Session 24

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Investigation: The Transport Company (2025-01-25)

Cryptids and Conspiracies

• While discussing past experiences, Judy recounts a time she worked with scientists following a cryptid hunter, gathering useful intel despite the hunter’s wild theories.
• Tila, confused by the concept, proudly exclaims, "So, Bigfoot?" and seems amused by the conversation.
• Jace elaborates, explaining that cryptids are creatures with little or no physical proof of existence, likening them to conspiracy theories.
• The conversation shifts as Judy suggests they move on to the [[transport company to follow up on the missing delivery driver and stolen pump.

Meeting Charles Bouvier

• The team arrives at Neumann, Inoue & Bouvier Ltd. Co., a small transport company operating out of a back alley office.
• The building appears repurposed, designed originally for larger species, and has few visible employees.
• They are greeted by a large orc named Charles Bouvier, dressed casually in workout gear.
• Charles immediately assumes they are investigating the disappearance of his driver, Martin Baumgartner, and offers them a seat.

Interrogation and Suspicion

• Judy presses Charles for details about the attack and missing driver, noting that he is too well-trained at hiding the truth.
• Charles provides Martin’s address: Pickelhaubenstreet 62E.
• He also reveals that the three mystery suspects the team had been tracking were his employees, sent to recover the lost shipment.
• Charles describes them vaguely:

 - A cheerful cook who eats everything  
 - A tiefling with horns, who dislikes elves and finger-gunners  
 - A woman who taps her chin a lot  

• He provides their names on a written note.

The Mysterious Pump

• Charles admits that one item on the truck was extremely valuable, but dodges specifics.
• Judy, suspecting he is withholding information, pushes further.
• He finally claims the missing item was a fluid mechanics component with internal data storage and wireless programming capabilities, making it highly advanced and expensive.
• This aligns with the investigation’s earlier findings that the pump contained hidden data.

Tracking the Route

• Jace and Judy request GPS data on Martin’s last known route.
• Charles provides Martin’s route history on a company tablet, which they begin analyzing.
• However, he states that the three employees did not use a company vehicle, suggesting they secured transport independently.
• Judy, sensing deception, suspects Charles knows more than he is admitting.

Next Steps

• The team plans to:

 - Analyze Martin’s GPS route data for unusual stops.
 - Investigate the mystery trio who retrieved the package.
 - Determine who provided their non-company transport.
 - Verify if the pump was intentionally used for industrial espionage or if another motive is at play.