Pacific Station Vigilante (Book 1): The Negative Man (City of Chaos) (3 page)

The rest of the day went by uneventfully.  I sent DL an email to his encrypted account detailing my conversation with Jenkins.  He responded later with the thumbs up to continue my investigation.  For the time being, he’d stay out of my way.  When the five o’clock alarm sounded, instead of going home like all the rest of the smarter people I worked with, I went to the secret floor.  DL was going to patrol the streets tonight.

My work station had just about every piece of tech one could think of.  Police scanners, three of the fastest computers you could find, and a whole workshop with tools and materials.  Before I got to checking on any hot leads, I went over to the workshop to refine a few of DL’s weapons.

His primary weapon was his Lion Glove.  Each model had three inch titanium nails on the ends for maximum gripping and pain.  Plus in a pinch, they could be used as projectiles.  His other equipment included his goggles, which gave off the yellow glow and also acted as body heat scanners, a chainmail mesh underlay, and of course the trademark dark yellow hooded cowl.  Over time, the yellow had basically faded into this weird dark grayish yellow mixture.  Combined that with the black body suit he wore, that’s how our oh-so-smart press came up with The Dark Lion.

I noticed two of the nails on the left glove were in bad shape, so I went about pulling them out to refine and sharpen.  I’d just finished the reinstallation when DL walked down.  PJ Douglas was with him, but he was better known as that idiot Massacre.  A very stout man, he used his bulletproof head and incredible strength to cause mayhem.  Unfortunately, he usually ruined just about everything while trying to save it.

DL picked up the gloves and inspected my work.  “Looking good Jericho.  You’re technical ability is growing by leaps and bounds every day.”

A rare compliment, I’d better just take it.  “Thanks DL.  I’m going to do some research to see if we can find a better metal to use for the claws.”

He put the glove back down and gave me an odd look.  “Why don’t you take tonight off?  PJ and I can handle things, if we’re needed.”

I hadn’t had a night off in about two weeks.  “Are you sure?”

He sat down at the computer station.  “Yeah, you’ve been working too hard and I’ve noticed you look a bit haggard.  Between the pale complexion and the bloodshot eyes, maybe I need to start giving you more time off.”

Not waiting around for him to change his mind, I picked up my bag.  “Well, I won’t look a gift horse in the mouth.  See you tomorrow.”

I walked out and PJ gave me a weird smile/wave combination.  I didn’t know nor did I want to know.  I didn’t stop until I got to my car and hit the road.  Ten minutes later I was home and relaxing on my couch.  I turned the TV on, forgetting it was still on the boring news channel.  The anchors were still discussing what Chief Grimes said this morning to that Geri Paisley.  I really wish they’d find something new to talk about.

As soon as I picked up the remote to turn the channel, static hit the TV.  As it cleared up, there was a white outline against a blacked screen.  Static leapt from the figure like white lightning, with a pair of red eyes gazing into the homes of Pacific Station.  It was a no brainer who he was.

“Just because you can’t see me, doesn’t mean I can’t see you.  Pacific Station, you’re time is coming to an end.  Never forget The Negative Man is always just outside your sight!”

As quickly as it came, the image left.  When the anchors came back into view, they were freaking out.  “Martha, it’s true!  He’s still alive!”

“I never would’ve believed it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes!  Sydney, what do you think this means?”

As they began to conjecture, my phone rang.  Of course DL would be freaking out about this, probably rightfully so.  So when I grabbed my phone to answer, “I know I saw it!”

“How did you know that’s what I was calling about?”

A woman’s voice?  “Heather?”

“Yeah, who were you expecting?”

Thank the lord I hadn’t answered the phone in a way to tip her off to who John Wonderton really was.  “I figured it was Jenkins.  We sort of bonded over me calling him a copyright thief.”

She laughed rather loudly into the receiver.  “Can’t say I saw that coming.  Anyways, what’re you doing right now?”

“Watching the news people freak out and talking to you.”

“You know where Johnny Mulligan’s is don’t you?”

It was only the most famous bar in the city.  “Yeah, down on Eastwood and Crestfallen.”

“Meet me there in a half hour.”

Before I could even respond, she hung up.  I guess I was going to Johnny Mulligan’s.  Looking down, I was still in my work business casual and figured this wouldn’t cut it.  I pillaged my closet for a pair of nice jeans and a nice black button down.  I dug out my only pair of black boots to wear as well.  They could use some polish, but they’d have to do as is.

In the car ride back into the city center, every radio station was talking about The Negative Man’s return from the abyss.  One radio host even speculated that The Negative Man never truly left, that he assimilated into the city.  Great, that would strike up paranoia.  Next we’d be hearing about neighbors murdering each other because they were convinced the other was The Negative Man.

