November 21, 2023 • 24 mins
Nigel Clemmons arrives in Washington to investigate the death of a tobacco baron’s son and heir, Phillip Steeples. The odd circumstances of Phillip’s demise leads him to consult and recruit a local investigator and occult expert, Torsten Somersby. https://linktr.ee/nocturnehall
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Nocturne Hall presents an original audio drama intended only for an adult audience.
Phillip.
Damn,
it's freezing. Phillip.
(00:20):
Oh,
there you are.
What are you doing down there?
Silly goose.
Oh,
never mind.
Come inside.
You'll freeze out here. When the fountain stopped.
I heard general strumming. Love.
It's 30 degrees.
(00:42):
The fountain was never on.
Yeah,
she's had it begin.
Can't you hear those tender plucks of golf?
You've had quite a night time for rest where they gather the latter must be near.
You won't find it sitting down.
Let me help you to your feet.
(01:04):
Your hands are ice climb with caution.
Prudent.
The rungs lined with swords and nasty hooks will cut us deep.
But there's just a balustrade of smooth stone.
A beast lurks beneath but pay it.
No heed to rush will cut us to pieces.
How about you?
(01:25):
Come inside to warm yourself?
Perhaps another glass of sherry would set your mind at rest.
Have a seat near the radiator and I'll make you that drink.
(01:47):
Hear love.
Oh,
thank heavens.
He's conked out.
Hm.
Hm.
(02:18):
What?
Marvelous life.
No.
Uh,
yeah.
Huh.
Ah,
(02:40):
I,
oh,
hey,
Mark.
Sh,
not guide me.
Yeah.
(03:02):
Devils walk among us.
Some,
just a mile north of the White House,
whether conjured or elected,
they prey on the innocent all the same.
Most won't even listen.
So folks knock on the one door in the district of crime who will Dupont investigations.
(03:33):
Utah.
So devils of this is the scourge from Carthage part one.
(04:03):
It's open Mr Summersby.
You're not from CN PC NP,
Chesapeake and Potomac.
The telephone company.
You must not be from around here either.
Wait,
you're not another blaster reporter.
No,
sir.
I'm Nigel Clemens,
a claims investigator with ZMA insurance.
Although I admit the story from the papers is why I'm here.
(04:23):
You look familiar.
Have we met before?
I don't believe so.
Come into my office.
Would you like a drink?
Mr Clemens?
All I've got is Bourbon garbled line.
No,
it works just fine.
So I'm having it disconnected after the evening star and it's gem of a story here.
(04:49):
You are.
So Mr Clemens,
let me give you some free advice.
Watch out for dame reporters.
They seem innocent enough,
but they've got the sharpest teeth of all the sharks in the pond.
I'll keep that in mind.
Although I've found trouble with every dame I've met.
You can say that again.
(05:10):
I wonder whether the paper printed the truth about your case.
Oh,
it was a hoax.
All right.
Big dummy.
Me taking another macabre case.
My father swore I'd make a fool of myself chasing after ghouls and goblins one day.
But how come a fine fellow like yourself tracks me down after reading that rag story?
Well,
the paper mentioned,
(05:31):
you fancy yourself a scholar of the occult.
Oh brother.
Tell me this ain't another case.
I'm through with it.
I tell you through the whole funny business.
After my last case,
no decent person would hire me.
No,
sir.
I'm ready to hang it all up.
You see?
(05:52):
but those might be new clients calling clients Smis.
I'm through with a lot of them.
Most are rich buffoons trying to investigate the family fortune teller.
Long gone are the serious clients and you can forget anyone from the hill reaching out again.
All the rats in Congress are being tailed by my competitors.
Sorry to hear about your dry spell.
(06:13):
But I assure you I have every interest in this case remaining out of the newspapers.
Which outfit did you say you're with again?
ZMA insurance?
Never heard of it.
My office is in ZMA,
North Carolina.
Oh,
that's ZMA.
Sure.
I read the new Empire State Building is just a scaled up version of your big building downtown.
They say yours is the tallest building south of Baltimore,
(06:35):
the steeple tobacco building.
You don't sound like a tar heel.
I'm from Richmond.
My pa got a job in Zegna when I was in the 10th grade,
lured by the steeples operation.
Like most folks in ZMA,
I can imagine.
I suppose you know what kind of breed that plump white cat is from all their advertisements.
It's a Turkish Angora.
(06:55):
Uh,
but Mr Steeples is the true fat cat.
It just so happens.
I'm investigating the death of Philip Steeples,
the old man.
No,
his son,
I hadn't already died.
