Adam looked at Aleksandra and gave a quick approving nod. 

“That is a very valid question.  It is not known that such was the case however I believe the society would be in a better position to judge such matters for certain.  I think the right questions need merely be asked.  I will make sure you have money for bribes, rounds of drinks, whatever you think might loosen tongues to provide you with the answers you seek.  I will also provide transportation for yourself, and whoever else might join you,  almost to the edge of the district but after that I think it best you make you begin your research unobtrusively.  I don't know what is behind the disappearnces but It likely will not appreciate you trying to find It out.”

He pushed his chair back and rose easily.  

“The files are yours to work with.  Anything else any of you will need for this please see my valet Ren and if it is procurable he will procure it.  I have a few details I need to arrange before we depart.  There were others I had hoped would join us, they may as yet do so.” 

He pulled a fine leather pouch from a pocket and laid it on the table.  Inside were a collection of thin ordinary looking but fairly blunt sewing needles.  

“All of you take one of these needles and fix it in your clothing near your wrist.  They are touched with a whisper of psychic energy; something an ordinary person will not have access to.  All who work investigations for the society wear such trinkets so that you may know them.”

It was a unique charm, one of the members had devised it for this sort of work.  Her Talent was similar to automatic writing save that she used sewing rather than writing. These were the needles she used to enhance her talent but it also worked as a notice to others.  Needles were common enough, no one would steal them as they might a coin or some other baubble, and anyone who simply focused their Talent could sense that there was something special about the needles, though not necessarily what.  Adam had devised this solution when an earlier case was very nearly destroyed by a simple message assumed to be from him.  Now anyone involved in any of the investigations wore one of these as long as they were working. 

His carriage would arrive soon to pick Adriana and himself up for their visit.  He would need to change and look a lot more debonair and formal.  He didn't mind that part but his dread at visiting Lady Isabau was palpable. 


NOTES FOR REFERENCE:
Group A--Visit Lady Isabau. Adam, Adriana
Group B--Rabid Bear in the Woods. Johanna
Group C--Missing Men. Aleksandra