Chapter 2: The Theft

Running with Dorothy in the cool October air seemed to be what she needed to clear her mind. I kept pace with her. On breaks, she explained to me she knew Angel had changed, but was hesitant to give her a chance, not wanting put herself or me in jeopardy, which was a fair point. But she also understood my point as well. And in the end, she agreed to pursue the friendship with Angel, but at her own pace.

The expansion project got underway with Beck starting to expand on the bridge. For the time being, I was able to move this case to the back burner until the quarterly meeting in December. I took on cases with Dorothy and she proved to be an extremely able partner. It seemed our skills balanced out each other. And, after a while, I actually look forward to going on calls with her. Her unique observations often brought light to our conversations to and from the client in the car.

One day, I went to the clinic to drop off my monthly donation and had the chance to observe Dorothy playing with the kids. Her cheerful piano playing had them running around, something about flying around in a mystical spirit world with all sorts of various creatures. I lingered for a moment, and found myself admiring her until she spotted me, which threw her off-key. Then she sent the kids to attack me and they dragged me into the room. A couple hours later, I found myself covered in paint, walking home with her. She laughed at my watercolor painting. I had tried painting Big O, or Big Blob, and she painted a red rose. Hers was definitely better than mine.

It's been almost a month and half and she's doing great recovery wise. Our conversations range from our work to the kids at the clinic, to gentle teasing and offhand remarks. Every so often, she'll open up about a memory flashback that she wrote about. Some are happy, but then there are some similar to my flashbacks, where the intensity lingers. During these conversations, I offer my support and reach out to her, letting her steer the conversation until I find a moment where I can discreetly change the topic.

But, my favorite time of the day is dinner and the late evening. She'll play a song or two on the piano while we have our tea for the night, or we'll sit and play chess. We're both evenly matched. Sometimes, we'll sit on the couch and just talk. I find myself appreciating these moments with her and the peace they bring.

Roger got up early (he considered 11 a.m. early), and was in the kitchen, helping Norman peel potatoes, humming to himself. Norman, smiled, saying nothing of the positive behavior change he noticed in Roger. As Roger finished with his potato, his watch went off. Roger set down his potato and pressed the button on his watch.

"Smith here."

"Roger, I need you ASAP." It was Dastun.

"What's wrong?"

"There's been a theft. I got too many eyes and ears right now. Come down to HQ. I'll have one of my men escort you."

The comm link died.

"Oh dear, that didn't sound too good, sir," said Norman.

"No, it didn't. Must be bad if I can't meet with him in person. Do you know where Dorothy is?"

"In the office. Shall I radio and tell her to get ready?"

"Hmm… probably best, unless she's busy with something else. Something tells me there will be a bunch of big wigs around. She can probably sneak around them while I keep them distracted. They probably won't be happy to see me."

"Will do, sir."

Norman went over to the video comm system and hit the button for office.

"Miss Dorothy, Master Roger has received a call from Chief Dastun. It seems rather urgent."

"I heard, Norman. Does Roger need me?"

"He did request your assistance if you were not busy, ma'am."

"Okay, tell him I'll meet him down in the hangar."

"Will do, Miss Dorothy."

Roger took off his apron, hanging it on the wall.

"I believe you have a freshly pressed suit waiting for you sir. Will there be anything you'll be needing?"

"No, I'll leave my briefcase here. Something tells me I'm just being a second set eyes for Dastun and observing."

"Very good, sir."

Roger went up the stairs to finish getting dressed. Dorothy, on the other hand, finished her reports, and set them on Roger's desk for him to review, before grabbing her coat and heading downstairs to meet Roger at his car.

A short while later, Roger appeared, finishing putting on his overcoat, with Norman in tow with a tray with Roger's keys, sunglasses, wallet, and gloves. Roger secured his personal items while putting on his gloves and sunglasses, walking over to the car.

"Dastun seemed hurried," Dorothy said.

"He did. More than likely, this is just consulting, but we'll see. We may have to follow up later. But there might be some department heads around, judging by that Dastun's sending one of his men to pick us up at MP HQ. If I keep them distracted, could you look around?"

"I'll do my best." Dorothy got into the car.

"Anything else, sir?"

"No, I think we're good, Norman. Hold the fort down until we return."

Roger got into his car. Norman stepped back and bowed as the garage door open. Roger put the Griffon into gear and sped out of the garage, Dorothy moving back and forth as the car changed gears.

