THE SONG OF MY PEOPLE - II.b.

Detective Zoey D'Antoya had booked him for a double homicide, the police cruiser taking the interstate with Eric riding shotgun.

Back-to-back with a seatbelt, the detective placed her badge on the dashboard, displaying it in plain sight as though to warn passengers about her presence. She drove steadily and smoothly, without the slightest change to her habitual way. Occasionally though, she would adjust her line of sight to glance behind at Eric's expression through the rear view mirror.

"—JOHN DOE. How in the name of Saint Peter's hairy red nipples,

...Could you be the sole, the ONLY FREAKING WITNESS,

IN THIS?!"

Eric raised his eyebrow in a precarious position, choosing his next words carefully.

"I don't know, officer- is it USUALLY standard procedure to be sitting next to a suspected felon?"

The consultant rattled at his chains, but the Detective didn't bite one bit.

"That's DETECTIVE D'Antoya." said Zoey. "But, why yes- we've already ruled you out as the perpetrator, the scene checks out, and the witnesses don't seem to lie. After all, it's not like someone took pictures, right. Everything worked in your favor."

Sensing no way out, Eric huffed despondently before leaning his face near the window, overlooking a billboard detailing a rival company, 'Superhero Endeavor Corporation'.

"Tell me, is working for a top 'Hero' Agency is right up your alley? Surely such an investment must be the fruits of hard-earned labor?" she fumbled with her black tie.

"When you're bound by law..." Eric squinted.

"What does it matter?"

Her emerald eyes flashed, "As if I don't get enough of a hand from the Umbrum Council already. Still, I would have never guessed that some no-name boy came from a prestigious civilian organization would still want to enroll here- let alone make waves. So, what's the use in waiting? It's not as if we can't wrap the killer- YET."

Just as Eric's eyes begin to grow heavy, the Detective lowered her voice, speaking to an earpiece:

"COMMISSIONER HORTON. You were right. It's our suspect. He did, indeed. Admit it."

Her face glowed. There was no doubt in her mind when she was angry. Or angry at him. Either way, his best chance was to play stupid.

"Don't worry; he's behind the division, sir. This time. ...Yes. Yes. Understood."

"Something tells me, you're not going to invite me to your office anytime soon." Eric quipped, glancing towards the passing buildings.

"The "S.E.C.'."

Eric's face glowered. "The 'Security Exchange Commission', or-"

"YOU KNOW WHAT I MEANT."

"They're our rivals. Have been for a long time. I never touched them, much less consider them worthy of staining my career prospects." Eric resisted the urge to spit.

"IDEALS, Mister Rogers?" Zoey questioned. "PAH. Do you not have an idea who benefits from their corporate sponsors?"

"-Are you by any chance referring to a hero agency, whose motto was to 'serve mankind first'?" Eric rested his hands beside her badge. "Oh- I assure you, 'DETECTIVE': our track record is public domain. We would never stoop so low to sully the good name of the hero community."

Her sarcasm was punctuated with a grin, "Or does some kind of dirt on our accounts merit such stain, from where YOU'RE standing."

Eric could only fall silent, feeling his own pulse quicken. It was like she had gotten inside his head, able to draw his inner thoughts—

The detective stiffened her shoulders, her tone low and venomous, "One more peep about corporate filth from those lying snakes. I swear; the H.I.A. and its high-and-mighty asses won't stop us forever. Only one can make this city whole once more-"

The car came to a sudden stop.

"-'HEROES INCORPORATED'."