Police have completed a search of the charred wreck left after Nikola "Nick" Onasis's limousine was destroyed by a bomb yesterday. Just as the car pulled up to the {{Jewel}} Hotel, headquarters of Onasis and his organization, a bomb was thrown in the vehicle's window, which was rolled down. The blast shook the walls of buildings nearby and rattled windows blocks away. The car was engulfed in flames. At first, Onasis was believed to be in the car at the time, but police investigators have determined there was only one occupant. They suspect this victim was Onasis's regular driver, "Rollin'" Andy Ouzo.
Onasis had just been released a few days before from the state penitentiary after serving a six-month term. Onasis had been jailed for carrying an unlicensed weapon. He was met by a group of his men. Among them was Frank "S{{gender2|his|her}}hkabab" Mousak, chief suspect in the recent killing of Jason "The Cobra" Retsin.
Onasis arrived by train and was seen by several witnesses to enter a limousine at the Downtown Train Station. Police are unable to explain Onasis's current whereabouts. Investigators are currently conducting a citywide search. Although there is no evidence, Onasis has many enemies, including Federal agents, and plenty of people stood to make a profit from his death.
Dear {{First1}} {{Last1}},
I'm sure you've seen the above article, but I just wanted to make sure. The police might not know where Nick Onasis is, but I do. You see, I got information from a contact inside the Onasis headquarters that they found Nick Onasis, but the circumstances of finding him are... let's just say, interesting. First, let's get a few things straight.
1) When Nick arrived in {{City}} at about 9:05 a.m., he got into his limo without talking to anyone. His other men got into a Cadillac that was also waiting. The limo was followed by the Cadillac and several cars full of police and feds.
The limo went straight from the train station to the {{Jewel}} Hotel, expect for a wrong turn down a blind alley. Just as the limo pulled up to the hotel, it was destroyed.
2) The {{Jewel}} Hotel is, for all intents and purposes, a fortress. Armed men keep watch at each entrance and at windows overlooking the streets. The windows on the lower level are covered with steel louvers. The garage door is covered with steel plate. Vehicles on Nick's business only enter the garage after giving the correct signal and being admitted. Enemy gangs have attacked the building in the past, and you never can be too careful.
3) Deep under the hotel, Nick built a concrete vault. It's guarded 24-hours a day by the most trustworthy members of his organization. The vault has double-wall steel doors with a bank-type of combination lock. Only Nick's most trusted lieutenants know the combination. Inside, along with large amounts of computer chips, guns, and ammunition, is another even stronger safe. Only two people know the combination to this: Onasis and "Sticky" Mel Souvak, the organization's treasurer.
4) Nick had accumulated a considerable fortune in cash, most kept in the safe in the vault. Though nobody knows for sure, rumor has it that it's between $30 and $40 million.
5) The week before this tragic event, Mel went to out of town to visit his mother. He got back a few days later after hearing that Nick was missing.
In that week, the organization had run out of cash. So Mel went down to the vault to get cash for payoffs and the like that afternoon. He was accompanied by Frank "S{{gender2|his|her}}hkabab" Mousak and Tim "Backbreaker" Baklav. He opened the main vault and went in. Then he opened the safe door. Inside, instead of finding the money like they expected, they found Nick's body a bloody mess and pumped full of lead. The bills were gone. This really surprised Mel, because just before he left on his trip, he and Tim had gone down to the vault to get money, and the fortune was all there.
I've considered how maybe it happened. Getting in is nearly impossible. Sure, Nick had built underground tunnels connecting the hotel with his brothels and clubs in the area. But you can't get from the tunnels to the basement where the vault is without first going through the garage and then getting passed the guards.
Just considering someone could get in, how'd they get all that money out? I mean, $30 or $40 million in stacks of fifties and hundreds is a big pile.
Onasis's gang thinks it was Mel who did it, but I think otherwise. I think it was you (with or without an accomplice). I've been watching and listening real close and I've gotten a few ideas of my own about how it was done. So, here it is: either you cut me in for an equal share of the cash, or I turn you over to the guys at the {{Jewel}}. It's possible I'm accusing innocent people, but that's how it goes. Now don't get any wise ideas: I've a few of my friends ready to make sure you'll come to my little get-together, and they'll be there, with guns, making sure you stay. And, of course, Onasis's boys're only across the way.
