u201cWell, the thing is, I got a little paranoid.\u201d he says. \u201cI started wondering how I was going to look for the money without the Policeman noticing me and demanding his share. And I sure as hell wasn't walking away with just half. So I was waiting for a chance to slip away, and when the lights went out it was the perfect opportunity.\u201d \u000a \u000a \u000a \u000a[[-Opportunity for what?|121]] p2740 sg2044 (lp2741 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I19 I7 I11 I5 I271 I1 tp2742 (dp2743 tp2744 Rp2745 sg2051 g2745 sg2052 V120 p2746 sbsa(dp2747 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2748 F26470.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2749 (dp2750 g2042 V\u201cTo kill him.\u201d he admits, looking entirely without remorse. \u201cI went into the garage and cut the break lines of the snowmobile. I heard someone coming in after me so I ran outside and hid until they left.\u201d That must have been when the Con Artists and the Doctor struck the deal, you think. \u000a\u201cThe plan was that I'd pick a fight with one of you lot and say you attacked me, and then the Policeman would have to go back into town for backup and get killed on the icy mountain road. Which is exactly what happened, as it turned out. \u000a \u000a \u000a[[-So you didn't kill the Repairman?|122]] p2751 sg2044 (lp2752 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I19 I7 I17 I5 I271 I1 tp2753 (dp2754 tp2755 Rp2756 sg2051 g2756 sg2052 V121 p2757 sbsa(dp2758 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2759 F26610.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2760 (dp2761 g2042 V\u201cNo, his death was as much a surprise to me as it was to the others. But it did the job just fine to get the cop out of the picture.\u201d \u000a \u000a[[-You sure didn't look surprised when you heard about the death...|123]] p2762 sg2044 (lp2763 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I19 I7 I19 I5 I271 I1 tp2764 (dp2765 tp2766 Rp2767 sg2051 g2767 sg2052 V122 p2768 sbsa(dp2769 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2770 F26750.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2771 (dp2772 g2042 VThe Bounty Hunter laughs and shakes his head at you. \u201cIn case you haven't noticed, I'm not exactly Mr. Rogers here. This sure 'aint the first time a dead body's crossed my path.\u201d Yeah, you'd gathered that much yourself. \u000a\u201cBut no,\u201d he continues, \u201cI didn't kill the Repairman. Or any of the others, for that matter.\u201d \u000a \u000a \u000a \u000a[[-just the cop then?|124]] p2773 sg2044 (lp2774 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I19 I14 I5 I5 I271 I1 tp2775 (dp2776 tp2777 Rp2778 sg2051 g2778 sg2052 V123 p2779 sbsa(dp2780 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2781 F26890.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2782 (dp2783 g2042 V\u201cSo, you just killed the Policeman? How... honest of you.\u201d you say, ready to move into action. \u000a\u201cWhatever,\u201d he shrugs you off. \u201cHere's the thing: You're too sloppy to be the killer, and now you know I'm not it either. So you and I, we team up now. We go back in there, get that money, and get out of here.\u201d \u000a \u000a \u000a \u000a[[-You want us to work together? After you just admitted to killing your last partner?|125]] p2784 sg2044 (lp2785 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I19 I14 I7 I5 I271 I1 tp2786 (dp2787 tp2788 Rp2789 sg2051 g2789 sg2052 V124 p2790 sbsa(dp2791 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2792 F27030.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2793 (dp2794 g2042 V\u201cWhen I killed him, I didn't know how the night was going to go down. It's going to take two of us: one to get the money, and one to watch the other's back. It's almost dawn, we can make the walk into town in the daylight. If someone tries to jump us in the house, we'll be looking out for each other and be ready for him.\u201d \u000a \u000a \u000a \u000a[[-And what happens after that?|126]] p2795 sg2044 (lp2796 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I19 I14 I14 I5 I271 I1 tp2797 (dp2798 tp2799 Rp2800 sg2051 g2800 sg2052 V125 p2801 sbsa(dp2802 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2803 F27170.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2804 (dp2805 g2042 V\u201cWhen we get to town we split the money 60-40, the extra ten's to cover your bounty loss, and then we go our separate ways.\u201d \u000a\u201cIs there any particular reason I should trust you?\u201d you ask, unimpressed. \u000aThe Bounty Hunter grins again ,\u201dBecause I could have just killed you when I had the knife on your neck and I didn't...\u201d \u000a \u000a[[-Wait, about that knife...