Chapter 16

Roxanne sat at her table with a cup of coffee. "So there's no sign of him anywhere?"

Wayne shook his head. "I searched every spot I could think of where he might be hiding or held prisoner."

Minion agreed. "It's like sir just dropped of the face of the earth. The brainbots couldn't find him either."

Roxanne pushed away her coffee. She didn't want it anymore. "I talked to my friend, Eric. He said that if a crime lord snatched Megamind then it's not likely they'll kill him. He's more valuable to them alive than dead, but..." She stopped.

Minion's sad eyes met Roxanne's. "But it won't stop them from hurting him to try and force him to cooperate."

"Megamind is tough. They won't break him easily if at all," Wayne said.

Minion sighed. "Which only means sir'll suffer more." He drooped miserably.

Roxanne and Wayne exchanged looks. They couldn't even offer Minion any comfort because it was true.

A soft, but firm knock on the door drew their attention. Roxanne stood and went to the door then opened it. "Oh, hello, Sam I expected you to call, not stop by. Please come in."

"Thank you Roxanne." Sam came in. "Good afternoon, Miniom, Metroman."

"Hello. Mr. Sam," Minion said, polite as always.

"Hello, Sam, while we're alone please call me Wayne," Wayne said.

Roxanne closed the door. "Please sit down. Can I offer you something to drink? Coffee, lemonade?"

"Lemonade would really hit the spot. It's hot out there." Sam sat down with a sigh. "Just Sam, Minion. I found out something from that disc you took off the spider bot. Megamind didn't shoot Deputy Mayor Jenson."

Roxanne set a glass of lemonade in front of Sam then sat down. "How do you know?"

Sam took a drink of lemonade. "I took the information and the disc to a friend who recently retired from the FBI. He reconized the work right away. It was the work of a hacker that he had busted seven years ago. I can't give you details, but he will testify that Megamind did not kill Jenson."

"I knew sir was innocent. Sir has never hurt anyone, never." Minion's voice was filled with conviction.

Sam smiled warmly at Minion. "I know, Minion."

Roxanne looked at Sam. "You never believed it did you?"

"No, he just isn't like that. Abby, my wife, and I watched that boy grow up and loved him like he was our own."

"It seems weird that he would turn out like he did. I mean why would he act like he's...well, it seems strange." Roxanne shrugged. "He could have easily hurt me before Wayne got there, but he never did."

"I tried to make life as pleasent as possible for him and keep him safe . I put him in a solitary high security cell to make sure the more dangerous offenders couldn't get to him. I won't deny he was hard to handle. He was stubborn and a real brat sometimes."

Wayne sighed. "It's good we can get rid of the murder charge, but we still don't know who snatched Megamind. All we know for sure is that he's no longer in Metro City."

"Maybe he'll fnd a way to escape or tell us where he is. I mean if he's really as smart as he claims he is."

Sam chuckled. "He is, you can take my word for that. I wouldn't be surprised if he did. "

They sat quietly talking until late that evening.

Finally Sam stood. "I should get home. Abby will be waiting for me."

Wayne stood. I have to do a final sweep of the city before I go home, so I'd better leave too."

The two men said their good byes and left, one by the door and one through the balcony.

Roxanne noticed Minion hadn't moved. "Minion, are you okay?"

"Not really...this is horribly rude of me, but...could I stay here tonight. with sir gone and the brainbots off looking for sir, the lair is so cold and lonely." Minion looked so miserable.

Roxanne's heart nearly broke for Minion. He was suffering more than anyone. his charge was miissing, suffering most likely and he couldn't help.

Minion started to stand. "I'm sorry, Miss Ritchie, I shouldn't have asked..."

"No Minion, it's okay. You can stay if you like. I don't mind."

The fish relaxed. "Thank you, Miss Ritchie."

Roxanne smiled. "Sure, you want out of the suit?"

"No, I'll just power down. Good night, Miss Ritchie." Minion sighed.

"Good night," Roxanne turned out the lights and went to bed.

(Sorry, took awhile and it's short, we'll be back to Megz in the next chapter. R/R please!)