The Weaver's Web: Book II, Chapter 5

Back from Turkey Day!

***** 

Brandish was not as happy as I’d expected. She listened to the recordings, which I’d taken according to her requirements, letting the individuals know they were recorded, and that the recordings might later be used.

“This is why I hate family law,” she finally said. “It’s messy.”

“Messy?”

“The young lady who gave you the toy for her child. Do you think she loves her?”

“Yes.”

“Very well. Do you think she can provide for her?”

“She would be better able to do so had not Timmis encouraged her…”

“No doubt, but that’s not the question I asked. That’s not the question a family court will ask. She’s off drugs. Barely keeping her head above water, and yet, a child is an immense burden. She loves her daughter, but what about when her daughter is whining about a toy—which children will do, when she doesn’t have the money?”

I opened my mouth. Closed it. The Investigator could not get a reputation for not having the answer, so…

I remained silent.

Carol nodded.

“As for the others, most of them are… Well, a former E88 member on the stand would be destroyed in cross-examination, and even ignoring that his testimony would be seen as… doubtful. It might even put him and his son at risk, and I expect Timmis knows that.”

“So our hope is, once again, that Timmis does something foolish.”

“Yes, but it would have to be very foolish.” Carol looked annoyed and I realized that she’d been hoping I would have found something absolutely damming. Either that, or just decided this was too much bother and gone away. “You have to understand, Investigator, that every lawyer has a filing cabinet full of complaints, especially if they’re in a field like family law. Too many people listen to the ads and assume that paying a lawyer means you win. When they don’t, they get angry…and because of that reason and the fact that the Bar disciplinary bodies are also made up of lawyers, they tend to want proof. Now, given his past history, I expect Timmis wouldn’t get the benefit of the doubt others would but…”

Bugs started to swarm in the bushes outside the office. “So we are left with him doing something… stupid.”

“Put simply, yes.”

“Parahuman powers are… unusual.” I frowned. “And he doesn’t know who I spoke to.”

“What?”

“Just thinking. If he believes that I’m not simply using leg work but some form of parahuman omniscience… He might assume I know about other actions of his. Perhaps more damming. I will have to think about this and put a little show on. But first…”

“Yes?”

“Could you find the social worker in charge of the girl’s child?” I opened my hand and revealed the cheap toy. “I have a promise to redeem, first.”

*****

Aisha didn’t show up on Friday. I wondered why until I saw a note on PHO that a group of skinheads hassling a mother and her daughter had been…”kicked around by Crusader’s Black Cousin,” who had then tied them up and drew smiley faces on their foreheads before an annoyed Armsmaster and laughing Assault had shown up.

I wondered. Was it possible to be penalized for violating procedure before you were a Ward? But another note was that there would be an unveiling of a new Ward next Wednesday. Big announcements were for the weekend. I had a feeling Image was wanting to minimize exposure for any possible Aisha-related catastrophes, especially after Clockblocker’s notorious Sunday presentation.

But that…that would give me a whole weekend. And Carol would be free.

And Mr. Timmis would have a very bad day indeed.

*****

His office was small, untidy, not at all like Carol’s. No secretary, and he stared at me in shock as I walked in. I’d sent my bugs in before, placing a recorder/transmitter, actually a modified phone, in the vent. This wasn’t an E88 bar, and I didn’t have to worry about Parahumans. Granted, I wouldn’t use it for evidence—just to get ready.

“You’re…”

“The Investigator.” I tilted my head and walked forward, my cane tapping on the floor. “And you have come to my attention, Mr. Timmis. First. What I have brought you.” I put the record down on his desk and played the interview with the former E88 member.

“Men, especially racists, like to put blame on others. But if this is an attempt to blackmail me—“

“Aisha Laborn’s mother has no hope of retaining custody. You are simply stringing it out.”

“What?” He shook his head. “Now see here—“

“Do you know that parahuman powers are… unusual? Many think I am just an Investigator, but I can reach out, expand my range, see… related events, to those I have directly experienced.” I tapped the recorder. “I did not just see this event, where I spoke to a man, but the web you have created. I saw Marsha Blackburn’s moment of sorrow… and how she ended it. And she is not the only one.”

He’d gone pale.

“Of course, right now, I only have these recordings, but I expect that will change over this weekend.” I stood up. “Morally, you are no lawyer. You disgrace your profession. After this weekend, there will be enough evidence to ensure that you will no longer be a lawyer in the eyes of the law. Good day.”

I turned and walked out.

That was another thing my studies had told me. The longer you spoke, the greater the chance that your opponent would get their feet under them, especially if you were bluffing. Now, Timmis wouldn’t be talking to me, and wouldn't be able to ferret out any inconsistencies. He would only have the thoughts his fears were creating. Hopefully it would be—

My phone buzzed, and I put it to my ear.

Timmis voice was distorted, even through the best I could do, but I could still understand his words.

“I helped you with those fucking hookers you smacked around for that stupid-ass game! I need you to scare the shit out of someone. Make her a star, and then I can tell her the games stop when she stops! No, not Orb Weaver, it’s some little girl playing detective. The Investigator.”

Well. Well. Well.

I wonder who that was.

And hour later, I had my answer.

I’d been walking by an open mall, chatting with people. I’d just help a child find his family when suddenly there was a blaring horn, and strange glowing robots just appeared. The people screamed, and suddenly:

THE ROBOTS HAVE ARISEN! CAN THE INVESTIGATOR SAVE THE LAST HUMAN FAMILY FROM THE ROBOTRONS OF 2084?

Uber and Leet. Well, this certainly qualifies as stupidity on Timmis’ part. I hefted my cane in my hand and looked up at the two who had appeared on a floating platform as a globe of hard light energy surrounded us.

My phone had lost connection, so no calling Carol, at least not immediately. On the other hand, if I could deliver both Timmis and Uber and Leet to Director Piggot’s feet, it would probably brighten her entire day.