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Chapter -7- Hero's Work

December 21 5:45 pm PST San Francisco, California ...

** Reno Nevada slumped back into the station wagon** and draped his right arm across a new car battery, holding a phone to the left side of his face. He started through the windshield at a random trashcan adjacent to the door leading into the auto parts store.

His lower lip quivered. "Topaz saw you die, she's still not over it." He took a deep breath then quickly added, "I'm not over it. I..." Reno's voice grew softer, tender. "Nevermind me. Talk to me. I've not heard your voice in ages."

"Yeah," said Vincent over the line. "They said that you two wouldn't remember. Something about a person with abilities that causes amnesia as a side effect, and you two going up against them. They're like Sire."

"Who?"

"Someone I know. Reno, it really is me. We've talked before. Recently. I'm being moved to one of those ritzy therapy places near Bermuda. It's like that island in James Bond - the one with Halle Berry. If it wasn't for Doctor Aris Falcon, I'd be dead."

Reno's eyes widened. "Say what?"

"Yeah. He's been great. I was attacked by something he'd locked up. Long story short, Topaz and I found ourselves at this place to be studied for our abilities. Some people have abilities that are beyond belief. This creature got out and everyone working there had to arm themselves with guns. Topaz and I snuck out like jerks. We caused a huge mess and then, well, Karma caught up and we crossed paths with the thing that escaped. It attacked Topaz and I fought it until she could shoot it enough times to kill it. They mourned the creature. They wanted it to be healed, not killed. And I've made up for it by healing people with cancer and Leukemia."

"Say what?"

"That's apparently my ability. I control radiation."

"Whoa, whoa. Too much, too soon. I'm still in shock you're alive."

Vincent chuckled and shook his head. "I remember you being so much more accepting of my situation the first time I called you. But yeah, they study me because I can create and channel radiation. They let me practice on cancer patients. I got really good. I started healing people in less than two months time. From stage four to full remission."

Reno opened his mouth to say something but words failed. Finally, he pushed out all he could think to say, murmuring, "Really?"

"Yeah! Then they did more tests on me and I had my own little cancer scare at one point. I have this theory that maybe someone has an ability that can cause people to develop it. Andrea seems to think these artifacts that were kept in a warehouse above the facility cause it. But who knows. I could cure it; that's what matters."

Reno brought his right hand up over his head, fingers searching for hair that never grew back. He took a slow breath but couldn't hold it in. He leaned over, resting his forehead on the steering wheel and wept.

"Reno? Wh-what's wrong?"

"I thought you were dead, man. They said Aris Falcon is the one who killed you. I was having these crazy dreams seeing this guy in a black suit with a black shirt and tie, standing over your grave. I thought he killed you and Nicky and," he continued to speak but his words became muddled through the sobs. His tears and saliva caused his lips to become slick and his nose began to run. Reno sniffed hard, took a deep breath, then wiped his face with the backside of his right sleeve. "Christ."

"Damn, man. No offense, but you were way less emotional last time I told you."

"I've lost everyone," Reno murmured, sniffing rather loudly a second time. "I went to mom and dad's house. It's all nasty and run down. I just ... I saw your room and the posters." He leaned back in the seat and dabbed at his eyes with his hands. "I was fired from work."

"What! Holy shit, why?"

"This chick named Krys Monroe and your doctor pal; they are the lead suspects in a murder investigation. I got too close to the source and my commanding officer fired me." Reno brought his palm down over his mouth, rubbing his face quickly, then added, "The paper says Sanders left. Apparently thirty percent of the cops followed him out the door this morning. Biggest mass exodus in police history. I just found out when I got into town to buy supplies."

"Wow. He fires you then he quits? Maybe he realized he was wrong."

Reno couldn't help but laugh aloud. "Christ, you see the world through rose-colored glasses, Vince. No, man, he probably did something really bad and an internal investigation flushed him out. And since several of the other cops were involved, they left. And because other cops had no idea what was going on, or why there was a huge shakeup, they quit to avoid drama. It's either that or some sort of crazy conspiracy."

"You always see the world through a haze of ... I dunno, something that's not rose-colored. From what I understand, one of the Doctor's trusted friends, Justus Loupe, waited until Doctor 'F.' was out of town then made an order to have the mercenaries attack people with abilities. When the doc got back, he was extremely upset. I don't think he's killing people the way you _think _he's killing people. Anyway. I love you man, I miss speeding around in your passenger seat."

