|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2018 9:15 pm
Approximately three days after the confrontation between Mr. Invincible and Dr. Meng, controversy has hit the news station as one of their most famous reporters, Eva Allen, has been missing for the last two days.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2018 1:28 am
Two days.
Eva Allen has been missing two days. Jon's been well..., Jon's been missing for so much longer than that, but the numbers cut into his soul like blades so he usually avoids spelling it out for himself. He does his best not to let the terror choke him. But it's hard and usually lumped up in his throat like bile are bitterness and guilt. Eva's alone and he can’t ask for help because he should have been there for her. This is all his fault. He should have never involved her. He needed to find her.
The bell over the door of the diner tinkles, and Jon looks up hopefully (a stupid hope, because Eva hasn’t come in to the tinkling of a bell since he's been here, but there it is, that hope, struggling gamely on against all the odds). But it’s just a businesswoman, white shirt, black skirt, long flowing hair with sunglasses that Jon wishes he had because the glass walls do a phenomenal job of filtering the sunlight through in a direct line over his corner booth.
Sighing, Jon looks away, back down to his hands, playing with his cool, sweating glass. Tea. He never drank iced tea, not before.
"Jon?"
The world tilts around him. Shakes and trembles and swirls so that the glass of iced tea falls to its side with a resounding clatter and dark tea mingles with ice cubes to draw a map of a world he’s never seen across the cracked tabletop. His hands are as cold as those sticky cubes, pale and nerveless, and when he looks up, he thinks that maybe he will fall apart into just as many pieces (just as much of a mess) as his tea; maybe his own fragments will map out a truth he's never admitted.
But it's not her. His jaw firms, his eyes narrow. He can't just sit here. It turns out it's just his waitress who wants to know if she can help him with anything else. He shakes his head to the sides and thanks her. He can't even remember why he came here in the first place. That was a lie. He did remember. He knew this place as somewhere Eva liked to come for lunch. She didn't know it but he made something of a habit to watch over her (in the least creepiest way possible). Crime was usually low around this time so he wasn't without anything better else to do. She sat in this very booth and drink her tea which is why he ordered tea. The only person in the world to understand him, both versions of him, and was gone just like that.
He left a tip on the table and just as he was exiting the diner caught the tail end of the news' story. Two days is what repeated over and over. It wasn't that long. He shouldn't be worried. He was overthinking it. Or so, he desperately wanted to believe. But as he slowly turned to look at the little television his eyes doubled in size. They were addressing Eva Allen who had now been officially declared missing. He continued out the door with his head down almost as if to keep all eyes from looking at him. They weren't. But he felt guilty.
He made sure no one saw him as he entered the nearby alley and in seconds took to the skies as his heroic counterpart, Mr. Invincible. The last two days have been hell. He remembered wanting to update Eva on his meeting with Doctor Meng to find she wasn't in her apartment. He was already low in spirits and found it odd because of how late it was for her not to be home. He also knew she wouldn't just drop off the map when they were on the verge of a story this big. He heads over to her place for a second search. Upon arriving, he enters through the balcony and lets himself in. The place looked the same as when he left her Friday. He recalled their conversation which was now sourly looked back on.
He walks around her apartment searching for clues of any kind. If Eva was abducted she would leave a sign, something not many besides him could pick up on. "Come on Eva. Give me something to go on..."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2018 10:07 am
It was fortunate that he’d searched as soon as he did; police were due to arrive later in the afternoon with a search warrant. He’d find that many things were familiar and organized. It made the search a little easier, seeing as sifting through a cluttered mess wasn’t ideal for a potentially missing individual. From first glance, nothing seemed out of place; the living room was clean, kitchen was neat, and few things stood out in common locations. Her desk likely had the most to search through, though it yielded a familiar schedule, and a few sticky notes describing stuff she needed to do back at work. It was understandable, but there seemed as if information was missing, answers that likely existed in her desktop, or perhaps not.
Her closet gave the implication that she’d left the apartment before her disappearance. A vacant space remained in one of her shoe racks, a pair of Chelsea Boots that he’d seen her wear from time to time, alongside one of her trademark leather jackets; the rest was too difficult to distinguish. He might’ve recalled that one of the keys, presumably her car keys, were missing from their usual spot. It could have been that she’d left for some location, and a good person to ask could be the receptionist or perhaps others whom lived in nearby apartments.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2018 9:33 pm
He was careful in his steps not to disturb anything that Police were likely to pick up on in their investigation later this afternoon. Using his enhanced vision, Mr. Invincible would see in great clarity at even the smallest of details of her apartment. For the most part everything seemed intact. No forced entry, no struggle. The living room was clean and so was the kitchen. He moved into her bedroom next where he took in plenty of details. Not many that appeared to be important though to his case. Her closet looked normal minus the missing pair of Chelsea boots he'd seen Eva wear from time to time. It was noticeable as well that a jacket had been missing from a hanger as well. The lone hanger indicated such. He walked over to her bedside dresser and saw her car keys weren't there either. She left in a hurry and this meant she wasn't kidnapped. He breathed a sigh of relief. This made him feel much better to know as he headed back into the living room area. He could always ask the receptionist but asking as Mr. Invincible would draw too much unwanted attention. He didn't want whoever that had a hand in this to know he was on their trail.
