Misfit Hunt

Part 2

Run, Rabbit, Run

By Nick Maro

"B-but that's just not possible! Mary would never harm anyone!" Kimber was still in total shock after learning that her best friend was suspected of murder. "I-I need a drink of water." She began to get up when Detective Evans stopped her she gave him a confused look. It then dawned on her that the kitchen was a crime scene. "Right, I forgot." An officer went into the kitchen got Kimber a glass of water. He handed it to her and she mindlessly thanked him.

Detective Evans cleared his throat. "Ms. Benton, is there any place you can stay for the next few days?" His tone was even but compassionate. "We're going to need to go over the house. So if you want, I can have Officer Ryan help you pack a few things." He called the officer over and introduced her. "Ms. Benton, this is Officer Molly Ryan."

Officer Ryan gave a hello. Kimber smiled. "Hi. Yeah, I do have a place I can stay. I'll stay at my boyfriend's place. Lemme pack a bag." She went to her room with her mind still reeling from the news. Officer Ryan followed her without a word. Kimber stood still in a daze looking around her room. She spoke to her over her shoulder to the waiting policewoman. "I should have two over night bags in the closet. Can you hand them to me?" She started pulling a few outfits out of her dresser.

"I'm sure you hear this a lot, Ms. Benton, but I'm a big fan. I was at your charity benefit last weekend. I look forward to getting Suzaku's first album." Officer Ryan handed the bags to Kimber who had begun packing them.

"Thank you, please call me Kimber. I just can't believe that Mary would murder someone. I know that she said that if he ever bothered her again, that she'd make him regret it but she'd never doing anything like murder. She's the sweetest person I know." Kimber sat on the edge of her bed and stared at the floor.

Officer Ryan knelt next to her. "She said that he would regret bothering her if he bothered again?" Kimber shot a terrified look at her and the officer gave a reassuring smile. "Hey, she's innocent before proven guilty. I don't think she would've done something like that myself. I'm a Misfits fan too after all." She winked and Kimber felt a little more relieved.

"I appreciate that but I better get to the Gabor Estate. Don't want to hold up the investigation." She pulled out an old glossy eight by ten photo out of her desk and signed it. "Since you're a fan here's an autograph. The ink is still wet, so be careful." She offered a small smile.

"Thank you, Kimber. Is there anything else you need?"

Kimber thought for a moment. "Yeah, my toothbrush." She laughed lightly at forgetting something that now seemed so trivial.

Parking in her usual spot, Roxy got out of her car and waited for David. "Looks like Sheila is still out looking with Pizzazz." She wrapped an arm around David who smiled. "I need a drink, how about you?" She opened the front door and entered with him. "What do you think those police lights were up the street?"

David poured himself a glass of water after he grabbed Roxy a bottle of beer. "I dunno but it looked to be coming from Mary and Kimber's place."

"Nah, it couldn't have been. It must have been old Mrs. Wellington who lives next to them and has a bad heart. Perhaps it finally gave out." Roxy shrugged and took the beer he handed her. She lay down on her couch and draped her arm across her forehead. Her body was more sore and tired than she had realized. She just wanted to fall asleep right there.

"Maybe I think we should go be nosy and find out." David sat on the floor and leaned against the center of the couch. "Where could she be? This is insanity. Why would Mary just vanish because she punched someone? It just doesn't make sense."

Roxy combed her fingers through David's hair. "None of our lives do. Besides, it's Mary. You know how sensitive she is. She'll come back when she's ready. We're family to her. I know that she's particularly fond of you." Roxy ruffled his hair. "She isn't the only one." Her hand accidentally hit the sore area of his eye. David winced back in pain. "Sorry."

David's phone rang before he could respond. He pulled it out of his jacket pocket and looked at the caller ID. It was a call from his home. "Must be Phyllis checking in. Hello? Oh, hi Kimber. I'd thought you'd be home by now. No, Roxy and I haven't been by your place. Why? We're at her place. Do you have any idea what the police lights are by your place? Okay, we'll leave right now. Love you too." David hung up the phone and leaned his head back. "Kimber says to haul ass home now. She said it's very important."

