Log:Missing Daughter

Mystique and Partners 2021/01/12 Mystique Dixon 4

Office
Mystique and Partners. Private investigators. That's what it says on frosted glass of the door of this smallish second floor office in the Leonard Wilson Building, Old Town. Inside the office there are two desks and chairs, set at right angles to each other. The office is located in a corner of the building so each desk has a window behind it. In front of each desk is a comfortable chair. A third chair is against the wall near the door in case it's needed. Not too comfortable though. Time is money and bills aren't paid by clients lulled by comfort and rambling on for hours.

There's a subtle but distinct noir ambiance to the office. A pair of old fashioned filing cabinets complement the data terminal on each of the desks. Next to the filing cabinets is a wooden coat and hat stand. The wall without either door or window has a large city map hung on it with a dozen or more colored pins stuck in the map. Beneath the map is a small table with a coffee maker and everything needed to utilize it. As well as beans for fresh Colombian roast for normal people there's a jar of Black Label Devil Mountain coffee for the suicidal.

Log
Mystique is standing by a window playing a violin when Dan arrives in the morning. She nods, violin under her chin, continuing to play for a few more moments.

Mystique's playing standard is 'adequate'. A job as a musician is not in her future.

Dixon smiles wryly as he puts his hat on the stand, and heads straight for the coffee maker. Devil Mountain today, after the long, dreary, uneventful stakeout of last night. "Trying to channel Sherlock Holmes? You'll be smoking a pipe next."

Mystique lowers the violin on hearing Dan. She smiles and nods, "Yes, as it happens. I'm a great admirer of the stories. Did he exist in real life or was he just a fictional detective?" Mystique raises an eyebrow, "A pipe through? I'll have to consider that."

Dixon inhales deeply as the coffee brews. "You won't believe how dull last night was. Or how dull Harrison is. He and that smoking secretary of his actually seemed to be working. Into the small hours!" He grunts. "I'm not sure his wife will be satisfied with no news/good news, though."

Mystique shrugs, "We find out the truth and that's what we tell the client. And get paid. It's not our concern how the client reacts. Depends on if she was worried her husband was having an affair or looking for evidence to improve her outcome in a divorce settlement."

Mystique says, "Anyway we have a 10 o'clock. Might be a more interesting case. Missing daughter."

Dixon nods. "Of course." And yawns, interrupted by Mystique's news. "More interesting I can do with!"

Mystique chuckles, "If you want more interesting as a rule you should be a fictional detective." She sniffs the aroma, "Can you make me a coffee while you're there? And I'll tell you what I know so far."

Dixon grins. "Already got your mug ready. And I thought you could tell by my look I was going for fictional detective."

Mystique nods, "Thanks. Anyway, the clients are a Mr and Mrs John and Mary Cooper. You might surmise from the names they are strongly religious. You would be right. So best if you take the lead on this case. I doubt they will feel too comfortable talking to a witch. As I mentioned their daughter has gone missing."

Dixon says, "How old are we talking?""

Mystique asides with a random thought, "Do you think a deerstalker would suit me?"

Dixon pours two mugs of coffee, and chuckles as he passes Mystique hers.

Mystique nods, "Pertinent point. She's eighteen. So legally an adult. Which is why the police aren't too interested."

Dixon nods. "And how long has she been gone?"

Mystique says, "I gather a few weeks. I didn't get a clear answer on that."

Dixon frowns. "That's a very long time!"

Mystique nods, "It is. A long time to wait before doing something."

Dixon says, "Strange in itself, and it means the trail is stone cold. I wonder how they'll explain that."

Mystique says, "We'll find out shortly. If they are on time they should be here any moment. Take a seat at your desk and I'll brew some Columian. That should give an impression of you being the senior partner in the office."

Dixon sets his coffee on the desk and takes his seat, primping with his clothing a bit, which, combined with an air he takes on, someone further gives the impression of seniority.

There's a firm knock on the offer door.

Dixon calls out, "Come in!"

The door opens to admit two people. In the lead a tall gaunt man in somber suit and tie. His face is dour and with pronounced frown lines. Following a pace behind is a woman, looking hesitant as she enters and stopping a dutiful step behind her husband. The man casts a disapproving look towards Mystique and then ignores her presence. "Mr Dixon?" he asks, looking at Dan.

Dixon stands as the couple enter (setting aside what must surely be important papers from another case), and offers his hand across the desk. "That's me. Mr and Mrs Cooper, I presume?"

The man steps forwards and shakes Dan's hand. "We are," he says answering for both. "I.. we.. want you to find our daughter."

Dixon nods, and waves them at the chairs placed behind the desk. "Have a seat and tell me about it. Would you like some coffee?"

Mr Cooper nods to coffee. He sits in the seat in front of Dan's desk. Leaving his wife standing slightly behind him. "Cream and two sugars." he says. Mystique rolls her eyes behind the pair where only Dan can see.

Dixon gives Mystique a nod (no doubt this client expects her to be getting the coffee, and Mystique has already indicated she understands how this particular client is best handled - so hopefully she won't object!). "Start at the beginning." He takes out a notepad. "Your daughter's name and age?"

Mr Copper tells Dan, "Her name is Helen Cooper. She's just eighteen. A child in need of guidence and discipline."

Dixon makes notes. "And when was it she disappeared?"

Mystique brings coffees over to the Coopers, and gets Mrs Cooper the extra chair from its normal spot against the wall.

"I last spoke to her the Sunday before last," Mr Cooper says. His face take on a brief scowl as if it wasn't a pleasant conversation.

Dixon says, "And where was that?"

Mr Cooper says, "I was at home. I called her at that den of liberal corruption and loose morals she transferred to after we got her a place in St Jude's Theological College."

Dixon makes more notes, but says, "What place is that?" He can see this is going to be tiresome if he spends all his time spouting his attitudes rather than naming names!

Mr Cooper sneers, "The State University, here in Colonial Bay."

