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Subject: {ASSM} Solstice Magic 05: Country Magic and City Magic - Duncan and Owen 1-6/6 (M+familiar, magic/fantasy, implied gay sex, fairly mainstream)
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Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2013 04:10:01 -0400
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Solstice Magic 05: Country Magic & City Magic - Duncan and Owen 1-6/6
----

Duncan [B] : Dark warrior 'Brown-haired' ( Gaelic Name )
Owen [B] : Young warrior ( Irish Name )
---

Duncan & Owen 001
---

Duncan  was changing to his civvies after he'd gone off shift, when a
stranger walked in and started watching him.

"Heard you had a chance to see Jezzi and Boyce being themselves, this
afternoon."

"That was Boyce?  Looked more like a kid, than the old man."

"Old?  Boyce was only in his early fifties."

"Old.  Same as I'm feeling these days.  Anyone find out what they were
doing in town?"

"Ran over himself with his own cultivator.  Pretty messy."

"He didn't look messy to me, when Jezzi accelerated up that onramp.
Who are you, anyway?  Some sort of special investigator who can walk
in and start up a conversation without introducing himself?"

"Sorry.  I'm Owen, and I'm your new partner.  If you don't mind me
saying it, you look pretty fit and competent, for a man who's feeling
old."

"What happened to proper channels?"

Then he seemed to wake up.  "Hold it!  You have any reasons other than
making sure I can keep up with you during a shift, for noticing my
body?"

"Sure.  To put it crudely, Jezzi's not the only magic horse in the
world.  You really shouldn't be making wishes when she's in one of her
whimsical moods.  Only way you'll be able to ride her, or someone like
her, is if you're like Boyce.  She gave me a shout, since she knows
I'm unattached, and here I am."

"Like Boyce?  One of us is insane, because *nobody* is like Boyce."

"A problem that's easily fixed.  Takes about fifteen minutes of your
time, then...  I take you for the ride of your life."

Duncan's eyebrows went up.  "I get it.  You got a thing for cops, so
you're hitting on me."

"I'm whatever you want me to be, Duncan.  If you say I'm gay, I am."

Owen suddenly vanished and a black stallion was standing in his place.
"I'm also the stallion you've always dreamed of riding, Duncan.  How'd
you like to chase those speeders on something they can't lose, no
matter what tricks they come up with, or how much nitro they feed
*their* horses?"

"They're going to have fits, when I ask to be transferred to horse
patrols."

"So you accept?"

"On one condition.  I don't do horses.  Never did, never will.  You
looked pretty tempting, before, but we can sort that out later."

Owen changed back and held out his hand.  "Deal.  Just so you can
factor it in, you give me that fifteen minutes, and you'll have the
same perks Boyce has."

"Those are?"

"Functional immortality, and Free Will."

"Sounds like you're saying I'll have the kind of power that corrupts,
absolutely."

"Yep."

"That's it?"

"Pretty much so.  Cop's dream, right?"

"Cop's nightmare.  We already have so much, most folks who have it,
get carried away and blow it."

"Your call, Duncan."

"I'll take it, and if it means I have to quit being a cop, to be a
good one, that's what I'll do."

"We, 'old man'.  Partners, remember?"

"What's that make you?  Some sort of familiar?"

"I'm not your conscience, Duncan.  I'm not here to see that you walk
some sort of line."

"Oh?  Then why are you here, other than to give me the power of a
god?"

"I'm selfish.  Way I see it, just like Boyce does for Jezzi, you'll do
for me.  You'll find ways to keep us both amused.  Boredom, lots of
it, is the price we pay for immortality."

"I understand that.  It's why I became a cop."

He stuck his hand out, they shook, then Duncan gathered his stuff.
"Let's get out of here."
====

Duncan & Owen 002
---

"What's this nonsense about you and your new partner wanting to switch
out of your cruiser?"

"Just what it says.  What's the problem?  You know I should have been
behind a desk, years ago."

"What's the problem?  You've never ridden a horse in your life,
Duncan.  Besides, we don't have any extras we can give both of you,
let alone one of you."

"I'll supply my own horse, and we'll run the course, if you insist."

"That takes care of you, *if* I approve this insanity.  What about
Owen?"

Duncan shrugged.  "To save time, Owen won't need one, because he's
going to be my stallion during duty hours.  Off duty, too, if he has
to."

"Tell me why I shouldn't have you go visit with the Doc?"

"Owen?"

"Yeah, Duncan.  Easier this way."

Owen shifted, then bobbed his head.  "Is this better?  At least you
have my records, so you know I've been through the academy.  If it
makes you happy, I'll do all the silly animal stuff, too."

He got a stare, then narrowed eyes.  "I think I get it.  You, Owen,
are related to Jezzi, somehow?"

"Somehow.  We've been around so long, that we don't remember if we're
related or not.  Same skills, and that's what really matters, so you
can call us brother and sister, if that makes you feel better."

"Umm...  Right.  Figure out a way to wear your badge in sight when
you're a horse."

"Yes, Sir.  Thank you, Sir!"

"Don't *either* of you do something to make me change my mind.  Got
it?"

Duncan grinned.  "Have some flatbeds and the chopper on standby.
Better yet, call those hotshot reporters who always try to make our
lives miserable, and tell them I'm willing to let them join me while I
ride my beat."

"And you've never been on a horse?"

"Owen gave me the basics last night.  I'll be ok, and by the end of my
shift, the streets will be a little safer."

"You blow it, if there's anything left when the media gets done, it's
mine."

"Expected.  You done with us, so we can get to work?"

"Go!  You can meet the reporters where they usually hang out when
they're after your skin."

"Thanks.  You going to warn them, that I'll be riding one of Jezzi's
brothers?"

"No."

"Thanks.  See you when we get back."

* * *

The parking lot at the shut down warehouse was packed with cars and
trucks by the time Duncan rode up on Owen.

They stopped to look things over, then Duncan laughed softly.  "If
those kids are on their usual schedule, they should show up in about
fifteen minutes.  You ready to surprise them?"

"Of course.  Your call on how we do it."

"Something simple, this time.  I figure if we make their road go
vertical, then hang them out to dry at about three hundred feet, that
should send a decent message to them, that the rules have changed. You
up to it, since I'm new to this?"

"Easy.  You want them nose up, or horizontal when I amble up to them?"

Duncan thought about it, then grinned.  "Nose up, and you stay
horizontal while I write them up and have their rides hauled off for a
long overdue safety inspection."

