Issue 15 Supplemental Notes

Bogeyman Returns Follow-Up Notes

between March 8 and 21

[There's a few threads we didn't really have time for but need at least a little explanation]

The Big Ugly Bug arrives in Detroit; up until the death of Sihn's mother, he stays at Sihn's place and he ingratiates himself quite well with his passive mannerisms and intelligent conversation. As things get dicey later, he moves on for a bit but hopes to see Eliot and Aela soon.

Work on Sihn-Tech proceeds nicely; the building is formally bought and construction begins. A few scientists are interviewed but an immediate need for both Laughton and SIhn is getting a good accountant. To that end they end up hiring one to share.

March 21

After witnessing the bloody scene of his mother's death, upon regaining his senses, Sihn calls Laughton and asks him to have a look at the crime scene before the police have a chance to obscure any clues.

Upon investigation they find a couple unusual fibers; later analysis reveals a particular brand of glove. The glove is generally sold in leather outerwear stores such as Wilson's. Given it's March a large number of these are still regularly sold - but at least they know the gloves were brand new, probably the first or second use. Leather threads in Mrs. Sihn's fingernails match the color of the gloves but also likely pieces of a leather coat; it is apparently also mass-merchandised.

More importantly they also find a hair. It does not match any known criminals. Sihn guesses this is the work of Wrath but quickly finds the hair is not that of a mutant and eventually finds the hair belongs to a young healthy male of largely Italian heritage. They also find a small facial hair in the telephone belonging to the same young male.

The knife used was a serrated Indian blade not commonly sold in Detroit. Import only. It's probably not new.

Brief interrogations of neighbors don't turn up much but Laughton catches one neighbor, an older Chinese woman, lying and pressures her into revealing she saw a young man approach the Sihn house; she didn't get a good look but gives a few clues, apparently a slightly larger than normal nose, skinny guy, slightly long curly hair. She won't talk to the police Laughton surmises.

The two discuss what evidence to leave for the police. Laughton would rather "clean up" the scene to keep the meddling police from interfering with their forthcoming investigation of the Tocci-Fisk connection. Of course he wouldn't suggest it outright, but he implies to Sihn that perhaps the evidence could easily be doctored to implicate someone other than the real culprit. This would give them some cover. But he believes this is Sihn's decision, and Laughton decides to defer to whatever Elliot decides. Eliot realizes part of the evidence is the eye-witness next door, and there could be others as well. There's nothing the police do better than this sort of footwork. They could get a dozen officers to knock on doors all day, something the Justice Squad can't really afford. Sihn thinks it would be best to leave the evidence as is. He also doesn't want to disrespect his mother by playing games with her death. He will find the responsible parties, and they will pay. Sihn also believes that the police are likely up to their armpits in the mess already. They will get in the way regardless of what is done here.

After calling the police, Sihn rushes off to home and asks Aela to get in touch with Namor about staying in his realm for a while. Then Sihn heads to the lab and quickly whips up a modification to his headband that allows him to survive underwater, in case it comes to that.

While waiting for Namor and to keep his mind off of the recent grimness, Sihn analyzes samples, of course. He's quite interested in the new villains. Over the coming days as time permits (which isn't too hard for a man who doesn't sleep), Sihn works on his book, and oversees the purchase of the new building.

Laughton in the meantime goes upstate to meet the enigmatic Doc Magnus. Ol' Magnus is ex-FBI and Laughton think she might find the wily detective at the least insightful, and at the worst amusing. The link to Magnus might allow for a bit freer flowing of information, Laughton thinks as he intends to build his multiple contacts through the competing government maze of organizations. Laughton finds the Magnus estate a strange place, with robots with attitudes and lax security. After he waits so long he considers leaving, Doc Magnus appears. The doctor is a late middle aged man but still physically youthful looking, square-jawed and hardly current in fashion. As Laughton discusses world events and the need to develop contacts and such, and as he speaks in riddles of plausible deniability, the older genius is confused. Magnus has no interest in politics and little understanding of it. As Laughton mentions that information, money, and power make the world go round, Magnus is puzzled and patiently explains the scientific forces that cause the world to rotate. Laughton is equally puzzled, determined to find what riddles Magnus is speaking in. Further frustrating Laughton, Magnus is entirely dismissive of the importance of the secretive agencies, uninterested in their activities, referring to his time in them as a distraction. After a pleasant but entirely non-productive chat, Laughton prepares to leave. Before going, Magnus introduces him to the Metal Men. Platinum makes an over-the-top pass at Laughton, apparently making references to his rock-hard state as Rodin, and leaves the genius unusually for a loss of words. She storms off as he "resists" (though is primarily intimidated and misunderstanding of her come-ons) her advances. Gold steps in though and Laughton finds the robot to be more direct and to his liking. They discuss keeping in touch and Laughton is pleased to have at least someone in the group he can speak with. More importantly, though, Gold pledges to get Laughton in touch with a deeper government contact, though he can make no promises on their level of interest. Before leaving Gold assists Laughton in giving him a strange sample for later review by Sihn...

Later this day the Justice Squad is saddened by another shock - just after Sprite left Laughton Agency earlier that day, having gone there to meet Dr. Sihn and not finding him, he got attacked by a helicopter while flying away. He blew apart, which caused the helicopter to crash as well. Moments later Laughton received a note saying "Say bye-bye to your new friend. Stop importing useless characters to help you, it will do no good. Making new friends is the same as signing death warrants. You are a silly little group and fun to tear apart..." Obviously it's not attributed and electronically derived. They seem to believe (as would anyone) that Sprite died in the accident. He was hurt, but by no means dead. The helicopter wreckage is attributed to a mad loner who was angry at the government and went on a suicide attack against Detroit randomly [this was written prior to the events of Sep. 11, 2001 - ironically Sep. 10 at 12:56 PM, I had to go back and look]. In fact it appears this was a patsy set up to crash since the mechanics of the helicopter reveal it was booby-trapped anyway. In any case, though, no one knows that Sprite has survived, though Sihn, familiar with Sprite's abilities, suspects he may have and tells the Justice Squad so. Laughton mentally reflects that this is a shame; background checks are clear on Sprite - his family has a verifiable history and since much of it's in Sweden there seems little opportunity for cross-over into Kingpin's world. As much as anyone is "innocent" in Laughton's world view, Laughton believes Sprite is.

March 22

Laughton addresses the group in the confines of the base a day after the murder of Elliot Sihn's mother. Full anti-surveillance techniques are in place and operating.

