Disclaimer: Don't own Automan—wish I did. Please don't sue. Besides ya' wouldn't get anything outta me right now, anyway. All of the disclaimer see Chapter 1.

Ch. 4--Malicious Intentions

Shadowed exited the office building. He noticed a newspaper dispenser for the LA Times. He dug some change out of the pocket of his jeans and got a paper. He skimmed the paper until he came upon the local section. LA was hosting another one of those computer conventions again at the Ambassador Hotel this weekend. 'Looks like last year's convention was so popular they're doing one this year,' he thought. He always liked going to computer conventions. He liked browsing the newest electronic gadgets they had on display. He also liked browsing over what new computers were about to come out. As much as he would enjoy going to the convention, he had another entirely different reason for wanting to go to this convention. One of his targets, the LAPD computer expert/cop, Walter Nebicher, was sure to be there.

Shadow went to a nearby drug store and bought some brown hair dye and brown contacts. He went into the LA apartment heading for the bathroom. He immediately put the hair dye in his hair. He put the contacts in and inspected his appearance in the bathroom mirror. His two most noticeable features had been effectively masked. He would be able to effectively blend in with the crowd at the convention center. 'Excellent. Time to meet my first target,' he thought.

The first day of the convention, Shadow, dressed in a white button-down shirt, blue tie, blue pull-over sweater, and navy pants, was in the section displaying the newest electronic devices. His name tag, which read 'JUSTIN SUMMERS', was attached to his sweater. Even though he was here to study his quarry, that didn't mean he couldn't enjoy himself while he was here as long as he kept in mind the main reason he had come in the first place. As he was scanning the equipment, he was also scanning the crowd of people looking for Nebicher. After a minute, Shadow spotted a trim, young man with wavy black hair wearing a light gray business suit and black slacks about five feet away. The person looked to be about 5'9" or 5'10". He was looking at the new computers about to come out. He appeared to be alone.

Shadow carefully yet casually approached the young man's position. As he got closer, Shadow pretended to be scrutinizing the rows of different types of computers and peripheral devises. He took a quick look at the name tag attached to the left lapel of the young man's business suit. It read 'WALTER NEBICHER'. While still gazing at the devices, Shadow said, "They look interesting, don't they?"

Wally hadn't noticed anyone standing next to him at first. He had been so absorbed in studying the computers coming out and comparing them to his computer at home. He turned to look at the young brown-haired man next to him. "Yeah, they do."

Shadow turned to Nebicher, "Hi, I'm Justin Summers." He held out his hand.

Wally shook his hand. "Hi. Walter Nebicher."

"So what brings you out to one of these conventions?"

"Oh, just an interest in computers. You?"

"Actually, I come for the electronic devices. Something of an electronics buff you could say," said Shadow with a slightly embarrassed grin. He looked at Nebicher as if he might have recognized him. "They had one of these conventions last year. You weren't at that convention by any chance?"

"Yes, I was," replied Wally unsure why Summers had asked.

"I thought you looked a bit familiar. Weren't you here with a tall, blond man at one time?"

"Yes, but only briefly," responded Wally wondering how this guy knew he had been here with Automan last year.

"Ah. Well, enjoy the rest of the show."

"Thank you. You, too. It was nice talking to you." Wally wasn't quite sure what to make of that conversation.

Both men headed in opposite directions. Wally was eager to try out the new computer games they had out and headed towards the section of the convention labeled 'Computer Games'.

Shadow headed towards the section labeled 'Office Equipment', which was directly opposite the section Nebicher had gone towards. Throughout the rest of the convention, until Nebicher left, Shadow inconspicuously studied Nebicher's habits/mannerisms. When Nebicher left, Shadow waited 15 minutes before he left himself.

Shadow waited until the excitement of the computer expose had died down over the weekend before making his move. 'Time to bait the trap,' he thought with eager anticipation. He went outside of his LA apartment and walked about a mile from the apartment before stopping at a payphone. If they happened to trace the call, he didn't want the trace to lead them back to his apartment. He looked in the phone book for the main telephone number to the LAPD. He dialed the number. An officer on the other end answered, "Hello, LAPD. How may I help you?"

"May I speak to Walter Nebicher?"

"Hold one moment, please."

"Sure."

A few moments passed before a familiar voice came on the line. "Nebicher here."

"Officer Nebicher, it's Justin Summers. We met at the computer convention."

"Yes, I remember. How did you know to call here?"

"An acquaintance told me you work here. I have some information for you about a case that the LAPD was working on a few months ago. About that murder of that top level financial executive in the old office building. The one on the news concerning Delphi involved in illegal deals?"

"Yes, I remember the case. Go on."

"That building was condemned, right?"

"Yes."

"Well, I just moved in across the street and saw some people going into that building. I heard gun shots one afternoon when I was on my way to work. One night, I was going to the movies with a friend, and I noticed that some lights were on on the fourth floor in the old conference room. I think someone else may have been murdered in that building." Shadow let his voice get a little edgy. "I didn't know who else to turn to. I really think you should investigate that structure. You should bring someone with you. Maybe that tall, blond friend of yours. He is a cop, right?"

"Yes, he is a cop--in a manner of speaking. Is that all?"

"Yes."

"Well, thank you for that information."

"You're welcome."

Wally hung up the phone after he heard the click on the other end signifying Summers had hung up. He went to the captain's office. The door was open, and the captain was at his desk looking over a report. He looked up when he saw someone in the doorway.

"Captain, I need to talk to you," said Wally.

"What is it, Nebish?"

Ignoring the mispronunciation of his last name, Wally responded, "Remember the unsolved Smith murder that took place a couple of months ago in an old office building, the one that recently went out of business?"

"Yes. What about it?" asked the captain impatiently.

"I just got a call from someone saying they suspect someone else might have been murdered there recently."

"And you want to investigate the building?"

"Yes, sir."

"Who am I supposed to send with you as back-up?" replied the captain. He couldn't see the harm in letting Nebisher look into the old building. The call was probably some kid prank anyway, besides, having Nebisher check out the call covered the bases and kept Nebisher out of his hair for a while. "Curtis and Caldwell are off on another case. I don't have anyone to spare."

"I could get my federal friend, Agent Mann, to go with me."

"Fine, but you make sure he does go with you."

"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir." Wally eagerly left the captain's office almost surprised at how quickly the captain agreed to let him investigate that doomed structure. He went back into the computer room. He sat at the computer desk and typed 'Automan'. The question 'What is your clearance?' appeared and he typed 'crimefighter'. The phrase 'Please wait...' appeared underneath. A few seconds later, a sudden shaking occurred as if a recent earthquake were taking place. The lights dimmed and flashed. A ball of light burst forth from the monitor. "Hi, Cursor," said Wally. Cursor hovered for a very brief time in front of Wally and beeped before hovering near the door. The tall, shimmering silhouette of a man started to form near the door. After he fully materialized, the man turned to Wally saying, "Hello, Walter. You called?"

"Hi, Auto. Yeah, I need your help investigating an old office building. I got a tip of a possible recent murder there."

"Then we best get going. Cursor," commanded Automan. Cursor rezzed up a light blue shirt, navy tie, navy pants, and navy business jacket over Auto's body. After the clothing had fully materialized on Auto, he turned to Wally. "Let's go."