The Found Arcana - Chapter 11 [IC] Options

[Tecumseh]

<<Monday Night - 22:20 - April 10, 2079 - A Quiet Spot - Snohomish>>

Outside the car, Dakota disrobes slyly. "You can peek," they tell AM. "You should peek." That sounds like advice from Iktomi.

Dakota lasts for about half an hour and, at the end, seems rather enchanted by the experience.

"Mmm," they hum after getting their clothes back on. They spend a long time studying their hands, examining the palms closely before flipping them over to stare at the backs.

"That was lovely," they say, limp like a puddle. "I feel like a blobfish. You'll have to scrape me up!"

Dakota drags themselves home since tomorrow's a workday. It appears the relationship is in good standing... for now at least.

AM gets a short response from Black: <<Can't, honey. On a run. Currently being shot at. Next time. Ciao!>>

[Gilga]

"If I am ever going to see you naked, it would be after a very successful date. No shortcuts..." I answer to Dakota - not that I am offering one but well... I am a bit old-fashioned about these things.

Black's text has me puzzled and worried. I mean, I knew the woman worked from time to time. Not all trust funds sustained her lifestyle; at least, I suspected it. Though, being shot at? I was visualizing the worst, even if she texted such things as casually as possible. I am not sure how to respond, she did not ask for any help though I would have come for a rescue in a heartbeat. I don't have many deep relationships. >> crossing my fingers for you, always there if you need me.

[Jack_Spade]

Bobby made sure Dakota arrived home safely.
He concratulated himself for managing to not lose such a valuable contact - and without having to consume drugs to do so. Also he wouldn't have to dress fancy anymore - always a plus in his books.

Dakota had told them enough incriminating things about themselves, that he considered it low risk showing him his abilities. Afterall, Dakota was still working at their job - there had to be some competency, didn't it?

He sent off the request for the database check, before going to bed for once. Despite the soreness from half a dozen spells, he slept immediately.

[Gilga]

On the way back, once we drop Dakota off, I tell Bobby, "You did very well... I am impressed.

[Jack_Spade]

Bobby grinned: "Addicts are always chasing the next high. And I just happen to have the best product for new experiences."

[Gilga]

"You just dealt drugs to a drug dealer... What a night." I say with a grin. Was hoping to drink a bit more, considering I have learned the detox spell.

[Jack_Spade]

"Considering that I was paying for those rounds, I'm pretty happy how this went", relied Bobby laconically.

[Gilga]

"Well... Thanks for the drinks... It was entertaining." I reply concisely. Considering that Black is 'being shot at' I don't have many options to continue the night, so I head home with Bobby to get out of that dress and into some PJs.

[Tecumseh]

<<Tuesday Morning - 08:05 - April 11, 2079 - SIS Homestead - Bellevue>>

Night turns into day.

AM wakes up to a kissy-face selfie from Black, who looks happy and free of bullet holes. There's a sheen of sweat on her brow, but she's flashing a peace sign to let you know she's okay. Her pose looks celebratory.

Bobby gets an alert that his DNA ancestry test results are back. The process usually takes 2-5 days but in this case it was greatly accelerated by the work Dakota did. The testing company only had to plug the data into their database, let it search for results, and then provide the report.

Opening up the results, it says:

Your DNA looks most like the DNA from these regions:

Great Britain 40%
Scandinavia 28%
Ireland/Scotland/Wales 12%
Europe West 10%
Iberian Peninsula 9%
Europe South 1%

That's all well and good, but seems like trivia. Flipping through the report, Bobby looks for the "matches report". He finds it but most of it is 2nd and 3rd cousins. There are some matches but that might be too distant to be useful.

But there is one hit that looks interesting:

Dennis McDermott
Parent/Child
Shared DNA: 3,470 cM across 52 segments

And that's it. That last name definitely isn't Potter, but it's possible that it was Corinne's maiden name before she got married.

