Log:Tracking Down Arno

Here Comes the Judge 2020/07/21 Night Marshal Grimm 5

Night's fallen, which is typically when vigilantes come out to play. Grimm's messaged Night Marshal to let him know Carpenter's suggestion that they try and get Arno to talk about his weapons. << Let's see what we can find out on the streets and meet up on the Upper East Side. Maybe not a roof to make it easier on you. >>

Night Marshal sends a message back, << I can meet on a rooftop just fine, little lady. >> He picks out a low building to make it easier, though.

Grimm grins to herself at the little lady response. . o O (He's even a cowpoke in text. That's commitment.) She tries to hit the streets to find some word on Arno. She doesn't have any luck, and waits for Night Marshal's arrival on the rooftop.

Hitting some contacts, and potentially shaking down some thugs, he hears word that Vin Arno has an operation in an abandoned meat packing building in the Upper East Side's rundown factory district.

Night Marshal shows up on the rooftop, after climbing up the side of the building. He's relatively quiet, but not trying to be that stealthy about it.

Grimm got patched up at the Steinberg clinic and is lost in her thoughts as she waits. So much so that she doesn't notice Night Marshal until he's on the roof and on the approach. She looks over her shoulder and offers a weary half-smile. "Hey there, Cowboy. I hope you had more like than I did."

Night Marshal nods. "I think I have a location for Arno's operation, at least. An abandoned meat packing building in the Upper East Side. Not sure if the man himself will be there. But we can check it out."

Grimm nods and turns to face him, her smile growing more energized at the good news. "Well, the guy's gotta check his operations from time to time, right? Maybe it's stakeout time. Detective Carpenter didn't have enough evidence to pursue it, so the ball's in our court, I suppose."

Night Marshal nods. "The law has to have one hand tied behind its back sometimes. That's where we come in."

Grimm smiles a little at that analogy. "Mm. I guess that's true. So long as we don't break any major laws. So which way to this building? I can get us there the fast way."

Night Marshal thinks about it...and points in a direction. "That way." He chuckles.

Grimm looks in that direction and gauges rooftops near where she knows the Upper East Side is. Her shadow sight can sense more clearly than her eyes. She casts her hand before them and opens up a swirling black gate of shadow on another rooftop. "It may take a few hops to find it," she says as an advance apology.

Night Marshal nods. "Probably faster than me gliding there."

"At least until we get in the general area," Gabrielle nods, motioning to him. "After you."

Night Marshal nods and steps through the gate, looking around to get his bearings after he arrives.

Grimm steps through after Night Marshal. He can see that they're within the general neighborhood. The businesses and factories here all have barred windows at street level, and metal shutters. The sidewalks are grungy and dirtier in this part of town, and graffiti is prevalent. Most of the businesses are dark and quiet, but some have lights on. There's just mazes of streets with industrial buildings and loading bays. The meat packing factory is visible after some orientation. It's a tall one-story building, with dim light in the frosted windows.

Night Marshal points to the building, "That one. If it's abandoned, the lights shouldn't be on."

"You want on the roof, on the ground by it, or somewhere else?" Grimm offers as she studies the building he points out.

Night Marshal nods. "Let's see if there's a skylight to check out. Rooftop."

Grimm casts her hand out and opens a new portal out onto the other rooftop. There are two skylights. One in the front, and one in the rear.

Night Marshal steps through...lightly. He tries to make it way over to the front skylight to take a look.

Grimm walks through and is deathly silent. She closes the portal behind them as Night Marshal heads to the front skylight. The windows are dirty from the elements and hard to see through. The lights inside are faint, but he does see someone guarding the front door. The majority of the light is spilling from the rear.

Night Marshal points toward the other skylight, and makes his way over there as well to take a look.

Grimm nods and sneaks over to join him at the skylight. Below there's a table setup and some weapons crates. They're counting out magazine clips and ammo, filling up various crates and cases.

Vin Arno is definitely not inside. He does see three men working. He also hears a car pulling up in the back. And then the sound of four car doors opening and closing. Shortly after, four men enter. The first two look like guards. The third to enter is none other than Vin Arno. And behind, a thinner man.

Night Marshal points out the man in question for Grimm's benefit.

Grimm nods at the pointing and leans in to whisper, "So how should we handle this? Wait 'til he leaves to question him?"

Night Marshal whispers to Grimm, "Not sure. If we go in there, it WILL turn into a firefight. What do you think?"

Grimm nods at that assessment and thinks carefully. "I think...chances are they use their own product, too. Their weapons probably have cape-killers loaded."