"Oh! That's something else!" Reno exclaimed. "These dudes in black flak jackets have been attacking people with abilities. And Krys Monroe, who owns a bar, has goons in leisure suits that shot up the Monte Carlo. It's totaled. I was at her club and I flipped out on her and she had her bouncers knock me down with glass bottles, take me up to the roof and they tried to kill me."

"What! Krys Monroe, blue hair with a pretty face? Like, early-to-mid twenties?"

"Yes! That little bitch. If I find her, she's the first to get her ass kicked."

"Reno ... I see her all the time. I mean, not now. I'm on a boat a few miles out of port, leaving Miami. She stayed in San Fran, but her sister Anne is here. I see Anne almost every day. Why would Krys try having you killed?"

"Vincent ... I was killed. I was struck by lightning and I died. It was dark. It was lonely. And it was brief. I woke up in a dumpster and now ... I ruin everything electronic."

"Holy...! Are you serious or are you messing with me because I said I control radiation?"

Reno sighed. "Vincent. I need to see you, man. I'll come to wherever you are. And no, I'm telling you the truth. It's taken weeks to get to the point where I don't fry cellphones when I get emotional. And..." Reno looked up then glanced around. "Hey. Come to think of it, I was just crying my eyes out and I didn't fry the phone."

"Maybe sadness or joy is easier to control than..."

Both Reno and Vincent said the words, 'rage' and 'anger' in unison.

Reno continued after a brief pause. "Yeah. That. I've met some people. People you'd probably like because they're not very judgmental. But yeah, they have abilities. I still don't know how I got this. But if you got something too, then maybe we were ... born with it? I don't know. I can't really wrap my mind around it. Jesus. But Topaz will be delighted that you're alive. I know it's been nagging at her for a while."

"Nagging at her?"

"Yeah. She cries at night. She bottles all that shit and hides her feelings. She was probably a bitch before but now she's a royal pain in my ass. But she's all I had left of you and Nicky, you know? I've put up with it. Maybe telling her that you're alive will change her tune."

"Tell her I miss her. I know this kind of weird. We only met the once. But she wasn't so bad once I got to know her."

"Yeah." Reno glanced down at his phone then said, "You're getting a little spotty, Vince."

"Well, look, reception is starting to get kinda crappy here. They said we will have a line when we get to the island. I promise I'll call you. I'm sure they'd let you come see me. And Topaz. I, uh, feel like I let her down. I hope she's not mad at me."

Reno blinked. "You're, like, the only guy she'd ever call 'friend.' You and her brother. She's a lesbian, but she did have a strong attachment to you."

"Lesbian, huh? God, that explains a lot. I mean, I sorta figured that ... but I wasn't sure if she was just putting on a front because she's the daughter of a celebrity. You know how people have to act fake to guard themselves."

"She's, uh ... pretty real. She refuses to act like anything except herself. Look, Vincent, thank you for calling. God, I'm glad I came into town this evening. I'm glad I got your call. For the first time in a while, I feel like I'm ... I dunno. Like there's no more survivors guilt or whatever. I hope I hear from you again before Christmas."

"You will. But just incase, Merry Christmas, Reno."

Nevada smiled and wiped his face again. "Thanks, man. You, too. I'm glad you're okay. I don't know what to think about Falcon and Monroe but ... I'm just glad you're alive."

"Yeah. Me too. That hurt. I had to have reconstructive spinal surgery. I'm on a first name basis with the neurosurgeon, now. He has an ability, too. He can see things of any size that are in proximity to his eyes and hands. So he was able to find the pinched and damaged nerves and work more effectively. He's a bit of a tightwad though. You know the type. Proud lawyer personality. He's always quick to remind me that he's the one who healed me because he's simply, that good." Vince cleared his throat then said, "I gotta go. It's starting to get fuzzy on the line. But hey, my radiation thing, before I practiced, used to cause that, too. Ironic huh?. Alright, I'll call you again."

"I'm staying at mom and dad's. There's no way to get a hold of me there."

"Then I'll leave the address in my voice mail. Longitude and Latitude or whatever. You can take a boat out here. Just keep checking your voice mail for my callback. Relax, I'll see you in person soon. I promise! I know you've got my back. You're my big brother, man. I love you." A crack of sound came from out of nowhere in the distance, barely registering with Reno's mind.

