******

"When concentrating on a problem, concentrate on the source, rather than the symptoms. "

******

With that, the sense that he was surrounded faded. Derek thought about this. What was it the Snake had said?Something about a pyramidic crystal as a link?For some reason, Derek's powers were stronger in this realm. He could feel the difference as if the fog was charged with energy. He drew upon it as it replenished his powers. The power of the Rooster was levitation and flight. He strained upward. That was odd as Derek had never had to strain before.

"I don't think straining is what I'm supposed to be doing. "Derek was puzzled by the amount of effort needed to lift himself. He hadn't even moved one inch. Usually, it didn't even need an iota of concentration to fly. To lift other objects that needed concentration, but he should have been flying by now. He sighed and stopped his effort. Then he hit a jolt.

"I think I may need some protection from the turbulence. Why would a pocket of subdimensional space be having earthquakes anyway?"Derek smacked into what passed for the ground.

"Ouch. Better be prepared for any more of that. "Derek called on the power of armor

******

"Pursue it. "Klsyfrx's eyes smoldered. He lifted on a cloud of superheated plasma. Tiiba flapped his wings catching the thermal currents Klsyfrx left in his wake. Onetsu waved as it couldn't fly.

"I can't see it anymore. "Tiiba cried, as he covered his eyes with one wing to protect it from the burning sun.

"Then keep looking ."Klsyfrx ordered. While he may have been the most forgiving general, he was intolerant of incompetence. Losing track of something that is presented in a clear view was incompetence. Klsyfrx had not seen the gem that Tiiba had seen shooting up. This was unfortunate as the motive force for the pyramid crystal came shooting down, and straight through Tiiba. Tiiba was punctured from the top and split lengthwise by a crystal falling from the sky at terminal velocity. As Tiiba was already in the air, the crystal kept falling with only a few jolts.

******

The chicken had landed at the same time on Derek and puffed into dust. Derek looked at the spot where the giant chicken had been which was outlined in the sand and on Derek.

"Well played. You almost had us fooled thinking you were trapped. Instead, it was a maneuver to dispose of one of my aids. "Klsyfrx said curtly. He vanished taking the walking stone wall with him. Derek blinked then sighed. Now he was in the same situation as before. He then looked around. He cataloged his powers after that recharge and was pleased to discover that only the power of the Dog had counted. The power of the Rooster had been used inside the highly charged environment. Well, perhaps he wouldn't starve before he made it to a city. He had aura sight after all, unimpeded by material objects. He took speed in one hand, aura sight in another, and took off running. He went transonic or ran slightly near the speed of sound, but not approaching it. He zoomed past cacti, scorpions, rattlesnakes, and other denizens of the desert. He saw the dens of the desert foxes, with their little ones' life forces plainly visible to him through the intervening caves. He was a fast runner even before his powers had augmented him so fatigue poisons were no longer a problem, and he no longer threw up after running too fast.

He checked his watch. It had been barely a minute since he had been trapped, but it had felt like eight hours. He even had time to sleep before the hallucinations had awakened him. The fog that had felt refreshingly charged had even helped him, even though it muted sound and obscured sight. He didn't even feel hungry or thirsty anymore. Derek didn't know how long this condition was going to last, so he ran. The distance between Cheyenne, Wyoming, and New York, New York is 1607 miles as the crow flies. The speed of sound is 750 miles per hour under normal atmospheric conditions and temperature. He arrived in New York three hours later. If he had been traveling at the speed of sound, he would have arrived in two hours, eighteen minutes and twenty four seconds. He had used the power of levitation to fly over some obstacles, but that was good enough. He had hit the ground running after he levitated over whatever hurdle he encountered. He tended not to run up walls. If he stopped, he'd fall.

******

"Ugh. "Derek groaned.

"Did you wash the laundry?"His dad called into his room. Derek quickly extracts the basket of socks, laundry and other things melded into my clothing through shapeshifting. My first power of the day, determined right away.

"Yup. I'll put it away after I go to sleep. "

******

"You know I don't drink or smoke. It impairs the reflexes and minds. "Derek pushed the can back to Oliver.

"It's your loss. "Oliver shrugged. They were in a bar, Samantha was playing Capcom vs. SNK Mark of the Millennium. She had chosen Guile as a character and was wiping out the challengers in quick succession.

Derek drank the Diet Sprite he had ordered.

"So.. where were you?We called you to go to a concert, and you weren't here. " Oliver asked. Derek groaned audibly.

"I wound up doing the laundry and somehow I got teleported into a desert through the washing machine. It's a good thing an airport was nearby. "Derek shook his head.

"You mean a metahuman was actually near the laundry?"Oliver asked incredulously.

"This is New York. I thought my block has no metahumans. Guessed wrong. "Derek sighed.

"What do you think Samantha thinks about it?"Oliver looked at Samantha as the winning message scrolled across the screen.

"What do I think about what?"Samantha rejoined them at the table. She drank a Coke unlike Derek or Oliver.

"A metahuman teleported Derek yesterday from the laundry. "Oliver told Samantha.

"Really?Cool!"Samantha flipped her head so the dark hair wouldn't be covering her left eye.

"I didn't say a metahuman teleported me. I said I was teleported. Doesn't necessarily mean a metahuman's nearby. "Derek qualified. The two others just looked at him.

"Okay, so it's pretty strong evidence, but it doesn't mean it couldn't have been pulled off by somebody else. "Derek admitted. The two others just looked at him some more.

"Oh, look. Here's an interesting message in the newspaper. "Derek distracted them by pointing to a message in the newspaper.

CROWN:Terms agreeable. Am waiting at WA. T.

"Derek, that's a message in the New York Post. "Oliver remarked.

"It's still interesting. No one's ever named Crown, so it has to be an assumed name. The initial T also hides an identity .Since the real name's only known to Crown, the single letter's sufficient to establish the sender's true identity. T is waiting at WA.

If the message was an assumed name, WA might have been a predetermined spot. The signature of an initial shows that the newspaper isn't used regularly to contact each other. It's a spot in new York since it's in the New York Post, because it doesn't circulate anywhere else.

Therefore, both Crown and T are in New York .WA is a place in the city. If T is waiting somewhere, it has be someplace that one can find T both night and day. The hotel's the best bet for that. Two people who wished to meet quietly would be in one of the larger hotels. The Waldorf-Astoria is the one that matches the initials and is one of the larger hotels. "Derek concluded

"And how would we find the guest list?"Oliver asked.

"Simple. We go look at it. "Samantha leaped out of her seat.

"Why?"Oliver said plaintively. He was outvoted as both Derek and Sam left the bar.

******

"Shh. I'll handle it. "Samantha replied.

"Excuse me. I was supposed to meet someone here. Could I please see the guest list?"Samantha asked the clerk. The clerk looked at her jeans, sweater, and cap dourly. It was quite a contrast to the tuxedoes and dress pants of the rest of the customers in the hotel. The clipboard was held by the clerk.

"I'm afraid, miss, that the guest list is reserved for those with the actual means to pay for such a room. "The clerk replied. Samantha placed her hands on her hips.

"Well, just for that, I won't take a room here. "Sam walked away.

"What was the entire point of that?"Oliver demanded.

"I can read the guest list upside down. Here's the only guest in the Waldorf-Astoria with a T for a last name. Stan Trable is in Room 1213"Samantha replied.

"It's a slow hotel season. People are moving out of New York because of the high metahuman population.Superfights are bad for financial business."Derek answered the unspoken question both gave him about there being only one guest with T in a hotel that often housed hundreds of people.

"Let's get moving shall we?"Derek requested. The three of them took the elevator up to the twelfth floor.

They knocked on Room 1213. There was no response. They pounded harder on the door. There was no response.

"I think we better get out of here. "Derek commented.

"What?When we're just getting started?"Samantha asked. She looked to where Derek and Oliver were looking.

"Oh. "Samantha said as she faced gun muzzles.

Derek ran through options. He couldn't use his powers openly. This was either a criminal or someone who had a legitimate reason for firearms.

"Are you going to shoot us down?"Derek said politely, after the guy didn't open fire on them.

"Hey, boss. We going to ventilate these three?"The gunperson called.

"What three?"The answer came back.

"Some unlucky kids. They were knocking on the door. "The gunperson said.

"See if they have what we're looking for. "The answer came back.

"I must protest. "Derek said.

"You see this?It's a gun. When I press the trigger it puts a hole in you. Got it?"The gunperson snarled.

Oliver punched him with a whirling double eight figure.

"This is hand to hand, not fencing, Oliver. "Samantha snorted as she proceeded to demonstrate the fine art of karate, jujitsu, and aikido on the unfortunate gunperson. The gunperson had tried to fire, except his gun had mysteriously jammed. A strike to the temple by Samantha knocked the gunperson unconscious. Derek pressed his hand to the gunman's forehead for two reasons.

"I think your gun's appeared to have jammed. "Derek noted.

"I clubbed 'em over the head and searched. They don't have it, boss. "Derek called back in the exact voice the gunman had used.

"Then plug' em and scram from the hotel. "The voice ordered.

"Will do. "Derek replied. Derek opened the unlocked door, dragged the body inside, and closed the door. He used the opening and closing of the door to mask Oliver and Samantha's escape by the the stairs. He called hotel security. His shapeshifting ability would confuse DNA tests. Right now, he had the genetic blueprint of the goon that had been knocked out in the hall. Derek had conjured gloves from somewhere and was using it to dial hotel security. The man with the gun had no identification on him. Neither did the other guy. He searched the entire place in microseconds.

There was only a pitcher of water without ice. It was quite warm.

"Hello?This is an anonymous tip. You might want to check Room 1213. There's been a murder and an unconscious man with a gun. "Derek said into the phone. A voice demanded to know who he was while reassuring that assistance was on the way.

Derek looked at the window. He looked at his hands. He sighed. He gestured quickly, and the window slammed open. Derek winced. That was a bit more concentration than he had needed. He jumped out and made sure to gently close the window. The fire spirit and the road spirit wouldn't search for him yet but perhaps those really nutty people in the cars would. He clung to the sides of the roof like a spider.

He didn't have to wait long While donning black garments may have worked for others, this was in the middle of the day. His clothes changed to a hue to match the building he was clinging to. While he could indeed float outside the window or the building, that would hardly be remaining inconspicuous.

A silent click announced the arrival of the house detectives.

"Hrm. Here's the murder. There appears to the gun that's fired. "The house detective who's name appeared to be Dulaine said.The other house detective's name was Garn.

"I think we'll have to call the NYPD on this one, Joe. "Dulaine said to Garn.

"Looks clear enough. The .32 was used to crush his temple. There's blood on the muzzle that matches. Someone else has been here to drag these two together, a tougher customer than this guy figured. Got conked on the head with a knife hand strike. DNA match should find out who conked the gunman. "There were some motions of moving around, and then one detective opened the window, and looked out. He looked left, he looked right, and he looked down. Then he looked up.

You are not detecting me, you are not detecting me.Derek chanted in the privacy of his own mind. He didn't know if he had any psychic powers, but now would be a bloody fine time to find out.

"Odd. I could've sworn there was something was something wrong with the light. "The detective said, as he stared upward. " Derek sighed inwardly. He had clutched the power of the Snake to vanish from sight. Invisibility definitely had it's uses.The DNA match would be obscured by Derek's shapeshifting power. He had absorbed whatever DNA traces lay from Samantha's strike and replaced it with the gunman's instead. While it didn't leave a trail, it did stop one. This was only a temporary measure though, since there was no other trail to follow.

Derek fully intended to see why someone had been killed. There were obviously three parts to play. One was that of Crown. The other was that of T. T had been Stan Trable. There was the hidden hand that had prompted the gunman and the voice that was in the hotel searching for something. That would be the instigator of murder. While a horrifying sight, Derek often felt no reaction to horrifying sights in reality such as the deaths of close relatives, or in movies. He was still able to function with efficiency. The same was not true of his two friends who had escaped before hotel security was summoned to the hotel room. He floated down. He had heard everything he needed for the time being.