"Any idea what it's about?"

"Mary is all she said." He shrugged then stood. "Are you in any condition to drive or do you want me to?"

Roxy sat up on the couch. "No, I'm fine." She stood and her knees gave out and David caught her before she fell. She turned her head to look at him and smiled. "On second thought you drive and thanks for the save."

He took the keys from Roxy and helped her out to the car. "You just rest and I'll make a pot of coffee for you when we get there." She nodded from the passenger side of the car. David started the car and pulled out of the driveway. He drove slightly above the speed limit and made it to the mansion gates within ten minutes. The guard on duty let him through and David parked next to Kimber's car. "How are you feeling now?"

She rubbed her eyes and yawned. "Much better but coffee sounds good." Roxy followed him inside. "I'll be in the living room resting on the couch." She waved a hello to Kimber who passed her on her way to see David.

Kimber ran towards David and hugged him tight and didn't let go, but instead started crying lightly. David rubbed her back lightly in concern. "Mary is being sought after by the police. She's suspected of murdering that private investigator Marlowe. He was found shot to death in our house. I need to stay here for a few days. Phyllis said it would be fine. I'm so scared for Mary. I know that she could never do that."

After the initial shock wore off of David and he kissed Kimber deeply and lovingly. "We'll find her. I'm sure right now she's looking for help. Let's make some coffee and tea. Then we'll get some sleep and figure out the next steps in the morning." Kimber nodded and walked with him into the kitchen.

Stormer hated having to abandon her car like that but it was the only way to buy herself some more time. She finally reached the junkyard but the gate was locked so she had to climb the fence. The guard dog came running barking at her she shouted a few quick commands and the robotic dog turned and ignored her. She walked to the domed building known as the Rat's Lair. She punched in her private access code causing the door to pop open a fraction. She entered the building, shut the door and locked it behind her. She made her way to Techrat's bedroom. The door was open. She walked in quietly and sat next to his bed. Techrat was asleep with his back to her. Stormer lightly nudged him and whispered his name. "Techrat. Get up, Techie. I need your help. Please wake up."

"huh?" Techrat was disoriented from sleep and looking for Stormer all night. "Wh-who is it?" He rolled over and saw Stormer sitting next to his bed. She looked a mess and her makeup was in streaks. Upon closer inspection Techrat noticed it was blood. "Stormer, what happened? Is that blood on your face?"

"What do you mean?" Stormer wiped her finger across her cheek and looked at it. In the dim light she couldn't tell. When Techrat turned on the light she saw that it was dried blood. "Oh my God, it's Marlowe's blood." She looked at Techrat with new tears in her eyes. "I'm so scared. I didn't know where to run. I just knew I'd be safe here. Please help me, Techie." She put her head in her hands and began crying again.

Techrat got out of bed and pulled Stormer into an uncharacteristic hug of comfort. "Just tell me what happened, Stormer. I'll help you as much as I can. I have an idea of how to help but I have to call Clash for this. Would that be all right?" Stormer just nodded on his shoulder. "You can tell me what happened then. In the meantime take a shower and wash up." He noticed that her clothes were also bloodstained. "I'll have a fresh set of clothes ready for you." He walked her to the washroom door.

Stormer opened the door and smiled at the odd man before her. She brushed her fingers across his cheek. "Thank you, Techie. I only want you and Clash to know where I am right now. I don't want anyone else in possible danger." She slipped into the washroom and took a refreshing shower. When she was finished she found what looked to be a bodysuit waiting for her on the bench in the washroom. It had a red emblem on the front that looked to be a stylized hooded cobra head. She shrugged and put the black bodysuit on and found that it was a good fit. She stepped out of the washroom and saw that Clash was waiting there. "Hi, Clash. Sorry to have to come over here like this."

