[center][h1]August Dupin[/h1][/center]
Physical State: Uneasy-Coming down from Adrenaline Rush.
Mental State: Intrigued.

[color=2e3192]"Shit, thing are never as simple as they seem, are they? Take a look around; if someone took the time to check through this mess, it must mean that there is something of importance here. I'll take that permission of yours, Dr. Dupree, if you don't mind."[/color]

After closing the opened window to stifle the incoming winter chill August did just what Barry suggested and began trying to find something-[i]anything[/i]-whithin the chaotic puzzle before them. Sure, August agreed chances were there had been something here-[i]the real question was if whoever had beat them here had found whatever they were looking for.[/i] If they had in fact found whatever they were after...[i]well, thatd just have to be Barry's problem.[/i] He reminded himself he was he for his own reasons and wouldn't get sucked into Barry's case-even if that case was extremely intriguing. Still though August found himself unable to stop himself from pondering over the thought that just maybe someone had stolen the late Dr. Atkins suicide note? Perhaps someone didn't want something in that note read? Perhaps-

His train of thought was cut off as Barry's familiar voice snapped him back to reality. Apparently his old [i]friend[/i] had found something that lead him to ask what August thought was a rather random question.[color=2e3192]"Well what is this? My strange days in Belgian Kongo...How long is it since Dr. Atkin's was in Africa, Dr. Dupree?"[/color]

Professor Dupree answered in a way that the giant August believed to be completely genuine. [u]“I'm rather sorry, I can't say for sure. I'd guess perhaps a few years since he'd visited Africa? Again, Dr. Steiner knew him better than I had. He might also know why someone took it upon themselves to search this office and what, if anything, is missing."[/u] After surveying the chaos again Dupree was quick to add [u]"I'm rather sorry, Officer Lexington, but I honestly doubt I have any further information I can share about this man. I knew him best at the end of his life, and not particularly well before. I have contributed what I can, and I doubt I can contribute much more without ending up underfoot."[/u] 

Giving up on a pile of papers that seemed to be translating some dead language August let the documents fall back to the floor. He apparently didn't seem to mind adding to the mess. [i]“I can't speak for Barry but in my oppinion you've been very helpful Professor.”[/i] August suddenly chimed in. [i]“And if your previous offer of help still stands I would greatly appreciate it-that is if Investigator Barry here doesn't mind us two making our exit here? If it helps at all I can vouch for the Professor here-just givein the likely time frame of all these...[b]odd events[/b]...I can honestly say Dupree couldn't have had any hand in [b]this[/b].”[/i] He let his massive right hand gesture at the chaotic mess that was once Dr. Atkin's office in an effort to specify what [b]this[/b] was. “I've been with him too long.”

Clearly not liking what he was hearing but unable to come up with a good enough reason to hold Dupree and August here Barry finally relented. [color=2e3192]“Fine. Fine, but no promises I won't have more questions later"[/color]

August nodded without breaking eye contact. [i]“Of course. I myself am staying at Nightshade's Inn, if you wanna stop by to question me over a beer or just catch up-come on by anytime. Room number 13. Watch out for the owner though, he's a bit...[b]odd[/b]. Now I hate to leave you alone on some [b]Cambodian expedition[/b] but the Professor and I should really get going.”[/i] He reopened the wooden door that was the exit; somehow it had reshut itself in the middle of all the previous commotion. [i]“After you, Professor?”[/i] He finished asking in a way that was not only directed at Dupree but also made it very clear he was in fact done talking with Barry. He was well aware he was probably one of the few men that could do such a thing and go unscathed. 

The truth was if August had been alone in the room with his old war Buddy Barry he would have no trouble telling him that his gut was pointing in the direction of Steiner-but the fact was his one solid lead was also in the room, a lead August didn't want to risk upsetting in the slightest. In actuality though he didn't really know what the truth behind this odd suicide; but that deep nagging part of him that had kept him alive so many times before kept telling him that in some way or another most roads lead to one name.

Steiner.