No,
thus far,
I've managed to keep it out of print.
Well,
that's quite a trick.
Cost a small fortune but the Steels family can afford it.
(07:17):
So you're in touch with the family.
Indeed.
My trouble is the case is unusual.
You're gonna have to give me more than that.
Are you familiar with the Spanish steps in Kama?
Sure.
What about them?
They found Philip Steeple's body on the pool patio of an adjacent house.
It seems he fell from the roof and died from a harsh blunt injury to his head.
(07:42):
The trouble is the medical examiner won't rule out foul play.
What does this policy say about murder?
I thought double indemnity is paid out all the same for murder but not for suicide or the decedent's gross negligence.
Still none of that's in play.
How come he didn't have a life insurance policy then?
(08:02):
Why the devil you worked in the case?
Uh Let me guess the family wanted someone they trusted.
So they tapped their local insurance investigator as their P I I have taken the odd case for them whenever hired muscle couldn't get results.
But when the news of Philip arrived,
they were called how used to be.
(08:25):
Friends used to be.
He survived a nasty accident but was never the same after the family struggled to restore him to his former self.
But his recovery proved complicated.
Although his wounds healed,
he feared the pain would return.
Ultimately,
he withdrew from the family,
slipping away to Washington.
(08:46):
So they pay you by the day or what so far just expenses.
But Mr Steel isn't stingy.
After Philip left home,
the family took out a liability policy on him.
They feared he might hurt someone.
Sure,
perhaps in another reckless driving incident.
Uh but the only one he hurt was himself.
So it seems at least your company won't have to pay out on its policy.
(09:10):
Mr Summersby,
please call me Torsten.
Well,
Torsten,
I'm out of my depth in our nation's capital and the steels are expecting answers and you haven't got any,
just a few clues.
Whose house was it?
Where dear Phillip took the plunge.
It belongs to Judge Kraus from the municipal court,
but he and his wife are still vacationing in Portugal.
(09:31):
So what do you figure the heir to a tobacco baron was doing there?
That's one of several remaining mysteries.
Did you visit the scene?
It was my first stop.
I can't say there was anything out of the ordinary except he died on the wrong side of the property.
Was there a right side to die on?
Of course not.
(09:52):
It's just that one could access the fourth floor via stairwell,
there's a rooftop gazebo and a terrace,
but it opens facing south,
the cob house is below.
So we're talking a five or six story drop,
but he fell on the north side,
right?
But the northernmost roof line is aligned with the lower third floor.
So not all that great of a height from which to fall.
(10:13):
I'd estimate around a 30 ft drop.
I see.
So he did fall on the wrong side.
It usually takes four stories for a lethal fall.
But if he struck his head and bled out,
that's the peculiar part.
It seems he fell from a great height.
Could he have crawled up and fallen?
There wasn't a trellis or anything simple to climb.
(10:33):
But I mean,
he fell from a height considerably higher than that of the roof.
I don't understand the body wasn't there when I arrived,
just a chalked outline and smash patio bricks.
You telling me he smashed apart the bricks from less than four stories.
Why?
That is peculiar.
We're still awaiting the medical examiner to complete his autopsy.
(10:55):
But the detective who responded to the call reported upon the mes initial inspection,
he determines most of Phillip's bones were broken.
Who phoned it in?
Someone's dog sniffed out the body around six in the morning.
He kept barking his head off to the owner climbed the IV to peek over the high cement fence smart pooch.
(11:15):
Once they saw the body,
they came to the front and rang the bell but no one answered.
So they went down the Spanish steps and used the call box at Decatur in 22nd to reach the authorities how they identify him.
Last year,
the North Carolina General Assembly required all automobile operators to start carrying license,
listing their name and address.
So that's how the police reached his folks.
(11:38):
Philip's parents alerted his sister first.
But their next call was to me.
Once I agreed to take the case,
I found their chauffeur at my door.
Within a half hour,
they reserved my train tickets at Raleigh Union Depot.
But by the time I had finally arrived in Washington,
Philip was on a slab who identified the body.
I volunteered for all his injuries.
(12:02):
He was still the personable face.
I had known growing up just lifeless.
Are his folks on their way?
No,
this depots are too distraught to make any journey at the moment.
They requested Phillip's body return to ZMA once the medical examiner releases it.
So they test you as settling his affairs too.
No,
(12:22):
his sister and her husband took the train down from New York this afternoon.
They should be at the Mayflower by now awaiting some answers and I've got few to offer them uh care for another drink.