"It's alright, I'm just glad you're okay. Everyone has been so fuckin' worried!" Clash looked at Stormer in the form fitting bodysuit then looked at Techrat. "You couldn't find anything else for her to wear? I mean, it looks good on her, but still." She gestured with her hand at Stormer and made an annoyed face.

"Don't worry about it, Clash. At this point I could sit with you guys in the nude and not be self conscious." Stormer sat at the table with her two friends and laid her head on the table. "Didn't realize how tired I really was until now. Would you guys mind if I rested for a few hours? I just feel guilty for calling Clash all the way over here." She yawned wide and rubbed her eyes.

Clash put her hand on Stormer's shoulder. "Rest up and you can tell us what happened after you've gotten a few hours sleep. I know I could use it." She walked with Stormer to a spare bedroom. "You do know that just about everyone was looking for you tonight."

Stormer held back another yawn and nodded. "I know and I'm sorry for acting like that. I just panicked. I never struck someone like that before." She felt her eyelids droop. "Okay. I'm going to rest. Wake me in about four hours?"

"Sounds good to me, I'm going to get some rest as well. I'll have Techie set the alarms. You'll get up. Trust me." Clash hugged Stormer and set off to another spare bedroom.

After shutting the door Stormer laid on the small cot. It wasn't much but it was a place to sleep. She fell into a deep, dreamless sleep almost instantly. The alarms went off exactly four hours later, surprising her into a sudden state of being awake. She kicked the blankets off as she sat up looking around with the strange surroundings confusing her for a moment. Then the flood of memories from the past night came flooding into her mind. She moaned to herself and let herself fall back onto the pillow. A soft knock came from the metal door. "Come in." She said entirely too softly. The knock came again. "Come in," she said much louder than she had wanted. Clash opened the door and smiled at her. "I'm awake, Clash. Still exhausted, but awake."

Clash entered the room and handed Stormer a mug of coffee. "This should wake you right up, my own special blend. Techie told me he heard you talking in your sleep. Bad dreams?" She sipped her own cup and waited for Stormer's reply.

Sipping the coffee, Stormer slowly woke up. "I don't think I dreamt much last night." She stood on unsteady legs and then got her balance. "Where's Techrat at? I'm ready to tell you what happened." Clash led her to what seemed to be a makeshift kitchen. It looked just like his workshop, but with food and empty glasses. Stormer sat across from Techrat who offered her some breakfast. She accepted right away with her stomach rumbling loudly.

"Here ya go. Techrat is an expert at making eggs. In fact, that's just about all he does make." Clash set a plate of food in front of Stormer and sat next to her. She began eating her own breakfast. "Anytime you're ready, Stormer."

"Thank you, Techrat. You really are a good cook." Stormer finished the breakfast and leaned back. "I'm not sure where to begin. Guess I should start after I punched Marlowe. I took off without any thought of where I should go. At first I went home but I didn't feel comfortable there. So I went to a local club where I danced for a long time. I was talking to a very nice young man who kept buying me drinks. Not wanting to be rude, I accepted them. Eventually I went home to go to bed. I was still sober enough to drive but still pretty tipsy. Anyway, I was getting ready for bed when I heard a knock at the door. Or was it the doorbell? Doesn't matter anyway, I answered the door and it was Marlowe come to apologize. With how bad I felt I let him in and apologized for striking him. I invited him in for a cup of coffee. This is where things get fuzzy for me. I was in my nightgown and robe, Marlowe was sitting across from me telling me about his daughter. That's when I blacked out.

"I woke up about an hour later to find that Marlowe was on the ground and shot in the back. My nightgown had blood all over of it. I changed right away and ran out of the house in a blind panic. I ditched my car just outside of the city and walked all the way here." She looked up at her friends feeling the panic inside begin again. "I didn't kill Marlowe, I swear." She put her head in her hands again and started another round of tears.