******

"What makes you think I'm not going to go?"Sam challenged.

"Okay. May you please not go out there so you don't killed by random violence such as bullets that tear small holes going in and cannon wounds going out of flesh and blood human beings?"Derek asked.

"I'd like my flesh and blood to stay right where they are. No use looking for trouble. "Oliver reasoned calmly.

"What?I was fine!We need to find what kind of people would kill an old guy and why?"Sam replied.

"You also threw up after seeing the body. "Derek reminded them.

"He threw up. I didn't. "Sam refuted the charge laid against her.

"No, you just-"

"Hold it!"Derek shouted. The coming fracas stopped in its tracks.

"None of us are going .We'll leave it to the police instead."Derek suggested. Nods came all around.

******

"The surgeon's fixed death at about two pm. His place was searched, and there was the gunner along with the guy he shot. It's a pretty clear case. The gunner shot the other guy. He's wearing gloves, and there's no prints on the gun, but it's definitely the murder weapon. The murder weapon was being clutched in his hand.

The victim is Stan Trable. An interview of the clerk at the Waldorf-Astoria shows that he remembers Stan Trable being a crazy old coot. He noted it because the guy gave him twenty-five pennies to make up a quarter.

The torpedo is Den Wellings. He's running with a gang headed by Stinger Lacey. We can definitely get him for murder, so he should be willing to talk.

One lead is to follow up Stan Trable's place of residence. I looked up the address in the phone book. It's 32-28 Crenshaw Road. There we can interview his neighbors and find out who had close contact with him.

Another lead is to interview the witness when he comes to. I have no doubt he will have a very interesting story to tell us.

It appears to be a case of robbery, but not of cash. None of his servants benefit by knocking him off. Trable wasn't rich, just well off. He only included pensions as long as they kept working. "Detective Donovan summarized his case. A police officer entered.

"Sir, the witness has awakened. "The police officer announced.

******

"Come on Den. You haven't had anything to eat or drink. Just tell us what happened there and it'll be all right. "Markham said in a soothing tone of voice.

"Fine ya nuts. This story's not gonna be believed by any jury. Heck, even I don't believe it. There's these three kids who beat me up and murdered the the old guy. "Den snarled. Donovan and Markham looked at each other.

"You can come up with a better one that that Den. "Donovan prodded. Den remained silent.

"You're facing the death penalty here. If you spill what you know, it won't hurt any. It might even reduce your sentence to life instead of death. "Donovan cajoled the witness.

"Who are you working for?Why'd you kill the guy?What'd you need to steal that a simple ruffle of the room couldn't do?We've got all day for you to give us satisfactory answers. "Donovan asked leisurely.

"I'm no snitch. I told you, the kids killed the guy. Ask them. "Den responded.

"Really. Our evidence and we do have it indicates that you killed the guy. Another person knocked you out. "Donovan commented.

"All right. So you killed the guy. Someone else came in, and knocked you silly after you came in. You were working with somebody, since there's nothing on you. Now who have you been seen with recently in the grapevine. I would say. "Detective Donovan turned away.

"Clink Hurgan?Stinger Lacey?Chuck Garbel?"Markham indicated the flash of recognition in Den's name at Stinger's name.

"So it is Stinger Lacey. "Detective Donovan wheeled back.

"You were hired to get something, and Stinger got it. Thanks for your help, Den. "Detective Donovan grinned as the prisoner was led back to his cell.

"It's simple now. Trable had something that was valuable. Somebody hired Stinger to go get it. Den was part of the crew, and he was the one who terminated Trable. Someone else gave an anonymous tip and concealed their tracks so well, that the only DNA traces in the place are that of Den's. The phone was wiped. That would be the same guy who knocked out Den. It's not Stinger, otherwise he would have blabbed to put us on a false trail. So there's someone else mixed in this mess. Those three kids he mentions might have a bearing on the case, or it might not. We'd better look at the interview with the clerk. Come on. "Donovan strode out of the interrogation room.

"Interesting. There were three college kids at the scene. He remembers them because they weren't appropriately attired for formal dress. They wanted to see the guest list."Donovan mused as he reviewed the facts he had written down.

"We even have full descriptions of their clothing. They don't have an alibi. I doubt however, that they fired the gun. They were the ones who knocked Den out, it appears. "Donovan recited his theory.

"Well, we'll let a description find them. We even have the video cameras. "Donovan smirked. The three kids hadn't depended on that at all.

"All right. Grab Stinger from wherever he's hiding. We'll go interview whoever's in the estate. I don't anticipate anything from that, since Stinger probably grabbed it. However, we need to cover all bets, so we'll leave an officer in the house. "Donovan decided.

******

The killers had still been in the room, which meant they were searching for something as well. The fact that the killers will still there meant that Derek, Oliver and Samantha had interrupted them in the middle of their search. Derek had searched as well and had found nothing of interest in the hotel room. The killers hadn't found it, and Derek hadn't found it. That meant that whatever was being searched for wasn't in the room. The newspapers didn't give any clue of something valuable being brought to the United States. So the item had no monetary value, and needed to be combined with something else to have any value.

The logical deduction would be that not finding anything of value in Trable's hotel room, the killers would search Trable's residence next, as soon as possible to avoid the brouhaha.

The police had already been there, and interviewed the servants. Trable hadn't attached any significance to the trip, nor had he been carrying anything of great value. The printing of this fact in the New York papers proved Derek's conclusion in that respect.

The old man had lived a quiet, secluded life. All his affairs were in order, and he had no enemies that the servants knew of.

Donovan had learned the names of distant relatives who would gain from Trable's death. He sincerely doubted that this would be of any use, but he noted the fact anyway. It wasn't as if Trable's estate was wealthy. It was merely well-to-do.

Derek reading of the evening papers, had immediately donned a black fedora and a black cloak.The black would help conceal his shape against the background of the black night. He was as curious as anyone to solve this mystery, and led him to arrive at Trable's house. He looked at the house. .

The house had sullen, brooding clouds hanging low over it. The entire region was blanketed in a pall of mist. The impression it gave was that the windows were eyes, and the door was a mouth. Derek had the incongruous feeling that the mansion was watching for people. He shifted the disguise into more comfortable clothing.

If anyone had was capable of seeing Derek on the hilltop in the dark, they would have seen a man with a black fedora, a sable-hued cloak, and a man with glowing blue eyes. Anyone spying the man and the house together, would have thought that this ghostly house and the cloaked man would have fit into the general ambience of the neighborhood.

Derek glided toward the house and reconnoitered the entrances. There was a window on one side of the house on the ground floor. He moved the window upward. The window moved up easily. He found that someone had already unlocked the window. Derek became more cautious. He silently entered the room. His fingers encountered thick draperies. He slowly opened the the velvet a fraction of an inch, very slowly.

The room was oddly furnished as Derek peered in. There were filing cabinets and antiquated furnishings. There was also something that stoked Derek's interest. There was someone in the room. A tall, mustached man was looking in the file cabinets.

Minutes passed as Derek watched the man search. The tall, mustached man finished with one drawer and went to another. He was scowling as he searched. Derek checked his powers. His only offensive power at the moment was levitation. It would have to do. The doorknob was turning.

The man hadn't noticed the doorknob turning.He closed a file drawer carefully. It was not until the door moved inward, that the man leaped behind a metal filing cabinet and pulled a gun.

Another man leaped in the room. The pale-faced man had a gun of his own. He was covering the exact spot that the mustached man had been. He stared into the gun muzzle being leveled at him from the metal filing cabinet.

"Drop it. "That was the mustached man's order.

The pale-faced man's revolver dropped to the floor. The pale-faced man raised his hands and backed against the door. Derek repressed a roll of his eyes. The pale-faced man had just cut off his only retreat

Behind the curtain, Derek covered both men. His black cape would disguise him as one of the draperies from the back. .

The mustached men stepped from behind the cabinet. He chuckled at the scene, but without any malice in the tone.

"Who-who- are you ?"The pale-faced man stammered.

"I'm just a friend. Just here to look about. You can sit down over there where I can watch you while I proceed."

"But-but-"

"Don't worry. Unless I find something wrong, there's no cause to fear. I said I'm a friend."

"A friend. You mean-you mean-"The pale-faced man's' eyes glittered suddenly. The mustached man was in the center of the room. The pale-faced man's back was toward the window. Derek couldn't see the man's face, but he did hear the eager tone in his voice.

"Boss!I didn't think you'd come here. Not after-not after I talked to you on the phone yesterday. I-I thought you believed men when I swore I'm on the level.

"Honest boss. I told you the truth, yesterday and today. I couldn't talk this morning, because of that detective being here. Listen, I haven't pulled any double cross. "The aide exclaimed.

Derek observed as the mustached man pocketed his revolver .The mustache stepped toward the far door while the pale-faced man trembled. The mustached man picked up the revolver that the pale-faced man had dropped. He handed it to the pale-faced man with a smile.

"You-you believe me, boss?"The pale-faced man stammered as he pocketed the revolver.

"Certainly. We'll talk it over. "The mustached man smiled and motioned to a chair. The pale-faced man took the chair that was indicated. The mustached man took the other chair.

******

"Well, he says something came up. He'll be back as soon as he can, around five or so. "Derek's mom replied.

"I cannot believe how lax that boy is. It's amazing how he always get A's. "Oliver grumbled.

"He studies. "Sam reminded him.

"He used to study. Now his head's just seems distant in class. He still manages to get A's. It's like he recently got photographic memory this past year or something. "Oliver pointed out.

"Oh, hush. We get A's too you know. Let's set up a trap for him. Just like old times. "Sam grinned mischievously. These are genius level college students. So the outcome was predictable.

"Turning him into a temporary automata?"Oliver asked.

"Nah. Besides, it's only fun the first few minutes. Then he can't do anything on his own. The restoration's process a little long too. "Sam rejected.

"I know!Putting one's faith in the test of boiling water!"Oliver exclaimed.

"No, that won't work. It's too old a gag. "Sam dismissed.

"I have it!"

"What?"

"We'll use the blacklight to seal off his room with portable steel gratings. "Oliver cried.

"That has possibilities. "Sam decided slowly.

"Here's the equipment. Why is he building a capacitor in a sword hilt anyway?It'll need prolonged contact to have any effect. "Oliver was puzzled by some of the equipment he found in the domicile.

"Who knows?There's the record player being cannibalized for parts as usual. "Sam pointed to record player. The record player also had the sign DO NOT TOUCH. Naturally, Sam touched it.

"bloody ...soporific device..."Sam yawned as she fell asleep.

"Sam?That's the soothing sea record player. It's supposed to lull you to sleep in seconds. "Oliver shook Sam awake.

"I just wanted to see what would happen. "Sam yawned as she woke up from a restful minute nap.

"This looks like the headpiece of the Staff of Ra. I wonder what he's doing with that. "Oliver wondered. They stopped.

"Do you think he'll get mad, if we appropriate some of these ..er..objects for the trap?"Oliver wondered. They looked at each other.

"Nah!"They chorused.

"You know, something's very odd about this morning. He managed to mimic the unconscious man's voice after only hearing it once. He pushed us out of the way, and summoned the police. Yet no one knows where he is. He has martial arts training practices at the weirdest times. "Sam outlined a trail a blind elephant could follow.

"It's obvious. He's mastered the art of ninjitsu."Oliver proclaimed. Sam blinked.

"No, Oliver. It has to do with why he's been so distant. He's become a ventriloquist, martial artist, civic citizen, and disappears at times. Does that remind you of anyone?"Sam inquired.

"Houdini?"Oliver guessed.

"No, Oliver. Remember the fictitious Clark Kent?Or Tony Stark?Rushing off to somewhere, to an appointment they forgot or something?"Sam tapped her foot.

"Oh, he's a mystery crimefighter. "Oliver nodded wisely.

"No, he's a metahuman. "Sam hissed.

"Don't metahumans tend to wear capes and masks?You see any here?"Oliver asked Sam.

"No...but I am definitely going to ask about it. "Sam decided.