The line filled with static. "I love you, too! Vincent?" He pulled his cellphone from his face. The words, 'Call Dropped' flashed three times on the screen. "God dammit."

He looked up. Sitting on the hood of the rental car was a small animal. It had orange fur and resembled a fox but was about the size of a rat. He stared at the creature, making eye contact. It dashed off the hood. He opened the door to look around but the creature was gone. "What the hell?"

A nearby gunshot caused Reno to flinch. He rubbed his face again then listened carefully. Another gunshot. This time he managed to pinpoint the direction. He slipped out of the car, shut the door and hurried across the parking lot to a busy street. He waited until a break in the traffic then crossed quickly. Another gunshot rang out.

He turned the corner and hurried down the front of a tall building.

The glass doors at the other end of the building shattered and a man flew through. The body landed on the sidewalk and rolled twice. He eased up onto an elbow. Reno could see he had a ski mask pulled down over his face.

Nevada approached the man on the ground, lifted his foot then put it on the man's neck, holding the perpetrator's head against the sidewalk and shattered glass. He turned his gaze up to the lobby on the other side of the broken doors then looked back at the man on the ground. "Were you just robbing this bank?"

The man under Reno's foot reached for a handgun on his hip and pointed it up. Nevada reached for the man's wrist and pointed the gun away. It fired, hitting the awning above them. "Hm. I don't think that was the gun I heard down the road. That one sounded like a shotgun."

"Reno!"

Nevada turned to face Karla Howard holding a glass shotgun. She twirled it like a majorette twirling a baton. "Look at you! Disarming felons like a master, huh? How've you been, Top Cop?"

"Holy shit." Reno snagged the gun the rest of the way from the man's grasp, activated the safety and unloaded it. He put the magazine into his rear left pocket, un-chambered the round and tilted his head. "Karla? Did you stop a bank heist?"

"No, Evan did. We came to cash a check that Fox sent us in the mail. It was postmarked from Indonesia. He pays for my boat. There's room available for you, y'know. And Topaz."

"He mailed a check?"

"I know right? Checks are old school. Like MoneyGram and Western Union."

"I'm being serious. Why wouldn't he just do it electronically like everyone else? He seriously mailed you a check?"

"Yes, Inspector. Stop inspecting everything that doesn't add up to you. He mailed a check. Evan got a call, he was told to go to his store and check out his mailbox. We went ... we got a check. We came here and some guy walks in with this Mossberg." She threw the glass shotgun on the ground and it shattered, joining the broken glass from the front doors. "Have you been crying?"

Reno rubbed his face. "My eyes bloodshot?"

"Yeah, just a bit. What's wrong?"

"Vincent is alive."

"Oh honey!" She rushed through the broken doors and hugged him. "I'm so happy for you! Is he cute?"

"Oh Jesus..." Reno paused then smirked. "You know what? He's about ready to become a man. If you help me find him, you can take his virginity. Isn't that some sort of sex demon delicacy?"

Karla responded with a bout of the giggles. "Reno!" She ran her hands back through her lush blond hair. "You almost made me blush, babe. So, wait, if having one's virginity is tantamount to innocence, why are couples rushing to marry into a life of guilt?"

"You're a God damn trip, you know that?"

"I'm not a trip, Reno. I'm the _whole vacation. _It's just that I've never blown a man who then turns around and offers me his little brother."

"So, did you guys call the cops?"

Evan came from inside the bank, followed by the security guard. "Okay, they let us cash the check for saving the bank. But now they're going to close for the night," he announced. "Go figure." He leaned down over the guy beneath Reno's shoe. "At least you waited until the bank was about to close. Y'know, pal, they stayed open an hour later all this week because it's CHRISTMAS. But here you go and ruin it for everyone. The bank decides to do something unique and good. But you gotta rob it. What gives, man?"

Reno cocked a brow at Evan. "Been doing interrogations long?"

"Nah. I'm better at stopping the crime than questioning the criminals." He turned to the security guard and said, "Book'em, Danno." As if on cue, the wailing crescendo of police sirens came from up the block.

"Wow. Just ... that show was before our time."

"But you got the reference," said Evan to Nevada with a grin.

The police came around the corner and approached at a high rate of speed then slammed on the brakes, leaving skid marks on the pavement.

The security guard waved at them to signal that the danger was over.

The first cop to approach came alongside of Reno and said, "Nevada?"