|127]] p2806 sg2044 (lp2807 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I19 I14 I15 I5 I271 I1 tp2808 (dp2809 tp2810 Rp2811 sg2051 g2811 sg2052 V126 p2812 sbsa(dp2813 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2814 F27310.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2815 (dp2816 g2042 V\u201cWhere DID that knife come from, anyhow?\u201d you ask him. Why didn't you use it when you were attacked on the stairway?\u201d \u000a\u201cI didn't have it then,\u201d he explains. \u201cI found it when we went to the well. It was just lying on the ground. Another \u201cclue\u201d left for us on purpose by the killer.\u201d \u000aThey must have used it to cut the climbing ropes, knewing one of us would pick it up... \u000a\u201cNow come on,\u201d he says, \u201clet's get back in there before whoever else ISN'T the killer becomes his next victim...\u201d \u000aThe Bounty Hunter starts walking to the front door, so confident in himself that he just turns his back to you. \u000a \u000aCHOICE \u000a \u000a#1 [[Shoot him and run away|127a]] \u000a \u000a#2 [[Follow him inside|128]] \u000a \u000a[[|128]] p2817 sg2044 (lp2818 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I19 I14 I19 I5 I271 I1 tp2819 (dp2820 tp2821 Rp2822 sg2051 g2822 sg2052 V127 p2823 sbsa(dp2824 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2825 F27590.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2826 (dp2827 g2042 VYou and the Bounty Hunter go back inside quietly. He has his knife drawn and ready, but you don't want him to know you've got the gun just yet. \u000aInside the main room the lights are on but it's totally silent. You cautiously open the door to the hallway. \u000a \u000a[[continue|129]] p2828 sg2044 (lp2829 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I19 I14 I21 I5 I271 I1 tp2830 (dp2831 tp2832 Rp2833 sg2051 g2833 sg2052 V128 p2834 sbsa(dp2835 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2836 F27730.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2837 (dp2838 g2042 VNo one's there either, but the door to the storage room is open and it's dark inside. You and the Bounty Hunter exchange a look, and he motions silently for you to go and have a look. You peek inside and click on the light. \u000aIt's empty except for a small pool of blood on the table at the far side. You glance back to the Bounty Hunter, but he hasn't moved from the bottom of the stairs. You shake your head at him and go back down. \u000a \u000a[[continue|130]] p2839 sg2044 (lp2840 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I19 I14 I24 I5 I271 I1 tp2841 (dp2842 tp2843 Rp2844 sg2051 g2844 sg2052 V129 p2845 sbsa(dp2846 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2847 F27870.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2848 (dp2849 g2042 VThe door to the basement is open and the lights are also off. The Bounty Hunter kicks the door open fully with his foot and flicks the light switch. \u000aYou're greeted with a shocking sight: the Wife is down there, dead. She's been strangled with the very telephone wiring she was tied up with and a deep gash is on her forehead like she was struck with something first. \u000a Worse still is how her body's been draped over the safe which someone's pulled out from under the floor tile where it was hidden. \u000aThe Bounty Hunter nudges the door of the safe and it swings open. Empty. \u000aYou and he are exchanging a silent, mutual moment of \u201cgodfuckingdamnit!\u201d when suddenly you hear a loud crash upstairs followed by sounds of fighting. \u000aThe Bounty Hunter rushes up the stairs and out, and you follow him but hanging back slightly, pulling your gun out of your pants and slipping it back into your coat pocket. \u000a \u000a \u000a[[continue|131]] p2850 sg2044 (lp2851 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I19 I14 I28 I5 I271 I1 tp2852 (dp2853 tp2854 Rp2855 sg2051 g2855 sg2052 V130 p2856 sbsa(dp2857 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2858 F27450.0 aF150.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2859 (dp2860 g2042 VWhen you first came here, you told yourself you weren't leaving empty handed. But now the story's changed and you realize that empty handed is better than dead. You pull out the gun and shoot the Bounty hunter twice in the back before turning and running down the mountain road. \u000aIt's partially light by the time you get to the avalanche blocking the trail, and there you make a grizzly discovery: the body of the Doctor. He's wearing the survival equipment he got off the Con Artists and you realize that he's been dead for a long time, probably most of the night. There's no way he could have been the killer. \u000aIt's too late to turn back now, though. You pull off the heavy snow clothing from him and leave, continuing on the long walk into the town. \u000aYou've managed to escape alive, but you've lost your chance at the money. You take the first train out and begin a new life on the run. The following morning you pick up a local paper that's headlined \u201cMurder At the Old Observatory!