"I was right."

"Oh?"

"You're creative enough to keep us from getting bored for a long, long
time, Duncan."

"Thanks.  Let's go set everyone up for the main event."

Owen ambled over to where the action was waiting for them, then
stopped and turned his head so he could watch Duncan.  "Mind if I
start this party?"

"Not a bit, *partner*."

Owen faced the microphones that were waiting.  "I'll keep it simple,
because we're expecting gate crashers in about fifteen minutes.  You
folks have bitched so long about those racers, that we're bored with
your complaints.  Anyway, since we can't catch them in a cruiser,
especially not *safely*, Duncan decided to try a new approach.  I'm
it.  Any questions?"

"You expect us to believe you can outrun those kids?"

"Not yet.  Today, we're going to send a message to them:  'Kids, the
rules have changed.  Back off, or pay the price'."

"Pretty hardball."

"Yep.  Stupid way to put it, but being nice guys hasn't worked, so
we're going to show them that there are ways to catch them safely, and
not break any human laws while we're doing it."

"Pretty specific about that 'human laws'."

"And I'm lying like a rug, too."

He suddenly swiveled an ear.  "They're early.  Please excuse us while
we go do our jobs."

Two cars came around the corner, and there was a sudden change in the
sound of the engines when they added nitro to their fuel mix and hit
the gas pedals.

Instead of accelerating into the distance, both cars suddenly went
vertical, then the engines died and they hung in the air, about three
hundred feet up.

Duncan gazed at them , then sighed.  "I've seen fighters with less off
the mark acceleration.  Maybe, next time, we'll let them keep going
until they run out of fuel."

Owen looked up and shook his head.  "Bad Idea.  With *that* rate of
climb, they'll need suits and oxygen to survive the experience, if we
don't help them.  Be going through a major air traffic area, too. That
said, I'd be all for it.  Sounds like it would fun, keeping them
company.  You ready to write 'em up and collect their rides?"

"Yeah, partner.  Let's go.  Take your time."

Owen started walking, then his feet left the ground, and he made a
couple of circles, like we was walking up a ramp, until he was
standing so Duncan's head was even with the driver's window of one of
the cars.

Duncan made a cranking motion, and the obviously terrified young man
screamed at him.  "What's going on?!  We could get killed!"

"Finally figured it out, son?  Good.  I need your driver's license."

"Screw you."

"Son, you've been on my list for months.  Hand me the license, now, or
you stay here until you grow up.  Got it?"

"You can't do that!"

"Well, now, let's talk about that.  You're up here, and not down
there.  You're not going anywhere, or endangering honest folks, so as
far as we're concerned, you're just some kids with attitudes, mouthing
off to a cop again.  I'm feeling mellow right now, so you folks relax
while we go talk to your friends.  Maybe they'll show some sense about
the new rules."

"What new rules?  I know my rights!"

"Well, it's a new rule, really.  If either one of us can see, or hear,
you or your friends, you're ours.  Pretty simple, right?  Owen?  Let's
go find out if the other kids can be sensible about this."

Owen turned away and the kid yelled at them  "Hey!  I'm not done with
you!"

Duncan looked over his shoulder.  "We're done with you.  That's all
that matters.  Owen, let's help them think.  Nose down while we take
care of the others."

The car rotated until the kids in it were screaming.

Duncan had watched, then he sighed.  "All right!  Get a clue, you
guys.  Your car thinks it's on level ground.  If you'd think with your
heads, you'd figure out that your bodies agree with that.  Relax!"

There was silence, then Duncan shrugged.  "Let's go, Owen."

By the time they approached the other car, the driver had his license
ready.

Duncan took it, wrote the ticket, had it signed, then he nodded after
he handed the ticket and his license back.  "Just to show there's no
hard feelings, I'll let you pick which tow company takes your ride to
the impound yard until we have time to do a full safety inspection."

"Umm...  Dad's gonna *kill* me if that happens."

"Best I can do is call in Highway Patrol so they can do a quick
inspection.  If they get their hands on it, you may never get it back.
All depends on the smog test.  If it fails that, they might decide
it's a gross polluter."

"Never mind.  I guess the adventure is over.  You caught us.  Do it."

"Good man.  You get out his way, talk to Boyce and let him know I
suggested he might turn some of his access roads into a closed course
you kids can race on.  If he goes for it, you'll have to be race
certified, but after that, you'll have a place that's fee free, where
you can run, and with Boyce or one of us there to supervise and run
the races, you won't have to worry about bystanders, or yourselves,
getting hurt.  Might destroy your cars, though."

"You serious?  Old man Boyce would do that?"

"Pitch it to Jezzi, too.  She likes to run fast.  Faster the better,
as far as she's concerned."

"I suppose so.  Did she really run the freeway a couple days ago?"

"Yep.  Stayed at or under the speed limit, too, unless she had to
pass.  Get my drift, son?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Well, you decided yet, or you want to enjoy the view some more?"

"Anybody from the Auto Club.  Maybe my membership will cover it, so I
don't have to call dad and ask him to bail my car out, later."

"Owen?  Lower away."

Duncan looked back and smiled.  "You're not under arrest.  Media might
want to talk to you some more, but I don't.  You kids have a nice
day."

The car landed on the hauler, and once they were on the ground, the
kids were surrounded, and Owen chuckled.  "See?  Power can corrupt,
but it can also inspire benevolence, Duncan."

"I'll give you that point, since you did try to convince me of that,
last night.  Now, though, let's go see how our attitude is doing."

They moved next to the other car again, and Duncan waited.

"Screw you, asshole.  I'll see you in court."

Duncan nodded.  "It was your call.  You know how it works, right?"

"Yeah.  Get it over with.  Quicker you do it, the sooner I get out."

Duncan smiled openly.  "Might be awhile.  You're a clear danger to
yourself, and others.  I also suspect you of being a flight risk. I'll
admit that doesn't really matter, because now that we've met you,
there's nowhere in the world you can go to hide from us.  Still, since
you insist on following the rules, so will we.

"Son, you and your friends are under arrest.  You have the right to
remain silent..."

After the cars were hauled away, and the arrested kids put in a couple
of cruisers, Duncan and Owen landed.  When the clamor died down,
Duncan spoke softly.  "We believe in the rule of law, Ladies and
Gentlemen, and we will do whatever it takes, *within those laws*, to
help make this city safer for its citizens.

