WALKING DISASTERS | Jack Thompson

37.

THE FOLLOWING MORNING, Sera and Peggy were called to Dr Wilkes' home and arrived only to find reporter clamouring for information. When she saw them through the window, Sera grimaced before flexing her fingers. "Someone's going to get punched. I can feel it."

Peggy smiled slightly as the two of them got out of the car. "I'm sure nobody would blame you."

"Is Dr Wilkes a suspect in the explosion at Isodyne?"

"Why did he do it? Was it a personal vendetta?"

"What was Isodyne working on in the lab?"

As two of Daniel's agents cleared a path for Peggy and Sera, the latter of the pair got shoved by the clamouring of reporters and clenched her fists. She hated the media for this exact reason: none of them knew the first thing about personal space or boundaries. She didn't want to be hounded first thing in the morning, especially after the night they had, and she was about ready to snap.

They joined up with Daniel as they headed towards the house and he asked, "How are you holding up?"

"I'm fine," Peggy replied. "How goes the search?"

"Slow going," Daniel said. "Dr Wilkes brought a lot of work home."

"Anything regarding Isodyne's work on Zero Matter?" Peggy asked.

"No, nothing that would explain why a bunch of gorillas were shooting at you last night," Daniel responded.

"They were shooting at Dr Wilkes," Peggy said. "They wanted him killed. I suppose I did their job for them."

"You know what happened at the lab was an accident," Daniel said.

"Nevertheless, Dr Wilkes is dead, and the only lead we have in the case is a tie pin, the same kind that Dottie Underwood tried to steal in New York," Peggy said sharply.

Sera grit her teeth. "Remind me to punch Jack the next time I see him."

"Why?" Daniel asked.

"Because if it weren't for his idiocy, we would have a lead as to where those tie pins came from," Sera replied. "Bloody idiot and his stupid mentor."

"I called Thompson when I got back to the office," Daniel told her. "Haven't heard back yet."

"I doubt he'd call to report his lack of progress," Peggy replied, as a floorboard creaked beneath her feet. "Do you hear that?" she stomped her foot. "It's hollow."

Daniel crouched down and pulled back the rug, knocking on the floorboard with his knuckles. One came loose and he reached under the floorboards for what was hidden there. He handed Peggy a folded piece of paper before pulling an envelope out.

He whistled as he pulled out a stack of money. "There must be fifty grand in here."

"Plane ticket to Moscow, one way," Peggy said. "And a Russian passport."

"Why would Wilkes have a Russian passport?" Daniel asked.

"Maybe because he's a Russian spy," Agent Baker replied.

"Do you have any evidence to support that preposterous theory, Agent Baker?" Peggy asked.

"Found this under his mattress," Baker replied, holding up a handgun. "Torkarev, TT-33. Same gun that was used to kill the agents moving Jane Scott's body. Your pal Wilkes wasn't just a spy. He killed two of our guys."

"A spy who hides every bit of incriminating evidence in one easily discovered place?" Sera asked. "I don't believe it for one moment."

"You think someone planted all this?" Daniel asked.

"I think Isodyne is trying to frame Dr Wilkes and they want us to do their dirty work," Sera replied. "And I think it's time we pay a visit to my brother."

-

"Hold it!" Howard shouted at his actors, before he looked over at Peggy and Sera, who were standing with Mr Jarvis. "You're in the shot," they awkwardly shuffled to the left. "Still in the shot," they moved again and Howard yelled, "Cut! That's lunch! One hour, everybody."

Howard approached them with a smile. "I always thought you should be in pictures, Peg. What do you say? Arlene French called in drunk. You want to play a sassy beer wench?"

"I'd rather be the cowboy."

"Ah, I like it," Howard said. "I don't think the audience is ready yet."

"But they're ready for a movie base on a comic book?" Sera asked. "Sounds like a dreadful idea."

"I'll have you know this is a historical drama," Howard said, holding out the comic book he was holding. "Kid Colt was a real person, and if it fails, there'll be a substantial write-off come tax season. Sorry I missed you last night, we wrapped late, and Irene Dunne and I wrapped even later."

"You're disgusting," Sera muttered.

"How's your man, Fi?" Howard asked. "Got bored and decided to be more like me yet?"

She rolled her eyes. "Do you have time to talk about the real world for a moment?"

Howard shrugged. "Depends what it is."

They played the tape of the Zero Matter experiment for Howard, who watched it in amazement. Sera leaned against the desk as the tape played, tapping her foot anxiously.

"Unbelievable," Howard said. "That rift snuffed out an atomic explosion like a match. You got a blockbuster flick on your hands, Peg. Got any idea what could do that?"

"Zero Matter," Peggy replied. "Or at least, that's what Dr Wilkes thought. We were hoping you might have some answers."

"Well, that kind of power doesn't exist in the natural world," Howard said. "This Zero Matter stuff... this could be the greatest find of the century."

"Well, apparently it's important enough for Isodyne to fabricate a story about Dr Wilkes being a communist," Jarvis chimed in.

"You know, that's an easy enough setup," Howard said. "He's already a target 'cause of the colour of his skin."

"I won't let them tarnish Dr Wilkes' name like this," Peggy said.

Howard pulled out the tie pin and looked at it. "Wilkes was a member of the Arena Club?"

"Is that where that pin is from?" Sera asked.

"Yeah," Howard replied. "And I'm amazed they allowed him to be a member. They keep their ranks male and pale. Jarvis here isn't even white enough for them."

"Please, I'm one-sixteenth Turkish," Jarvis said.

"What kind of organisation is it?" Sera asked.

"Social club," Howard answered. "For LA's silver spoon crowd since 1906. The influential, the powerful, the reptilian and the rodentia. The Arena Club is where they all congregate."

"Sounds like your type of people," Sera muttered.

"They've been trying unsuccessfully to recruit Mr Stark for years," Jarvis said.

"I'm not a joiner," Howard said.

"Women aren't allowed," Jarvis said.

"Well, there's that too," Howard replied.

"That pin belonged to one of the men that tried to kill me last night," Peggy said.

"And Dottie Underwood tried to steal one just like it back in New York," Sera added.

"Who is Dottie Underwood?" Howard asked.

"She kidnapped you," Sera said. "At gunpoint, not long ago."

Howard seemed clueless until Jarvis said, "You were wearing your brown mohair jacket."

Snapping his fingers, Howard said, "The Russian knockout with the killer backhand. A Soviet spy in an old-boys club? What the hell have you gotten yourself into, Fi?"

"We don't know," Sera replied. "But at least we know where to start looking. Come on, Peg."

As the two of them left the room, Howard yelled, "You're welcome!"

"Thanks, Howard!"