He begins, "Delaying of donuts is really about all Bogeyman and his ilk were good for. We actually have a much more serious problem that needs to be addressed. Kingpin.

"I've been doing a lot of digging, and I am just not turning up anything that can be used to get to him. He is smart and sophisticated and everyone he employs to interact directly has been smart and sophisticated as well. We need to figure out a next step. It will have to be effective, it will definitely be dangerous, and most likely it will be illegal to those that are blind to the true manner in which Justice works.

"Mrs. Sihn was only the first of the new line of attacks. Kingpin made it very clear that he intends to continue in that vein, painting the targets on his next victims. I don't want to sit around and watch everyone else get taken out one at a time. And it goes without saying that I certainly don't plan on being the next victim myself.

"Personally, I am now operating under modus extremis. No precautions are too small to be overlooked. Full protection and armaments are being carried at all times. No spurious public appearances. I am not being paranoid, just perceptive. You are all free to follow my advice or not.

"As for our next step, Suzanne has vehemently refused to even discuss the possibilities of using "someone" [the prior days saw discussions among the Justice Squad as Laughton attempted to convince all to use Caruthers as a pawn] as an unknown patsy. The more I think about it, and discuss the bases' capabilities with Gere-Luce, the more I am convinced that this is our best and least destructive method of attack.

"Making a public scene of discontent, the extent of which is not fully fathomed until close inspection will allow for the bait to be sniffed out. Given the level of surveillance I suspect we are under, it will be a short wait for the hook to be taken in. Once "someone" has been culled over to the dark side, we can use them as the unwitting means of information retrieval. This will not be a two way street, "someone" will be fed false information that is carefully fabricated to cause situations we desire, instead of allowing for plans to be foiled. "

Sammy is intrigued; he excitedly begins to get into it, saying, "Wow... what protection and armaments do I get to wear? Can I have one of those thing-a-ma-bobbbers that you wave around and make neat sounds with? Maybe we can put and add in the paper that we are looking for Kingpin? Have we checked to see if the police have any idea who this Kingpin is? Does he have any FBI files? Perhaps we could get our hands on this information if they have it. What areas does Kingpin operate in? -- Of the suspected activities done by Kingpin.... they didn't seem to be focused in Detroit as I remember... didn't we think he was operating from another metropolis? Can we narrow his operating area down at all?"

Laughton concludes, "It will take a really good argument to convince me otherwise, and without all of your support, it is still a possibility to perform this mission, it will just be a lot more dangerous to all involved, not just "someone". "

Sammy responds, "Mr Laughton Sir.. What are your orders!"

Eliot Sihn looks up from the table, eyes filled with a burning hatred that's quite spooky.

"I agree. We are at war now..."

Sammy watches and listens to Sihn and Laughton extremely closely...

"and the only thing that matters in war is the destruction of your enemies."

From the other side of the table emanates a low mumble ... "WAARRR....." as Sammy's eyes glow red for a moment...

Eliot continues, "We are their enemies, they are ours. They've let it be known that they will not stop at even the most vile act, and we must accustom ourselves to the fact that our actions may have to follow suit.

"I've sent Aela away for now to a place where she should be safe - I hope you understand if I don't reveal any more details. It occurs to me that if Kingpin continues in his current path, Aela will be a desirable target for him. I suggest we lay a trap. With the help of Prof. Gere-Luce, I think I can devise an animated dummy that closely resembles Aela. We can then transform my house into a trap, and catch the bastards when they make their attempt."

Sammy responds, "I can be bait if you want, I can be Aela real good. I watch her close when she yelling at me for drinking out of milk carton." Anyway Sammy thinks the Toccis are with the Justice Squad, "...they were battered like us by bad guys --- probably under the control of Kingpin a while back.. We should go talk to the Tocci's and get their help in finding ways to piss off Kingpin."

Sihn reflects and remembers, "This reminds me that Gere-Luce, with a family of his own is vulnerable as well, and we must consider this in our plans. A little temporary plastic surgery should help Mrs. Gere-Luce disappear.

"As far as I'm concerned, the best course of action is to be active. We need to find Kingpin's sources of income and shut them down. Gambling, prostitution, loan sharking, I don't even know what kinds of muck he's involved with. But I bet we can find that out at least. We need to strike a blow at his income source. There's no use in holding back now, his gloves are off, and we can't expect any quarter.

"If he's got the Toccis under his thumb, then that means hitting them. But it also means considering his profitable operations in other places, especially New York. Let him know that he's stepped way too far over the line, then find him, beat the life out of him, and feed him to the dogs in my lab."

Suzanne speaks up, "I'm sorry Eliot for your loss. We'll find who was responsible and make them pay. I think your plans of setting up a trap for Kingpin's lackey's and for attacking his profit centers should be pursued.

"I think Hamlet's plan of using an innocent patsy is flawed to the extreme. Messing with someone's motives and memories is not something that should be done. Someone with the skill and power can trace that manipulation and I don't believe that Kingpin would not have someone like that on his payroll"

Laughton blurts out, "Bah! It was not using an innocent. Just a patsy. Plans have changed..."

Suzanne continues, "I think the contact with the Tocci's should be done, but perhaps we should find out how much they are being influenced by the Kingpin. We could also find out if someone in the Tocci's is new and see if they are a plant by the Kingpin.

Laughton agrees, "We need to "kidnap" Tocci, and secretly bring him to a location of safe and secure conversation. When none can overhear, the true stories are often told.

Troll adds, "That sounds like a good first step, but we need to pursue it with haste. The sooner we're out of here, the sooner we can get Kingpin off balance. I suggest we aim to complete this action within 24 hours."

He goes on to say, "I want blood, and I want it now, and I think the best place to draw it from might be New York, where Kingpin probably operates a lot more openly. I say we carry this war to him on his home turf. We need to switch to the offensive. Sitting here bottled up in this base is doing us no good. We're just sitting targets. I say we pack a few things, then get Sammy to work some of his disguise magic on us. Then we head to New York City and set up operations there. I have complete faith in Hamlet's ability to pick the proper targets."

In that light, Laughton points out that there is some unfinished business with the Toccis. There is a very good possibility that the group could use Tocci himself or one of his old lieutenants that are still in a position of partial power to act as the abalone knife and crack the shell to get to the real meat. If, once this avenue has been exhausted, they haven't gotten further, then they can head to New York or possibly Miami. He considers this will also give him a chance to do some deep undercover investigation in New York for a couple of days or perhaps a week.