"I see some horse trailers here.  Those of you who wish to keep us
company, may do so.  You have ten minutes to get ready.  After that,
we're going back to work, so you can't complain about us not earning
our pay!"
====

Duncan & Owen 003
---

Duncan and the reporters were sitting their horses and idly chatting
when some kids in a low rider pulled into the parking lot to study
them

Duncan nodded at them.  "Afternoon.  Something we can do for you?"

"Yeah, Duncan.  You can back off."

"Or?"

"Consequences will happen."

"Really?  Well, here's one for you.  Shut it off, get out of the car,
then freeze until one of us tells you, you can move."

"We didn't do anything!"

"No?  You just threatened a peace officer, on live TV.  If I let you
get away with that, I'm not doing my job.  You want it hard, or easy?"

"What's easy?"

"You get a fixit, and sent on your way."

"Hard?"

"Depends on what we find, when we take your ride apart.  Either way,
we see you again, and you do something illegal, that we have to see,
we play hardball.  Real hardball, not the stuff you've been getting."

"You're gonna make our lawyers rich if you do."

"So?  Just doing our jobs."

"Screw you!  If we don't get to you or your friends, someone else
will.  Word's already out, Duncan.  We back down, we might as well
kill ourselves."

Duncan sighed before he spoke wearily.  "Owen?  They helped out by
being in the parking lot already.  Disassemble their ride, so we can
look at the pieces.  I have a reasonable suspicion at least one of
them is packing.  If any of them try to swallow, make it so they
can't.  If we don't find anything, we'll put their ride together, do a
safety check, and if it passes, we'll apologise and send them on their
way."

Then he smiled at the passenger.  "Anything you want to tell me?"

"No.  We want some lawyers."

"So you want me to arrest you?"

"We want some lawyers."

"Sure thing."

He spoke into his radio, then they all waited.

The lawyers showed up, motioned everyone else back, then consulted
with the kids in the car.

Finally one of them came over and looked up at Duncan.  "They say
you're profiling them."

"Really?  Did they mention we had live coverage when they demanded
Owen and I 'back off'?  Did they also mention that the passenger also
told us that if they didn't get us or our family and friends, someone
else would, because the word's out?"

"Live coverage?"

"Yes.  Look behind me."

The man looked, got some nods, then went back for another talk with
his clients.

Eventually he came back.  "They claim some sort of deal was mentioned.
Cooperation and in return, they get a fixit, and are allowed to walk."

"Nice try.  One time offer and it was rejected.  They've publicly
threatened a peace officer, and indirectly, made threats against
innocent people.  Law says I have to take it seriously.  Best I can
tell you, is that if we don't find anything, we'll put their ride back
together when we're done.  Then, we'll apologise.  No matter what
happens, they get a ride at our expense, while we do the usual
background checks."

Duncan shrugged and unsnapped his holster.  "You tell your clients,
that this is their last chance to come clean with us."

The man sighed.  "I'll try.  It's become a matter of honor for them."

"I can respect that, but *you* remind *them*, that I and my partner
put our honor out there twenty four hours a day.  If they want to see
what that means, they can say no, and we'll go back to doing our job."

This time the man winced before he nodded and went back.

There was some yelling, some calm replies from the lawyers, then all
of them walked away.

Their spokesman came over, looked at Duncan for a long time, then he
shrugged.  "You mind if we keep them company during the trip?"

"Not a bit.  Since honor is involved, will you keep quiet when I tell
them they can load the pieces into a box trailer, so they can make
sure nothing is damaged?"

"It's out of our hands.  All we can do is deal with the facts, after
you're done with them."

"Understood."

Duncan sighed, studied things, then nodded slightly.  "Owen?  If it
can come apart, I want to see the pieces.  Make sure none of the
liquids and stuff get away to cause problems.  Same for their
clothing.  I want to do a full strip search, including body cavity
searches."

"What about the stuff that's welded or glued?"

"Unweld and unglue them.  Lots of stuff gets missed, because some
folks know how we usually do things."

"We're on camera, Duncan."

"So?  We're on duty, and being paid to do our jobs *right*."

"Understood.  I just wanted to make sure everyone knew the rules."

"Good...  Hell with it.  You're a good cop, and a better man, Owen.
Proud to be working with you.  Do it."

Minutes later, the car was in pieces, the pieces were in piles, the
kids were naked, and in front of them was a large pile of contraband
items.

All in all, the collection of guns and drugs was impressive.

When things stopped moving, Duncan sighed and spoke into his
microphone.  "I need a crime scene team, an evidence hauler, two
cruisers, and a box trailer for the remains of a car."

He got an acknowledgement, so he studied the kids before he spoke
gently.  "When the trailer gets here, you folks can load the pieces
and secure them, so you know they won't be damaged.  Then, when they
get to where they have to be, you can unload them.  I'll give you my
word, that if they have to be moved, you'll get to pack and unpack the
pieces.  You folks get a clue, and cooperate, I'll put in a good word
for you.  Maybe they'll let you put your car back together, as part of
your rehab."

He got down, walked over, then held out his hand to the apparent
leader.  "Do we have a deal, or do you want to keep playing hardball?
We can put it back together before I call in Gilbert to look it over."

The young man winced, then shook hands with Duncan, without saying
anything.

Duncan nodded and spoke softly.  "All of you are under arrest..."

By the time everyone else showed, there was a string of cars and other
vehicles lined up, waiting for Duncan and Owen to see them.

Duncan looked them over, smiled, then spoke loudly enough he could be
heard by everyone.  "Ok.  The law never sleeps, and we won't either,
until you quit showing up.  It's amnesty time.  Contraband gets put in
a guarded pile, then we'll haul it off.  No names have to be used, and
we won't remember any of you, as long as you're sensible about this.

"I'll call Gilbert in, to check any vehicles you want checked over. If
he finds problems, you get a fixit, and no hard feelings on our part,
when we send you on your way."

* * *

Two days later, Gilbert looked at the long line of cars, sighed, then
raised his head and shouted at the sky.  "Damnit, Boyce!  You win!
I'll take your offer!"

Two rottweiler bitches, who were wearing harnesses that clearly
displayed their badges, appeared in front of him, turned their heads
so they could stick their noses in the saddlebags they wore, and after
Gilbert accepted the paperwork they offered, the slightly larger one
spoke casually, after she looked the situation over.  "I'm Heidi, and
she's my sister, Helga.  We're both fully certified pursuit and
inspection officers.  Do you need our help, Gilbert?"

"You my new partners?"

"If you want us to be, yes."

"You are.  Thanks.  Can you do something about my fatigue?"

