Related Case Logs

Date: October 20th, 20█ Interviewee: Max Lemar Interviewer: Offr. R█████ Notes: Suspect was interviewed at their home after it was discovered they had left some concering internet searches on a public computer at local coffee shop, [REDACTED]. After questioning the staff, who are not allowed to use the computer during work hours, officers believed it to be the suspect who had come in around the time the searches were left (11:22am), as seen by security footage. It does not seem that the subject knew they were being recordeded at the time. ----- Offr. R█████: [shuffling sounds, something incoherent] ...Shall I sit here? Your garden is very lovely, Mr. Lemar. Did you plant all these yourself? Lemar: Call me Max, please. But, uh, yeah, they're lillies. My mom loved 'em and I really like the way they look in the summer. Uhm, uh, can I ask what this is about, mister...? R: I'm Officer ███ R█████. Mr. Lemar, I just wanted to ask you a few questions about a coffee shop you visited the other day. L: [awkwardly chuckling] Uhm, does my lawyer need to be present for this? R: For what? I'm not even in unifrom, I'm off duty right now. No need to worry about a lawyer for a conversation between neighbours, eh? L: I-I guess so. R: Have you been to the coffee shop [REDACTED] before, Mr. Lemar? I hear a lot of good things about it, but I've never been a big fan of coffee myself. L: Er, yeah, I go there sometimes. That's normal, isn't it? To h-have a morning routine, I mean. R: Of course! I was just thinking of finding a quiet place to get some computer work done. You know, a place where I don't have to have the wife looking over my shoulder. [laughs] L: Right....Look, is this about the public computer there? R: Oh? They have one of those? L: Y-Yes, they do. I used it just recently 'cuz my internet went out for a couple days in the storm we had a bit ago. R: Oh certainly, that storm was- L: My internet is back now, okay? Officer, if there was a fee I had to pay for using the computer, you can just tell me and I'll pay it, alright? R: No, no, it's nothing like that. Mr. Lemar, I just wanted to know- L: It's Max, please. The frappucinos are great, officer. And the internet was fast. Thank you for stopping by, but I'm going back inside. Bye, now. [some shuffling noises] R: [shuffling] Thank you for your time, Mr. Lemar. {END LOG}

Date: October 28th, 20█ Interviewee: Max Lemar Interviewer: Offr. R█████ and Det. C███ Notes: After conducting the previous interview, the officers had continued to look into the suspect's personal internet history despite not getting approval from the United States Intelligence Surveillance Court (USISC). They then brought the suspect in for more questioning. ----- {START LOG} Det. C███: Please state your name and the date for the recording. Lemar: I-I'm Max Lemar, and today is October the 28th. Offr. R█████: Year too, please. Lemar: Oh, it's, ah, 20█. R: Good to see you again, Mr. Lemar. L: Wish I could say the same, officer, but it seems I'm under arrest then, huh? C: You're not under arrest, we're just questioning you, friend. You're in detention. R: Just like you would get in high school. L: But I'm not free to leave, am I? C: No, no you are not. R: [chuckling lowly] You never did get that lawyer, it seems. [about 5 seconds of silence] R: Are you feeling alright, Mr. Lemar? You seem to have...lost a bit of weight since I saw you last. L: I'm fine. Just haven't been eating well the last few days. R: ...Do you know why we've brought you in, Mr. Lemar? L: I s-suppose it isn't to ask me about another coffee shop, is it sir? R: [laughing] You and I wish. L: I want to be cooperative, I really do, but I can't think of anything wrong that I've done. C: We found some more strange searches and navigations in your internet history, things that until now we've mostly ignored. L: Don't you need a warrant to be looking through that kind of stuff? R: The fourth amendment gets a little fuzzy when it comes to stuff online, luckily for us. L: [sighs angrily] What exactly was I searching that's got you guys so upset? R: We're glad you asked. [the sound of papers shuffling and a throat being cleared] C: [reading] "Angels," "angel pictures", "are angels real", "can humans fly," "bible pdf," "the seven archangels"... R: Sounds like you were having a bad day and were having some doubts, eh? L: O-Okay, but none of that stuff is liable to getting me in trouble. It's not like I searched, I dunno, uh, "h-how to make a bomb" or anything like that! C: [continues] "Angels in my life," "angel worship," "religions based in angel worship," "one of many religion," "is one of many a cult," "angel cults", "one of many in [REDACTED]," "one of many near me"... R: It seems you were looking up this One of Many group for awhile, Mr. Lemar. This is a group that we've been aware of for quite some time. They've caused us some trouble in the past, believe you me. L: W-Well, I dunno, I was curious. Honest! That's all! I wanted to see if there was someone I could speak to just 'cuz I was curious! It's a small town, I didn't honestly think there'd be any members