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Post by skybright on May 17, 2006 18:16:59 GMT -5
Daws fidgeted with her fedora as she waited at the reception desk of Tiernan Enterprises. The blonde secretary knew her by now, and had informed her coolly that Mister Tiernan was currently on a conference call in his office, and would Miss Dawson be kind enough to wait for that call to end?
Miss Dawson had confirmed that she would be kind enough, and now she was waiting -- not without a certain level of nervousness -- for the go-ahead to see Nicholas Tiernan.
She was still uncertain about how much she would tell Tiernan about Vance; on the one hand the Major (however infuriating he might be) was technically on her side. On the other hand, she was going to start looking like a pretty shabby excuse for a shamus if she kept coming to Tiernan with variations on "I don't know what to tell you" as the outcome of every investigation.
Of course, that wasn't the real reason she was here. Daws didn't have any idea how Tiernan would react to her request for Joey's "help" -- or exactly how she'd proceed if he said no.
Before she could follow that train of thought to any useful conclusion, the blonde nodded briskly at her and said "All right, Miss Dawson. You can go ahead."
Daws nodded, donned her fedora, and headed for the elevator.
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Post by Jordanna on May 17, 2006 21:49:06 GMT -5
Nick Tiernan had been unsure of when Daws would contact him, and he was pleased that she had returned so soon. Perhaps it meant she would have something to tell him. In any case, talking to her would be a respite from reviewing paperwork about the insurance claim on the destroyed warehouse.
At the knock on his office door, he called out promptly, "Come."
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Post by skybright on May 17, 2006 21:55:20 GMT -5
Daws stepped into the office and removed her fedora, nodding cordially at Tiernan. "Afternoon, Mister Tiernan. I talked to a friend of mine in the Arson office about that warehouse fire of yours. Figured I'd stop by, tell you what he told me.
"As near as my friend at the office can tell," She said, "That fire was set using several gallons of high-octane gas -- and an energy blast that didn't come from any device." She chuckled wryly and added "I dunno exactly how to tell you this, sir, but it looks like not every mutant in this city is a fan of yours."
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Post by Jordanna on May 17, 2006 22:11:40 GMT -5
Tiernan frowned, his eyes narrowing. "Indeed..."
He thought for a long moment, then leaned back in his chair. "That rather reminds me of a former agent of mine, who had something of a falling-out with me some time ago. Of course, he is... no longer part of the equation."
He spread his hands. "Energy manipulation is not an uncommon type of power, unfortunately. It won't be easy to narrow down the suspect list that way--and as you know, I prefer to deal quickly with those who have a grudge against me. If someone has kept their grievances a secret until now, I'm afraid I'm not aware of them."
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Post by skybright on May 17, 2006 22:17:28 GMT -5
Thank God for small favors on that count. Daws thought wryly. Tiernan's mention of his 'former agent' gave her cause to wonder; but some stubborn inner voice kept her from mentioning Jerod Vance's name. She could always ask her questions of someone who wasn't a dangerous sociopath, after all . . .
She nodded slowy. "Yeah, I've been askin' around, but I haven't been able to turn up any concrete leads yet. I'll keep it up, though.
"Which leads me to my next reason for stopping by." Daws forced a nonchalant tone and leaned casually against the office wall.
"I wonder if I might ask you for a favor."
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Post by Jordanna on May 17, 2006 22:24:12 GMT -5
Tiernan arched an eyebrow and steepled his fingers. "You may ask me anything, Miss Dawson, at any time. And if it concerns my resources, you know they are always at your disposal. What can I do for you?"
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Post by skybright on May 17, 2006 22:30:24 GMT -5
"Well, it's like this." Daws explained, still acting nonchalant. "Workin' for you is turning into a pretty steady occupation, between our little terrorist pal and Van Linden and her friends -- whoever they are. And I'm still operatin' Grimalkin as a full-service detective agency. The legwork end of things is starting to pile up a little.
