|
Post by Jordanna on Apr 11, 2006 21:32:46 GMT -5
"I just can't believe any of this," Irene Van Linden said for the dozenth time, her hands shifting anxiously in her lap.
Alex, Sid, and the Van Lindens had successfully made their way out of the city and arrived at Henry's home in the suburbs, where the undertaker was waiting for them. Along the way, Miriam had told her tearful mother and grim father the entire story of their fight against Nicholas Tiernan. Now Sid and Henry were making themselves busy in the kitchen, "helping" Alex to cook a late-night meal which they all needed, while Miriam made efforts to comfort her parents in the living room. She sat on the edge of a coffee table, facing the couple on the sofa.
With a sigh, Tom Van Linden leaned forward and squeezed his daughter's hands. "I'm proud of you, Miriam. We both are--and whatever happens, we always will be." He paused. "I only wish you'd told us what you are a long time ago."
Miriam returned the squeeze, smiling sadly. "I just didn't want you to worry about me. There was nothing you or anyone else could do about it."
"But you still haven't told us everything, have you?" Tom looked into her eyes gravely. "This... power of yours... it hurts you, doesn't it? I saw it in your face when you talked about it."
Dropping her gaze, Miriam nodded slightly. "In its way, yes."
Irene gaped. "But if it hurts you, then you can't use it!"
"That hasn't been a problem since I went into hiding." Miriam attempted to smile at her mother, but faltered and sobered again. "But if I can use it for something good, I've got to. You know that. Otherwise, what I've been through won't mean anything."
The older woman opened her mouth to protest further, but she was interrupted by Alex, who was wiping his hands on a dishtowel as he stepped into the room. "Food's ready, if you want to come on into the dining room."
"I'm not really hungry," Irene said quietly.
"We never had dinner last night," Tom reminded her. "Come on. We should eat something."
Miriam watched her parents shuffle off toward the dining room, then looked unhappily at Alex and shook her head. "This was the hardest part I've been through yet... and it's going to get even harder." The realization that she would have to send her parents away, perhaps forever, was finally sinking in. She looked away, blinking back tears.
Alex said nothing. With deep sympathy in his blue eyes, he merely stepped forward and gave her a hug. She was surprised for a moment; but the embrace was warm and comforting, and she relaxed with a grateful squeeze of his arm.
"We're gonna get through this," Alex said softly.
"When you say it, I believe it." Miriam sniffed slightly and drew back, twisting her hands together nervously. "Right now I just hope we hear from Daws soon. I'm afraid for her. Between the police, and Tiernan..."
"She'll be okay." Alex squeezed Miriam's shoulder once more before letting his hand drop. "Remember, she said it might take a couple of days... but maybe it won't, if Tiernan's lawyers are really that good." He smiled gamely. "We've just gotta be patient. Now come on and eat something, okay?"
Forcing a smile in return, Miriam nodded and followed Alex into the dining room.
|
|
|
Post by skybright on Apr 11, 2006 22:22:08 GMT -5
After leaving Tiernan Enterprises, Daws stopped by an all-night drugstore to buy Ace bandages and fill the prescription the doctor had shoved at her. Other than a strange look, the cashier didn't give her any trouble -- a small favor for which she was grateful.
She paused on the sidewalk outside of the drugstore, pondering her next move. Part of her wanted nothing more than to go home and sleep; but the other part wanted to make sure that her friends were okay. Miriam had mentioned her plan to take her parents to Henry Casselton's house.
Daws turned her steps for the nearest subway station.
***
The subway was all but deserted at this time of the early morning; Daws managed to catch a few minutes of light sleep before the train screeched to a halt at the station nearest to Casselton's address.
Turning up her collar and peering at house numbers, Daws made her way to Casselton's and padded up to the front door. There were lights on, even at this hour, and quiet voices inside -- so her friends had made it safely this far.
Daws raised her hand and knocked on the door.
|
|
|
Post by Jordanna on Apr 11, 2006 22:47:34 GMT -5
The meal at Henry's was a somber affair. Except for the host himself, no one had eaten any dinner that night, but worry and upset had left most of them with little appetite.
