Arsenal: Legend Watcher #4

[spiritofvengeance]

Arsenal: Legend Watcher #4
Old Habits Die Hard

Written By: Jim Crawbuck
Edited By: Mike Bowen


Two delicate, manicured, polished hands are removing a paperclip from a folder. The paper clip is fastening a photo to this folder labeled Case File: George Glass.

Old habits die hard. It’s not only a habit. It kind of keeps a little piece of home with me wherever I am.

One hand opens a drawer. Inside are homemade walls separating the rubber bands from the paperclips, from the pens, from the pencils, from the post-it-notepads and so on. She reaches in and picks out a thumbtack. She turns to face the corkboard behind her. The corkboard is filled with newspaper clippings and photographs.

Why would both Lex Corp and Wayne Enterprises be looking for a boy who made my Wall of Weird?

She pins-up the photo and sits back down at her desk. She twirls her hair with her pen and presses the intercom button on her phone.

“Duke, please get me Agent Harper ASAP.”

“Right away, Ms Sullivan.”

****

[spiritofvengeance]

A few floors lower, in the same building, are seven men, each sitting in their own cubicles.

“Did we order the Chinese, yet??” asks Agent Al Ziata from within his cubicle.

Al has a five-year tenure in the DEO. He was promoted from the Air Force control tower for exemplary performance. He gave his life to the Air Force. In return they changed his status from Lieutenant to Special Agent.

“No. We’re still waiting on Ira and Mike to make up their minds,” answers Agent Dustin Garrett.

Dustin is the youngest of the crew. He went straight from high school super athlete to Navy Seal. It didn’t take long for the DEO to scout out this kid.
Agent Ira Bloomstien was a security specialist for the Secret Service. He has protected everyone from hidden mob witnesses to super stars to the President. Now he protects the USA from the meta threat.
Agent Mike Westfeild was formally one of the CIA’s best man hunters. He has a knack for making people disappear. His enemies would say, “He’s never around but he’s always there.”
A light buzz rings out in the office.

“Harper,” says Roy into his intercom.

Agent Roy Harper we hope needs no introduction.

“Let’s get going on this food thing, slackers. Geez! How hard can it be to order lunch?” says Al followed by a laugh.

“Al is ready, everyone. Finally the world can revolve again,” retorts Agent Kevin Draper who is visibly annoyed.

Agent Kevin Draper is the team brawler. He’s really big. He takes and gives punishment very well. He likes to fight and he’s generally angry. He’s only been back on the job for a week since his abduction and hospitalization. See Arsenal Legend Watcher #1-3.
He was already considered tough but his last case just removed all doubt.

“Relax! It’s just a joke,” says Al defensively.

“Yeah? Explain to me how that’s funny. Where’s the punch line, clown?” replies Kevin who just grows angrier.

“Forget it. Right over your head,” says Al throwing his own hand over his own head.

“Over my head?” grumbles Kevin in disbelief.

“Be right up, Rover,” Roy flippantly states into his phone.

“What’d they get you for, Harper?” asks Al, trying to deflect Kevin’s attention.

“Don’t know yet, Aloysius,” Roy replies as he starts his way to the door.

“Just Al. Not Alvin. Not Albert. Certainly not Aloysius. Just Al,” he says, trying to hide that he’s a little miffed.

“Mind your business, AL!” says Kevin letting Al know he didn’t let it go.

Roy laughs at Kevin’s frustration. He also understands how Al can get under your skin.

“Okay, Buddy, I’ll try and remember that,” he snickers a reply to Al as he leaves.

Al stands up.

“What? A guy can’t ask a question anymore?” he asks as he glares at Kevin.

Kevin shoots a look back that answers his question with authority. Piercing through Al with his stare Kevin slowly stands up. He never takes his eyes off of Al’s.

“Come on, partner, cut this guy some slack,” interrupts Vinny as he places his hand on Kevin’s shoulder.

Vinny was top of his class at Oxford for Psychology. He went immediately into the FBI where within 4 years he was considered their top profiler. He and Kevin often worked together. Too bad for Kevin that Vinny didn’t come with him on the last one.

****

[spiritofvengeance]

Chloe Sullivan is thumbing through the case file in her office. You can tell she’s deep in thought because she’s spinning her hair with her pen.
Buzz goes the intercom.

“Yeah, Duke?”

“Agent Harper is here.”


“Great. Send him in.”

Roy struts into her office, plops down in the chair across from her desk and puts his feet up.

“Great. Roy. Have a seat why don’t you?” Chloe forces out through her displeasure.

