Log:Tarot, Scene 3

Tarot 2014/01/19 	 Gossamer Star Girl

3

The Warning
It's almost becoming routine. Particularly for Gossamer. An email arriving on the PDAs' of Star Girl and Gossamer. Comprising the image of a tarot card - The Fool. A date three days hence and a number: 718-63-2947. No time is specified.

Gossamer ponders the number. Not a phone number, obviously. She tries googling it to see if that turns up anything.

Google returns a number of results but nothing that seems to leap out as possibly significant.

Star Girl does the same, using Starguard resources to check it out, including the possibility that it's a Social Security number.

The number is a valid Social Security number, issued to a David Simmonds, age 36, male, Native American. Resident in Colonial Bay City.

Gossamer thinks. o O (Oh right, social security number. But how do you find someone from that?)

Gossamer calls up Star Girl. "Hi, this is Gossamer. Did you just get another tarot email?"

"Yeah, I did. The Fool, this time," Star Girl says. "The number is a Social Security number, that I've tracked to David Simmonds, age 36, who lives in Colonial Bay."

Gossamer says, "So what do we do? Pay him a visit?"

Star Girl says, "Maybe do a little bit more investigation, first. We have a couple days, right?"

Gossamer says, "Ok. Want to meet up? Or do we follow different lines of inquiry?"

Star Girl says, "Why don't we meet up. Two heads are better than one."

Gossamer says, "OK - when and where?"

Star Girl says, "Why don't you come over to SGHQ."

Gossamer says, "Ok, see you soon!"

Gossamer swings up high into the air and glides to the Starguard Building.

Starguard HQ
Star Girl greets Gossamer at reception. She waves and smiles pleasantly. "Hey Gossamer." She nods indicating for Gossamer to follow her towards a computer lab, a place where they can continue the research.

Gossamer replies, "Hey, Star Girl," softly and follows.

Gossamer looks about as she goes. "Haven't been in here before."

Star Girl says, "If we can't figure anything out from here, we might need to do a stake out."

Gossamer nods. "I imagine you have some pretty good resources!"

Star Girl says, "Yeah, but we have a case where the we're trying to detect something that's about to happen. I'm not sure if we'll be able to find anything. But we'll see..."

Gossamer says, "I guess the first thing is to see what you have on this man."

The SG resources can put together a fairly detailed record of David Simmons. He was born in Colonial Bay City and remains a resident. Current address is 125 Green Lane, Greenfields. Educated at CHHS, entered CBSU upon High School graduation and studied accountacy and law. Excellect academic record. Married Mary Simmons (nee Wilson) who is aged 34. They have two children, Simon aged 8 and Lucina aged 5. David works for J. P. Bradley and Sons, an accountancy firm. He has no criminal record.

David's hobbies are listed as hunting, fishing, and golf. He is a member of the Greenfields Church.

Star Girl looks over the files. She shakes her head. "Nothing sticks out." She looks to Gossamer, hopefully. "Do you see anything?"

Gossamer shakes her head. "It's hard to tell even if he's supposed to be the victim of something or the perpetrator."

Star Girl says, "Or even if there is a perpetrator -- it could be another random act, like the tanker accident."

Gossamer nods. "I wish our mysterious informant would be more specific!"

Star Girl sighs. "If we go to talk to him, what do we even say? 'Hey Mr. Simmons, you may or may not be a criminal or the victim of an accident or of a crime. Mind if we ask you some questions?'"

Gossamer says, "That's the problem exactly." She runs a hand through her hair. "But I'm not sure I have a better idea. I guess we can ask him if he's expecting anything to happen in three days' time."

Star Girl nods. "I guess so. Shall we go?"

Gossamer nods. "Sure."

125 Green Lane, Greenfields
The address for David Simmons turns out to be a neat well kept house in an upper middle class area. There's a European sports car and a SUV parked on the drive. The sound of kids playing comes from the rear of the gardens.

Gossamer does a quick flyover (well, glide over) to see if she can see anything even slightly remarkable before landing.

When Gossamer flies over the house she sees the family are in the rear garden. The adults are in chairs by the swimming pool. The kids are in the pool. Lucina spots Gossamer flying and tells her brother. In a second the kids are waving excitedly up at Gossamer.

Gossamer waves back before she disappears over the house to land near the front door.

Star Girl walks up to the front door to ring the bell.

After a short delay as David walks back from the rear he opens the door, and looks shocked as he finds two metas on his doorstep, "Uh... Hi. Can I help you?"

Gossamer leaves the talking to Star Girl initially - after all she's a member of Starguard and has more experience!

"Uh, hi, Mr. Simmons." Star Girl says. "I'm Star Girl and this is Gossamer. We were wondering if we could talk to you. Can we come in? It's a little tricky to explain..."

David nods slowly, "Come in? Uh.. Sure. Let's go to my study." he says, and steps back to allow Star Girl and Gossamer to enter. He points to a door off to the side of the hall.

Star Girl nods and follows, casually checking out the interior of the house as she goes.