I'm offering my place for everyone to come and sit and talk things out. The address, in case you forgot, is: {{Address}} and the phone number's {{Phone}}. Be there at {{Time}} on {{Day}}, {{Date}}, {{Year}}, or I'll have to send my friends after you. As I have dealings in another part of town, {{HostF}} {{HostL}} will be taking care of the place (though, like I said before, I'll be having a few friends watching). Don't worry: I'm providing you with {{Dinner|dinner|snacks}} to keep things going.
Sincerely,
Maggie Obster
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This letter contains information about the setting of the murder and the guests in attendance. After the guest list is a section that provides additional information concerning your character. This information, however, you should keep secret. Be sure to print out and read this letter before coming to the party, as well as printing out the clues, which were sent as a separate document. Bring this letter and the clues to the party.
You have a prop included with this letter. Copy and past the information after the double row of stars at the end of the document into a separate document. Then print it out and sign it at the bottom on the line "I. Z. Kloasd". Keep this with you at the party, but do not reveal it until your clues tell you to.
It's well into the twenty-first century. Anything you want can be had - if you know where to look. Suppliers make that easy with "stores" set up at bars, restaurants, and clubs throughout the city. Many of these are designed strictly - and often barely - as fronts. The hottest items are virtual reality microchips encoded with a variety of experiences and nanocomputers - some of which provide interesting and sometimes mind-blowing (and thus illegal) experiences.
Illegal marketing isn't the only big business. Prostitution and gambling are equally lucrative. The police department, so it goes, is likewise one of the more profitable ventures in the city.
But this isn't a land of milk and honey: Every successful businessperson, whether criminal or legitimate, knows the necessity of a carefully guarded territory. Easy employment can be found among the legions of guards, hoods, and toughs. Cars full of armed men accompany illegal transports. The rattle of machine guns and the roar of racing cars are something city residents have gotten used to.
"Irresponsibility and illicitness have taken hold of these times. Average citizens think little of breaking the law by visiting an illegal virtual reality store or hiring a prostitute, not to mention going to extremes with drinking, gambling, or mixing drugs," laments one newspaper editorial.
Others, particularly the teens, disagrees: "It's all in the name of fun. Long as nobody gets hurt, what's the big deal about a little crime every now and then?"
But someone did get hurt: Nikola "Nick" Onasis, a criminal mastermind, is now dead. One of the prominent matrons of the criminal world, Maggie Obster, seems to think one of a handful of people did it, including you. Other prominent individuals from around the city will be at Maggie's place, the Sitting Room. They wouldn't dare miss it - it could mean their lives.
{{First8}} {{Last8}}
Star pitcher for the {{City}}'s minor league baseball team, {{First8}} was born with a ball in one hand and a bat in the other. His grandfather was well known for a fast arm. His grandson has carried on the tradition, striking out 10 batters in his first minor league game. He currently holds the league strikeout record. When not in the game, {{First8}} loves to have fun, drink hard, brawl, and fool around as much as the next guy (maybe more so). He won 20 games last year - and is on the way to a bigger total this season.
{{First2}} {{Last2}}
A few years ago, {{First2}} changed a small stake into a stock exchange fortune to become {{City}}'s most colorful millionaire and an established gambler. Though {{gender2|he|she}}'s still heavily into the stock market, his favorite game is poker. More often than not, {{gender2|he|she}}'s at a table in the notorious back room of {{City}}'s Ice Flats, the richest game in town. {{First2}} is flamboyant in mannerism and dress and always outspoken. It's rumored {{gender2|he|she}}'ll bet on just about anything.
{{First3}} {{Last3}}
{{First3}} is a slinky, shady person. {{Ch3}} owns and operates The {{Color4}} {{Flower}} Club, {{City}}'s most prominent private establishment. It's located next to the {{Jewel}} Hotel. {{gender3|His|Her}} father founded the club years ago. {{First3}} took over management at about the time she married a prominent businessperson, {{Input3}} {{Last3}}, an event {{First3}} prefers not to discuss. Not too long ago, {{Input3}} unexpectedly died. Included on the club's distinguished guest list are some of {{City}}'s most affluent citizens, who often drop by the club for an hour or two merely to pass the time in the club's opulent yet relaxing atmosphere.
