Marvel: A Tale of Shadows

"Is this the building?" Yuri's new blond partner asked as he looked out the window up at a highrise. "Is this even a residential building?"

Yuri nodded as he looked at the glass lined building that went up and added to the city's numerous skyscrapers. "I believe so, let the intern do the research. How are you doing back there Patrick?"

"It is a residential building but only for the middle five floors. But above that are undisclosed offices that the building owner uses. Then on the top floor is a new resident and her boyfriend, the boyfriend is the witness and survivor from the Oscorp attack." Patrick explained while looking at a binder with notes and files inside.

"Huh… how did you track them down? What was your process?" Detective Stacy asked as he pulled the car into the underground garage. He slowed down as there was a security gate, "hold on a second." He opened the window as a security guard with a bullet proof vest, the man also had a military haircut and had a ranger tattoo on his arm. George Stacy pulled out his badge and showed it to him.

"Give me a moment sir. I have to run your and your partner's badge numbers and…" the man looked to the back seat at Patrick.

"He is an intern we got stuck with, is that protocol for this residential building?" Yuri asked as she showed her badge as well.

"Then I will need his name instead. Yes it is ma'am." The security guard pulled out a notepad and started writing in it.

"Patrick Mulligan." Patrick answered from the backseat.

The security guard stepped away and inside of the booth. While Yuri and George exchanged confused looks. Looking closer at the security gate, Yuri began to realize it was a lot more high tech then your typical ones. It even seemed to be reinforced in some places. She then began looking around and realized there were even mechanical sections of the floor that probably raised up out of the ground.

After a few minutes the security guard walked back over, "what is the purpose of your visit today?"

"We are here to ask Ethan Hilt, who resides in the penthouse suite, a few questions." George Stacy answered.

"Give me a moment." The security guard pulled out his walkie talkie and talked into it, "we have a pair of blues and their intern here for the penthouse, are they expected?" Detective Stacy was about to point out that they did not call ahead when there was the sound of someone talking over the earpiece. "Okay you are good to go on in, let me open the door for you. Keep in mind there are specific parking spots for residential guests."

The Detectives exchanged a look when the gate started groaning as it rolled up and opened. Detective Stacy put the car in gear and they rolled into the garage. As they went they saw several other security guards who pointed them in directions. Each guard had bullet proof vests like the one they talked with. But they were armed with machine guns as well.

Eventually they parked as they stepped out another guard walked up to them, "the elevators to the penthouse are over there." He pointed to a large set of shining elevator doors. "There will be a guard to escort you back to your car when you come down, so don't wander."

Once they arrived at the silver doors and clicked the button. The doors opened to an elevator car with wood panels on the lower half and digital panels that kept changing views. It also had a single button and a card reader.

The detectives shared a look again while their intern looked at the screens amazed by it. Yuri then shrugged and pressed the button. The elevator quickly started carrying them up. "How did he know we were coming? Did either of you get in contact with him?" Detective Stacy asked.

Both Yuri and Patrick shook their heads. "Maybe this guy is more connected than we thought?" the intern suggested. "I mean we couldn't even find a picture of him."

"Hmm… I don't know, but I still feel like I recognize the name." Yuri told them, a minute later the elevator was stopping.

The door opened up to a lobby with a single front door ahead of them that even had a doorbell. While off to the right was a blue elevator door with a card reader. Then to the left was a hallway with a beige set of metal doors that seemed to lead into a freight elevator shaft.

Yuri walked forward and pressed the doorbell. While they waited they noticed a couch off to the side and a few house plants sitting around. It was not even a minute before the door opened up, standing in the doorway in a pair of shorts a black t-shirt and a red apron with the words, 'kiss your chef' in white.

The man blinked for a moment as he and Yuri recognized each other. "Welcome officers and come on in!" He stepped aside and motioned for them to enter. "I was cooking some waffles, would you like some?"

"No thank you." Detective Stacy answered as he watched the man lead them into his kitchen. "We are here to ask you some questions regarding the incident you were involved in before you left Oscorp."

"I know, but before we do that we should be introducing ourselves. My name is Ethan Hilt. What are your names? Keep in mind I already know Detective Watanabe." As Ethan talked he pulled a waffle out of his waffle maker and set it on a plate before sliding it in front of Patrick.

"I am Detective Stacy and this is our intern, Patrick. Mr. Hilt how did you know we were coming?" Detective Stacy asked as he looked around.

Yuri was doing the same thing, she noticed it was an open concept kitchen and the island counter was set up for them to sit at. To their backs was the living room with a black leather couch, a gray carpet, a television sitting on a set of boxes with several gaming consoles, and then there were several boxes sitting around. Some of the boxes looked unpacked but others did not.