\u201d. The police showed up that afternoon to check on the avalanche, and when they got to the Observatory they found a total of nine bodies. When you left the killer must have finished his task and killed himself. Or herself. You'll never find out what really happened, but you know your guilty conscious will haunt you for the rest of your life... \u000a \u000aEND \u000a p2861 sg2044 (lp2862 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I19 I21 I40 I5 I271 I1 tp2863 (dp2864 tp2865 Rp2866 sg2051 g2866 sg2052 V127a p2867 sbsa(dp2868 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2869 F28010.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2870 (dp2871 g2042 VWhen you get to the main room the Lawyer and Journalist are scrabbling along the floor, fighting each other violently. They're both trying to grab at the leg of a broken chair to use as a weapon. The Bounty Hunter charges in and pulls the Lawyer off, and you grab the Journalist and pin her arms behind her back as she screams and kicks. \u000a\u201cHe tried to kill me! He's killed all the others!\u201d the Journalist howls at you, struggling to break free. \u201cI SAW him shoot the Warden! It has to be him!\u201d \u000a\u201cNo!\u201d the Lawyer shouts \u201cThis crazy bitch killed the other woman and then she jumped on me! SHE'S THE REAL KILLER!\u201d \u000a\u201cWhat the hell do you mean \u201cyou saw him shoot the Warden\u201d?!\u201d you ask. \u000a\u201cWhen the lights were out. Saw him with the gun in his hand when the trigger flashed! That's why I ran out of the room!\u201d \u000a\u201cShe's lying! I didn't do anything! I found the gun on the floor later!\u201d the Lawyer insists. \u000aA long pause as you the Bounty Hunter look at each other. Evaluating. \u000a \u000a \u000a[[continue|132]] p2872 sg2044 (lp2873 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I19 I22 I30 I5 I271 I1 tp2874 (dp2875 tp2876 Rp2877 sg2051 g2877 sg2052 V131 p2878 sbsa(dp2879 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2880 F28150.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2881 (dp2882 g2042 V\u201cSearch her pockets,\u201d he growls at last. \u000aYou frisk her and find a little plastic box, about the size of a credit card. It's the remote control clicker for the lights. \u201cCare to explain this?\u201d you ask her, watching out of the corner of your eye as the Bounty Hunter searches the Lawyer. \u000aHer face goes pale. \u201cI found it. In this room, after the Warden was shot. I figured out what it did, but I didn't tell you about it because-\u201d \u000a\u201cJust what the fuck is this?\u201d the Bounty Hunter demands, pulling out a dark object from the inside pocket of the Lawyers coat. It's the night vision goggles. \u000a\u201cWhat the hell?!\u201d the Lawyer shouts, staring at them. \u201cThose aren't mine! She must have put them in my coat!\u201d \u000a\u201cYou've been wearing your coat all goddamn night!\u201d the Journalist hisses, still trying to wriggle out of your grasp. \u000aThen you see your dead partner's duffel bag in the corner of the room where it must have fallen during their fight. The money! \u000aThe Bounty Hunter sees it too and shoves the Lawyer away from him as he dashes for it. The Lawyer lunges at you and the Journalist, so you toss her at him and back away. \u000a \u000a \u000a[[Pull out your gun|133]] p2883 sg2044 (lp2884 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I19 I22 I31 I5 I271 I1 tp2885 (dp2886 tp2887 Rp2888 sg2051 g2888 sg2052 V132 p2889 sbsa(dp2890 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2891 F28290.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2892 (dp2893 g2042 V\u201cAll of you STOP!!!\u201d you shout and to your surprise they do. The Lawyer and Journalist slowly raise their hands and even the Bounty Hunter stops moving and stares at you. \u000aYou point your gun at him. \u201cNow slowly toss me the money,\u201d you order. \u000a\u201cHe only has one bullet,\u201d the Lawyer says. \u201cI heard him use the other.\u201d \u000a\u201cOne bullet,\u201d the Bounty Hunter repeats. \u201cThan let's fucking get him!\u201d And with that, he and the Lawyer lunge at you as the Journalist ducks and runs for the money bag! \u000a \u000a \u000a[[continue|134]] p2894 sg2044 (lp2895 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I19 I22 I33 I5 I271 I1 tp2896 (dp2897 tp2898 Rp2899 sg2051 g2899 sg2052 V133 p2900 sbsa(dp2901 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2902 F28430.