{{First6}} {{Last6}}
As U.S. District Attorney, {{First6}} strongly opposes {{City}}'s shadier side. {{gender6|He|She}} is famed for bringing to justice - unaided - many of {{City}}'s more despicable criminals. Chris "The Case" Damon and Teddy "The Bear" Hilari are among the more well-known convictions. {{First6}} continues footsteps of {{gender6|his|her}} renowned trial father, who was also a brilliant star among the corrupt and complacent filth that poses as {{City}}'s law enforcement.
{{First4}} {{Last4}}
{{First4}} is an avid golfer. He spends most afternoons on the links at the exclusive {{ColorN}} {{Nature}} Country Club. {{gender4|He|She}} spends evenings at {{gender4|his|her}} private gaming house known as Ice Flats. Here the wealthy, the fashionable, and the compulsive citizens of {{City}} come to gamble. Those close to {{First4}} know {{gender4|him|her}} as a dealmaker, although what {{gender4|he|she}} deals in and with whom is not said.
{{First1}} {{Last1}}
A society lady from {{BigCity}}, where her family is prominent and respected, {{First1}} came to {{City}} for the action. She considers {{City}} to be a fun little town. {{First1}} is all fashion - she's always dressed in the latest from Europe. She maintains an elegant apartment on the top floor of the {{Jewel}} Garden Apartments, an elegant apartment complex located in the block behind the {{Jewel}} Hotel. She's a devoted shopper, driving herself around in a {{Color1}} {{Car1}}.
{{First7}} {{Last7}}
Ice Flats currently spotlights {{First7}}, a singer who has also been featured at many other exclusive nightclubs in {{City}}. Many top jazz bands have also welcomed her voice. She has an energetic style enjoyed by fans of the modern jazz sound as well as performing more traditional blues melodies. A sultry voice and an extensive repertoire contribute to this smoldering beauty's appeal.
{{First5}} {{Last5}}
As a cub reporter for {{City}}'s leading paper, {{Newspaper}}, {{First5}} gained rapid renown on the crime beat. Later, {{gender5|he|she}} made {{gender5|his|her}} mark on the political scene. Good looks and charm no doubt helped further a successful career. Having a large number of influential and powerful friends on both sides of the law also has come in handy. One of {{gender5|his|her}} closest allies is the editor-in-chief of the paper, Matt Jorson. Within in the past few months, {{First5}} has exposed governmental corruption in a series of articles. More than a few of {{City}}'s more powerful figures are not happy about this. Undaunted by threats, {{First5}} has vowed to continue the work until every crook's cover has been blown.
Maggie Obster
Maggie is the proprietor of the Sitting Room, a club found at the back of the Front Door, a typical {{City}} restaurant located across the street and down a building from Onasis's headquarters. Maggie is unscrupulous and outspoken - but means every word she says and has the connections to back up her convictions.
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Keep this information secret:
Once upon a time, you were a society lady. But you couldn't take the "stiff upper lip" lifestyle, so you skipped town with a black market runner named Tyler "Ty" Emmup. He took you to {{BigCity}} where you ran stolen virtual reality microchips with him. You learned to drive the large and powerful runner's vehicles. He also showed you how to use a variety of automatic weapons.
You and Ty then moved the operation to {{City}}. Ty was always in trouble with the law. The last straw came after he killed two feds. This necessitated his rapid exit of the States if he wanted to remain alive. You carried on, but quickly found a new partner in crime, {{First2}} {{Last2}}. {{gender2|He|She}} fancied your distribution system using various cars as transports. You both refined the system, using your new {{Car1}} to run between your customers and {{First2}}'s illegally operated warehouses.
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~~PASSAGE BOOKING RECEIPT~~
Customer Information
Name: Pat M. Obb
Address: 66 Gratiot, {{City}}, {{State}}
Date: {{DatePB1}}, {{Year}}
Cost of Cabin: $1565.00 Paid in Full
Name of Vessel: S.S. Essess
Departure Date: {{DatePB2}}, {{Year}}
Departure Time: {{Time}} PM
Wharf: Pier 5, Manhattan Port Authority
Accommodations: first class cabin
Baggage: see comments below
Comments:
Passenger requires special arrangements for 4 (four) jumbo suitcases to be stored in cabin.
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Signature of Booking Agent