A/N: 'In the Black' is an accounting magazine in Australia. The term 'In the black' (as opposed to being 'in the red') refers to good financial results in a business. Creative title, isn't it?

***Spoiler for Clash Reunion***
A/N: Okay, so I might need to explain Preena and Ham a little. For those of you who missed 'Clash Reunion' and can't get at it and you're dying to understand, Megavolt attempts to destroy their high school reunion, but settles for his personal tormentors Preena and Ham instead.
This notorious couple destroyed Elmo Sputterspark back in high school, and they also nearly destroyed Darkwing Duck at the reunion. They are excessively lucky that their childish attitudes didn't fatally backfire on them in either instance. So that's where they come from: the unpunished-because-it's-below-the-radar crime pile.
Now, I take a liberty here on their mental states given that I am dealing with them on the terms of 'real' people. If you think what I've written here is too unrealistic, please bear in mind that Darkwing Duck thought they were worth saving. VAPX007: "A few months ago you nearly fried personally at the hands of St. Canard's number one electric villain: Megavolt. How does that make you feel?"
***End of episode summary analysis***

Complications

"Oh, no, I couldn't possibly allow you to stay in a hotel, father." Preena said indulgently, "you're our guest: you can stay right here in our guest bedroom."
"Well that's very nice of you, Preena." Cammy stepped into the apartment and looked around at the open plan and the modern expensive furniture. "You've certainly done well for yourselves."
"Well, I inherited your good business sense."
"I've made my share of mistakes, Preena, I can assure you." He countered.
"Mr. Lott, I'll show you your room." Ham interrupted.
"Thanks, Hamilton." Cammy picked up the handle on his bag and followed Ham.

Preena scowled quietly as she strode purposefully to the bar area. "Yeah; like my mother."

Cammy came back out of the corridor and Preena waved him over.
"Would you like a glass of Webdale's vintage Shiraz, father? We have Cock n Spaniels Whiskey or McDogal's scotch if you'd rather one of them."
"What you're having is fine, thank you, Preena." Preena poured the red wine into three glasses.

Ham shortly came out and put the photo albums on the counter between them. "As it so happens your daughter is quite photogenic, Mr. Lott."
"Of course, looks don't get you onto the cover of 'Duck in the Black'." Preena shrugged discouraged, but she smiled as Ham raised his glass to her.

Grizlykoff stepped through the open doorway of the Mallard's house.

He looked around at his men dismantling the place, pulling out the cushions on the chairs, opening out the drawers of the TV cabinet and meticulously rifling through the contents, leaving no phone bill unturned.

"Have you found anything there?"
"No sir, just a bunch of home recorded DVDs and monster movies. Obviously a real B Grade buff lives here. 'Attack of the-' oh, look, 'Duckie'!"
"I beg your pardon, agent?" Grizlykoff frowned. "There is no one here by that name."
"No, sir, it's a movie." The agent held up the DVD so he could see the cover. "A really good one; it's spurned two sequels and-."
"Agent, get on with it!" Grizlykoff bellowed. "Ayiee." He ran his hand over his face and turned away from the lounge room.

His second, agent Lanley came up to him. "Here's the briefcase, sir. We've got it open."
"Gut." Grizlykoff grabbed the case. "This is our only lead as to where he has gone."
"Sir?"
"Agent." Grizlykoff said calmly. "This suitcase has the reason that he isn't on a one way trip to Vanuatu right now." He took the handle. "I will peruse this and then I will pursue him." He walked out of the front door.

Football and cheerleading trophies.

After hours of Preena and Ham's childhood memories as they flicked through the photo albums, Cammy straightened. "Preena, I've been meaning to ask you: what happened between you and your mother?"
Preena flinched. "We fell out. How did you know that?"
"You've never asked me to visit you before. Not even to your wedding." He gestured to the wedding photo album they were currently looking through.

Preena shut the album and looked at Ham for help.
"We had sort of a near death experience at our high school reunion a couple months ago." He recounted.
Preena shrugged uncomfortably. "It was like a light bulb turned on in my head. I suddenly saw how much I was like mum," she glanced at Ham, "and I didn't like what I saw."

The doorbell rang, interrupting Preena from explaining her epiphany. "Oh, good, that'll be the catering service for the party. Would you get that for us, pumpkin?"
Ham nodded and went to the door.
"Party?" Cammy asked in puzzlement, looking back at Preena.
"Why, your birthday party of course, father." Preena smiled sweetly at him. "I know it's a week late, but there's no better time for a party than when the guest of honour is in actual attendance."

Cammy snorted and opened the wedding album again as people poured in through the doorway and started busying around the room with food platters and such. "I suppose your wedding turned out nice for you, Preena. It looks like it was in the springtime."
"Uh, yeah." She pulled the book away from him. "Let's think about the future, dad. I want you in my life." She twisted around addressing one of the people; "I turned the bar fridge on this morning. It'll be cold enough now so we can use it." Preena turned back to Cammy. "You must believe me, dad. I'm trying to be a better person."

"Oh, it's not that." He gazed at the catering staff. "It's just ... who on earth are you inviting? I haven't been here for twenty one years."
"Oh, just a few of our friends." Preena shrugged and refilled his glass again. "You'll like them." She said confidently.