Dixon nods. "Do you have her address at the university?"

Mr Cooper shakes his head. "No. She neglected to tell us where she moved to."

Sitting slightly behind her husband, Mrs Cooper gives Dan a tiny nod of her head.

Dixon says, "But you had her number, at least. When was the last time you saw her in person?"

Keeping out of Mr Cooper's line of sight Mystique surreptitiously slips Mrs Cooper a post-it pad and pen.

Dixon is glad Mystique has approached Mrs Cooper. He was trying to work out how to communicate that to her without being noticed.

Mr Cooper thinks. "Christ's Mass. She was home for a week and attended Church with us."

Dixon says, "And where is your home?"

"The Rectory, St Francis Church. In Green Acres. I'm the Paster there."

Dixon continues to make notes. "When did you learn she was missing?"

Mr Cooper says, "She missed Church this Sunday and the Sunday before that. I tried to call her to counsel her on the duties of a member of the Church but there was no answer. Her phone was switched off."

Dixon says, "And what did you do then?"

"I contracted the University. The hell spawn den of foulness. But the wellbeing of my daughter's soul was more important than risking comtamination by talking to them. They eventually told me Helen hadn't attended any classes for over a week."

Dixon says, "And have you spoke to anyone else at the university?"

Mr Cooper shakes his head firmly, "No Absolutely not. One conversation with those heretics was sufficient.

Dixon nods gravely. Inwardly he's rather glad of this. "How did she seem last time you spoke to her?" He tries to see out the corner of his eye if Mrs Cooper is using the pad.

Mr Cooper frowns, "Wilful and rebellious. I should never have let her attend that place. She would have been taught the virtus of Church Service if she had gone to St Jude's as she was supposed it."

Mrs Copper wrote on the post-it pad and handed it back to Mystique with a quiet furtive nod of gratitude.

Dixon asks gently, "If she was wilful and rebellious, do you think it's possible she's disappeared of her own accord?"

Mr Cooper shakes his head, "Impossible. She is a child of the Church. Her duty to the Church must come first. Whatever her silly feelings."

Dixon notes that too: it's genuinely interesting if, despite his description, he honestly believes her dutiful and obedient! "I see. What do you think has happened to her, then?"

Mr Cooper says heatedly, "I don't know. That's why I'm hiring you, Mr Dixon."

Dixon nods. "Well, you've come to the right place. If anyone can find her, we can - though it's unfortunate that she's been missing so long. Do you have a recent photo of her?"

Mr Cooper nods, and sends an image from his phone to the office network. Helen is sullen looking in the image, which was obviously captured inside a church.

Dixon says, "Can you think of anything else that might be helpful to our search?"

Dixon actually suspects he knows so little of his daughter's current life that it's not much worth asking, or he'd have been inclined to ask a few more specific questions.

Mr Cooper shakes his head again, "I've told you everything you need to know. Just find my daughtewr and return her to the Church."

Mr Cooper stands, snaps out a "Come, Mary." and starts to leave.

Mystique clears her throat, "Terms are payment in advance, Mr Cooper." she says. "Mr Dixon will inform you of the daily rate."

Dixon specifies the daily rates (plus expenses). "We'll find her. Of course, we can only return her if she wants to come back, but from what you say that won't be a problem." Has to be said so that he can't complain about not fulfilling the contract if we don't, but his stated beliefs here play to our advantage! Mr Cooper ungraciously pays for a few days in advance and leaves. Mrs Cooper follows, turning briefly at the door to cast an imploring glance back at Dan.

Mystique sends a tendril of mist out under the door and into the hallway to catch any conversation, but the Coopers leave silently.

Dixon notes the look, and gives her a nod and a reassuring smile. Clearly he needs to talk to her apart from Mr Cooper at some stage, it doesn't seem like it's feasible just now. "What did the note she passed say?" he asks, the moment the door is closed.

Mystique passes the note to Dan. There's an address, presumably the daughter's university address, and under that - 'Please help my daughter. She would have told me if she left voluntarily.'

Dixon nods. "So she does know more than he does - I suspected as much. What do you make of her? She seems frighteningly under his thumb."

Mystique nods, "Poor woman."

Dixon frowns. "I think we should investigate this church they belong to, as well. I'd hate to think we're returning the girl to a cult or such. In any case, we'll need to understand her background if tracking her isn't straightforward."

Mystique nods. "I have a couple of contacts who might be useful. How about I follow those up and you check out the University. Then meet to compare notes?"

Dixon nods. "Sounds good."

Mystique checks the time. "Meet in Sentries? Say about 2pm?"

Dixon says, "Sure, if you're not put off by the prices of the drinks. Or are you thinking of charging them as expenses?"

You say, "I just like the ambiance. But we can meet elsewhere just as easily. Name your place."

Dixon grins. "Sentries is fine. See you there!"

Mystique nods. Then picks up the old fashioned desk phone to start calling up contacts.

Dixon adds the note Mystique got from Mary Cooper to his own and sets out for CBSU, taking his hat from the stand.

Colonial Bay State University
It's Sunday. The University academic buildings are quiet but the student halls and social areas are as busy as ever.

The address Mrs Cooper wrote on the note is a room in the Student Halls.

Dixon wonders about the tack here. If Helen did vanish on purpose and her friends know anything about it, approaching as a private detective hired by her father is not going to go down well...

Mystique makes her first call to her police contact. She's surprised to discover the Coopers never spoke to the police about their daughter's disappearence.

Dixon decides to be a concerned friend who has noticed she hasn't been in class, at least as a first approach. He adopts the guise of a female student (wishing he knew what Helen was studying, but Sunday isn't the best time to get info out of the university) and heads to the building she lives in.

Dixon sees if anyone will hold the outer door open - not unlikely given the appearance of a student.

A helpful student does indeed hold the door open for Dan.

