The Universe's Mixer

Everything was ready. She had programs running through her tablet that connected her to the Tower computer room; it was still hard to be in there for very long. She had books around her, and she was waiting for more information. While she waited, Fred thought she’d get a little side work done. A favor for a friend while she was saving the world, that was okay wasn’t it?

So, she had settled down at the receptionist desk, seeing as it had a little more room on it. The book was open before her, and there were notes everywhere as she worked on a translation. There were also a few other books that were assisting her in the texts.

“Only when it’s complete?” Her nose wrinkled as this didn’t seem to make sense. Not hollow, not empty. Full. It made sense, but it didn’t. She tapped the pencil against the notebook. She wasn’t sure why Dean had her looking into the book, but he wanted it translated, or the bits about Alastor translated.

( ---- )

Fred's building was on fire. The office, the apartment... Dinah was trying her best not to think about that. She and Dean had been on their way to the warehouse when they'd heard the call over the police scanner. Dinah knew that she couldn't just call this investigation off. Not with what was at stake for the City. She could, however, handle this part alone while Dean went to make sure that Fred was okay. She was worried that her friend wasn't answering her cell or her comm. She was worried that she might have lost yet another person that was important to her.

But she had a job to do. Whatever was going on personally, she couldn't let the people of this City down. She trusted Dean to check things out and find Fred if he could.

Once they'd gone their separate ways, Dinah headed to Enigma's warehouse. She easily scaled the security fence around the warehouse and dropped down to a crouch outside the building. She was quiet as she listened and watched for any signs of security or a booby trap. With Joker and Crane involved, there was a good chance that there might be something dangerous here.

Dinah had the gas mask hanging around her neck, ready to be put on at the first sign of any fear toxin. She crept forward silently, keeping to the shadows and keeping an eye out for any sensors or security cameras.

Dean had settled into the normal mode when finding out that something terrible might have happened to someone he knew and/or cared about. It could be a truly frightening and dangerous mode. The look in Dinah's eyes when the couple realized the voices on the scanner were talking about Fred's place was more than enough fuel for Dean's anger. He cared about the brainy Southern gal, and he cared even more for one of her good friends. Begrudgingly agreeing to investigate the fire, Dean let Dinah continue with a slightly larger problem...alone. He'd get back to her as soon as possible; he'd made that promise.

He pulled up as close as the fire trucks and police cars would allow, and his heart sank as he realized just how much damage had already been done. It was too the point that the experts were letting the fire burn itself out. The City, being a true survivalist, had sequestered off the burning building to a strange little island. Nothing else would be damaged.

The hunter got out of the car, went to the back of it, and found a hopefully convincing jacket and a badge. Fire inspector. He never thought he'd use this one. Well, not since that one time in Pasedena...a flicker of a naughty boy smirk slipped across his lips before it was gone and he was walking toward a crowd of official looking types.

"What happened here?" he asked in one of his gruffer more authoritative voices.

Candy and Frank smiled their best smiles as every screen lit up with their faces. They looked impeccable, even though Frank did seem to keep a rather possessive hold on his coffee cup. Candy's smile may have been a little tense. Over to the side, Windy scowled as he was being forced yet again to sit in on something that had nothing to do with weather. His life was truly crap, and he refused to get cleaned up for it. The stubble on his chin and the mustard stain on his shirt said as much.

"It seems there is tragedy today in the City," Candy's overly dramatic voice did not match her smile.

"Yes, you can't get those weenies down at Mortensen's Deli. They were really-" Windy broke in. He really had liked those weenies.

"You liked those? I always liked the sausages over at Frank's." Frank interjected. "Hey! Frank's!"

"Tragedy has struck again in the form of fire as Angel Investigations burns to the ground." Cindy doggedly continued. She wasn't going to let these two bozos get in the way of her marvelous track record. She would report the news, and she'd do it with a freaking smile on her face. People needed a smile when things were bad.

"The authorities are looking for clues in relation to this violent attack. They are still looking for the building's current owner and only resident, the manager and owner of Angel Investigat-" Candy stopped, her hand lifted to her ear as she was getting more information. "I apologize, it seems that the owner was not the one believed to be lost in the fire. Instead it is a young woman who lived in the building at the time of the burning. Winifred 'Fred' Burkle is believed to be dead."

"Squatters take their risks." Windy grouched. "It's not even raining."

Frank took a sip of his coffee, smacking his lips a little as he appreciated his "coffee." He even added a little nod. It was certainly what he wanted.

"Please, contact local authorities if you have any information to share. If you see Squatter Burble, please let someone know?" Frank wondered if he had gotten something wrong, seeing as Candy was currently giving him a very ferocious glare over that same sweet smile. "Did you get a surgery to do that? Special class?"

Candy stared a little longer at her co-anchor, ignoring the mumbling coming from the weatherman. Soon, she turned back to the camera.

"This is KWIT News keeping you up to date whenever we can. Have a good night." And with Candy's sign off, all screens returned to normal.