"What do you think it could be?" Dorothy asked as Roger headed to the freeway.

"Not sure. Can't be anything good. He said it was a theft. Must be some valuable or important if he's calling me in. Forgive me for asking, do you have any gloves?"

Roger had noticed Dorothy's hands were not covered. He merged onto the freeway.

"No, I haven't got any yet. Just my dress ones."

"There's an extra pair in the glove box. Might be big, but it's better than nothing. Wear them while poking around. We'll see about getting some just for you while on business."

Dorothy nodded as she reached into the glove box to put on gloves. She turned her head, watching the buildings pass by. Roger, on the other hand, was lost in his thoughts, trying to figure out what Dastun needed assistance with in a theft case.

*************************************

Roger pulled into Military Police HQ a while later. He saw an MP vehicle parked with an officer he knew. Roger parked, turning off his car, and stepping out, along with Dorothy.

"Michaelson. Long time no see," said Roger, shaking his hand.

"Smith, looking good. Who's your partner?"

"She's my associate, working for my firm. She's coming along too."

"You sure about that? Where we're goin', it's pretty hot right now."

"Where is it that we're going?"

"MP weapon's cache."

Roger turned his head in surprise.

"Someone stole from the Military Police?"

"Yeah and we're not sure who."

Roger looked at Dorothy, who nodded at him.

"She's coming. She'll be alright."

"Okay, suit yourself."

Roger got in the front passenger seat, while Dorothy sat behind Roger. Michaelson got in the car and turned it on, pulling out from the lot.

"So, what all is missing?" asked Roger.

"The question that you should be asking is what isn't missing. A lot of riot-containing weapons, M4s, M16s, tear gas grenades, stun grenades, flash grenades… they took a pretty good haul."

"What's the value?"

"$500,000 worth and that's low balling it."

Roger let out a low whistle. Dorothy chimed in.

"But all the items you just stated, we would have to be talking hundreds of crates of weaponry."

Michaelson looked at Dorothy in the rear view mirror. "Agreed Miss. But, we're missing two armored personnel carriers."

"So now it adds up. Can you track the carriers?" asked Roger.

"Well, we just got the two that are missing yesterday and they hadn't been programmed with any of our tech or comms yet. So, pretty much that's why it's hot. Someone had know which ones were not programmed, or they got extremely lucky."

Michaelson arrived at the weapons cache and parked the car. Roger and Dorothy stepped out.

"Good luck," called Michaelson, "I'll wait here."

Dorothy and Roger walked over to Dastun, who was watching the forensics team going over a tipped over box of M4s. Dastun turned around when he heard them walking closer.

"Literally one of the few clues we have," Dastun pointed at the box.

"Found anything?" asked Roger.

Dastun shook his head bitterly.

"Nothing. It'd be worth the ass chewing I got otherwise."

"Brass still here?"

"They're walking around. So stick with me for the time being. I need a second set of eyes though. Michaelson fill you in?"

"He gave me the grocery list your thieves stole."

"Did he tell you one of our garage boys is missing?"

Roger sighed. "This just keeps getting better and better."

Dorothy was looking around, trying to see if anything stood out, when she heard angry voices coming around the corner of the building. Roger looked in her direction and nodded. Dorothy took off, weaving in out of vehicles and boxes, avoiding detection as she headed inside the warehouse. She spotted a staircase and hid behind a box crate as the loud voices passed her, arguing. She paused to listen.

"This is outrageous, not to mention embarrassing. Someone has to pay!"

"Are you suggesting it was one of our own?"

"Who else? They knew which armored personnel carriers were programmed. Someone from the inside had to be involved."

"The press is going to have a field day with this."

Dorothy slinked away, quietly heading to the stairs. She paused to look at boxes that had been thrown or turned over. Batons, spike strips, and other nonlethal weapons were laying around. They were looking for specific items. The majority of the nonlethal options were not touched.

She spotted a few open boxes of body armor that had been open. She pulled the gloves Roger had given her tighter and began looking to see what was missing in the boxes. Vests, plates, helmets were missing. Dorothy made a mental note of the numbers, checking the boxes for the total quantity to make sure her math was right. Whatever it was the thieves were planning, it was something complex.