The residence hall lobby is quiet with just a sleepy porter/security person at the reception office. Noise is coming from a rec room where mostly male students are watching a football game with cheers and jeers. A few students are entering and leaving the hall, most heading to or from the elevators.

Dixon follows on through and goes searching for Helen's room. . o O (If she has a roommate there's an obvious first person to ask. Even if not, someone seeing me knocking on her door might be helpful...)

Helen's room is on the 12th floor. When Dan knocks the door is answered by a plain looking female student in a floppy Afkan dress and bottle top glasses. She peers shortsightedly at Dan. "Uh. Hello?"

Dixon says, "Oh, hey. Is Helen here?" He/she glances into the room past the girl, trying to spot in particular to try to spot any textbooks that would indicate what Helen is studying. "I haven't seen her in class all week! Is she ok?"

The girl backs away to let Dan enter. "She's hasn't been here for over a week," she tells Dan. "I'm a bit worried. She doesn't normally go out much. Well, until she met Steven."

Dixon enters, to get a better view of the room and Helen's stuff. "Steven? Steve who?" He gently, imperceptibly inserts a memory of 'herself' as Helen's classmate Cath, whom this girl might have seen her with, just to make sure he doesn't arouse any suspicions.

The room is clearly split in two. On one side text and reference books for environmental studies. One the other books for mathematics. The girl goes to sit on the bed by the environmental books. "Steven Baker. He's a history post-grad. Lives in the Student Quarter somewhere."

Dixon somehow wasn't expecting her to be studying maths, given the picture of liberal corruption her father was painting. Seems rather tame. "Has she been seeing Steve long?"

The girl shakes her head, "Just a couple of weeks. Helen was so shy she never made many friends. I talked her into coming to a guest lecture on pre-reformation belief systems. She met Steven there."

Dixon smiles gently. "I know - I'm so glad she met someone! At least -" Cath bites her lip. "If she's ok. I thought she must be sick or something. But you haven't see her in a week?"

The girl nods, "Not for a week," she confirms, glancing over to the other bed in the room.

Cath glances that way herself, with a worried look. "Did she take any stuff with her? Clothes? Toothbrush?"

The girl shakes her head. "No. Nothing. All her stuff is still here."

The girl asks Cath, "Do you think I ought to report it to the Proctors?"

Cath frowns deeper. "OK. Now I'm *really* worried... And yeah, I think you should... Mind if I look about her stuff? See if I find any hint where she might be?"

There's barely any hesitation before the girl nods, "Go ahead. Now I'm really worried."

Dixon has a quick poke about, looking especially for any notes - maybe she's even old-fashioned enough to have a paper calendar or something if he's lucky.

The text book on Helen's study desk is Kider, Osberg, Perkins, and Muller. Linear Analysis. There's a scrap of paper stuck in it as a bookmark. 'Steve. 127c, Berkside House, SQ.'

Eureka! Cath takes a photo of the address on her PDA. Best to keep disturbance to a minimum in case the police do become involved.

Dixon doesn't mention the address, just in case the roommate decides to go looking herself, which could conceivably be dangerous. "You're right, nothing seems to be missing," Cath says... "When exactly was she last here?"

The girl thinks. Her face shows uncertaincy as she says, "Thursday before last. I think."

Dixon says, "And you haven't seen her anywhere since?"

This time she's sure. "No. Nowhere."

Cath nods. "You definitely should tell the proctors. I'm going to go and ask about to see if anyone else has seen her!"

The girl nods. She seems both worried and glad that she's been given advice on what to do.

Cath says goodbye and goes to continue the search - then turns back. "Can you call me if she turns up again or you hear anything? I'll give you my number..."

The girl nods, "Yes. Of course. I do hope she's all right."

Dixon says, "Me too..."

Dixon leaves. Probably his work here is done for now - there's a clear lead to follow - so he leaves the building, not turning back to his own shape till he's clear of it. Then he pauses, and finds out all he can about 'Steve, 127c, Berkside House' online.

Seems Steve Baker is not a public figure. There's almost no obvious online presence.

Dixon thinks. o O (Hm. Not on YouFace or anything...)

Dixon checks the time.

It's just coming up to mid-day. Still a couple of hours before the arranged meeting with Mystique.

Dixon decides he might as well check out where Steve lives before the meeting, then. He adopts a new guise (a male student this time - should fit in well in the Student Quarter) and starts making his way to Berkside House afoot, pausing to get some takeaway coffee on the way.

Berkside House is typical of the Student Quarter. Originally a three story town house. Now sub-divided into as many broom closets as can be fitted in. Each rented to a student. There's an impromptu basketball game in progress in the small park near it. The age of the participants suggests they are students.

A bounce of the basketball sends it over the park fence to roll to Dan's feet.

"Toss it back please," shouts a player.

Dixon stops and picks up the ball. He tosses it back, approaching where the game is as he does so.

The ball curves gracefully over the fence and drops through the basket. Nothing but net. The players cheer and applaud.

"We want him on OUR side." A player calls out.

Dixon grins and stops as if intending to watch play.

One of the players comes over to the fence, "That was some shot. Wanna join? I'm Marko by the way."

Dixon says, "Sure, why not? I'm Ben." . o O (If nothing else, I can watch the place a bit inconspicuously from here. And wouldn't hurt to make some friends I can ask about things.) "I should be honest and say I got lucky there."

"Stay lucky. We're behind 12 pts." Marko opens the gate through the fence. He introduces the others on his 'team'. "This is Ben." he tells them.

Dixon says, "I'll do my best!" He listens in case there's a Steve among them.

Ben isn't that lucky. There's no Steven in the game.

Dixon/Ben wonders if the basketball game is a waste of time, and he'd be better off just going up to Steve's place and knocking, but he decides to stick with it a few minutes at least, if just from politeness.

There's no basketball superstars in the pick-up game. So how much Dan wants to shine depends on how much he wants to apply his vastly superior speed and co-ordination.