The group goes on to discuss a plan to kidnap Tocci...

While Sammy empathizes with the Troll, sharing his rage, the others attempt to lift his spirits.

Later that day Laughton gives Sihn a gift, the sample he retrieved recently on a daytrip to Chicago of the reputed Matt Murdock/Daredevil. Sihn checks it against a databank of that material; while Daredevil is not a mutant, his genetics are on file deep in Stark Industries, which Eliot still has access to, and he confirms that Murdock's (or whoever's) genes are not Daredevil's.

Suzanne distracts Sihn with a different mutant problem. She's been representing a mutant that goes by the name of the "Amazing Nothing Thing". Hard to detect and Suzanne needs to strain with her telepathy to be able to communicate with him. She asks if perhaps Sihn could try to examine him? The ANT is willing to be examined - he's not feeling too good, as he indicated to Suzanne he feels he's slipping away every day.

Sihn needs Gere-luce's help and the advantages of the Justice Squad HQ to properly examine him. The ANT is in fact quite an enigma. Sihn notes he's difficult to detect on a number of levels. There's a faint electronic energy apparent that corroborates that Palmer and other gifted mentalists aren't probably insane. He cannot get a biological sample without use of the HQ. He observes there is a minute loss to the energy signature over time, even before bringing ANT into a more suitable environment.

Sihn and Gere-Luce haul the necessary equipment out of the "base level" and up to the basement. Sihn communicates with ANT, using Suzanne's help, asking him if he would like for Sihn to try to counteract his mutation temporarily. He agrees, and Sihn sets up the proper equipment to monitor vital signs while doing this. He proceeds slowly and carefully, fairly sure he can do so safely. The first difficulty is getting him into a state in which he can even be treated. With several hours of work Sihn and Gere-luce construct a "Solidification Chamber" that pulls together loose but related material. This seems to allow the ANT to be treated further with a drug that reacts with his genetic make-up and begins to repair his problems, at least temporarily. Sihn is unsure how long this can/will last. But it can be done near trial time and used to if nothing else prove ANT exists for sure and make the case at least remain in court a bit.

For Palmer as a lawyer the next task is to continue to dig to find what she can about what the police knew about his existence and the use of frequencies in his area. That doesn't look good. At least some police have admitted they know "others" who found it amusing there could be an invisible untouchable mutant who couldn't communicate that they were bothering. But there's no real evidence that the bullhorns and other noises were administered excessively. A few people in the neighborhood back up ANT's claim but they all have fairly dubious records.

At this point ANT (whose real name is Martin Cleaver) is visible, can affect the material world, and can be communicated with normally. All thanks to Sihn's work on a new drug that essentially de-mutates its target; the drug, Sihn knows, would be entirely controversial if even known to anyone and he knows it's dangerous in the wrong hands. In any case, it turns out Cleaver is now 25 and began degenerating in his teen years. Being of poor means not much was done about it until it got to the point of being too late. He had resisted being locked up in any treatment programs though just recently, the last couple months, he's changed his mind. For a long time he thought he was just going invisible and desolid and didn't really mind, but now he can feel himself dissipating into nothingness. Sihn confirms his feeling.

Sihn is willing to do whatever he can to try to give ANT some manner of control over his powers. His first priority though, is hitting back at Kingpin, preferably in New York City.

Laughton hopes to use Mr. Cleaver as their second hidden trump card. Their first hidden trump card is Sprite (if he actually turns up alive after all), he feels, and ANT should not be used until after they've made a frontal attack. "Once Fisk is reeling from our first assault, then we bring in the really nefarious methods," Laughton intones.

March 23

The zombie-like Dr. Normal is delivered. Suzanne does some mental examination to try to find out how he was brainwashed and what his state is. His mind is like putty at this point [an EGO equivalent to 1 and MD of basically 0]. Locked inside is an incomprehensible jumble of memories too confusing to sort out, at least prior to captivity. He was brainwashed the old fashioned way, deprivation techniques, disorientation, and aggressive reinforcement behaviors. Looks like drugs were added to the mix at some point. Spectrum picks out that in part his mental collapse was triggered by the unthinkable reversal of his fate to be at the mercy of a mutant, however powerful. His intellect, however clouded by a shattering of his psyche, is powerful but hidden - not gone.

That afternoon Palmer is asked by the 719 Society, the renamed legal and above-ground front for the Mutant Liberation Front, to join a team of lawyers to represent all mutants of Origin in a class action suit against Arizona and the US Government. They are asking for their "homeland" back and $7.19 billion in restitution.

She knows this one is an uphill battle. Suzanne doesn't see a legal claim to a homeland. She can see some sort of arrangement to setup an area, but perhaps on the usual island in international waters? She offers legal help in arranging that, but will not join the class action suit. Discussions throughout the next few days reveal a fragmented group internally warring over how to proceed. Many want a highly politicized "show trial" that is doomed to fail but en route to at least make a point. Others want to get something back to prove some governmental culpability as well as in as much as it's possible make up for lost wages and challenged lives in the face of dead husbands and others. Palmer delicately stays involved, hoping to represent the more rational, needy of the movement.

After calls from the government and various negotiations, along the way Sihn runs across a stereotypical "man in black" (MIB) codenamed Archie. He runs a cell including Jughead whom Sihn met prior. Archie looks like all the other MIB with that strange nondescript bland appearance. He approaches Sihn and indicates the man who runs the Detroit Federal Paranormal Detention Center has been reassigned to dangerous duty in Afghanistan. His lieutenant is now in a federal penitentiary. After the business, he digresses into chit-chat, unusual for these types. Later he says, "Let me come to the point Sihn. A curse of an organization such as ours [the name is never given] is that we - ah - normalize our staff in an effort to insure absolute confidentiality and reliability. As such, we need to have lateral thinkers and people on the outside. This works to their advantage - in fact it likely benefits them more than us. All we ask is whatever tidbits you care to spare, and your advice form time to time. And maybe a dissection or two - just no questions asked. In return one hand washes the other. I can share appropriate knowledge, and moreover our resources might be brought to bear if our interests are mutual." SIhn is perfectly willing to render services that don't compromise his position in the team or in the mutant community.