Dorothy reached the stairs, and looked up. No one was around as everyone was at the front. It seemed the stairs went up to the roof. She heard yelling from Dastun, Roger raising his voice intervening, to what appeared to be an argument, but she couldn't make out what was being said. She looked around to make sure no one was inside the warehouse, and ran up the stairs, finally reaching a platform with a door on the top level, but the door was locked. She took out her special pen Roger had given her, and pushed up on the button. A blade appeared at the top and she slid the blade into the lock. She withdrew it, the blade now forming to the shape of the lock. She unlocked the door, opening it, and found herself on the roof. She could see MP HQ in the distance. A rattling sound got her attention and she found a piece of metal throw aside from one of the HVAC vents that went into the building, being caught in the cold October wind. It appeared to have been cut with a torch. She found the vent with the hole. She looked around, nothing.

So they entered through the vent. That means they drove out with the weapons.

Dorothy quietly creep to the edge on her left, looking for anything that possible could've been left behind. She crouched as she got closer to the edge and looked over. She couldn't see anything noticeable from the roof. Perhaps she would double back on her way down. She went back over to the vent, following the vent's route. As she did so, she heard someone shout in the direction she was heading to. She crouched and looked over the ledge. There was a big hole on the side of the building, made from the armored personnel carriers. Dorothy heard the sound of running footsteps. She saw Roger running with Dastun. Time was up. If she lingered, someone might spot her. She used the distraction to sneak back down to the ground level, weaving in and out of the boxes, and out of the warehouse. She met up with Roger, pulling him aside, informing him of what she observed. Roger nodded.

"You did good. Go back to the car," he said, not looking at her.

"What's going on?"

"Go back to the car, I'll explain…"

But he didn't get the chance to finish. Underneath some crates that had possibly been left behind by the thieves was a lifeless body, clothed in an MP uniform. Apparently, he had been run over. Dorothy cupped her hands over her mouth and looked away, closing her eyes. Roger grimaced.

Damnnit.

Roger took Dorothy's hand and squeezed it tightly. He grabbed her shoulders and began to steer her away. Dastun turned to see Roger and Dorothy, going back to the entrance. He saw Dorothy's reaction and began barking orders.

"I want the ME and Coroner stat. Escalate this from burglary to a robbery-homicide in progress!" He yelled at the forensics team.

Dastun turned around to walk away, but one of the high-ranking officers stopped him.

"For all we know the culprit could've been this individual, Chief. There could've been a fight…"

"ENOUGH! I have a dead MP on Military Police property. Let forensics look this over and worry about the press later! The way I see it, he died on the line of duty doing his job, and unless you or forensics can show me evidence otherwise, that's how I'm treating this! Go back to your dome and let the real Military Police do their job!"

Dastun stormed off to Roger and Dorothy. He took his hat off once he got close.

"I'm sorry she saw that, Roger. Dorothy, you have my most sincerest apologies."

"No, you're fine, Dan. It's not my first time seeing a dead body. Just thought…"

She shook her head.

"Dastun, on the roof, Dorothy found one of your vents cut. It seems that's how they got in. They probably got the jump on the guy. You may want to review your security footage. Not sure if you have made a tally of everything missing, but many of your nonlethals were left behind with some body armor stolen on top of the weapons you mentioned."

"Forensics already pulled the footage and they're analyzing it. We're still working on our list, but thanks for the input. I'll let you know of anything else. I appreciate your help, Roger, Dorothy. Roger, I know you got a full plate, but if you can help me find where these weapons went, I would appreciate it. You better get out of here though. I'm probably going to be disciplined for my last comment, if not suspended."

Dastun put his hat back on as Roger nodded.

"Michaelson, take these two back."

"Yes sir!"

Roger and Dorothy got into the car. Not a word was spoke between them. Roger observed Dorothy on the ride back. Her face, it appeared stunned. She's probably still processing what she saw. Roger exhaled quietly. The arrived back at MP HQ. Dorothy got out and headed to the Griffon. Roger thanked Michaelson for the ride back and went to his car. It was only after they arrived back to MP HQ and got into the Griffon, that Roger spoke.

"Dorothy?"

Dorothy looked at Roger. "I'm okay. It's not the first dead body I've seen… just… processing it as a human now, I guess."

Roger turned on the Griffon and began leaving MP HQ. "You just seemed startled."

"I was…"

"How so?"

"Well, I found myself praying for him. Never done that before."

Roger took off his glasses so that Dorothy could see his eyes.

"Did you know him, Roger?"