He changed back into his civilian wear and headed downstairs to speak with her building's receptionist. Upon entering the building his posture changed. Unlike Mr. Invincible, who was more confident and erect in his step, Jonathan played the role of the worried boyfriend. Er... not that they were together... he hustled over to the desk and tilted his glasses up looking into the eyes of the woman sitting behind the desk. He waited for her to finish up whatever she was doing before addressing her. "Hi, I'm a friend of Eva Allen's... I know this is a long shot and I'm sure you've seen the news... but she's missing and I'm worried about her. I was told by a mutual friend of ours that she left out late, maybe in a hurry to go somewhere? I was hoping maybe you or maybe whoever was working the other night could help me out." he really hoped he could be helped. Adjusting his glasses to keep from sliding down the bridge of his nose while he waited.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2018 10:05 pm
Unlike previous trips, the receptionist was different; the brunette wasn’t there, rather a platinum blonde whom he didn’t recognize. Ultimately, it was a good call to go in his civilian identity; he was far more approachable that way, and less likely to draw suspicion if someone was watchful for people on her trail. Initially, the receptionist was a bit wary, narrowing her eyes in subtle suspicion, though a quick glance followed by a believable explanation seemingly helped her relax. Her hands remained folded in front of her. “Really? Hmm, last I saw, she went out towards that hallway over there,” she replied, pointing to her left. “I didn’t know she was heading out. Her car’s still there at the parking lot, as a matter of fact.” If that was the case, there was a good chance that Eva may have been heading towards her vehicle and was snatched in the parking lot; there was only one way to find out. “We can look together if you believe there may be some clue as to her location there. I’m expected to be present since you aren’t quite a resident here. I’m sure you understand.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2018 10:17 pm
Jon took notice the receptionist's unique appearance. He'd met a few of the receptionists here in his many visits to see Eva but this one in particular- he'd note to have never seen before. She must have been new which struck him as odd given the timing. It was hard not to be suspicious but he was grateful for her willingness to help. She mentioned last seeing her go down a specific hallway and he tilted in his head in confusion. Even more at her going on to say Eva's vehicle was still in the parking lot. He really preferred to go alone so he could conduct his search privately. But rules were rules even in emergency situations. "That's fine." he said in reply. "Thank you for helping me. It means a lot." he waited for the blonde to lead the way and asked, "Are you new? My name is Jon."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2018 10:56 pm
Prior to walking, she made sure to leave a note saying she would return shortly. While the building was usually relaxed at that hour, it would be polite. At the mention of her being new, she became noticeably less formal. “I am, actually! I was hired a couple weeks ago, but I still had a few days left at my old job. I used to be a receptionist for a Hampton Inn.” After a brief pause, her brows rose, as if she just realized something: she hadn’t even introduced herself. She extended her hand, though kept walking. “Tori,” she claimed, smiling warmly.
Fortunately for the two of them, the parking area had clear signs to guide them; a new receptionist would have to get familiar first. For the layman, he didn’t seem all that suspicious, but surely she didn’t want to risk any unwanted nosing around at a famous resident’s vehicle, especially since it was a Porsche. Tori herself didn’t seem to see anything out of the ordinary. Since she was aware of the car remaining, she’d been there before and likely didn’t recognize anything new this time around.
For the layman, there was nothing of interest, but closer inspection showed tire skid marks a short distance away, marks that someone recently tried to conceal with water and detergent.Tire skid marks were relatively easy to ignore and weren’t often set as a major priority. Could it be that she was hurriedly snatched and brought away in a vehicle?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2018 11:27 pm
"It's nice to meet you, Tori. I wish I could be better company but with Eva missing...it's hard. I keep telling myself that I'm just overreacting." he too, extended his hand to shake hers and continued on their way. The two traveled to where Eva's Porsche was whilst maintaining a low profile. Didn't want too many onlookers curious of their business here. The luxury vehicle looked unmoved and it was but with a closer inspection, he lowered his glasses to see the skid marks some feet away. He didn't say anything to Tori whom he'd felt bad about not being truthful with. She was helping him after all. It looked as if Eva was in a hurry to get somewhere, maybe something unfolded but before she could publish it, whoever or whatever had gotten to her first and nabbed her then skidded off. He couldn't allow anything other than a look of disappointment appear on his features so Tori would let this go. Jon played his role to perfection as he let out a sigh. "Guess that was a bust. I really do appreciate you taking the time to help me, Tori. Please let me know if you hear anything. Here's my number to reach me." he handed her his card, he was a photographer after all.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2018 6:26 pm
He’d been modest about his performance as company, though she waved her hand to brush it off. “Don’t worry about it,” she replied, the two making their way to a gray 2011 Porsche Cayman, though Jon made it sound as if there was nothing to be found.