Meanwhile, it's taken a few days to contact Namor. He is extremely resistant; her presence unless as his wife would create questions and political problems, which he's worried would put her in no less a perilous position than she is now. And he refuses to make anyone think his daughter is his wife (or, for her own safety, reveal she's his daughter). Aela and Eliot explain that she and her unborn child are in extreme danger in light of the murder of Sihn's mother. Their desire is for her to hide out in or near Namor's kingdom - she doesn't need to have any special status there. Sihn figures that Atlantis, as he begins referring to Namor's land as, is the one place on earth that may be beyond the easy reach of Kingpin. Namor turns stark white (though that's barely discernible) to hear she's pregnant. Then he agrees, staring at Aela in an inscrutable fashion. He warns the accommodations will not be great and that Aela will have to stay under wraps. A friendly family of servants will watch over her. She must only speak to them and not plan on seeing anything notable.

Namor then starts to suggest the murdering of Kingpin's heirs but realizes, just as Sihn relates it, that it occurred to him as well but the main problem is that Kingpin probably wouldn't care. Namor offers Eliot a crystal, indicating that certain words must be directed at it and upon that event Namor will find and get him wherever he is. He indicates it's a one-time usage, once "cashed in" it cannot be used again and must be returned to Namor. Sihn takes the crystal, but tells Namor that this is his fight and that he will handle it. He appreciates the honor of receiving the crystal, though.

Laughton also pursues circuitous secretive channels, not only hoping to find out more about Kingpin but also to cultivate more contacts. Neither he nor Sihn have any clue about their respective dealings, unsure about how the group would feel. By the 23rd he's managed to establish a contact with the super-secret metahuman monitoring (and more?) service "web" via a man known as Frank Beard. As Laughton strives to maintain plausible deniability and Beard says he doesn't need to know much and prefers it that way. But he gathers of course this is some sort of conflict with an east coast syndicate, and he brings up Kingpin and simply says, "Anyone who goes after him is either a fool, a hero, or both. I don't know what you're up against - whether it's a petty crime boss like Tocci or the mastermind Fisk. All I can say is that the government won't be looking hard if any of them end up dead. Of course if evidence comes up against a crime boss, great, so long as it's solid it's always preferable. No reason the mutant vigilantes and the web and the FBI can't work together. Well, except the FBI's a bit slow on the uptake, but we can compensate for that. And if a properly connected mutant turns Fisk in to the government with a even a smidgeon of evidence - well that'd just be the find of the decade, wouldn't it? And it'd certainly build a better bridge between the mutant and human communities. I know not many guys care about that - but to us at web, well, it's mission number one."

Laughton replies, "I appreciate your primary goal, and will do my best to support it. I'm not saying who it is or isn't. Let's just say that it might use someone like Tocci as a stepping stone to get to someone like Fisk. At this point I need more than a "look to the left". I need a finger pointing to the right. Just a general direction for what needs exercise, no hands involved; I can be the physical therapist. Of course, if there is someone like Fisk involved, I'm sure that someone like him might have contacts that would tip him off of any possible workout and let him skip practice. For these injuries to be healed, you understand that exercise is necessary, and can not be avoided."

Beard continues, "To be a little blunt - if someone were really stupid they'd march into either the New York Millennium Club or the Miami Glitterati Hotel and have it out there. Though the chances of finding wrong-doing would be nil, you could have a nice little therapy session there."

Laughton chuckles. "I'm the most brilliant man in Detroit [he feels strangely confident that with his newest gadget his senses are heightened beyond Dr. Sihn's]. The world's greatest detective. I would _never_ do something stupid."

It seems to Laughton that perhaps a group vacation under cover in Miami, where they can hold up in Fisk's Hotel keeping a watch on the goings and comings and movements there, then spring their own attack once the place has been scoped out. Maybe even a mock robbery. At the very least, Suzanne could make a killing at all the gambling tables.

That same evening the Justice Squad convenes to make plans to move on Tocci to get to Fisk. Laughton takes a shot at a plan: "Sammy still has an "overly friendly" connection with Tocci. Have him pay a visit to Barone's in disguise. Let it be known that he is really Sammy back in the kitchen and that he'd like some "conversation to go with his supper". And then Sammy sits down to a nice leisurely lengthy dinner. As long as they keep bringing out food, Sammy will nosh away. Meanwhile, Laughton and Sihn (not in troll form) are hidden away nearby also in disguise. Perhaps as some of Fisk's Miami goons. When Tocci shows up, Sammy makes light conversation while Laughton and Sihn move in. We can then "escort" Tocci or if that doesn't work, bring him out the back in statue form to a waiting rental limo. Buick Rodgers can be driving, Suzanne can wait in the limo providing backup. We should avoid using Sprite at this point, even if he makes it known that he is still alive."

Troll had been considering a plan to grab Tocci from his home, with Suzanne scanning for guards and then Sammy sneaking in and scouting, with them finding him, Hamlet immobilizing him. He also mused on getting help from Sprite to be safe and to ensure the operation can go off without anyone ever knowing it happened. But he likes Laughton's similar plan.

The team continues to discuss the plan at length, refining it to ensure that it will appear likely that Tocci was kidnapped by Fisk's goons, maximizing confusion and potentially turning some against Fisk (though the latter is hardly necessary to their plan).

Sammy makes the arrangements and after a short time Eduardo shows up at the restaurant as requested. He seems nervous and has several bodyguards. One of those triggers Sihn's mutant detector. After a few moments with Sammy he seems to be at ease, joking with Sammy and generally enjoying himself. He eventually dismisses his guards.

Two guards go to the kitchen. Two go to the front door. Two, including the mutant, sit two tables away. No one seems to recognize Troll (who looks like a big thug) or Laughton as Fisk goons though they also seem to take no other note of them either. The team is mind-linked by Suzanne, nearby, and they mentally consider the best way to face the threat of paranormal involvement on Tocci's behalf. With everyone's help they settle on a plan...

Laughton and Sihn leave. Shortly thereafter Spectrum, peeking around a corner, blasts Tocci's mind and causes him to convulse and pass out. Eduardo's goons at first notice a woman they don't recognize but are distracted by Tocci's sudden seizure. Laughton reenters posing as a doctor and attempts to "help", also immediately calling 911. Sammy rushes off saying he'll get help. Their ruse seems to work. The guards are very suspicious and act openly thuggish, threatening the doctor he "Better do good work and no monkey business if you know what's good for ya. Ya know who you're treatin', right?" They move their jackets so guns show. The mutant previously detected openly changes; his body bulges a bit and the floor sags underneath him. He seems to glow a bit actually. Another thug gets on a cell phone and says, "We're callin' Mr. Tocci's doctor, he'll be here quick."