"What happens ... if they find out you're ... a security officer?"
"Then Grizz just has an added emotional reason for eliminating his suspect."

Hooter pondered over the transcript in his hands. "Why does Drake think that being a security officer would upset Grizlykoff?"

There was a knock on the door.
"Come in." He called out as he continued to stare at the words 'emotional reason', trying to make sense of them.
"Sir? I didn't know who else to report to. Agent Grizlykoff isn't answering his phone."
Hooter looked up from the transcript pages. "Judging by the look on your face you've lost something, Agent Lanley."
"It's Drake Mallard and the girl. Drake didn't leave the house, Gosalyn didn't leave the library. They're just gone. Not a trace."

"Agent Lanley, by that statement, I take it that you've upturned everything in the Mallard's house by now."
"Yes sir. Per procedure."
Hooter put down the paperwork. "How did you find the cutlery? The knives? Sharp enough to use as weapons?"
"Only sharp enough to butter bread with once the butter had melted, sir."

"I see. Call off the house search immediately. Those are my direct orders."
"Yes, sir." Lanley left the room.

Hooter looked down at the transcript again. " 'Emotional reason'. What a terrible thing to consider earnestly." He pressed the button on the intercom. "Terri, please track down agent Grizlykoff. Have him report to my office immediately." He waited for a response. "Terri?" He checked his watch and saw how late it was, "drat it all."

Hooter got up from his desk and headed for the door. "I want his exact location as soon as possible. And at this hour that means I have to do it myself."

The party was large. Ham and Preena's 'friends' consisted of business representatives, lawyers, politicians and bank managers with their spouses. Grey suits, black suits and navy suits filled the room. There was the shine of a sleek revealing slip dress here, the colour of a flashy tie there. Everyone had glasses filled with expensive alcohol, courtesy of their ever benevolent hosts, the Strings.

"Here's to my father, Cameron Lott. Happy Birthday."
"Oh, please, call me Cammy." He flushed hotly. "I'm only forty six; don't make me feel old before my time." Everybody laughed politely.

"Hors d'oeuvre?" The waitress said as Preena stepped up beside Cammy.
"Oh, thank you." He took an oyster Kilpatrick. "You know, I should be watching my waistline."
"Oh, nonsense, there's nothing wrong with a man with a healthy appetite." Preena smiled at him. "Why, just look at my Ham. Oh, Carol, how are you?"

Ham was entertaining several distinguished guests with a captivating story. In the absence of anyone else familiar, Cammy sidled in to the conversation.
"... There were four of you tied up in there?"
"Yes." Ham answered the stately penguin. "Darkwing Duck barely saved us in time."
"Gee, it's a sure pity you didn't get to find out who he was under that mask."

Ham's face went completely blank for a moment. "... Sure ... is a pity ..." He said in an emotionless voice. He blinked and the light came back into his eyes. "W-what were we talking about?"
"Uh ..." The other men glanced at each other. "Darkwing Duck."
Ham grunted. "Preena's constantly measuring me up against that guy."

"Tell me about it." The penguin groaned in agreement. "My wife keeps going at me too."
The other men grunted to show their agreement.
"Every time a light goes out in my house, it's 'Darkwing Duck's taken out a lot more scary light bulbs and you don't ever see him complaining about heights'."
" 'You don't see Darkwing Duck walk into a barroom brawl in a shabby outfit, so you are not going fishing dressed in that.' "
"I've always wondered what he's like in real life." The men mused. "You met him, Ham. What was he like?"

"I dunno." Ham shrugged. "Like a stuntman slash magician, I guess?"
"But what was he like to talk to?"
Ham's face went blank again.
"Gentlemen, would you like some more canapés?" The waitress offered them the platter.

"Oh, thank you." When they turned back from the platter, Ham was far away across the room.

"What's going on with the man? That was a trifle weird for him."
"That's the result of hypnosis." Cammy offered them the information. "I had a conjurer friend once who could do that sort of thing."
"Could it be the same person?"
"I doubt it." Cammy frowned. "She ... has been dead for about eleven years." He glanced at them. "Some say she was right up there with the Great Duckini."
"Wow. What did she do?"
"The sky was the limit." Cammy crossed his arms across his ample chest. "That woman was a maverick. In the middle of singing an Aria, she'd-."

The penguin laughed. "Well, I doubt we're going to see Darkwing Duck sing any Arias! He comes around in a puff of smoke, knocks out the criminals, and disappears in a puff of smoke."
"Don't forget that line he always gives out."
"I am the-whatsit?"
"Terror that-uh ..."
"... flaps in the night. Come on guys, it's 'I am the terror that flaps in the night' ..."

Cammy stared at them as they continued to talk about Darkwing Duck. A feeling of familiarity filled him.

"... What was the name of this woman of yours, Cammy? We should look her up on the internet. Your conjurer might have a fan site."
"Uh ..." Cammy swallowed, realising if he was right he had confidential information on the tip of his tongue. "I don't think so. She wasn't that popular. It was a long time ago. Um, excuse me."