“What can I do you for?” Roy pops back wiggling his eyebrows up and down.

Chloe points to the picture she hung on her wall.

“This boy, George Glass. He’s been missing for two days. He’s been a part of... Did you just roll your eyes at me?”

“Come on Chloe.”

““Did you just roll your eyes at me, Agent Harper?”

“I just... I mean... ya know. Me? A missing person’s case. Aren’t I a little above a case like this? Maybe there’s another reason why you wanted to see me in your office?” Roy smirks confidently.

“Another...? Above...? You’re not above anything! You are what I say you are. I don’t give you the privilege to be ‘above’ or the privilege of a social call in my office. Get your fricking feet off my desk,” she says, flabbergasted by his tone as she slaps his feet off her desk “You want to know why, Harper?”

“Well, it would...”

“Shut up! It’s none of your business. But just this once I’ll tell you why. I picked you because YOU have sub-par investigative skills. You have sub-par research skills. You are MY agent and it embarrasses me.”

I know I shouldn’t enjoy this so much. I do feel a little guilty.

“What?! I...”

“SHUT UP!”

If it wasn’t Roy I’d feel a little guilty.
“You are an extraordinary fighter, an extraordinary tactician. You have an extraordinary mind for thinking up and creating all those James Bond-like toys. You are the best marksman in the department. You might even be the best marksman in the world.”
In high school I’d go weak in the knees if a guy like Roy so much as waved to me. “You’re certainly the best marksman I’ve ever seen.” That was high school. “As a detective you’re a bottom feeder. This kind of case will help sharpen those weaknesses. This kind of case will be the only kind of case you get until you prove to ME that you’ve improved.” Besides he looks his cutest when he’s got that ‘you just killed my puppy’ look on his face. “Your attitude just cost you your briefing.”

Chloe flings the file at him.

“It’s all in there. I want him found yesterday. Button it. Get out.”

Roy straightens the file out and turns to walk out the door. He freezes in his tracks when he hears his boss call out again.

“Harper!”

Roy turns to face her standing half out of the office.

“If this whole detective thing doesn’t work out for you, I could always give you work as my pool boy. How’s that sound, ‘cupcake’?”
I got caught up in the moment. I might have gone a bit too far with that last one.

Roy takes his last steps out of the office and shuts the door.
That last one was meant to be demeaning. In retrospect, knowing Roy, he might have taken it as a compliment.

****

[spiritofvengeance]

Just a half an hour later at Lex Corp, CEO Lance Illard is on the phone.

“I just received word. The DEO is getting involved. We go to contingency plan DH. Thomas you get out of that town. Go get a head start on that lead the two of you turned up.”

“I am on it, Mr. Illard,” says a male voice over the intercom.

“Kelly you know your assignment. Don’t underestimate him. Despite appearances he is one of their best.”

“I’ll get it done, Mr. Illard. I’ve been waiting for an opportunity like this since the briefing,” says a female voice over the intercom.

“Great. Let’s make Lex proud.”

Illard walks over to the huge widow behind his desk. He straightens his suit and tie out in his reflection. He removes a thin black comb from his back pocket and runs it through his thin, black, slicked back hair. He looks up at a security camera, points at it and smiles.

****

[spiritofvengeance]

In Arizona hours later Roy Harper arrives at his destination.

Small town in Arizona, more like ghost town in Arizona. What’s the population here, like 15?!

He enters the motel and rings the small bell at the front desk. A few minutes later an old man waddles over to him. He can’t be much taller then 5-foot. He appears to be very happy to see Roy.

“Good evening, young man. How can I help you?” greets the tiny, old man.

“Is your room available,” asks a sarcastic Roy.

“We have a few rooms open, sir. What kind of accommodation are you looking for?”

“Well, I’m a big fan of indoor plumbing,” replies Roy remaining flippant with his answers.

“Silly boy, they all have indoor plumbing. Here I’ll give you our best room for a discounted price. I like you. There’s something truly good about you. I hope your trip is full of pleasant surprises like this,” the old man says as he hands Roy a key. “Do you know how long you’ll be staying?”

“No.”

“It doesn’t matter. Enjoy your stay and if I can be of any service don’t hesitate to ask.”

“Alright. Thanks. Stay creepy,” says Roy, displaying his bad mood and pointing at the clerk.

The old man smiles and waddles away.

****

[spiritofvengeance]

It is pitch black. Roy Harper is at peace. There’s an encumbering sense of warmth and security in this seducing silence. Until two high pitched chirps invade his sanctuary. This forces Roy to stir. He cracks open an eye just to have the sun slap him back to reality.