“I’ll keep an eye out. You should be mindful of police, though. If this search drags on and you’re close enough a friend, they might ask you a few things. Anyways, good luck,” she said, turning to part ways. After a few steps, however, she paused and gave him a glance from the corner of her eye, but paced onward soon after with an unnerving smile, disappearing into the hallway.
From then on, there wasn’t too much to distinguish. Unfortunately, not all trails were clear to follow, nor easy to find. He discovered a possible explanation: that she was abducted in that very parking lot, but where could he go from there? He would find there was a camera in place that might have recorded the incident, just to his right, situated comfortably above.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2018 6:52 pm
He gave a nod at Tori as she departed presumably back to her work. When she was no longer in view, he moved closer to the tracks for further inspection. He didn't have much to go off except for the tracks left. Wasn't exactly enough of a path for him to go on. His eyes rose up spotting the camera nearby. That could be a big help to his investigation and point him in a direction closer to finding Eva. He made sure not to stare too long. And left to find security. He knew a lie would get him further than the truth would. Security wouldn't buy his story or care. And on the off chance he did find someone sympathetic, it would be too much a risk on their behalf to help a civilian. He needed a new guise of sorts. Like a blur, Jon sped to the nearest department store where he changed into a tan trench coat, underneath wore a vest and tie combo with black slacks and his hair slicked back. To look for a journalist, it was probably best to become one. He zipped out of the store leaving the money on the counter for the items and was back at Eva's building within minutes. He walked up to where security was and cleared his voice. "I'm Jonathan Reeves, from The Chicago Herald, was told you guys could help me out for a good price." he didn't feel the need to say it outright but did flash an envelope of cash from his jacket to entice. He figured if he bought the footage then it would leave Police off his trail just for a little while so he could continue his search uninterrupted.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2018 9:59 pm
While the money might’ve been effective under most circumstances, the two security guards were wary at the sight, though they relaxed some when he implied he was a journalist or worked for some. Perhaps the two were more principled, or at the least really valued their jobs, so there were lines they couldn’t cross. Nonetheless, the envelope of cash piqued their curiosity. After a brief glance towards each other, the two men, one tall and skinny, the other more rounded, nodded and turned back to him. “Depends, what do you need from us?”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2018 10:19 pm
"Your feed from two nights ago. That's it. And this is yours." he again presented the envelope to the two men in case any got cold feet. He doubted it would come to that though. They looked curious enough as is. "Can you help me?" he asked, looking at the both of them with determined eyes. "I'm hoping this money also buys me privacy from anybody that comes asking too." this was how reporters did things right? He wasn't sure considering it only became his line of work less than five minutes ago. This was his idea of what a reporter was like no offense to Eva.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2018 10:33 pm
After reaching and inspecting the envelope, they nodded once more. “We can probably,” the second interrupted by glancing over at the desktop, “copy the files.” Afterwards, the second spoke. “Do you have a thumb drive?” If so, it would be as simple as copying and pasting the feed from two days prior, though it’d take a few minutes, and he’d probably need to take a seat or something to pass the time; that was a lot of files to replicate.
Entertainingly, just from a quick glance at a nearby screen, the camera for the front desk didn’t have the same receptionist. It was none other than the brunette he was used to seeing there as a pose to the mysterious new receptionist from a few minutes prior. Perhaps he found his pastime after all. It wouldn’t hurt to question her.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2018 11:35 am
"Yeah. It's right here," Jon said, reaching inside his coat for the drive. As he handed over the tech, he stood waiting patiently. Until he caught a glance at the current security screen showing the brunette receptionist from before rather than Tori. His eyes grew some at the sight as he began recollecting the platinum blonde's story to him. He knew something felt off. He didn't want to alarm the guards and the files would take a few minutes. He quietly excused himself from the room and walked over to the receptionist's desk. "Hi, I had a question. Where did the other receptionist go? Tori I think it was. I wanted to thank her for her help again."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2018 6:49 pm
Her response was less than familiar; she recognized him, but judging from her expression, she was confused and didn’t know what he was talking about. “I’m sorry? I’m not familiar with any other receptionists here except Rory, and he’s only here two or three days a week. He was here, like, yesterday. I mean, there’s a cleaning lady named Tabitha, but...” Afterwards, she shrugged. “Is there any other way I can help?” Evidently, she’d seen him before, and was a bit thrown off to find a familiar face with an unfamiliar question. If he used his context clues, her name was Maddie, and every time he’d been there, he’d only ever seen Maddie. Seeing as the only other receptionist was a male named Rory that he’d never seen, something was very wrong.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