As Dan is keeping some attention on the townhouse, the door opens and four males walk out as a group. Marko, the basketball player Dan spoke to first notices and waves, calling out a greeting to 'Steve'. Steve waves back.

Dixon doesn't shine too much. He makes sure they don't regret inviting him to join, but doesn't want to overdo it. Besides (a) he's watching the building and (b) basketball isn't his game as such.

What Dan sees is that Steve isn't under duress, as yet, but when he waves back to Marko the three slightly older males around him close in a little. As if making sure Steve is going where they want him to.

Marko calls over, "Finished moping, Steve? Breakups happen. Plenty more fish in the sea."

Steve calls back, "I just found out Helen's in hospital. I'm going to see her now."

OK, that gives me a few more seconds. "Shit, is that the time? Sorry, this has been fun, but I need to get going!" says Dixon, tossing the ball to someone else. "See you around!"

Dixon hurries off, looking a spot where he can do a quick change to someone else and tail Steve and the others.

One of the group of males with Steve heads to an up market SUV and starts the vehicle. Unless daddy is rich, that's not likely a student's car.

Steve is directed toward the SUV by one of the two males still with him.

Dixon makes his way to an alley, promptly emerges as a cat, and slips under the SUV. He hopes they don't notice - or just assume the cat will leave again - rather than checking.

Steve and the two males with him get into the SUV. It starts driving down the street.

Dixon shifts once again to match the underside of the SUV, approximately, and rides along with the SUV, clinging to its bottom.

Riding along on, or more accurately, under the SUV, despite the road, engine, and tire noise, Dan is just able to hear the conversation inside the vehicle.

After a few miniutes of silence Steve comments, "This isn't the way to the hospital."

Another voice answers, "We're taking a shortcut."

Dixon listens attentively, pressing an expanded ear to the SUV's body. . o O (Huh. So he'd believed them about the hospital before?)

Steve queries in a louder voice, "The hospital is in the opposite direction."

Dixon lets go with one hand to reach his PDA, checks his location, and text Mystique quickly about his current location and the situation. In case things go badly. He keeps listening, to see if Steve's objections are putting him in danger.

There's the sound of s scuffle. Then one of the other men speaks, "That injection should keep him out for a couple of hours."

Dixon thinks. o O (Bit late to rescue him now... Probably most useful to let these guys go where they're going rather than interrupt at this stage...)

Another voice, from the driver judging from position, "What then?"

Dixon keeps listening for anything that might alter that assessment.

The first voice, "The girl will co-operate, or her boyfriend will get dismembered in front of her."

Mystique texts back, 'Do you need assistance?'

The driver's voice, "The Master's will be done."

Three vocies, "Amen."

So that means they're going to where the girl is! Worth knowing, and worth letting them continue. "They've drugged the bf. Driving to where Helen is so they can use him to force her to do something. Sounds like weird religious stuff. I'll ambush them when they get there."

Mystique texts back, "Be careful. Replacing door signs costs money."

Dixon texts further, "Don't know if backup needed, but can't hurt." He checks to see if the direction headed is consistent with heading to Green Acres, which might help Mystique get on scene faster.

Dixon thinks. o O (They need the girl to do something. So her life probably isn't in immediate danger. That helps.)

Mystique texts, "Organizing backup. Keep sending GPS updates.

Dixon sets the PDA to update Mystique on his location in live time.

Walled Estate
The SUV drives out of the city past Green Acres and into a walled estate. The wall is a good nine feet tall and topped by iron spikes. Just inside the wall, either side of the gate, are a male and a woman, both in about early twenties, dressed in camos and carrying assault rifles.

Dixon shifts to a monstrous form - rather like the early lumpy Thing - as the SUV passes through the gate. He picks the SUV up from underneath and swings it through 90 degrees, hoping to bash both guards while they're looking in through the SUV windows to check all is in order!

The gate guards are wearing ballistic armor vests. Good for keeping them alive by stopping projectiles. Not so good for blunt force. They are both knocked over and stunned but not seriously injured.

Dixon places the SUV on its side atop a guard so as to pin him and disadvantage the guys inside the vehicle. He glances about to see if anyone is likely to enter the fray from another angle.

The crushing weight sends the pinned gate guard to sleepy land.

Dixon bares his teeth at the guard he couldn't pin, playing to his monstrous appearance. . o O (Monster was a good thought. People are less likely to associate a monster with Dixon or with Wonder!)

A quick visual check shows Dan the drive extends a fair distance and passes through a clump of trees about a 100yds away. Nobody else is in sight.

The other gate guards recovers from being stunned. The three men in the SUV, unbalanced and tumbled from having the SUV turned upside down around them, open the doors of the SUV and fall out prone onto the ground.

The three from the SUV are clearly wearing light armor and previosuly concealed shoulder holstered pistols now their clothing is disturbed.

Dixon punches the remaining gate guard with a savage snarl. He's guessing he can handle the others' pistols easily enough. He plays up the part of monster to keep the men's attention on him, in preference to them thinking they have a potential hostage that might be used against a hero...

That's going to bruise. Not that the guard will be aware until she wakes up. She's out for the count.

The three from the SUV scamble to their feet. One takes off, racing up the drive.

The other two, braver or more foolish, open fire.

The concealed pistols make little more than 'popping' sounds when fired. Efficient silencers. They have no significant effect on Lump.

Dixon chortles monstrously, "Can't run from Lump!" as he leaps through the air, catching up with the running man, and tries to bash him sidelong.

The running man is stunned by the blow and wobbles on unsteady feet.

Dixon thinks. o O (Whew. Don't want them warning whoever else is here....)

The men from the SUV kneel and rest their pistols on a knee in approved marksman fashion. And fire.

Dixon growls, "Stupid humans! No throw things at Lump!" as a bullet bounces off him. He grabs for the guy beside him.

'Lump' throws the man back in the genera direction of the others!