Reno glanced over his shoulder at an officer, only slightly recognizing him. "Oh, uh, hey. Sorry, I'm ... yeah, I..." he lowered his eyes to the last name on the small golden plate pinned to the officer's uniform. "Right, Murphy. Robocop. First to the scene, huh? I bet you were like that back in Detroit, too."

"You were the funniest smartass in the building. Why'd they fire you?"

Reno opened his mouth then paused and pointed to the guy on the sidewalk. "Because I decided it's time to become a vigilante." He leaned over and rolled the man onto his stomach then stepped back. "Book'em, Murphy." He glanced back at Evan and added, "I didn't get this guy, though. This other kid took'em down. I just arrived."

Two more police cars zipped up the block. The officer proceeded to arrest the man on the ground. Reno turned to Karla and Evan. "Good work, kid. How'd you do it?"

Evan looked at the officers then moved closer to Reno and spoke quietly. "I can turn things to glass. It's not as cool as ice but ... God that was a pun, but anyway, it's not as cold, either. I hate the cold. I'd probably cry if I had ice."

"You ... turn things to glass huh?" Reno smirked. "Hell, I can do that. Give me some sand, I'll turn it to glass real fast."

Karla turned to Evan and said, "Reno does lightning."

"Oh, man, niiiiice!" Evan exclaimed.

Murphy glanced up at Reno then pulled the bank robber to his feet. "What are you two yammering on about? And Nevada, bustin' crooks is illegal for you, man. Don't go getting yourself into trouble."

Evan cleared his throat. "California Penal Code, Eight-Three-Seven through Eight-Four-Seven, gives me the right as a citizen to exercise and arrest someone performing a criminal activity and detain them until such a time as I hand them over to the magistrate, peace officer or member of law enforcement."

Reno and Murphy looked at one another then back at Evan.

Murphy quirked his brows, and walked the cuffed perpetrator away. Reno grinned. "COP. Citizens On Patrol, huh?" He paused then tilted his head when Evan didn't respond. "It's from an eighty's movie, one of the Police Academy flicks."

"Uhm. Sure."

"Nevermind." Reno watched the security guard walk alongside the police as the perpetrators were pushed into the back of patrol cars. Nevada turned back to Evan and offered his hand. "Great job. No one was running out of here screaming that someone was shot. So you apparently kept the bystanders safe." He leaned to the left and peered into the bank. "Jeeze. At least a dozen people in there." A moment later, the security guard walked back towards the bank.

Karla smirked. She stepped back through the glassless doors and said, "Okay, well ... we'll be leaving now. Make sure you tell everyone on Facebook that you were saved by an off-duty superhero named Evan, and his super-hot sidekick, Karla. Everyone here is watching us right? You're taking a cellphone video? Good."

She put her hands up, and waved at everyone in the bank with a soft glow emanating from her palm. All at once the trio disappeared.

The security guard looked around in wonder then glanced back into the bank and shrugged at everyone watching.

The group appeared on street corner, several blocks up the road. "What was that about?" asked Evan. A news van raced by. He glanced at Karla and Reno then watched the news van. Its brake lights illuminated and it stopped near the bank. He glanced back at Karla and said, "I guess I shouldn't let the news see me until I get a mask, huh?"

"That'd be a good idea, babe."

Reno smirked. "Are you serious? You're really going to use your ability to fight crime?"

"What's wrong with that?"

"Nothing, bud. I just ... wow. Seems so cliché."

Karla grinned. "That's what I said at first. But it kinda' works for him."

Reno tilted his head and folded his arms. "What about the security footage?"

Karla reached into her purse and withdrew a computer desktop hard drive. "I'll return it tomorrow. We just need to doctor the footage first. Blur our faces."

"Why?" Reno folded his arms. "Not all heroes cover their faces anymore."

Evan turned to Karla and grinned. "You know what? Let's go. Go put the drive back. Let's go introduce ourselves to the press." He glanced at Reno. "You should join. You held the one guy down. You have an ability. It sends a warning out to people like Falcon. He'll see us and come out of hiding to..."

"He's in the Atlantic."

Evan blinked. "Well, yes, he's on some island. Beneath it to be exact. How'd you know that?"

Reno frowned. "They have my brother. I don't know what's going on but I want to check on Vincent first. So nobody attacks Falcon until we find out what's going on. Karla Howard, right? You in on this?"

