Disclaimer: I do not own "Moon Knight" or any related characters or concepts. All are property of Marvel Comics. No profit is being made from this story.
A layer of thick black clouds covered the night sky, completely blotting out the moon and the stars. Cold rain fell in torrents, drumming loudly on the rooftops of New York skyscrapers.
Yep, that's the glamorous life of a superhero all right. Getting soaked to the bone and freezing to death in the middle of a downpour Moon Knight thought as he tried to peer through the watery gloom. Still I guess I can't complain too much. When the weather's this lousy even criminals prefer to stay in.
The crime-fighter was currently holding on to the Moon-copter's rope ladder as Frenchie piloted it through the steel and glass canyons of the city. While he was no stranger to enduring the elements he had to admit he would be glad to get home.
The rain was still pouring when they finally arrived at Grant Mansion on Long Island. Moon Knight looked down at the mansion's swimming pool. The pool's surface danced and jumped as the deluge pelted it, each drop sending ripples across the water so that it was in a constant state of agitation.
He said "okay Frenchie, I'm getting off here." The transmitter in his cowl relayed his words to his friend.
"Oui Marc" Frenchie replied over the radio.
He let go of the rope ladder and dived into the pool, hitting the water with a splash and disappearing under the surface. A concealed hatch slid open at his approach and he swam into a hidden passageway. A moment later he surfaced on the other side of the passageway, emerging from a sunken bath within the finely decorated master bedroom.
To most people the sight of a powerfully built figure dressed in a jet and silver costume, complete with a flowing cape and a full-face mask, rising up from beneath the water like a phantom would have sent them fleeing in terror. The woman reclining on the nearby settee merely smiled.
Her name was Marlene Alraune. She was stunningly beautiful, with pale blonde hair, fair skin and deep blue eyes. A sleek red dress clung to her lean athletic figure as she sat up.
"Hello Steven. You're home early" she said.
Moon Knight removed his mask to reveal the ruggedly handsome face of Steven Grant, AKA Marc Spector, AKA Jake Lockley. "Well it was a quiet night. Not so much as a jaywalker out there" he replied as he started removing his drenched costume and drying himself off with a nearby towel.
"That's hardly surprising when it's raining this heavy" she commented.
"That's exactly what I thought" he agreed. "So I decided to call it a night. Even Moon Knight needs to sleep sometimes."
"Oh, is that all you want?" Marlene asked, her smile turning coy.
Now wearing a white bathrobe Steven also smiled. "I think I can make time for more pleasurable act… ah-ACHOO!" He covered his nose and mouth just in time as he sneezed.
"Bless you."
"Sorry Marlene. I must have caught more of a chill than I realised."
"I'll warm you up" Marlene said, her voice sultry as she stood up. She walked up to Steven and put her arms around him.
"Hmm, I like the sound of that" Steven replied as he returned the hug.
She chuckled softly and pressed her lips to his. The embrace deepened as they kissed.
The following morning the storm had passed and the sun was shining brightly. Steven and Marlene, now wearing casual attire, were in the breakfast room going over stock reports.
"So how is everything?" Steven asked. "I trust we're ticking over nicely."
"Sure it's all going fine" she replied. "We're continuing to turn a profit and all of your accounts remain firmly in the black."
"Splendid. I knew it was a good idea to put the running of my affairs in your highly capable hands."
"No argument there. One small problem though. There's a stockholders meeting tomorrow and you need to be present for it."
Steven grimaced. "I'd rather go up against Bushman. At least dealing with him is simple."
"Sorry Steven, no-one ever claimed being an entrepreneur was easy" Marlene said with a teasing smile.
Before he could reply Samuels the butler entered. "Excuse me sir but there is a gentleman asking to see you. He says his name is Jacob Jones."
Steven frowned. "Show him in."
"At once sir."
As Samuels left Marlene sighed. "I know that look Steven. This is going to be trouble isn't it?"
"Probably" he admitted. "Jacob Jones is an old comrade from Marc Spector's marine days."
"Well that confirms it then. Anytime one of Marc Spector's old buddies turns up it means trouble" she said ruefully.
"You never know. Maybe he's just here to invite us to a wedding or something."
She raised an eyebrow. "You really think so?"
"No. But I can't just turn him away if he needs my help."
She smiled reassuringly. "I know Steven."
"Mr Jacob Jones sir" said Samuels as he led the man in. He was a stocky black man in his late forties with close-cropped hair and weathered features. He looked to be in good shape but both his legs were prosthetic from the waist down and he leaned on a cane.
"Marc? Is that you?" he asked.
"It's me Jacob. Let's just say I'm on good terms with Steven Grant" he replied, suppressing a smile as he spoke. "This is Marlene. She's my friend and aide."
"A pleasure to meet you Mr Jones" she said politely.
"Likewise miss" he replied as he shook her hand. They all took seats.
"So what brings you here Jacob?" Marc asked, shifting into his alternate persona with an ease that even he found unsettling.
Jacob's expression became worried and he seemed to slump in his chair. He took out a photograph of himself and another man, younger and with longer hair but with similar features. Both of them were grinning broadly.
"It's my brother James. He's an investigative reporter working for a local paper. For the last week he's been on an assignment. Then two nights ago he called me and said he was working on something big. He said he'd come by and tell me all about it."
"Let me guess. He never showed up" said Marc grimly.
"Exactly. I went over to his apartment the next day and…"
His words trailed off and he looked down at the carpet. After a moment he lifted his head. Now he looked not only worried but afraid.
"Marc it had been ransacked. Completely taken apart. Someone was looking for something and they wanted it bad."
Again he paused. Marc and Marlene said nothing, letting him talk in his own time.
He resumed speaking. "I went to James's editor. She told me he was investigating a local businessman named Carl Turner. Turner's a big player in organised crime, drug smuggling, murder, you name it. James was working undercover as a bartender at a club where Turner spends most of his time. It's called Red Velvet. I have the address here." He put away the photograph and took out a folded-up piece of paper that he placed on the table.
Well that spares me the trouble of having to contact my own informants as Jake Lockley Marc thought. Based on the sound of it James had gotten some major evidence against Turner and stashed it away before they rumbled him. Turner's goons ransacked his place looking for it.
"I've gone to the cops but to be honest James isn't too popular with them after he wrote an article on police brutality. I'd look myself but well, I'm not as quick on my feet as I used to be." He gestured at his prosthetic legs. "Marc, if there's any chance my brother is still alive…"
"I understand. I'll find out what happened to him" said Marc firmly.
"Thanks."
"This could be a problem" said Steven after Jacob had departed. "Normally I'd go to this club as Marc Spector and get them to hire me as a bouncer, but now Turner and his goons are going to be on their guard."
"Maybe someone else would have a better chance of getting in without making them suspicious" Marlene suggested. "Like say, a new waitress perhaps."
"True. All right, see what you can find out there. But be careful."
"Don't worry about me Steven. I'll keep my eyes open" she replied. "I want you to promise me something though."
"Sure."
"While I'm out risking my neck to get information you WILL attend that meeting" she said, her tone making it clear that this was not negotiable.
"Okay I know when I'm beaten. Deal" he said.
"Good. Now if you'll excuse me I need to pick a suitable outfit. Something that'll get them to stare" Marlene said as she turned and started to walk off.
"As long as they don't stare too hard" Steve called after her.
Her only reply was a light, mischievous laugh.