Dixon gets lucky and the man collides with one of the two kneeling to shoot!

The one unstunned man fires again. They don't seem to be lacking some courage. Sanity, yes. Courage, no.

Lump doesn't even seem to notice that bullet.

Dixon leaps back toward the men - or rather just beyond and off to the side of them - shouting, "Lump squish!" Grabbing hold of the SUV, he presses it down on the three closely grouped men.

All but one of the five, two gate guards and the three from the SUV, go unconcious. The last conscious man is pinned under a heavy SUV and isn't going anywhere.

A sudden mist springs up from the ground. A moment later it coalesces into Mystique. Who is faintly steaming, hot vapors rising from her form.

Mystique glances around. "Been busy I see. Sorry I'm late. Remind to learn to drive a vehicle. My Misty Step ability is only short ranged."

Dixon grins. "Lump squished. One man still not all squished." He points at the conscious man. He figures Mystique must know who he is. His PDA led him here, after all. She also knows he's been hiding the extent of his powers. This could be useful, actually - gives her some more idea of his powers without identifying him with Wonder.

Dixon tears off the SUV door to rescue Steve.

Mystique nods and kneels beside the still conscious, although helplessly pinned man. "So tell me all."

Steven is unharmed but asleep and cannot be wakened.

Dixon figured Mystique would like to question the man. He checks Steven's state on the far side of the SUV body from the man, so he can't see Lump being gentle. Then he looks for a place he can conceal the unconscious Steve outside the compound while he and Mystique do what has to be done.

At first the man is defiant. The area around becomes, for want of a better word, creepy. Hideous forms are seen out the corner of the eye but not visible when looked at. Erie sounds, faint whispers that stir up primal fears. It's not that long before ther man is begging to talk. Anything, if only the witch stops looking at him.

Lump goes over and pokes a finger into the man's ribs. "Why you take man?"

The man tells Lump, "That was our task. Laid upon us by the Master of the Church of the Beast.

Dixon presses harder with a huge finger. "Lump no understand! What church? What beast? Why take man?"

Dixon rather wishes Mystique add some nuance to the questioning. Much as he finds he's enjoying playing Lump. :)

The man cries out from Lump's poke. "Please... The church in the valley. Beyond the trees. The great Beast. Mammon. The sacrifice must say words of praise. She refused We were told threatening the guy in front of her would make her submit."

"Sneak or drive?" Mystique asks.

Lump shrugs. "Lump not so sneaky. Should Lump go?" He figures it's best to stay in character in case there's any observation, but wants to ask Mystique if it's best to shift to a more subtle form.

Mystique nods, "Drive then. Whoever is at the end of this driveway is expecting a vehicle. It should let us get close enough for me to scry before they realise anything is wrong."

Lump nods. His assessment was much the same - better to stay as Lump for what is likely to be a fight. "Lump keep head down," he says, as he gets into the back of the vehicle.

Muttering a short incantation Mystique summons noxious vapors to put the remaining conscious cultist to sleep.

Mystique drives the vehicle. Into a tree after veering all over the place on the way to the trees. "I did mention I can't drive didn't I?" she says, eventually figuring out how to reverse.

You say, "Lump too no drive."

Mystique says, "This is supposed to be an automatic. Doesn't seem very automatic to me." She finds reverse, pulls back from the tree she hit, and drives slowly enough to mostly miss the other trees. Once past the trees we can see what appears to be a large hunting lodge.

Lump isn't too worried about driving skills, since we're not on roads.

Mystique drives up to within about thirty feet from the lodge. Opening the driver's door she sends a tendril of mist seeping out and into the lodge through the keyhole of the door. A moment later, "Go, Lump. It's happening. A ritual."

Lump exits the vehicle then leaps clean through the door of the lodge, snarling "Lump Squish!"

Church of the Beast
The inside of the lodge house is set up like a cursed church. Black candles burn with a smell of sulfur. Helen is chained to an inverted cross. Behind the cross is a monstrous statue of a horned beast. There are thirteen robed and cowled figures. One, standing next to the imprisoned Helen, slashes his own hand with a wicked looking curved blade just as Lump enters, and wipes blood onto Helen's dress over her chest. The one with the slashed hand is the only one not affected by the violent entry.

The cultist, apart from the one who used the knife on himself are shocked by the unexpected Lump.

The beasty statue comes to life. Bringing with it a feeling of evil. It turns to Helen and reaches out a clawed hand. But then recoils. It speaks in a gravelly harsh tone. "You offer spoiled flesh? You insult me." The hand reaches instead to the cultist leader and grabs him by the neck, which breaks with an audible crack. Then the statue returns to its original pose and ceases moving.

Lump rips the inverted cross with Helen on off the floor and leaps out of the building once again, keeping his own misshapen form between her and the cultists.

Lump leaps out into the open again, bearing the cross with Helen on it, his broad back sheltering her from the cultists.

Mystique steps out of the vehicle and as she can see into the lodge, thanks to the large hole left by Lump, she summons up a large cloud of noxious vapors.

The cultists, to the last man, are stunned by effects of the vapors.

The cultists start to recover from the stunning effect over the next second or three.

Lump rips Helen's chains free of the cross, to afford her some movement, at least. He figures Mystique has the cultists well in hand, and is more concerned now that Helen is not as scared of him and Mystique as she doubtless is of the cultists.

The chains rip like cotton.

Mystique maintains the cloud, and as it starts to thin adds to the vapors a second later..

The cultists collapse unconscious in place.

And they then breath in the supplementary cloud.

Helen looks at Lump. "Uh, are you a hero? You saved me, didn't you?" She is still obviously quite sedated.

Lump smiles, with large but blunt-looking teeth. "Lump saved girl. Misty lady saved girl too. Girl safe now."

Helen says, "Steve is in danger. They said if I didn't say those funny sounding words they woud hurt him."

