Log:Aiming to Find the Judge

Here Comes the Judge 2020/06/24 	 Night Marshal Grimm

2

Grimm is just stepping out of Space Burger after meeting up with some school friends before they move back home for the summer. She takes out her cellphone and checks some odd alert messages about her cloud storage being full.

Night Marshal is standing across the street as she comes out. Or rather...he steps out of an alleyway. He tips his hat, "Evening, miss."

Grimm glances up from her messages and notices Night Marshal as he tips his hat. She looks around as the traffic clears, and...almost jaywalks. The lawless fiend! But instead, she takes a step in his direction and vanishes in a swirl of darkness, appearing on his side of the street a few feet away. "Hey there, Cowboy," she smiles. "Fancy meetin' you around these parts," she says playfully with a western accent. "I was hoping I'd run into you sooner than later to thank you," she says back in her normal voice.

Night Marshal nods. "I'm glad you seem to be much better than you were when I saw you last. The hospital definitely did wonders."

"The hospital helped. I'm lucky you were there to help me get there in time. They said I owe you my life," Gabrielle admits. "There's a semi-known free magical clinic in Steinberg Tower with magic healers, so they patched me up the rest of the way," Grimm smiles. "I, uh, got a visit from Detective Carpenter about the case. He said he heard about where I was from you."

Night Marshal nods. "I let him know where you were. I reckoned that they wouldn't let me in to visit you while carrying a firearm."

Grimm thinks on that and nods. "Probably not. Especially if there was an APB for a guy out of a western who just shot a meta."

Night Marshal points to Grimm, "True enough. Then I'd have lots of questions to answer."

Grimm smiles. "Can't have that now. But I'm okay, and awake. If there's any mistake identity, I'll vouch for you."

Night Marshal nods. "This Judge...seemed to say that he'll be gunning for us directly now."

Grimm's eyebrows raise. "So we both have a target in our backs now?"

Night Marshal nods. "Maybe? It's possible. Depends on how literal he was being. I think the guy isn't subtle, though. So...probably."

Grimm frowns a bit. "He won't get a chance to trick me again. I'd like to see him try that again when there isn't someone to protect."

Night Marshal nods. "You have a spell that can grab someone, right?"

Night Marshal says, "Or some kind of power like that?"

Grimm nods a bit. "A power. Not a spell. I don't cast magic. Though...maybe I'd have an affinity for it, all things considered. But yeah, I could grab him from afar."

Night Marshal nods. "That's what you'll want to do if you fight him, I think. Don't let him bring those pistols to bear."

Grimm listens attentively to Night Marshal's advice. "Right. Got it. If I run into him again, that's what I'll try first," she nods, taking this seriously.

Night Marshal chuckles. "And if you have to fight me, that's what you should try first, too."

Grimm's lips part in surprise. "Why would I have to fight you? You're one of the good guys, right?"

Night Marshal nods. "Remember that vampire that we ran into?"

"Ohh...right. He tried to play with your head," Gabrielle realizes. After a moment, she smirks playfully. "Well, if you ever have to fight me, I guess all you have to do is shoot me."

Night Marshal chuckles. "Well...my bullets are non-lethal. So, that would be ideal."

Grimm chuckles and rubs her shoulder, remembering one of the places she was shot. "That's a relief, but I bet they'd still sting like a mother," she smiles.

Night Marshal nods. "They do." He rubs his chin, "So, do we try to track this guy down?"

Grimm smiles slyly. "Sounds better than letting him hunt us down, right? We could partner up to try and bring this guy to justice."

Night Marshal thinks about it. "I reckon you're right. We should work together to bring him in. The only question is...how do we find him?"

Grimm rubs her chin. "I don't know exactly. I ran across that guy by accident. It's been too long for me to pick up his trail. Maybe the police found something when they investigated? Maybe we should check with Carpenter to make sure we're not stepping on their toes."

Night Marshal nods. "Next time we see him. Just to check." He pauses and then adds, "I got a look at the calibur of rounds used. I pulled a couple from my armor. Cape-killer rounds."

Grimm's widen. "Shick. No wonder they hurt me. I thought I was just weakened or something from...some other stuff I just went through. Where'd he get ahold of those?"

Night Marshal nods. "Not sure. But it's a possible lead. I know a couple of people who might give me another step along that there path. ACRO isn't into making those, so it's a more mundane weapons dealer of some kind."

"So...we hit up the dealers to see if any of them know this guy?" Grimm asks.

Night Marshal nods. "Or they may know who is selling that kind of ammo. It can't be that common.

"I wouldn't be surprised if there was a growing market for those here. More capes, more need for cape-killers, right?" Grimm guesses.

Night Marshal nods. "True, but the ammo is still illegal. So, it's a black market. That's not going to be THAT large. Probably only a handful of people selling them in town. So, unless he's getting them elsewhere, it has a good possibilty to be a lead."

Grimm nods thoughtfully. "Right. So...you ever heard of this guy before, or is he new? I don't often run with the vigilante types. At least, not anymore." She cracks a smile. "I guess except for you, now."

Night Marshal nods. "I've heard of him. I had never seen him previously. He started after I did. Word is...he considers himself judge, jury, and executioner. He works alone and hasn't really run into the city's metas much. But he's been targeting organized crime and street criminals."

Grimm listens and nods, thinking on that a bit. "Well. It takes a certain amount of motivation to dress up and fight crime," she grins, motioning to them both. "And time to get geared up and ready to take on people like that. So....might help to figure out what his motivation is. Then we can scan the radios for any crimes that fit the bill and hope to catch him?"

Night Marshal nods. "A good point. Maybe there's a pattern? The detective would be a help there, unless you have access to their databases?"