An Adams Family Promise

Overview

Locations: Coney Island, Lafayette Theatre, Teddy's Saloon, and various personal moments, including Abigail's date and Ellen's precarious situation.

Key Themes: The investigation into Hilton Adams's conviction, the Bloody Tongue's activities, and deepening interpersonal dynamics.

Focus Areas:

• Gathering intel on JuJu House and the Bloody Tongue
• Securing allies
• Ellen's mysterious predicament

Key Events and Developments

Personal Moments

Breakfast: Stanley cooks breakfast, while Jupiter enjoys bacon and plans a trip to Coney Island. Abigail receives a call from Rebecca Springhorn confirming a meeting with Millie Adams at the Lafayette Theatre (6:30 PM).

Abigail and Her Parents: Abigail's mother pressures her into shopping and etiquette lessons to emphasize proper appearances. Abigail, reading a law textbook, contemplates abdicating from her parents' control. She plans a date with Cecil Langdon (8 PM Thursday), which evolves into a romantic escape from her disapproving mother.

Imelda's Painting at Times Square: Gains attention from a human statue and a tophatted man interested in her art. The man invites her to an auction hosted by the Carlyle Foundation during the Eclipse Ball, giving her an entry point to an exclusive event.

Meeting Millie Adams

At Lafayette Theatre: The group meets Millie Adams, impeccably dressed and smoking a cigarette. She offers to help if the group works to prove Hilton Adams's innocence.

Details on Hilton's Case:

• A Harlem Hellfighter and war hero, Hilton was convicted of the murder of Esther Williams, based on the presence of his bolo knife at the crime scene.
• Lt. Walter Robson led the investigation, arresting Hilton after a suspicious loitering charge outside a veterinary centre.
• Millie recounts her own stakeout of JuJu House, noting its popularity at night.

Leads provided:

• Hilton's journal, likely taken by the police
• Members of the Harlem Hellfighters, who may have additional information, often found at Teddy's Saloon

Encounter with a Bloody Tongue Cultist

In the Theatre: Suspicious movement from the upper circle draws the group's attention. A figure flees, leaping out of a window but failing to reach the building opposite.

Capturing the Cultist: The man is African American, wearing civilian clothes, and knows Abigail's name. Items found include cash and a leather headband with red cloth (similar to those worn by Jackson Elias's killers). Under interrogation, Millie discovers the man was sent by someone scarier than her. The cultist attempts to tear off his tongue, echoing previous cultist behaviors.

Involving the Police: Officer Smith arrests the man after Jupiter claims he mentioned Iregi Kipkemboi - the usher from Jackson's funeral.

Visit to Teddy's Saloon

Atmosphere: A speakeasy frequented by African Americans, causing Imelda and Jupiter to stand out.

Key Figures at Teddy's:

• Douglas Fells: Heavyset, sad demeanor, reluctant to help Hilton
• Art Mills: Bald with shaky hands, thin moustache
• Needham Johnson: Reporter for the New Amsterdam Press, more polished
• Jackie Wallace: Aspiring doctor, determined to make a difference

Details Gathered:

• Two people go missing every month, always during the New Moon or the day before.
• Hilton had a new lead and followed it to JuJu House, leading to his arrest after a body was found.
• Hilton's journal contained detailed records of his findings, likely confiscated by the police.

Persuasion Success: Jupiter and Imelda convince Douglas to join their cause, bolstering their effort to clear Hilton's name.

Ellen's Situation

A Dire Predicament: Ellen is trapped in a wooden box, aboard a train. Boxes around her are labeled for Emerson Imports, hinting at cult involvement.

Unfolding Mysteries

The JuJu House: What activity occurs there at night, and how does it tie into the Bloody Tongue?

Hilton's Journal: What critical information does it hold, and how can it be recovered from the police?

Ellen's Location: Who has captured her, and what is their connection to Emerson Imports?

Cultist Motivations: Who sent the cultist to the Lafayette Theatre, and why was he targeting Abigail?