When the knock at the door came, Miriam and Alex both leaped up and started for the living room, but Sid grunted a surprisingly commanding "Wait". He went into the living room, and from somewhere produced the gun he had carried earlier in his policeman guise. He cautiously parted the curtains of the front window and peered out, then let out a tremendous sigh of relief and nodded. "It's Daws."
Henry, having moved to the door by this time, quickly unlocked it and ushered Daws inside.
"Are we ever glad to see you!" Alex exclaimed, as Miriam gave Daws' hands a welcoming squeeze that was full of relief and gratitude. Sid merely offered a huge smile and a salute.
Miriam's parents stood in the doorway to the dining room, watching the greetings uncertainly.
|
|
|
Post by skybright on Apr 11, 2006 22:53:14 GMT -5
Daws grinned and removed her fedora, almost laughing with relief. "I'm glad t'be seen, Alex. And I'm glad you're all safe." She slapped Sid on the shoulder and said brightly "I knew you guys could pull it off."
Then, catching sight of the Van Lindens, she nodded cordially. "Mr. and Mrs. Van Linden, I'm awful sorry for all the subterfuge. Believe me, though, it was better than the alternative."
|
|
|
Post by Jordanna on Apr 12, 2006 22:29:11 GMT -5
Tom Van Linden put an arm around his wife's shoulder and replied for them both. "We appreciate what you've done for us and for Miriam. I'm just glad we didn't get you into any trouble in all the confusion."
"It looks like you got into enough trouble on your own," Miriam added disapprovingly, looking at Daws' generally worn appearance and the way she favored her side. "You should let me take a look at you. I may not exactly be a medical doctor, but at least I know where all the parts are supposed to go."
"Then you can come have some dinner and tell us what the heck the Ferret was doing there," Alex chimed in. The group had heard about that particular wrinkle from the Van Lindens, but without any detail.
|
|
|
Post by skybright on Apr 12, 2006 23:53:57 GMT -5
Daws perked up at the mention of dinner. "Food sounds like about the best idea I've heard today," She said, shrugging gingerly out of her trenchcoat and draping it over a chair. "I haven't eaten since breakfast.
"As to the checkup," She added, glancing at Miriam, "Tiernan had a doctor look me over after his lawyer bailed me out." She winced and continued "Simpson and Arborgast busted three of my ribs; Tiernan's doctor was too high-strung to tape 'em up for me." She fished the Ace bandages out of her coat pocket and held them out, raising an eyebrow. "So, if y'wouldn't mind givin' me a hand . . . ."
|
|
|
Post by Jordanna on Apr 13, 2006 19:56:33 GMT -5
Miriam frowned. "You shouldn't tape them, but if that's what you insist on, better that I do it than you. Come on in here." She guided Daws toward the library, adding to the others over her shoulder, "Go on back into the dining room. We'll be with you in a minute."
In the library, Miriam closed the door, then proceeded to attend to the wrapping of Daws' ribs. "I'm so sorry you went through all this. I can never tell you how grateful I am."
Between rolls of bandages, she paused. "But now that my parents are out, the question is where to send them where they'll be safe. I need your help again with that." She shrugged sadly. "My mother has always wanted to go to England, and I thought..."
|
|
|
Post by skybright on Apr 13, 2006 22:58:41 GMT -5
Daws nodded. "It's as good as done. I'll call the Twins and get Jai started on some false passports and tickets."
She sucked in a sharp breath through her teeth as the bandages pressed against one of the broken ribs, and added quietly "I'm awful glad we got your folks out of Tiernan's way in time. It was worth a couple of knocks to keep them safe." Her eyes brightened at the memory of Tiernan's unhappy scowl, and she added "We tweaked Tiernan's nose but good with this one, Doc."
Daws nodded in gratitude as Van Linden tied off the bandages around her chest, and began buttoning her shirt.
"Now then, I heard somethin' about dinner."
|
|
|
Post by Jordanna on Apr 14, 2006 19:23:06 GMT -5
Miriam managed to smile. "Yes. None of us had dinner tonight, so Alex took it upon himself to slay Henry's fatted calf. Come on."
The two women joined their companions in the dining room--where Alex had already set a place for Daws, complete with a heaping plate of half a dozen foodstuffs. Now that Daws was safe, the mood felt a little more festive.