When I got to Johnny Mulligan’s, the place was almost empty.  I parked my car and headed in.  It was weird seeing such a big place void of the normal masses.  On the plus side it made Heather very easy to spot.

She had traded in her scandalous work attire for something even more revealing.  The skirt was about a half an inch shorter, showing off even more of her gorgeous toned legs, her heels were probably another inch taller, and the blouse she was wearing barely kept the girls at bay. 

She was sipping something pink out of her straw as I approached.  “Anyone sitting here?”

She shifted over a bit and allowed me to take a seat on the barstool.  “I’m glad you came out Jericho.”

“You hung up before I even had a chance to say yes or no.  Not that I would’ve said no…”

“What’re you drinking?”

I looked up at the beer and picked a fancy import beer.  She flagged down the bartender and placed my order for me.  Tuning back, “So, what’re your thoughts on The Negative Man coming back?”

To be honest, I didn’t care that’s the topic she brought up.  I didn’t know what else to say to this incredibly sexy woman.  “He’s an evil villain.  Chances are he’s been hiding in plain sight, watching us get complacent.”

“Oh so you could be The Negative Man?”  She said it in such a mocking way that my feelings actually got hurt.  Why couldn’t I be a super villain?

I tried to laugh it off.  “Hey you never know!  I’m pretty scary!”

She laughed at my joke, which was very nice.  “You’re cute Jericho, in that geeky, yet smart and sexy way.  In all seriousness though, do you think it’s safe to stay here?”

“Yeah, why not?  All major cities have their issues, whether it’d be just regular old human gangs or another villain trying to take over.  At least we have The Dark Lion here.”

The bartender brought my beer and a refill for Heather.  “Between me and you Jericho, The Dark Lion and the other vigilantes worry me just as much.  I can’t believe old Grimes gave him the green flag to just go around murdering people just because they think they’re evil.”

I took a long slow drink of my expensive beer.  “Grimes is just doing what he thinks will make people like me and you safe.  Do I always agree with the vigilantes and their actions?  No I don’t.  On the flip side, I really do think they’re trying to keep us safe.”

I guess my words were what she needed to hear.  Heather left the bar and walked over to the old style juke box and put in a couple of coins.  An old, yet classic rock song began playing as she walked back over.  “Care to dance with me?”

“I’m not much of a dancer…”

She took my hand and pulled me off the stool.  “You just trust me and I’ll show you all my moves…”

My alarm went off and my head was throbbing.  It took me a minute to realize there was another body in my bed.  “Heather…”

My passed out visitor just mumbled something and pulled the blanket up over her.  It was Friday, which meant casual wear was going to be fine, so I figured she’d have time to get home and change.  I got myself into the shower and let the warm water shake off the effects of an alcohol induced night.

I nearly jumped outta my skin when I felt a hand touch my back.  Heather Adams was awake and smiling at me.  “Tsk tsk Jericho.  You take a shower without inviting your guests…”

Suffice to say my shock over her staying the night was soon replaced with my shock that even sober she was still willing to do these sorts of things with me.  Not that I was complaining (I’m not), we both ended up showing up a few minutes late for work.  As soon as I sat down at my desk, I got an email from DL requesting that I come upstairs.  This was going to be pleasant hung-over.

I guess word traveled fast as he had this shit eating grin on his face when I entered.  “I’m glad you enjoyed yourself last night, all things considered.”

“Hey, The Negative Man wasn’t going to ruin my night.”

At the mention of his name, DL turned serious.  “Diamonds was right.  He’s back Jericho and I’m guessing he’s controlling The Aces.”

Logic told me not to jump to conclusions, but a man like DL was already there.  I’d just have to go with the flow here.  “What do you want me to do about Jenkins?”

He rubbed the stubble on his lower face.  “We proceed as planned, yet use extreme caution.  We don’t know just how deep this goes and how dangerous Clubs could really be.”

It was hard to think about Jenkins as anything more than a rube.  “Got it.  I’ll see what I can get outta him.  We’re supposed to have beers together after work one evening.”

“Do you think it’s a good idea to fraternize with the enemy?”

That was rich considering this was his idea.  “Alcohol makes people lose their inhibitions.  Maybe a few beers in old Jenkins will get us a good lead.”

“Well it got you laid, so I guess we can try it your way.”

My face went from pale to red.  “That was low, even for you DL.”

My boss just laughed and went back to his desk.  “I see you emailed me your thoughts and analysis of Diamonds blood.  Sorry we didn’t get to it yesterday.”