Clash glanced at Techrat and pulled Stormer into a hug. "Everything's gonna be okay. We'll figure this out. Techrat and I promise to help no matter what." She held her friend until she stopped sobbing.

"Thank you. I intend on finding the person who murdered Marlowe. But first could I get a change of clothes? I can't go in search of a murderer dressed like this." Stormer let out a long suppressed giggle and smiled.

"I'm sorry that I couldn't have been more help, Detective Evans. Yes, sir. I'll call you if we hear anything. Alright, you have a nice day too. Bye." David hung up the phone and rubbed his temples. He looked up slightly at the four women gathered around him. "Okay, so I lied a little. I'll call him after we find out what the hell is going on." He sat on the couch and closed his eyes. Like the others, he was exhausted.

Kimber cuddled up to him on the couch. "I say we get some sleep. We're all to the point of falling over where we stand." She laid her head on his chest. "I just want to wake up and have this nightmare over with."

"Eiji and the rest were the smart ones. They went to bed hours ago," Pizzazz said already starting up the stairs. "A few hours isn't going to matter. So let's get some sleep." She disappeared up the stairs with Jetta following silently behind her. Roxy looked back at David before going up the stairs. She felt an annoying twinge of jealousy towards Kimber. She smiled warmly at David who returned the smile. Roxy proceeded up the stairs and found the room she used before.

"Why does this always happen to us?" David asked to no one in particular.

"Because we're just lucky." Kimber pecked him on the cheek. She took his hands in hers and pulled him off the couch. "Come on it's been awhile since I fell asleep in your arms. Also, there's something I want to talk to you about."

David bent forward slightly and patted his back. "Hop on I'll give you a piggyback ride." Kimber laughed and jumped on his back. He stood slowly, making sure he held his footing and went up the stairs to his room. He shut the door and lowered Kimber gently on his bed. He flopped face first on the bed in his usual spot, rolled over and pulled his girlfriend into his arms in a spooning position. "Now, what did you want to talk about?" He gave her a firm hug from behind and smiled.

Kimber sighed and enjoyed his embrace. She then rolled over, kissed the tip of his nose and stared deep in his eyes. "Well, I've been thinking. I think it's time we went to the next level of our relationship. I talked this over with Mary and she agreed quickly to it. I want you to move in with me, that is, after this whole mess is over with. What do you say?"

Pulling Kimber into a deep kiss, David rolled on his back and stared at the ceiling. "I'll be honest with you I need to think about it. I hope you don't mind."

"Of course not, take all the time you need." She put her head on his shoulder and drifted into a deep sleep.

Eric Raymond spat his morning coffee out on the floor when he heard the news of Stormer being sought by the police. "I don't believe it." He called in his secretary to bring in some paper towels. Eric turned to the three members of the Stingers. "I don't believe it." He repeated still in disbelief.

The flaxen haired German woman known simply as Minx stood behind him and started massaging his neck. "Now Eric, she's obviously guilty if she ran like that. An innocent woman would've stayed and told her story to the police. Now come with us and hear The Stingers record their new album. That will get your mind off those pesky Misfits."

"Not now, Minx, this is serious. You didn't know The Misfits like I did. Stormer was the gentlest one. Hell, I never thought she truly was a Misfit at times. I know that she was a part of the group because of Pizzazz and she was a great talent. But it was her attitude. She was too kind at times. I was almost for certain that she would join up with The Holograms one day." He brushed Minx off from massaging his neck.

"Eric, I think you should be more concerned with Stingers business. If one of The Misfits wants to go around popping off private investigators, fine. It doesn't concern The Stingers." Riot stood to leave. "Minx, Rapture, I'm ready to record." He turned and left the room. Minx slowly followed.

