Brad cast a cursory dismissive glance at Mick's off-the-rack suit and made a beeline for the immaculately dressed Mr. Indigence. He projected a pudgy hand.
Startled by Brad's resemblance to Adam, Indigence silently took the doctor's hand. Barker pumped Clint's hand effusively. "I thought I had met all the executives affiliated with the bank, sir. I'm Dr. Brad Barker, Director of Public Relations. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mister . . ." Brad fell silent, expecting Clint to provide the appropriate response.
As Barker offered his spiel, Indigence studied the young man's face and overcame his initial surprise, noticing the obvious difference in the eyes and other subtle dissimilarities in the facial features. Instead of supplying the expected reply, Clint asked, "Are you the young man who actually writes the news or do you simply edit the propaganda issued by your staff?"
Still pumping, Brad hesitantly hedged, "Ah, that's a rather complex question, sir."
"No it's not. My fingers have run dry, Young Fellow."
"P-Pardon?"
"You can stop milking them now." Dr. Barker released Clint's hand as if he had received an electric shock. Barker turned a quizzical gaze toward King.
"His name is Clint Indigence, Brad. I think you should recognize this other gentleman."
Barker turned and focused on the face of the ignored man in the cheap suit. Brad stared for a stunned moment. "Mick Loneshark!" The doctor rushed forward to shake the security guard's hand. "Your performance achieved the highest ratings of any broadcast we've aired. It's a pleasure to meet you in person."
"I assume you were the one who edited my actions," Mick muttered.
"Indeed I was, Mr. Loneshark!"
"You left my greatest moments on the cutting room floor!"
"I – " Brad stumbled, but was reprieved when Clint broke into hearty laughter.
"Only joking," Mick confirmed.
"Enough of this!" King burst. "Get on with your report, Detective!"
Mick rose from his perch and began pacing the huge space. He addressed the doctor, "Mr. Midas sent me to Pinewhittle to investigate the death of his son. My cover as a security guard was arranged by my captain and Mr. Midas. Mr. Indigence is a maintenance man at The Adam Midas Memorial Bank." Mick paused to let King and Brad react to the surprise, which they immediately did, looking at each other in disbelief. "What's more relevant," the detective continued,"is the fact that Clint was also a maintenance man at your previous Pinewhittle branch bank and was the last man to leave the bank before the explosion." King stared at Clint with a mixture of emotions. Loneshark carried on, "I've had to assemble minuscule details over a long period of time from a wide variety of sources. I won't give you explanations of how I ascertained each detail. I will describe the overall picture I have
