X-Mas in Milwaukee: Red Eye Aftermath

[x-dominion.livejournal.com]

Garrison, Terry and Abigail Brand are sent to Milwaukee at SHIELD's request to help in an investigation on a robbery at a US Customs secure facility. It is not the best of beginnings.



It was snowing heavily when they touched down in Milwaukee, and the delays added up until it was well past midnight when they finally checked into the hotel. The three officers looked more like rumpled business people than FBI agents, and it wasn't until a pot of coffee had been located that Kane downloaded the encrypted file that SHIELD had sent the Bureau regarding the case. With a long sip, he put down his mug and tapped a few buttons on his laptop.

"Huh, looks like the attack took place at the East Superior United States Customs Secure warehouse. According to the report, the guards were attacked by a group of mutants dressed in costumes. During the attack, the warehouse was looted for almost twelve million in contraband of various types; drugs, rare or illegal impounded imports, jewels, a whole grab-bag of stuff. And according to SHIELD, it's one of a half dozen recent sightings of costumed mutants involved in attacks and then burglaries."

Terry had kicked off her shoes within five minutes of hitting the door, leaving the coffee hunting to Kane while she rummaged in her bag for an elastic band. She wrapped her hair back into a ponytail and wandered past his setup, craning her neck to check out his screen while foraging for her own cup. "Opportunistic grabbing, or is there any sign something was targeted?" She peered into a mug and wrinkled her nose, then blew it out and rubbed the inside with her finger. "Patterns with the others?"

"Do you mean, besides the costumes, Irish?" Brand remarked somewhat caustically from the arm chair she'd flopped into. Her green hair was limp and dull from the long exposure to canned air. "I'd almost say it's just another bunch of mutant criminals, only these ones are actually organised. Brotherhood, perhaps?"

"Body count would be higher if it was Brotherhood. Doesn't really make sense for Magneto. The Brotherhood is opportunistic, but the only motive here is financial. The stole valuable items, sure, but nothing that was particularly unique." Kane frowned and took another long sip from his mug. "What gets me is that they ignored the cameras during the attack but not the robbery. Why throw down knowing that there will be footage of you, but then take the time to disable the cameras when stealing from the building? Maybe something was taken that isn't on this list?"

Terry shot a borderline glare at Brand, then rolled her eyes. "Yes, besides the costumes," she deadpanned, turning away with a snort. "Possibly. Tis common enough. Make a splash to be covering up what you're really after." The redhead poured a mug of coffee and doctored it with as many of the cream and sugar packets she could scrounge up before moving to drop heavily into a chair, hooking her arm over the back.

"How reliable is the inventory? Any indication that there would be something 'missing' off it when we compare it to the items stolen?" Brand was suspicious of everyone, including the police. "It's possible it's an inside job - use these bozos to distract attention, slip in and take the valuable items. We should probably see if there's been any issues with Internal Affairs in regards to the staff."

"US Customs in backing their people's performance. It's possible, but I doubt that 'maybe someone on the inside had something not listed' is going to win us much support up the chain of command. Maybe if there's something in the crime scene to suggest it?"

"When will we get access to that?" Terry asked, looking at the others over the rim of her mug.

"Tomorrow. And we'll have a chance to interview the guards. It's probably a dead end, but let's do a quick financial sweep - see if one of them was dumb enough to suddenly stash a chunk of money appearing out of nowhere in a named account? Or recent high end purchases?"

"We should be so lucky, Slick. But it's better than the puddle of piss we have right now." Brand grimaced at the hotel room. "The less time we have to spend here, the better."

"I don't know. Tis not so bad," Terry said, reaching over her head and stretching in her seat. She tossed a look in the direction of the sleeping areas. "Beats the couches I have been crashing on."

"You know, the mansion has, like, a hundred spare rooms. You don't need to crash in the city." Kane pointed out as he flipped through the pages of info. "Speaking of bed, it might be time to find mine."

"Need some help with that, Slick?" Brand gave him a Look.

Terry's mouth fell open and she suddenly froze, her eyes the only movement as she glanced between the other two. The space of two breaths passed, and then she was on her feet, gathering up coffee mug and trash. "Too far a drive, and the mansion's not exactly the most comfortable place at the moment..." Not that this was really any better, it appeared.

Kane groaned slightly, squeezing his eyes shut and massaging them with his fingers. "I'm going to get some sleep. You ladies figure out your own sleeping arrangements." He said, picking up his luggage and his coat, and fishing about for his room key.

Brand sighed and shook her head, perhaps a little dramatically. "Such a shame, Boy Scout," she told him, watching him with amusement in her green eyes. "Sleep well, both of you." She climbed up from her chair, smoothing the wrinkles from her suit jacket. "I'll take the big bed," she told them. "I like to have plenty of room." And with that, she left them there.

Terry again glanced between Kane and Brand, or at least her door, then bustled around the small area, throwing trash in to the can and mugs onto the tray by the coffee maker. "Sure, and I'll be happy to run the financials. No problem," she said to the air brittle-bright, a lop-sided smile marking her awareness of her place as the newcomer and grunt worker in the group.

"Yeah." Kane looked at Brand leaving, like a man watching a dangerous animal slowly slinking out of sight. Without another word, he stepped out the door.