[Beta]

When Tamarind gets the new from Bobby, ,she replies <<Nicely done Bobby -- your time, nuyen, and drain were not in vain. We have a veritable clue, or maybe a red herring implanted in the database to trap people like us, but either way it is something new. Let's get some coordinated matrix searches going and let Bobby relax this morning while the rest of us head back to the print shop to finish establishing that there are no records of Potter that are findable. Besides, I want to see what Raven's admirer chooses to wear today, in hopes of impressing her.>>

[Jack_Spade]

Bobby replied: <<It is an interesting result - though it could just be the product of maritial infidelity. Still, if we can find him, we might learn something new.
While you are there, you could search for McDermott. Maybe Potter graduated under that name.>>

[Thanee]

<< Yep, already added to the very short list of names to look out for. >> Rachel replied.

It was time to get back to the university archives. Today they should finally be able to finish that grind, but maybe the search will be worth it after all. Time will tell.

[Tecumseh]

A Matrix search reveals that Dennis McDermott exists but there's not much of a profile. There's a bit of fuzziness but Dennis seems to either live in Touristville or spend a lot of time there. There's a smattering of work history from the 2060s that looks like he bounced between jobs, but nothing in the last ten years or so. The jobs were highly varied, from low-level office work to assorted blue-collar labor. It looks like he never really settled down or lasted long in one place.

Tamarind does find some interesting tidbits: Dennis McDermott has a bit of a criminal record. Knight-Errant sometimes posts names and mugshots to simultaneously shame the perpetrator while also making it look like KE is doing their job. Dennis has been picked up on various charges ranging from public drunkenness to disorderly conduct to public urination. There's even one charge of soliciting a prostitute. This is a bit rich for someone in Touristville, since the entire neighborhood is basically a red light district. It suggests that Dennis is either a big nobody (so KE can shame him without repercussions) or that he's seriously pissed off the local KE officers, or refused to pay bribes, or all of the above.

Anyway, nothing in his profile suggests that he's a child, unless he's a rather precocious one. This is confirmed when AM digs up some mug shots that feature a middle-aged man, probably in his 60s. He has a salt-and-pepper hair and a bushy mustache, neither of which look well-kept. His sad eyes droop and he looks defeated by life. Of course, it's not uncommon to look like that in a mug shot.

Bobby remembers Lysander's info dump (this post) that said Corinne Potter's parents were killed during Crash 2.0. If that's true, then the people killed weren't really her parents. Perhaps it is a case of infidelity like Bobby suggests. Or perhaps Dennis is a potential black eye for a potential candidate and his role in Corrinne's life was erased out of political necessity.

There's no contact information available. His last known location was Touristville. It's possible he's in jail.

[Jack_Spade]

<<Looks like KE would know where to find him. Maybe a quick call to the forensic mage would be in order?>> Bobby sent to the team. He hoped that would work, because searching in Touristville wasn't his idea of fun.

<<Alternatively, we can just use a spirit search there, since we have his mugshot.>>

[Gilga]

After the Trix search, I sent a quick text to Adeline Peters. We're on good terms, but I am still unsure what to make of her.

>>>
Adeline Hi, How are you? I need a small favor. A name came out in one of my PI's cases.
Dennis McDermott, the man, seems to be living in Touristville, but I suspect he might be in prison.
Do you mind checking it out for me?
let me know, and thanks.
AM.


When Bobby mentions her, I say, "I already contacted her; let's see if she plays ball with it and what kind of favors she'll expect in return." I should be nervous because she is with the KE, but I trust her enough for a small request.

I then text Black >> Wow, cute selfie, Black. Glad that you are okay... Listen, there is something I need your more experienced eye on. If we can meet, it is excellent; otherwise, it's no big deal. Stay safe cutie!


Can we meet today? I need a small favor.[/color]

[Tecumseh]

<<Tuesday Morning - 09:07 - April 11, 2079 - University of Washington - Seattle>>

Black does not reply right away. Perhaps she is sleeping after a night of excitement.

Adeline Peters responds more quickly.