Gossamer follows with light footsteps, similarly taking in the house.

The interior of the house is nice but normal for the area and economic status of the occupants. There seems nothing out of place. It's tidy apart from a few toys laying around. David's study is half home office and half library. A locked gun safe shares a wall with photos of hunting and fishing trips.

David sits in a chair, gestures to other chairs and invites, "Uh. Sit down. What's this all about?"

Gossamer alights on a chair. "In a strange sort of way that's what we want to ask you. Are you aware of anything significant happening in three days' time?"

David starts to shake his head. Then stops the motion. "Three days? Uh. Actually, yes. That would be when I'm scheduled to close out the Harington Trust." he says, giving both of you a slightly puzzled look.

Star Girl takes a breath before starting. "About a week ago, we received an anonymous tip that pointed us to an intersection in Colonial Bay at a specific time. When we went to go check it out, we were able to prevent a fuel tanker crash from causing a massive explosion. We got another such call earlier today, with your Social Security number and that date."

David takes a few moments to consider Star Girl's words. "Uh. So you think something might happen to me on that date?"

Gossamer says, "There was another similar incident before that. Yes, whoever is sending these messages seems to be able to foresee trouble. Unfortunately in this case he or she has been very vague. We've been given only who and when."

Star Girl says, "To be completely honest, sir, we're not sure of the significance of the caller giving us your number. Can you tell us about the Harrington Trust?"

David takes that in. "So, uh, these warmings. You are able to prevent the events taking place I hope. Uh, yes, of course. You said you prevented a tanker crash." He pauses briefly to gather his thoughts. "When Sal Harington died he left the vast majority of his wealth to his daughter in a trust fund. Patrica Harington has now reached eighteen years of age, and the trust is therefore being closed and the funds in it transferred to her control."

David adds, "The current value of the trust funds is roughly $230M."

Gossamer whistles. "Ok. That sounds like a significant event."

Star Girl says, "Who's currently in control of it?"

David half smiles, "Significant, yes. But hardly the largest sum our firm handles. Although it's certainly the largest sum I personally have in my section of the firm."

David adds, "Until the trust is closed, I am."

Star Girl hms. "If anything happens to Patricia Harrington after the trust is closed, who stands to inherit it?"

David shrugs, "Uh... You'd have to ask Patrica that question. I'm not her accountant or her lawyer. Neither do I know the terms of her will, if, uh, any."

Star Girl nods.

Star Girl looks to Gossamer to see if she has any questions.

Gossamer shakes her head. "So is the danger to her, or what? It's no clearer...."

David say, "Well, uh, if it was my social security number in the warning I rather fear any danger is mine. Uh, or I suppose it might be taken as warning that I'm the one who is dangerpus. But I can assure you that's not the case."

Star Girl suggests, "We could try taking you into protective custody for that day."

Gossamer says, "Can you think why anyone might want to harm you in connection with this?"

David frowns, "Uh... That's possible, I suppose. But, uh, the closing of the trust is my responsibilty. I ought to be be there. It's my brief."

David points out, "Uh, there could be $230M reasons."

Gossamer nods. "But who would benefit from harming you, in particular?"

David mentions quietly, "Uh. If someone put a pistol to my head and told me to transfer the funds to bearer bonds and hand them over..."

Gossamer says, "Well, if that's it, that should be easy to protect you from!"

Star Girl nods.

David adds, "You see, uh, the funds normally cannot be shifted without the approval of the trustees. But at noon in three days time, uh, there's pre-approval to transfer the funds to Patrica Harington's account."

Gossamer says, "How long is the window?"

Star Girl says, "I think maybe the thing to do is to pick you up before midnight on the day of the transfer, and escort you there and back."

David looks up, "So, uh, if that's what is behind the warning, the window of opportunity is quite small. Until noon I cannot transfer the funds, and at noon I'll immediately transfer them out of my, uh, control."

Gossamer nods. "Though presumably you could be at risk until that time... do you have to be anywhere in particular to transfer the funds?"

David nods, "Uh, yes. In my office at J. P. Bradley. The account is locked to my terminal. That could be changed, but, uh, only with the authorisation and passwords from my supervising partner and the trustees."

Gossamer says, "Ok, good. That means you can't be abducted and forced to do it elsewhere. There's a specific time and place."

David sighs, "Uh, ladies, I'm in your hands. You undoubtedly have vastly more experience of this kind of affair than I do. So I'll, uh, abide by whatever you think best."

Star Girl nods and glances to Gossamer. "We'll need some time to make a plan, but I think it'll involve taking to you to SGHQ for the day and escorting you to and from the meeting."

David nods.

As planned, Star Girl and Gossamer arrive at the Simmons residence just before midnight on the day of the exchange. They take him to Starguard HQ.

Back at Starguard HQ
David gets to sleep on a bed in one of the security cells. In the morning he eats in the canteen, pops into the men's shower to freshen up just after eleven in the morning, getting ready for the meeting. Then he waits, "What are the travelling arrangements?" he asks for what must be the third or fourth time.

