Physical State: Adrenaline burst.
Mental State: Very nervouse for unknown reasons.
August intently listened to the line of questioning Barry put Dupree through as the trio made their way throughout the campus. Along the way he was sure to make a mental list that he was rather sure somewhat mirrored whatever good old Barry was writing in his cute little notepad. Yet again August was impressed by the Professor and had to admit that the older Dupree was holding himself together surprisingly well given his present company. So far he had answered almost all of Barry's questions in a clear and cooperative manner-exactly the type of things most cops liked. In Augusts mind Dupree hadn't said anything so far to make him seriously rethink his opinion that this was nothing more than a suicide. But then there was that last question Barry asked...
"...Or more puzzling, even to me; how is it that he made it up on top of the monument? To my knowledge, the only way to get up there is to climb up using a ladder from the upper parts of the tower, but when I saw it just a few moments ago, the snow lying there had not been disturbed, and no ladders on the outside either." August himself couldn't deny the logic behind Barrys question. New to the City of Arkham Augsust himself had little knowledge of specifics when it came to local landmarks such as this-the kind of crucial little details that allowed one to ask the real questions. Questions like Barry had just asked.
Questions without answers. "I...cannot say for sure. August, did you see a ladder? I was rather distracted. What I do know for sure was that the man was conscious and alert, if not deranged, while he was on top of that tower, and he was making no effort to safely climb down its side."August answered while keeping in step with the group.
“As I stated earlier, I never actually saw the late Dr. Atkins jump-the commotion merely caught my attention while I was passing through. That being said though I still would agree with the Professor here, I arrived just after the fact and...well, it all looked pretty open and shut. I was unaware that there was no access to where he jumped from though...that is, well...odd. And now that you mention it no, I didn't see any sort of ladder or even tracks leading up to the tower. And I can say that for a fact.” He shot Barry a look that only lasted a brief second-the type unspoken glance from back in the day that said something wasn't right. Suddenly he felt like he could hear the whistling in the air preluding the explosive death of an enemy mortar.
He pushed the feeling down and tried to blink the distant look on his face away.
“Ill be honest though, I don't see what you expect to find in his office. But then again...well, we both know I'd be just as thourough.” August finished with his answer as the trio made their way to the door that lead into the late Dr. Atkins office. August quickly made a mental note of the title on the door that read-
“Dr. Howard Atkins. Department of Ancient Cults & Practices.”-words that made Augusts' massive frame tighten involuntarily. Having been raised Catholic he couldn't help but associate frightening things with words like
occult and
ancient practices. In his mind these words and the things they stood for were better left forgotten and unspoken.
As if to completely make August eat his last words Dupree piped up
“The door is unlocked, but I'm having a devil of a time opening it. Could one of you two try?” the Professor asked to no one in particular-August thought Dupree himself was somewhat perplexed by the situation.
“Quickly, stand aside Proffesor.” August quickly found himself bellowing in a hushed whisper. Without thinking he gently guided Dupree out of the way with one of his bear like arms and pressed himself up against the supposedly unopenable door. Clutching the doorknob with his massive left hand August was shocked to see his right hand holding the deadly black automatic Colt .45 he always carried with him. Apparently he had drawn his firearm on pure instinct.
He noticed Barry had done the same and decieded to keep his hand cannon out. Hopefully he wouldn't have to use it.
Giving Barry a brief nod as if to confirm some pre discussed plan August threw all his weight into the door with a struggled grunt: the result was a rather impressive display of physical strength as the old wooden desk that had been bracing the door from the other side literally flipped through the air in an explosion of noise. Somewhere over his shoulder he heard Barry shouting
“Police!” as they made their way into the chaotic office space. The newly upturned desk combined with a recently opened window that lead to the windy air outside had turned what August assumed was an already messy office space into a proverbial pig stye.
Seeing the room was empty of people August rushed over to the only open window and stuck his head into the now howling winds outside-even if it hadn't been icy out the few escape routes he could see were far to small for his massive frame to easily manage. He decided it was more than likely if he tried any sort of pursuit he would fall to the snowy ground below-and he was well aware Barry would never let him live that down.
Turning back to Barry and Dupree August let his .45 slide snugly back into the leather holster beneath his left armpit as he surveyed the mess that was now Dr. Atkins office.
As an ex cop August was well aware that things had just become far more complicated.