"Not me. I'll hide my face. The Pentagon and FBI tracks paranormal ... and, uh ... oh hell, sure. I'm in." She grinned. "But I'm not a hero. I'm just tagging along. You two are the heroes."

"ME?" Reno replied with an incredulous look. "I didn't do anything cool!"

"But you can," she said. "And you disarmed that guy without batting a lash. Evan, Reno ... you'd make a great team. You could train each other. Reno Nevada, meet Evan Balmoral. Evan, Reno."

Reno blinked. "Oh my Christ. You're Jerry's son."

Evan also blinked in reply. His jaw dropped. "You know my dad?"

"Yeah we just..." Nevada cleared his throat then shrugged. "He, uh ... infiltrated Falcon's group of mercenaries. But they've left for something on the other coast. He retired from it and headed upstate. Did you tell him that you have powers?"

"Wow. He is seriously in on this whole thing? Well, to answer your question: sorta. He knows I can do "amazing things" with glass. But he doesn't know it's anything more than just..."

"He knows."

Evan tilted his head. "He knows I can turn things to glass?"

"He knows you've been attacking mercenary groups. He, uh, he knows you're safe now, because the whole outfit has left California." Reno shrugged then gave Evan's bicep a firm pat. "You know, bud, I could probably track him down for you if you guys wanted to catch up and try to sort things out."

A frown found Evan's face and he looked away. "This is really awkward. I don't know how you knew that he and I were on the outs but that's a bit personal."

"Reno," Karla said with a sigh.

"No, wait," Nevada lifted his hands. "We had a brief heart-to-heart. I'm sorry it's awkward but ... he feels bad that he acted so distant after your mom passed away on the way to the hospital, pregnant. He's a little bit of a douche, but he was your step dad ... is your step dad. And if you ever want to talk to him, just let me know and I'll track him down for you. Now ... I actually am ready to go to the press. I've been hiding since this thing happened to me. But, shit, I'm ready to do this."

Evan replied with a sour face.

Karla turned to Reno and said, "He loathes cussing."

"Oh. Sorry, man. Okay, so ... let's go talk to the news. It will gives us control of what we want the spotlight on. It will draw out Falcon's people and we can keep tabs. Evan, don't be afraid to show'em your abilities. People will think it's a publicity stunt or something. I'll show'em mine, too. To heck with it. And, uh, since you're doing all the work ... you take the credit."

"Well, all right." Evan offered his hand and Reno shook it. He turned to Karla and said, "Energize."

Karla rolled her eyes with a grin. "You two are 'nucking futs' ya know that? I should probably tell you I can't control myself on camera."

"Wait, what?" asked Nevada.

"I'm a complete ham when I get in front of a camera. Here, I'll show you what I mean."

They all disappeared then popped up in front of the news team, startling the journalist.

Karla eyed the cameraman then grinned. "Hi! I'm Karla. This is Evan, and over here is Reno. We saved the day because we're superheroes. Yup. That's right. Heroes who are super, but we're not just _superheroes. We have abilities. We use'em. Like just now. You just saw teleportation. I'm very talkative tonight. Evan, here, turned the bad guy's gun to glass. Then I hit'em with a telekinetic blast. I like hitting people. It's fun. I once hit a guy so hard that even Google couldn't find him. Over here, we have Reno. Don't make fun of his name. He throws lightning. Yes, I'm serious. I'm Karla - pretty sure I already mentioned that - I'm a succubus. That means I ... you should hold your children's ears in three, two, one ... I _screw to stay immortal. Pretty neat, huh? Would you like a demonstration?"

Everyone grew silent. Evan cleared his throat into his hand then said, "You'll have to pardon my lovely-yet-demonic sidekick. She's a bit hyper tonight."

Off to the left, Reno rolled his eyes and turned away, embarrassed.

Evan continued. "If you'd like a demonstration to prove that we're legitimate superheroes on our day off ... Karla? Levitate me." Without so much as a pause, Evan lifted off the ground.

The journalist balked at them until Evan began to float then said, "Jesus ... Ted, get this." She cleared her throat then said, "What else can you do?"

"Well, tonight I can fly," Evan said with a chuckle.

The reporter used her microphone and waved it around Evan's sides and beneath his feet. "Where are the cables?"

Evan waved his hands above his head. "There are none." He lowered back to the ground then nodded to Karla. "Lift her."

Without a word, Karla waved her hand to the reporter. The woman levitated with ease. "Oh my God, I'm..." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Flying...?"