"No, he came on after I left. But still… as much as I hate to admit, the MP is still a part of me. So, seeing that… it angers me." He gripped his steering wheel tightly.

"How come?"

"It's a brotherhood, Dorothy. An extended family. Even when you leave, some people will remember you. Most remember me. You go through things together and it forms deep bonds that can last until the end of time. I quite the force of my own free will, but that doesn't mean I forgot the bonds I made with those I worked with. So, I guess, what I'm trying to say… I lost someone."

Dorothy digested his last comment, lost in thought.

"I hate this! The enemy's making their move, and I'm over here lost in the dark." He gritted through his teeth. Dorothy snapped out of her thoughts.

"Does Dastun think it's related to Angel's case?"

"No, I do. He thinks it might be related to these rallies the poor are having outside the domes lately. Apparently, they've been getting worse in the crowd control. People are starting to get physical. Who knows, maybe it could all be related, and the rallies are a distraction."

Roger sighed. He felt Angel's case was stalled, stuck in the same place without any momentum to point him in the right direction.

"I think it's time to visit Big Ear."

Created with Sketch.

Roger pulled up to a seedy looking bar that he knew rather well.

"You want to come in or stay?" Roger asked Dorothy, unbuckling his seat belt.

"I'll come in. I'm surprised the bar is open this early."

"They open at ten. Business always has been steady for Dale, no matter what time of day."

Dorothy shrugged and unbuckled her seat belt. They both got out of the car, Roger activating the security system on the Griffon, and stepped inside. Dale began to open a bottle of beer for Roger, but Roger held up his hand, and shook his head. Dale nodded and put the beer bottle away. Roger made his way over to Big Ear and sat down in the table next him. Dorothy took the opposite seat from Roger.

"What brings you in, Negotiator? Gold Industries again?" Big Ear turned the page of his newspaper.

"I wish. That case is beginning to seem more easier by the day. No, I'm here for a different case. You probably already heard, but the Military Police had their weapons cache depot broken into overnight. A lot of heavy stuff is missing, including armored personnel carriers that had yet to be programmed. I'm also here because I want to know more about rallies being held outside of the domes by the poor. Apparently, things are getting rough for the MP."

"I see. This might be expensive chat, Negotiator. Your topics are actually linked."

"I'll pay. I need leads."

Big Ear scanned his paper. "You know, the Paradigm Budget has always been hotly contested over the years. And since the budget is public knowledge, any and all paperwork related to its passing can be accessed by anyone. It seems someone decided to drop the budget from the past few years onto those who live outside the domes. Paradigm's ignorance-is-bliss policy finally backfired. There has always been a difference between the economic classes, but now, someone decided to stir the pot, and now it's about to boil over."

"How so?"

"Rumor has it, there has been a large group going into one of the abandoned warehouses down by the fishing district docks. They've been holding political rallies, trying to recruit those who are less fortunate to their cause, and create a new government that will represent all people. They're also advocating for the domes to be torn down, so that everyone can live equally among another."

"They're wanting a utopia? That normally doesn't work well for anyone, including those who want it."

"That depends on who you ask. This is where it gets tricky. The group is now supposedly experiencing a split. Some people want a government similar to Electric City's set up, which is more representative in nature, and not run like a business, like it's here in Paradigm. That group has supposedly split off and is in hiding, trying to avoid the wrath of the group they joined and the Military Police. However, the original faction supposedly wants to create scorched earth policy, by destroying the upper class. They're the ones holding these rallies as of late and have also been getting physical."

"So, how does the missing MP weapons come into play?"

"There supposedly is someone in the faction, ex-Military Police. Highly trained, highly disciplined. Supposedly, he has been training a special group for months. Their goal was to steal what they needed from the weapon's cache, sell some of it to fund their cause, and use the rest to hold the government hostage. It seems one part of their plan has succeeded so far."

"Any targets they're specifically gunning for?"

"The council has always raised concerns among the public, but the President as of late has been winning the hearts and minds of the people. So far, the faction apparently wants the council dissolved and they want the Madam President to take over Paradigm Corp, as the sole governing body."

"The council can't be oblivious to what's going on though. I'm sure someone in the MP is giving them regular reports."

"They are. However, the council is growing tired of the Madam President's, shall we say, free spirit. She's not someone they can control nor work with to further their interests. Rumor has it, this extremist faction is receiving orders and funds from one of the council members."