Now,
you said the dog owner hadn't any luck ringing the bell,
but the judge Kraus have any staff,
someone must have given Philip access to the premises there wasn't a maid or gardener on the scene when a beat cop let me through to the pool patio.
(12:51):
If they have staff,
perhaps they took leave at the same time as the krauss about this pool.
Could he have tried to dive in and missed no one in their right mind would try it?
Was he a sound mind?
Well,
by the look on your face,
I'd say you harbor some doubt.
I would be indebted to you if you could assist me with this case.
(13:12):
No,
you'd be in debt because I don't do favors.
*** Look,
I'll pay you two C notes if you come with me to his room at the Cairo Hotel.
I stopped there just before I came to see you.
I'm out of my depth.
It wasn't the room of the young man I once knew it's a goddamn oddball hoard.
Interesting.
I've been called an oddball before,
(13:34):
maybe Philip and I had something in common.
That's why I'd like you to take a look.
Then there's more dough.
If you discover anything worth mentioning to Miss Barr that the steeples name Lila Lila Barr who might have turned down a gig,
you're not what I expected.
(13:54):
Uh Come along,
the Cairo is just a short stroll.
Sounds like it's at least worth gander besides we shouldn't keep Mrs big smokes waiting too long.
(14:16):
So I gotta ask that case of yours.
You sure you ain't a reporter?
Come on one investigator.
To another.
Why'd you take the case?
Because I'm a believer,
not in all things.
Well,
within the realm.
Most folks think unfathomable.
So you honestly thought that little girl was possessed.
I thought her parents deserved to have api check out the diocese track record on exorcisms.
(14:40):
You think they'll still let you take a communion?
They can keep it.
I ain't a prisoner but you believe in possession.
Sure as the day is long,
but not in that case.
No,
the parents should be locked up.
They had that poor girl under their own spell of self delusion.
Now,
her fate lies in the hands of a social worker against a family,
(15:00):
as wealthy as Midas.
Great irony is the press might be your only ally.
So that's why you talk to that reporter.
I thought she might show greater discretion if she understood the matter.
Proved me the dummy.
We don't have to stop at reception.
I still got a key.
Good.
And this will be the coolest double seats I ever snagged.
(15:20):
You might want to wait till you see the room.
Darn.
The elevator operator is on break.
It is late stairs.
Sure.
But how high are we climbing?
Just three flights?
It's probably for the best when they installed the elevators.
I heard someone fell down from the top of one of these shafts.
Ouch.
When would that have been?
Oh,
some 40 odd years ago.
(15:41):
Do you suppose the shaft is haunted?
Oh.
He didn't die.
No.
The fellow limped home and phoned the doctor to come around bananas.
It's true.
I swear Philip's room is right over here.
I don't know how to pu this priest.
(16:07):
He's been in Washington just shy of a year,
but he managed to collect quite a library.
Minus the shelves.
Look at these towering stacks.
Oddball hoard is right.
I don't like it.
Not one bit.
What the books,
the atmosphere,
it's tinged with malevolence.
You a medium too.
No,
you don't need to be one to sense something wrong with down here.
(16:31):
Come on.
Let's see what kind of wild lit we're working with here.
Clairvoyance thought forms the etheric double the health aura of man.
All I can make of all this rubbish is Philip.
Must have gone slap happy.
No argument there.
Still,
there's got to be some common theme here.
Anything by the desk,
(16:52):
just an Underwood without any paper.
He's got the Sunday star open to F four A hand drawn map detailing John Wilkes Booth's escape route from Ford's theater.
Keep looking.
The next issue is from the 11th open A B six.
It's listing all the Sunday services.
Something tells me he wasn't attending the Presbyterian church at the pilgrims.
(17:14):
He was raised Methodist.
Yeah.
Still,
I bet he wasn't attending Fry Methodist either.
He's got several bookmarks in this gym.
What do we hear the Secret Doctrine by Helena Petrovna Lovasi?
And this is just volume 10,
brother,
we're in for a wild ride.
(17:34):
If he's studying this broad.
Who is she a corpse?
Think the Lord,
there's a newsletter stuffed inside.
Here we are.
The American Theosophist society in America.
Madame Blavatsky was a theosophist,
the theosophist,
in fact.
(17:54):
Oh,
what a theosophist,
to be honest,
I'm not sure what they believe.
I bet I have some of their lit back in my home library but they're an obscure bunch.
I think they reinterpreted ancient religions,
which is something I comprehend pretty well.
What is their interpretation?
Well,
who's to say we'd have to read all this mock?
(18:16):
So,
is there anything useful here?
Check the services on B six.