around here anyways. [quietly] I wish you'd just call me Max... R: It is indeed a small town, that's why it's so much more likely that weird groups like them would have influence here. C: You weren't able to contact any members of this, shall we say, group, were you? L: ...We might've, uh, chatted. R: [scoffing] Why're you wanting to get involved in all that angel crap, anyway? Can't you just go to one of the million churches or whatever we got around here? L: I-I just thought....well, I don't know, I just had something specific in mind to ask about after my research. C: And what would that be? [tens econds of pause] R: Mr. Lemar? L: ...Have you ever had something happen in your life a couple times? Like something showing up that you swear you've seen before? And once you notice, you just continue to notice this thing? At what point isn't it a repeated coincidence anymore? C: I'm not sure I understand what you mean. L: I-I don't know, maybe it's nothing. I don't understand it either yet. R: Well? C'mon, if you give us something useful to show our bosses then we all get to go home. L: Like, uhm, ah, like a symbol or something. Or numbers. Numbers, like a code. C: Numbers? A code? A code to what? L: I...can't say. If this is what it really is, then it's really kind of personal. Between me and them, y'know? R: Don't tell me you're buying into that angellic crap. L: M-Maybe if you turn off your recorder, I- R: That's not happening. [silence for 3 seconds] C: Alright, Max. R: C███? C███, what're you- {END LOG}

Date: November 3rd, 20█ Interviewee: Det. H████ Interviewer: Det. C███ Notes: Officers unable to continue speaking with the suspect without actual probable cause. This interview was conducted in order to get more information about the cult One of Many from the station's dedicated researcher. ----- {START LOG} Det. H████: Detective ██ H████, November 3rd, 20█. Det. C███: Thank you for being willing to meet with me, ██. H: Of course. I'm always eager to talk to someone who doesn't think my department's work is a waste of the taxpayer dollar. C: [hums thoughtfully] I just had a few questions regarding the cult you've been researching, as it pertains to a case I've been assigned. It's possible my suspect is interested in joining it. H: Ah, I believe they prefer to be called a "sect" rather than a "cult," detective. C: Well, whatever it is, they've caused us trouble in the past and we fear if it is gaining members then it certainly isn't going to stop causing us more strife in the future. H: I think it's safe to say you're right. C: Other than the name and the brief info public on their website, I don't know much at all about who they are or what they want to do. Why don't we start there? H: [a pause] Put simply, One of Many is a group of worshippers focused around angels, as you may have gathered. It seems their beliefs originated based on the Christian and Catholic interpretations of angellic creatures, but over time they've been taking influence from other reiligions as well. They also have a fascinaton with numbers, and the key it holds to one's destiny. C: How long have they been operating? H: Mm, well over a decade now. Maybe fifteen years? And they've only grown. I was assigned to keep an eye on them about seven years ago, but they only had a handful of members then. C: And now? H: I think this chapter currently hovers at about 50 members, from what we can guess looking at their consistent online activity. But it's hard to say for sure. Lately there's been an influx of members, and we're positive they've been reaching out to people in different cities, and even other states. C: I see...Any idea why they're trying so hard to recruit more members right now? [a pause, maybe for the shaking of the head] H: It's unclear. We suspect they're gathering more people for some sort of ritual, one that they need a lotta folks working together more. C: [sighing] You don't think they're going to start stealing animals again, do you? It caused us a lot of stress when they were going through that whole "kidnapping neighbourhood dogs and cats" sort of thing. H: No. And I don't think they're going to "accidentally" flood the town again by messing with the water tower. I think it's something big this time. The way they talk about it on their forums is almost with excitement. C: Do you know if they're aware that your department's been survelliencing them for the past seven years? H: Definitely. Some members recognize me on the streets. They're unafraid to talk about it with strangers. They've outright asked to recruit me, once or twice. C: ... detective, could do another favour for me? H: I'm happy to help. C: Is it possible you could talk to one of them? Get more information for me directly from the source? [two seconds of silence] H: After nearly a decade of hesitating, ███, I'm more than welcoming of your outside pressure. Certainly. {END LOG}

