THIRTY-ONE

Hank watched the F.S.H.R. leave the police station. Not only had they come with a helicopter, they had also arrived with a huge armored truck that they used to imprison the bad guys. Using that, they would transfer them to a special prison. He had to admit, they seemed to be pretty good at their job.

Ortiz grabbed his arm. “Kid, you do know you are still under arrest, right?”

“Huh? Do you really think it is a good time to bring that up now? After all we’ve just been through?”

“Doesn’t matter. You still are. We still have that matter to sort out with that gun you were trying to buy,” Ortiz said.

Marjorie joined them. “Take it easy, Detective. I think it is best we focus on the current Red Raider problem first. I will personally see to it Hank gets his day in court. I do think though, that he showed us he is a heroic young man, not a criminal.”

“Just trying to do my job,” Ortiz said. “But sure, the kid showed some guts for sure.”

“I’ll just get him home. He probably needs some rest. I sure do,” Marjorie said, putting an arm around Hank.

“Yeah. I could use some rest and a drink myself. I’m guessing the F.S.H.R. will contact the chief soon enough about how we will deal with the Raider,” Ortiz said.

“The feds have full jurisdiction in events like these if they claim it,” Marjorie told Ortiz. “I really don’t like it when they tell us what to do, but that’s how it is. And I will admit that they are better equipped and more experienced about dealing with this kind of stuff.”

“I guess,” Ortiz agreed. “Fine. You go home. I’ll pick up a bottle of rum and go home as well.”

Marjorie walked Hank to her car. She took her place behind the wheel as he settled in next to her.

“Thanks for dealing with Detective Ortiz. And thanks for calling me heroic,” Hank told her.

“Hey, you really were. You’re not indestructible like Invulnergirl. That makes you even more of a hero than she is in my book.”

“I don’t know about that, but thanks. I’m sorry I messed up with the whole gun buying affair.”

“We’ll work it out. You’re a good kid. It’ll be okay. Let’s just drive home and see how Katie is doing. Will be good to see she is safe. I gave her a call already but she didn’t pick up her phone. Probably fell asleep reading a book. It’s just that with the Raider and all those escaped prisoners on the loose I’m really worried.”

“I’m sure she’s all right.” Hank hoped she indeed was okay. She’d obviously taken what happened to Johnny Bubblegum very hard and personal.

“I hope. I couldn’t reach Mike either, though. Probably sleeping through this whole ordeal as well. Nothing wakes him when he falls asleep.”

“Probably, yes.” In reality he wasn’t too sure. The Red Raider had amassed quite an army from the police station prison.

Marjorie started the car and put on the radio. The local news was playing. What they heard was not very comforting.

The newscaster said, “An army of heavily armed criminals has been popping up all over the city. So far, they robbed a jewelry, a bank, two department stores and set fire to an ambulance. We have been informed the F.S.H.R. has gotten involved as The Heroic Alliance is reported to be off planet. So far, no other local heroes have popped up yet. Sources also tell us the pink-clad champion Johnny Bubblegum has been hospitalized and is fighting for his life. The mayor advices all citizens to stay inside.”

“Damn,” Marjorie said. “Things are getting crazier. Those bastards seem to be intent on tearing the city apart.”

Hank was really wondering where Invulnergirl was a the moment.