What am I looking for?
There ought to be a listing for theosophy.
You're joking.
Look for their symbol.
An aunt in the center of the star of David with a Swastika overhead.
A swastika bananas in an American paper.
(18:40):
Son of a gun.
Look at that.
You're right.
Theosophy.
They're listed right above the Presbyterian Church of the pilgrims.
That's a fine coincidence.
And the Swastika has been around a few 1000 years before those Nazi bastards stumbled upon it.
The theosophists have two lodges in town.
One is a service Sunday on the memory of past lives.
(19:01):
Oh,
wait,
that's April 5th.
This Sunday's Easter.
Ah,
I opened the wrong B six.
Although the Washington Lodge runs weekly classes at eight in the evening.
Tuesday is Blavatsky class.
Oh,
brother,
glad we missed hers.
Hey,
there was one tomorrow night every Friday they run an elementary theosophy class.
Perfect for newcomers.
(19:23):
Where are they located?
At?
1216 8th Street Northwest.
Well,
now take a look at this gym hiding beneath ISIS unveiled.
What is it?
It appears to be a field medics treatment.
10 from the war.
Let's peek inside Ether stove.
(19:44):
Sparine any morphine.
Nope,
the vials missing.
Why did you ask?
Call it a hunch young Philip and the morphine.
Why else would you have the 10 ***?
I'm short on answers here.
You're the one that grew up with them.
Philip was in a nasty accident.
He wound his brand new Lincoln model K around a telephone pole near Troy.
(20:07):
Spent months in the hospital was never the same after you think he got hooked on morphine could be.
I know he began acting erratic after his discharge.
I didn't see much of him back then,
but it wasn't long before he left home.
Now,
when his folks came around to take out the liability policy,
(20:27):
I see neat coincidence.
Now we find a treatment 10 missing.
A morphine vial,
but I still don't get what drew him to Washington or what sustained his attention.
This isn't exactly a bachelor's quarters,
not an inviting one,
at least for the uninitiated.
Are you suggesting he entertained visitors in this?
Ho I know Dames who'd climbed Kilimanjaro for a tobacco baron's.
(20:51):
He let alone plot a course through a maze of odd books to arrive on his comfy bed.
Anything's possible.
Did you look around for any correspondence?
I'd anticipate a few notes from home if you were here for so long.
Just a letter from his mother asked him if he'd consider coming home for Easter,
he'll be home.
All right,
(21:11):
but not the way she envisioned.
A telegram was sent Monday from the Belvedere Hotel in Baltimore says call but no answer ring.
Yes or no holding package.
No sign of a response.
Odd for a man to toss out all of his correspondence.
(21:31):
Oh,
Philip was always very secretive.
Learned it from his father.
Men learn all manners of sin from their fathers.
Perhaps Mrs Barr might know more if I didn't know better.
What is it?
False bottom drawer,
something's inside too.
You think Philip was running a racket?
(21:52):
Maybe it's his ledger looks more like a diary.
Smart ce let's take a gander.
Oh boy,
this handwriting is a challenge.
It's not a ledger.
I can make out a date for this entry.
June 5th,
1990.
(22:13):
Who we lose power.
No,
it was just a flicker.
Christ.
I think that was a Raven that if I take the journal,
I've got a gift for deciphering difficult penmanship here.
Be my guest bathroom.
Now,
(22:34):
who's that?
I thought you had the only key I do.
At least I thought I did.
You got a piece on you never.
Do you give me the toilet paper roll?
What just do it here.
Now.
What?
No,
dummy.
I want the cylinder and give me your jacket.
What?
All right here.
Thanks by now,
(22:57):
time for our friend to stay on the barrel and if he's got iron,
then we rush him before he shoots bananas.
You ready?
Heck no,
I'm not on 3123.
Who the hands up buster?
The devil's the least of your worries.
(23:17):
Dupont Investigations is written by Mark Benjamin Langston and directed,
edited and sound designed by Bryce Bowen.
Keep your ears in the 19 thirties by becoming a Dupont investigator.
Access,
our private discord server,
the inside scoop or explore Torsten Somers Bee's recovered case file by visiting Nocturne hall.com/investigator Dupont investigations.
(23:43):
The scourge of Carthage part one features Kara Turner,
Zara Kraus Ryan mclean as Philip Steeples,
Mark Benjamin Langston as Torsten Summersby,
Jacob Loman as Nigel Clemens,
and Joshua Hall as Calder Evans.
The original theme song Devils of Dupont written and performed by Bryce Bowen is available wherever you stream music for individuals and families facing mental health or substance use disorders in the United States.
