Under the Library – A Call of Cthulhu Podcast
On this Episode of Under the Library:
Ipswich, MA
April 3, 1927
A bank has been robbed by members of the infamous Frog Gang.
Special Agent Malone of the Bureau of Investigation (BOI) dispatches Agent Merrick and Agent (in training) Chambers to the scene. Steve Blue, reporter, accompanies them along with his dog, Clue.
At the scene a local policeman, Lanny O'Paddy, gives the BOI agents details of the crime. He wasn't present for everything, but was called to the scene and shot at the getaway vehicle, hitting one gang member.
The agents interview a bank teller and the manager, Mr. Stroganoff. Stroganoff admits that he opened the safe to protect his staff and patrons. He said there were 3 men and one woman, and they all had "the look" of Innsmouth. This strange frog-like shape to their features is supposedly caused by a virus. They stole about $7,000 and were heard saying "we'll be safe when we get back to Innsmouth."
As the BOI agents conducted interviews, Blue inspected the ledgers. Everything looks above-board, and it seems that Stroganoff was attempting to record the losses from the robbery.
The investigators head to Innsmouth, O'Paddy's car in front with the agents and Blue following. The terrain becomes marshier and wilder, and Merrick notices that we have a tail. At this moment, O'Paddy's car veers wildly to the right, off the road, and into the marsh. He sees another trunk sticking out of the marsh ahead - the same car that he shot at!
The truck that was tailing us pulls over and we meet Bubba Frett, a bounty hunter with a wanted poster for the leader of the Frog Gang.
O'Paddy wades into the swamp to investigate a body floating about 30ft out. It's the man he shot in the fleeing car. As he investigates, he feels a horrible sharp pain in his calf and sees a creature like a trilobite with lobster claws. He blasts it off with his .38 and drags the corpse to shore.
The body is the notorious Abe Duncan and has a $300 reward, so Bubba tries to bribe Paddy for possession of the corpse. As they argue, another strange lobster creature latches onto Bubba, severing his Achilles tendon.
The BOI agents receive a message from the home office - lodging has been arranged in Innsmouth and it's time to head out. Leaving O'Paddy's car in the marsh, we depart for Innsmouth.
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Background art on YouTube courtesy of the brilliant artist Andrii Shafetov.
https://www.artstation.com/andriishafetov & AzDimension Virtual Technology from their game The Last Dead End available on Steam.