They turned on the television. This being the lair of Derek, they pressed the radio's on switch. The special news report on WB11 in the television came up.

"In today's events, Knock-out, publicized protector of New York and Maestro were seen fighting a metallic black metahuman in the middle of Central Park. We will give you updates on the battle with our correspondent on the scene. Over to you Trish. "The lines running below the special report were a bit more interesting for Sam and Oliver.

A murder occurred at the Waldorf-Astoria and Detective Donovan is the detective on the case. He says there are promising leads to the killer. He also suggests that should anyone, including three kids who were in the hotel at the time, have information leading to the arrest of the murderer, it would be most appreciated.

"I think we better call Derek. "Sam said grimly.

******

"I believed you Clavis."The mustached men smiled.

"I was only a bit overanxious, boss. I told you old Trable stayed in the house during rainy mornings. There was a chance that he'd pick up the connection. "Clavis replied.

"That would have been taken care of. His voice is not difficult to recognize. "The mustached man smiled.

"I know. The usual way you always talk, you would have fooled the old guy. This was a case of your call getting through. There was way to reach you. If I only had a way of instant contact-"

"I prefer my current methods.Let us depart from this topic. If I wish to keep my identity hidden, that is my own occupation. Your task is to obey orders. "The mustached man snapped.

"Sure, boss"

"Don't worry about me contacting you. Yesterday, you were nervous because you didn't know where I'd call. Today, the problem was the smart detective named Donovan who came here to interrogate you about Trable. "

"Sure, boss. I stalled him. I've got an alibi. Didn't tell him a thing. He was talking to Terworth when you called. I had to clip it, since the detective might have entered any moment. "

"I know that, Clavis. Especially since I saw the special evening editions of the news. Donovan told the press that he'd been here. Don't worry, he knows nothing. Good job on that that, Clavis. "

"Now. I came for two reasons. The first one is to search Trable's files. Explain yourself, Clavis. "The mustached man demanded.

"Explain myself?"

"Yes. Your facts were garbled over the phone. I wish to see if they fit. "The mustached man stated.

"Sure, boss. It's easier this way. I had a case of nerves on the phone. Try to give me a break, and understand I'm on the level. "Clavis declared.

"Trable got the letter for the index yesterday. He was offered three hundred thousand dollars. Trable accepted the offer this time. He also received a letter from JM Agency, saying thanks for his patronage. He took both letters. "

"I see. You saw both of them, Clavis?"The mustached man asked.

"I read the one from Crown, but not from JMA. He put the JMA letter in his pocket. He probably threw it away, that's why it's not with the others in the cabinet.

You seemed sore about it, this morning boss. You emphasized the fact that the letter was gone. Thought maybe you didn't believe me when I said it was from JMA. But I already said that Trable thought the letter unimportant from the way he stuck it in his pocket. "

"You should have elucidated. "The mustached man interjected.

"I did my best, boss. But I was all worried when you didn't find the Sforza index along with the rest of Trable's papers. When you began to talk about the missing JMA correspondence, I thought perhaps you were trying to trip me up. "

"Forget it ,Clavis. That index is worth plenty of money to me. I intend to have it. That's why I'm here. "

"But, boss, I've looked-"

"Sometimes the looking isn't thorough enough. If Trable didn't have the index, he must have left it somewhere else. I wanted to check on your reports, Clavis. "

"There's nothing in those drawers, boss. . I've had plenty of chances to search the house. That's my job as his aide. The index isn't here. "

The mustached man considered for a few moments. He began to nod slowly, as if accepting Clavis' statements as true.

"I'm sure, boss, that the index should have been with him. I thought he was going to get it from NY from a lawyer or a safe-deposit box. "

"Yes. He obviously was going to deal with Crown. The ad in the Post proved that. So Trable should have had the index. "The mustached man agreed.

"But he didn't. And since you had his room watched , there wasn't any chance for him to meet Crown. "

"Yes, Clavis. Trable's death was arranged after the Post came out. Crown couldn't have seen Trable because he wouldn't have known Trable was ready. "

"That's how I took it, boss. The answer is that Trable didn't have it with him. He was sounding out Crown. "

"Finally, we're getting somewhere. Our problem now is to know where the index is now. You have mentioned Tamlin. . You're sure Tamlin's the best bet?"

"Definitely, boss. !I mentioned Tamlin yesterday. You remember what I told you about Trable leaving some items with Tamlin, a long time ago-"

"I recall. The index could be with him. "

"Yup. But that would mean blowing his safe. You said you could make that happen. "

"I can, but I'd prefer something a little more subtle. It's more effective to to induce Tamlin to part with the index voluntarily, if he has it. "The mustached man smiled.

"How'd you pull that off, boss?"

"By visiting Tamlin. Clavis, you're in the clear. You are arranging his affairs .What's more logical than visiting Tamlin's residence?Just looking for stuff that Trable might have left behind. "The mustached man saw the flash of wariness.

"Come on, Clavis. There's nothing to worry about. Let's go into New York tonight. You call at Tamlin's house. I'll be there to accompany you. "

"You'll come with me, boss?Ready to help?"Clavis asked.

"I'll be at hand. Come, Clavis. We'll take your car. "

"Okay, boss. Let me tell Terworth I'm going to Manhattan. You can walk out with me in the front. Terworth won't know, he's on the third floor of this place. How'd you enter, boss?"

"I jimmied the study window. "The mustached man replied.

"Might want to lock it up .while I'm talking to Terworth. Switch off the lamp, and I'll meet you in the corridor. "

Black curtains moved as Derek raised the window silently and glided into the night outside. Derek heard the mustached man lock the window. Derek moved swiftly in the night, and looked for the cars parked nearby. There was only one. The lock popped open easily. He closed the trunk and locked it with his telekinetic powers.

Derek had never heard the name of Tamlin. He would arrive at the same time that Clavis and his apparent boss would. The dwelling of Tamlin was in Manhattan. He dozed off as the car made the half-hour trip.

He woke up when the car stopped. He opened the trunk lid and scrambled out, invisible in the night with his black clothing. His glowing blue eyes were covered by the brim of his black fedora.

He followed Clavis and the mustached man unseen.

Clavis rang the doorbell, and was let in. When the butler went to announce Mr. Clavis' appearance, Clavis let the mustached man entered. Derek glided between them, invisible. He was quite curious as to what Clavis would say.

He watched as Clavis spoke of how benevolent his employer was. Then he got to the point after a dozen minutes of this.

"I have made a thorough inspection of Mr. Trable's manuscripts. The files are complete. Then I recollected that he spoke of other papers not in his collection. I arrived here to find out whether you knew anything about it, Mr. Tamlin. "Clavis declared.

"Certainly. However, you are too late. He left some of them with me. I don't know what the manuscripts were. They were placed inside an envelope inside my safe. Trable didn't think it was of any value. He left them with me so he could pick them up when he came to Manhattan again. I don't have them anymore. He came for them yesterday afternoon. My butler, Pellini, gave him the envelope. Trable said they weren't very valuable, but he might have minimized their value to prevent me from worrying about their safety. But since you're here, Clavis, we might as well take a look. "

"But if the butler gave it to him-"

"No, Pellini merely opened the safe, showed it to Trable, and then replaced it. "

"So, it might still be in there. "Trable nodded at Clavis' statement.

Tamlin had produced the key while speaking.

Derek's thought processes had been whirling. This would be the time of emergency when Clavis' safe was opened. He followed after the two to the second floor.

Tamlin opened the safe. It was empty except for the box, which he took. He turned and then gasped and pointed.

There was someone in the room with him. He was big. Very big. He also had a gun, although the .38 looked puny in his hand.

"Stick 'em up. "Mastiff ordered.

Tamlin and Clavis obeyed. While Clavis realized who they probably were, he had to act just as afraid as Tamlin.

"Get the box, Creeper. You guys take care of the safe. "

People advanced with guns pointed towards the two.

Mastiff stood above six feet. His bloodshot green eyes didn't inspire Derek with confidence. He appeared to be Bigfoot in leather. The dim light appeared to trouble Mastiff as little as it troubled Derek.

"All right. Who's the wise guy who thinks I can't smell him?"Mastiff growled. He looked toward Derek's position and fired. To Derek, it looked as slow as molasses. He stepped aside and let the bullet continue on it's way. To the gang members following Mastiff, it looked as if he had fired at nothingness.

"There isn't anyone there, Mastiff. "Creeper insisted.

"I'm smelling him. He can dodge bullets. Let's see if he can dodge Mastiff. "The gigantic criminal psychotic growled. He was faster than Derek had planned but still that just much slower, as Derek kept a step ahead of every punch, grab, and attack that Mastiff tried. To his followers, it looked as if Mastiff was chasing someone who wasn't there.

Derek decided that someone who could smell where invisible people were and could figure out secret identities through smell alone was not a good thing. He grinned. There was just the thing to mess it up. If it didn't work, Mastiff would land something.

Wind started to blow in the hall, messing up the currents that Mastiff used to track him. The door at the end of the hall had opened by itself, apparently by the strong wind coming in. Mastiff was the only one who noticed the wind was going to the door, cutting off his sense of smell.

"That won't help you, invisible man!"Mastiff roared.

"I'll shoot them right now, if you don't show yourself. "He taunted. The wind's response was to tear the guns from the gang's hands. Some of them managed to hold onto their guns, and flew out the door with them.

Mastiff launched himself at his two prisoners.A black form showed as Derek whisked the two prisoners away, right before he crashed the wall, and smashed it into bits.

"Call the Metahuman Containment Squad. "A black form whispered to Tamlin. Clavis sprang at Derek. The black form and Clavis rolled around. The mustached man entered and spied a person clad in a black fedora and cloak wrestling with Clavis. He fired upon Derek, just as Creeper fired.

Derek dodged the bullet, but Clavis was not so lucky as Creeper's bullet entered Clavis who Derek had been wrestling with. Clavis slumped upon Derek. He aimed a telekinetic blast at Mastiff, but Mastiff was gone.

Derek took the path the mustached man followed, instead of following Mastiff's obvious route where the door had opened, and Derek's winds had died down without him concentrating on it.

Two minutes later, police cars arrived. Derek had disappeared from sight once again. He sighed at the disaster. Now Mastiff would know that an unknown metahuman could somehow create wind, and could disappear at will. He had wanted to be unseen and unknown, and he had been forced to reveal his presence.

Shouts could be heard from the back of the house. Other police cars pulled up. Pellini had joined Tamlin. He had come down after he heard the gunfire and the crashes of furniture. The two were supporting Clavis. He was still alive, even with mortal injuries.

"The boss- double-crossed me. I was to be-be a blind. He-didn't-didn't tell me. "

"Who's the boss?"A police officer demanded.

"Don't-don't know. Had a-a mustache, and tall-tall. Talks-smooth. Wanted-wanted the index. The Sforza-"Clavis then gave a final gasp and rolled dead on the floor.

******

"Ah. Blacklight beams. "Derek smiled.The gratings were triggered to fall if he approached them. He quickly noticed all four locations. The grating was only half as tall as the room, but the room was quite high. He couldn't leap over it. He preferred not to use any powers on something he himself could do. His friends had set up the trap. So it was something he could do.

There was a railing up at the top. He jumped and hung from it. Ever so slowly, he pulled himself up. He had done this regularly, since he had a tendency to stay in buildings after they locked doors. The difference was that those had metal spikes on the bars. These didn't.

Eventually, he pulled himself up enough to topple over the ceiling. He braced for impact, and rolled with the floor.

Every martial artist was expected to know how to take a fall. He slammed into it with his hands, and did an impromptu handspring as he cartwheeled himself upright.

"I'm going to have to get you two for that. "He commented to his two friends who started clapping.

"An impressive performance!"Oliver cheered.

"Deliziosa! That means delightful in Italian. "Sammi informed him.

"I know what deliziosa means. I'm not someone who thinks it means delicious. "Derek mock-growled.

In response, Samantha and Oliver produced their movie tickets.