"Take a twenty minute break with me, and you'll be able to deal with
it on your own."

"Thanks.  Helga, take my place.  Cooperation gets cooperation.
Hardball gets them Duncan and Owen.  We don't have time for the silly
games.  Full inspections, and fixits when you have to give them. We'll
figure out a way to speed things up, when Heidi and I get back. Any
questions?"

"None.   Thanks for accepting us."

He laughed.  "I learned a long time ago, that when Jezzi is mixed up
in it, it's best if I go along."

"Good point.  Go take that break."

She turned to face the kid who was waiting, and spoke clearly.  "Ok.
You need some suspension adjustments so your front tires wear evenly.
Check the pressure more often, too.  Let's do a quick walk around,
then you can light her off so I can take a snort of your exhaust..."

The word was indeed...

Out.
====

Duncan & Owen 004
---

They were glared at.  "My office."

Duncan and Owen studied their boss, then shrugged.  Duncan smiled.
"Let me guess.  We're being sued for putting that kid with the
attitude in danger."

"Wrong, although some noises were made about the possibility.  An
agreement was reached.  You two did your job safely, and that's what
counts."

Duncan shrugged again, then he and Owen settled in chairs and waited.

After the door was closed, Frank settled behind his desk and sighed.
"Two of the kids in that car claimed they have whiplash, because of
the sudden change of direction.  Owen?  Could it be possible?"

"No.  Can't prove a negative, so what now?"

Duncan held up a hand to stop any more talk.  "Hang on.  There's
something I'm trying to remember from soon after I joined the force.
Gangs...  Gangs...  Scams...  What the HELL did he tell me?!"

Frank looked at Owen.  "Any clue?"

"Not a one.  I haven't been here in quite a few years.  Centuries.  I
can't time travel, or read minds, so don't bother asking me to try."

"Got it.  That will make my life a little easier, maybe."

Duncan suddenly stiffened.  "Got it!  Do we have copies of the medical
pictures, yet?"

"We do."

"Good.  I'd like to see them...  No.  Let forensics see them.  Is
Yancy still working?"

"You're in luck, barely.  He's scheduled to retire next year."

"I'll take it.  Tell him I think 'The Hangmen' are back.  He'll take
it from there."

"The Hangmen?  Never heard of them."

"Before your time.  It was a very secretive group, and they crossed
gang boundaries.  Think of them as people who'd become sort of an
oversight committee."

"That's a strange thought."

"Yeah, it was for us, too, when we figured out what was going on. They
had an initiation ritual that they had to pass.  Major part of it was
something called 'Hangman's Drop'.  Things were carefully calculated
so the dropee wasn't supposed to get killed, but sometimes they made
mistakes.  We always thought some of those mistakes weren't, but we
couldn't prove it.  Anyway, sometimes the mistakes resulted in
slightly wrenched necks.

"We started seeing gang members who claimed we'd done something during
the chase, to cause them to panic, and they wound up with whiplash.

"Yancy was the man who put the clues together, and convinced the court
we were seeing a very ballsy scam.

"Sounds like it.  Go on."

"Not much left to tell.  Yancy knows what to look for, so if it's
there, he'll find it.  Those kids are too young to be original
members, so it looks like someone has revived the custom for some
reason."

Frank thought about it, sighed, then spoke tiredly.  "I'll have our
people start talking to the insurance companies about this.  It will
take some digging, because of all the years we'll have to check,
but...  If we can get some of these folks for insurance fraud, I'll
sleep better, knowing we've put them away."

"Thanks, Frank.  Are Owen and I on vacation?"

"Paid administrative leave, for now."

"No problem.  No cop stuff, right?"

"Of course.  You'd better do the good citizen stuff for now, and call
in what you see, instead of being a concerned citizen and doing what
you need to, to make sure who you catch doesn't leave the scene of the
crime."

"Lots of wiggle room in that, boss."

"I don't want to know.  I've done my part of the job."

"Fair enough.  We'll give you a heads up.  We and Gil are going to buy
that old warehouse and put together something we think will let us
keep an eye on a pretty good sized chunk of the folks we looked over."

"Should I be worried?"

"Don't know.  Not sure how we'll do the business side, but give us a
couple weeks, and that warehouse will be the home of some folks who
call themselves 'D.O.G. Racing'.  The idea is that we'll be a place
where those kids can build their rides and get race certified, before
they go run on any of Boyce's courses."

Frank thought about it, sighed, and spoke wearily.  "I'm going to let
the media tell me the rest.  Some folks are making noises about you
retiring, but we already have too much community support to seriously
consider that option."

He turned and gazed out the window.  "Thanks, you two.  For once, it's
the good cops making the news.  Sponsoring the kids you usually
arrest, will be a nice touch.  Good luck.  Now, go home and find
something to do until we call you back to work, or into court."

Duncan and Owen stood, then it was Owen who spoke softly.  "Thanks,
Frank.  This works, we're going to need a good manager."

"I'll consider it, when I'm ready to retire."

"No problem.  If we fill the spot, I'm sure we can find something to
keep you from getting bored.  Maybe Boyce would let you wave the flags
at special events."

"Git!"

"Yessir!"

After the door closed behind them, Frank sighed.  "Damn button
pusher."

He spun his chair, then reached for his intercom.  "Sally?  Find Yance
and tell him I need to talk to him."

"Sure, boss.  Want him warned you're in a mood?"

"Do it, and tell him by the time I'm done with him, he's going to be
in one, too."

"I'll let him know it's a bad one.  Anything else?"

"Pull Duncan's records, then use the date he joined the force as a
starting point for a records search.  I want anything we have, on 'The
Hangmen' and lawsuits against us that involve whiplash, or other neck
injuries."

"Got it.  Want us to look for connections to the kids Duncan and Owen
hung in the air?"

"Good call.  I'll have more after I talk to Yance."

"Already sent him a text.  He'll be in your office in less than ten."

"You want a pay raise, or a sideways promotion that gets you back on
the streets, where you belong?"

"My family likes me sitting inside, Frank.  So do I.  Give the raise
to someone who is out there and deserves it."

"I'd love to, but this isn't the time to add fuel to that fire Duncan
and Owen lit.  What if that sideways promotion was to another desk?"

"Keep talking.  How many do you want doing that search?  We have three
people available immediately, six more willing to spend some off duty
time, without pay, because it's for Duncan and Owen."

"More the merrier.  Pass the word, and see if anyone who was around
back then, remembers anything."