Night Marshal shrugs, "Maybe. Getting caught with a hidden firearm is one thing. Getting caught with that is another. They might use them while in the building. Outside of it...perhaps not."

"Though chances of getting caught are lower if they're using something like that. But...maybe you're right and they won't risk it outside," Grimm supposes. "I don't even know what the charges would be for using ammo like that versus normal ammo."

Night Marshal nods. "Military ordnance. It's a different class of felony."

Grimm raises her eyebrows and smiles at his knowledge. "Really? Interesting. Hmm. I suppose we can take our chances."

Night Marshal shrugs, 'Then again...breaking up the illegal weapon ring would also be good. I'm leaning toward...surprising them and getting the drop on them."

Grimm nods as dark energy outlines her in preparation, smiling a bit. "Getting them off the streets? Definitely. And I'm full of surprises. I'm sure we'd be at an advantage."

Night Marshal draws his weapon. "Ready when you are."

Grimm reaches out to put a hand on his shoulder. "I'm ready. I can port us in right behind them," she suggests.

Night Marshal nods. "Works for me."

The pair vanish from the rooftop. Everything does dark for Night Marshal for a brief second. But those haunting whispers in several voices make it feel much longer. Some whisper sultry temptations. Some dark prophecy. They can't quite be made out, but someone the general idea gets across.

They reappear inside the factory, behind Arno, his two body guards, his numbers guy, and the three thugs filling out the orders. They cut the crooks off from their rear exit.

Gabrielle let's go of Night Marshal's shoulder and aims a hand towards on of the thugs, a shadowy bolt that's semi-transparent flying towards him.

One of the thugs suddenly slumps over after the energy passes through him, groaning.

Night Marshal is a little concerned that opening fire will cause them to think he's firing lethal ammo...and go for guns. They might still do that, but might as well try to prevent that. He aims at Arno and cocks his weapon, making that audible 'click'. "Arno, I reckon you oughta tell your boys to drop their weapons."

Arno puts his hands up. "Now, now. You wouldn't go shooting someone in the back would you?" he responds nervously. The sound of that loud click near him makes him consider the answer for that. "Drop your weapons. That's an order!" he barks to his stunned crew.

Grimm aims her palm towards the biggest of the two bodyguards. "You heard the cowboy. And your boss," she grins.

Night Marshal nods. "Arno. We need to have a talk. You had some of your weapons stolen. By a local vigilante. The OTHER guy who dresses like a cowboy. Judge."

Arno looks over his shoulder at the mention of cowboy, looking angry at first. "You've got some balls to rob me twice and pretend to--" the starts, then looks at Grimm and her attire. It certainly doesn't match the cowboy theme. He looks to Night Marshal. "There's two of you wild west folks out there?"

Arno's men haven't moved yet, but they aren't reaching for their weapons either.

Grimm keeps her guy covered. "Hey, he said drop those weapons," she warns when they stay still. They slowly pull out their guys with their hands up and slowly set them on the ground.

Night Marshal nods. "Yeah. There's two of us. I'm Night Marshal. The other guy is Judge. He's the one who robbed you. I'm not. Tell us about what happened when you ran afoul of the guy."

Vin Arno looks at the pair of them and slowly turns around to address the vigilantes, hands still in the air. His blonde hair is buzzed short. He's got a stocky build. His clothes are fitted a bit tight against his frame. Buttoned down shirt. No tie. Nice jacket. Nice pants. Expensive watch. Wedding ring. "I don't know nothing about that. But what I heard is 'someone' got robbed during a drop and got himself killed, and all that expensive merchandise got looted," he says with careful intention.

Night Marshal chuckles. "I see. Well, 'someone' just got caught with a bunch of illegal weapons. You'll need to get pay your lawyer overtime, I think."

"Maybe we can come to an arrangement. What is it you want?" Arno proposes.

Night Marshal shrugs, "I already stated what I wanted. And you deflected, Mr. Arno."

Grimm is keeping an eye on the crew while Night Marshal does the majority of the talking.

"I wasn't there. I told you what I know. You think I go out on deliveries?" Arno asks. He stares down Night Marshal, then sighs in irritation, shaking his head. "The guy called and said some cowboy looking was coming towards the van. Then shots were heard. The van was emptied out."

He stops shaking his head and studies Night Marshal. "You satisfied? How much is it going to take for you and your little girlfriend to go away and forget about this? You gotta want something. Money. Women. Vengeance for the death of your parents. What?" he says, trying to strike a sleezy deal.

Night Marshal nods slowly. "What merchandise did you lose? I know some of it. Cape-killer ammo. What else?"

