Early August 2012: The Warehouse/Annapolis, MD

[damncompass]

It's a fairly boring day in the Warehouse. Joshua is on his laptop working on some paperwork, and Helena is finishing up a couple case reports at a table.

It's probably just about time for something to happen.

Comments

[claudiometer]

"Sure, just a sec." She pulls the glasses up and heads for a backup terminal.
"Okay, what do you know so far?"

[damncompass]

"Ok, so the person has all of a sudden come out of nowhere and is the journalistic darling of the press. Supposedly she's been coming in late, some scuttlebutt says depression, but no one really knows."

[claudiometer]

"'k... anyone cite a reason for the maybe-depression?"

[damncompass]

"She lost her husband and son in a car wreck a couple years ago. That's the only thing we've heard about."

[claudiometer]

"Okay, let me... oh, ouch. That's not pretty. It wouldn't be depression, but if she's coming in late because of nightmares? I think I found your culprit."
She turns her Farnsworth to display what she's turned up. "Mary Shelley's pen. It'd account for the sudden political-press stardom, and with that kind of family history it'd get her hard, too."

[damncompass]

"Shit. So, basically, keep Helena the hell away from it." What he's missing is that it might actually hit him just as hard. "Writer and family loss."

[claudiometer]

"Oh, you'd be at risk too, Mister Dissertation. But I think you'll both be okay as long as you glove up - neither of you is really into political writing."
Maybe if Helena had been the mind behind the socialism, but she wasn't.

[damncompass]

"Bah. Anyway, thanks for the info. At least we're pretty sure what we're looking for. Everything going ok back there?"

[claudiometer]

"Artie's so busy he hasn't asked what you guys are up to yet. I think Leena figures you're on a ping, though." But that's okay, since Leena's been in the 'let Helena do a thing already' camp the whole time.
"She'll help me defuse the Artie bomb if he figures it out."

[damncompass]

"Artie can deal. Helena's a Warehouse agent, and a Regent told her to do something." Joshua shrugs. "Besides, he's been complaining that he's been going out in the field too much anyway."

[claudiometer]

Claudia grins. "Exactly. And he's brought half that work on himself, and HG needs to get out before she does something drastic, so."

[damncompass]

"Exactly. Anyway, Donovan and Wells out. We'll let you know if we need anything." Hanging up, he turns back to Helena. "So, where are we going to find an oldschool pen that neither of us should really touch?"

[timelessinventor]

Helena turns her attention back to the press. "Excuse me, darlings, does Ms. Ashdown happen to have an office in the building?"

"Over in the LOB," one of the reporters says. "Third floor, but I doubt she's there yet. She usually comes down here first, at least to see what's up."

Helena nods, and smiles at the reporter. "Thank you very much." She turns back to Joshua and adds, "I suggest we start there, then, especially if it's her habit to come to the chamber first." They just may be able to sort out the problem with little interference.

[damncompass]

"Right. Lead on, oh senior Agent." Joshua runs a hand through his hair. "And the only person around with an actual badge. I really need to get on that."

[timelessinventor]

"I dare say you should. You and Claudia both, in fact." She does lead the way, occasionally stopping to make sure they're headed in the right direction (wouldn't do to get lost, after all).