(24:12):
Listeners can call the Free Confidential National helpline at 1 806 62 help.
That's 1 806 62.
He LP
Nocturne Hall presents an original audio drama intended only for an adult audience.
Phillip.
Damn,
it's freezing. Phillip.
(00:20):
Oh,
there you are.
What are you doing down there?
Silly goose.
Oh,
never mind.
Come inside.
You'll freeze out here. When the fountain stopped.
I heard general strumming. Love.
It's 30 degrees.
(00:42):
The fountain was never on.
Yeah,
she's had it begin.
Can't you hear those tender plucks of golf?
You've had quite a night time for rest where they gather the latter must be near.
You won't find it sitting down.
Let me help you to your feet.
(01:04):
Your hands are ice climb with caution.
Prudent.
The rungs lined with swords and nasty hooks will cut us deep.
But there's just a balustrade of smooth stone.
A beast lurks beneath but pay it.
No heed to rush will cut us to pieces.
How about you?
(01:25):
Come inside to warm yourself?
Perhaps another glass of sherry would set your mind at rest.
Have a seat near the radiator and I'll make you that drink.
(01:47):
Hear love.
Oh,
thank heavens.
He's conked out.
Hm.
Hm.
(02:18):
What?
Marvelous life.
No.
Uh,
yeah.
Huh.
Ah,
(02:40):
I,
oh,
hey,
Mark.
Sh,
not guide me.
Yeah.
(03:02):
Devils walk among us.
Some,
just a mile north of the White House,
whether conjured or elected,
they prey on the innocent all the same.
Most won't even listen.
So folks knock on the one door in the district of crime who will Dupont investigations.
(03:33):
Utah.
So devils of this is the scourge from Carthage part one.
(04:03):
It's open Mr Summersby.
You're not from CN PC NP,
Chesapeake and Potomac.
The telephone company.
You must not be from around here either.
Wait,
you're not another blaster reporter.
No,
sir.
I'm Nigel Clemens,
a claims investigator with ZMA insurance.
Although I admit the story from the papers is why I'm here.
(04:23):
You look familiar.
Have we met before?
I don't believe so.
Come into my office.
Would you like a drink?
Mr Clemens?
All I've got is Bourbon garbled line.
No,
it works just fine.
So I'm having it disconnected after the evening star and it's gem of a story here.
(04:49):
You are.
So Mr Clemens,
let me give you some free advice.
Watch out for dame reporters.
They seem innocent enough,
but they've got the sharpest teeth of all the sharks in the pond.
I'll keep that in mind.
Although I've found trouble with every dame I've met.
You can say that again.
(05:10):
I wonder whether the paper printed the truth about your case.
Oh,
it was a hoax.
All right.
Big dummy.
Me taking another macabre case.
My father swore I'd make a fool of myself chasing after ghouls and goblins one day.
But how come a fine fellow like yourself tracks me down after reading that rag story?
Well,
the paper mentioned,
(05:31):
you fancy yourself a scholar of the occult.
Oh brother.
Tell me this ain't another case.
I'm through with it.
I tell you through the whole funny business.
After my last case,
no decent person would hire me.
No,
sir.
I'm ready to hang it all up.
You see?
(05:52):
but those might be new clients calling clients Smis.
I'm through with a lot of them.
Most are rich buffoons trying to investigate the family fortune teller.
Long gone are the serious clients and you can forget anyone from the hill reaching out again.
All the rats in Congress are being tailed by my competitors.
Sorry to hear about your dry spell.
(06:13):
But I assure you I have every interest in this case remaining out of the newspapers.
Which outfit did you say you're with again?
ZMA insurance?
Never heard of it.
My office is in ZMA,
North Carolina.
Oh,
that's ZMA.
Sure.
I read the new Empire State Building is just a scaled up version of your big building downtown.
They say yours is the tallest building south of Baltimore,
(06:35):
the steeple tobacco building.
You don't sound like a tar heel.
I'm from Richmond.
My pa got a job in Zegna when I was in the 10th grade,
lured by the steeples operation.
Like most folks in ZMA,
I can imagine.
I suppose you know what kind of breed that plump white cat is from all their advertisements.
It's a Turkish Angora.
(06:55):
Uh,
but Mr Steeples is the true fat cat.
It just so happens.
I'm investigating the death of Philip Steeples,
the old man.
No,
his son,
I hadn't already died.
No,
thus far,
I've managed to keep it out of print.
Well,
that's quite a trick.
Cost a small fortune but the Steels family can afford it.