Arno frowns at Night Marshal ignoring his offer. "Some extra tid-bits. Gas and frag grenades."

Night Marshal tilts his head, "I don't want to shoot you. But we're still going to take you all in. Sure, you might get out in short order with a good lawyer. But we'll make you work for it.

"Heeeey, I thought we were getting all friendly here," Arno opines in disappointment in Night Marshal's offer. "You that certain the two of you will make it out alive?"

Night Marshal tilts his head, "Yes, I'm sure. Are you sure YOU will? I'm the one with a gun pointed at you."

Arno's certain smirk dims as he turns his head to look the cowboy in the face. Even Grimm is impressed, and has a mixture of an expression that is both 'Daaaayuuuum' and 'Mad respect'. Which also makes Arno reconsider. "Alright, don't get an itchy trigger finger, ya psycho. You got us," he says as he puts his hands up. He gives a look to his guys. "Don't say a word."

The other men raise their hands up.

Night Marshal nods, "Drop your weapons on the floor. Then lie down on the floor, face down."

The men disarm. Reluctantly. But they did disarm. And grumble as they lie down on the floor. Grimm keeps her guy covered and keeps quiet, attention on the bad guys. Arno is the last to go down, first on his knees, then laying face down.

Night Marshal says to Grimm, "Keep an eye on the guys in the front. They could show up any time." He then places a quick call to the police...calling this in. Might as well let the police cart this lot in, after all.

Grimm nods. "They haven't moved yet," she says quietly, and starts walking towards the front to check to check on those guys.

Suddenly, somewhere, is the sound of someone fanning the hammer on an old-fashioned revolver. It catches everyone by surprise except Grimm. She suddenly stops walking and turns around. "Night, watch out!" she says quickly as she throws up a dark barrier behind Night Marshal.

Several bullets flatten against the barrier, chipping away at some of it. But it manages to stop Night Marshal and Arno and his men from getting gunned down. A western drawn from an older man's voice says, "Gettin' in the way of justice again?" The Judge holsters his revolved and draws another one with a spin. "Yer no better than these criminals yer protectin'."

The Judge frowns. Grimm is in the darker part of the factory, off to the side of her barrier, so he takes aim at her. "Yer gettin' to be a real nuisance," he grumbles and takes a shot at Grimm.

Gabrielle gasps and the bullet goes right through her chest. Just as Grimm turns into a shadow in the nick of time.

Night Marshal moves to one side of the barrier to use it for some cover while he takes a shot at Judge.

Night Marshal chuckles. "Only hacks need to throw that much lead in the air to get the job done. You know that, right? Are you just a bad shot?"

The Judge gets hit in the chest and staggers back. But the old man is still spry on his feet when he needs to be and stays standing. "Jealous I'm a faster shot than ya?"

Arno says, "Light 'em up, boys!" That's all the bodyguards need to start moving.

One gets up fast enough to run for his gun, picking it up and firing at Night Marshal. The other gets up and just makes it for his gun.

Arno proves to have some experience himself. He scrambles to his feet and grabs his gun. If Night Marshal had a chance to look at it, it's a very nice, polished weapon that glints in the light as it's brought at him and fired.

Night Marshal manages to see the shots coming and he ducks. "Sure...shoot at the guy who's trying to protect you from the vigilante attempting to kill you. Good job."

The Judge smiles as the men try to shoot Night Marshal in the back. "There's gratitude for ya. What do you expect from vipers," he shakes his head and starts backing away to the back door and around the corner for some cover.

Grimm frowns as the guys try shooting Night Marshal in the back. "Backstabbing sons of..." she starts as she starts to solidify back into flesh and blood, and flingers her hand to one of the guards, a dark bolt of transparent energy flying towards him.

The energy flows through him. He shivers and collapses to the floor, dropping his gun.

Night Marshal moves to try to get into some more cover from the goons...but still wants to shoot at Judge. He's the dangerous one.

The Judge curses from the sting of the shot. "Tarnation!"

The Thugs are faster than the guards. Spry and all that. They drive for their guns and get to their fight, firing at Night Marshal.

One bullet goes whizzing by Night Marshal's head, too close for comfort.

Feeling the sting of Night Marshal's shots, The Judge starts to high tail it. He runs, and then tosses a flashbang back through the door.

Night Marshal ducks his head...on the side of the opaque barrier to avoid the flashbang that gets tossed into the room.

Grimm hurls another blast at one of the thugs.

Another thug groans and sinks to the floor.

The Bodyguard who got up faster starts running towards the front, running towards Grimm and opening fire at her to get her out of the way. The other bodyguard stands his ground and fires at Night Marshal.