"Yes, Oscorp is very touchy about its employees being questioned. So much so that we have a whole section of our contract that even applies to what we can say once we leave employment. So that means for the next five years I cannot even whisper a word about any Oscorp projects or anything I was involved in, so keep that in mind. They actually called me about it yesterday to remind me." Ethan explained as he pulled out a mug and a box of tea bags.

"So that is how you knew we were coming?" Yuri asked.

"Yes it is, I am sure you also have a question about security at this building as well?" Ethan turned around and pulled a kettle off of the stove after it started whistling. He also turned off the stove before turning around and pouring the water into the mug with a tea bag.

"Yeah… I was wondering about that. It seemed a bit… too much for a residential building." Yuri agreed as she looked out the window to her right, it seemed the penthouse had a gorgeous view of the city landscape.

Ethan chuckled as he nodded, "this building is relatively new. As in, completed within the last year. A… friend of mine co-owned it with me. She also founded a group called 'W.H.A.S.' Which means 'women hiding from abusive spouses' so several of the floors are a dedicated shelter."

"Even then, I doubt you managed to get permission for weapons beyond a pistol for security." Detective Stacy pointed out.

"Which is why one of the floors is used by the FBI's Witness Protection Program. Only reason you managed to get through the door is because I knew you were coming. I feel like these questions are starting to get away from why you came here in the first place." Ethan answered.

Yuri nodded in understanding, "we are here to ask about your last day of employment at Oscorp. When a…" She pulled out a notepad.

"Jackson, another security guard. Attacked the main office? I remember he injured another guard-"

"That guard is still in a coma." Stacy pointed out.

"Killed my boss and got himself inadvertently killed in the ensuing fight?" Ethan nodded. "I do not know much, but he seemed a lot more skilled then he should have been. Not to mention he knew how to get to the security room while avoiding cameras. Honestly if you said it was Jackson who pulled it off I would not believe you for a moment."

"What do you mean by that?" Yuri had a frown on her face as she contemplated Ethan's words.

"Just what I said. I do not think that was Jackson, he was a slobbery moron that could barely get to work on time. I am sure Oscorp at least gave you his employee file, so you can check that."

"Okay… I will do that. Why did you quit immediately after this incident?" Yuri asked.

"Because I was planning on leaving anyway, I had handed in my 14 days. So I just got injured leave pay for my remaining time."

"Did you know that in addition to the attack, a Dr. Hamilton was found with his head smashed in?" Yuri asked and saw him make a surprised look.

"First I am hearing about it." Ethan frowned, "but if you want to know what they have related to each other, I cannot help you. So I suggest you give me a bit more so I can at least point you in a direction."

Yuri started looking through her notes. "Then you would not know anything about the non-human cartilage at the base of both Dr. Hamilton and Jackson's necks?"

"Huh?" Ethan frowned in confusion for a moment before he had a moment of clarity, "ahhh… hmmm…" Yuri and Detective Stacy exchanged a look while Ethan tried to find a suitable answer.

"Well… if I were you… I would start my search with various types of insects to find something close. Beyond that… I do not think there is anything else I can tell you. But if you think there will be more… 'victims', there probably won't be. I have a feeling, the thing in question has completed its objective." Ethan steadily explained, careful about the words he answered with.

Detective Stacy frowned for a moment before his face hardened, "Mr. Hilt, I will ask this once and if I don't like the answer-"

"I am going to stop you right there. Oscorp has us keep our mouths shut on the condition that they provide us with legal assistance, so I would have an army of Oscorp lawyers come to my rescue." Ethan interrupts him while pulling out another waffle, "waffle?"

Detective Stacy was mystified and went to respond before Yuri patted him on the arm. "Are you sure there is not anything else you can slip us?"

"Hmm…" Ethan turned back to his waffle maker and put more batter in before closing it. "You know… I lived in New Jersey for the majority of my life. So I bet my records are there if you are looking for a background." Ethan then slowly, "y'know I even recently got a chance to visit. Unfortunately I only saw some warehouses. Now what type of waffle would you like?"

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Yuri was deep in thought while George drove away from the building.

"Why did you stop me?" George asked as he turned on a road.

"Several reasons, for one… you owe him one. You remember when your daughter was at the Stark Youth Learning Center? He was the one that took a bullet in place of her." Yuri saw him do a double take out of the corner of her eye. "Not to mention, I have heard about Oscorps lawyers. They play dirty and would make life difficult, not to mention hard for you to get the captain's seat."

