Chapter 3

Marinette know that superhero life isn't easy. This is hard work and during it, you're learning to be ready for anything.

But she wasn't expecting this... Just a day and a half ago Hawkmoth attacked city with army of akumas. And today Lieutenant Roger requested a private meeting with Ladybug.

She thought he want to talk about events of Scarlet Villains, instead he showed her a butchered police car hidden at a police station.

" This looks like the work of super villain. " She said as noticed a indentation shaped like a hand on the hood of the car. " What happened to the driver? "

" We only found his gun. It looks worse than car. " Lieutenant Roger spoke with a hint of sadness. " Sergeant Victor saw something fishy's on road. Less than two minute later, he want reported a false alarm when somebody or something attacked him. My men went over that area, but there's no sign of him. In addition, that evening several people have gone missing, and we certainly don't have any leads what happened to them."

" Are there any witnesses? "

" Only one but he just won't cooperate. "

" Can I see him? "

Lieutenant hummed thoughtfully and then nodded. " He is in interrogation room."

They came in from the garage, and walking down a long corridor toward the grey door.

" Who is this witness? " Ladybug asked, halfway to door.

" His name is Meredith Courtemanche, He is graffiti artist who drawing in different parts of town. We found him hiding under one of car at the crime scene."

He put his hand on the door handle, looked at her. " I doubt you'll be able to convince him to testimony. He's been here a couple hours. And he said only two rational sentences; I want a lawyer. Can I go to the toilet? " Lieutenant open the door and, they went inside.

Meredith look bored to death while sitting at a chair with his feet propped up on table.

He has straight, light brown hair that is swept from the sides with one spike coming down onto his face and has bright teal eyes. He wears a white-collared dark blue jacket with the sleeves rolled slightly up his forearms. He have silver buckled belt. He wears dark trousers with side pockets that are outlined in red and tucked into his blue and black sneakers with gray tongues.

" Wow, Ladybug and Lieutenant , So does this mean that we'll be playing in good cop/bad cop? " He rubbed his left eye and stretched with his arms stretched above his head.

" This isn't TV, it's real life. " Lieutenant Raincomprix said as he knocked Meredith's feet off of table.

" You sure about that?" He said innocently. " Everything that goes on in this city would be a plot of successful TV show. "

Before Raincomprix replied Ladybug asked " Mr. Raincomprix, could you give us a minute?"

Lieutenant slowly took looked at her, frowned, and then turned to go. When he close the door Ladybug sat down opposite Meredith.

" Hello Meredith , nice to meet you. " She said, giving him a polite smile.

" Wish I could say the same, but I just don't see the point to it. "

" I know that you don't really feel safe, but trust me, you are. You don't know the situation . I- "

He interrupted her " Darling, save your breath. I know why I'm here. Because I saw what happened with Victor Dland. "

" Then why did you refuse to give a statement to the police?" Meredith stared at her and then she looked back up at him; she expected some sort of reaction right away, but he looked at her with a flat expression.

" Well, that's not my problem. "

" Look I would surmise that you don't feel comfortable this case and didn't have a good relationship with Lieutenant Raincomprix."

"Nice deduction, Sherlock," he sniped. " You're not FBI right?"

She frowned. " Meredith , I need you to take this seriously. "

" Or you'll do what? You will set Chat Noir or Queen Bee on me? " He said, grimacing disdain.

" You may not be aware of this, but six people went missing yesterday and you are our only witness. " Ladybug replied. She waited for his reaction.

" That makes me feel so special." He put hands on his heart then looked at his wrist" How long will this go on? My favorites show starts in an hour. "

It sounded strange for Ladybug to hear something like this in this situation. He knew that someone's in danger and not worry about this. For a moment picture of Chloe flash in Ladybug's mind, but instincts are telling her that Meredith is really different kind of person.

" You can act like you don't care about this, but I'm not buying that."

" You put a lot of faith in me. "He said, running his hands through his hair. " I don't know these people. I don't care "

" You know that whatever took them, can do the same to every single person in city. Even someone important to you. "

" And? You and kitty boy will save them like you always do. " he said, pointing at her.

" We have to know who we're up against here. You're the only one who can help us figure out that. " She notice a change in his body posture. " Meredith, please just tell me what you know. "

Meredith was silent for a moment. Then he sighed. " Okay... I need piece of paper, red pencil and pen. "

They gazed at each other for a few quiet moments.

" Now, Ladybug, don't look at me like that. I'm serious."

" I'll be right back. " She closed the door behind her.

" I could be in home right now making peppermint lager with my dad. " Meredith , shook his head slowly in disbelief at what had happened the way it did. " And of course I had to go to this stupid alley. "

Just then, he heard the door open. He turned to look as Ladybug stepped out. She walked out slowly, carrying his drawing materials.

" Here, " She placed them on the table right in front of his eyes.

" Okay, let's get started." He squeezed his eyes shut, and pursed his lips. When open his eyes he beginning drawing very fast.

" I was in this alley because I love these wall. " he starts matter-of-factly while his fingers circle on paper.

" They have the best surface available for graffiti. I was just about to start painting the wall when saw a some strange person who was running from police car, and so I hid behind dumpster. It was dark but I could have said the person has inhuman face with no difficult. He or rather it was also wounded, I don't know where was wound but it left a few drops of blood. That blood was dark blue and glow. l wanted to take a picture, but person was too fast. It climbed to the top of building and then just jumped down onto the police car. Cop tried to talk to it, but it just went off on him with a resounding roar." Meredith was totally focused on paper.

" I wanted to help him , so I threw the spray at it, and hit it's head. It looked at me." Meredith flinched, and took red pencil.

" I felt like someone shoved an electric pole down my brain, and I started to run. But I looked back and saw as Cop just saw his chance and shot it at close range but bullets just bounce. What happened after that, l don't know. " He shrugged his shoulders.

" A few minutes later, I came back because I left my pack back under one of car. That was when police showed up and they arrested me. " He finish the story and picture.

" Here, " He handed her drawing " I never got a good look, but it's better than nothing."

Ladybug took a look at the picture. Figure on it, wearing a kind of robe with hood that made it hard for her to see detail of it's appearance.

But one thing was very characteristic and drew her attention. Cold and scary red eyes...

Author Notes: What do you think?