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2903 (dp2904 g2042 VYou only have seconds to pick which one's the killer and defend yourself. There's no time for more questions, you know what you know and now you have to think over everything you've learned and make your final decision: \u000a \u000aFINAL CHOICE \u000a \u000a[[#1 shoot to kill the Lawyer, shoot to injure the Bounty Hunter, ally with the Journalist|135]] \u000a \u000a[[#2 shoot to kill the Lawyer, shoot to injure the Journalist, ally with the Bounty Hunter|136]] \u000a \u000a[[#3 shoot to kill the Bounty Hunter, shoot to injure the Lawyer, ally with the Journalist|137]] \u000a \u000a[[#4 shoot to kill the Bounty Hunter, shoot to injure the Journalist, ally with the Lawyer|138]] \u000a \u000a[[#5 shoot to kill the Journalist, shoot to injure the Bounty Hunter, ally with the Lawyer|139]] \u000a \u000a[[#6 shoot to kill the Journalist, shoot to injure the Lawyer , ally with the Bounty Hunter|140]] \u000a \u000a p2905 sg2044 (lp2906 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I19 I22 I34 I5 I271 I1 tp2907 (dp2908 tp2909 Rp2910 sg2051 g2910 sg2052 V134 p2911 sbsa(dp2912 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2913 F28710.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2914 (dp2915 g2042 V1- (shoot to kill the Lawyer, shoot to injure the Bounty Hunter, ally with the Journalist) \u000a \u000aYou shoot the Lawyer once straight through the heart and he collapses. Then you shoot the Bounty Hunter through the leg with the other bullet and he falls to the ground screaming. The Journalist snatches up the money and you grab her by the shoulder and haul her outside. \u000a\u201cI'm not the killer!\u201d she shouts, clawing at your eyes. You shove her away and she falls on her butt into the snow. \u000a\u201cI know,\u201d you answer ,\u201dand neither am I.\u201d \u000aYou look back the the observatory. From the outside it looks almost peaceful in the growing morning light. Then you turn back to the Blonde. \u201c Now are you going to behave yourself so we can get the hell out of here?\u201d you snap. \u000aShe nods quickly and you help her up to her feet, having her walk in front of you as you make our way down the steep and icy mountain road. It's full daylight light by the time you get to the avalanche blocking the trail, and there you make a grizzly discovery: the body of the Doctor. He's wearing the survival equipment he got off the Con Artists and you realize that he's been dead for a long time, probably most of the night. There's no way he could have been the killer. \u000aThe Journalists eyes widen. \u201cSo one of them was...\u201d her voice trails off again. \u000a\u201cEither the Bounty Hunter or the Lawyer was the killer all along,\u201d you agree. \u201cLet's just hope we made the right choice...\u201d \u000a \u000a[[continue|135a]] p2916 sg2044 (lp2917 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I19 I28 I35 I5 I271 I1 tp2918 (dp2919 tp2920 Rp2921 sg2051 g2921 sg2052 V135 p2922 sbsa(dp2923 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2924 F28850.0 aF10.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2925 (dp2926 g2042 VIt's a long and miserably cold walk back into the village, but you both arrive in time to catch the last trains of the day. You offer to just split the money 50/50 now and go your separate ways, but to your surprise the Journalist says she wants to stay with you. She says that you make a pretty damn nice team, and why have $5 million when you both can share the 10? \u000aYou eye her suspiciously, but you've always been a sucker for a pretty face. You two both get on the last train heading west, first class of course. \u000aThe following morning you pick up a local paper that's headlined \u201cMurder At the Old Observatory!\u201d. The police had showed up late that afternoon to check on the avalanche, and when they got to the Observatory they found a total of seven bodies. Looks like the Bounty Hunter made it out after all. You know that he's going to be coming after you, and the Journalist pleads for you to skip the Continent with her, to get on a plane and go somewhere warm and sunny. You tell her that first you've got to track down your partner's daughter and give her half the money like you'd promised you would. \u000aTo your surprise, the Journalist is still with you when you wake up the next morning. You don't know if the Bounty Hunter was the real killer or not, but we've got to stick together, she says. \u000aOkay, so maybe she's not staying with you for your charming personality, but you've got $5 million, you've got the girl, and pretty soon you're going to start a new life together on some tropical island as a very rich man. \u000aNot too bad for one night's work... \u000a \u000aEND p2927 sg2044 (lp2928 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I19 I29 I35 I5 I271 I1 tp2929 (dp2930 tp2931 Rp2932 sg2051 g2932 sg2052 V135a p2933 sbsa(dp2934 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2935 F28710.0 aF150.