"It's amazing how you manage to be on time for everything since last year. You used to be at least five minutes late. "Sam commented as she drived.

"We have bigger problems. There's a search out for us, and they've got us on video. "Oliver pointed out.

"You managed to mimic that gunperson's voice only hearing it one time. You have martial arts practices at the weirdest times. You summoned the police, but they can't find our track even though they're using DNA tests on the man we struck. "Sam outlined the trail.

"Oh, ventriloquist training is one of the things I need to learn. I don't actually know firearms, it's later in the curriculum. I've martial arts practices at the weirdest times, because it's to practice for sessions such as blind fighting, fighting on suburban rooftops, forests, and sometimes my teacher has it scheduled for that particular time. It's supposed to teach me preparedness. "Derek said. While each sentence was technically true, it produced a totally mistaken impression, but only at first.

"So you're having an affair with someone who's married?"Oliver asked.

"No. "Derek said immediately.

"You're not secretly a metahuman right this minute?"Oliver asked.

"No. "Derek said immediately. He wasn't a metahuman right this minute anyhow.

"You're not secretly a mystery crimefighter who runs around in spandex?"Oliver inquired.

"No. "Derek said . He didn't wear spandex.

"Then it's quite simple. His metahumanity is something that can be switched off and a mystery crimefighter, but without spandex. "Sam concluded.

"So who are you?"Oliver continued.

"Why are you asking me these questions?I thought that what I answered proved that I wasn't a metahuman. "Derek asked back.

"Oh, no. We're sure that you're a metahuman. It's just that you don't lie very well to us, so you told us the truth, hoping we'd get the wrong impression. "Sam said sweetly.

"Oh. "Derek said, nonplussed.

"We're here. "Derek looked the Forest Hills theater.

"Don't think this is over. "Sam added.

"Besides, think of knowing that our friend is a real-live metahuman superhero!"Oliver said enthusiastically.

******

"Sure. "Bacon, sausages, ham, scrambled eggs with cheese, without cheese, omelettes, and cereal were all gathered by Derek.

"We must do an in-depth study on your medical condition. "Sam waxed enthusiastically. For the sake of secrecy, Oliver and Sam were going to refer to it as his medical condition in public.

"Don't they already have tests for that sort of thing?"Oliver spoke.

"Sure, sure. They have certain drawbacks though."Sam spoke.

"True. "Oliver allowed.

"For instance, his high rate of comestible consumption is most probably a product to supply a high metabolic rate. "Sam noted.

"Hey, Derek. "A new person sat down at his table.

"Hi. I'd like to introduce you to my cousin, James. "Derek said.

"He's first-year, major premed. "Derek finished the introduction as he he swallowed the last of his breakfast tray.

"I'm going to get some more food. "Derek got up and left the table.

"So you're Oliver and you're Sam. You're the fencing champion, and she's the valedictorian candidate. I must say, he's certainly keep good company. Especially as you seem quite attractive. I despair of my cousin sometimes. He's more interested in a good book or computer program and while he's not a social butterfly, sometimes he is a little cold to people. "James explained.

Derek was surprised to see that Sam was blushing when he came back. Usually she just knocked people unconscious. "You did something, didn't you. "Derek accused James.

"I?What could I do?"James said virtuously.

"What about the time you tried to set up your cousin by your mother's side on a date?"Derek asked pointedly.

"It worked out in the end. "James had his lips set in a half-amused grin.

"Perhaps we should hear stories about what Derek did in high school. "James leaned forward.

"Did you know that he actually fell for someone's sob story in elementary school?"James whispered.

"That's nothing. He blew up the lab in the the specialized high school. "Oliver chimed in.

"I've got something that'll top both of you. "Sam smirked.

"He thought that the Chem 101final exam was going to be at the wrong time in the wrong place. So he got a makeup final exam. Then he went to the room to check, and it turned out that the final exam was in the right place at the right time. He later had to go back to correct the error he made. "Sam, Oliver, and James howled with laughter.

Derek wondered if somebody was getting him for something he did in a past life.

"Why don't we talk about James?"Derek inquired.

"Only for a moment. "James smiled.

"Let's see.. He's valedictorian of Chinese school, valedictorian of English school, helps out in church in bilingual education, is a member of Mensa- "Derek stopped.

"I don't remember any more awards that you have. "Derek told James.

"Oh, come on. It's not that important if it's fun to do it. You're a member of Mensa as well, and you're always in the honor rolls. Won a tournament in the Manhattan Chess Club too. "James stage whispered the last part.

Derek sighed. It was going to be a long morning.

******

"Clavis was a crook. We kept it out of the papers, but he was definitely a crook. He was Trable's aide. We are dependent upon one witness only. You, Mr. Tamlin, brought Clavis to a room, to examine box which had once held some manuscripts belonging to Trable.

While they were here, four men led by Mastiff covered the two. There was another metahuman there who is unknown and apparently wishes to remain unknown. He was invisible and watching the proceedings. Mastiff could smell him. He attempted to attack the invisible metahuman and shoot him. Mr. Tamlin describes it like it was shooting a ghost. Then strong winds swept the door open and and flung crooks hard against the surfaces outside the house. They were found shot later through the heart with a .38, a gun that Mastiff was carrying.

The invisible metahuman showed his form once to rescue both Clavis and Tamlin.He freed Tamlin and Clavis. The unknown metahuman instructed Tamlin to call the Metahuman Containment Squad. Clavis then attacked his rescuer and was shot for his trouble.

Then a mustached man entered by another door and shot at the cloaked man at the same time another one shot the cloaked man. The metahuman disappeared once again, and one bullet missed Clavis.The other found a place lodged in is his breastbone, so he was still alive for a short while. "Donovan paced.

"We identified the two dead crooks. One was Duster Clane, the other was Wolf Mulroney. Both are known to be associates of Mastiff. Who Mastiff is working for, we don't know. Stinger Lacey is probably working with Mastiff. Mastiff was called in because they suspected something interfered in the other job which would be the murder of Trable. The same person who rescued you Tamlin, was probably the same one who knocked Den out. They posted Mastiff this time in case another case of interference occurred. Which it did.

Clavis spoke of a chief, the mustached man as an ante-mortem statement. He mentioned the name Sforza just before he died. Tamlin, you think that refers to an index of the Sforza Codex. The index is considered to be worthless because Sforza Codex was never completed.

What we need to know is that mustached fellow's name. "Detective Donovan concluded.

"I guess we'll call the Metahuman Containment Squad for Mastiff like our mystery vigilante suggested. "Commissioner Northon grumbled.

"Sound like you don't like it. "Tamlin commented.

"I don't Vigilantes with superpowers. They're untrained, and they're just as unstable as the villains they fight. I prefer them to be trained government officers. "Northon replied.

I believe that the those of the paranormal set have put a serious crimp in criminal operations since the eighties. However, there are no new developments by criminals to distract vigilantes. "Commissioner Northon said.

"I believe that the distraction method has worked on a number of paranormals. They are quite involved in beating each other to a pulp. The Opportunity has demonstrated that the paranormals are going after 'small fry' I believe is the term. It does not hinder their operations any.

Individually, they are quite challenging, but as organizations, they lack aptitude.

There is no danger inherent to criminal operations by paranormals without training. This is why I oppose untrained paranormals. In some cases, they may capture only a pawn, rather the one who controls the pawn. "She explained.

"Commissioner. There's someone out here to see you. "A bluecoat entered the room and announced. "She looks English. She came up from headquarters when she couldn't find you there. "

Northon nodded. The officer went out to escort the visitor.

The woman who entered the Tamlin's study did look British. She was brisk and well-dressed.

"Commissioner Northon and Detective Donovan, I presume?"She inquired.Both men acknowledged their identities. She smiled and produced passport and cards.

"I'm Dale Robinson, formerly with Scotland Yard, now with JMA, British Investigators. "She spoke. Northon nodded as he examined her credentials and handed them to Donovan. Donovan examined them and returned her credentials.

"I flew in today after reading about Stan Trable's murder. Jove!I wish I had arrived before that poor chap made the error. I was sure trouble would arise from that bally Crown business. "

"Crown business?"Northon inquired.

"Yes. The letters that Trable received signed by a blighter calling himself Crown?I suppose you have the originals. "

"This is a break in the case. The clues we have point to gang violence. We've been looking for Stinger Lacey, a gang boss, and Mastiff, the freelance hit-metahuman. "

"You don't know anything about the Crown signatures?"

"Nope. "Donovan replied.

"I have carbon copies at the hotel along with copies of the letters he sent with us. "

"Inform us about this correspondence. Who is Crown?What has this to do with JMA?"Northon inquired.

"The whole tale is quite simple. Trable owned an index of the complete Sforza Codex. It was purported to refer to da Vinci's sketches of robots, laser cannons, and orbital laser platforms. It gives the the holder the security details of how to obtain the sketches. The index itself is of some value in itself, but it's worth a lot more to someone who discovered the location of the sketches and needs to know how to get past the security. It would prove that da Vinci's tales of laser cannons, flying robots and other inventions he claimed to have sketched weren't the fancies of drunks. Think of how much the index would be worth to someone who could build the machines that the missing half of the Sforza Codex contained. "Robinson emphasized.

"JMA believes that one organization has offered to purchase it. We believe it to be an government shadow agency. Their representative signed him or herself Crown. because of the crown seal.

Trable saw what was behind the offer of purchase. He contacted JMA to look into the matter.

We learned that a wealthy American had purchased some spots of legends where da Vinci used to reside. The legends were of doubtful origins, but we couldn't learn the name of the wealthy American. The spots are filled with security that is not store-bought. I refer to unobtrusive objects such as guardian runes and subetheric vibration relays. I am quite sure that is only government-issue so far. We believed the representative of this organization to be Crown.

The representative offered a hundred and fifty thousand dollars according to the last letter that Trable sent us. Perhaps later the amount increased. The point is;the letter told Trable to come to the Waldorf-Astoria and to wait for Crown.If Trable was ready to accept, he would place an ad in the Post.

I think that Trable received a new offer from Crown.I also believe that Trable intended to deliver the index and was killed instead.

I doubt that Crown killed the poor blighter because he would not have offered the paltry sum of fifty thousand dollars in his first offer. "Dale finished. "That seems logical. The entrance of Stinger Lacey and Mastiff is the entrance of gang violence. Some crook must have gotten wind of of Crown's offer. Crown as a national agent, wouldn't deal with gang violence if he or she was trying to purchase it legitimately. "Donovan inferred.

"Donovan, go call that freelance reporter who's a friend of yours, Aldzinjal isn't it?Tell her I wish to talk to her."Northon commanded.

"Jolly well done. Crown would have simply murdered the owners of the land where the legends are instead of buying the places, if he worked for criminals. Someone else must have gotten notice of the letters that Crown sent. "Robinson chimed in with Donovan's statement.

"Clavis!"Northon cried.

"Clavis?Trable's aide?Was he not the one who was slain here last night?"Robinson asked curiously.

"Clavis was part of the ring. He proved that by trying to help them in the melee that took place. Clavis said something about a chief, but he died before we obtained a name- "

"Aldzinjal's on the phone, Commissioner. "Donovan interjected. Northon took the phone.

"Miss Aldzinjal, this is Commissioner Northon. What I am going to tell you is absolutely confidential. Do you comprehend?"Northon declared impressively. He proceeded after a supposed affirmative reply to the people in the room.

"We're looking for an advertisement in the in the recent edition of the Post. Yes..in the personals is the best bet. It's addressed to Crown. Yes. If you find it, bring it to me at once. No, not my office, the home of Sze Tamlin. He hung up the phone and turned to Robinson.

"I want to see those letters. The copies that came from London. We know who two of the gang members, which were Duster Clane and Wolf Mulroney. We also know that Den Wellings is the killer of Trable. However, it appears that something larger is at stake. We know Mastiff led last night's encounter and Stinger Lacey led Trable's murderers.

But there's someone in the back of this. That's who we're going to get. If we can get a line of this person Crown, we may get a new view of this case. How are we going to find him?"The commissioner inquired.