"Tell to Misty lady. Lump look for more bad men." And he heads back into the lodge, to see if there indeed are any more hiding anywhere, or any other things of interest. He also figures it may be about time the mysterious Lump left and Mystique's partner reappeared, and this is a good excuse for that.

Mystique leaves comforting Helen to the friendly looking Lump. Helen is more likely than not to think the back clad witch was as bad or worse than the cultists.

When Lump goes looking for more bad guys, supposedly, Mystique tells Helen, "You're safe."

Lump shifts back to Dixon while he searches for clues, making it look like Lump left out the back. In particular, he looks for any more links to St Jude's - or indeed Mr Cooper's church.

A more through search reveal obe cultist is wearing a St Jude's jacket under his robes. Amother cultist has a tattoo on his arm of the St Jude's college badge. A third has a St Jude's library card on him."

Dixon emerges from the lodge. "Looks like I missed all the action coming in the back way! But you seem to have done just fine without me, partner." He tips his hat to Helen. "Glad so see you're ok, miss." Then he says to Mystique. "Found something interesting, though. At least three of these cultists have a connection to St Jude's college. Strikes me more than a coincidence."

Mystique nods to Dan. "Helen Cooper, this is Dan. My partner. Three with connections to St Jude's? It may be an isolated group. I'm sure the police investigators will check that lead out. We should bear it in mind too."

Dixon nods. He goes over to Helen. "How are you feeling, Miss Cooper?"

Helen seems to be recovering, slowly, from the sedation. "Thankful. You rescued me from something horrible I think. How did you come to be here?"

Dixon says, "Your parents hired us - they said you were missing. I found out that you had been seeing Steve and was going to talk to him - then by luck I saw him being kidnapped, and followed!"

Helen visibly starts, "Steve has been kidnapped? Please, you have to rescue him too."

Dixon smiles. "Already done. He's not far from here - come, I'll take you to him." He says to Mystique, "Oh, by the way, that big brute jumped off in that direction -" he points - "muttering something about looking for bad men." Just to make sure Helen doesn't make the connection.

Mystique nods, "Lump is a huge asset to our partnership, Dan. Remind me to seek him out and thank him later."

Msytique tells Helen, "Steve was sedated, but he should be fine once that wears off."

Dixon takes Helen to meet Steve - not a bad idea anyway, since if Steve wakes up unattended he'll have no idea what's going on!

Mystique asks, "Ms Cooper, you will need to decide what you are going to do. Your parents hired us to find you, which we have done. But as you are eighteen it's for you to decide where you go now."

Helen has no hesitation, "I want to be with Steve."

Dixon nods, and says to Mystique, "It might be worth mentioning to Mr Cooper that three of these cultists are connected to St Jude's - it might change his opinion of the college."

Mystique lets Dan take Helen to Steve. While he does she calls the police to report two kidnappings and an attempted homicide.

CBSU Residences
It's Sunday. The University academic buildings are quiet but the student halls and social areas are as busy as ever.

The address Mrs Cooper wrote on the note is a room in the Student Halls.

Dixon wonders about the tack here. If Helen did vanish on purpose and her friends know anything about it, approaching as a private detective hired by her father is not going to go down well...

Mystique makes her first call to her police contact. She's surprised to discover the Coopers never spoke to the police about their daughters disappearence.

Dixon decides to be a concerned friend who has noticed she hasn't been in class, at least as a first approach. He adopts the guise of a female student (wishing he knew what Helen was studying, but Sunday isn't the best time to get info out of the university) and heads to the building she lives in.

Dixon sees if anyone will hold the outer door open - not unlikely given the appearance of a student.

A helpful student does indeed hold the door open for Dan.

The residence hall lobby is quiet with just a sleepy porter/security person at the reception office. Noise is coming from a rec room where mostly male students are watching a football game with cheers and jeers. A few students are entering and leaving the hall, most heading to or from the elevators.

Dixon follows on through and goes searching for Helen's room. . o O (If she has a roommate there's an obvious first person to ask. Even if not, someone seeing me knocking on her door might be helpful...)

Helen's room is on the 12th floor. When Dan knocks the door is answered by a plain looking female student in a floppy Afkan dress and bottle top glasses. She peers shortsightedly at Dan. "Uh. Hello?"

Dixon says, "Oh, hey. Is Helen here?" He/she glances into the room past the girl, trying to spot in particular to try to spot any textbooks that would indicate what Helen is studying. "I haven't seen her in class all week! Is she ok?"

The girl backs away to let Dan enter. "She's hasn't been here for over a week," she tells Dan. "I'm a bit worried. She doesn't normally go out much. Well, until she met Steven."

Dixon enters, to get a better view of the room and Helen's stuff. "Steven? Steve who?" He gently, imperceptibly inserts a memory of 'herself' as Helen's classmate Cath, whom this girl might have seen her with, just to make sure he doesn't arouse any suspicions.

The room is clearly split in two. On one side text and reference books for environmental studies. One the other books for mathematics. The girl goes to sit on the bed by the environmental books. "Steven Baker. He's a history post-grad. Lives in the Student Quarter somewhere."

Dixon somehow wasn't expecting her to be studying maths, given the picture of liberal corruption her father was painting. Seems rather tame. "Has she been seeing

The girl shakes her head, "Just a couple of weeks. Helen was so shy she never made many friends. I talked her into coming to a guest lecture on pre-reformation belief systems. She met Steven there."

Dixon smiles gently. "I know - I'm so glad she met someone! At least -" 'Cath' bites her lip. "If she's ok. I thought she must be sick or something. But you haven't see her in a week?"

The girl nods, "Not for a week," she confirms, glancing over to the other bed in the room.

Cath glances that way herself, with a worried look. "Did she take any stuff with her? Clothes? Toothbrush?"

The girl shakes her head. "No. Nothing. All her stuff is still here."

The girl asks 'Cath', "Do you think I ought to report it to the Proctors?"