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2936 (dp2937 g2042 V2- (#2 shoot to kill the Lawyer, shoot to injure the Journalist, ally with the Bounty Hunter) \u000aYou shoot the Lawyer once straight through the chest and he collapses. Then you shoot the Journalist in the leg and she falls to the ground screaming, dropping the bag of money. You rush to get it when the Bounty Hunter trips you and wrestles you to the ground. You struggle to get out from under him but he grabs the empty gun from your hand and pistol whips you hard across the head. He then kicks you in the stomach and you lay there, stunned and breathless. \u000aYou hear him click a bullet back into the gun. \u000a\u201cLawyer was lying when he said there was only one bullet. He had another one in his pocket.\u201d He explains. \u000aHe stands over you and points the gun at your head, stepping on your neck to hold you down. \u000a\u201cWhy?\u201d you manage to ask him. \u000a\u201cWhy?\u201d he repeats. \u201cI'm not the fucking serial killer, don't ask me that shit. But I am going to be your killer now.\u201d He presses down on your throat harder and the room starts to go dark. \u201cDid you really think I was going to let you live and just walk away with half the money? Than you're a fucking idiot.\u201d \u000aYou shake your head slightly, trying to speak but he just presses down harder. \u201cNow I'm going to kill you, kill the pretty Blonde because I can't have her running her mouth, and I'm going to walk out of here a very rich man...\u201d \u000aAnd with those last words, he pulls the trigger. \u000a \u000aEND p2938 sg2044 (lp2939 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I19 I30 I15 I5 I271 I1 tp2940 (dp2941 tp2942 Rp2943 sg2051 g2943 sg2052 V136 p2944 sbsa(dp2945 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2946 F28710.0 aF290.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2947 (dp2948 g2042 V3- (#3 shoot to kill the Bounty Hunter, shoot to injure the Lawyer, ally with the Journalist) \u000a \u000aYou shoot the Bounty Hunter once straight through the heart and he collapses. Then you shoot the Lawyer through the leg with the other bullet and he falls to the ground screaming. The Journalist snatches up the money and you grab her by the shoulder and haul her outside. \u000a\u201cI'm not the killer!\u201d she shouts, clawing at your eyes. You shove her away and she falls on her butt into the snow. \u000a\u201cI know,\u201d you answer ,\u201dand neither am I.\u201d \u000aYou look back the the observatory. From the outside it looks almost peaceful in the growing morning light. Then you turn back to the Blonde. \u201c Now are you going to behave yourself so we can get the hell out of here?\u201d you snap. \u000aShe nods quickly and you help her up to her feet, having her walk in front of you as you make our way down the steep and icy mountain road. It's full daylight light by the time you get to the avalanche blocking the trail, and there you make a grizzly discovery: the body of the Doctor. He's wearing the survival equipment he got off the Con Artists and you realize that he's been dead for a long time, probably most of the night. There's no way he could have been the killer. \u000aThe Journalists eyes widen. \u201cSo one of them was...\u201d her voice trails off again. \u000a\u201cEither the Bounty Hunter or the Lawyer was the killer all along,\u201d you agree. \u201cLet's just hope we made the right choice...\u201d \u000a \u000a[[continue|137a]] p2949 sg2044 (lp2950 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I19 I30 I45 I5 I271 I1 tp2951 (dp2952 tp2953 Rp2954 sg2051 g2954 sg2052 V137 p2955 sbsa(dp2956 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2957 F28850.0 aF290.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2958 (dp2959 g2042 VIt's a long and miserably cold walk back into the village, but you both arrive in time to catch the last trains of the day. To your surprise, the Journalist is amicable to just splitting up the money and going your separate ways. You watch her carefully as she board the train going east, waiting to see if she's going to make some last minute play for the cash. \u000aShe doesn't. You get on a train heading west, ready to find your partner's daughter and give her all of your share of the money. Or almost all, you're going to keep a few hundred thousand to start your new life on some tropical island somewhere. \u000aThe following morning you pick up a local paper that's headlined \u201cMurder At the Old Observatory!