Worldheart (A Justice League fanfic)

Chapter 17

They worked late into the night sorting through the files Jaz had sent to Brin, supplemented with his own photo's and tidbits of information he knew about the Blue Hue. It opened four years ago. It was known to be owned by a single man, but no one knew who he was or what he looked like. Terese proposed that Lex was the possible owner, but with no links and no evidence pointing to that it was purely conjecture based on his character. Ultimately, they focused on the facts they knew. Lex, Max, and a mysterious man was spotted drinking together in one of the private booths of the club on the upper floor. After that, Maxmellius began construction on his weird underground lab where they kidnapped heroes and conducted experiments. This mystery pharmaceutical company was also founded a week after that meeting, with no records of its original backers or investors. It was entirely private and had yet to come to market with any products. There were unconfirmed rumours running rampant of a new drug hitting the scene, but they didn't have any information on what it was supposed to do or if the rumors were actually true. Lastly, Arrow added that some of the software and machinery used in the lab was confirmed to originate from Lexcorp, though that was not enough 'proof' for the police to pin anything on him since he could just claim it was purchased by a third party.

Jaz asked for a second time, "So what now?" After an hour of deliberating over the facts.

"We need to confirm the rumours next if we're going to find the next lead." Arrow answered and Brin nodded in silent agreement.

"We'd want to try to get in with one of the regulars I'd imagine. Someone who has ties to the drug trades that go on in that club." Terese proposed.

Brin nodded silently, staring at the photos of the club's interior for a while. "That's a good idea Terese, but it's getting late right now. If you find any additional information, send it to Jaz. I have an idea, but its to early to share it. Next Monday, we'll discuss what to do."

Terese and Clara both looked to Arrow who simply nodded. "See you next Monday then."

They shared hugs before leaving. Jaz rubbed her face, exhausted suddenly after all that. Brin was standing at the bottom of the stairway to the bedrooms, his arms crossed. "What?"

"You're really bad at telling the truth, aren't you." His tone wasn't accusatory. It was matter of fact, but the fact still stung.

Jaz scowled, "I'm really not." After a moment she realized it could be construed either way, "Bad at it, I mean."

"Your friends want to help you, and they want to know you trust them too."

"I do trust them." Jaz snapped when she didn't intend to.

"Then show them that." With that Brin turned up the stairs, leaving Jaz feeling frustrated at the bottom. She did trust them. She just didn't want to worry them. It wasn't the same thing.

- - -

Coming up to the Monday, Brin had Jaz change the meeting place from their home to the warehouse Brin had been using to train. It was an active factory somewhere on the outskirts of Metropolis that was poorly locked up, making it the perfect place for them to meet after dark with no one to witness. It was a metal working factory. Outside was giant metal pipes large enough for Jaz to stand inside, piled to one side of the dirt parking lot. There was a rusted gate surrounding the place, with spindles of barbed wire atop it. The main gate to the parking lot was 'locked' with a chain that had a rusted shut lock on the end of it. Still, driving by you'd assumed it was locked.

"So... Abandoned warehouse huh." Terese stepped out of the SUV first, putting her hands on her hips as she surveyed the area.

"Not abandoned, but there's no security after seven." Brin opened the side door, ushering them inside. The space was massive, at least two football fields wide with several large machines and conveyer belts on either side. All the smaller equipment had been shifted to the walls with chains locking them to the floor. The only windows in the place were three stories high and so dusty they barely let in light.