“Good morning, Agent Harper,” greets Chloe Sullivan through Roy’s two-way radio/cell phone.

Roy awkwardly rolls over towards the nightstand where his two- way lay.

“Sir, yes, Sir!” responds Roy lethargically. This morning awkwardness is a little different than I’m used to.

“What’s first on today’s to-do list?” Chloe continues confidently. I can’t believe this guy is still mad.

“Requesting permission to visit former Sheriff John Easton.” Great she’s going to be riding my tail this whole mission.

Roy stretches and wipes his eyes.

“The man who was arrested for killing his wife and Virginia Glass,” says Chloe holding back a giggle. What a weenie. ‘Requesting Permission. You are laying it on thick Harper. I guess next I’m going to have to give him a subtlety lesson.

While Chloe is asking for clarification Roy is looking in the mirror, making a funny face and moving his mouth as if her voice was coming from him.

“That’d be the one.”

“Permission granted. Get ready, mic up, put in an earpiece and tell me when we’re on the way. I want to hear what’s up.” How is it that all these macho men types are all such babies. What happened to the Clint Eastwoods?

“Sir, yes, Sir!”

****

[spiritofvengeance]

Twenty minutes later Roy is in the elevator. He fixes his earpiece. Then he clips the two-way on the back of his belt.

“I’m on the move.”

The elevator doors open revealing a beautiful young woman waiting at the front desk. Her long black hair rolls off her shoulders gently like the path of an autumn leaf’s lazy descent in a soft breeze. Her deep blue eyes widen when they meet Roy’s, her glance kidnapped time. In that moment Roy was in love.

“Wow,” he whispers to himself.

Alas moments are fleeting and Roy’s love quickly changes to lust.

Man, she’s crazy hot and she was totally checking me out.
“I’m here. Where we at, Roy?” Chloe’s voice rings through Roy’s ear.

“Hotel lobby,” Roy gets out without breaking through his trance.

“Yes it is. Is there anything I can do for you?” greets the source of Roy’s entrancement.

She bashfully swivels her hips and flashes a shy smile.

“Probably, but not right now. I’m on my way out,” says Roy.

“Maybe a map then?”

“Only if they are on the floor behind you.”

She recoils in shyness and giggles like a schoolgirl. “I can call you a cab.”

“Oh, brother. Down boy. Heel. We’ve got work to do,” reminds Chloe

Little tramp. Try making yourself even more available why don’t you. Ouch. Down Chloe. Heel girl. You’ve got work to do.

“No thank you. I have my own transportation”, Roy answers in his suave voice. I know Chloe’s right. I got to go. But damn.

Roy turns away from the desk and begins to leave.

“When are you getting back? I mean, maybe I can help you later?” the girl calls out from behind the desk.

Roy smiles. He slowly turns towards her again.

I’m so in. This chick’s got it for the Royster badly. Come to poppa.

“Maybe” says Roy raising one eyebrow.

“Roy.” Chloe sternly reminds him for the second time.

You have to be kidding me.‘Maybe I can help you later’ and he’s lapping this up like a dog to spilt beer.

“As long as it’s before eight. I get off of work at eight,” she innocently reveals.

“You know I should be back around eight. I’m here all by myself and I hate eating alone. Would you do me the honor of dining with me?”

“Barf. Do me the honor. Ha, you’re a geek Harper,” interrupts Chloe. She did not! Oops. I accidentally told him when I get off of work. I get it. You like each other. Now can we get to a conclusion already?

The girl bats her eyes and recoils once again. “Me?” she asks while pointing at herself.

“Yes. Meet me here around eight thirty-nine o’clock. What do you say? You can call me Roy and I can call you...”

“Yes”.

“I can call you yes?” questions Roy.

“No” the girl giggles out. “I mean yes I’ll meet you. My name is Candi”.

“Then I’ll see you later, Candi,” Roy says as he exits.

“Bye, Roy.”

Roy walks outside over to a motorcycle parked by the front door. He takes out his keys and opens a compartment in the back. He takes his helmet out and puts it on.

“Very smooth, Harper. Do me the honor of dining with me. Ranks right up there with ‘you wanna go play with my action figures’,” congratulates Chloe.

“I thought it was very Bond,” Roy defends himself.

“Apparently so did she,” she concedes.

“Sorry boss lady. I’z gots a sweet tooth and...”

“And nothing. If you drop some corny candy pun I’ll vomit.”

Roy laughs as he pulls away.

Sir, yes Sir.

To be continued...