BOTH the doctor and EMT seem to take FOREVER. Apparently the city isn't eager to respond to Baroni's, a fact Laughton notes. But apparently Eduardo's doctor is some distance away as well. It takes 10 long minutes for the ambulance to show up - to see a scene set up by the Troll and Sammy, as Sammy appears to be a person laying wounded in the street. The ambulance almost doesn't stop for the bleeding figure in the streets - not their call - but in the end they do. They are of course easily subdued.

Spectrum quietly retreats to meet up with Sihn and Sammy to change into EMT gear. When the ambulance arrives with Sammy in tow as himself apparently having escorted it there, the goons are insistent on going with Tocci. They show their guns when told that 2 of them can't fit into the back. They want 2 men on the ambulance and they seem to know they can fit (clearly, they've been through this before - gangsters get shot every so often and these guys are fresh from the wars with the Purple Hat Gang). Meanwhile Laughton uses his paramedic skills to administer a drug to keep Tocci unconscious, freeing up Spectrum entirely. She pushes her mental powers to dominate the large thug, making him completely convinced that he and one regular guard need to wait for Tocci's doctor to arrive at the restaurant and ensure that he's properly escorted to the right hospital; she strains herself so that his mind will be so thoroughly configured that he will never question his actions later.

The ambulance takes off, followed by a car with the other mobsters. The plan comes together as Rogers' Black Buick moves in the way by "accident" and a minor collision stalls out the would-be escorts of the ambulance as it speeds away. Sammy, having slipped away to follow the ambulance as a bird, assists in the illusion by slipping into the scene and playing a wounded passenger thrown from the car.

Sammy remains at the scene long enough for the guards to get going again, hopelessly behind and unaware of which way the ambulance headed, and then takes off to catch up.

The team reunited, they take Tocci to an alley first, switch to a different car and most go back circuitously to their headquarters - in the last few blocks, the car left in a garage, Suzanne and Laughton are disguised as a homeless couple pushing a shopping cart of their possessions (ie Tocci), while Sihn approaches from a different route and enters as himself.

7Meanwhile Sammy takes the ambulance and continues along the route to the hospital. After a time he suddenly finds the ambulance grounds to a halt about 10 blocks from the hospital. He can tell some heavy being is holding it. As he looks in the rear view mirror, the thug mutant who was watching over Tocci apparently caught up out of some concern. Sammy is still in touch with Spectrum via a mind link and she passes on the team's advice. Sihn asks him to get a sample if at all possible, though realizing their goal is to remain unidentified and not appear as super-powered. Sammy goes out the window opposite of the big bad thug mutant, camouflaging his appearance against the sky and shrinking to a small bird. He moves quickly away and then comes back onto the scene quickly in cat form as the thug examines the ambulance. He tries to get a sample, finding a hair and fibers where the bodyguard stopped the ambulance, and licking it up in an unobtrusive way (he has a nail in his tongue to scrape with). After which, putty tat makes off like he sees a mouse. As Sammy flees, he looks back to see that the mutant thug does not seem to notice him. But he sees the mutant ripping the back doors open - then picking up the ambulance and tossing it in anguish...

The interrogation of Tocci begins in earnest as Sammy arrives and the mob boss is revived. Laughton explains the current situation starting with the death of Sihn's Mother, (actually, it started with Maggot's death....) and his research into Fisk's holdings. He does not disclose that Sihn and Troll are the same person. He explains it was necessary to kidnap Tocci to protect him, and remain out of the prying eyes of Fisk. A series of questions are posed:

1) Is he aware that Fisk might be (is really) Kingpin?
2) What is the extent of his knowledge of Fisk's movements in Detroit?
3) How many of his men have been replaced with new men (presumably Fisk's)?
4) What is it, aside from the return of his daughter, that allows Fisk
hold over Tocci?
5) How are Detroit funds transferred to other cities?

The Troll sits back and lets Laughton handle the questioning, but he watches Tocci very closely when the news of his mother's death is mentioned. Eduardo is not entirely inscrutable; the Troll believes he sees an eyebrow raise and eyes dart at the mention of his mother. He restrains himself. He quietly (via mind link) asks Suzanne to find out what, if anything Tocci knows about the murder of Mrs. Sihn.

Tocci believes Fisk and Kingpin are the same person but, like others, has no evidence of that. He's never personally spoken to either Fisk or Kingpin, only Kingpin's envoys. On further questioning he reveals that the two envoys he's seen have never been together - they're the same two referred to as Kingpin's men who visit him. The first is a short man, about 5'4", in his 30s, square-faced, short black hair, WASPy, tan, skinny, athletic build. The second is a tall African-American, about 6"4", maybe 40, long-faced, shaved head, very dark, lanky. Sammy gets a good enough picture from mind link with Spectrum to mimic these people, he thinks.

He reveals Kingpin has directed certain activities involved in union manipulation and now has a stranglehold on the lucrative drug trade. He appears to be targeting also some businesses, business people, and "regular folks" for reasons that Tocci is not told. He doesn't want to say more on that. When it becomes clear to Laughton that Tocci is holding back, he gives that meaningful look to Suzanne, and ask some more prying questions. Although Tocci doesn't contribute much verbally, Spectrum grabs from his mind that the businesses/people targeted include land developers, local political figures, policemen, and a few mid-level managers at SI and ABC; Sihn's mother comes into Tocci's mind as a target as does an image of Sammy and Elvis both. They think that Tocci believes Elvis and Sammy are one and the same.

He also answers that none of his men have been replaced, but he has met with two Kingpin aides he mentioned before on, as he can recall, 3 occasions.

In answer to the question of why Fisk holds sway over Tocci, he hangs his head and says simply, "He's just - bigger. Stronger. I can't lose everything." "What will it take to remove that influence?" Laughton presses.

He doesn't want to answer about the funds. Laughton asks a couple of other questions on a similar tact: What cities are the funds sent to? What percentage of profits are sent out to Fisk? Laughton will continue the mild probing questions, not really expecting Tocci to give him answers necessarily, but seemingly not caring either. He is confident that Suzanne will be able to skim something, and she does. She finds that 10% of the Tocci money goes into 3 foreign bank accounts, to date, on a weekly basis. The bank accounts are told to him per week and vary both in percentage and which account(s). Some is held and to be given to one of the above envoys at undetermined times - only one such pickup has been made to date and some $350K is waiting to go right now - this money is as per the envoy's request and is not percentage based.