\u201d. The police had showed up late that afternoon to check on the avalanche, and when they got to the Observatory they found a total of eight bodies. Did the Lawyer die from his injuries, or was he the real killer and committed suicide before the police could find him? \u000aYou'll never know the full truth about what happened up there, but you made it out with $5 million and your life. Not too bad for one night's work... \u000a \u000aEND p2960 sg2044 (lp2961 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I19 I31 I19 I5 I271 I1 tp2962 (dp2963 tp2964 Rp2965 sg2051 g2965 sg2052 V137a p2966 sbsa(dp2967 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2968 F28710.0 aF430.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2969 (dp2970 g2042 V4-(shoot to kill the Bounty Hunter, shoot to injure the Journalist, ally with the Lawyer) \u000a \u000aYou shoot the Bounty Hunter once straight through the heart and he collapses. Then you shoot the Journalist in the leg and she falls to the ground screaming, dropping the bag of money. You rush to get it when the Lawyer trips you and wrestles you to the ground. You struggle to get out from under him but he grabs the empty gun from your hand and pistol whips you hard across the head. He then kicks you in the stomach and you lay there, stunned and breathless. \u000aYou hear him click a bullet back into the gun. \u201cI lied,\u201d he explains. \u201cThere were three bullets left after I shot the Warden. I'd decided to keep one just in case. I was planning on using it on myself, but I guess I'll just have to do that some other way...\u201d \u000aYou realize then that you'd made the wrong choice: the Lawyer was the killer all along... \u000aHe stands over you and points the gun at your head, stepping on your neck to hold you down. \u000a\u201cWhy?\u201d you manage to ask him. \u000a\u201cWhy?\u201d He repeats. \u201cThe \u201cwhy\u201d is because when I let that criminal get out of his sentence, he killed my family and I swore I would avenge them.\u201d He presses down on your throat harder and the room starts to go dark. \u201cI swore I would avenge them by bringing to justice everyone who'd ever escaped from what they deserved. So I tracked the nine of you down and brought you hear for your trial. Don't worry, though, once I've killed you and the Journalist I'm going to hang myself. I'll let the local police find the tape and make their own conclusions.\u201d \u000aAnd with those last words, he pulls the trigger. \u000a \u000aEND p2971 sg2044 (lp2972 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I19 I31 I31 I5 I271 I1 tp2973 (dp2974 tp2975 Rp2976 sg2051 g2976 sg2052 V138 p2977 sbsa(dp2978 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2979 F28710.0 aF570.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2980 (dp2981 g2042 V5- ( shoot to kill the Journalist, shoot to injure the Bounty Hunter, ally with the Lawyer) \u000aYou shoot the Journalist once straight through the heart and she collapses, dropping the money. When the Bounty Hunter turns to grab it, you shoot him with the other bullet in his shoulder and he falls to the ground, howling in pain. \u000a\u201cLet's get the hell out of here!\u201d the Lawyer shouts and runs for the door. You grab the money and follow him, struggling to keep up with his fast pace through the deep snow. Eventually he pauses to catch his breath at the start of a steep cliff face you're going to have to climb down. \u000a\u201cWhat happens now?\u201d you ask him, finally catching up. You look down at the steep and icy mountain hike that awaits you. \u000a\u201cNow?\u201d he says. \u201cNow we end this.\u201d And he punches you square in the jaw before you can react. You two begin wrestling in the snow, but he's much stronger than you gave him credit for. He begins to choke you and the world starts to get darker. \u000aSuddenly he's dragged off you by the very angry and bloody Bounty Hunter. You start to pick yourself up and he kicks you hard in the head, stunning you. Then you hear the click of the gun. The Lawyer must have taken it from you. \u000aThe Bounty Hunter turns to face him, temporarily forgetting about you. \u201cI thought that thing was empty...\u201d \u000a\u201cI lied,\u201d the Lawyer explains. \u201cThere were three bullets left after I shot the Warden. I'd decided to keep one just in case. I was planning on using it on myself, but I guess I'll just have to do that some other way...\u201d He points the gun at the Bounty Hunter. \u000aYou realize then that you'd made the wrong choice: the Lawyer was the killer all along... \u000a\u201cWhy?\u201d you ask him, coughing as you slowly get to your feet. \u000a\u201cWhy?