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Two days past, a terrible thing took place in Hell's Kitchen. It was all over the news; the bombing of a jewelry store and four storey tenement above.
For those with government or street connections, it wouldn't take much to determine the place was owned by the Abbiati Family. Not one of the five, not by a long shot, but given Paul Cavassini's arrest, not to mention his son Frank's recent sweating by the NYPD, mob violence is on the rise. It mounted with that bombing.
A block from the site of the bombing, atop a lonely rooftop, stands a man in red. The Devil of Hell's Kitchen. He's worked out every potential escape route, and has quick passage into the building below, where a few traps have been laid. See, he's not quite sure whether he can trust Jess or her masked friend… especially after learning that they were government agents.
Regardless, there he waits, perched at the edge of the rooftop and listening to everything he can.
*
The last thing Jess wanted to do was to risk the beginnings of a friendship on a meeting with the agency she's been a part of for all of a few weeks. But it was that or…well, she didn't really want to know what the possible consequences were, and she wanted to believe that working together could keep another bombing from happening.
Sheo she set up the meet, and while she may have done a little looking ahead, she doesn't trip any of the traps or point them out. After all, he deserves a safety net, too.
*
While Peggy also didn't wish to risk this 'friendship', she needed to make certain this alliance was established and they were ALL proactively working towards ensuring this never happened again. So, in her best agency blacks, the director herself has taken to the streets tonight with her trusted, newer agent and a few others. Peggy isn't exactly hiding herself — she looks like one would expect the director of a government organization to look. Neat black slacks, black tailored jacket, button down white shirt. Her hair is pulled back against the summer heat and the only touch of make up the middle aged woman wears is her classic red lipstick. She's not hiding int he shadows or stalking in a car. She stands quietly next to Jess and watches the streets, a deep frown on her lips. Everything about her is calm, professional, and completely in place.
*
Miles has tagged along too, though anybody that would happen to glance from their windows wouldn't notice him. He's currently invisible, keeping an eye on the situation from the shadows, so to speak. "Well, here we go." he says with a smallsigh, rolling his unseen shoulder.
*
A lone billy club drops from above. A cord is attached to it, and a note is tied up in the wire. When undone, and unfolded, there is crude handwriting upon the note, like that of a schoolboy trying very hard to get his lettering correct.
'Who's the suit?'
High above, where the cable disappears into the darkness of night, Daredevil remains hunched beneath the lip of the rooftop, grasping hold of the line with a hand sheathed in blood red.
*
Jess steps forward to take the note, opening it up before she offers it over to Peggy. "The boss," she answers the question in a completely normal voice, trusting she can be heard. "She wants to talk to you. Wants to know how we can help to make sure it doesn't happen again."
Glancing toward the building, she tips her head back to look to the roof. "Safe to come up, or do you have the stairwells trapped?"
*
The 'boss' doesn't even jump as the billy club drops from above. She arches a brow, though, and lets Jess handle the note. She looks it over and actually gives a slight chuckle, "The suit. That's a new one. Give him…" Peggy is about to pull out one of her business cards, but then Jess is talking to the night and she seems to realize that, yes, he can probably hear everything they discuss. "I'm just here to talk. We're all worried about the same damn thing. Might as well work on the same page." Peggy's clipped, quiet British tones offer into the evening, even if she does not yet see their contact.
*
"That'd explain what happened to him when the building exploded." Miles says once he realizes just how well the man atop the building can hear. He doesn't say anything else though, or move. Invisible or not, he'd hear him coming and the last thing he'd want to do is spook him.
*
At Jess's question, the billy club gets yanked back skyward. There comes a few moments rest, when the front door to that building suddenly unlocks. A voice, familar to Jess and Miles, comes from the intercom system. "Top floor. Rooftop."
*click*
Its a safe bet that whatever traps Daredevil had lain, he's at least temporarily deactivated.
*
"You know," Jess says as she heads for the door, apparently willing to take point. "It seems to me like people don't trust the agency much." Alex and Bobby, now Daredevil. It's enough to remind her of home sweet HYDRA.
