[IC] Sudden Payback (Session 1)

As far as Max can tell, the mayor's vehicle seems clear of explosives. The search takes some time, and when he finishes, he finds that most of the reporters who were lingering outside have moved on. In retrospect, they may have been a good source of information about the escaped van. But oh well. He got a partial on the plate.When he rejoins the others inside, Max finds the others with Lance, who is scratching the back of his head in thought. "I... I don't know if it's related... but..." He looks to you all as if unsure whether to share. "A few nights back, I was closing the gym. Must've been 'round 10 PM or so. I'm out in the alley, and there's someone calls down from the roof. Says I have an 'assignment.' He used that word. Told me I needed to head to the warehouse district. Someone would tell me what to do there. I told 'em to get the hell of my roof and went back inside."

Max tries to get a location to research and scope out once the rest of the priorities give him time to do so.

"Looks like we have a lead to investigate later once we're back in better conditions."

Hank walks back, having restrained the goons for questioning once they wake up. He eases himself down on a bench near Lance, leaning back and putting an ice pack to his forehead.

An assignment? That's strange. Know anyone who may give you an assignment? Anyone you owe?

Lance shuffles his feet and looks down at the floor. "I... was told not to... uh..." He's obviously torn about something. He looks to Max. "You're a good cop, right, Max?"

Marv's PI instincts tingle through the haze of painkillers as he listens to Lance's story, and Hank's question. "C'mon, now Lance. You know Max, he's as good as they come. Hell, you know all of us, we're the real deal, man. Your leadership at this gym attracts the golden-hearted, man, and everybody can see it! Why do you think the mayor chose to make her announcement here? Everybody knows you're a mensch, and you surround yourself with the same." He gives a big, crooked, goofed-up grin, "I mean, look at this face." He points a wavering finger at his own smiling mug.

Hank pulls the ice pack away and laughs at Marv's goofy grin. Then, seeing Lance's concern, he puts the ice pack down and turns to him.

"You heard the man, boss. We're the cream of the crop. Come to think of it, we're your crop, and more importantly, your friends. We want to help, Lance, but we don't want to walk into a trap in some warehouse if we can avoid it. Anything you tell us won't leave this group. Scout's honor." Hank looks to each of the others for affirmation, then turns back to Lance.

I'm just a kid from Pillsville Mr. Mikowski. Justice changes it's shape depending on where you stand... I always stand in the light Sir. Max states balling up a fist and pumping it in the air thinking he's said something pretty cool and wipes under his nose with his index finger.

Lance looks from one of you to the next, head still angled downward slightly. He then heaves a big breath. "OK... OK. Look, there's still too many ears around this place, and the cops'll be here any minute." He pauses for effect, craning his head to see if any press or politicians are within earshot. "What I can say is there's a corrupt cop out at Owsley Penitentiary, where I was locked up, right? 'Wholesome Prison'? Dude named Ivanovich or something. Runs a cleanup detail out in the Sticks, 'round where Highway 134 hits Rowley Road. Uh... He said I owed him for... reasons I can't go into now." You get the impression Lance won't be comfortable talking about things in this setting. "I don't know if this was related to that. But I can't say any more with the cops coming any second now."

Marv pushes his finger against his nose in the universal "crooked" sign. "Read you loud and clear, Lance. I might need to sleep this off a bit but sounds like we might have a lead. You mind if I hole up in the locker room tonight? I'd like to be around in case this roof guy shows up again. Nothin' I love more than a good old fashioned tail!"

"Mr. Rodrigo lets get some pictures of the people before the cops come just in case they don't end up in jail later..." Max states with a frown after listening to lance.

"I'm glad you said it, officer, and not me. Maybe we can find something out from our visitors before the cops arrive."

Lance closes his eyes for a moment. "I'll leave you to it. If you want to get anything out of these clowns, better do it before the cops show up." He turns slightly, wincing in pain. "Feel free to raid the supply closet for meds if you need too. Fridge, too. You've earned it."From tying up the thugs, Hank knows that they are all dead or unconscious. To get anything out of one of the ones still breathing will require giving him some medical attention.

Red doesn't take any medical supplies on account of not actually sustaining any injuries. She will however gladly take an energy drink when she can slip away for a second.

For the moment, Marv's ideas of an interrogation get her gears turning... "Ooo! We should do the good-cop bad-cop routine, like in the movies! I'm sure at least one of them will talk."