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Post by skybright on Jun 4, 2006 15:11:02 GMT -5
By the time Henry dropped her off in front of her apartment, dawn was breaking and Daws felt more than capable of sleeping through the day and most of the next night.
Instead, she settled for a shower, a change of clothes and a brief nap on the sofa -- with the early-morning news programs playing on television.
As soon as she heard an announcer's voice launch into "Police and city officials are stunned by the early-morning destruction of the Murfeeston bridge, a national historical site . . . ", Daws rolled off the couch (not without some inner protest) and grabbed her fedora.
It was time to go play spy again.
***
It might have been Daws' imagination, but the Tiernan Enterprises building seemed busier than usual this morning -- and the people in it seemed . . . well, scared was more or less the word.
From the evidence, it seemed that Nicholas Tiernan was in an unpleasant mood over the previous night's events. Daws suppressed a satisfied grin at that, and approached the secretary's desk.
The blonde stared at her, lowered her voice, and muttered "Are you sure you want to go up there?" In response to Daws' nod, she shook her head and performed the series of coded interactions with The Office Upstairs.
After a moment she nodded and gestured towards the elevator. "Go on up."
As Daws walked away, she caught the blonde's half-whispered "It's your funeral."
Oh, that's comforting. Daws sighed and entered the elevator. I should've stayed in bed.
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 4, 2006 22:45:58 GMT -5
When Regina Dawson's knock sounded at his door, Nicholas Tiernan was silently brooding behind his desk, like a thundercloud settled on a mountaintop. The slightly expanded irises of his eyes betrayed the faint, oppressive shadow in the room. A single manila envelope lay on the desk in front of him.
"Come in," he said slowly, in a voice just loud enough to be heard beyond the door.
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Post by skybright on Jun 4, 2006 22:49:37 GMT -5
Daws stepped somewhat cautiously into the office, removing her fedora as she did so.
"I see from the news -- and from my buddy in Arson -- that our friend the terrorist has decided to go to work again." She said, frowning. "Thought I'd better come by and see what the details were."
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 4, 2006 23:03:52 GMT -5
Tiernan raised his eyes grimly to meet Daws' gaze, then slowly turned the envelope around and pushed it forward across his desk.
"The details, Miss Dawson, are here."
Inside the envelope was a neatly typewritten letter on a single sheet of paper.
To Nicholas Tiernan...
This strike is only the beginning. For the sake of the mutant community you claim to defend, cease your war against humanity, or the defenders of peace and equality between mutants and humans will not rest until all that you have built is destroyed.
Dr. Miriam Van Linden
Tiernan silently leaned back in his chair and folded his arms, allowing Daws to absorb the contents of the letter and speak first.
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Post by skybright on Jun 4, 2006 23:11:36 GMT -5
Daws took the time to read the letter twice, as a wave of anger directed at a certain ex-Military vigilante formed a solid knot in her chest.
At length she set the letter aside and scowled. "Well, it looks like I didn't give the good Doctor near enough credit. I figured since she bolted after killin' Spake that she wasn't the sort to stand her ground. That was my mistake -- and I won't make it again." she raised an eyebrow and added "Looks like Doctor Van Linden's back on my high-priority list."
Right behind ramming those cigars down Major Vance's throat.
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 4, 2006 23:33:33 GMT -5
"Indeed she is," Tiernan replied, with quiet menace in his voice. As he rose from behind the desk, the atmosphere of shadow in the room became a shade darker.
"I lost eighteen men last night, Miss Dawson--every single operative detailed to carry out the warehouse transfer. The financial loss has yet to be calculated. The damage to the morale of my people--and believe me that the rumors are already spreading--is severe."
He leaned on the desk, clenching his fists. "Both of us have underestimated Van Linden. She's clearly acquired a power of leadership that neither of us predicted--and she must be removed as a threat before her influence spreads any further. I can no longer rely solely on your abilities to track her down. In the coming days, many more of my people will be assigned to the task."
Raising an eyebrow, he added, "For your information, that includes the Ferret."
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Post by skybright on Jun 4, 2006 23:39:12 GMT -5
Daws let out a growl that had very, very little to do with George Stubbs and crossed her arms. "Whatever it takes -- but I'd prefer if you keep the weasel as far away from me as y'can. I still owe him a set of busted ribs."
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 4, 2006 23:49:10 GMT -5
"Out of consideration for George, I'll bear that sentiment in mind." Tiernan frowned. "But I'll remind you that he's a man of immense value to me, Miss Dawson--and whatever arrangements I'm required to make in the future, it would be in your own interest not to do him any harm. I've made the reverse quite clear to George," he added.
With a sigh, he sank down into his chair again. "Incidentally, the messenger who delivered the letter was caught on surveillance camera. I'm afraid this individual's face was well concealed, however. The images are being analyzed, but I've already been assured that nothing will come of it."
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Post by skybright on Jun 4, 2006 23:57:58 GMT -5
"That's been about the standard kind of luck with this whole mess so far." Daws nodded. Then she frowned.
Tiernan obviously wasn't in the best mood, but something had been niggling at the back of her mind since Vance had first burst his pyrotechnic way into her life . . . .
"One thing I know, from what I saw on the news," She said, "Is that Van Linden didn't plan that assault -- not alone, anyway. That was a military move, Mister Tiernan. I know 'em when I see 'em.
"Now, you've mentioned that you had a couple of late enemies this whole thing reminded you of." She scratched behind her ear. "My theory's this -- and it ain't much, mind you -- but if any of those guys were military or ex-military, could it be they've got friends who didn't take nicely to them becoming your late enemies?"
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 5, 2006 0:06:37 GMT -5
"Only one of those 'late enemies', as you so charmingly refer to them, was a former soldier," Tiernan replied. "As I recall, at the time of life in which he had dealings with us, he had no friends. He did have a human son, but there's no evidence that he ever revealed anything of us to him. It's my understanding that the son has been overseas for the better part of the last two years."
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Post by skybright on Jun 5, 2006 0:13:59 GMT -5
Daws shrugged. "Well, it was a weak theory anyhow." She settled her fedora onto her head. "From the sound of that letter Van Linden's the ringleader or figurehead or whatever you wanna call it, anyway -- if all else fails, we'll get the others when we get ahold of her."
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 5, 2006 0:22:17 GMT -5
"I want this resolved quickly, Miss Dawson. The longer Van Linden eludes us, the more time she'll have to attract other followers to her cause. This threat needs to be destroyed before it becomes strong enough to grow any new heads."
Tiernan shook his head. "Meanwhile, I've some fast and furious work to accomplish among my connections with the police. Some very dangerous evidence was left behind that must be made to disappear."
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Post by skybright on Jun 5, 2006 0:25:58 GMT -5
Daws nodded. "Understood. I'll keep you updated the minute I find anything." She raised her eyebrows. "If Van Linden's gonna start being as conspicuous as all this, we might not have as hard a time finding her anyway."
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 5, 2006 0:32:11 GMT -5
"I have no intention of allowing her another chance to be 'conspicuous'," Tiernan replied tautly. Then he reached out and picked up the letter, to study its terse message and undistinctive form once more.
"Bring me better news the next time you see me. Good day, Miss Dawson."
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Post by skybright on Jun 5, 2006 0:37:28 GMT -5
Daws nodded tersely and slipped out of the office, flexing her claws.
She needed to talk to Miriam and the others. She also needed to get ahold (preferably literally) of Vance -- Tiernan's details were close enough to equal the Major having a great deal of explaining to do all around.
But, she thought grimly, first things were first.
She really, really needed more than an hour's sleep before she handled this one.
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