"The word is passed.  The desk?"

"I have inside info, that in a couple weeks, someone will be moving
into that warehouse Duncan likes to park at.  'D.O.G. Racing'.  We're
going to need a liaison anyway, because they're going to be track
certifying street legal cars, mostly.   The job is yours to write the
rules for, if you want it."

He finally got a brief silence. "I want.  How soon?"

"Don't know.  When you get a chance, talk to Gil.  Let's stay away
from our fair-haired boys for now, since I had to put them on leave."

"Got it.  Anything else?"

"Thanks, Sally.  FYI.  I was offered the chance to manage that fire
drill.  Haven't decided, yet."

"Be a sweet retirement for you."

"Big headache!"

"I'll keep you in extra strength!"

"That's enough of a break, for both of us.  Remind me when I should go
home.  I got a family I need to see."

"Don't forget to stop and pick up the orchids for your oldest."

He winced.  "Remind me, when I'm leaving."

"I'll have them delivered here, so you can take them with you."

He leaned back, stretched while he smiled, then he leaned forward and
lifted the top folder off the stack that was threatening to take over
his desk.
====

Duncan & Owen 005
---

Duncan was watching Owen, who had his head under the hood of a car
that was refusing to start, when they all heard the sound of an engine
running on nitro, with cutouts on the exhaust.

Duncan sighed.  "It was bound to happen.  You stay here and finish
what you're doing, while I handle this."

He took off at a run,  and there was the faint sound of cheering that
he quickly left behind.

He spotted his target, then put some effort into his sprint and
quickly caught up with the car he was chasing.

The engine died, and the car slowed until it turned into a parking
lot.

Duncan glared at the driver.  "Not a word out of any of you, while I
make a phone call."

He called in, and while he spoke calmly, his eyes let the people in
front of him know he was irritated with them.

"Hello, Frank.  Got some folks here, who decided to irritate me.  Send
a cruiser to deal with them."

"Where are you?"

"About a half mile east of the shop...  Never mind.  I hear someone
coming in code three.  I guess someone called it in already."

"Crossing my desk now...  Duncan?  Are you out of your mind?!"

"No.  These kids might be, though.  Thanks for reminding me.  They
knew the rules when Gil looked their car over.  See if you can have
them put through a full psych eval."

"That wasn't what I was talking about.  You chased them on foot, and
*caught* them?!"

"Yeah.  Quickest, and safest...  Hey!  I know that cruiser, *and* the
driver.  I thought Sally wasn't going to do that stuff any more?"

"She did, too, but after the first week, she decided she'd better
arrange to be available, just in case.  She'll keep control until the
rest of our folks show up.  Will you need a hauler, or a box trailer?"

The driver winced, so Duncan smiled.  "Ask Sally.  I'm just a private
citizen who decided to get involved."

"Riiight!  You go back, when she tells you to.  No arguments, ok?"

"Why would I argue?  Owen and I were busy trying to help one of our
mechanics figure out why the car he'd modified wouldn't start.  He's
scheduled to race tomorrow, and we'd like to have him there, since
we're one of his sponsors."

"Get off the phone, Duncan.  I'm a busy man."

"You don't take enough breaks."

"Kathy will figure it out soon enough.  Goodbye, Duncan."

Duncan put his phone away, then looked at the driver and shrugged.
"Speaking as a private citizen, I think you blew it.  I also think you
should come clean to Sally.  If you don't, there are some pedestrians
back there who probably wouldn't be alive, if I hadn't managed to get
them out of your way.  As it is, there's an intersection partly
blocked by the wreck you triggered."

A hand touched his shoulder lightly.  "I'll take it from here.  Some
of our kids decided to follow behind you, and pick up the pieces.
They're not very happy with this gentleman, and were already figuring
out the quickest way to disassemble his car for me."

"You want me to stick around?"

"Until more of our people show up, yes.  Now, though, I'm on official
business, so you have to step back about twenty feet."

He did, and then she moved so she could study the driver before she
spoke into her microphone.  "I have some citizens who are willing to
stand in front of a judge so they can tell him or her that if Duncan
hadn't been so fast off the mark, they're certain they'd be dead.  I
also have some of my Cadets working their way to this location, to get
some in the field experience.  They'll provide the haulers to get any
damaged cars back to their garage, so pictures can be taken before
they do any repairs needed, for free, since they feel this wouldn't
have happened if they weren't in the area.

"We'll sort that out later.  I need one team for back up, and a
trailer with sideboards, that can be dropped off."

The driver opened his mouth, then closed it., after she finished
speaking.

She noticed, gave him his rights, then gazed at him calmly.  "Now, do
you have anything to say to me?"

"All of us are packing, Ma'am, but we weren't supposed to do anything
unless we got lucky.  We're decoys and we expected both of them to
chase us, so they could be sucked into an ambush.  I guess those guys
chickened out.  Tell the prosecutor we'd like to try making a deal."

Duncan held out an open hand, with some bullets in it, and spoke
softly.  "If it makes you feel better, they didn't chicken out.  We've
been expecting something like this, so I was ready for it.  Some of
Sally's Cadets will be keeping an eye on them, until they can be
collected."

"Oh.  Umm..."

He looked at Sally.  "I guess that changes things?"

"Not from my point of view.  You'll have to try and make that deal
with the folks who can make those decisions.  For now, the only thing
I want to see move, is your chests, while you breathe."

The kid started to say something, Sally raised her eyebrows, and he
shut his mouth and kept his hands in sight.

Her backup arrived, the kids were invited out of the car, and
everything went smoothly.

By then a D.O.G. Racing service truck had showed up, and a group of
half a dozen of her Cadets were patiently waiting next to it.

Sally studied the situation, sighed, then reached for her microphone.
"I need a bomb squad at my location.  Tell them to follow the track
from the warehouse, so they can talk to my Cadets, and safe anything
they find.  Everything is contained, here, so we're in no hurry."

"Already on their way, Sally.  We're sending two squads.  One for you,
one for your back trail.  Tell Duncan his chase has already gone
viral."

"Thanks, and I'll pass that on, even though I heard a long suffering
sigh."

She dug out an evidence bag, labeled it, then walked over to Duncan
and held it open.

He dropped the bullets into it, she sealed it, then looked at him
thoughtfully.  "On the record, Duncan, tell me your side of it?"

