Hell's Angel (BK 1)

The Dynamic Duo

Alison's POV
(bellamysgirl)

"This doesn't change anything, Ben," Karen assured, walking around the desk. I crossed my arms, my fingers barely touching my lips. I wish I had that kind of faith. "Except, now we know who your king of diamonds is," Foggy added, referring to Ben's peg board. I'd seen it coming in and out of his office the past few days. Ben didn't look so convinced. His eyebrows raised. "You see the news? Everything's changed," he reached into his bag and pulled out a paper, holding it out to Karen.

She took it and unfurled it to read the front page. I already knew what was on it. I knew before printing. Fisk and his brat pack of low life scumbags. Today's headline: A Better Tomorrow. Dani had disappeared into the kitchen area a short while ago. I briefly wondered if she fell in. "Fisk has gotten out in front of being dragged into the spotlight. Our editor thinks he's the second coming," Ben continued, thrusting an arm toward me at the word our. "The whole city does."

My eye brows rose as I sighed knowingly. Ellison was on my nerves all day yesterday. He wouldn't stop talking about how great Fisk was for the city and how 'finally we're all gonna get some peace.' Right. I don't think Hell's Kitchen would know what peace is if it walked up and punched it in the face. "So, we just keep digging," Karen said, trying to sound hopeful.

"I've been doing that. Internet went from having nothing on Fisk to filled with three hanky stories about a poor little fat kid from Hell's Kitchen," Karen's face dropped at Ben's words. "Abandoned by his father when he was twelve. Mother died a year later. Now look at him—boot straps and a big dream."

"Somebody knows something," Foggy pressed, standing across from me in the group. "It's just a matter of asking the right people the right questions in the right tone of voice."

"And that, my friend, is how you end up beaten half to death in an alley." Dani's sarcastic tone echoed for a second as she exited the kitchen with a steaming mug. I turned my head to give her a look as she stood to my right. "Well, aren't you just a ray of sunshine," I said.

She held up a hand in defense. "I haven't had my coffee yet and this is my time off. Talk at your own risk." I sighed and turned back to the group. Foggy looked miffed. But he stood up straight and looked to me. "You think I'm right, right Ally?" he asked. It would take a lot to miss the subtle plea in his tone and the way his eyebrow curved up just slightly. I wanted to say I did. But I couldn't.

I pursed my lips and shook my head. "I don't think it's a good idea, Fog," I disagreed, apologetically. "You guys could get yourselves in some deep problems." Just then, Matt entered the law firm. He nodded once as he shut the door. "That's what I keep telling them," he agreed. "Maybe they'll listen to the smart ones."

"Um, Ben this is Matt Murdock," I turned toward Matt. "Matt this is Ben Urich, we work at the Bulletin together." Matt stepped forward with an easy, closed-mouth smile and held out a hand in the general direction of Ben. I knew it was mostly an act. He knew where Ben was. Ben held out a hand and shook Matt's. "Mr. Murdock," he greeted. "Alison's told me quite a bit about you."

"Please, just Matt is fine. And she says good things about everyone, so," Matt smiled.

"My partner thinks we should be pursuing this through the legal system," Foggy informed.

"A lot safer that way," Ben nodded, approving as he turned to see both of them. Exactly, safe. That's what we need to be. I couldn't help but notice Foggy's ever present partial scowl. And I hadn't talked to Matt since his apartment the other morning, when he practically told me to get out. It's cold winds from both men. Just what I need. I only caught the end of Karen's whining. "...we need to do something."