\u201d He repeats. \u201cThe \u201cwhy\u201d is because when I let that criminal get out of his sentence, he killed my family and I swore I would avenge them.\u201d He turns gun from the Bounty Hunter to somewhere up and to the side of the three of you. There's an icicle covered overhang, holding back a massive wall of snow. If he shoots it, he's going to kill you all... \u000a \u201cI swore I would avenge them by bringing to justice everyone who'd ever escaped from what they deserved.\u201d he continues. \u201cSo I tracked the nine of you down and brought you hear for your trial. And now I'm going to finish the job and let the local police find the tape and make their own conclusions...\u201d \u000aAnd with those final words he fires the gun, burying the three of you under another avalanche of ice and rock. It's going to be many days before the police find and dig out the three of your bodies. \u000a \u000aEND p2982 sg2044 (lp2983 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I19 I32 I11 I5 I271 I1 tp2984 (dp2985 tp2986 Rp2987 sg2051 g2987 sg2052 V139 p2988 sbsa(dp2989 g12 I00 sg13 (lp2990 F28710.0 aF710.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p2991 (dp2992 g2042 V6- (shoot to kill the Journalist, shoot to injure the Lawyer , ally with the Bounty Hunter) \u000a \u000a \u000aYou shoot the Journalist once straight through the chest and she collapses. Then you shoot the Lawyer in the leg and he falls to the ground screaming, dropping the bag of money of he was moving for. You rush to get it when the Bounty Hunter trips you and wrestles you to the ground. You struggle to get out from under him but he grabs the empty gun from your hand and pistol whips you hard across the head. He then kicks you in the stomach and you lay there, stunned and breathless. \u000aYou hear him click a bullet back into the gun. \u000a\u201cLawyer was lying when he said there was only one bullet. He had another one in his pocket.\u201d He explains. \u000aHe stands over you and points the gun at your head, stepping on your neck to hold you down. \u000a\u201cWhy?\u201d you manage to ask him. \u000a\u201cWhy?\u201d he repeats. \u201cI'm not the fucking serial killer, don't ask me that shit. But I am going to be your killer now.\u201d He presses down on your throat harder and the room starts to go dark. \u201cDid you really think I was going to let you live and just walk about with half the money? Than you're a fucking idiot.\u201d \u000aYou shake your head slightly, trying to speak but he just presses down harder. \u201cNow I'm going to kill you, then kill the Lawyer because I can't have him running his mouth, and I'm going to walk out of here a very rich man...\u201d \u000aAnd with those last words, he pulls the trigger. \u000a \u000aEND p2993 sg2044 (lp2994 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I19 I32 I32 I5 I271 I1 tp2995 (dp2996 tp2997 Rp2998 sg2051 g2998 sg2052 V140 p2999 sbsa(dp3000 g12 I00 sg13 (lp3001 F19057.5 aF21.25 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p3002 (dp3003 g2042 VThere's nothing more you can do here until it's morning and you can see better. You and the others walk back inside the observatory. \u000a \u000a[[continue|82]] p3004 sg2044 (lp3005 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I19 I45 I2 I5 I271 I1 tp3006 (dp3007 tp3008 Rp3009 sg2051 g3009 sg2052 V81 p3010 sbsa(dp3011 g12 I00 sg13 (lp3012 F18827.5 aF25.0 asg15 (itiddlywiki Tiddler p3013 (dp3014 g2042 VIt's hard to tell whose footprints were here before you came, but some of the ones further back look to be older. In one stretch they're very far apart and show sliding, like the person was running to the wall and slipping in the snow. \u000aThe Bounty Hunter points out that the imprint is from a relatively large shoe, not one of the womens'. So a man was running out here earlier? The killer? Or could it have been the Husband himself? \u000a \u000aNexy to examine the well. A piece of severed rope is tied to a strut on the outside of the well. You examine it and it's heavy duty climbing robe, the kind that a professional mountaineer might use. \u000a\u201cThat was part of the survival equipment that went missing from the snowmobile's trunk,\u201d the Bounty Hunter says. \u201cFor some reason this man must have been using it to climb into the well and then someone cut the line and killed him.\u201d \u000aSo the Husband was going after the money also, you think. Which means he must have had the wrong map which he took off the Warden. So maybe the Warden was telling the truth that the couple attacked him in the garage instead of the other way around... \u000a \u000a[[continue|81]] p3015 sg2044 (lp3016 sg2046 g23 ((I2013 I9 I28 I19 I56 I5 I5 I271 I1 tp3017 (dp3018 tp3019 Rp3020 sg2051 g3020 sg2052 V80c p3021 sbsasS'scale' p3022 F0.80000000000000004 ss.