<<Oh, I know him. He's one of the 'usual suspects'. The Redmond squads round him up every time they need to fill out a suspect lineup.>>

<<He's fairly harmless. He's never been picked up on anything violent. If he gets locked up, most of the time it's just spending the night in the drunk tank. Then they give him the boot in the morning when he's sober.>>

<<He doesn't have a permanent address. You can usually pick him up at a Touristville coffin motel, or a flophouse, or a bar, depending on the time of day. Maybe even one of the brothels if he gets his hands on some nuyen. He's one step away from becoming a squatter. Maybe just a half step.>>

<<Seems like a small fish for you. Did he get mixed up in something bigger than himself?>>

It seems that Adeline would like some information in return, or at least some juicy gossip.

~~~

AM, Raven, and Tamarind return to the University of Washington. They find their way to the building marked 'UW Creative Communications'. Inside they see the same young man as yesterday. However, today he is wearing a collared button-up shirt, slacks, and his hair has been rigorously combed and slicked back. The quality of his clothing is rather low, but perhaps it is the best he can afford on a student's budget. An astute nose might even pick up a whiff of cologne. The intention is unmistakable.

"Good morning," he says in a voice much deeper than the one he was using yesterday. He leans on the counter suavely. "How was your EvEnInG?" his voice cracks. He winces and turns bright red. He looks like he's either about to cry or die of shame, or perhaps both.

[Thanee]

Rachel is dressed in casual attire similar to the day before. She offers the young man a quick smile.

"What do you expect? Went in early and slept the whole night, after a tiresome day. Anyways, we will likely order some food again later. Do you want some, too? It's on the house."

[Jack_Spade]

Seeing that message Bobby sent AM: <<Tell her we are looking into a potential paternity lawsuit - no need to complicate things. And looks like I'll be hanging around Touristville today.>>

Bobby got ready with his usual flat outfit, but having learned his lesson about appearance, added an illusion of a more fitting and robust outfit over it.

Than he went off, taking public transit near the area and walking the rest of the way.

[ Spoiler ]

Body boost: 10d6t5 4
Buying hits for an F2 Physical Mask spell

Drain resist: 15d6t5 2
No drain

[Gilga]

<<Tuesday Morning - 09:07 - April 11, 2079 - University of Washington - Seattle>>

<<Seems like a small fish for you. Did he get mixed up in something bigger than himself?>>[/color]

I text the forensic mage back: >> Samll fish? you are aware that I spend my days seeing the dark side of relationships. This time it is not so bad, I need to find the man for a paternity lawsuit. by the look of him, I doubt he is in any trouble - they can't take what you don't have... I say, hoping that she will point me in the right direction.

I respond to Bobby "Well, if Adeline does not know where he is I might have some homework for you. Waylon may also help us there if you feel like it."

I arrive at the university wearing torn jeans and black a metal band T-shirt along with a light jacket as well as heavy boots. I am too lazy to apply makeup so I just do the spell. A bit of blue around the eyes that I feel fits well with my natural green, and touches of dark blue in my hair. Well, because its fun and I can change my mind in a heartbeat.

When we arrive I wave a little shy hi at the other students and when Raven suggests her new fling to have lunch with us I add "It would be fun." figuring out it would boost his confidence that it is a genuine offer rather than something someone says out of politeness. Not that I expect to get much attention anyhow. Archeological dig day two... " I say to myself as I take a seat by the ancient computer terminal and begin typing uncerremounusly checking in on the new leads we just got.

[Tecumseh]

<<Happy fishing then!>> Adeline replies to AM. Evidently finding Dennis will be up to you.

~~~

<<Tuesday Morning - 09:08 - April 11, 2079 - University of Washington - Seattle>>

The youth at the front desk gulps hard.

"You mean, like, together?" he asks Raven, his eyes wide. "SuRe!" he quickly agrees, his voice cracking again.

Whether or not it was Raven's intention to have eat together, it looks like she has a lunch date.