He shrugged.  "We heard them light off.  Owen had his head under the
hood, so I told him to keep looking for that problem, and then I took
off.  I gave chase, while seeing to public safety.  I caught up,
killed their engine, then got them safely into the parking lot.  I
called Frank, and while I was on the phone with him, I heard someone
coming in, code three.  You showed up, and had me move so I was out of
your way.

"Oh, I showed you and those folks in the car the bullets I'd stopped
and collected.  Some of them were obviously aimed at me, but others, I
can't be sure who they were aimed at, if they were aimed at anyone."

"Thank you, Duncan.  I'm done with you, here.  I'll get a more
complete statement from you later, at your shop."

"Understood.  Want me to stick around?"

"That's up to you, since we're done with you, for now."

"Then I'll go keep our people company, since I'd like to see how they
do during their first time on a service call for you folks."

He moved to join the Cadets, then started opening all the doors on the
service body.

Once he had them open, he started lecturing about what they might
need, and how they should approach the situation, once they were
called in.

The bomb squad showed up, went over the car with their sensors, then
one of them frowned.  After a brief conversation he walked over to
Sally and sighed.  "We don't know.  We got a pretty serious twitch,
but that's all it was.  Maybe we'd better haul this one someplace
safer."

Duncan sighed.  "Screw it!  When all's said, I'm still a cop, and I
took an oath."

He raised his voice slightly.  "Helga, or Heidi!  We need a nose here,
now!"

What he got, was Jezzi.

"They're busy, Duncan.  Apparently, it's open season on good cops and
their wives, because Mutt is busy dealing with some idiots who dropped
in on Gil's wife.  Owen is seeing to the warehouse and that area, so
that left Boyce to keep an eye on our interests, while I came here to
deal with this situation."

"Bad, huh?"

"Not really.  Once things slow down a little, we're going to be
following some back trails to see what we find."

"Appreciate it, if you do it within the law, Jezzi.  Being a cop isn't
that important to me, any more, but I'd like to stand in front of my
people and show some pride, instead of hanging my head."

She finally bobbed her head slightly.  "I got essentially the same
lecture from Boyce, and the girls got it from Gil.  We'll do what we
can, but if the other side escalates, we'll do what we have to, to
protect the people who deserve it."

He finally sighed.  "Since I'm here, and already in deep, I'll take
the heat for whatever happens."

He pointed at the car.  "Remember that old movie?"

"I'm your chimp?"

"Not exactly.  You're still a mare, Jezzi."

"Got it."

"Do it safely."

"Anything else?"

"Jezzi!  Scrap the Caddy!"

She ambled over to it, sniffed it a few times, then bobbed her head
slightly before she went to the front.  reared up, then slammed both
her front feet into the center of the hood.

It buckled.  She found her spot, got a good grip with her teeth, then
she braced and jerked her head sideways.  There was the sound of
snapping bolts and the hood came with her.

She flipped it to one side, then looked the engine compartment over.
Her head dipped a few times, and each time it came up, she had a
mouthful of wiring and hoses.

There was a sudden pop, a puff of smoke that didn't expand like usual,
and she let go of the wires she held and looked at the bomb squad.
"That was the special one for you guys."

They nodded, and she moved until her butt was facing the back of the
car.

She kicked the bumper, hard, and there was a 'woomph!', followed by a
large ball of smoke as the car lurched slightly.

She turned around and looked at Duncan.  "And that was the one waiting
for anyone who chased them.  It was designed to blow out the front of
any vehicle who hit that bumper, after the driver slammed on his
brakes."

"Thanks.  The car isn't scrap, yet."

"I thought you might like a chance to change your mind and let your
crew deal with it, now that it's been 'safed'."

"Good point.  Sally?  We're done.  It's your call."

She finally nodded.  "Thanks, I think."

She faced the waiting Cadets.  "There's a reason you folks are 'Team
One'.  Do it right, but do it fast.  The record is yours to set.  If
you spot anything, let us deal with it before you keep going."

"Yes, Ma'am!  Do you want a clean disassembly?"

She thought about it, looked back the way she'd come and sighed when
she realized her people were still cleaning up an intersection, then
she spoke without turning back.

"Safe, and quick.  The rest is up to you."

"Do we have to load it, too?"

"No.  Ladies and gentleman, consider this your final."

"Thank you, Ma'am!  Anything else?"

"Yes.  If I like it, all of you can call me 'Sally', if you want to."

"Give the word."

"Team One!  If it can come apart, I want to see the pieces.  Scrap the
Caddy!"

When they had a large pile of scrap, and the police had more
contraband, they lined up.  "Done, Ma'am."

Sally walked over, then bent and picked up the steering wheel.  She
walked back and held it up so they could see the edge.  She pointed at
a faint line.  "No, you're not.  That rubber is on a steel hoop, and
always cast in place.  That line shouldn't be there."

The young man she faced took it from her, studied it, and then sighed.
"Sorry, Ma'am.  If you'll excuse us, we will be careful while we
finish our job."

"You're excused.  The mistake is excusable.  I've seen a lot of vets
make it."

"Anything else, Ma'am?"

She held out her hand.  "My name is Sally.  I'd appreciate it, if you
folks use it.  Well done!"

"Thanks, Sally!"

Five minutes later, Sally was called over to the service truck. They'd
split the rubber, and the two hollow halves were on the tailgate.
"Sally?  We don't know what that stuff is.  We wore gloves, and masks,
just in case."

Jezzi walked over and put her head over Sally's shoulder before she
spoke softly.  "That stuff is a Federal matter.  I've been waiting for
something like this to happen.  Call them in, and warn them they need
a fully isolated team, to deal with this.  I'll keep things under
control until they have it safely contained."

Sally sighed.  "Toxic?"

"Very.  Add that stuff  to a good dispersant, like a car fire, and if
the wind is right, it could kill people for miles, before the
concentration got low enough it would only make then very, very,
sick."

"Did you know it was there, Jezzi?"

"No.  It's harmless, until it's been activated.  Once it was exposed,
I realized it was there, and took steps."

"Thank you, Jezzi."

"Do you have any more qualms about us becoming private investigators?"

"Can you isolate who and what you find, then keep an eye on it, until
the proper authorities show up?"

"Yes."

"Then I no longer have any reservations about letting you deal with
whatever you find."

She touched her microphone.  "We have a situation on our hands.  It's
a Federal matter.  We can keep it contained until they show up."

"Understood.  We'll make the call.  Frank's already headed out the
door, and will take over when he arrives."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Jezzi walked over to the cruiser that held the people who had been
arrested, then gazed at the officers.  "I wish to speak with these...
people.    You may record what I say to them."

