The Man With No Fear

Chapter Six: The Usual Suspects

Once they get back to their office they begin taking apart the witness list.

"So only three people were anywhere near the street. That's just peachy," Foggy says morosely, breathing a heavy sigh.

"Better than no people" Matt replies, trying to be positive. Foggy sighs again and starts ready off the names.

"Sandra Hicks, a waitress who went out for a smoke. Lenny Denver, a man who was riding his bike and discovered the body. And finally Aaron Donavon, some lowlife criminal apparently,"

"Donavon sounds like someone we should go to. He may have some information on who'd do something like this," Matt says, recognizing the name from his time patrolling the streets. Aaron was the quintessential low level criminal with an arm length list of petty crimes charged against him. "And maybe that Lenny guy noticed something."

"Yeah, I have their statements here too," Foggy says, taking the papers out of his case. He starts reading them off, starting with the waitress.

"'I didn't see much. I was out for a smoke because we can't smoke in the bar. Dumb rule if you ask me. Lung cancer from smoking, liver cancer from drinking, is one worse than the other? But anyhow, I was out when I saw some dude near an alley. Not unusual, alleyways are meccas for creeps. But this guy was spooked. Hopped off his bike and ran into the alley, started shouting for help. I ran into the bar and called for help, that's the end of that.'" Foggy sighs again, tipping his head back  "That's a bust. No help there."

"Then read the next one. Lenny, the bicyclist," Matt says.

"Alright, here it is. 'I was biking along when I heard a small groan in an alley. Thought it might be a crack head or druggie but when I was passing I saw two people on the ground. Looked like trouble so I hopped off my bike and went in for a closer look. One dude was knifed, blood was everywhere. Like CSI or something. Another one barely conscious, holding a knife. I started yelling for help. Stayed there till you guys arrived,' That might be helpful. He can corroborate Mike's state when he was found. A barely conscious man can't commit murder," Foggy says, hope edging into his voice.

"Exactly. What does the third one have to say?" Matt asks. Foggy clears his throat and begins to read.

"'I ain't done nothing wrong, first off. I was minding my business, taking a nice nightly stroll. Was gonna go into the bar to get a drink, hit up this hottie with a body waitress, Sandy or Sandra or Sarah something. I seen her run in after someone had shouted from the alleyway. I went over to see what was going down. Some dude with a bike helmet was crouching down near two bodies. Either he popped them off or they offed each other. Come to find out only one is dead. Crazy stuff man.'" Foggy finishes and adds, "He doesn't seem like a helpful lead." 

"Maybe not," Matt agrees, but he makes a mental note to pay Aaron a little visit. Not as Matt Murdock, but as his vigilante alter ego.

"So I say we go see Lenny. His address is listed here, it's not too far. A short walk from the office actually," Foggy says. Matt nods definitively, standing. He stretches, picking back up his cane and briefcase.

"No rest for the weary," he quips as he starts striding to the door. Foggy stands and follows after him, stuffing the papers into his briefcase.

"We can rest when we're dead," Foggy replies jovially, grinning. Matt chuckles, a grin spreading across his face as they leave their office.

***********
Once they arrive at Lenny Denver's place he welcomes them in. It's a humble enough apartment, filled with high school memorabilia. Matt's attuned senses pick up on everything. Lenny's height (5'9), his age (late twenties), his build (slim and fit).

"So how can I help you fellas?" Lenny asks politely, inviting them to take a seat. Foggy directs Matt towards a seat and them sits beside him.

"Well we have a few questions. Like we said before, we're representing Michael Braxton. You saw him last night, is that correct?" Matt starts out.

"Yeah, I saw him. And that poor guy they're saying he killed. If you ask me though, it doesn't make any sense. That Michael guy was practically unconscious." Lenny says, shaking his head in bewilderment.

"Did you notice anything out of the ordinary?" Foggy asks, pulling out a notepad.

"Gee, not really. Just what I saw, Michael and the other guy. Both on the floor. The knife in Michael's hand," he says, trailing off.

"Go on," Matt prods, sensing some hesitation.

"Some guy came up behind me when I started yelling for help," Lenny adds. "He didn't try to help though, just stood there. Maybe he was in shock, but it didn't seem like it. He had a weird look on his face like he wasn't surprised at all."

"What did he look like?" Foggy asks.

"Um, it was dark. But he was tall, gangly. Dark brown hair, facial hair. Kinda shift looking. Hazelish eyes I think," Denver lists. Foggy looks over at Matt in surprise.

"Matches our pal Donavon," he says. Matt nods thoughtfully, feeling certain that Aaron might definitely know more than he's letting on.

After the pair finished talking with Lenny they head back to their office. 

"I think we can call it a day, how about you?" Foggy asks as they walk into the building and head up the steps.

"Yeah, I think you're right. I think we're really moving ahead on this case," Matt replies in a cheerful tone, grinning at his longtime friend.

"I sure hope so. Mike's a good guy, and he's sure as hell isn't a killer. His life is in our hands," Foggy replies gravely, his usual cheeriness gone. Matt sobers for a moment as well, realizing the gravity of his words. They'll be defending Mike in court in a few weeks, maybe less. If he can't reveal that Blue Talon is the real killer as the Daredevil, than he'll have to clear Mike's name as himself. Matt Murdock. First time lawyer, fresh out of law school. He swallows, trying to push away the doubt that's begun to creep into his mind.

"We're gonna do right by him," Matt says in a sure voice, opening the door to their office. They pack up and leave, turning off all the lights and locking the door. Foggy pauses for a moment, looking at the engraved window of their door.

"This is real, isn't it," he says reverentially, his eyes taking in the professional looking cursive letters that make up their names: Nelson and Murdock. Attorneys at Law. Matt turns and glances in Foggy's direction, pushing his darkened shades higher up on the bridge of his nose. 

"Yeah buddy, it's real." 

***********

That night Matt is all suited up, donning his crimson red costume and horned mask. He has one singular goal in mind: finding Aaron Donavon and getting him to talk. From his witness statement it seems that he's a regular at that bar where Jasper was killed, so he decides to head there.

Running along rooftops and jumping from building to building provides the perfect atmosphere to think. Somehow, sailing above the air makes everything simpler for a bit. Matt makes it to the bar, located on a shoddy street downtown, and camps out on the roof of a building across the street. He waits, listening closely. As soon as Donavon walks out he'll nab him and get the answers that he's looking for.