Rapture stayed behind for moment. She looked at Eric from across the desk. "I think your defending Stormer is a wonderful thing. You're slowly changing, Eric. And I believe you. If you say she couldn't do something like that then I believe it. I want to help anyway I can." She squeezed his hand and smiled.

"Thank you, Rapture. But I don't want to put you to any trouble." Eric got up from his chair walked to the door. "If you don't mind, I believe I'll escort you to the recording studio." Rapture smiled and followed Eric out of the office.

Clash shook the latex mask off with powder gathering into a pile on the floor beneath her feet. She walked over to where Stormer sat. "Let me put this on you and see how it looks, Stormer." Clash slipped the mask over her head and made a few adjustments. She stepped back and looked at her handiwork. "That's not suspicious at all," she mumbled sarcastically under her breath. "Looks like we'll have to go with that molding latex compound Techrat found. Let me try the wig on you, okay?" Clash grabbed a long black wig off a mannequin head and slipped it on Stormer's head. The bangs were cut straight across and the back of the hair hung to the middle of her back. Clash handed her a mirror.

Looking in the mirror Stormer couldn't believe her eyes. "Clash, this is amazing!" She turned her head and caught how the hair looked from just about every angle.

"Thanks now lean your head back I want to get the contacts in before we apply the latex." Clash held a contact on the tip of her finger and a bottle of eye drops in the other. Stormer leaned her head back and Clash put the two contacts in. She added the eye drops to get rid of the itching. "Techie is the voice modulator ready? We're ready for it here." She stepped back once again and looked at Stormer. "Wow. You are going to fool everyone, darling."

"Here it is, Clash. Let me put it on her." Techrat put a thin strip of circuitry over her throat. It was self adhesive and it stuck with little problem. "Okay Stormer, let's see if this works. Repeat after me, 'The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog.'"

"The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog," Stormer repeated with a Japanese accent as she had requested. "Techrat, maybe the pitch could be a bit softer. Can you adjust that?" Techrat waved what looked to be a flashlight over the strip. When Stormer spoke again, her voice was with a softer accent. "Perfect. Thank you, Techrat." Clash applied some latex compound across her throat and over the strip. "How did it adjust to my skin tone?"

Techrat looked up from his work station. "It's self adjusting. It just knows. I didn't invent it so I can't explain it. Sorry."

Clash stood before her again with some more of the latex. "Now totally relax your facial muscles otherwise this won't work very well." Stormer let her face relax and closed her eyes. Clash put the latex on and molded her face to look Asian. She then applied a chemical that temporarily dyed her skin to the desired skin tone. The latex adjusted itself again. She then put some make up on Stormer to finish the job. "There. All done and I must say you're stunning." She held up the mirror for her again.

Stormer couldn't believe that the woman sitting before her was herself. "Clash, you don't know how much I owe you! Thank you so much!" She giggled at the sound of her voice. "I have to get used to this voice first."

"Come over here please, Stormer." Techrat called from across the room. Stormer walked over, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "Put your fingertips on the domes. This will burn but only for a second." Stormer did as told and on each dome a light came lit up under each one causing her to yelp and pull her hands back in pain. "Sorry, I had to erase your fingerprints. Give me your hands." Cautiously Stormer did as asked and Techrat applied a piece of latex to each finger. "I've just given you new fingerprints. The glue on each finger will last about a week. You won't be able to take them off till then. Now for the big question what's your new name going to be?"

Stormer thought for a moment. "I like the name Rumiko Akiyama. How does that sound?"

"I actually like it. Okay, let's start to work on your papers." Clash began taking pictures of Stormer, who was all smiles.

"Stormer, just so you know the latex on your face is the same on your fingertips. It'll stay on for a week and will feel like your actual skin. In other words you just have to be careful with your wig and contacts." Techrat went back to work after explaining the nature of Stormer's disguise. Clash went back to taking her picture.