(07:17):
So you're in touch with the family.
Indeed.
My trouble is the case is unusual.
You're gonna have to give me more than that.
Are you familiar with the Spanish steps in Kama?
Sure.
What about them?
They found Philip Steeple's body on the pool patio of an adjacent house.
It seems he fell from the roof and died from a harsh blunt injury to his head.
(07:42):
The trouble is the medical examiner won't rule out foul play.
What does this policy say about murder?
I thought double indemnity is paid out all the same for murder but not for suicide or the decedent's gross negligence.
Still none of that's in play.
How come he didn't have a life insurance policy then?
(08:02):
Why the devil you worked in the case?
Uh Let me guess the family wanted someone they trusted.
So they tapped their local insurance investigator as their P I I have taken the odd case for them whenever hired muscle couldn't get results.
But when the news of Philip arrived,
they were called how used to be.
(08:25):
Friends used to be.
He survived a nasty accident but was never the same after the family struggled to restore him to his former self.
But his recovery proved complicated.
Although his wounds healed,
he feared the pain would return.
Ultimately,
he withdrew from the family,
slipping away to Washington.
(08:46):
So they pay you by the day or what so far just expenses.
But Mr Steel isn't stingy.
After Philip left home,
the family took out a liability policy on him.
They feared he might hurt someone.
Sure,
perhaps in another reckless driving incident.
Uh but the only one he hurt was himself.
So it seems at least your company won't have to pay out on its policy.
(09:10):
Mr Summersby,
please call me Torsten.
Well,
Torsten,
I'm out of my depth in our nation's capital and the steels are expecting answers and you haven't got any,
just a few clues.
Whose house was it?
Where dear Phillip took the plunge.
It belongs to Judge Kraus from the municipal court,
but he and his wife are still vacationing in Portugal.
(09:31):
So what do you figure the heir to a tobacco baron was doing there?
That's one of several remaining mysteries.
Did you visit the scene?
It was my first stop.
I can't say there was anything out of the ordinary except he died on the wrong side of the property.
Was there a right side to die on?
Of course not.
(09:52):
It's just that one could access the fourth floor via stairwell,
there's a rooftop gazebo and a terrace,
but it opens facing south,
the cob house is below.
So we're talking a five or six story drop,
but he fell on the north side,
right?
But the northernmost roof line is aligned with the lower third floor.
So not all that great of a height from which to fall.
(10:13):
I'd estimate around a 30 ft drop.
I see.
So he did fall on the wrong side.
It usually takes four stories for a lethal fall.
But if he struck his head and bled out,
that's the peculiar part.
It seems he fell from a great height.
Could he have crawled up and fallen?
There wasn't a trellis or anything simple to climb.
(10:33):
But I mean,
he fell from a height considerably higher than that of the roof.
I don't understand the body wasn't there when I arrived,
just a chalked outline and smash patio bricks.
You telling me he smashed apart the bricks from less than four stories.
Why?
That is peculiar.
We're still awaiting the medical examiner to complete his autopsy.
(10:55):
But the detective who responded to the call reported upon the mes initial inspection,
he determines most of Phillip's bones were broken.
Who phoned it in?
Someone's dog sniffed out the body around six in the morning.
He kept barking his head off to the owner climbed the IV to peek over the high cement fence smart pooch.
(11:15):
Once they saw the body,
they came to the front and rang the bell but no one answered.
So they went down the Spanish steps and used the call box at Decatur in 22nd to reach the authorities how they identify him.
Last year,
the North Carolina General Assembly required all automobile operators to start carrying license,
listing their name and address.
So that's how the police reached his folks.
(11:38):
Philip's parents alerted his sister first.
But their next call was to me.
Once I agreed to take the case,
I found their chauffeur at my door.
Within a half hour,
they reserved my train tickets at Raleigh Union Depot.
But by the time I had finally arrived in Washington,
Philip was on a slab who identified the body.
I volunteered for all his injuries.
(12:02):
He was still the personable face.
I had known growing up just lifeless.
Are his folks on their way?
No,
this depots are too distraught to make any journey at the moment.
They requested Phillip's body return to ZMA once the medical examiner releases it.
So they test you as settling his affairs too.
No,
(12:22):
his sister and her husband took the train down from New York this afternoon.
They should be at the Mayflower by now awaiting some answers and I've got few to offer them uh care for another drink.
Now,
you said the dog owner hadn't any luck ringing the bell,
but the judge Kraus have any staff,
someone must have given Philip access to the premises there wasn't a maid or gardener on the scene when a beat cop let me through to the pool patio.