I smirked, almost commenting on his ability to read but I let it slide.  “Yeah, incapable of feeling physical pain.  That’s why none of your blows incapacitated him.  As you said, he was really a human punching bag.”

“That makes sense.  The Aces always used him in their more dangerous jobs.  Something bothers me though…”

Oh no, I was afraid to ask.  “I’m sure a great many things bother you.”

“I’m being serious.  Diamonds really was just a distraction.  Up until Wednesday night The Aces had always covered their tracks so well.  Did anything else happen while we were engaged with him?”

There was only one place to go for answers, The Dark Lion’s lab.  “Let me go check.”

I walked over to the secret door at the back end of his office.  I put my hand on the scanner and the wall moved, opening the way down to the hidden floor below.  Switching on the lights, I went over to the computers and got to work.  This was going to take a while.

The first few incidents were just of public urination and intoxication.  The minor supers dealt with those, like Giga-Girl, The Flying Squirrel, and Mr. Mayhem.  Unlike the major league players like DL and Massacre, the minors had one relatively useful skill, but it was normally offset by other baggage.  The good thing was they knew to keep the hell away from the big time.

The first potential scenario that struck me as odd was Pacific National, off South Baker Street, had an alarm go off.  The cops were the first on scene and determined nothing at the bank had been stolen – they chalked it up to faulty wiring in the security system.  Knowing today that Jenkins was Clubs raised some questions.

I printed off the police report and went back upstairs.  I punched the code in and waited for DL to open the door.  It was a protocol we put in place just in case people who don’t need to know are in his office.

After about five minutes, the door opened.  DL looked annoyed.  “Sorry, Janice was in here complaining someone was stealing her food from the break room fridge.”

I couldn’t even imagine running a company like this.  “Sounds like an issue above my pay grade.”

“Did you find anything out?”

I handed him the police report.  “On the same night you guys were dealing with Diamonds, there was an alarm that went off at Pacific National.  Nothing was stolen and the cops said it was probably bad wiring.”

Even though I summed it up for him, he still read on, slowly.  “I’m guessing you think Clubs had something to do with this.”

“A computer genius and an engineer?  Yeah, he could pull this off with no problems.”

DL closed the file and handed it back.  “I think we have some expense checks that need to be cashed.  Go to Financing, get them, and head over to Pacific National.  See if you can figure some of this out.”

I dropped into one of his chairs.  “Whoa whoa whoa!  I’m the behind the scenes guy in this team, not the investigator!”

“You’re the only person I trust with this.  As the CEO of a multimillion dollar company, people would think it’s weird I show up to drop off checks and make small talk.”

Damnit!  I hated when he used logic and even more when it worked.  “Fine, but don’t I need to take someone else with me since we’re talking about money?”

He hadn’t thought of that.  “Take Adams with you.  Since the two of you hooked up last night, let’s make things incredibly awkward.”

He was on fire with burns today.  “You’re an asshole, you know that?”

“I’ve been called worse by better.”

I grumbled to myself all the way from his office, to Finance, and then down to legal.  When I explained what DL had tasked me to do with Heather, she was all about coming.

“Are you kidding?  I’m hung-over and Janice is being a royal bitch today.  She’s all wound up because someone ate her egg, bacon, and cheese bagel this morning.”

Heather’s breath smelled just like egg, bacon, and cheese.  “I don’t think it’ll take a rocket scientist to figure that out.”

“Shut up and let’s go.”

As we drove, we discovered that we shared a lot of the same interests.  She liked classic rock, horror movies, and ice hockey.  Sitting there talking, I couldn’t help but notice even dressed down in jeans and toned down make-up, she was a knockout.

And then at a red light, I couldn’t stop myself.  “Heather, you’re beautiful.”

“Oh my God!”

My face turned from pallid white to burning red.  “Oh damnit, I shouldn’t have said that!  I’m sorry!”

For the second time today, sober, she kissed me.  Right there as we were sitting in traffic.  The kiss was only broken when the car behind us laid on their horn.  I raised my hand in apology and hit the accelerator.

“Jericho, that was the sweetest thing anyone’s ever said to me.”

That surprised me.  “Really?”

“I get Heather, you’re so hot or I’d totally hit that!  But no guy’s ever just called me beautiful and meant it just like you did.”

“I’m just telling you the truth.”

She put her hand on my leg.  “I’m not going to lie, last night was just supposed to be fun with someone I trusted.  However, you keep this up and you’ll be keeping me around a lot longer.”

I gave a nervous half laugh.  “I wouldn’t mind that at all.”

“Good, now let’s get these checks cashed!  I’m getting hungry and I feel like Mr. Wonderton can pay for our lunch after we finish this!”

Oh man, DL was going to kill me, but it’d be totally worth it…