arrival of the girl sleuth

[smarter_than]

I was startled awake by my flight's bumpy landing at New Metropolis International. That was funny--I usually had trouble sleeping on planes. I guess that's the benefit of flying red-eye. I stretched carefully in my seat and gathered up my coat and shoulder bag as the large woman next to me heaved herself into the aisle

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[designatethis]

You'd think that the scientists that had created me could have included an anti-hangover gene or two in the DNA while they were at it. Usually drinking didn't leave me with a headache like this but just knowing Alec was in the city usually got it started in no time. It was just a matter of time before he started hitting my cell asking for help or cash or both usually.

Strolling into the Firefly I needed a hit of caffeine and quick. Stepping to the counter I ordered a grande latte, extra cream. Picked up a fresh copy of the Daily Planet while I was at it before paying.

New Terror Strikes New Metropolis! Leave it to Mr. White to go with the flashy headline. That man lived to sell five more copies even if it meant giving Granny a heart attack doing it. I checked the first line to see if I was getting any credit for my crack reporting, getting to the scene while the fires were still burning. Nope, no love for Max Gueverra on the front page today

[smarter_than]

I barely noticed the brunette who took the other end of the couch, until she exclaimed loudly and made me jump out of my skin. She proceded to crush her paper (I would describe it as vehemently) and throw it to the floor.

"Whoah there, killer." I looked over at her. "That paper must have duped you out of house and home to deserve to be treated like that."

[designatethis]

"Close. Sorry for the startling." First reporter on the scene, and not a single mention of it. Nothing worse then getting screwed and not even enjoying it. Turning I pulled my knees up, ignoring the paper I'd come close to destroying. Killer. Off hand remark that hit closer to my heart then I wanted to let on.

"Just a little work related stress." Why not vent to the stranger in the coffee shop? Logan had pointed out holding back was on of my 'issues'. "Which, I should have finished reading the paper before taking it out. But it had it coming."

[smarter_than]

"Work related. huh? Do you write for the paper?" What are the odds of running into a fellow journalist in the first coffee shop I visit in a new city? I had to wonder. But then, a city like this must be riddled with journalists and journalism student wannabes.

"Agreed--papers are a waste of resources anyway."

[smarter_than]

It was all beginning to sound... to be honest, a little unbelievable. I found myself wondering if this wasn't some sick and twisted welcome wagon. But at the same time, Max and Dawn were taking the whole thing very seriously. So either I had run into a pair of well-trained actresses, or this was the real deal.

My gut told me it was real, despite the doubts in my mind. "So what's special about Marie? I mean, if these guys are such big cheeses, what would they want with her?"

[designatethis]

It hadn't taken long to move from random disappearing girl to abducted by evil lawyers. Figures, anything worthwhile I stumble on worth writing about and I'm sworn to secrecy. Working out the time line in my head it all seemed pretty vague so far. Marie disappears, I meet Alec at a strip club, Angel gets a city-wide beat down from a strange English dude. Since part B isn't related to A or C what the heck does A have to do with C?

This whole deal about Wolfram and Hart was starting to remind me of a certain snake cult, and I really didn't care for the mysterious world domination kind of evil. Or their lawyers. "All right. So hit us, what else does Angel have?"

[lockless_key]

"Actually, the intel's mine."

I grin. I've always wanted to say that. It sounds pretty cool. And hey, it's true, I was the one who came to Angel with the folder full of information. No matter that I have no idea how it came to my posession or anything. I don't want these girls to think that I'm like, Angel's secretary or something. Not that there's anything wrong with that, 'cause Tara... anyway. I just wanted them to know I was a player in my own right. And, yeah, it makes me look cool. So?

"But the information's scarce. All we had on Marie was her picture - I only recognized her because I'd seen her around here. She always seemed completely normal, about my - our? - age, kind of shy. I have no idea what they'd want with her, and what she has to do with Angel and that... guy." I shrug, still trying to connect the pieces in my head. There's a link missing or something. It just doesn't make sense.

[smarter_than]

I puzzled over all of this, filing it away mentally. Of course there was a link missing, it was never so easy as to have all the pieces laid out in front of you. 'In a perfect world...' and all that.

"Should we assume she went to the University? It probably wouldn't be too hard to check their records, find out her schedule, maybe talk to some of her classmates." Not too hard for me, anyway. A girl must have her little talents.