"I don't think Crown has the index. I thought it might be here, from the reports that I read in today's papers. "

"It was here. Trable took it, the the afternoon before he was killed. "Tamlin put in.

"If Crown does have it, let's put another advertisement in the Post. Crown might snap the bait. "Robinson suggested.

"Only if he doesn't have the index. "Northon interrupted.

"That would tell us both that he doesn't have the index, and give us contact with Crown. "Robinson smiled.

"Contact is better than actual arrest. If we could approach the chap peaceably, we'd learn more. Crown's writing shows him to be a person interested in legitimate acquisition."

"Suppose you get the letters from your hotel. Take Detective Donovan with you and return ASAP, in case Aldzinjal arrives. "

"Aldzinjal is the journalist?"

"Yes, but one who waits for her story. Then we'll execute the strategies we have arranged. Facts regarding Crown will be kept out of the papers. We will attempt to reach Crown. "

"And if it succeeds?"

"The work will lay with you and Donovan.A plan is always preferred to charging in like a bull in a china shop. "

"A picturesque and accurate simile, Commissioner. Let's go, old top. My hotel's the Goliath. "

"We''ll be back in half an hour, Commissioner. "Donovan calculated.

******

Aldzinjal had gone to Tamlin's. She had brought along a copy of the Post, and received the Commissioner's confidence in reading the letters.There was no reply ad in later copies of the Post. The deduction was that Crown had learned of Trable's death and had not replied. Derek didn't know any of this.

Northon had put another ad in the Post. This was what Derek was reading.

"CROWN. Terms agreeable. Am waiting for reply. T."

Derek concluded that the showdown would be in the reply that Crown answered. He inscribed a triangle. In the center he wrote the name Stan Trable.

Murder involved Trable. His index was missing. Police had caught the murderer of Stan Trable. They were looking for an index. Stan Trable was dead. Trable didn't put an ad in the paper, so it was a lure to Crown.

He wrote Mustache on one side of the triangle. Mustache had bobbed suddenly into the picture at Trable's house the night of the murder. He conducted a secret search prior to Clavis' entrance.

It was possible that Mustache did not want Clavis to know he was there. Mustache didn't trust Clavis, despite Clavis' sworn loyalty. Mustache had his presence discovered and smoothly covered his distrust, indicating that he was glad Clavis had discovered him. He found out that Tamlin did not possess the index, using Clavis as a blind.

Then Mastiff struck swiftly and viciously. Derek's entrance had saved Tamlin, but Clavis had died in the meantime. A favorable result from Clavis' chief, since Clavis' had been a squealer and a weakling. He was out of the way and could no more harm.

Mustache did not have the index. It was also plain that he planned to obtain it. Mustache would be heard from again whether or not the police had found his trail.

He wrote JMA rep on another point. JMA had a representative on the scene. Derek did not know who it was. That would need to be remedied.

He left the last point blank.

He wrote another triangle. He wrote Criminal at one side, and Investigator at the other. On the top, he wrote Crown.

Who was Crown?Someone who could afford to buy the index instead of resorting to theft. The index was valuable to Crown for some reason. He had offered Trable three hundred thousand dollars, which had been accepted.

Derek studied the Criminal point of the triangle. The method was obvious. Clavis was stationed to learn of the index that his boss wanted. He told his boss, and murder was done. They had not found the index.

Then after Trable's death, Mustache had entered the scene. He had entered Trable's room shortly after his murder. Then he had checked on Clavis. He had marched Clavis to see Tamlin. He remained there while gangsters shot up the place, and left only after Clavis was dying on the floor.

Mustache had left quite a bit to chance. He tendency to accept doubtful hazards was paradoxical.

He drew a sheet out of his backpack. This was the guest list of the Waldorf-Astoria. He had obtained that quite recently. Derek began to cross of names as he came to them. He stopped near the middle of the sheet. The listing was Capulet Smith.

This guest had registered from London, England. His room number was 1272. He had come to the Waldorf the same day that Trable had registered there.

Derek chuckled to himself. He had found two members to the triangle. The only one remaining was the third.

When next a view came of the sunlit garden, there was no one there.

******

They made some contributions to history, although unintended. One was the practice of bas-relief sculpture. They often used the symbol of a bull. Another is that their deportations spread foreign cultures around to intermingle. The Assyrians didn't have that many contributions. They were not very nice people. "

Derek bent his head, and inscribed it in his notebook. His thoughts went back to the fight. He would have to deal with the problems that Mastiff had unexpectedly caused.

He looked out the window, where he looked at someone eating a Spicy Chicken Sandwich. He grinned as he prepared his secret weapon.

Oliver and Jessica had a run a battery of experiments on his powers.

Invisibility hid his shadow, but not if he was outlined by any object. A sack of flour could ruin his invisibility. They had tested the refraction index. The light not only refracted, it kept anyone except Derek from seeing the refraction.

Derek had been surprised to see the slight angle of the light, yet Sam and Oliver hadn't noticed that.

The power of Speed topped out over 750m/hr. Derek had known that already. What he hadn't known was that his power applied to anything that was held by him. He could turn a piece of cloth into a weapon simply by the speed at which it was spinning. Those were the only powers he had tested, not willing to expose more of his powers than necessary.

He was sure more testing would be done later, but first he had some business to attend to.

******

Capulet Smith stood in the elevator. She was difficult to place, even though well-dressed. Her nationality could have been British or American.

The elevator traveled up to the twelfth floor. Smith paused to drink some water. He walked to 1272. He unlocked the door and then closed and locked it behind him. He turned around and stopped in startlement.

The stranger was dressed in blue. He appeared to be Chinese. He wore a blue suit that Capulet decided must be custom, since it appeared to be unrestrictive. Capulet studied the person.

Capulet then put her coat away.

"Would you like a drink?Mind introducing yourself/"Capulet inquired lightly.The stranger chuckled.

"No, thank you. My name's not really important. If you want to call me something call me J.R. I'm a friend of Sze Tamlin's. "

"Sze Tamlin?"

J.R. chuckled at the puzzled tone. She carried it off very well.

"Miss, today's copy of the Post is next to your table. The advertisement is addressed to Crown.Do you intend to answer it?"J.R. asked.

"How'd you figure out I was Crown?"Capulet asked.

"I learned enough to figure out that somebody at the Waldorf was Crown."

"Have you seen the letters that I conducted with Trable?The original letters that were signed?"Capulet riposted.

"I learned their contents. ""

"Then you know why I'm in New York. "

"I know that the holder needs the index, and would pay far more for it than he offered Trable. "The stranger resumed.

"True. I think I comprehend. You have the index. That's why looked for me. You know I am Crown and am willing to pay quite high. "Capulet chuckled.

"Incorrect. I don't have the index. "The stranger returned.

"Then Sze Tamlin has it. "

"Perhaps. Perhaps not. I do not represent Tamlin. I have arrived to offer you my services in crime prevention. I believe that another attempt of theft and murder will take place. I can do that by getting possession of the index and turning it over to the proper authorities. "

"A capital notion, J. R. Except for one little problem. I don't have the index. You know very well that I don't hold the index, as the advertisement indicates. "Capulet laughed trillingly.

"Perhaps it's a ruse to learn where you are. "The stranger suggested.

"That is an excellent theory. However, someone who actually has the index may be attempting to communicate with me .I shall know the real answer by midnight. "

"You intend to reply?"J. R asked.

"Indeed. I will put it in the first edition of the next issue, when it hits the stands at ten this evening. "

"Inviting T to visit?Where?"

"Here. "Capulet said, emphatically.

":Mr J. R, you have no part in this affair. I do not resent your intrusion, however. It's evident that you came to offer me aid and advice.

I can assure you that I am a person of integrity. My motives for seeking the index are in accord with the motives of justice. I have made arrangements and have merely been waiting for the opportunity to put them into action.

The Crown letters were fair and just from the very start. Some criminal element entered the picture. How, I do not know. If I knew the identity of who planned Stan Trable's murder, I wouldn't pause at bringing the cad to justice.

Apparently, some of those who aided in the killing were eliminated in some strange battle at Tamlin's. The planner is still at large. I hope he is apprehended swiftly.

I am the key to this entire matter. He knows the index itself is valueless. He must come to me to get it's full value.

If he does not have the index, he will spy upon me. If he does have the index, he will spy upon me or come openly to bargain. In either event, I shall have a chance to watch him. "

"Without protection?'

"Hardly. I'm not an old man, unlike Trable. I am not unsuspecting and I have not placed myself in a bad spot. Trable wasn't murdered until the criminal thought the time was right. He will not attack me until he knows the locations that the index refers to. "

"When they learn it?"

"They will not. You may be certain of that."Capulet arose.

"I trust you will not consider me impolite, when I consider your departure?In fact, to assure you of our friendship, I am informing you that it would be in our mutual interest for you to leave.

I feel quite certain that you will not mention this interview to anyone and that you will be courteous enough to let me proceed with my plans without undue interference that may trouble me.

In return for this favor, I promise that should I need your aid, I will call upon you immediately. As soon as I have found the light at the end of the tunnel, I shall so inform you. "

J.R bowed.

"I don't exactly have a place where you can reach me. "J. R realized suddenly. Capulet chuckled.

"How about if I advertise in the newspaper. Will that work?"Capulet asked. J. R considered, then nodded.

"Between now and tonight,. I'd advise you to stay in your room and not let in any servants. "

"Thank you for the suggestion, J. R. Do not forget our arrangement. I may have said too much in admitting I am Crown. I think you are a man who will keep the matter confidential. "Capulet smiled. She waited until J.R took the stairs after he exited. Then she closed and locked the door.

Derek chuckled to himself softly.

His clothing altered itself to a black cloak and a black fedora. Glowing blue eyes completed the ensemble.

An adjacent suite opened by itself. It also appeared to close by itself. The bedroom's door opened. Derek stalked to the door of the other bedroom and watched the brighter light of the room beyond.

He saw Capulet Smith seated with a pen and pencil.

Capulet had been writing an ad apparently, with pen and pencil in front of her. She appeared troubled, as she tore up one sheet of paper after another. She drew out a key, and shrugged, then placed it back in her pocket. She seemed satisfied with the third sheet of stationery.

She called for a bellhop. There was a rap on the door ten minutes later. She looked through the viewhole, and saw the bellhop.

"Miss?You rang?"The bellhop inquired.

"Yes. Send this to the office of the New York Post?Give it to the classifieds department"She instructed. She tore a hundred-dollar bill in half. She gave one part to the bellhop, and kept the other.

"There's a hundred dollars if you get it in tonight's late edition. Here's an extra ten dollars for the ad itself. You can keep the change. "She added.

"Yes, ma'am!"The bellhop said enthusiastically.

She waited until the bellhop left. Then she returned to a large trunk inside the closet. She opened the the trunk and drew out a stack of envelopes. Derek watched her draw one envelope from the stack. Then a folded paper was drawn from the envelope. Derek was close enough to see the antiquated penmanship of the document.

The paper that she had was the missing index!

Derek had left by the time she stepped into the bedroom.

Capulet had tried to bluff Derek. She believed that she had fooled her visitor. He had come here in the belief that she had the index. His theory only indicated that she might have the index.

******

Aldzinjal had been the last to arrive. With her was a copy of the Post, fresh from the press. He had the paper open to the personals.

S. T. Ready for interview. Meet me WA 1272.

Final offer still stands. CROWN.

"I'll call up to see who has room 1272. "Donovan volunteered.

"No.That might spoil our plans "Robinson objected.

"What time is this Post on sale?"Robinson asked Aldzinjal

"Ten. "

"Then we won't move until after that hour. We must appear to have observed the paper in usual fashion. "Robinson decided.

"Indeed. Your job will be hard enough when you meet him under conditions that Crown would naturally anticipate. "Northon agreed. "I am wondering how you will break the matter to Crown, since you're not bringing the index. "

"I have a plan. First, I shall call on Crown's room with the good Detective Donovan beside me. I shall introduce myself as a representative of Stan Trable. I will have the carbon copies of Crown's correspondence with me. That will serve as proof, which will also open the way to talking about the index. We will go at half past ten, so as to not arrive too soon. It would awfully suspicious, old chap, if we jounced in on him at the stroke of ten. That will give me time to pick up the carbon copies.