Throughout Suzanne is surprised to find Tocci unusually resistant to her powers. She is unable to reach his memory and has to rely on the probing questions inescapably bringing his thoughts to the surface where she can more easily penetrate.

Laughton explains to Tocci that he realizes that while Tocci may think he is only a pawn in Fisk's new expanded organization, even a pawn can cross the board to become a queen. Fisk has become too bold, he says, underestimating the forces he faces. "You should understand the power and capabilities the Justice Squad has, after all your men have come to us for help enough times. Now the JS is asking to call in that favor. You could be just the link needed to spur a new victory." Laughton indicates to his teammates there is little chance of recourse for anything said here, he is fairly sure no one can listen in with the level of anti-surveillance he has running, and Tocci was grabbed by what looked like goons that are known to work for Fisk. If Tocci won't cooperate here and now, than perhaps he has become too much of a limitation already, and perhaps his release might be necessitated in such a manner as to remove all doubt of his apparent limitation. This is said without concern for what Tocci hears.

Eduardo delivers a message of his own: "Business dealings are always difficult. I am an old man - I am past my fighting period. I should say it is best for young men like you to strike the root, not the branches, the twigs such as I am. What can I give you - but bark?

"Expect little of a twig, as you should. I simply sway which way the wind blows. When it blows your way, as now, I bend. When it blows my boss' way- what else can I do but bend that way?

"And as I bend your way now - what do you ask concretely? I can only guarantee at this point I will say I was kidnapped and describe the men as you ask me to describe them. Make no mistake - of course I would love to be the big fish in a small pond rather than as I am now a small fish among sharks. But do not ask me to do things that guarantee the sharks will eat me should I act in the least unexpected. Tales have it that the Kingpin can read minds - I do not know. But I do not intend to find out!"

Sammy thinks he wants the team to tell Tocci that they understand and will not ask him about <various things> as he is their friend and they do not want him to get in trouble. Sammy requests that they help keep Tocci alive as he was a great host so many times at various marvelous dinners!

As Suzanne cannot get into Tocci's memory, The Troll interrupts, "Do you have any idea who would have killed Mrs. Sihn?"

Tocci's initial reaction is, "I'd prefer not to say. Why should we involve the little pawns who are asked to do sad things when it's the king that orders it? I can tell you Kingpin is ultimately responsible. I tell you, it was not the policy of the business when i was involved to harm innocents like that." As he says this Spectrum picks up a name, Vito Angelus, and a picture of a person fitting the characteristics currently known about the killer.

The Troll growls, and his eyes seem to blaze with anger. "An example must be made of this pawn. He is no less at fault than his employer. His suffering will send a clear signal of our intentions."

Sammy feels bad for The Troll. He looks hungry!

Eduardo clams up on this subject entirely. He simply says, "It's family business - Vito is nobody, please let's leave him out of it."

Vito as it turns out is a distant cousin to Eduardo. He apparently is a mobster wannabe with no rap sheet yet. As Spectrum probes his mind it turns out Vito was given this job as his entry into the business. For reasons not communicated to Eduardo, he was told to pick somebody expendable for the job. All this comes about as unexpectedly the Troll asks specifically about "Vito Angelus".

Tocci responds, still collected but his eyes dart around a bit, "Well, I don't know why you ask about Vito. But I take it you know something about his involvement in something. I am powerless therefore to stop you - but I would ask that you nonetheless concentrate on Kingpin - honestly, gentlemen, we are trapped in his web and I am as powerless against him as I am you. My work with him always involves an implied gun to my head. I can only believe Vito is in the same position."

After some more questioning, he finally says, "Gentlemen - Vito is a pawn of a pawn. He's a family member, I will admit. I have certain people - people close to me - who love him very much. And he's a young foolish man with no significant will of his own. It seems you want me to do you a favor. I ask, respectfully, if you believe that doesn't work both ways?"

The Troll, becoming enraged, retorts, "A Favor? Like saving you from the Purple Hats? Or stopping Shooter and Medusa? Or like pushing Kingpin out of your territory? Now one of your men killed the mother of one of our closest friends. His mother. Then the same creep threatened Sihn's wife and unborn child. The kind of slime that kills defenseless old ladies doesn't deserve a favor. We'll deal with Kingpin. You can count on that. But we'll also deal with the creep who did the job."

"When Kingpin told you to find someone expendable, you should have heeded his advice."

Tocci is taken aback at least and simply responds, "Do as you must. But don't forget we paid you well for your past services rendered."

Spectrum eventually picks up that Tocci was given the job by an envoy of the Kingpin to have the murder committed and he (Eduardo Tocci) enlisted Vito. It also becomes clear at this point that Tocci does not know why Mrs. Sihn was a target. He apparently had some dislike for the task - but did it anyway.

The Troll gets very quiet at this point. He drops to the floor, closes his eyes, and begins to meditate. Spectrum's mind link tells the rest of the group that he's fighting the urge to kill Tocci right then. This is balanced by the concern that this might be part of Kingpin's plan, and he doesn't want to give Kingpin a victory this easily.

Sammy is betrayed!!!!! He thinks, "Our friend killed one of our own!" The very empathic Sammy has been watching Sihn, and feeling that his mother was killed as well. "Tocci killed my mommy!" Listening to Tocci, Sammy is hurt that he didn't come to the Justice Squad first about the hit, thinking, "He should have asked us for help like he did before, we always came through for him in the past."

Sammy begins to cry. Sammy looks hurt and betrayed. He gives Tocci an extremely sad look like Tocci was his best friend who Sammy would have done anything for -- but who has just betrayed him in the worst way. Then he shrugs, stare down at the floor, and mumbles under his breath (to himself) such that it is difficult, but not too hard to hear..."We would have helped you. You were our FRIEND. Why didn't you come to us. Together we could have figured things out."

Laughton steps in to stand between Troll and Tocci, he moves Tocci to the far side of the room. He seems to be addressing the Troll just as much as Tocci.

"Alright, we kidnapped you to protect you. Not to have you taken out. Here's what's going to happen: Fisk is not going to get that next payment. His middle men will be there to pick up the package, but it will never arrive. The other payments you make will meet similar fate. Essentially, all the profit he was planning on from Detroit will not arrive."

The Troll just glares, and begins to absent-mindedly pull his fingers out of their sockets and put them back. Lefty's too frightened by the Troll's anger to make his presence known other than by twitching just enough to, he hopes, remind Troll that he is still there.