George grunted in annoyance. But kept silent because he understood.

"Intern, let's test how well you pay attention. What information did he give us?" Yuri asked while looking at Patrick who was writing in his binder.

"Umm… well to start. He dropped the hint that we should run that cartilage found on the bodies against types of insects. He told us the culprit was already done. So there would not be any more victims. Then he hinted about warehouses in New Jersey." Patrick read from his notes.

"That is good, how about you George? Have anything to add?" Yuri asked.

"He told us where to find his records as a sign of good faith." George answered.

"He also called what killed them a 'thing' not a him or her." Yuri told them. "Meaning this is exactly the type of case we would be dealing with." She pulled out her notepad and started writing down notes. "Not to mention giving us the valuable information that Jackson nor Dr. Hamilton was the mastermind."

"So, you seem to have a head for this case. Where do we go from here?" George asked while glancing over at Yuri.

"Well, we have to wait for forensics to get results about the cartilage and we will have to sift through a bunch of information to find out about Oscorp Warehouses in New Jersey. But I have a feeling this case will take awhile." Yuri responded before she flipped her notebook closed.

"Fortunately we have an Intern for the summer." George pointed out. While Patrick Mulligan groaned in the back seat at the idea of sifting through repetitive information to find a lead.

—----------------------------

Ethan's finger tapped on the counter as the front door opened. He was lost in thought. Thinking that his life of hacking, spelunking, and skating on his genius level intellect was going to become that much more complicated.

"Ethan!" Laura ran up, her eyes were sparkling with excitement. "After breakfast at your Aunt's restaurant which was awesome we had some of the best tasting food, we went and saw a live action performance of 'The Lion King'. The singing was awesome and they were really talented! Then after we went up to the top of a tall building!"

"Hahaha!" Ethan let out laughter as he picked up Laura and carried her to the couch. "Was it really that much fun? Then I suppose we should go out tomorrow as well?"

"I think we cannot." Felicia walked up as Ethan tossed Laura on the couch.

"Awww… why not?" Laura asked with a pout.

"Yeah why?" Ethan asked with a pouting face as well.

"Because Ethan and I have acrobatic lessons tomorrow. Not to mention, Ethan is supposed to be taking it easy with his broken ribs." Felicia answered as she rounded the couch and sat on the other side of Laura while Ethan sat on the opposite side.

""Boo!"" Ethan responded and Laura's eyes shined with mischievousness as she responded in the same way.

Felicia smiled and ruffled Laura's hair with one and grabbed the TV remote with the other. Turning on the Television to the news.

"We come to you live from The Baxter Building, where the infamous terrorist group, Hydra has appeared with what appears to be robots and are attacking The Fantastic Four." The TV was showing a news broadcast and footage of the scene.

Down on the street was The Thing as he went punch for punch with two large robots. Each time he got punched the robot's fist slightly broke. While each time The Thing punched the robots he took off a chunk of metal plating. But the street around him was struggling as potholes were forming where they stood. And the shrapnel metal tore up the street and cars alike.

Above him was the Human Torch as he set drones on fire in the air. But the collateral damage as the drone missed and shot into the surrounding buildings was probably worse. Not to mention the Human Torch was shooting flames that were missing and melting walls, cars, and light poles.

The robots were not the only thing there as the newscopter got a look into the building. Inside was an infamous criminal known as Grim Reaper along with the tech criminal known as The Beetle fighting alongside several people with metal and altered limbs. Together they were fighting Mr. Fantastic who was stretching and fighting with a surprising amount of ability. While the Invisible Woman was appearing and disappearing. Deterring both the leaders and their subordinates with her shields.

"Who are they?" Laura asked.

"Idiotic 'heroes', they do more harm than good like now." Felicia answered as she pointed out the damage that the Human Torch and The Thing were causing.

"They are called the Fantastic Four. They're a group of humans affected by cosmic energy that gave them abilities beyond normal humans. They're relatively new to their abilities, so I would say they need more practice. Especially that guy called The Human Torch. Mr. Fantastic, the guy that stretches and Invisible Woman-"

"Girl, she is called Invisible Girl."

"Noooo, that is definitely a woman. Anyways, they're doing just fine. But it seems that The Thing is making an effort but still struggling to contain the damage in his brawling match." Ethan explained.

"Cool. Do the X-Men and other heroes do something similar?" Laura asked.

"Uh… I think they're better at containing the damage. These guys are too new to be fighting in the middle of the city and not contain the damage." Felicia evaluated.

"Can I learn to fight like them?" Laura asked. Causing Ethan to look at Felicia with mischievousness and she in turn gave him a death glare.