Date: November 13th, 20█ Interviewee: F. Gabriel Interviewer: Det. H████ Notes: Interview conducted by head researcher with a public member of the One of Many cult to learn more about the group's inner workings. ----- {START LOG} Det. H███: Please state your name and the date for the recording. Gabriel: I'm Freddy Gabriel, and today is November 13th, 20█. H: I'm glad we were able to officially meet, Mr. Gabriel. We won't have to talk long, I forgot to charge the recorder last night. But I wanna get as much in as possible. I'm sorry it had to be in such an unconfortable setting, though. Regulations and all. G: Not a problem, detective, I'm blessed to be able to share the infinite knowledge of my family. H: Your family...You mean the other One of Many members, of course? G: Yes! My brothers and sisters and siblings! Though there is a diverse group of us, we are all one family, as the Mobile is. H: [sound of papers shuffling] The Premium Moble, I assume. G: The ninth and final sphere of our universe; the sphere that spins all the others around us. The abode of angels from which we draw our strength. We are thankful for their movement, as without it the world, the universe, and even time would stop its rotation. H: I've done a lot of reading on this sphere, as clearly it holds a lot of importance to your group. A circle of angels spinning around God. Your thoughts on it derive a lot from Dante Alighieri's poem 'Paradisio', is that correct? G: [humming] We like to think that Dante derived a lot of inspiration from us, you know. But you're wrong about one thing-- it isn't the divine that need God, but God who needs them. After all, what was Lucificer, exept what once was divine? And what is God without those who bllindly follow him? H: [a humour in his voice] Of course, Mr. Gabriel, of course. If I can ask you something else, while it's obvious that your group takes advantage of strength in numbers, why the sudden attempt to gather more members at a large scale? The last time you were active before this was- G: The incidents around town were insighted by our previous aggelo. Our pastor, you could say. The messenger between us and the divine. While we do things mostly democratically, we can't be running around without any leadership at all. He insisted that blessing the town's water and taking away their "sinnful" animals would please the Mobile. Safe to say it did not. He didn't last long before our new aggelo was voted in. [a two second pause] H: About the recent recruitment...? G: Ah, well, we're getting ready to celebrate! A very important date is approaching! H: And that is...? G: The day of summoning! A new member has graciously volunteered to vessel. We are rushing because the day of their angel number is fast approaching and the summoning must occur on that exact day! November 12th! Oh, we're so excited. H: [nervously] Th-The red light has started to blink on my recorder...do you thnk you could explain to me really fast about this..summoning? And angel numbers? What does that mean? G: Have you ever had a number show up in your life repeatedly? Maybe your coffee came out to be four dollars and forty four cents. And then in the middle of the night you wake up for no reason and checking the clock, its 4:44 AM. How many times does this happen until seeing this number isn't a repeated coincidence anymore? H: I feel like I've heard a spheal like this somewhere before...The number, it's like a code? G: A message. The divine are telling our new member that its time to be our vessel. His sacrifice will bring us ever closer to having one of the divine walking on earth with us. H: My recorder- Please, tell me- Who? Who will be the new vessel? G: Our newest family member. His name is Max- {END LOG}

Date: November 22nd, 20█, 08:00 AM - 23:30 PM Location: [DATA EXPUNGED] Notes: A small video monitor was placed outside the subject's home in order to get surveillance regarding the preparation of the "summoning" ritual. In shot is the entranceway to a ranch-style house with a garden almost exclusively of white lillies. ----- {START LOG} 08:00 AM - Monitor is placed at the location; monitor logs this movement. 09:00 AM - No movement. 10:00 AM - No movement. 11:00 AM - No movement. 11:22 AM - Subject is seen leaving the house. 12:00 PM - No movement. 13:00 PM - No movement. 13:12 PM - A woman passes by walking her dog; dismissed as irrelevant to the case. 13:17 PM - Subject returns home with shopping bags. 14:00 PM - No movement. 15:00 PM - A man passes by, jogging; dismissed as irrelevant to the case. 16:00 PM - No movement. 17:00 PM - Night begins to fall; monitor switches to night-vision mode. 18:00 PM - No movement. 18:50 PM - Several men and women approach the house. The subject lets them inside. 18:58 PM - More people approach the house. A woman drops a red bag and gets upset when the contents spill onto the ground. The group ushers her inside, while others come out to clean the mess. 19:00 PM - Others are still cleaning up outside; monitor sends generic 'movement' mesage. 19:03 PM - Everyone heads back inside. 20:00 PM - No movement. 21:00 PM - Monitor sends generic 'movement' message when someone passes by the window. 22:00 PM - No movement. 23:22 PM - The groups of people leave the suspect's home. 23:30 PM - Monitor is picked up by authorities and shut off.