(12:51):
If they have staff,
perhaps they took leave at the same time as the krauss about this pool.
Could he have tried to dive in and missed no one in their right mind would try it?
Was he a sound mind?
Well,
by the look on your face,
I'd say you harbor some doubt.
I would be indebted to you if you could assist me with this case.
(13:12):
No,
you'd be in debt because I don't do favors.
*** Look,
I'll pay you two C notes if you come with me to his room at the Cairo Hotel.
I stopped there just before I came to see you.
I'm out of my depth.
It wasn't the room of the young man I once knew it's a goddamn oddball hoard.
Interesting.
I've been called an oddball before,
(13:34):
maybe Philip and I had something in common.
That's why I'd like you to take a look.
Then there's more dough.
If you discover anything worth mentioning to Miss Barr that the steeples name Lila Lila Barr who might have turned down a gig,
you're not what I expected.
(13:54):
Uh Come along,
the Cairo is just a short stroll.
Sounds like it's at least worth gander besides we shouldn't keep Mrs big smokes waiting too long.
(14:16):
So I gotta ask that case of yours.
You sure you ain't a reporter?
Come on one investigator.
To another.
Why'd you take the case?
Because I'm a believer,
not in all things.
Well,
within the realm.
Most folks think unfathomable.
So you honestly thought that little girl was possessed.
I thought her parents deserved to have api check out the diocese track record on exorcisms.
(14:40):
You think they'll still let you take a communion?
They can keep it.
I ain't a prisoner but you believe in possession.
Sure as the day is long,
but not in that case.
No,
the parents should be locked up.
They had that poor girl under their own spell of self delusion.
Now,
her fate lies in the hands of a social worker against a family,
(15:00):
as wealthy as Midas.
Great irony is the press might be your only ally.
So that's why you talk to that reporter.
I thought she might show greater discretion if she understood the matter.
Proved me the dummy.
We don't have to stop at reception.
I still got a key.
Good.
And this will be the coolest double seats I ever snagged.
(15:20):
You might want to wait till you see the room.
Darn.
The elevator operator is on break.
It is late stairs.
Sure.
But how high are we climbing?
Just three flights?
It's probably for the best when they installed the elevators.
I heard someone fell down from the top of one of these shafts.
Ouch.
When would that have been?
Oh,
some 40 odd years ago.
(15:41):
Do you suppose the shaft is haunted?
Oh.
He didn't die.
No.
The fellow limped home and phoned the doctor to come around bananas.
It's true.
I swear Philip's room is right over here.
I don't know how to pu this priest.
(16:07):
He's been in Washington just shy of a year,
but he managed to collect quite a library.
Minus the shelves.
Look at these towering stacks.
Oddball hoard is right.
I don't like it.
Not one bit.
What the books,
the atmosphere,
it's tinged with malevolence.
You a medium too.
No,
you don't need to be one to sense something wrong with down here.
(16:31):
Come on.
Let's see what kind of wild lit we're working with here.
Clairvoyance thought forms the etheric double the health aura of man.
All I can make of all this rubbish is Philip.
Must have gone slap happy.
No argument there.
Still,
there's got to be some common theme here.
Anything by the desk,
(16:52):
just an Underwood without any paper.
He's got the Sunday star open to F four A hand drawn map detailing John Wilkes Booth's escape route from Ford's theater.
Keep looking.
The next issue is from the 11th open A B six.
It's listing all the Sunday services.
Something tells me he wasn't attending the Presbyterian church at the pilgrims.
(17:14):
He was raised Methodist.
Yeah.
Still,
I bet he wasn't attending Fry Methodist either.
He's got several bookmarks in this gym.
What do we hear the Secret Doctrine by Helena Petrovna Lovasi?
And this is just volume 10,
brother,
we're in for a wild ride.
(17:34):
If he's studying this broad.
Who is she a corpse?
Think the Lord,
there's a newsletter stuffed inside.
Here we are.
The American Theosophist society in America.
Madame Blavatsky was a theosophist,
the theosophist,
in fact.
(17:54):
Oh,
what a theosophist,
to be honest,
I'm not sure what they believe.
I bet I have some of their lit back in my home library but they're an obscure bunch.
I think they reinterpreted ancient religions,
which is something I comprehend pretty well.
What is their interpretation?
Well,
who's to say we'd have to read all this mock?
(18:16):
So,
is there anything useful here?
Check the services on B six.
What am I looking for?
There ought to be a listing for theosophy.
You're joking.
Look for their symbol.
An aunt in the center of the star of David with a Swastika overhead.