Karla rolled her eyes. "Yeah. It's so super-bourgeois. Cliché. What I mean is," the demoness faked a yawn, "This is 'middle-class' for super powers," Karla said, adding, "Everyone who does it thinks they're the greatest thing ever but it's just, so, 'whatever,' you know?" She set the reporter back on the ground then moved closer. "But you are cute. You've got this little blue and white thing going on ... and dark hair. You're like a modern day Dorothy Gale."

Reno shook his head. "You'll have to pardon Karla, ma'am. She's a very flirty girl."

The reporter looked into the bank then back to Reno and Karla. "I, uhm, see that. Dorothy Gale? Isn't that the girl from the Wizard of Oz?"

Karla fanned herself playfully. "I wouldn't know. It was too scary of a movie based on the synopsis."

"Based on the synopsis? Girl finds her way home from a dream?"

Karla shook her head. "No, it was something more along the lines of, 'Small-town girl ends up in a surreal place after a powerful storm and kills a woman for her shoes. After meeting up with three strangers, the girl embarks on a journey in her mind. She meets up with the dead woman's sister, poised to kill again.' Between the storm and the girl's name, Baum should have called his book, 'Gale Force.' So!" She gestured to Reno and Evan. "Would you like to see the boys' demonstration?"

The security guard hurried out to the group and said, "Miss! I thought you'd left. I wanted to personally thank you for saving the bankers and the staff. I don't know how you did those things but when you stopped that buckshot ... I just ... I can go home to my little boy tonight."

Karla gave the man a hug. "You're welcome, sweetie."

The reporter stared at Karla for a moment with a look of something between amusement and confusion then she nodded slowly. "We'd like to document it. If it's anything like the flying thing you just did ... we'd like to do a piece on it."

"Oh, yeah, it's in the vein of the flying thing." Karla turned to Reno and Evan. "Okay, you have the spotlight. Sorry, we should have rehearsed this, guys. I'm making us look like fools."

The reporter shook her head. "No, wait, we can edit some things. The three of you will need a Public Relations agent, though."

Evan looked around then turned to the nearby security guard. "One moment. Keep the camera on me, I won't bore you. I promise." He approached the guard and asked for something. The guard went back into the bank then, a moment later, returned with a security cap. Evan took the hat and cleared his throat. "Okay, this is what I do..." He held the hat up and it turned to clear glass. "Normally, I do this to handguns, the bullets coming from them ... then I shatter them. But..." He turned to Reno and said, "I hope you've been practicing. You wanna try and show them what you do?" He handed the glass hat to Nevada.

"Yeah, sure. And, yes, I've been practicing a little these past few weeks ... it's still kinda' new to me, though." Reno took the hat and said, "Keep your eye on this cover, Mr. Cameraman."

Nevada drew the glass hat back then threw it upwards like a Frisbee. With his other hand, he reached up, palm facing outward. A flash of pure light exploded from his fingertips, arced through the void, and struck the hat.

No one spoke. After a moment, Reno glanced over his shoulder. "Well? I hit it. No one can deny I've got aim and I've got game."

The reporter licked her lips apprehensively then, in a soft tone, murmured, "Jesus Christ. This can't be real."

"Give me something replaceable," said Evan. "I'll turn it to glass. We're legitimate. Anything you want to see turned into glass."

The reporter walked over to the news van, opened the front door and reached for her purse. She withdrew her Apple phone, brought it back to Evan and held it out to him. "The screen is shattered."

Evan grinned and rubbed his thumb over the capacitive glass surface. The crack mended then disappeared. "That used to be hard for me because of the way 'touch screen' glass is made. So I practiced. Then I got good at fixing it."

The reporter looked up at him then back at her phone and thumbed the screen momentarily. "Dear God. The screen is perfect. How'd you do it?" She opened her text messages, then went into her contacts list. "This is my phone. How did you...?"

With a shrug, Evan chuckled in a good-natured way. "That's what I do. I mean, don't get me wrong ... glass making and glass blowing isn't as amazing as the stuff I'd dreamed of as a kid. But you have to learn how to be happy with what God gave you and make due with it."

"Ted, are you getting all of this?"

"Yes ma'am," he replied.

The reporter shook her head in disbelief then turned back to Reno. "Wait a minute. I recognize your face from a photograph..." She snapped her fingers a few times then said, "Inspector Reno Nevada. You set a department record for case turnaround time then you disappeared. First to go, followed by one of the largest police department quitting sprees of all time."