The punching bag shuddered violently as Roxy threw a left hook and knocked it back slightly. David braced the bag for her as she worked out for the past hour. Reports of Stormer allegedly murdering the private eye was all over the news. She needed to vent her rage and she went to the basement gym at the Gabor Estate. Roxy asked David come down to spot her with Kimber joining them about fifteen minutes ago. Roxy punched the bag a final time, fell forward and hugged it in exhaustion. "Believe it or not I'm still pissed." She sat next to Kimber and wiped the sweat off her face. "So what's the plan, David?" He had started practicing with his katana.

David stopped practicing he lowered the blade to mid level and looked at Roxy. "Simple. We find her and we hide her then we find out who really did murder Marlowe." David sheathed the sword and began walking up the stairs. He looked over his shoulder at the two women. "I need to meditate. Make sure I'm not disturbed for an hour." He disappeared up the steps leaving the two former foes together.

"He seems so distant." Kimber said quietly and mostly to herself. "But he has so much on his mind." She went back to peeling the label off the juice bottle.

Roxy walked to the shower room. "I've noticed that also. He's really worried about Mary, not that I don't blame him." Kimber followed and sat on the bench inside the room. Roxy disrobed and started the shower. "So what do you think we should do?" She gave a small shout of shock when she stepped in and the water hit her. "Remind me to look at the temperature of the water when I get in."

Kimber smiled and giggled. "I think we should do just what David said. It's just the logical thing." She fell silent again wondering what to do about Stormer weighing on her mind. She looked around the small shower room as Roxy washed the sweat off her body. A glint around Roxy's midsection caught her eye. "When did you get the navel ring?"

Momentarily confused, Roxy looked down. "Oh, last night while searching for Mary. David and I passed up a body piercing and tattoo parlor. I've been wanting one for awhile so I got it done. David talked me out of a tongue stud, he said that I wouldn't be able to sing for six weeks and that wouldn't do because of the tour." She turned off the shower and held her hand out. "Pass me a towel please?"

"Here." Kimber gave her a towel and handed Roxy her gym bag. "And there's your spare clothes." She sighed softly and stared at the floor. "I asked him to move in with Mary and me. He's thinking about it. I get the feeling he's not too fond of that idea. He's the old fashioned type in a way. I'm surprised that we sleep in the same bed."

Roxy finished pulling her shirt on while feeling slightly jealous and guilty. "You mean two have never…?" She let the question trail off and Kimber shook her head. "Wow. I was almost for certain you two were." She watched Kimber for a moment and then crouched in front of her. "I have something to confess, Kimber." She looked up from the floor at her. Roxy swallowed and took a deep breath. "I'm in love with David also."

Half smiling to herself, Kimber let out a short laugh. "I know." She watched Roxy's stunned face with a bemused look. "I'm not angry. Why should I be? I've seen how you act around him and how you talk with him. And I've seen how he acts around you. I know he cares for you also. I'm not jealous. I'm not angry. I have a feeling if things were different you two would be together." Kimber lifted Roxy's head with her hand and looked in her eyes. "You'll find someone soon."

"Thanks." Roxy hugged Kimber tightly. "It's strange thinking of you as a close friend."

"Yeah, I know the feeling." Kimber kissed Roxy on the forehead. The two friends returned to the main floor to kill the time until they had to wake David from his meditation.

The young Japanese woman walked confidently into the police station. She stopped before the main desk where the clerk looked up at her. "May I help you, Miss?"

Pulling some papers out, she flipped her hair over her shoulder and spoke with a light Japanese accent. "My name is Rumiko Akiyama. Detective Akiyama of the Tokyo Police Department. I was on vacation when I heard about this Mary Phillips murder. A few months ago she was in Tokyo for a concert and a stage hand was murdered. I have reason to suspect her. May I speak with the detective in charge?" Stormer's mind raced knowing the story was flimsy but it was the best she could come up with. She felt her palms beginning to sweat.

TO BE CONCLUDED IN "R.I.P."

PART 3 OF MISFIT HUNT