Cath frowns deeper. "OK. Now I'm *really* worried... And yeah, I think you should... Mind if I look about her stuff? See if I find any hint where she might be?"

There's barely any hesitation before the girl nods, "Go ahead. Now I'm really worried."

Dixon has a quick poke about, looking especially for any notes - maybe she's even old-fashioned enough to have a paper calendar or something if he's lucky.

The text book on Helen's study desk is Kider, Osberg, Perkins, and Muller. Linear Analysis. There's a scrap of paper stuck in it as a bookmark. 'Steve. 127c, Berkside House, SQ.'

Eureka! 'Cath' takes a photo of the address on her PDA. Best to keep disturbance to a minimum in case the police do become involved.

Dixon doesn't mention the address, just in case the roommate decides to go looking herself, which could conceivably be dangerous. "You're right, nothing seems to be missing," 'Cath' says... "When exactly was she last here?"

The girl thinks. Her face shows uncertaincy as she says, "Thursday before last. I think."

Dixon says, "And you haven't seen her anywhere since?"

This time she's sure. "No. Nowhere."

Cath nods. "You definitely should tell the proctors. I'm going to go and ask about to see if anyone else has seen her!"

The girl nods. She seems both worried and glad that she's been given advice on what to do.

Cath says goodbye and goes to continue the search - then turns back. "Can you call me if she turns up again or you hear anything? I'll give you my number..."

The girl nods, "Yes. Of course. I do hope she's all right."

Dixon says, "Me too..."

Dixon leaves. Probably his work here is done for now - there's a clear lead to follow - so he leaves the building, not turning back to his own shape till he's clear of it. Then he pauses, and finds out all he can about 'Steve, 127c, Berkside House' online.

Seems Steve Baker is not a public figure. There's almost no obvious online presence.

Dixon thinks. o O (Hm. Not on YouFace or anything...)

Dixon checks the time.

It's just coming up to mid-day. Still a couple of hours before the arranged meeting with Mystique.

Dixon decides he might as well check out where Steve lives before the meeting, then. He adopts a new guise (a male student this time - should fit in well in the Student Quarter) and starts making his way to Berkside House afoot, pausing to get some takeaway coffee on the way.

Student Quarter
Berkside House is typical of the Student Quarter. Originally a three story town house. Now sub-divided into as many broom closets as can be fitted in. Each rented to a student. There's an impromptu basketball game in progress in the small park near it. The age of the participants suggests they are students.

A bounce of the basketball sends it over the park fence to roll to Dan's feet.

"Toss it back please," shouts a player.

Dixon stops and picks up the ball. He tosses it back, approaching where the game is as he does so.

The ball curves gracefully over the fence and drops through the basket. Nothing but net. The players cheer and applaud.

"We want him on OUR side."

Dixon grins and stops as if intending to watch play.

One of the players comes over to the fence, "That was some shot. Wanna join? I'm Marko by the way."

Dixon says, "Sure, why not? I'm Ben." . o O (If nothing else, I can watch the place a bit inconspicuously from here. And wouldn't hurt to make some friends I can ask about things.) "I should be honest and say I got lucky there."

"Stay lucky. We're behind 12 pts." Marko opens the gate through the fence. He introduces the others on his 'team'. "This is Ben." he tells them.

Dixon says, "I'll do my best!" He listens in case there's a Steve among them.

Ben isn't that lucky. There's no Steven in the game.

Dixon/Ben wonders if the basketball game is a waste of time, and he'd be better off just going up to Steve's place and knocking, but he decides to stick with it a few minutes at least, if just from politeness.

There's no basketball superstars in the pick-up game. So how much Dan wants to shine depends on how much he wants to apply his vastly superior speed and co-ordination.

As Dan is keeping some attention on the townhouse, the door opens and four males walk out as a group. Marko, the basketball player Dan spoke to first notices and waves, calling out a greeting to "Steve'. Steve waves back.

Dixon doesn't shine too much. He makes sure they don't regret inviting him to join, but doesn't want to overdo it. Besides (a) he's watching the building and (b) basketball isn't he game as such.

What Dan sees is that Steve isn't under duress, as yet, but when he waves back to Marko the three slightly older males around him close in a little. As if making sure Steve is going where they want him to.

Marko calls over, "Finished moping, Steve? Breakups happen. Plenty more fish in the sea."

Steve calls back, "I just found out Helen's in hospital. I'm going to see her now."

OK, that gives me a few more seconds. "Shit, is that the time? Sorry, this has been fun, but I need to get going!" says Dixon, tossing the ball to someone else. "See you around!"

Dixon hurries off, looking a spot where he can do a quick change to someone else and tail Steve and the others.

One of the group of males with Steve heads to an up market SUV and starts the vehicle. Unless daddy is rich, that's not likely a student's car.

Steve is directed toward the SUV by one of the two males still with him.

Dixon makes his way to an alley, promptly emerges as a cat, and slips under the SUV. He hopes they don't notice - or just assume the cat will leave again - rather than checking.

Steve and the two males with him get into the SUV. It starts driving down the street.

Dixon shifts once again to match the underside of the SUV, approximately, and rides along with the SUV, clinging to its bottom.

Riding along on, or more accurately, under the SUV, despite the road, engine, and tire noise, Dan is just able to hear the conversation inside the vehicle.

After a few miniutes of silence Steve comments, "This isn't the way to the hospital."

Another voice answers, "We're taking a shortcut."

Dixon listens attentively, pressing an expanded ear to the SUV's body. . o O (Huh. So he'd believed them about the hospital before?)

Steve queries in a louder voice, "The hospital is in the opposite direction."

Dixon lets go with one hand to reach his PDA, checks his location, and text Mystique quickly about his current location and the the situation. In case things go badly. He keeps listening, to see if Steve's objections are putting him in danger.

There's the sound of s scuffle. Then one of the other men speaks, "That injection should keep him out for a couple of hours."

