Chapter Text
The stench of cooked meat was thick in the shelter of the warehouse interior, overpowering even the lingering smoke in the air. It choked attention from the entire space, not allowing anyone to ignore or forgot it for even a moment.
Officer Anthony Brown gazes down at the burnt husk of what once was a human being, lip pursing at the sight. Within a decrepit building, he stands among a slew of similarly charred bodies.
A 911 call led to a disturbing scene in a former ABB hideout in the Docks, a large abandoned warehouse where a dozen young girls and woman had been held captive after being kidnapped by gang members. Except all the gang members present were dead, still smoking as the police arrived soon after the call. The women and girls were directed away from the gruesome by the paramedics and being treated outside.
The kidnapping victims claimed that they had been locked up and had not seen what had happened, the locks on their cells having been opened mysteriously on their own or by an unseen person.
He turns to his colleague Michael Smith, "What is this, the fifth incident this month?"
Said partner huffs with a grim expression, "Sixth by the books. Though this scene has doubled the body count of the case."
Anthony hisses, "Damn. This is going to get attention from the PRT, not much argument to make about a dozen burnt melted bodies not being the work of a parahuman. They're going to step in more with how this is escalating."
Michael nods with a grimace, "No doubt about it. Though they still have to let our forensics guys look at the bodies. Unless one of their capes can pull info out of these, I'd rather not have them start budding into this case."
"I believe we can assist with that" A mellow but projected voice rings out from behind the two officers, causing them to turn around.
A young Asian man with chin length wavy black hair and a pair of rounded glasses steps into the active crime scene, adorned in a coat and strange wide, loose pants. He stands with an air of calmness despite the grisly sight. A young lady with voluminous curly hair tied back and warm copper skin stands beside the man, dressed in casual clothing and wearing a neutral expression despite the stomach churning stench in the air.
Anthony scowls, "This is an active crime scene, who let you in here?" Had these busybodies slipped in somehow through an unsecured entrance?
The younger man holds up a hand holding a badge with the same face, "FBI agent Teagen Hamamori. I've been assigned to investigate this case and would appreciate the BBPD's allowance to observe the crime scene."
Michael crosses his arms, a displeased expression set on his face too, "Under what purview? This is a murder case, a local crime."
Agent Hamamori tilts his head, "A case involving organized crime and human trafficking would be under the FBI's purview would it not?"
Anthony's face twists, "Fine. But this part of the case is not. So you keep away from the bodies, no touching anything here before our boys get here to collect evidence, got it? Same goes for your secretary over there." Some fresh outta college assistant he'd bet.
Officer Brown leaves to discuss something with the other officers outside while Smith stays a distance away and keeping a disdainful eye on the two newcomers with a disparaging muttering about "feds."
Seeing as they are distant enough to not be overheard, Teagen examines the bodies with a frown and speaks quietly, "What do you sense Phoebe?"
Phoebe Lorenzo-Perez glances over at him with a pensive expression, "Its fainter than I expected but the victims are infused with cursed energy. As Headquarters suspected, we are not dealing with a mundane crime."
He hums, "Yes and the very public usage of curses is bound to draw attention from the PRT at this rate. It is a miracle that they had not already started prying into this before."
Noticing Phoebe's expression remained, Teagen asks, "Is there something else bothering you?"
She purses her lips, "Something about the energy is different. I've never seen cursed energy leaving such a.. spiteful impression. Like a searing coals still lingering in a fire."
Teagen focuses at the miasma like energy coming off the corpses before them, "It is rather unusual, I have some suspicions but nothing concrete without some confirmations. I believe we have gathered enough on site." The scent of charred flesh was overpowering and Teagen lightens his tone a bit, "Let's get some air and make some calls yeah?"
Phoebe nods, "Right." If her voice wobbles a bit, Teagen makes no comment on it.
The two cops from before sneer at the two as they exit the scene and walk away from the cordoned area surrounded by yellow tape and flashing red and blue lights.
Not far off but out of earshot, the two come to a stop before Teagen pulls out a phone from one of his coat's many pockets. Dialing a contact, he puts it to his ear before the ringing is stopped by a click of the call going through, " Teagen here. Our suspicions are confirmed on site."
A drawling voice on the other end replies, "Understood. We have deployed an agent on route to act as a liaison with the local authorities if required. She'll rendezvous with you tomorrow at your accommodations. Keep us updated on any updates or developments, and if further resources are needed."
Teagen sighed, "The fact that they are deploying her is spelling predicted trouble on our horizon. It can never be a easy job can it?"
The phone voice huffs, "Dream on Teagen. Now you and Phoebe watch yourselves and stay safe. Don't get in over your heads now."
The Asian man scoffs, "Don't make it sound like we go looking for it. Will do, bye." He hands up the call with a sigh.
The curly haired girl has an unimpressed expression, "Morris implying things about us again?"
Teagen shrugs, "The typical from him. But enough loitering, lets head back now shall we?"
They walk a short distance to their parked rental car and get in before Teagen begins driving them back further in the city to the hotel they reside in for the time being. As warehouses give way to businesses and residential houses, Teagen frowns deeply and pointedly does not avert his eyes from the road as he breaks the silence gently, "How are you doing Phoebe? Be honest if you can."
The girl does not answer at first but eventually replies, "I've seen worse. Remember that one possession back last year? Seeing the bones sticking out of someone still alive was way freakier than some burnt corpses." Her voice is monotone and almost bored sounding, but Teagen can hear the waver and slight stutter in her words. Knowing someone for three years provides a good baseline to read them on.
He furrows his brow and glances over at the sixteen-year-old staring out the car window with feigned disinterest, "Even so, we can always request someone else to work on this case. Say the word and the Bureau can charter you a flight back to California within the day. I can handle the paperwork and questions."
Phoebe grumbles, "Who else could they bring in on this? I'm not a kid anymore and we're some of the best the Bureau has, and if Audrey was not already assigned to this she must be dealing with something just as if not more important. Especially with how much the bigwigs were freaking out over this city."
There is a pause in the conversation as Teagen pulls into the parking garage of the hotel and steers into open spot.
Teagen's mouth sets into a pressed line, "I could still talk to them. They can't force you to stay." And he could not force her to go.
Phoebe shakes her head, "If its close to being as bad as they suspect, you need me here too. Our abilities have too much synergy to just let me go home when we just got here. Besides I'm a big shot too you know, they call me a prodigy even out here!"
Teagen deflates, "More like a big head with all that overconfidence. You're skilled and capable Phoebe but don't let it blind you or your sharp senses."
The teenager squawks indignantly, "This is bullying! Have you no shame picking on your amazing and talented student?"
The young man squints at her with a deadpan face, "Being your mentor includes ensuring you aren't getting sloppy. If you want someone to sing you praises, you can always help me with all the paperwork next time we're back at HQ."
Phoebe grimaces, "I'll pass. I have homework when I'm not being dragged across the country at random. You're the mentor, paperwork is your job not mine!" As if to escape the dire threat of paperwork, the girl practically leaps out of the car.
Teagen chuckles before pensively looking out at the east coast city stretching out around him, a foreboding air weighing down on him even away from the crime scene. There was something going down in Brockton Bay and it was up to him and Phoebe to get to the bottom of it, a paranormal situation called for experts after all.