"Why would someone on the council aid a group bent on destroying them?"

"Your guess is as good as mine. Perhaps to settle a score with the President or make her job difficult. Maybe they're just greedy."

"Anyone who has vocally voiced their dissent with the President?"

"You have the council member from West Dome #5, West Dome #7, the ones from East Domes #10 and #12, and Union Central Dome."

Dorothy looked at Roger through her peripheral vision at the mention of the last location. Roger caught her eye, nodded slightly, and looked at the ceiling.

"Any one of those reps have something out for the Madam President that could be bankrolling this group?"

"Out of all of them, the Union Central Dome rep has been the most vocal. That's all I know. Would like me to keep looking into this?"

Roger lowered his head. "Yes, if you don't mind. Also, keep me in the circle with expansion project. I don't need any surprises right now. Thank you."

Roger and Dorothy got up to leave, Roger laying a fatter-than-normal stack of twenties on Big Ear's table. Big Ear set down his newspaper, covering the cash, as Roger and Dorothy walked out.

***************************************

"You want a list of everyone who was recently fired or resigned?" asked Dastun.

"Yes. Also, any reports regarding any disturbances by the warehouses in the fishing district. Plus a summary of reports from today," replied Roger, wiping his brow with his towel while speaking into his watch.

Roger had sent a message to Dastun to get back with as soon as he could regarding the information from Big Ear. Roger had just finished his workout routine when Dastun returned his call.

"Jeez Roger, you want some dessert with that too?"

"Can you bring that information by? I think there's something we're looking for. Also, how many people do you have on Angel's detail?"

"Three… but what does this have to do with the Madam President?"

"There's a good chance I may have found her person she's been talking about. One of the reps from council, from Union Central Dome. Dorothy ran into Angel the other day over there while she was on a case. Angel was trying to secured funding for a community center and apparently, the rep is holding it up. With everything going on, you may want to increase her detail."

"Roger, I doubt she'll accept it."

"If she wants the guy she's been after, she'll do it. Just do it discreetly and make sure it's with people you trust."

"I'll be over later this evening with your information. I gotta go. Someone's on my door."

The comm linked died.

"Shall I prepare dinner for one other person, Master Roger?" asked Norman, taking the towel Roger handed to him.

"Might as well. I think we'll have a long-niter ahead of us."

"Very well, sir. Ah, Miss Dorothy, I see you have returned from your run."

Norman offered her towel and a glass of water, which Dorothy gratefully accepted.

"I heard the conversation with Dastun," Dorothy said, before taking a drink of water.

"Yeah, we got to go over somethings. I figure an extra set of eyes would help, plus your observations from today."

"I'd be more than happy to help. But, before we go clean up there's something I want to try."

Dorothy was staring at the pull up bar from Roger's workout routine. She had been curious about something and wanted to check it out. Roger looked from her to the pull up bar, confused.

"Dorothy?"

But Dorothy had set the towel and glass down on the tray. She took a running leap in the direction of the pull up bar, grabbing the bar, and tried pulling herself up. Roger set his towel down on the tray and went over to Dorothy. Norman looked away to observe Big O.

"Dorothy? What are you doing?"

"Assessing…my…current…STRENGTH!"

Dorothy could not pull herself up any longer and fell from the bar onto the floor. She laid there for a moment, staring up at the ceiling, shaking her head back and forth. Roger offered his hand.

"You mind telling me what was that about?" asked Roger as he helped Dorothy up from the floor.

"Just seeing where I'm at." She rubbed her head, her face frustrated with the fact that she didn't have the strength like she used to. But what was she expecting? She wasn't an android anymore.

"Dorothy, you may not have the physical strength you used to have," said Roger gently, "But that doesn't mean you can get stronger. You won't have all the strength you previously had, but with time, and training, you will do a pull up over this bar. And I'll help all the way, if this is what really matters to you. But also consider, you have other strengths as well. Don't forget about those in the process of trying to attain what you want. You got this."

Dorothy closed her eyes, feeling a little better, but still down. "I know, Roger, I know. I guess… there are some days… where I seem fine and I accept everything, but then there are other days when… I guess denial just sets in and well…"

Dorothy couldn't finish her words. Roger took Dorothy's hand, gently squeezing it.

"Are you up for tonight or do you want to go to bed?"

"No, I am. Let me just freshen up and I'll be ready."