Laughton goes on, "Mr. Tocci, you will remain here until the situation has changed. It's for your own safety, it is very likely that Fisk would attempt some violence on you if you were around and he didn't get his payment. With your abduction and the circumstances around it, there is enough confusion about it that we should have at least a couple of days before Fisk can organize his troops and figure out who is setting him up. That's plenty of time for the other gang to cause some more mischief at Fisk's expense.

"We are going after him, with or without your consent, we are going to use your help Mr. Tocci. You will have plausible deniability for at least a few days. We are going to take advantage of that.

"Now. We can do this the easy way or the hard way. It's your choice. I am committed to my actions and will do what needs to be done. You can see that my friend the Troll is committed to his. Do you want to really see which of us is more committed when you are the one at risk?"

The Troll grins in a most unsettling way. He lets the group know that Tocci's time will come, but not today.

Laughton remains ready to turn Tocci to stone, but he gauges Troll's reaction to ensure he's under control, and, seeing it, Laughton continues, "To start with, I need the details of the next lump payment, time and place. Next, I need the source accounts for where the electronic transfers are going to come from." Laughton pauses, letting the weight of his knowledge of these hidden facts sink in. He continues slowly,

"You know, Mr. Tocci, I am the world's greatest detective. I will find your cousin, his fate was cast in stone when he was chosen for that task. I suggest you find a moment in the near future to do your mourning. My condolences to your family for their loss."

"Can I have my answers?"

Tocci stares at the long-faced Sammy, the frighteningly meditative Troll, the intense detective, and the continuously studiously poised (and END-spending) Spectrum.

His face changes a bit; gone is the diplomatic grace and the tough guy stance; instead a both angered and frightened bully takes over.

"Fine! Do it, go ahead, you fools. I was a fool to involve you all in the first place, you couldn't handle Kingpin anymore than I could. Sure, you could handle a bunch of machine-gunning madmen like the Purple Hats, but you'll see, you'll face your limits, too. You think it's easy - then fine."

Sammy looks up shocked.... then returns to his intensified balling.

He rattles off the details of the next payment which he knows by heart apparently. Account numbers and pick-up facts fly. What he doesn't know is the next precise pick-up date; he has had to hold the money and awaited word. That word comes personally from a Kingpin envoy to him, and the pick-up, at least per the example of the past two that occurred, is arranged to occur within hours. Each time it was at a mafia place of business. An armored car, that of a public company, was contracted and professional guards picked up the money. He doesn't know where it went on the other end.

He regains his composure only slightly as he says, "And now gentlemen if you'll forgive me I'm a very, very tired prisoner. Sammy, it appears the shoe is on the other foot and it is you who will be serving my dinner."

Upon hearing this Sammy thinks to himself, "Dinner? Food? This gives Sammy a spark of cheer. Hmmmm..."

Oh, incidentally, just so you know that I know my position and we're all clear, I do know one more thing you may not and I will, given current circumstances, share. Per Kingpin's instructions I had some men assist a couple of his; we had suspected Sammy was the current mysterious Elvis impersonator and per Kingpin's request on utilizing our relationship, Sammy, we checked it out. I'm not sure of his intent but in any case Kingpin knows that you [looking at Sammy] and the unknown Elvis are one and the same. Sammy - I hope you understand the position I was in. In fact, Sammy, I must admit as I reflect - well, this is all for the best. I'm glad you stopped me and are now seeking Kingpin. You are a truer friend than I ahd hoped for - or deserve. And 'Mr. Laughton' [he avoids addressing the intense Troll], before you take this too personally - yes we must admit it's all part of the sorry business. But you know well in your heart that when I ran things crazy things never happened like this. And you know well that whatever you think of my admitted cowardice and thuggery under the hammer of the Kingpin, I am quite capable of ordering things well as his threat is removed. And I admit I spoke hastily a few moments ago in denouncing you all. Please - forgive my anger. An old man in my profession does not take to captivity so well."

Sammy gets up, and starts for the door, mumbling something about "...baloney sandwiches.... yummm..." Sammy exits, stage left.

Given the last couple hours spent with Tocci they all (even the typically naive Sammy and, despite his mental resistance [GM note - as can be figured out a 20 EGO, thus the lack of getting memories], the ever-probing Suzanne) know his facade that's now reappeared is meaningless, a shattered corruption of a life that only seeks self-indulgence in power and position.

As the questioning is finished, Troll remarks, "No baloney for you" and gives a very confused Tocci an injection, rendering him unconscious. He then carries him down to the hot sleep room, and installs him in one of the big transparent green tubes. Further interrogations can take place at our leisure on an unconscious Tocci, drained of all EGO and MD.

Troll cautions Sammy that he must not disturb Tocci, no matter what. If Sammy wants to talk to Tocci, or do anything for him, he should talk to Sihn or The Troll first. This arrangement is for Tocci's good, and if Sammy even goes near Tocci, Sammy and Tocci both might be in danger. By this time, Sammy is enjoying his boloney sandwiches. In between chews though, Sammy acknowledges Troll, and will wait for Trolls OK to invite Tocci to join him in eating boloney.

Sihn then goes to Gere-Luce and talks to him about having one of the monitoring cameras moved to the "Green Room," so the computer can alert everyone if there is any activity there.

Spectrum finally speaks after Tocci is put to sleep, "I don't think we need to intercept any pickup's of money. We have the account numbers. If we can dig out any of the areas where the Tocci money is kept, we can clean everything and leave nothing for the Kingpin to get. Perhaps we can snatch one of Kingpins men and trace back along that chain as well?"

Laughton responds, "Actually, we do need to pick up the cash as well. Sammy will pose as the taller dark man, and I will pose as the other. We will intercept the parcel delivery prior to the point it gets delivered. As for the funds still in accounts, with a bit of assistance from you, we should be able to do just that."

Sammy chimes in, "For that matter, I can also make a few appearances as Tocci, and since we have the real Tocci, I can also drop some bits of info that only he knows. So, there is not need for Kingpin to know for sure that anything is wrong.

Laughton plans to set up an account in the Grand Caymens or French Guyana and then set up funnels from the accounts Tocci gave them in random dollar amounts under $10,000. This will reduce the flags going off and having the transfers noticed, he reasons. Once transferred to the numbered account, the funds will be transferred again to a second account in Switzerland.

Palmer goes on, "My feelings are that Vito is already a marked man. The sooner we find him, the more chance we'll get more information."