*
"People don't trust anyone. SHIELD has never done anything but protect people, but because we do it from the shadows, people start jumping at ghosts…" Peggy murmurs softly, but with pure honesty behind her voice. And a bit of sadness. It get exhausting, always being considered the bad guy when all one is trying to do is help the world. If the Daredevil is listening particularly closely to this banter, and the heartbeats that underline it, all of Peggy's comments are pure truth.
*
The woman gives a small nod in the direction of the unseen Miles, but then begins to climb the stairs, double timing it up to the roof.
*
Miles flickers into view once they're inside, nodding at Peggy's comment. "I mean they hired me. Took me three years of persistence to get them to even think about letting me become a cop." he gives his head a shake. "But I understand why people can be jumpy, nobody ever thinks the government is actually out to help them."
*
"Are they?" When the group emerge onto the roof, Daredevil is standing there, at a decent distance. His arms are crossed over his chest, and a briefcase rests in the gravel nearby.
He doesn't seem to look at any of them in particular, but rather, at the group as a whole. Eventually, however, his attention seems to settle upon Peggy. "Boss," he greets her with a pinched upnod.
*
"They're at least in the business of stopping explosions, rather than starting them." For once, Jess isn't actually in costume. Not that it would stop her if she needed to get into something, but it's a statement. Not here for a fight. "Daredevil, Director Carter. Director Carter, the Devil of Hell's Kitchen."
*
"The PD didn't know what they lost, and I'll never regret taking you on, Morales." Peggy states flatly, looking at him as the climb the stairs. She always cared about making certain Agents knew they were appreciated, respected, no matter race or sex. Especially because the job tended to be thankless otherwise. But, there is no more time for work bonding moments, as they are now on the roof and standing before the Devil of Hell's Kitchen.
Peggy steps forward without fear or hesitation. Her eyes stretch across the red-clad man, taking in every inch, picking apart the details in a way only a 20 year intelligence officer can do so. "Daredevil. That's… quite the name, and reputation, you've got for yourself." She offers her hand to him, respectful, for a brief, business like shake.
*
"I appreciate it." Miles says with a thankful nod. He's not dressed in his costume either, rather a suit and tie. "I'm Miles, by the way." He offers a sort-of salute to Daredevil. "Looks like the Director and myself are the only two you haven't met here."
*
Its a blessing that the Devil leaves at least part of his face exposed; they'll be able to tell that there's no hostility there, only hesitant caution. He strides forward to meet Peggy, offering a handshake. 20 years of intelligence work? If she's ever met one trained in the martial arts, she will know that handshake. Calculated, exact, the perfect mixture of strength and finesse. The man could kill with a single finger, should he so desire.
He looks past Peggy to Miles then, and the slightest of smirks forms upon his face. "You'll forgive me, I hope, if I forego a more proper introduction. The secrecy of my name enables me to do what I do without… unnecessary risk."
He looks back to Peggy then, and takes a step back. "Director Carter. Can't say I have much control over rumor and reputation." He turns and gestures toward the briefcase. "Shall we get down to business?"
*
Jess did her job in setting up a meeting. Now things are more about negotiations, and about the other agent and the director proving they're not a threat. She falls silent, just watching.
*
A slight not and smile to Miles as he introduces himself, but then Peggy is completely focused on the Devil in front of her. Still, after the brief hand shake, she stands back enough that it's clear that both the other agents are meant to be included in this conversation. She leaves room for them at her sides. This is a united front, not the Director's show. "Business it is, then." Peggy states with a soft breath.
"Agent Drew informed me that you were able to… hear the bombs, and that is how you gave warning. It's useful, and you saved lives. No doubt. But we need more than that. We need to make certain another one doesn't even get to ticking. She mentioned this might be a mob issue? I know you know this section of the city like none other, but… we have resources you don't. Let us help you. Give us information and we'll help you with tools to clean this up before it happens again."
*
"Of course." Miles says with a nod. "Anonymity can be an important thing." That appears to be all he has to say as he steps forward next to Peggy, clasping his hands in front him. He nods at what she has to say about other resources, tapping a finger against the back of his palm as he listens.
*
"A mob issue." Daredevil smirks ruefully. "Don't believe what you read in the papers, Director. The mob is a lot more powerful than anyone wants to admit."
