Isobel and her Superman Chapter 9

LONG BEACH NY

Eddie tries the door to the back room, it is unlocked. She steps in and looks around. The room is a mess, it looks like there has been a struggle. She sees a torn shirt on the floor, she thinks Frank wore one just like it today. She sees blood spatter' on it. She pokes her head out of the doorway. "Jamie, come here, quick!"

Jamie steps into the back room of the little store, joining Eddie. He stops in his tracks; his blood runs cold. It is his dad's shirt, with blood on it. He and Eddie immediately go into cop mode – they must preserve any & all evidence.

Eddie races to their car and retrieves evidence collection materials. Jamie calls Danny, Erin and Henry. Eddie stays in the back room, locks the door & starts taking pictures and bagging evidence.

The rest of the family gather around Jamie in the front of the store. He and pops fill everyone in with what they know. Danny volunteers to help Eddie, he joins her in the back room.

Erin & Henry search for any video evidence on site; Jamie calls TARU*, asking if they can hack traffic cams and get video surveillance images. An NYPD forensics team is dispatched from NYC to aid in evidence collection. With the NYPD-PC missing, it is all-hands-on-deck!

With his immediate tasks completed, Jamie has time for thought. Clark and Lana! He slips off to a private spot, pulls a card out of his wallet and dials.

"Clark here. Jamie, what's up?"

Jamie fills Clark in on what's happened; what has been done so far, and who is available on site to help.

"Jamie, I assume you would like Lana and me to assist your family and the NYPD?"

"Yes, please"

"I will need to talk with Lana, but I am reasonably sure that we will help you. It may take a few hours to free us up; we will work on that ASAP. I will get back to you when we know for sure. Take care, Jamie."

"And you, Clark. I'll be waiting for your call."

CLANA'S LOFT – METROPOLIS

Clark lets himself in, Lana is already at home.

"I'm home babe, I have some big news. A request, actually."

Lana teleports to the main floor. She wraps her arms around her lover, giving him a huge kiss. "What's up?"

Clark fills her in. "Of course, we'll help," she responds. "I will need a short talk with my academic advisor. Then pack a few things, and I'll be ready to go. Do you agree?"

"Certainly. We better take both outfits."

"Ok, I'll go to the campus and get us cleared for take-off! Back in a jiffy." She smirks.

While she's gone, he calls Jamie and gets a location to land the CK express. Clana plan to fly and land after dark; Jamie has arranged for a 1-bed condo for them to stay in.

Clana arrive at 22:30 EST. Jamko meet them and they go to the condo to get settled, update everyone's info & plan.

Jamie starts; "We know who we're dealing with. A group of brothers who have an axe to grind with the PC. When a Lieutenant, Frank Reagan took down daddy and 2 uncles. Ruining their chop shop business."

"Chop shop?" Lana is puzzled.

"Stolen cars," Clark whispers.

Jamie goes on, "they haven't made any demands yet; but, we know that they have Frank on a yacht about 9 miles off-shore."

"Do you have any surveillance . . . video or audio?" Lana asks.

"No, we do not. I'm hoping you two, especially Clark, can help with that."

"I could. Do you have GPS coordinates for the yacht?"

"Not up to date. There have been 2 sightings in the last 12 hours. I can get you that info."

"Good. I checked, and sunrise is 05:30 here. Clark and I could do a scouting flight while it is still dark, maybe plant a GPS tracker, and see what we can learn?" Lana suggests.

"Good idea. But the tracker, I don't know. They are too easy to detect, especially if these guys are tech savvy at all." Jamie posits.

"Yeah, you are right," Lana admits.

"When do you think you'll go?" Eddie inquires.

"I'd say 03:30," Clark says.

Lana nods in agreement. "Then we better get some shut-eye, babe. I'll set 2 alarms!"

Jamko leave Clana, promising to see them for breakfast.

03:00, Long Island, NY

Clana have their all-black leather outfits on including gloves, and black face paint on their faces; they look sharp! With 30" to take-off, Clark slips into his "Lana carrier". He and his mother had experimented endlessly, before they got it right. At least they think it's right. It's a leather harness affair with flannel padding; designed to be worn on his back or belly. Lana fits in, much like an Indian baby (papoose). Both Lana's & Clark's arms and hands are free for needed tasks. The carrier has some pockts for small items, such as a cell phone. This will be its maiden voyage. They are nervous. Clark kneels, Lana steadies herself on his shoulder and steps in. It feels weird; but she feels secure.

"A little test flight?" He asks.

"Sure," she replies.

"Hang on," he warns even though he doesn't need to. He rockets straight up to 5,000'.

She squeals a little bit at first, though she really is used to this. She loves flying with her beloved; and she loves and trusts him!

They settle back down and Jamko walk up to them.

"Ready?" Eddie questions, as she looks at the carrier skeptically. "Are you sure about this, Lana?"

"Yup! I trust this, and him."

"Will we be in cell phone contact at all times?" Jamie wonders.

Clark responds, "I hope so, we'll see how long reception lasts as we fly."

"Ready, babe?" He looks at Lana.

"Ready," she pats the pocket holding her phone.

The couples take one last look at each other, then
Clana are off – straight up.

NYPD, PRECINCT 5-4

Detective Maria Baez just arrived at work. She had just taken her seat when her phone rang. "Detective Baez," she answers.

"Maria, Danny here. We've got a problem." He fills her in on everything he knows. "I need you to work this case there in NYC; I will be working it here on the Island. If you can find someone who can help you there, please partner up. We've got to find dad!"

:Has the word gone out that the PC is missing?"

"God, no! We've got to keep this on the DL, STRICTLY!"

"Understood. I'll talk with Lt. Carter, confidentially, and let her know what I am working on."

"Good, I will call when I know more." Danny hangs up.

Maria sits there thinking, 'Damn, the family must be tied in knots. What to do?' She gets up to get a cup of coffee. While adding cream, a body bumps her hip. Startled, she looks over.

"Jackie! What brings you here?" (Jackie Curatola, Danny's 1st partner)

"I'm slummin! My partner is laid up for a while. Broken leg & arm. God, I hate desk duty!"

"Well, I happen to need a partner for a few days. Come with me to Lt. Carter's office." They knock, are invited in and sit down.

"Ladies, What can I do for you?"

Maria explains the situation to Jackie and the Lieutenant.

"Of course, you two may focus on this. Is there anything else I can do for you?"

"Not right now, I'll keep you in the loop as we learn more," Maria responds. The two Detectives leave the office. Maria resumes her seat; Jackie sits at Danny's desk.

They wait, nervously.

TBC