Alex and Lorna || Missing Person

[xp_havok]

Alex and Lorna are out on their latest case - a missing woman.



Lorna walked down to tent city, where homeless people had made it their own. Their latest case, a woman that had reported missing, was last spotted here. Maybe someone had seen her. It was cold here in the late afternoon, "I'm not looking forward to another winter here." She whispered but kept next to Alex as he was her heater - no matter where they went.

Alex wrapped an arm around her, snuggling her close. "Maybe one of the science people can make you a coat with a heater built in." With his free hand he dug the photo out of his pocket to refresh his memory on what the woman looked like.

"Ms. Frost actually made one for me awhile back. I totally forgot about it, and then I won't need to rely on you anymore." Lorna looked at the different faces as they passed. Some of them didn't make eye contact back, some were curious, other glared before turning away. "Tough crowd."

"We're well-dressed strangers invading their home." Well-dressed was giving them too much credit. They were wearing jeans and jackets and hats. But still better dressed than the homeless people they were walking by.

"Gives me an idea to do some kind of food drive for our work. Maybe a clothing drive." Lorna looked at the picture and then around, "Alright. We should ask if anyone has seen her. They might be a little hesitant to talk, especially if they have some kind of code. 'No talking to well-dressed strangers'."

"That's why Warren's ATM card and money exist," Alex murmured back. He hadn't taken more than he could pay Warren back, of course. Just a couple hundred. He'd give it back next paycheck. If Warren even noticed it was gone.

"I suppose it is better than wasting it on drugs. I swear that man really needs to get his priorities straighten." Lorna took the picture from Alex and walked up to a group. After a moment they shook their head but pointed further down. "Haven't seen her, but they said to ask a man named Bill. Said he knows pretty much everyone that comes in and out."

"Bill. That's a good name," Alex said as they began walking again. "Sounds like someone who can help us."

"I can't tell if you are being serious or joking." Lorna teased. Walking further down the line of tents, it became more congestion with more - almost like a mini city. "They sure are resourceful."

"You do what you gotta do when there's nothing else, right?" Alex asked, looking up and down the line of tents. He made a note to get a bit more money off Warren and bring it back to help these people.

"Yes." Lorna stopped as they cane to a group of people huddled around a fire in a barrel. "Alright, let's check with them and see if we can find our missing lady."

Alex nodded and stepped forward. "Hey guys," he said with a friendly wave, immediately earning himself distrustful glares. He pulled a few twenties out of his pocket. "Just got a question. Anyone here named Bill?"

"Who is asking?" One of them asked suspiciously, but eyeing those twenties. "No one comes looking for Ol'Bill without reasons."

Another one came up behind Alex and took the twenties from his hand, "I am Bill." He counted the change before he handed one each to the people around the fire and they left without a word. "I hear you are looking for someone." Seeing Lorna's raised eyebrows, "Word travels fast in the tent city."

"Figured it would." Alex showed him the picture they had of the lady. "Seen her around?"

Bill scratched his beard as he looked at the picture before looking at the couple. "Yeah. I seen her. She kept to herself, slightly suspicious. Figured she was either on something or running from something." He got really close, "She naught in any trouble is she?"

Lorna fought the urge to take a step back, even if the smell was starting to become a little unbearable. "No. We just want to talk to her."

Bill looked over at the younger girl, "A'ight. She had a tent in the back. Might find something there."

Alex smiled, nodding. "Thank you, sir." He took Lorna's hand, and they headed back to the tent. He wasn't sure what the courtesy was for alerting someone in a tent that there was someone else outside. "Um.... Marge?" He finally called. It took a moment, but finally a young, chestnut-haired woman ducked out of the tent. Her eyes were down, and she looked a lot sadder and thinner than she did in the photo. But it was definitely her.

"Who're you?" She asked quietly.

"I am Lorna and this is Alex." Lorna reached for her badge where it said that she was an investigator for X-Factor. "We were hired to find you."

"Why?" The woman asked, voice shaking.

"Your husband is looking for you," Alex explained. 'He said you just up and disappeared, and he's worried."

Marge shock her head, "No. I can't go back. I am different."

"You mean...different?" Lorna's hands had green wisps glowing as the metal in her pockets floated up, "He is worried about you and wants you to come home."

Marge looked between them, wide-eyed. "Are you both...?"

Alex nodded. "I can't really... demonstrate out here, but yeah. Please, Marge. He's really worried about you. He doesn't care what you are. He loves you."

The metal ball floated back down into her pocket, she knew those would come in handy. "Here." Lorna then pulled out an envelope and handed it to her. "This should explain what we cannot."

The woman looked at Lorna and then Alex before taking the envelope. She took a few moments to read the contents inside, her hand covering her mouth as she tried to fight back the tears. "Okay." She whispered.

Alex smiled gently. "Why don't you come back to our office and we'll call your husband for you? I think he'll be happy to hear we found you."

Marge nodded slowly. "Okay," she said again, taking a step toward the duo. Sometimes happy endings were actually possible.