We will arrive politely and call on him affably. Crown would not take it well if we barged in like louts." planned.

"I'll post officers to guard the place. No sense in leaving ourselves open. "Donovan added. Aldzinjal looked at Northon when they prepared to leave.

"You can stay here, Aldzinjal. I don't want you to go up to the Waldorf. It's not yet news. "

"Sure. I'll just grab a sandwich and a cup of coffee. The story will hold. "Aldzinjal replied.

Donovan noted the size of Robinson's packet of letters. He commented upon that fact.

"I went back after I started for the elevator. Thought it would be jolly good if I brought along the other letters as well. "Robinson answered.

"The ones between Trable and your firm?"

"Certainly. They are in with the batch. I also have my credentials.I fancy that Crown may want to 'shown the goods' as it were. Did you make the arrangements, old badger?"

"Yup.They'll be there. It's safer that way. "

"You seem to expect trouble to occur from the Crown person. "

"I don't want more trouble at the Waldorf. There's someone else involved in this, who knocked out Trable's murderer. If we had a star squad, we could have nabbed them. "

"You are quite sure they will be inconspicuous, old fellow?"

"You won't see them, Robinson. If you don't, with the knowledge that they're there, Crown won't. "

"Cheerio!Let's go have a cup of coffee. It's only a quarter past the hour of ten. We can chat until a quarter before eleven. "

J.R had returned at ten. He recognized the fact that the papers went on at ten. So the master crook would have to come around then.

He observed the mustached man and took the elevator the the fourteenth floor. It was one flight above the twelfth floor, due to the hotel convention that avoided naming thirteenth floors. He took up an observation post and waited invisibly.

Someone rapped at Capulet Smith's door. When she opened it, it was the mustached man.

"Just who are you?"Capulet asked after the two paused, each ready for battle that hadn't yet come.

"My name is Michael. Michael Laspara. You've never heard my name before. "The mustached man replied.

"My name is Capulet Smith. My domicile is in London. I was expecting a visitor. Are you him?"Capulet returned.

"Maybe. We'll see after we talk a while. "Laspara retorted. Neither noted the door to the bedroom where glowing blue eyes watched in the dark.

"I trust that you have read the advertisement I placed in the Post. I suppose you comprehended the advertisement, since you have arrived with great punctuality. "Capulet said

"I understood it. "Michael responded.

"Then did you bring the papers that were expected?"Capulet asked mildly.

"You tried the ad as a bluff to cover up the fact that you already had the index. That is why-"Each had been arranging for a position to attack. The following fight was quite instructive to the watching eyes in the doorway. Michael made a headlong leap. His hands went for Capulet's throat. Capulet shifted backward simultaneously and drew a gun from a hidden holster. A shot would have downed Michael, but Capulet didn't fire. Michael dived toward the gun, rather than stopping.

He yanked her arm down with the gun smashed against the closet. The gun was released through the air. It imitated a bouncing ball as it pinged from from the wall, and slipped toward the door. Michael dived after it.

Capulet bounced and climbed Michael's shoulders as he dived, taking a head ram on the chin. Michael staggered as he saw stars. Then both lost their footing and dived to the floor. Michael tried a jujitsu hold, but couldn't get a solid grip on his antagonist. Similarly, Capulet couldn't break free to land a solid blow.

Then Capulet slipped through Michael''s grip. She punched him on the jaw. Michael shook his head, as his hand instinctively grasped for her throat and found it. She started choking. Michael sent her sprawling.

Then he took out his revolver and held it on her as Capulet was trying to retrieve her gun. An instruction by Michael and Capulet stopped. Glowing blue eyes had been ready to intercept any bullets that might be winging on either side.

"Get up. Unlock the closet. No tricks, or you'll have a brief existence full of holes. I've been waiting for this. You know who I am. I've been waiting for this. I've dodged the police.-"Michael whirled, just a bit too late. Detective Donovan had smashed down the door, and collided with Michael Laspara. Michael stumbled, as Donovan followed up his initial attack with a sideways ram against the wall. The impact against Michael's left hand caused him to drop his gun. Michael attempted to go back for the gun, but subsided when realized he was covered by Robinson. He raised his hands.

Robinson had followed Donovan in.

"For shame, assaulting a lady. "Robinson smiled sweetly at Michael. Michael growled, then stumbled into a chair that was quickly provided by Detective Donovan.

Capulet smiled as she saw the detectives. They also recognized her as the proper occupant of her room, by her clothing. She was given proper status as the person who had put the advertisement in the Post.

All three were watching Michael. Donovan, Robinson, and Capulet were unaware of the glowing blue eyes that watched them through the cracks of the doorway.

"Thank you very much. I take it you are the local constabulary?"Capulet inquired.

"Yup. I'm Detective Donovan, NYPD handling the Trable murder. "Donovan nodded.

"Exactly the person I wished to see. Is this one of your people?"Capulet indicated Robinson.

"Yes. We thought something might go wrong. So you're Crown?"He shot a look for Robinson to keep quiet.

"I have used the name. Only the vicissitudes of my situation have forced me to play the part. My real name is Capulet Smith. My name would have been revealed long ago, except for the unfortunate incident of Stan Trable's murder. I took it upon myself to perform certain duties. I knew that Trable was most likely murdered for an index he possessed. I was also quite certain that a bluff on my part would coax out the mastermind.

That man showed himself, and the name he gave me is Michael Laspara. That is the man in the chair. He was out to get the index of the Sforza Codex. "Capulet indicated Michael .

Donovan looked at Michael, where He appeared to be recovering from his battle.

"He fits the description Clavis gave us, all right. Mustache and everything. This is the person we want, Miss Smith. The law should have been called in before we got here, but there's no reason to kick about things. "

Donovan watched Laspara. When he judged the prisoner recovered he snapped handcuffs on him.

"What else can you tell me?You have any knowledge of the index that everyone in this business is after?"Donovan turned to Smith.

"Yes. Let me ask how much you have learned. You have found copies of Crown's letters. Am I right in thinking that you found them among Stan Trable's files?"

"We found copies of the letters, certainly. We know that you wanted the Sforza Codex index. It looks like all that is needed is to recover the index, and some people who worked for Laspara here. "Donovan chuckled.

"What was Laspara trying to do anyway?What's his game?Does he have the index ?Was he trying to bargain with you?"

"Laspara doesn't have the index. If he and his killers took it from Trable's they wouldn't have attacked at Tamlin's. "

"So who did?"Matt asked.

"One moment. I must tell you something quite important, but first, let me ask you about the advertisement that appeared in yesterday's Post. It appeared to be from Sze Tamlin, indicating that he had the index. "

"That was Commissioner Northon's idea. We thought the Crown business might turn something up. We bluffed you with the ad, and then you bluffed Laspara. Great job all the way 'round.

But if Laspara doesn't have the index, why'd he come here?Was he going to give you the works?"Matt asked.

"Laspara came here because he thought that I had the index. After all, there was the possibility that Trable could have actually completed the sale of the index to Crown. He took an attitude that I already had the index, and demanded that I hand it over. He wanted to unlock my closet, believing that the index may be inside. "

"He was working on the same hypothesis we were. Find Crown, clear up the mystery once we hear what she or he has to say. "Donovan nodded.

"Hear what Crown has to say. That's rich. "Michael chuckled.

"That's exactly what should happen. Give Crown a chance to talk. You've snapped the bracelets on me before I had a chance to talk. "Michael stood up.

"You'll get your chance. Don't worry about Miss Smith. She will talk to us while you listen. "Donovan shoved him back down into the chair.

"Sure. Let Miss Smith talk. Maybe she can tell you who has the Sforza Codex index. I'd like to hear her do that of her own will."Michael chuckled. He looked at her as if daring her to talk. Smith smiled.

"Sometimes a person may carry a bluff too far. When they do, it's quite difficult to explain how one arrived at that position. Laspara thinks I am in such a position.

I suppose he is right, in a sense. However, I can handle everything to everyone's satisfaction. I said that Laspara thought that the index was in my possession. It is. It's where Laspara thought it was in the closet. I intend to deliver that index into your hands. "Capulet opened the closet and started to unlock the trunk with a key she produced from her hand.

She took out a stack of envelopes, slipped one of them out, and produced a withered parchment. Donovan nodded as he read the Italian. He passed the folio to Robinson, then shot a puzzled stare at Smith.

"I thought so!You had it!You produced it!You fool!"Laspara cried with elation.

"I can talk now!But first unlock these handcuffs. Watch Smith at all costs, her game is up!"

Robinson pressed forward.

"Let's take the prisoner out. We have the index. That is proof of Ms. Smith's status. Laspara's the guy you want. You can take him downtown, while I head to the commissioner's.Ms. Smith can come with me. "Robinson suggested.

"Hold it Donovan. Don't make a colossal mistake. I can talk, and I want to talk. I can prove statements that I wish to make. I can tell you my real story. "Laspara broke in frantically.

"We know your story. You're the crook. "

"No. I can prove my identity. You know the name I call myself, Michael Laspara. I've used another identity. I am also Crown!"

Skepticism showed on Donovan's face. Robinson snorted contemptuously. It was only Ms. Smith who spoke for him.

"Let him offer proof. I wish to hear what he has to say. After he's spoken, I may be able to bring new facts to light. "

"But you are Crown. You've given us the Sforza Codex index, we've been looking for. "Matt interrupted.

"I wrote the Crown advertisement. I played the part of Crown, to find the mind who planned Trable's murder, except I am not really Crown. "Smith admitted.

"Now will you listen to me?"Laspara snapped. Matt turned to Robinson who looked baffled and began to shake her head. Smith intervened.

"It would do no harm to give Laspara's story a chance. "Smith requested. Matt had begun to get a sudden suspicion.

"I am Crown!"Michael Laspara emphasized that statement.

"I am Crown, and here is my proof. The ring that I used in signing my letters to Stan Trable. "Laspara produced a signet ring It had the raised impression of a crown. Matt saw dabs of red wax in it's crevices. The ring had definitely been used as a stamp.

Matt had seen the carbon copies of the letters only, not the stamp itself, so he remained unconvinced.

"I have more proof. Identification cards of my agency, and bills of sale for the pieces of property.

My agency researches objects such as those of the Sforza Codex. Somehow, it was learned that the Sforza Codex that is known today, is not all of it. They began purchasing pieces of property that were connected with the legends. However, the security is phenomenal even by twenty-first centuries standards. There was an electrical current wired up to deliver warning charges. We haven't found out how it lasted so long, but it's the work of a genius.

The Research Department is going nuts theorizing about self-sustaining piezoelectricity and finding the secret of perpetual motion. However, we couldn't get past the security. Scything blades and crumbling bridges, our team is used to. Having what appears to be solar cells, and antigrav bombs is not what they're used to.

There was rumor of an index which talked about the traps, although it was taken for granted that the reader knew the places. One of my teammates uncovered a professor who had read Mr. Trable's index, who knew that it contained the details that our agency wanted. "Michael paused.

"He agreed to my terms which I specified as by contact through the Post. I saw his advertisement and decided to visit him later, as I was engaged in another affair at the time. Then I saw the evening edition of the Post, and he had apparently been murdered.

I have no clue to the identity of who was the murderer. I don't know if Trable even had the index with him. The next morning, the Post mentioned that you had gone to his house. I saw a notation about Clavis, Trable's aide. I thought perhaps the index was still at Trable's home. I went there that night, and searched his files. I was interrupted by Clavis' entrance.

He talked too much, and I saw immediately he was a traitor to Trable. He began to talk and I found out promptly he was the tool of a mastermind. He only took orders by phone, so he thought I was the mastermind at Trable's to check up.