A swastika bananas in an American paper.
(18:40):
Son of a gun.
Look at that.
You're right.
Theosophy.
They're listed right above the Presbyterian Church of the pilgrims.
That's a fine coincidence.
And the Swastika has been around a few 1000 years before those Nazi bastards stumbled upon it.
The theosophists have two lodges in town.
One is a service Sunday on the memory of past lives.
(19:01):
Oh,
wait,
that's April 5th.
This Sunday's Easter.
Ah,
I opened the wrong B six.
Although the Washington Lodge runs weekly classes at eight in the evening.
Tuesday is Blavatsky class.
Oh,
brother,
glad we missed hers.
Hey,
there was one tomorrow night every Friday they run an elementary theosophy class.
Perfect for newcomers.
(19:23):
Where are they located?
At?
1216 8th Street Northwest.
Well,
now take a look at this gym hiding beneath ISIS unveiled.
What is it?
It appears to be a field medics treatment.
10 from the war.
Let's peek inside Ether stove.
(19:44):
Sparine any morphine.
Nope,
the vials missing.
Why did you ask?
Call it a hunch young Philip and the morphine.
Why else would you have the 10 ***?
I'm short on answers here.
You're the one that grew up with them.
Philip was in a nasty accident.
He wound his brand new Lincoln model K around a telephone pole near Troy.
(20:07):
Spent months in the hospital was never the same after you think he got hooked on morphine could be.
I know he began acting erratic after his discharge.
I didn't see much of him back then,
but it wasn't long before he left home.
Now,
when his folks came around to take out the liability policy,
(20:27):
I see neat coincidence.
Now we find a treatment 10 missing.
A morphine vial,
but I still don't get what drew him to Washington or what sustained his attention.
This isn't exactly a bachelor's quarters,
not an inviting one,
at least for the uninitiated.
Are you suggesting he entertained visitors in this?
Ho I know Dames who'd climbed Kilimanjaro for a tobacco baron's.
(20:51):
He let alone plot a course through a maze of odd books to arrive on his comfy bed.
Anything's possible.
Did you look around for any correspondence?
I'd anticipate a few notes from home if you were here for so long.
Just a letter from his mother asked him if he'd consider coming home for Easter,
he'll be home.
All right,
(21:11):
but not the way she envisioned.
A telegram was sent Monday from the Belvedere Hotel in Baltimore says call but no answer ring.
Yes or no holding package.
No sign of a response.
Odd for a man to toss out all of his correspondence.
(21:31):
Oh,
Philip was always very secretive.
Learned it from his father.
Men learn all manners of sin from their fathers.
Perhaps Mrs Barr might know more if I didn't know better.
What is it?
False bottom drawer,
something's inside too.
You think Philip was running a racket?
(21:52):
Maybe it's his ledger looks more like a diary.
Smart ce let's take a gander.
Oh boy,
this handwriting is a challenge.
It's not a ledger.
I can make out a date for this entry.
June 5th,
1990.
(22:13):
Who we lose power.
No,
it was just a flicker.
Christ.
I think that was a Raven that if I take the journal,
I've got a gift for deciphering difficult penmanship here.
Be my guest bathroom.
Now,
(22:34):
who's that?
I thought you had the only key I do.
At least I thought I did.
You got a piece on you never.
Do you give me the toilet paper roll?
What just do it here.
Now.
What?
No,
dummy.
I want the cylinder and give me your jacket.
What?
All right here.
Thanks by now,
(22:57):
time for our friend to stay on the barrel and if he's got iron,
then we rush him before he shoots bananas.
You ready?
Heck no,
I'm not on 3123.
Who the hands up buster?
The devil's the least of your worries.
(23:17):
Dupont Investigations is written by Mark Benjamin Langston and directed,
edited and sound designed by Bryce Bowen.
Keep your ears in the 19 thirties by becoming a Dupont investigator.
Access,
our private discord server,
the inside scoop or explore Torsten Somers Bee's recovered case file by visiting Nocturne hall.com/investigator Dupont investigations.
(23:43):
The scourge of Carthage part one features Kara Turner,
Zara Kraus Ryan mclean as Philip Steeples,
Mark Benjamin Langston as Torsten Summersby,
Jacob Loman as Nigel Clemens,
and Joshua Hall as Calder Evans.
The original theme song Devils of Dupont written and performed by Bryce Bowen is available wherever you stream music for individuals and families facing mental health or substance use disorders in the United States.
(24:12):
Listeners can call the Free Confidential National helpline at 1 806 62 help.
That's 1 806 62.
He LP
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