AM gets to work and adds McDermott to her list of search parameters. Raven and Tamarind, having documented the contents of the filing cabinets, know the places to go check. Everyone settles in for a long morning.

~~~

<<Tuesday Morning - 09:46 - April 11, 2079 - Touristville - Redmond>>

There isn't a lot of public transportation heading into Redmond so it takes Bobby a while to work his way over there, even though it is very close geographically.

It's a wet and windy spring morning. Rain lashes sideways. The streets are emptier than usual as people take shelter from the weather.

Bobby looks around for obvious places to start looking for Dennis. It's not even 10:00 yet so most of the bars are still closed. Most of the coffin motels dump the inhabitants out at 11:00, so that's a possibility but it's still an hour away.

It's also possible that he's at a soup kitchen, getting something warm to eat while staying out of the rain. Touristville has a couple.

[Jack_Spade]

Bobby made a beeline for their office. He was certain he would find enough work to kill an hour. Then he'd walk by the gym and talk to the shoemaker, before actually visiting the different bars and other assorted hangouts.

[Tecumseh]

<<Tuesday Morning - 09:55 - April 11, 2079 - Touristville - Redmond>>

Bobby walks into the SIS office and startles Waylon, who had been sleeping on the couch.

"I was just, uh, resting after making some improvements," he says. He gestures to a hammer that is next to the couch. It's not entirely clear was he was 'improving'.

The office is in decent enough condition, at least by Redmond standards. The roof and walls keep out the wind and rain, which is a blessing on a day like today. There are occasional brownouts but the building is usually heated.

From your previous time with him, you know that Waylon is a recovering drug addict who was once married. He's now a drug rehabilitation counselor who works with the junkies of Touristville. Waylon's in that same half-step-above-a-squatter category as Dennis.

"Yeah, I know him," Waylon says of Dennis, wiping the sleep out of his eyes. "Drinking problem. Haven't had any luck sobering him up, although it's possible that the alcohol is keeping him from harder drugs, or chips."

What's behind the drinking?

"Family trauma. Self-loathing. The story gets a bit garbled when he's been drinking and starts to slur."

Where can he be found?

"Usually in a bar, nursing a beer," Waylon says. "He crashes on couches and sleep in roach motels. In the summer he might fall asleep in an alley, but I suspect he's not outside right now." He nods toward the rain pelting the windows. "He's not so far gone that he's lost his survival instinct yet."

[Jack_Spade]

Bobby nodded and let Waylon get back to sleep. The rain wasn't letting up, so he took the time to note down what he had learned.

At least it wouldn't be hard to get the Dennis the drunk to talk.

Once the hour neared that the bars opened, Bobby slipped out again, hurrying to visit the gym - just to talk a bit with Cutty and learn what he knew, before heading down to visit the bars.

[Tecumseh]

Waylon looks relieved not to be kicked out. He opens the fridge, takes out a carton of AlmostEgg, and works on some breakfast. Bobby is reasonably confident that the AlmostEgg wasn't there before, so Waylon must have brought it with him.

~~~

<<Tuesday Morning - 10:52 - April 11, 2079 - Printing Office - University of Washington>>

After a couple more hours, there's still no sign of Corinne Potter or Corinne McDermott. The ladies figure they have about two more hours of work before they can feel confident they didn't overlook or miss anything.

~~~

<<Tuesday Morning - 10:52 - April 11, 2079 - Touristville - Redmond>>

Bobby makes the rounds, dropping in on Cutty. The large half-black, half-Amerind man shakes his hand.

"Dennis? Yeah, I know Dennis. Not a bad guy. Bit of a hangdog look to him, you know like one of those bloodhounds that always looks like it's depressed? He's usually a bit sauced. I tried to get him to come in the gym but he wasn't having it. Occasionally he'll claim a bowl of rice or beans off me, but that's about it. He has a weird hang-up about accepting things from other people, especially things of value. It's almost like a phobia, not wanting to be in debt to others or something like that.

"Bars? He could be anywhere. Could be at 'Aces'. That's the Crimson Crush's place; it might be too early for them to be stirring up drek yet. Could be at 'Banshee'. I've seen him before at Downfall. Could even be at The Jackal's Lantern. That place is pretty quiet now that the Halloweeners are just a flicker of what they used to be."

[Jack_Spade]

Bobby looked up sharply at the last remark:
"Wait, what? What happened to the Weeners? Has Big Stank finally found a bit of brains and eliminated the fraggers?"

The week is starting well it seems."