"I didn't quit. I was fired," Reno told her, adding, "Then came the mass exodus ... I think they suddenly left town because I found out they were all guilty and behind the reason I got fired. It's complicated and sounds like a conspiracy theory so ... I'll spare you the details."

"I wouldn't mind hearing them, Mister Nevada. Please, clear the air so we can understand what happened."

"The investigation is still pending," Reno replied. "But if you leave me with your card, I'll give you the exclusive if and when I figure out how all the pieces fit together."

"Did you ever finish your last case before going out the door? The Golden Gate Hat Trick?"

Reno rubbed his forehead. "Is that what we're calling it now? No, but I have a lead suspect that fled town right before all the cops. She was afraid for her life. Frank Sanders and his goons chased her off because she knew the truth."

"Mister Nevada, are you suggesting the police may have something to do with the murders?"

Reno grinned impishly. "They're only related by proxy. Members of the police force had taken over a job as mercenaries, hired by a scientist who was responsible for making that new designer drug coming out of Pages Lost." His cocky grin faded. "My fiancée, Nichole Parker, was DEA and she was lead on a case involving Falcon, Monroe and that drug. They silenced her, then her brother, Jon Parker. You can quote me on that. Falcon, if you're watching, I do not forgive you for what happened to Nicky. And if you hurt my brother, I'll rip you into pieces."

"You called him Falcon, Mr. Nevada? You know the man's name? And did I hear you right? He has your brother hostage?"

Reno realized he was letting his emotion cloud his judgment. He cleared his throat and gestured to Balmoral. "Vincent said he's safe at the moment. That's all I know right now. I actually spoke to him today. Anyway, Evan, here, has been tracking the mercenaries in black gear that people reported around town a few months ago. He noticed they were committing crimes. They've been attacking people."

"That's right," said Evan. "They're reporting to this Falcon character. He's been funding his operation by selling a new designer drug right here in San Francisco."

Reno nodded and cut back in. "After that, I learned the guy behind the drugs went to the police and made some sort of agreement to put them on his payroll. The cops who left town this morning were the mercenaries that people were complaining about since August. I believe this so-called chemist, Falcon, is the man behind the Gypsy murders that happened in Golden Gate Park before I was let go. I don't have my concrete proof right now, but I will soon enough."

"Will you three be doing more around town?"

Reno deferred to Evan with a gesture. Evan looked from Reno and Karla to the cameraman. "Well, actually, yes. With the police department's numbers at a record low, we have decided to take up the torch to help them during their period of transition. We're not vigilantes. We're citizens exercising our right to California Penal Code in regards to making 'Citizen's Arrests,' in order to do our civil duty. We won't be using any weapons or harming any criminals unless out of self-defense. We won't be killing anyone. Any criminal we arrest will be brought to a local magistrate, peace officer or law enforcement official and they will get their due process. We're not here to break the law, only to uphold it."

"And you won't be hiding your identity?"

"Seems like it's a little late, now," Evan said. "So I'm Evan, this is Reno and Karla. We don't have a team name, but if the public comes up with something clever and the media decides to run with it ... we're open-minded."

The reporter chuckled inwardly. "Very well. Fair enough, Evan, Reno and Karla. I appreciate your demonstration and your courage. Happy Holidays to you three."

"Merry Christmas," said Evan.

"Happy upcoming Winter Solstice," Karla added with a wan smile. "Seriously, though, I have no religious affiliation. I'm not one of those demons."

Reno glanced at her with furrowed brows then back at the reporter. "You, too, ma'am ... and I'll need one of your business cards as well. Once I get to the bottom of this whole thing, I'll want to expose it."

"Alright then. I'll get you one. Just stick around for a moment. We're going to segue into the bank bit. Just need to talk to some of the people inside while we have a chance."

Reno nodded then stuffed his hands into his pockets. "Uh, yeah. Sure thing."

"You in a hurry?" asked Karla. "What's the rush, Top Cop?"

Nevada smirked. "Topaz is back at my place. I have news for her."

"I can get us there much faster."

"Sure, just let me get that business card first."

Karla shrugged. "Yeah, sure thing." She turned to Evan and the two spoke amongst themselves.

Reno stuffed his hands into his pockets, waiting on the reporter.

X

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Next Chapter: https://www.sofurry.com/view/649768