brother
admitted. “But never in front of witnesses or the public. The only people who’ve
seen me in action are in the highest echelons. I don’t bring in people, Lo,
just evidence. You know that. Disks, papers, photos, that sort of thing. Or I
get access to computers and drop the security screens, or email out stuff.” He
gave a snort. “It’s amazing how often people don’t check their ‘sent’ mail to
see what’s gone out until it’s too late.”
Luke broke in. “What I’m getting are some serious mental
vibes that I’m having difficulty sorting out. What little I’ve been able to
discern is this. These people, whoever they are, suspect one of us has
superpowers. Now, whether or not they know about our dad has not come into
focus. Irregardless, they know of Brenda’s connection to us. Which is why they
rigged the explosion at the factory.”
He pointed a finger a Lorne. “The fact that The Defender is
now open knowledge is a plus in our column. You won’t have to hide him any
more, but you’re still vulnerable. And since you’re the one who’s now public
knowledge, you’re going to be watched closer than rash on a baby’s bottom. You’re
our weakest link right now, Lorne. From this moment, every move you make, every
word you say, will be filtered and sifted through, and examined for any clue as
to who you are and where you’re from.” Sighing, Luke added, “The world has
changed mightily since the days Dad defended this corner of the galaxy.”
Lorne gave a nod at the monitor. “You said the police were
wanting to question The Defender about the explosion?”
“Don’t be surprised if you find other people there with
them.”
“Want me to shadow, hang in the back to see if anyone acts
suspicious?” Lee suggested.
Luke nodded. “It wouldn’t hurt.”
“What about Brenda? She could be in danger if they’re using
her to get me to reveal myself,” Lorne said.
“I’ll keep a mental fence around the house, just to be on
the safe side,” Luke assured him. He sighed loudly and rubbed his temples. “It
would be nice if she’d sell us her house so we can expand underneath her
foundation,” he added.
Lorne crossed his arms over his chest. “I suggested it. She
said she’d think on it. I honestly think she’ll sell.”
“For sure?” asked Lee.
“Yeah. She doesn’t want to give up the only home she’s ever
known, but she doesn’t want to rent it out, either, since she lives in Ocean
City, and can’t keep an eye on the property from that far away. On the other
hand, I told her that if she sold to us, the place would still be open to her
any time she wanted to come back to visit, and she knows it’s the truth.”
“Or, she could decide to rent to us,” Lee added.
“Well, many moons ago I swore I would not delve into her
mind, and I’m not going back on my word. I can tell how she’s feeling, but I
won’t know her final decision until she either tells us, or I get a
foreshadowing.” Luke yawned and shook off his weariness. “Better get over to
the police station, Lorne. The sooner we get this mystery solved about the
factory explosion, the sooner we can find out who’s trying to find out our
secret.” He gave Lorne a worried look. “Be careful.”
“I’ll do my best,” Lorne promised. Turning to Lee, who was
dragging his mask back on, he smiled. “If you’re coming along with me, wanna
ride in my pocket?”
“Ha ha. Not funny,” Lee groused at the old joke. A second
later, he’d folded himself and vanished upstairs.
Lorne was right behind him.
Chapter 8
Investigation
If it had been for any other reason, Brenda would have told
Wilson Wagner to take a long leap off a short pier when he’d called. The man
knew she was on funeral leave, and, damn it, she had the right to take as long
as she needed before reporting back to work. Everyone back at the business knew
she wasn’t the type of person who abused sick leave. Hell,
admitted. “But never in front of witnesses or the public. The only people who’ve
seen me in action are in the highest echelons. I don’t bring in people, Lo,
just evidence. You know that. Disks, papers, photos, that sort of thing. Or I
get access to computers and drop the security screens, or email out stuff.” He
gave a snort. “It’s amazing how often people don’t check their ‘sent’ mail to
see what’s gone out until it’s too late.”
Luke broke in. “What I’m getting are some serious mental
vibes that I’m having difficulty sorting out. What little I’ve been able to
discern is this. These people, whoever they are, suspect one of us has
superpowers. Now, whether or not they know about our dad has not come into
focus. Irregardless, they know of Brenda’s connection to us. Which is why they
rigged the explosion at the factory.”
He pointed a finger a Lorne. “The fact that The Defender is
now open knowledge is a plus in our column. You won’t have to hide him any
more, but you’re still vulnerable. And since you’re the one who’s now public
knowledge, you’re going to be watched closer than rash on a baby’s bottom. You’re
our weakest link right now, Lorne. From this moment, every move you make, every
word you say, will be filtered and sifted through, and examined for any clue as
to who you are and where you’re from.” Sighing, Luke added, “The world has
changed mightily since the days Dad defended this corner of the galaxy.”
Lorne gave a nod at the monitor. “You said the police were
wanting to question The Defender about the explosion?”
“Don’t be surprised if you find other people there with
them.”
“Want me to shadow, hang in the back to see if anyone acts
suspicious?” Lee suggested.
Luke nodded. “It wouldn’t hurt.”
“What about Brenda? She could be in danger if they’re using
her to get me to reveal myself,” Lorne said.
“I’ll keep a mental fence around the house, just to be on
the safe side,” Luke assured him. He sighed loudly and rubbed his temples. “It
would be nice if she’d sell us her house so we can expand underneath her
foundation,” he added.
Lorne crossed his arms over his chest. “I suggested it. She
said she’d think on it. I honestly think she’ll sell.”
“For sure?” asked Lee.
“Yeah. She doesn’t want to give up the only home she’s ever
known, but she doesn’t want to rent it out, either, since she lives in Ocean
City, and can’t keep an eye on the property from that far away. On the other
hand, I told her that if she sold to us, the place would still be open to her
any time she wanted to come back to visit, and she knows it’s the truth.”
“Or, she could decide to rent to us,” Lee added.
“Well, many moons ago I swore I would not delve into her
mind, and I’m not going back on my word. I can tell how she’s feeling, but I
won’t know her final decision until she either tells us, or I get a
foreshadowing.” Luke yawned and shook off his weariness. “Better get over to
the police station, Lorne. The sooner we get this mystery solved about the
factory explosion, the sooner we can find out who’s trying to find out our
secret.” He gave Lorne a worried look. “Be careful.”
“I’ll do my best,” Lorne promised. Turning to Lee, who was
dragging his mask back on, he smiled. “If you’re coming along with me, wanna
ride in my pocket?”
“Ha ha. Not funny,” Lee groused at the old joke. A second
later, he’d folded himself and vanished upstairs.
Lorne was right behind him.
Chapter 8
Investigation
If it had been for any other reason, Brenda would have told
Wilson Wagner to take a long leap off a short pier when he’d called. The man
knew she was on funeral leave, and, damn it, she had the right to take as long
as she needed before reporting back to work. Everyone back at the business knew
she wasn’t the type of person who abused sick leave. Hell,
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