He thought about it, looked at the pile of scrap the car had been,
shivered, then sighed.  "Do you promise you will not attempt to harm
them?"

"Not physically.  My words may influence their thinking, and...  they
may not."

"If I open one of the front doors, will that be adequate?"

"Yes."

He opened the passenger door, then stepped back.

Jezzi lowered her head and gazed at her targets until they started
fidgeting.  "I wish to thank all of you, for getting rid of our
boredom."

She waited, and the leader spoke.  "You done, bitch?"

"I'll let that pass, because I feel you are unable to express yourself
any better.  No, I am not done with you, nor are *we* done with some
of your friends.  We are many, yet in some ways, we are one.  Should
you be allowed to go free, someday, you will be watched.  Break a law,
*any* law, anywhere in the world, and you will find yourselves facing
the justice of whatever country you are in, and it will be...
uncorruptible.  *If* you have a chance to talk to your friends before
we do, I strongly suggest that you inform them the rules have changed,
and changed significantly.

"One more thing.  Should some of your peers decide to administer their
own form of justice, to any of you, we will not interfere."

She waited, and finally he nodded jerkily.  "Would any of you protect
us, if we asked for it?"

"No.  We do not attempt to impede justice, in its many forms.  That is
a human matter to be dealt with by humans."

"Was it you, who made it so we can't suicide?"

"No.  Duncan made that decision."

He winced.  "Are you done with us, now?"

"Yes."

She backed away and after the door was closed, she bobbed her head at
the deputy.  "Thank you.  Any questions?"

"All that you do, you do to get rid of your boredom?"

"Essentially, yes.  However, I do it within the framework of Boyce's
desires, because I do not have any of my own, that I feel strongly
about.  If he changes, I change."

"And that's true for Owen and Duncan?"

"Yes."

"So...  Someday, we could see people like you, who are allied and
supporting..."  He gestured at his car.  "These people."

"Yes.  It might already be happening.  To save breath. I don't know if
we will do anything to stop them.  Most likely, we'd confront them,
and make a deal that includes an agreement to consult, and not
interfere with each other's plans."

He sighed..  "I guess I can get used to that."

"Destruction is a short term goal.  All who are immortal, do not think
in short term goals."

"But you do manipulate us, to keep you from getting bored."

"No.  *We* do not manipulate you, except as the hands of those who do,
and *those* people were once humans.  They still are, inside, where it
counts."

"Thanks, Jezzi.  You've given me a lot to think about."

"So you are not-bored, and that is a good thing for you?"

He stared at her, then chuckled.  "Very, and yes!"

"You're welcome."

She ambled back to Duncan, who reached and idly rubbed her neck. "You,
Jezzi, are very good at what you do."

"When I decide to do it!"

He laughed.  "Your point!"
====

Duncan & Owen 006
---

After his people got busy, the head agent took Sally and Duncan aside
so he could talk to them.

He got the basic story, then sighed and dug something out of his
pocket.  He held the bag up.  "Either of you folks seen or heard of
these?"

Duncan and Sally both laughed.  Duncan spoke first,  "Snarks?  Sure.
Handy to have on those long nights.  Even gone Snark hunting a few
times and picked up my own.  Sally?"

"Sure.  Couple times a month, we grab the kids for the evening, hand
them laser pointers, and take them hunting.  Best time is about the
middle of the month, and a few days after a dark moon.  Don't know
why, it just is.  We usually find some near the curves at the end of a
long straight.  They have quite a collection.  With a little practice,
you can make them do some pretty good tricks."

He looked a little surprised, then he sighed.  "You two aren't putting
me on?"

Duncan laughed and dug in his pocket.  "Not a bit.  I caught some kids
out one night, and when I asked them what they were doing, just to
pass some time, I got a dead serious answer.  I didn't quite call them
liars, but I did persuade them to show me what they were talking
about.  Once you get the hang of how to swing the laser pointer back
and forth, those things are pretty easy to spot."

He handed the agent a few of them.  "That's a starter set of the most
common ones.  I have quite a few, so I carry some with me to keep me
amused during those long waits.  They're also something of an informal
ID.  Most kids have them, so if you have them and call them 'Snarks'
like they're no big deal, you're a member of the club, and they relax
quite a bit."

"So, basically, you folks think of them as some sort of kid's toy?"

"Yeah.  Never have been able to find out who makes them."

"Maybe you've been looking in the wrong places."

"Oh?"

He handed Duncan's Snarks back to him. "As much as I'd love to
confiscate these, I have orders not to make it so people notice we
have any special interest in them."

Sally studied the man, then sighed.  "We're not to change how we think
of them, or tell anyone you folks are obsessed with them, right?"

He winced, then nodded.  "Common around here?"

She thought about it.  "I won't say common.  Easy to find, once you
learn where they tend to show up.  I always figured the pattern was
because someone was taking kids out.  Then, too, some kids hold
regular tournaments with them, and they can be fairly easy to lose."

He groaned quietly.  "Tournaments!  Well, let's leave it at that for
now.  Snarks, eh?  Ok.  Thanks."

He headed for where the Cadets were gathered, and showed them his bag.
"My daughter collects these.  I can't trade any of these, but I
understand you might be able to help me, help her fill out her Snark
collection."

He got lots of enthusiasm and only tilted his head slightly when he
was told most of them were 'Common Snarks' but at least two were
varieties they'd never seen before.

Things got interesting when one of them mentioned they looked like
some of the ones he'd found under the back seat of the car they'd just
torn apart, and they'd be able to tell, if someone would let them
flash a laser pointer at the ones the agent had, and the ones they'd
recently bagged.

He finally sighed and nodded.  "You kids stay where you are.  Will you
need to have them out of the bags?"

"If you want us to be sure, yes.  Otherwise, all we can do is guess."

"Do what you can with them in the bags, first.  Then, we'll talk about
it after you clue me in about how you do it.  Fair?"

"Cadet stuff?"

"Cadet?"

"Yes, Sir. Cadets are people who decided that we want to be cops or
better, someday.  We're all action types, but we know the basics.  You
want us to call in our forensic Snark teams?"

"Forensic Snark teams?"

"Yes, Sir.  They're led by a 'pointer', who knows how to handle the
laser pointer, and the rest are called 'setters', because they're good
at spotting the flashes and figuring out what kind of Snark is being
tested."

"We'll come and see them, so we keep it low key.  Yes, it's Cadet
stuff, so...  Don't make a big deal of it until we say you can."