Laughton responds, "I'll get right on it while you're getting the rest of the information we need for the banking."

March 24

Toccis accounts are quickly siphoned. Money trickles in but within 24 hours
of course they (the Tocci mobsters) stop putting money into them as they
realize that something's wrong with the balances. Of the Kingpin accounts,
they are currently empty. Laughton finds it not very hard to determine that
those accounts are staging areas and similar transfers take place from those
as soon as money goes into them.

It takes all of 10 minutes to locate Vito. He's not hiding, a phony phone call to his house reveals he's home.

Laughton checks in with his pal Tulip Maladucci. The Sihn killing Tulip is unaware of. "Strictly freshman work," he scoffs upon being told, "Never hit anyone at home, there's always some ridiculous thing left behind and too many nearby prying eyes.". He's aware a few contracts are "pending", meaning those people who can't be bought or bribed will get hit and it's just up to the Tocci mob to issue the contracts. Since he's not on the inside of that, he doesn't know names (but many if not most of those can come from Eduardo or other mobsters). There's been promise of a lot of work for hit men because everyone's aware that Kingpin is liberal with death. Tulip does come up with some other contacts in NY to add to those Laughton's already aware of who work for Kingpin.

Meanwhile Gere-Luce is rapidly working on his mental detector. He hopes to have it ready quickly.

The handling of funds in Eduardo Tocci's absence is fairly distributed with him out of the picture. There's an accountant, Sam Reiner, then there's the capos who, if Toccis gone long enough, will fight it out. They are Jimmy Lucciano, Mel Tocci, and Larry Weissman.

After Sprite's run-in with the helicopter, he eventually returns to Sihn and Laughton and tells them all about it.

He starts in, "That hurt! I hate blowing up! Are these enemies of yours? Let me at 'em! I'll take 'em all! Bastards..."

Sammy likes this Sprite -- he's a go-getter just like him!

Sihn studies Sprite and determines that he has the power to transform matter into light-based energy and manipulate photons. Normally 6'7", Olaf can transform the majority of his matter into energy and shrink down to 10". In this state, he is holding a lot of energy and his diminutive physical form is unstable. If he takes BODY, he goes BOOM. Shrinking and a force field use no END. Flight and his energy blast do however. More details can be provided if Sihn pursues studying him in further detail, though Sprite finds Sihn to be rather rushed and distracted - he's consumed with grief for his mother and concern for Aela. All of his powers involve manipulating this transformed energy. When he returns to 6'7", any remaining energy is utilized to reconstitute his physical mass. Also, lint and any stray pencils/pens disappear from his immediate surroundings to make up for lost energy.

As some side trivia, he pops a lot of vitamins and seems to be very concerned about staying healthy and in shape. He's also a vegetarian.

Apparently, the helicopter did enough damage to him to trigger a tremendous release of energy which resulted in an explosion that destroyed the helicopter.

Sprite seems a bit gung-ho and over-confident about going after whoever was behind the attack. Although his powers are new, he was a successful athlete and very capable as a normal.

On watching Sprite's approach to vitamins, SIhn suggests that he might be able to pull together some industrial strength vitamins that could make a very noticeable short-term difference.

While he's concerned about the intensity and radius of Sprite's explosion, he determines it's something he can counter without undue effort. Laughton also considers his own devices to counteract the effects of a Sprite self-explosion.

Sammy tells Sprite that he likes him, and wants to be friends --- then invites him to go eat later. Sammy comments, "Vegetarian you say? Yeah... I'm a vegetarian too... at least when I'm not eating meat anyhow. There are a number of particularly good sources of recycled produce available throughout town -- I would love to take you on a tour some day."

While Laughton is naturally somewhat suspicious but from everything he's looked into he's found Sprite to be credible, and he knows that this is too good an opportunity to pass up. He informs Sprite that he should remain out of the public eye for the foreseeable future. Sprite needs to maintain his apparent death as long as possible.

March 25

Namor is scheduled to show up and take Aela to a secret location. Understandably, Dr. Sihn forgoes dealing with things in Detroit in order to stay with his wife for a bit. Aela goes to what Namor refers to as, "What you humans came to call Mu, what we call Mumer." He stresses that she needs to follow his instructions and stay under wraps.

Of course Namor isn't the only visitor - Maddy Hayes is also landing in Detroit the same day - and so is a Fisk clean-up crew early that day...

After Eduardo's gone 24 hours, when the bank accounts are apparently being siphoned, there seems to be some "issues" in the Tocci organization. Apparently there is already some infighting and Kingpin has some heavy duty goons sent in to attempt to restore order. Civil war among the lower dons is bad for business. While the clean-up crew is striking hard and fast, in an apparent move to dictate who is the boss, the next cash pick-up is ordered; in fact Laughton through his underworld contacts hears this as Kingpin apparently is virtually broadcasting it in an attempt to demonstrate who the real boss is. The cash pick-up will take place at the strip bar where Medusa and Shooter struck in issue 11.

The team also considers hitting Fisk's new goons in town. The clean up crew is highly mobile, highly trained, and possibly low-level mutants. They are deliberately laying low and striking hard, submarine-like. It doesn't take long for Laughton to get an idea of where they might be found; they won't be staying in any one place for long but instead will randomly find a safe house or creating one by getting rid of whoever they want/need. However, Laughton is not sure if he tries to find them how tipped off they will be by the time the Justice Squad catches up to them. The word on the street is these guys are tough and smart - and scary. Rumor has it that at least one in the group may have mental powers, both mind controlling and fear-striking. However, none seem a match for the Justice Squad directly. And it's entirely possible the group is quite human and using a combination of intimidation and technological tactics.

Tocci knows a number of dirty secrets that can be used against the dons to make them think one or another has gotten something on them, the sorts of things where he knows one guy knows something about another guy that's never been used. These tactics prove useful; Tocci appears to be quite appeasing now, very cooperative. In fact he seems to be eager to let his men fight it out.

The pick-up will no doubt see one or both of the lieutenants Tocci previously mentioned coordinating it. No other details are ever known or given about the pickup and Laughton is unable to determine anything else on the Kingpin side of things. He deduces that the Kingpin people probably don't make arrangements much ahead of time or if they do it's with a number of people on a contingent-only basis who don't know exactly what they'll be asked but just know a time. On the Tocci side, Laughton can, with Eduardo's help, determine that the loot will likely be brought at the last moment possible via at least 2 cars, and given the situation probably by all the would-be successors since all will want the face time with Kingpin's aide(s).