Dixon thinks. o O (Bit late to rescue him now... Probably most useful to let these guys go where they're going rather than interrupt at this stage...)

Another voice, from the driver judging from position, "What then?"

Dixon keeps listening for anything that might alter that assessment.

The first voice, "The girl will co-operate, or her boyfriend will get dismembered in front of her."

Mystique texts back, 'Do you need assistance?'

The driver's voice, "The Lord's will be done."

Three vocies, "Amen."

So that means they're going to where the girl is! Worth knowing, and worth letting them continue. "They've drugged the bf. Driving to where Helen is so they can use him to force her to do something. Sounds like weird religious stuff. I'll ambush them when they get there."

Mystique texts back, "Be careful. Replacing door signs costs money."

Dixon texts further, "Don't know if backup needed, but can't hurt." He checks to see if the direction headed is consistent with heading to Green Acres, which might help Mystique get on scene faster.

Dixon thinks. o O (They need the girl to do something. So her life probably isn't in immediate danger. That helps.)

Mystique texts, "Organizing backup. Keep sending GPS updates.

Dixon sets the PDA to update Mystique on his location in live time.

North of Green Acres
The SUV drives out of the city past Green Acres and into a walled estate. The wall is a good nine feet tall and topped by iron spikes. Just inside the wall, either side of the gate, are a male and a woman, both in about early twenties, dressed in camos and carrying assault rifles.

Dixon shifts to a monstrous form - rather like the early lumpy Thing - as the SUV passes through the gate. He picks the SUV up from underneath and swings it through 90 degrees, hoping to bash both guards while they're looking in through the SUV windows to check all is in order!

The gate guards are wearing ballistic armor vests. Good for keeping them alive by stopping projectiles. Not so good for blunt force. They are both knocked over and stunned but not seriously injured.

Dixon places the SUV on its side atop a guard so as to pin him and disadvantage the guys inside the vehicle. He glances about to see if anyone is likely to enter the fray from another angle.

The crushing weight sends the pinned gate guard to sleepy land.

Dixon bares his teeth at the guard he couldn't pin, playing to his monstrous appearance. . o O (Monster was a good thought. People are less likely to associate a monster with Dixon or with Wonder!)

A quick visual check shows Dan the drive extends a fair distance and passes through a clump of trees about a 100yds away. Nobody else is in sight.

The other gate guards recovers from being stunned. The three men in the SUV, unbalanced and tumbled from having the SUV turned upside down around them, open the doors of the SUV and fall out prone onto the ground.

The three from the SUV are clearly wearing light armor and previosuly concealed shoulder holstered pistols now their clothing is disturbed.

Dixon punches the remaining gate guard with a savage snarl. He's guessing he can handle the others' pistols easily enough. He plays up the part of monster to keep the men's attention on him, in preference to them thinking they have a potential hostage that might be used against a hero...

That's going to bruise. Not that the guard will be aware until she wakes up. She's out for the count.

The three from the SUV scamble to their feet. One takes off, racing up the drive.

The other two, braver or more foolish, open fire.

The concealed pistols make little more than 'popping' sounds when fired. Efficient silencers.

Dixon chortles monstrously, "Can't run from Lump!" as he leaps through the air, catching up with the running man, and tries to bash him sidelong.

The running man is stunned by the blow and wobbles on unsteady feet.

Dixon thinks. o O (Whew. Don't want them warning whoever else is here....)

The men from the SUV kneel and rest their pistols on a knee in approved marksman fashion. And fire.

Dixon growls, "Stupid humans! No throw things at Lump!" as a bullet bounces off him. He grabs for the guy beside him.

'Lump' throws the man back in the genera direction of the others!

Dixon gets lucky and the man collides with one of the two kneeling to shoot!

The one unstunned man fires again. They don't seem to be lacking some courage. Sanity, yes. Courage, no.

'Lump' doesn't even seem to notice that bullet.

Dixon leaps back toward the men - or rather just beyond and off to the side of them - shouting, "Lump squish!" Grabbing hold of the SUV, he presses it down on the three closely grouped mean.

All but one of the five, two gate guards and the three from the SUV, go unconcious. The last conscious man is pinned under a heavy SUV and isn't going anywhere.

A sudden mist springs up from the ground. A moment later it coalesces into Mystique. Who is faintly steaming, hot vapors rising from her form.

Mystique glances around. "Been busy I see. Sorry I'm late. Remind to learn to drive a vehicle. My misty step is only short ranged."

Dixon grins. "Lump squished. One man still not all squished." He points at the conscious man. He figures Mystique must know who he is. His PDA led him here, after all. She also knows he's been hiding the extent of his powers. This could be useful, actually - gives her some more idea of his powers without identifying him with Wonder.

Dixon tears off the SUV door to rescue Steve.

Mystique nods and kneels beside the still conscious, although helplessly pinned man. "So tell me all."

Steven is unharmed but asleep and cannot be wakened.

Dixon figured Mystique would like to question the man. He checks Steven's state on the far side of the SUV body from the man, so he can't see Lump being gentle. Then he looks for a place he can conceal the unconscious Steve outside the compound while he and Mystique do what has to be done.

At first the man is defiant. The area around becomes, for want of a better word, creepy. Hideous forms seen out the corner of the eye but not visible when looked at. Erie sounds, faint whispers that stir up primal fears. It's not that long before ther man is begging to talk. Anything, if only the witch stops looking at him.

Lump goes over and pokes a finger into the man's ribs. "Why you take man?"

The man tells Lump, "That was our task. Laid upon us by the Master of the Church of the Beast.

Dixon presses harder with a huge finger. "Lump no understand! What church? What beast? Why take man?"

Dixon rather wishes Mystique add some nuance to the questioning. Much as he finds he's enjoying playing Lump. :)

The man cries out from Lump's poke. Please... The church in the valley. Beyond the trees. The great Beast. Mammon. The sacrifice must say words of praise. She refused We were told threatening the guy in front of her would make her submit.