Ch 2: Brokered deals

It took less than twelve hours for the rumors to start, fifteen for the story to break on the evening news. The work of one of the responding officers no doubt. After all, heros were big business and news regarding them always came with a rather large check. Regardless of perpetrator or cause it was enough for the HPSC to be forced into releasing a public statement, even announcing that a live televised service would be occurring later in the week. That being said, none of this surprised Midoriya save for perhaps how slow it happened.

What was truly surprising was the message he received from detective Nagakura demanding his presence at the police station the next day.

So now he sat between an exhausted and disheveled Commissioner Tsukuchi who kept glancing at the nearby clock as he bit on his lip, a large Manila folder in front of him. All the while, a bored and unkempt looking Nagakura dug into the table with his nails, every so often causing a small spark to rise from the hardwood. He could understand the irritation, they'd been left to suffer through last forty-five minutes of awkward silence. A rather common if effective tactic he had to admit. He'd seen Nagakura use it himself in the past. Nothing quite shows the guilty mind like locking someone in a room and seeing the tension build. So why were the three of them here? At this point, it seemed a bit like admitting defeat in some strange way, and Commissioner Tsukuchi couldn't have that. And so with the soft maddening ticks of the clock they waited. Another thirty minutes passed before the tourture finally ended. Two sharply dressed agents stepped in at which point Tsukuchi stood offering his hand to one of the agents. "Miss Hondara, I'm happy to see that you're doing well."

The agent smiled, shaking his hand. "Likewise, I apologize for the delay but we had to review a few things." She then looked around and nodded as she sat, followed by the rest of her group. "Thank you all for coming on such short notice."

Nagakura let out a grunt, eliciting a glare from Tsukuchi. "Yes well, the Mustafu police are always happy to help the HPSC in any way we can."

Midoriya resisted the urge to roll his eyes. It's not like they had a choice in the matter; not since the HPSC began to absorb the police into itself and began controlling its budget. Miss Hondara smiled and nodded, placing her briefcases onto the table and opened it with a soft click. "I'm glad to hear that Commissioner Tsukuchi. Now I'm sure you're curious as to why we called you here."

Midoriya sighed. "It's rather obvious actually."

Miss Hondara turned to Midoriya and sneered a bit before clearing her throat. "Yes well, I suppose that we'll be getting straight to business then?"

"Finally." Scoffed Nagakura.

"Yes, well." She started clearing her throat before continuing. "You're correct mister…" she looked down into her briefcase and retrieved a folder from inside before looking back up. "Midoriya, the HPSC had some concerns in regards to Mr. Minoru's unfortunate demise, more precisely how exactly you became involved."

Nagakura groaned. "I filed it in my report."

"And that is exactly why we're here Mr. Nagakura, The Commission wants to know what exactly possessed you to contact a third party and allow them to interfere in this investigation without our authorization." The other agent rebuked the detective before continuing. "Furthermore we have a valid concern as to how the press was able to receive images of the crime scene."

At that Tsukuchi snapped at the man. "If you're implying that my officers are incapable of maintaining basic security procedures, I'd like to remind you that those photos leaked after they were sent to the HPSC as per your new protocol."

"Gentlemen." Hondara said, raising a hand, as the room chilled unnaturally quickly. "We're getting off topic." The two officers took a few moments to recompose themselves before sitting again, to which she cleared her throat and spoke again. "Now Mr. Nagakura after further inspection it seems this hasn't been the first time you've contacted Mr. Midoriya to aid in an official investigation, so please explain."

"Well, when you barely have the manpower or resources to run patrols, you can imagine how strained things get when a major case like this comes around." He replied.

"If that was the case why not contact a nearby hero agency or HSPC office for assistance?"

"Didn't know you started training them for actual investigations, or are they just supposed to stand around and look pretty until they can punch something?"

"Nagakura." Tsukuchi hissed before clearing his throat. "The detective is correct, most nearby hero agencies lack the required skills needed to assist us on these cases and while we're grateful for the HSPC, a formal response can take months; months we don't have."