"Once you get some of that in ya," Sid encouraged from his seat across the table, "you can tell us what Tiernan's pet chimp was doin' at the hotel. I'd love to've seen his face when the cops busted in."
|
|
|
Post by skybright on Apr 14, 2006 21:25:00 GMT -5
Daws sat down and began tucking in to dinner with a vengeance -- it was amazing how hungry an encounter with the police could leave one.
After a moment, she leaned back and chuckled somewhat mirthlessly. "George decided I needed some babysitting -- he still hasn't forgiven me for taking what he sees as 'his' job in Tiernan's organization. So he took it upon himself to come 'help' me -- without Tiernan's permission, as it turns out." She flinched at the memory of the financier's dark scowl. "Tiernan was not pleased by his ambition.
"But honestly," She added, turning her attention back to her plate, "It was a good thing for us George decided to drop in. Gave me someone to blame for getting arrested."
|
|
|
Post by Jordanna on Apr 14, 2006 21:41:34 GMT -5
"It nearly ruined your entire act, though," Tom Van Linden admitted. "After he showed up and you started treating him like a partner, we didn't know what to think. Miriam's explained it all, though."
"Yeah, it turned out to be a lucky break, alright," Sid murmured, idly twirling his fork through a pile of angelhair pasta. "This Ferret creep could be trouble, though. If it wouldn't look so suspicious, I'd say we oughta think about disappearing him."
Irene Van Linden blanched visibly at that. Sid made an apologetic gesture.
|
|
|
Post by skybright on Apr 14, 2006 21:53:37 GMT -5
Daws took a long moment before replying. "It's about more than it just lookin' suspicious, Sid. We start lookin' down that road, and we'll every one of us end up no better at all than Tiernan is."
She took a deep drink of water and continued quietly "My late partner and I knew a guy -- a good guy -- who was in our line a' work. He lost his temper on a case and killed a crook who'd hurt his client. The cops let 'im get away with it; and it gave him the idea that if he could get away with pickin' off the bad guys himself, he oughtta do it and make the world a better place." She shook her head, shuddering.
"He started out a good guy; but he turned into all kinds of a bad one, before it was over." She studied her plate and concluded "There's a line between what's right and wrong; and we'd better be darned certain we stay on the right side of it. The price of crossin' over isn't worth paying -- not for any of us."
She looked up and added, in a more lighthearted tone, "Besides, I don't think we've gotta worry about the Ferret for a while, anyway. If the look on Tiernan's face was any indication, George's gonna learn his lesson about stayin' out of my business -- the hard way."
|
|
|
Post by Jordanna on Apr 14, 2006 21:57:46 GMT -5
"What about those cops who hurt you?" Alex asked. "I don't care if they've got badges; nobody oughta get away with that. There's gotta be somebody you can report them to... or something."
|
|
|
Post by skybright on Apr 14, 2006 22:09:03 GMT -5
Daws chuckled. "Reporting them is the whole reason they busted my ribs in the first place, Foxy -- I called Internal Affairs down on 'em for beating on a client of mine a few years ago. They got busted down from Detective Lieutenants to Sergeants -- and they still aren't happy about it.
Daws sighed and shook her head. "To tell the truth, I'm surprised they got that; if my client hadn't been married to a fairly important human, I doubt the NYPD even would have demoted them. I'll file a complaint, sure -- but somethin' tells me that their pushing around a mutant -- and a private eye, to boot -- isn't going to get those two much more than officially chastised."
Daws shrugged one shoulder. "From the looks of things, I imagine Tiernan's lawyer will parlay my little . . . encounter . . . into an excuse to get the charges they booked me on dropped. Expectin' anything more than that is probably wishful thinking on everyone's part."
|
|
|
Post by Jordanna on Apr 14, 2006 22:26:46 GMT -5
"I dunno about that." Sid arched an eyebrow grimly. "If Tiernan's got the connections in the PD I think he does, those creeps might be in for trouble. Even if he doesn't..."
The look in the widower's eyes became flat and hard, and he added ominously, "He hurts normal folks with a lot less excuse."
|
|
|
Post by skybright on Apr 14, 2006 22:33:37 GMT -5
A curious look crossed Daws' face at the remark, and she sat without replying for a moment before pushing abruptly back from the table.