I learned from Clavis, that the mastermind was after the index but hadn't found it. I learned also that the index might be in Sze Tamlin's possession. I ordered him to visit Tamlin, under the pretense of me actually being his boss. I went with him. Clavis let me into the house. I eavesdropped on the conversation. "

"Then?"Donovan demanded as Laspara paused.

"Then gangsters entered. I was in the front when I heard guns blazing. I rushed in and found some strange metahuman wearing a black cloak fighting with Clavis. I fired at him. then dived for cover. I fled to a hotel. I read new accounts of the fight at Tamlin's in next morning's newspapers. I thought myself safe, and returned to my apartment. I have been not revealed myself since, as to not be a visible target. I'm more of a warehouse quartermaster than an actual field officer. "

"Clavis was killed in that fight. He described you as the murderer. "Donovan remarked.

"He did!I'm not surprised. He must have thought his boss, which he thought was me set him up. I realized that if they acquired the index, they would also need to acquire the locations. I hoped that the police investigation would bring matters to a swift conclusion.

I was sure that the crooks might advertise to Crown, to learn where the locations are. I'm sure the mastermind learned quite a bit from Clavis. I watched the Post. There was an advertisement to Crown. I didn't answer it. Imagine my surprise when I saw an answer signed Crown. I decided the mastermind must have seen the request advertisement as well.

Since he was replying as Crown, he could bring the owner of the index to the room. WA 1272 meant this hotel room. So I visited this room to meet the man in person. I found this lady, Miss Smith, and began to talk with her. Not having the index I decided to capture him. I bluffed him by charging him with having the index already.I scored a hit. "

"You did But I never thought you were Crown. I thought you were the mastermind looking for Crown. "Smith admitted.

"Wait a minute!You've changed your tune, Smith. ":Donovan challenged suddenly.

"Yes. You're the one that we want. Trying a bit of a bluff yourself, eh?"Robinson ranged up with her revolver.

"What do you think Mr. Laspara?They were about take you away as the prisoner when I spoke on your behalf. "She turned to Laspara. Donovan stopped Robinson just as she was about clap a hand upon Smith.

"These will identify me. I see that you recognize me now as Crown.But about this lady, I am puzzled. She is right when she spoke upon my behalf.

I gained my chance to talk because of her. Why not let her talk?There is nothing to lose from it. "

"All right."Donovan decided. He had drawn his revolver and was keeping it unaimed. Robinson had retired back to the outer door with a revolver.

Matt had pocketed Laspara's credentials. Capulet Smith smiled confidently. Laspara was most definitely Crown.

"Like Mr. Laspara, I have credentials. I shall produce them after I told my story. I am a private investigator who was concerned with the matter of the Crown correspondence.

Acting in the interests of Stan Trable, I wrote him a confidential letter. I knew he was on the point of accepting one of Crown's offers. I told him that I intended to be in the Waldorf-Astoria.

I added that it would be wise for him to keep this letter a secret from everyone and to destroy it after reading it. I assured him I would be there in case of emergency. "

"When did you come to New York?Where'd you come from to begin with?"Donovan said suddenly.

"I came from London. I reached here the same day. I waited, in case I should hear him the first night. I didn't hear anything, so I went to sleep at nine.

I was astonished when I read about the murder in the papers. I was even more astonished when there was a letter for me at the desk. There was a long envelope, and inside it I found the Sforza Codex index.

Here's the envelope. You will note that it wasn't left at the desk. It was posted and came to me by mail.

The Post which had the murder also had the advertisement of Crown. I didn't know that the morning's Post could be bought in an afternoon edition as well as a night edition.

I was holding the index with Trable dead. What was I to do?Inform the police?Hardly. It appeared to be own concern for the moment. I decided to wait since I held the a trump.

Who killed Trable?Crown?Definitely not. Crown could meet Trable's price. I wasn't certain of anything except that Trable had managed to get the index to me. He must have seen danger.

Then news came of the affray at Tamlin's.I still waited. The only thought that was going through my mind was:What would Crown do since Trable was dead and the index was missing?

I kept looking at the column of the Post. Last night, I was puzzled by the appearance of a new advertisement to Crown. Someone using the initial T, representing either Trable or Tamlin, wanted to contact him. I resolved to learn whether the advertisement was a hoax, or for real. I passed myself off as Crown I then waited with a revolver handy to see who took the bait. You know the rest, after Mr. Laspara here came to visit me. "Smith ended the tale. There was still one factor that needed to be proven.

"May I obtain my credentials?"

"Where are they?"Donovan returned.

"They're in the top drawer of this trunk. "Smith replied.

"I'll get 'em"Donovan volunteered. He used his left hand to open the drawer that Smith had indicated. Matt picked out the papers which were bound with rubber bands. There was a yellow sheet on top.

"Look at the yellow sheet first. It's a copy of the letter that I sent to Trable telling him I would be at the hotel. "

Donovan looked over the yellow sheet.

"You sent this from London before you left England?"Matt asked in surprise.

"It was mailed from London at the same time as my leave-taking. The letter was sent by the agency that I represent. It's a British firm that takes charge of private investigations. The original letter was signed on their own stationery, of course, but I signed it-"

"Wait Donovan. This lady is dangerous!Let me have thos papers before Smith tries another stratagem to deceive us."Robinson tried to pluck the papers out of Donovan's hands.Donovan pulled the stack of papers from Robinson's clutch.

"Who is this person anyway?She doesn't look like one of your people. "Smith spoke to Donovan.

"She says she's a British investigator from JMA. "Donovan remarked.

"That's the firm I work for!Those credentials prove it!We were handling the the Crown investigation for Stan Trable!Look at the papers-learn for yourself!-"

Robinson had by this time, backed to the door. Her face was quite calm. Robinson started to yank the door open.

Donovan thinking that she was trying to escape, sprang after her. He leveled his revolver. Smith and Laspara also came to there feet. They were all making the error that flight was in Robinson's plan.

Robinson brought the door open with a sudden motion. Matt aimed and held fire as the barrels of emerging pistols came from the doorway.

One was held by Mastiff. Another was held by a gang member of his wearing a leather jacket of the Hounds.

"Drop them and stand where you are. "Robinson said trillingly. Her own pistol was raised and aimed. Matt dropped his police revolver.

"The first of you who even thinks of grabbing a gun will be the first to be shot. Please keep your hands up. "Robinson smiled pleasantly, even as she aimed the pistol. The scene had transformed swiftly. Laspara was still handcuffed, and sitting in a chair. Smith was sitting down on another chair. Matt had backed away wisely, in the face of superior aim and firepower.

"I should probably shoot you now. I get to be the hero of the story. "Robinson smiled.

"Why don't you tell us the story first?"Matt tried desperately.

"No. "Robinson smiled as her revolver spit flame twice. She blinked as the bullets had no effect on any of her targets.

"What happened?"Robinson asked Mastiff.

"It's that stinkin' metahuman from Tamlin's. He's here somewhere. "Mastiff growled.

"Go terminate him. "She ordered. Mastiff splinted down the bedroom door. Derek leaped away from the door as it splintered.

"Come here, Mr. Super. Don't you want to fight the supervillains like all good little superheroes. "Mastiff crooned.

Why in the world would I want to show myself or exhibit my powers?I've already showed too much. Derek mused to himself. He had already slipped out the door. He smiled. Tracking was useful. However, the fox had his ways of throwing off the scent for the hounds. He circled around.

"Why don't you tell us the story first before you kill us?"Matt asked. His worldview had shifted.He had thought that Smith was the crook. Laspara had seemed too obvious to him, and if he had hired a gang to blow the safe, he would have made sure he wasn't in it.

"Sure. I just needed to expose that troublemaker first. "Robinson smiled again.

"We've had some interesting facts displayed. We've learned the the motives that prompted Laspara and Smith. Now we can move to someone who can cogitate.

That is, if outwitting fools can be considered cogitation. You guys were idiots. You were dumber than I imagined.

This Sforza index affair was something I found through luck. Clavis was one of my plants in a rich man's house, who was looking for an aide. He found Stan Trable and got a position there.

The Crown letters were a jackpot find. When I contacted Clavis at intervals, I learned about the Crown letters. I also learned that JMA was conducting an investigation for the old coot.

I wanted that index. Clavis didn't know where Trable placed it. I knew that Trable would have brought it with him when he went to bargain with Crown. Trable was going to the Waldorf. So I went there a while ahead.

I pretended to lose the key to my room. They used a passkey to let me in. I sent the bellhop for ice water, and while he was gone, I took a wax impression of the key. I made a duplicate of the key, and let me into any door in the place.

I was prepared for Trable to enter. Den and Wolf were posted here as lookouts. Wolf had the advertisement for proof that Trable had the index here.

They relieved him of his life when he came back with a pitcher of water. Den had the drop on him, thanks to the duplicate key.Den was strong enough and fast enough to take him down the old man with one blow. They took the file with the genuine Crown letters, and the JMA correspondence.

Except they didn't have the Sforza index. "Robinson sounded faintly disappointed with her henchpeople.

"He didn't have it. When Stinger called me up, I knew Den had failed. He left the other stuff where I could reach it. "The Hound wearing the leather jacket inclined his head in recognition of his name.

"I wasn't going to go to the Waldorf with swarming police because of the murder. Nope, I called up Clavis. I knew Clavis wasn't a traitor, but I growled at him anyway. His courage and his fear of me needed to be bolstered. I always made sure to use a voice scrambler so he couldn't identify my voiceprint. "Robinson laughed at the statement.

"Technology progresses so fast these days. "She purred.

"Clavis said the index might be at Tamlin's. So I hired Mastiff and his gang to go get it for me. There they encountered some fool metahuman who had the temerity to interfere in my affairs. Thus, Mastiff had to erase two of his gang members or be captured. Mastiff is loyal to his gang, but not stupid. They either die or flee. It's policy to only get caught at a place dead. "Robinson grinned.

I was puzzled about Clavis being there. At least Creeper killed him. He didn't have a chance to communicate what he knew. He didn't know much. I though he picked up the crazy idea that he'd help me by calling on Tamlin.

I was dancing on pin tacks about the index though. I thought Tamlin might have actually have it. I remembered the JMA. I could pass as a Briton. I had all of the letters from JMA, except the last one. I made carbon copies of the whole thing, falsified a final letter of no value, and was granted an introduction to the commissioner.

I said my real name, said I was from JMA, and the smartest detective in the force and police commissioner falls for the trick. "Robinson did chuckle at this one.

"Except Tamlin didn't have the index. I was sure Crown didn't have it either. He didn't have a chance to contact Trable before the advertisement .Mastiff's gang killed Trable too soon after the first one appeared.

I wanted to find Crown. I could make a deal with him when I had the index, or force him to hand over the locations and security codes at the treasures.

Since the police were with me, I called upon the law. I brought Matt alone, and I planted members of the gang. That way, Crown would talk when I knew who he was. "Robinson smiled as she looked at Laspara.

"We'll be granting you our hospitality for a while. Then you can give us the codes and locations we need. I hear that shadowy government agents have high tolerances for pain. I''ll be glad of a chance to test that out firsthand.

As for Donovan and Smith, I'll arrange a finish that will look good in the paper. It'll be a great story for that freelance reporter down in the lobby. "

Robinson went and removed the handcuffs from Laspara. He then clipped it on Smith.

"Donovan and I come in to find Crown. Matt decides to bust in alone. He found Smith, handcuffed him on the left hand. Donovan calls me in. Smith gets the gun with her right, shoots Donovan down as I come in. So I shoot down Smith with my own pistol.

"That's the story I'll tell and the dumb detectives at the elevators will believe it. I'll be a heroine. I'll be the detective who tried to save Donovan. "

Robinson paused. Donovan glowered. He knew this was exactly the sort of thing that would pass muster with his commissioner. Attempting to save his officer's life, trained and at the ready.

"First, I will have to kill Donovan with Smith's gun. They'll find my fingerprints on her gun, which shouldn't be hard, since I will hand them the gun myself.

After a conversation with the commissioner, I will disappear with the Crown correspondence. The original Crown letters be good souvenirs to accompany the Sforza index. "Robinson backed away and had her gun in her hand again.