He crouches down to retrieve the briefcase, then walks it over to her. He offers it, freely. "Everything I've managed to gather on the Five Families, with limited information out of Boston, Chicago, Youngstown… where I'm coming up dry is on the Cavassini case. But…"
He glances toward Jess, then to Miles, before settling himself back upon Peggy. "I… might… have an inside man on that one."
Foggy's gonna kill him, whether he gets disbarred or not.
*
Jess eyes the briefcase for a moment, reaching out to take it on Peggy's behalf. She pops it open even. It could look like she's making sure it's not a trap. That there isn't a bomb inside. But in truth, she's making sure he hasn't left anything inside that leads to Matt Murdock. Aside from the fact that he handed over a briefcase.
*
Well, that was a pleasant surprise. Peggy's eyes widen for just a moment or two and she looks over to the briefcase. She nods for Jess to take custody of it. "This is… a… great help already. Do you need this back, or are these copies? And… what do you know about the bombing that took place. Did a specific family take responsibility?" She seems to be taking this all openly, doing her best to be appreciative of the help even as she takes everythng with a grain of salt.
*
Miles stands by quietly, gaze following the briefcase for a moment before it settles back on Daredevil once more. It appears as if he doesn't have anything to say just yet, letting the Director handle the questions and making a mental note of the answers.
*
"They're copies," he confirms. "The Abbiati family is far from the top dogs," Matt explains. "But they do deal heavily in human trafficking, narcotics… the Irish have a market curb on narc at the moment, but frankly, I don't think they're that coordinated."
The masked figure steps away, moving closer to the edge of the rooftop, where he can catch a glimpse of the streets below. "No one has stepped up to claim responsibility yet, but they will. That's how this goes. When it happens, the Abbiati will strike back. It won't be pretty, but odds are, those who did conduct the bombing will be ready. There's something else."
He turns back to face them. "A few days back, a… woman was found. Dumped off. They'd… done something to her. Something ugly. She was taken to a hospital, but she's out of my reach."
He could have looked for the mutant girl who'd been so horribly mutilated, but that would put him too close to the action, especially considering his plans to represent Cavassini in court.
"Can you get her?" he asks. "Find out what they did to her, and whom?"
*
"If we can't, I'll find someone who can," Jess promises without even waiting for an answer from Peggy. Finished looking through the files, she closes it again, tucking it under one arm securely away.
*
The comment about the mutant girl makes Peggy's brows arch. She gives a quiet nod before turning dark eyes towards Miles, "Morales, your new assignment. I want you to track down this girl, see she's being taken care of. If she's up for company, let's get a full report from her but… we'll make certain she's guarded, safe, and able to cover any and all medical bills. Will that do, Mr. Daredevil?" Peggy states flatly, no hesitation in her tone. She's more than happy to help innocents who get hurt in the fight. Especially since there are 16 she can never help again.
She does reach into her jacket, finally, and pulls out her little black business card. Margaret Carter, Director, SHIELD, and a single phone number. Just the bare essentials, but that's all that is needed. She hands it in the man's direction. "If you need us. If other information comes in. That's my direct line. I've assigned Drew and Morales here to be your liasions, but… I wanted to meet you in person."
*
Anybody who knows anything about Miles knows that he has a bit of a temper. And when that news comes across the hands clasped in front of him move to his sides, clenching into fists. His heart starts pumping faster and his breathing shallows slightly as that heat fills him. "Yes ma'am." he says through clenched teeth. "I'll find out who did it."
*
Interesting responses, from each in turn. Daredevil remains still for a moment, simply listening, feeling the movement in the air each of them cause, sensing the increased temperature on Moralis' skin.
He finally steps forward, accepting the business card from Peggy. "Ms. Drew knows how to contact me," he tells them.
The card is tucked away into a pouch on his belt. Then, he looks back to them for a momentary silence, before a rueful grin appears on his mouth. "Watch your step on the way out."
His arm flips past his belt, snatching a billy club and throwing it with hairpin accuracy. It shoots behind him, connecting and lodging against a ballast on the adjacent building. Then, with a tug and a pull, Daredevil leaps into the air and is yanked by the cable out over the edge of the building, and down he goes.