"Henry, I need t'use your phone. 'Scuse me, everyone, I'll be back in just a second."
|
|
|
Post by Jordanna on Apr 14, 2006 22:37:29 GMT -5
Amidst bemused glances traded between the others, Henry rose halfway and inclined his head. "Of course. In my study, down the hall from the living room."
|
|
|
Post by skybright on Apr 14, 2006 22:49:42 GMT -5
Daws nodded and ducked rapidly down the hall, snatching the receiver from the desk. She tapped one claw impatiently against the wall as she waited for the call to ring through; at last, a weary voice on the other end of the line answered with “Fifty-fourth, Sergeant Bell speaking.”
“Bell? It’s Daws.”
She heard the unmistakable sound of a groan. “I don’t want to talk to you any more.”
“Look, Bell, I know . . . .”
“No, you don’t know.” The policeman snapped, “You don’t have any idea the kinda flak I’m taking, Dawson, so don’t you even . . .”
“Can it, Bell.” Daws said sharply. “I need to talk to you.”
“That so?” Bell uttered a short, humorless laugh. “About what? How you’re working for Nicholas Tiernan, now? How you’re gonna keep draggin’ my name into all sorts of . . . that kind of trouble?”
“How I’m gonna try and keep a cop from getting killed.” Daws replied flatly.
There was a brief silence. “Is that a threat, Dawson?”
“No.” Daws growled, feeling the last of her rapidly waning patience dissipate, “But it could be.”
She let her voice take on the dangerous, angry tone she usually reserved for clients who skipped on their bills. “Listen up, you little pencil-pusher. I’ve spent fifteen years neck-deep in that kinda trouble, and I don’t have the luxury of avoiding it, so Don’t. Even. Start with me.
“Now look, Bell. I ain’t workin’ for Tiernan -- not the way you think I am, anyway. But Tiernan thinks I am, and if I read ‘im right, he’s all kinds of royally ticked off at everything that happened tonight.
She took a deep breath – which caused her ribs to twinge – and added “Look, I think Simpson and Arborgast might be in danger. Tell ‘em to watch ther backs, willya?”
Dumbfounded silence. Then Bell, in a voice that was little more than a weak murmur, said incredulously “You’re tellin’ me . . . to warn Simpson and Arborgast?”
“Yeah.” Daws sighed. “I know, it’s stupid and crazy. But tell them to watch out for anybody who comes in connected with Tiernan Enterprises.” She half-chuckled, and added “Of course, don’t tell ‘em who passed down the warning.”
There was another long pause before Bell sighed deeply. “I hate you. I hope you’re aware of that.”
“Join the club, Bell, they’re printin’ up membership cards.” Daws grinned. “And Bell . . . for tonight . . . thanks.”
“Just don’t ever. EVER. Call me again. That’s thanks enough.” Bell muttered, and rang off without further comment.
Daws sighed, replaced the telephone receiver, and slipped back down the hall to the dining room. Retaking her seat, she remarked lightly “I do believe David Bell may try to kill me the next time I see him.”
|
|
|
Post by Jordanna on Apr 15, 2006 19:25:40 GMT -5
"That's not gettin' ta be much of a novelty anymore," Sid muttered, and pushed away from the table. "I'm about ready to head home. I don't like leavin' the kids and Consuela home alone this late. You comin', Foxy?"
Alex glanced up, with what might have been a rather dismayed expression. "Oh. Sure." He stood up, glancing at Miriam. "I guess you'll want to stay here with your folks."
"For now, yes." Miriam rose to give Alex and Sid each a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you both for everything you did tonight. I'll see you soon."
Henry showed the two men to the door, then returned to the dining room.
"There's room for you too, if you want to stay and rest here instead of running back into town tonight," he said to Daws.
|
|
|
Post by skybright on Apr 16, 2006 20:39:50 GMT -5
Daws nodded. "If you don't mind my stickin' around -- it has been an awful long day. Night." She chuckled. "Jeeze, I can't believe we just pulled that whole thing off in less than twenty-four hours. We're not too bad at this resistance business."
|
|