Private message to Barty
Apr. 11th, 2014 01:04 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alt_antoninSaw you had written to Rod -- how goes the confirmation? Not that I am in much doubt, but the more evidence we have at hand, the better.
Mostly I am writing for two reasons: one, if you have not yet had a chance to read your advance copy of this week's Posh, do not let Bella see it. I settled in for a nice relaxing bit of mindlessness before bedtime and nearly spit out my tea when I saw the lead story; it is all about how Finch-Fletchley is the tragic romantic hero sacrificed on the altar of Bella's ambitions for Hydra. You, on the other hand, may wish to make a visit to the editorial team (or send someone around to do the same) -- someone undoubtedly needs to have a conversation with whomever approved this for publication.
Second, my progress. I had another long discussion with Hypatia today at lunchtime, and am fairly certain at this point she is not one of our Daniels in the lions' den. Or if she is, she has learned to fake entirely too much enthusiasm at the Arts for one of their lot -- she has finally taken me up on my offer to endow a special collection to save the children the trouble of waiting until I am available to unlock my office cabinets, and her enthusiasm was, as near as I could tell, unfeigned. Barring evidence to the contrary, I am moving her to the secondary list.
I still have not seen any signs that Iphigenia is communicating secretly with anyone else, on staff or otherwise, but then again, given her accoutrements, she would be prevented from same. She was not at lunch (and is not often); at supper she tends to vary her dining companions. Last night she sat between Sophia and the Fox; tonight it was Baba and Eggman. I have noticed no true pattern in her interactions (save that she tends to avoid Cinderella and Tiresias, but then, most of us do). At this point I am tempted to anonymise the data and give it to my analyst-in-training to see if he can spot any habits I might not be able to tease out, though even anonymised, this is slightly more sensitive than I would care to entrust to him.
Oh, and: I have been roped into the circus as secondary ringmaster -- by which I mean, I have been asked to interview the victims of one of the postulants' challenges to determine if there was collusion present or if they were truly able to manipulate their targets well enough. One of the postulants chose the Longbottom offspring, and chose the (obvious) tactic of mocking their blood-traitor parents. Both children are sensitive about their heritage and to accusations of disloyalty, but the boy in particular is exceptionally protective of the girl. I cannot imagine at the moment a way in which this might be useful to know, but as I (obviously) have Longbottoms on the mind, among others, I thought it might be best to note for future reference.
Mostly I am writing for two reasons: one, if you have not yet had a chance to read your advance copy of this week's Posh, do not let Bella see it. I settled in for a nice relaxing bit of mindlessness before bedtime and nearly spit out my tea when I saw the lead story; it is all about how Finch-Fletchley is the tragic romantic hero sacrificed on the altar of Bella's ambitions for Hydra. You, on the other hand, may wish to make a visit to the editorial team (or send someone around to do the same) -- someone undoubtedly needs to have a conversation with whomever approved this for publication.
Second, my progress. I had another long discussion with Hypatia today at lunchtime, and am fairly certain at this point she is not one of our Daniels in the lions' den. Or if she is, she has learned to fake entirely too much enthusiasm at the Arts for one of their lot -- she has finally taken me up on my offer to endow a special collection to save the children the trouble of waiting until I am available to unlock my office cabinets, and her enthusiasm was, as near as I could tell, unfeigned. Barring evidence to the contrary, I am moving her to the secondary list.
I still have not seen any signs that Iphigenia is communicating secretly with anyone else, on staff or otherwise, but then again, given her accoutrements, she would be prevented from same. She was not at lunch (and is not often); at supper she tends to vary her dining companions. Last night she sat between Sophia and the Fox; tonight it was Baba and Eggman. I have noticed no true pattern in her interactions (save that she tends to avoid Cinderella and Tiresias, but then, most of us do). At this point I am tempted to anonymise the data and give it to my analyst-in-training to see if he can spot any habits I might not be able to tease out, though even anonymised, this is slightly more sensitive than I would care to entrust to him.
Oh, and: I have been roped into the circus as secondary ringmaster -- by which I mean, I have been asked to interview the victims of one of the postulants' challenges to determine if there was collusion present or if they were truly able to manipulate their targets well enough. One of the postulants chose the Longbottom offspring, and chose the (obvious) tactic of mocking their blood-traitor parents. Both children are sensitive about their heritage and to accusations of disloyalty, but the boy in particular is exceptionally protective of the girl. I cannot imagine at the moment a way in which this might be useful to know, but as I (obviously) have Longbottoms on the mind, among others, I thought it might be best to note for future reference.
no subject
Date: 2014-04-11 09:11 pm (UTC)Did stop by Posh, however. Suggested they kill any follow-up they'd planned. Better a bit of copy than the alternative.
Waiting to hear from Rod re. second lot. Moderate success re. first items, though nothing to break the seals or enable a blood trace.
Look forward to seeing your data. Anonymised or raw, whichever you prefer. As for Daniels, you haven't uncovered anything that could clear Susannah? Or corroborate guilt? Have no more wish than you to sacrifice Iphigenia and then find the witness false. Particularly given the witness.
Despite which, continue to find pearls in the dung heap: today's gem was an unlicensed dealer in commercial ink. Spilled all.
Several promising leads to follow tomorrow. Want to come along? Tell me you don't have to chaperone the French-Fauntleroy on the train.
no subject
Date: 2014-04-12 02:50 am (UTC)Perhaps the biblical metaphor does fit more appropriately; given enough of this and I will inevitably begin to feel like someone's adversary.
And no, I will not need to chaperone, thankfully. I've plans to sleep in, as late as I can, and then I am all yours.