Date: November 23rd, 20█ Camera Operator: Offr. R█████ Location: [DATA EXPUNGED] Notes: Wearing a chest mounted camera, an officer and several riot control team members are dispatched to the subject's home for collection after the suspicious activity was monitored the previous day. It is unclear whether a warrant was obtained beforehand. ----- {START LOG} [The interior of a vehicle is seen. The officer is surrounded by three in riot control gear. Rattling noises as the officer hits the camera] SWAT Voice 1: ...Stop smacking it, will you, the light means it's on. Offr. R█████: Yeah yeah, I know, I can just never tell since we don't get a preview until we get back to the station. SWAT Voice 2: Remind me what we're up to here, again? R: We go in, we get the subject, Mr. Lemar, and we get out. He's got a fluffy beard, you'll see him. He seemed so nice when I met him. Shame he got mixed up in all this cult stuff. SWAT Voice 3: Well, they always seem nice at first, don't they? R: I just thought he'd be smarter than that. 2: Than what? Than letting himself get convinced his new friends were gonna summon a demon or some shit because his birthday adds up to the same number as the price of his shopping list one time? Guess not. [a minute of riding in silence] Driver: We're here, all. 3: Stay close to one another, we don't know if any of them are still here from the other night. [all except the driver leave the vehicle, with the officer leading. All carry weapons of varying sizes. Officer looks around at the garden, capturing a shot of the planted lilies which have died. He then knocks on the door] R: Mr. Lemar, this is the police. We need you and everyone inside to come out with your hands up- [The knocking swings open the door. They each look at each other before 1 gestures everyone inside] R: Mr. Lemar? Are you home? [The lights are out. They've stepped into a living room, which is demolished. Furniture is knocked over and cleared to the sides of the room, some of it broken. A triange with a circle surrounding it is drawn on the floor in a mysterious black fluid where the space was cleared out. Unlit white candles line the circle.] 1: I'll move into the kitchen, if the rest of you want to look around here. 2: What the fuck were they doing last night...? R: [shouting as he explores the room] Mr. Lemar!! 3: ...Perhaps he left the house after they picked up the monitor? R: I dunno if- [The officer is interupted by shouting from the kitchen, and they all turn quicky and point their weapons at the door.] 1: Something's in here- Something's in the pantry! [The three rush into the kitchen, also ransacked. The fridge door is open but there's nothing inside. There doesn't seem to be any food in the room at all. The pantry door is also slightly ajar, but it's too dark to see inside.] R: [quickly] Are you alright? What did you find? [1 points at the pantry door, backing away from it.] 1: Something's in there, I don't know who or what it is and I'm not looking again. 2: Fuckin' coward. 1: You look then!! [The officer forcefully pushes past them and moves toward the pantry.] R: I'm the one with the camera, I'll do it. 3: Be careful, officer- [Now closer, the camera picks up shuffling sounds, and then a low grumbling noise, like a stomach. The officer hesitates only momentarily before swinging open the pantry door. It's very dark, but the dull light from the kitchen is enough to see the shelves inside are empty. Then, the light falls on a white and red hunched figure, arm-like appendages held out in front of it. White cloth and creamy red braids of hair wrap all around the figure and to the floor. Bent like this, it's hard the see the figure's true height.] R: [muttering] What the- [The figure emits a loud cry and the camera catches a blurry movement as the creature seems to shove past the officer, who then falls to the ground. It's then that the camera falls loose from the chest mount and to the floor. The camera remains on the floor, and only shot being the adjacent wall until the video ends.] 2: Shoot the fuckin' thing!! 3: NO! It might be the- 1: Who cares-? It's getting away! [The sound of running and scuffling. The creature yells but this time it sound further away. The voices slowly get quieter as the team leaves the house in chase. Gunshots. Tires screeching.] R: MR. LEMAR...! 2: Goddammit..! [Continued various sounds, shouting and sirens for another three hours until the camera dies.] {END LOG}