"Take Laspara. Shove him into one of the empty rooms down the hall. Guard him while I start the fireworks. "

"What are we going to do after that?"Stinger asked.

"Wait until you hear from me. You can tell Mastiff later and take him in the withdrawal. There's no haste. No one will know that anything happened other than the people in this room. When you take Laspara across the hall, make sure the others lie silent as well. "Robinson instructed.

Stinger nodded. He moved over and jabbed his pistol into Laspara's ribs. Laspara rolled his eyes, as he was marched down the hall. Donovan and Smith made no move to aid Laspara. They knew he would be safe until he divulged the locations and security codes.

"You showed a bit of intelligence when you sent that letter to Trable. It was to tell him you were here and to keep the fact quiet. Clavis thought it was unimportant the way Trable handled it. He must've destroyed it on the way here.

Stop looking at the credentials Smith. I'm taking them from the table before the elevator detectives get here. Your assistance is appreciated by leaving detectives at the elevators, Donovan. They'll be winded by the time they finish running.

Smith, you had some luck. The mail chute in this hotel is right next to the drinking fountain. Wolf reported the fact that he had gone to get ice water with an empty pitcher. He suspected that there was an overhanging menace. He carried the envelopes under their very noses. He went to the fountain, and mailed it to you right under their noses.

How's that for deduction?"Robinson smirked at Donovan's face.

"The only breaks you guys deserved at the one at Tamlin's. Some extraneous factor came into play there. He can stop a killing, and has superpowers, but as a brain? He's another superpowered idiot who doesn't look any further than the end of his nose.

Of course, I was prepared for him showing up here. He doesn't know I sent Mastiff after him to distract him, although killing him would be nice. He's failed! "Robinson laughed out loud.

Smith's eyes stared straight at Robinson. J.R. had promised help when they needed it. That had been the black figure!It was too late for regrets.

"I was surprised myself when I found the real JMA investigator was here. That was a bad break for me, but I saw it first. I beat all of you to it. I've even beaten the troublemaker. Too bad he won't be here to see it "Robinson chuckled as she brought up her guns.

******

The door had been open, so I could use gusts of wind from the outside and swirl it back and forth. This is indoors. My opponent can track me by smell. What would the Rabbit do? Derek grinned His powers were Shapeshifting, Invisibility, and Levitation.

As if someone had cleared a space, Mastiff's eyes saw someone revealed. Someone with a black fedora, black cloak, and glowing blue eyes standing by the stairs.

"The Outsider's gonna sue your pants off. "Mastiff growled.

Does he ever talk in anything but growls? Derek wondered. He had prepared for an encounter with the troublesome tracking smell earlier. Mastiff charged. He immediately received a dose of pepper as the black figure did a fadeaway whirl.

"Ah-choo!Ah-choo!"Mastiff sneezed. Blinded and sneezing, it was relatively simple for Derek to do a leap kick to unbalance Mastiff further. Mastiff only staggered a bit, not being vulnerable to minor impacts. However, as they were fighting on the edge of the stairs, only a bit was needed for Mastiff to fall and went rolling down the stairs.

Derek was extremely unprepared when Mastiff started a psychotic rampage, due to his body injuries, up the stairs. Derek was still faster than Mastiff, and he got out of Dodge fast. Mastiff ran into the hotel room, smashed through the door, and ran straight through a window that Derek was floating invisible beyond. He winced as Mastiff crashed into solid concrete. Mastiff stirred than, lapsed. Derek was sure if Mastiff could fall off a flight of stairs and come up with a psychotic rampage, he would survive a twelve-story fall.

******

"Ah well. Sayonara, detectives. "Robinson chuckled. She paused as she noted a change in Donovan's expression. The detective's lips were still sullen, but they appeared to be smiling. Smith as well also seemed to be smiling. Their eyes were no longer on her guns. With her weapons ready, she turned her head to look behind her.

A soft chuckle came to her ears. She was looking at a .38 It appeared to have Mastiff's .38 She knew it was the .38, because it's looming muzzle was pointed at her. It was held a in black-gloved fist. Above the fist were glowing blue eyes. That was all that Robinson could see between the collar of the cloak and the brim of the fedora.

Donovan expected to see both revolvers pointed at the detectives fall, but they remained pointed at them. The .38 pressed against her forehead. The revolvers clattered to the floor like a button being pushed.

Donovan and Smith couldn't believe their eyes. This sable crusader hadn't even displayed a tiny bit of superpowers. A mastery of disguise, and a talent for picking locks sure. He had run from Mastiff, who had smelled him, and he hadn't even been invisible.

Donovan had put it down to a use of darkness in poor light at Tamlin's. Yet he had managed to defeat Mastiff, who ran a protection racket in Hell's Kitchen. The authorities hadn't been able to pin a single thing on him because of gang members who swore he was with them.

The dark student chuckled softly. He withdrew the gun, leaving a red imprint on Robinson's head. His hand moved slowly sideways. Robinson moved sideways, propelled by the action. She backed away and slipped toward the center of the room.

The black figure then slid forward to occupy the strategic position vacated by Robinson. The lighting of the room were table lamps only. It made faces plain, except for the black figure's. He had taken the position beneath a wall light. The fedora hid his features.

"Unlock the handcuffs. "the black figured whispered an order. It was parts mixed with gravels and rocks. Donovan instinctively knew that a voiceprint would be useless on the figure, although he'd still run it if he had a chance. He unlocked the handcuffs from Smith.

Robinson had tilted her head in an effort to observe her captor. She had mocked his prowess and in turn, he chuckled at her arrogance. He/she/it spoke.

"Roles have been played and ended. Roles that were intended to deceive-and failed. "The black figure rasped.

"Those roles revealed themselves through their actions. Michael Laspara was obviously not a person of crime. He was under suspicion. His visit to Trable's home cleared him.

Laspara bluffed Clavis. I saw the two conferring. Sending Clavis to Tamlin's was the act of a person of integrity. If he wished Clavis to be slain, he would have killed him then and there.

No person of crime would have trusted Clavis' death to chance. If Laspara had been the mastermind, he wouldn't have used two methods simultaneously. Clavis interrogating Tamlin for purposes of the index;gangsters to rob and slay;these were cross purposes. They showed Laspara's guilt. Verdict? Not guilty.

I knew Laspara did not have it. It was not at Tamlin's. I knew the criminal didn't have it, otherwise they would not have sent gangsters to attack. Circumstances showed that neither Crown nor the mastermind had the index. Someone else had it.

The only other part in this affair would be the JMA investigator.

Stan Trable, fearing doom, would have entrusted his index to someone from JMA. The index was not found in his room, in his house or at Tilton's. I noticed the pitcher of water at the bedroom. As the bellhop can be sent for ice water, I knew at once that the ice hadn't melted. There hadn't been any ice in it. Trable had filled it at the fountain. The fountain was next to the mail chute.

When that fact appeared, the person who held it would be in this hotel. I learned of Capulet Smith. I knew that she intended to pass herself off as Crown. So whoever came into the suite that was not either of them, one would be the criminal.

That placed the climax in this room. This room became the destination of the participants. Like puppets they have played their parts. The show has ended. "Then silence reigned.

Robinson had one last card for her to play. Stinger was due to return at any moment to ask why the guns hadn't started firing. The black figure didn't know about it.

"Stick' em up, pardner. "Stinger drawled from behind the black figure. The black figure turned around and kicked the gun out of his hands. Stinger blinked as his guns fell into the black figure's waiting grasp. He did a sidestep as Robinson rushed him, and collided with Stinger. It toppled one of the gangsters who had come with him.

That gangster fired upwards as the black figure faded left. Derek sighed mentally as he brought the power of Speed into play. Seconds stretched into minutes. He fired the .38 once and Stinger slumped. The other gangster fired again. Derek cocked his head and let the bullet past by. The gangster didn't get a second chance to fire.

Where there's one, there's always more. Derek thought to himself. He glided out into the hall.

"Help!"The cry rang out from the wounded man. Armed pistoleers were springing into sight. Robinson's visit to Goliath had more than one purpose. She had made a call, and Mastiff had gathered gang members here.

They were all in ambush, thanks to a supply of Robinson's master keys. Derek had two pistols. One was a .38 favored by Mastiff. The other was a .38 taken from Stinger. All in total, twelve bullets. Derek could use telekinesis to guide them, and speed to avoid them. His back was guarded by Donovan and Smith.

One of the room doors across the hall was closed. Derek had noticed the fact that Laspara was missing. He had also known that was what Stinger had been assigned to do, thus, his absence. Stinger would leave guards, and all the guards were in the hall. Since all the rooms on this floor had Mastiff's gang members, the closed door was where they were holding Laspara.

He took a a tenth of a second, expanded to six subjective seconds to aim and fire. One gangster's gun exploded. Others started diving after two seconds. By that time the black figure had put out of action twelve gangsters on both sides of the hall.

Robinson simply stared at a display of rapid markspersonship. When he pointed the gun at her, she attacked.

The maneuver was not suicidal. The black figure had no bullets left in his acquired .38s. He sidestepped the attack and brought the .38 down on her head with a crunch.

At least, that was the plan. With a swiftness that surprised Derek, she aimed a kick at his groin that Derek only barely avoided.

"You're not a very good martial artist. "Robinson told him pleasantly. Then she attacked for real.

Derek dodged, blocked, and was forced onto the defensive. He only had the instinctive reactions of a green belt in tae kwon do. However, he had the power of Speed. He was faster than her. He could fly and levitate other objects.

A knife hand to to Robinson's shoulder was avoided by her by the expedience of blocking it with a door. A front kick was blocked with a front kick. Slowly, but steadily, the black figure was on the offensive.

The four gangsters left and the two detectives stopped their gunfire long enough to see the blurring sight. Then Derek upped the speed factor, visible by the effects he was having on the blur that was Robinson.

She froze as she searched for signs of him. Then he cannoned into her back. She grabbed his neck, except it was empty air, by the time she reached for it. Then he did a leg sweep, and she fell repositioning herself instantly with a handspring.only to be knocked down again. This was followed by a punch with a .38 pistol, knocking her unconscious. Suddenly the doors didn't look like such good cover to the remaining four gangsters.

"Run!"One of them cried. They arrived at the exit, only to find the entrance jammed.It was relatively simple for him to whack their heads together.

Then he pushed open the doors he had jammed with Levitation and vanished. A low sinister chuckle rolled throughout the hall.

******

"I didn't actually see any of the action.I just knew they were in trouble by the fact that even the two guards they had detailed for me, went rushing out with guns. "Laspara told the commissioner.

"Witnesses saw Mastiff fall from the twelfth story. You say that a mysterious vigilante in black did this. He's a master martial artist, a master of disguise, able to pick locks, an expert shot and solved the case before NYPD professionals. He's also not Shade, since every one he wounded remained alive. He also displayed no superpowers of any kind?"The commissioner asked skeptically.

"Well, he appeared to blur and vanish sometimes, but since the other one was doing the same thing, and she has no superpowers, no, none at all. "Smith replied.

"I think he or she wishes to hide if they have powers at all. "Donovan answered.

"Well, it's a successful case, all in all. You've solved a murder, and captured sixteen members of one of Mastiff's gangs. Even if we didn't find Mastiff, we have witnesses who saw him, and the cracked concrete marks his position.

Do not under any circumstances reveal anything about the mysterious vigilante. We don't need people in New York thinking they're smarter than the NYPD. "Commissioner Northon instructed.

"Dismissed. "

******

I look forward to seeing you Mr. Quan. "The tattered man walked out of the garden.

******

He took the clues in hand. The man could vanish without a trace. He wore tattered clothing. He had an English accent. He was in New York City. He knew Derek's identity. It wasn't an ambush or Derek would have had a lot more trouble. A sinister chuckle rolled from the center of the grove. .

"I'll sleep on it, and get on the train after school. "Derek decided.
 

Home       Gaming Guidelines        PC Roster       NPC Roster