The bullet strikes Gabrielle, getting deflected by her shadow shield as she turns from the impact. The other bodyguard's shot goes over Night Marshal's head.

Arno looks at the fleeing bodyguard, the two vigilantes before him, and the one blocking their way. He curses and takes his chances charging after his bodyguard, but he takes a shot back at Night Marshal.

Night Marshal is struck by the bullet and he grunts. He's send flying back a good eight meters...tumbling onto the floor.

Arno has a smug smirk on his face at having tagged the vigilante.

The Judge is out of sight. Maybe he vamoosed.

Grimm is conflicted for a moment on what to do as she sees Night Marshal go down. She remembers him saying he's just a guy. She quickly vanishes and reappears kneeling next to Night Marshal, for all the good it'll do. She doesn't know how to dress a wound and certainly can't heal. "You okay? You aren't dying on me, are you, Cowboy?" she asks as she puts a hand on his shoulder, then looks to the fleeing Arno.

"Night night, Marshal," Arno taunts.

Night Marshal shakes his head as he starts to get his wits about him, "I'm okay. I'm okay. Didn't get through the kevlar. Try to nab Arno. But watch out for Judge in case he's circling back."

Grimm nods in relief. "I'm on it." She vanishes again as she teleports into the front room, ahead of Arno and the Bodyguard.

Grimm gets ahead of the main crew trying to escape. She quickly casts a hand towards the large doors, summoning a wall of shadow to block her side of the doors to cut off Arno and his bodyguards' escape.

Night Marshal picks up his pistol and springs to his feet before taking a shot at Arno.

Arno gets tagged in the back and tumbles due to moment, collapsing face down on the ground.

The Bodyguards see Arno go down and both hesitate, considering their opposition. They look at each other and seem to come to a silent understanding. The boss isn't awake to see. They run for the front door to flee, but as the lead bodyguard opens the door, he runs smack into the shadow wall. "Hey, what the hell!?"

The last conscious guy looks around nervously at his two unconscious coworkers, Arno, Night Marshal, and the blocked door. He chickens out and takes his chances leaving out the way the Judge did, randomly picking a direction in the hopes he picked the right way to avoid the Judge.

Night Marshal goes ahead and fires at one of the bodyguards, knowing that it won't kill them. They'll come to that realization later.

The bodyguard arches his back and lets out a shout of pain before slumping to the ground. His buddy is looking awful nervous.

"Okay, okay, I give up! I'm not resisting!" the last bodygard spills out in panic as he drops his gun and puts his hands behind his head.

Night Marshal nods. "Then get down! The other guy might very well come back!"

Night Marshal adds, "My bullets aren't lethal. His. Are."

The bodyguard complies and quickly goes to find cover. Or someplace to hide. He knocks over a metal prep table and hides behind it.

Night Marshal also moves to take some cover, in case Judge comes back. But he listens for shots outside...or the police coming, since he had placed the phone call earlier.

No sirens yet. Must be a ways off still. From outside, Night Marshal hears a gunshot ring out. It sounds a bit distant.

Night Marshal heads to the door that Judge fled out of and peers outside, using his IR vision to see if he can spot the other gunman.

Night Marshal sees the thug that ran towards the front of this side alley, lying on his back. And his IR vision spies the heat signature. Across the street and continuing down the next side alleys, he sees someone some seventy meters away.

Night Marshal heads over to the thug to check on his injury.

The heat signature of the Judge takes off, turning down an alley and out of sight.

The thug was shot in the chest. The Judge must be a crack shot. He's bleeding out fast and will die without medical attention.

Night Marshal holsters his weapon and goes about trying to treat the wound.

Sirens start to sound on the approach. After Night Marshal gets the bleeding under control, Gabrielle materializes nearby. "Wrapped up the last guy inside, and the guy hiding behind the table," she says as she sees Night Marshal work. "Shick..."

Night Marshal nods. "I saw Judge get away. But I think I managed to save this guy. The dumb ran out toward the Judge. I think they don't realize exactly what kind of person he is."

"They must still think he's some hero with a code of morals," Gabrielle opines, catching her breath. "You're up, but are you injured, too?" she asks, checking to see if there's any signs of blood on his outfit.

Night Marshal shrugs as he continues treating the wound on the thug, "Just bruising, I think. My kevlar stopped the shots I took pretty well." Barely. The shot from Arno did puncture the armor.

"Good. I was worried when I saw you go down. Those shots hurt." As she well remembers. Grimm rubs below her left collarbone, where she got shot the last time.

Patrol cars pull up out front, lights flashing.