Interlude Fourteen point One, Defender Investigates
Defender looked over the equipment photos he had of the villian's
gear. Some of the analysis equipment he recognized, and some of the
components also looked distinctive. A little work narrowed the
field down.
He tracked some of the analysis equipment to SciAnal, a division
of Murchison Industries; and some of the more obscure parts to Clarion
Radiotech. Both businesses were based in Port Alexander.
Defender opened the cell channel on his wrist comp and called Detective
McNally.
"Detective. This is Defender. I've got a lead on our friends from the
warehouse fire, but don't have the resources to follow it. Would you be
interested in exchanging some information?"
"Sure, I'm plum out of donuts, so I got nothing better to do."
"Cute," Defender snickered. "Give me your fax number please. I'm about to
send you a list of serial numbers from some scientific research gear we
found in the villain's possession during our last encounter. Some of it is
from SciAnal and some from Clarion Radiotech. What I'm looking for is the
person or persons the equipment was sold to. Also want to know if the gear
was reported stolen and how long ago. How long do you think it will take to
find out?"
"Whoa, hold on there cowboy," said the detective. "What's going on
here? I though the bad guys kicked your butts."
"Come on. You don't think we heroes only come out when the media is around,
do you?" Defender paused for effect. "We had another little skirmish a
short while ago. We gave back a little better this time, but they still got
away. I did, however, managed to get a good look at some gear they had.
Thanks to some gadgets in my possession, I got a pretty good list of serial
numbers."
"Where did all this go down? If there's an investigation in progress
here, we're talking a whole 'nother ball of wax."
Based on his dealings with the two men, Alden assumed he could trust
McNally more than he could Wilkins. However, explaining the secret agency's
involvement was not in Alden's plan.
"Do the police show up for every street brawl? " Defender asked. "Don't ask
me. The Wanderer whipped out his phone and made all the calls. I'm just the
muscle. PowerFist hit me in the head so hard I wasn't sure what part of
town I was in. However, I know you were working the original case and I'd
rather share my info with you. Do you want the serial numbers?"
"Yeah, I guess. But not over the fax, for God's sake. In person,
somewhere. And give me the address so I can find out what happened,"
said McNally before naming a time a couple hours off and a coffee
shop down the docks.
Defender made arrangements and arrived a few minutes late to give the
detective plenty of time to arrive. What he wasn't ready for were the
strange looks his costume elicited from the coffee shop regulars.
"Detective. Pleasure seeing you again." Defender took a seat.
"Dealing with you guys is a headache, you know that?" said McNally,
waving for more coffee. "There's a big firefight in an office
building, and when we get there, somebody pulls rank and keeps
us out of the loop. They troop ten guys down and say, ''Lock
'em up.'' Then a couple hours later, a pile of crime scene
evidence shows up, all tidy and neat as you please, official
and everything, acceptable in any court in the land. Is there
any mention of what happened to the supers involved? No. Thanks,
darling," the last to the waitress. "So, whaddyagot?"
"Detective, I assure you I'm unhappy with the situation as well." Defender
turned to the waitress. "Give me a cup of the strongest thing you've got.
I'll need more sugar as well."
Turning back to the detective, "Mind if I smoke? Honestly, I'm not in a
position to talk about the 'cleaners.' And I was surprised to hear that you
knew nothing about it. Two guys go crashing out of a sixth story window and
walk away and no one calls a cop? Anyway, I'd rather work with someone I
can trust. I think I can trust you, Detective."
Defender produced a manilla envelop. Inside were two lists of serial
numbers. "We're looking at some rather advanced scientific equipment form
some dumb guys. Two different supply companies involved in the gear. What I
would like to know is who the original owners of this equipment is, if it
was reported stolen and if so, how long ago. I think that will put us both
a little closer to finding out if these guys are acting alone or with
backing."
"OK." McNally took the list. "I'll see what I can find."
Defender nodded. "Thanks Detective. Seems I will owe you a favor after
this."
The masked man looked around the coffee shop. Dozens of folks were trying
to look without looking. But none of them tripped any sense of paranoia
with the crimefighter.
"And strictly off the record... I'd say the two we took down will be out of
circulation for a quite a while."
Last Updated 2 May 2001