Gossamer says, "I'm going to surround you with a plastic bubble, for a start, so you have some defence even if somehow we are taken by surprise."

David nods, "You certainly seem to be taking every precaution." he comments, "It will take a clever villain to out-smart you." he adds with a grin.

Star Girl tells David, "Flying van into and out of your office, sir."

David smiles, "That sounds good. There's a heliport on the roof of our building. But I guess you've already checked into that. What time do we have to leave?"

Star Girl tells David the departure time. "Unless there's traffic," she adds. o O ( Easy, can't joke around here -- still not sure what to expect... )

David nods, "Just time for a coffee then. Will you join me? That's a rhetorical question by the way. I doubt you intend to leave my side until this whole affair is finished. I'll be pleased to get everything completed myself."

Gossamer nods. She's sticking close to David for the time being, and so goes for coffee.

Star Girl joins as well.

David lifts his cup, "This is good coffee. I never thought I might be drinking coffee in Star Guard."

Star Girl gets a second round of coffee and takes a moment to speak to Gossamer, away from Simmons, who she keeps in sight. "Does anything seem off to you about Simmons?"

Gossamer nods. "I think he's pretty much implying he's outsmarting us. And that comment about how he'd never dreamed he'd be having SG coffee... like having SG coffee was something amazing!"

Star Girl says, "So now what. We could try to question him, to see if he remembers the details of our conversation?"

Gossamer says, "In fact, since he went to get ready.... come to think of it, he was insistent on asking about the arrangements immediately after that...."

Star Girl says, "What do you think? Mind Control or Shapeshifting?"

Gossamer says, "Or the names of his kids or his social insurance number - we are thinking he's someone else now, right? But we don't know how well he's researched this."

Star Girl says, "Right. Here's an idea. We sound a Starguard alarm where I get called away. We inform him that due to some emergency, the escort to his meeting is cancelled. I double back and spy on him, and we wait for him to try to escape to the meeting?"

Gossamer says, "That works - what should I do?"

Gossamer says, "Hm... if he's not him then where's the real him? I'll retrace his steps - call me if he makes a move...."

Star Girl nods. "That works."

An alarm sounds and a voice on the intercom calls Star Girl away to the ready room. She heads over to Simmons to explain: "I'm sorry, but it looks as though we're going to have to cancel the escort for today. Sounds like something major is happening."

Gossamer heads off as if in response to the alarm and goes to check out the locker room, retracing David's steps, as that's the only time David has been out of sight of Star Girl and her.

David frowns. Then stands, "I'll have to go on my own, then. I don't intend to miss the culmination of so much work. Thank you for all your effort though. It was quite illuminating."

The search by Gossamer quickly finds an unclad and unconscious David Simmons stuffed in a locker.

Star Girl says to David, "Your safety is the top priority. Believe me, if Patricia waited until her 18th birthday, she can wait one more day."

Gossamer texts Star Girl immediately. "Unconscious David in locker room."

David shakes his head, "But I can't. If I don't make the transfer people I most certainly don't wish to disappoint will be rather annoyed with me."

Gossamer then gets the nearest SG employee to seek medical help, figuring they must have medical staff on site.

One of the security force assisting Gossamer with the search sends for a med-team, "We've got this, Gossamer. Leave it in our hands. Star Girl might need help."

Star Girl says, "Don't worry, David. We'll explain that you were helping us with a Starguard investigation."

Star Girl continues to stall for Gossamer to show up.

Gossamer runs to support Star Girl. Inside, she can't really move faster than that.

David laughs nervously, "Sure. That will help; I don't think! I'm sure there's no risk to me. In fact I can almost guarantee it."

Gossamer arrives back in the canteen - and attempts to wrap the imposter up in plastic wrap before he knows his cover is blown!

David is caught by surprise, concentrating on conversing with Star Girl as he is.

Gossamer shrinks her xeno-polymers about the false David, wrapping him up like dinner leftovers.

Duplex struggles briefly against the wrapping and then ceases his futile efforts. He shifts back to his normal form. "I assume the alarm was a ruse?" he asks Star Girl. "What gave me away?"

Star Girl says, "Your smug, smarmy attitude. You might be a great shape-shifter, but you're a lousy actor."

Gossamer says, "Do you know who this guy is?"

Duplex shrugs, "A character flaw of mine I have to admit. You'll find the real David Simmons in a locker in the men's changing room. He's unconscious but unharmed. I employ my wits, not my fists."

Gossamer says, "I've already found him. Good thing your wits are no sharper than your fists."

Duplex sighs, "You have the victory, ladies. No reason to be impolite." He says. "And forgive me for not facing you, Gossamer, but I seem to be rather immobile at the moment."

Star Girl says, "His name is Duplex. I'm sure we'll have plenty of time to get to know him."

Gossamer thinks. o O (He's right, that was unnecessary. Just his gloating got to me...)

-- Heroines 1 : Villain 0