Hondara nodded, making a note as Midoriya began to speak. "If I may, why are we here? If the HPSC was truly upset regarding my actions during this investigation or my previous involvement with local law enforcement cases, you'd have arrested me and shipped me to Tartarus. So what's this actually about?"

A moment of silence passed by with a smirking Nagakura sitting back, arms crossed and anxious Tsukuchi observing, until finally the lead agent sighed, taking out a small packet of paper. "For all the good we've done and can do, your assessments on our current capabilities is….correct. The actions of the league and other criminal groups have…" she sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose before continuing. "We don't have the ability at the moment to investigate this case, and after an internal review of local law enforcement neither do they." She handed Midoriya the packet, which raised eyebrows as he began to read and Agent Haondara continued. "In light of your previous assistance, the HPSC would like to officially hire you to investigate this case. There'd be conditions of course, but the terms of employment are listed in the contract."

"I was under the assumption that the HPSC didn't employ the quirkless." He said while reading the contract.

"You'd be acting as a single contract consultant."

"Ah." He flipped the page landing on the explanation on his payment and paused. "This is quite…generous."

"It's the standard consultant rate for the HPSC."

He doubted that, but considering it was three times his normal payout for case work he'd let it slide. "It says I would have a hero handler during this case, I'm assuming you already have one in mind." To which she placed a folder in front of him. Opening it revealed an image of an exhausted looking purple haired man with deep bags under his eyes. Shinso Hitoshi, twenty-one years old, male, UA alumni, and his quirk blacked out and classified, which brought an amused snort from Midoriya as he continued to read the contract. "I'm assuming there's a non disclosure involved as well."

"That's correct."

He took a moment to finish reading before closing the contract packet. "If I refuse?"

At which point Hondara smiled politely, sliding the NDA towards him. "As you admitted to interfering in an official government investigation, we'd have no choice but to arrest you for obstruction of justice. More importantly, as this is related to a HPSC matter, you'd be treated as a villain and held in Tartarus until such a time that your unlikely innocence is proven. I imagine that a quirkless man like you would have an…interesting time there."

Nagakura stood outraged and bellowed at the agent as Tsukuchi attempted to reign the detective back into his seat. All the while Midoriya stared at the NDA and began reading its terms, his eyes immediately noticing a few lines of interest until finally falling on the dotted line. He turned and cleared his throat to Nagakura. "May I have a pen?"

"What? No, absolutely not! This is blackmail of the highest goddamn order, you're not gonna sign that."

Midoriya laughed a bit. "Blackmail or not, I'd like to help in the investigation and if this is what it takes, so be it." He then turned to the agent as she slid a pen towards him. "Thank you." Signing his name, he compiled the paper into a neat pile which the agent took. "When am I to meet this Hitoshi?"

"He's outside the room waiting."

"I see." He nodded and turned to Nagakura. "I'll need access to the morgue and evidence locker detective."

He stared at Midoriya for a moment in disbelief before sighing and nodded, reaching into his pocket he took out his badge and handed it over. "Show this to Yorihiku and let him know, he'll let you through."

Midoriya nodded to the detective and stood taking the badge looking at the agents. "Thank you Nagakura, now I assume this concludes your business with me?"

"Yes mister Midoriya." She said, standing while offering a hand to him. "It's been…pleasant doing business with you, and we'll eagerly wait for a resolution to the case."

"I aim to please." He said, taking her hand to shake it before letting go as he made his way to the door. "I do have to wonder about something, Miss Hondara."

She looked at him with a curious expression on her face. "And that is?"

"The NDA mentioned that any evidence would be brought to the HPSC for handling, including those pieces of evidence not pertaining to the case." He began as he stared at the woman, his face turning into a steely glare. "Odd to put that in there, isn't it?" He then smiled. "Do enjoy your day." He finished as he stepped out.