"Now, normally I'd just call the temp agency to send me in someone to make phonecalls, file papers, get photos developed -- that sorta thing. But there's parts of the business I'm doin' for you that are . . . well . . . delicate. I don't think either one of us want some temp-agency hire stumbling across anythin' they shouldn't see -- especially since, as I understand it, that's precisely what got Miriam Van Linden caught in your hair to start with.
"So I figured I'd see if you could spare someone who knows how ta keep their mouth shut about your particular brand of 'business'. Wouldn't have to be anyone too vital -- all I really need is an extra pair of hands."
She paused, watched Tiernan very closely -- and hoped it would work.
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Post by Jordanna on May 17, 2006 22:38:55 GMT -5
"That isn't at all an unreasonable request," Tiernan remarked, after a moment's thought. "Perhaps you could use the services of one of my lesser agents--a fellow called Quiz. His powers are in the field of instant memorization and recall. Rather dull, but I'm sure he would be suited to helping you with paperwork and the like."
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Post by skybright on May 17, 2006 22:44:46 GMT -5
What, you didn't think this'd be all easy, didja, Ace?
Daws tilted her head. "Well, t'be honest, I'd sort of had my eye on another kid that works for ya -- Ricochet's his name." She chuckled humorlessly. "I've seen that one in a fight, y'see. And I might not like it, but as my recent adventures with New York's Finest has reminded me, anyone in my business -- even in the paperwork end of things -- needs to know how to take and throw a punch. "
Daws gave her best impression of a nonchalant shrug. "I get along well with the kid, too -- but if you can't spare 'im, I'll take whoever you can. Anythin' to keep from spending my evenings filing case reports."
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Post by Jordanna on May 17, 2006 22:55:09 GMT -5
Tiernan leaned forward in his chair, with an interested expression.
"Yes, I had noticed that you and Joey seem to have taken to one another. Frankly, I'm not surprised that you should ask for him."
He thoughtfully drummed his fingers on the desktop. "Joey is indeed a very bright and very useful young man, and he's been of great value to me. Of course, the work you're doing for me is extremely important, and if you believe he would be of help to you..."
Nocturne shrugged nonchalantly. "Very well, I'll place him in your charge--on a trial basis, at least. Be forewarned that if I find myself in particular need of him, I may need to call him away from you. Otherwise, he's yours."
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Post by skybright on May 17, 2006 22:59:34 GMT -5
Daws nodded and couldn't completely suppress a satisfied grin. "Much obliged, Mister Tiernan. And of course, he's still workin' for you -- so just say the word if you've got a need for him."
She chuckled. "Heck, once he sees the state of affairs my filin' system's in, he'll probably be calling you and askin' to be let off the hook."
Daws slipped her fedora back on. "Can I do anythin' else for you, Mister Tiernan?"
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Post by Jordanna on May 17, 2006 23:07:00 GMT -5
"Not at present. I've given you quite a bit to work on already. But I do sincerely hope you can gather up a few of these loose ends I'm contending with--I'm quite unused to them slipping past me." He frowned thoughtfully and rose from behind his desk. "No need to remind you, I'm sure, that the rewards awaiting you upon your success are considerable."
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Post by skybright on May 17, 2006 23:13:47 GMT -5
Daws nodded. "Believe me, loose ends bother me just about as much as they do you -- it looks bad for a shamus to have too many of 'em hangin' around.
"As I said, I'm grateful for the helpin' hand." She scratched behind her ear and added "If you wouldn't mind, you could just send the kid down to my office whenever you get a chance. And I'll keep you updated on what I find out about your various problems."
She nodded cordially. "Good afternoon, Mister Tiernan."
Daws let out a relieved sigh as she left Tiernan's office; she seemed to have pulled things off relatively well. Of course, she still did have the problem of her myriad 'unsolved' cases to deal with; she didn't want to think about what Tiernan would be like if he ever got really frustrated over her lack of results.
All that could wait, however. For now, she was going to see if she couldn't catch that rent-skipper before the day was out.
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