"Got it.  We'll get set up."

He gathered all the 'Snark bags', went back, then settled on the
ground and watched while every Snark they had was classified.

Most were known types, and some matched what the agent had brought
with him, but one partially filled bag was identified as a new type.

That was when one of the kids frantically dug in his pocket and pulled
out his.  He quickly sorted them, then set several he'd set aside, in
the testing area.  "I just picked those up on the way here.  I was
looking for other stuff, but when I spotted those, I picked them up
for myself.  I guess I'm gonna have to let 'em go, now."

They were tested and they matched the new ones in the bag, so the kid
just sighed.  "I'll get a bag from Sally.  Be right back."

The agent watched him, and when the Snarks were bagged, he sighed and
spoke in almost a whisper.  "I just decided you young men and women
have a need to know, and we need your help.  What you call 'Snarks,
and play games with, are knock offs of something our people came up
with.  Ours decompose after about a week in direct sunlight.  These
bootleg ones, don't."

"What are they?"

"They're self contained hologram projectors that can be programmed to
trigger on different conditions.  One set of conditions is type of
light source, and the speed it's moving at.  The ones in that bag
produce various types of road images, and they do it when the light
from a car's headlights is moving at over one hundred and ten miles
per hour.  They were all found just ahead of sharp curve."

One of the kids spoke just as softly as the agent had.  "You saying
those things might have been the reason my oldest brother died a few
years ago?"

"Did he miss a turn during some sort of hard core initiation?"

"Yeah."

"Good chance a version of these was responsible.  You in?"

"We're all in, as long as Sally says it's ok, and you let Duncan, Owen
and Gilbert in as our official bosses."

"Trust them that much?  Who's Gilbert?"

"Gilbert and his partners, Helga and Heidi, are the Highway Patrol's
special pursuit and vehicle inspection officers for this area.  Yes,
we trust them that much.  I was one of the people Duncan and Owen hung
in the air after we added the nitro and tried to blow past them."

"Driver?"

"No, Sir   Rear seat passenger in charge of safety and getting the mix
right."

"Way I understand it, from all the media coverage, I can ask, but
they'll decide.  Got a way for me to pitch it so they're all in?"

"Tell them the truth.  All of it, and straight.  You try any of that
'for the good' stuff, they'll laugh at you and walk away.  Oh.  One
more thing.  I can't guarantee this, but you might get Duncan hooked
if you mention that I think these things are what killed my brother.
He died in Duncan's arms just after he pulled him from the wreckage."

Before he could move, a hand landed on his shoulder.  "I've always
wondered why a kid as level-headed as Randy, never hit the brakes and
missed a turn on a road that he drove every day.  My office is yours,
if you want a place to call home, while you're in town."

The agent looked up.  "Sally?"

"I'm in, if you'll have me.  There are some search results back at
headquarters, that you folks are going to be interested in, and I can
help you work our system, so you get results in a hurry, instead of
weeks."

"What about the others"

Duncan chuckled.  "If I'm in, Owen will be, too.  Let me make a call."

"Helga!  I need you or Heidi for a yes/no situation!"

He got Mutt, who was visibly angry.  "They're busy turning a new
Ferrari into a pile of parts, in front of the owner.  Something about
being 'Snark-bit'.  I see a bunch of them in evidence bags, so they'll
be interested.  I take it you want to know if they and Gilbert will go
Snark hunting with you folks?"

Duncan nodded slightly.  "Not Snark hunting, Mutt.  Snark *maker*
hunting.  You folks in?"

Mutt growled, then recovered.  "Yeah, all of us are in.  Where's the
meeting going to be?"

The agent glanced around.  "I'm catching up.  Nobody is going to think
it's unusual if all of you show up at D.O.G. Racing, right?"

Duncan smiled.  "Right.  And since this party started there, Nobody is
going to think it unusual if you and your team spend some time talking
to us.  Matter of fact, they'll expect it."

"Good enough, and I'll take it.  Tomorrow.  Duncan's office, after
everyone is there."

"Got it.  You want Helen and the kids?"

"Who are they?"

"Gilbert's wife and children."

"If they know something about Snarks, I want to talk to them."

"Better be careful about what you ask for.  Snarks are the latest
sensation around here, especially amongst the kids.  Even some web
sites dedicated to them.  Some of the discussions get pretty
passionate."

Mutt vanished and about a minute later the agent quit staring at where
he'd been, and groaned.  "Kids.  I *knew* we were looking in the wrong
places!"

Duncan waved a hand in a sweeping gesture.  "What?  You thought the
Baker Street Irregulars were merely a plot device?  They're
everywhere, and they see everything, while not being seen, themselves.
Smart cops have always taken advantage of that.  We treat them like
the people they are, we get the same back, even when they can't stand
what we represent.  It's an 'honor' thing."

The agent turned back.  "He right?"

"We work for him, instead of anyone else.  What do *you* think?  You
need us for anything?  I'd like to take the team back and set up a
test bench.  I have some ideas about how we can trigger these and find
out what holograms they project.  If we can do that, building a Snark
finder should be easy."

"Are you folks Junior G-Men, or Junior Mad Scientists?"

The teen spoken to grinned.  "Both, Sir!"

"Go!  I'm not done with you, but I am...  No.  *We* are desperate
enough to take *anything* that will help us break this case."

"Then we'll get on it as soon as we get back to the warehouse, Sir.
And...  Thank you, for all of us, and the families of those who have
lost people to these... devices.  May I suggest that you spin them as
advertising devices that have been perverted, instead of...  the tools
they really were designed to be?"

"That was quick."

"You got one thing wrong.  I am an honest scientist, not a mad one.
Duncan cured me of my madness, Sir, and now, I consider the
consequences of my inventions, along with their immediate benefits and
disadvantages."

"My apologies."

"Accepted, Sir."

He stood and gathered his team with his eyes.  "Mad Scientists are as
unique as their fingerprints,  Let's see what we can do about the one
who built our Snarks."

After they left, the agent studied Duncan.  "All that, from a traffic
stop?"

Duncan smiled.  "More or less."

He gestured.  "The media knows where to find me, so, since it looks
like Frank is done with them, it's probably your turn."

"What about you?"

"Give them Sally, instead.  I want to go back and see if they found
that problem.  It's the first race of the season tomorrow, and I want
our man in it, even if I wind up pushing his car around the track!"
====

End: Solstice Magic 05: Country Magic & City Magic - Duncan and Owen
1-6/6

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