Imitator Interlude 1 (Patreon)

 [A/N: An interlude as the second chapter? What was I thinking?]

New Santanio, Northside Police Department: 

Detective Peter Barnes was having trouble deciding if today was good or bad. On one hand, it was a Saturday, and he had been dragged in mainly to help go over paperwork (which he despised)  this close to Odd Summer.

On the other hand, someone had brought in donuts.

Currently trudging through page 34 of a 300 strong stack of reports (and donut number 3), Barnes was almost relieved when Detective Diego Barros walked in and announced to the general office:

“Reports are in folks! First official new oddity of the summer was just delivered at Northside Hospital 20 minutes ago. A handsome 7 pound boy, tier 3 telekinetic, name’s Daniel. The on staff Cape is already helping the disheveled parents and has confirmed that he is an innate (several groans), which means, Tammy, Sergio, David, drinks are on you tonight.”

After discussing bar options with a few others Diego sauntered over to Barnes’s desk, sporting that smile that let Barnes know it wasn’t going to be a short day.

“Got a present for you Petey,” and tossed a large envelope on top of Barnes’s reports.

Barnes sighed and opened the envelope, pulling several large pictures and a preliminary report from inside. All it took was a glance at the pictures and he already knew what this was about.

“A money counterfeiter? Seriously? Someone’s stupid enough to try and match their monopoly money against tinker tech in Santanio of all places? After the City got that grant last spring?”

“Heh, slow your roll there Petey, apparently we are dealing with a Super of some sort, and a skilled one. First bills showed up around 3 weeks ago. Apparently after they were used to buy stuff they fell apart like old spider web, only a few trace fibers intact. Afterwards they rapidly increase in quality. The last one they found only because it had matching serial numbers with an original and they were looking for them, lab says it was almost molecularly identical. Didn’t fall apart or anything.”

“Wait, last one?”

“Yep, that one was found about two weeks ago, which means they either decided to stop out of the goodness of their hearts or…”

“Or they’ve gotten so good even tinker scans aren’t picking them up anymore. Fuck”

“Precisely.”

Some grumbling from Barnes before: “Wait, if this is some hotshot Super why is this envelope on my desk and not some schmucks in Cape Unit?”

“Because, from the records the money was only used in small denominations and only to purchase food. From security tape footage from the stores on those days the most likely culprit is a homeless man. So close to Odd Summer with a non-violent culprit makes it low priority, and sooooo…”

“And so this ruins my weekend and not some other asshole’s,” Barnes growled starting to push back his chair.

“Hold up I’ve got you covered,” replied Diego, backing away as he did so. “I’ll go start talking to some sources and you just take your time with that paperwork. Meet you at Greasy Pete’s at 3 to go over it,” and he bolted, leaving Barnes before he had finished standing.

Barnes just paused for a second processing, Diego was a good guy but, sometimes Barnes felt like he was having just a tad too much fun with him. Finally settling on a sigh, he forgoed sitting again and headed for the break room.

At least there were donuts.

[A/N: I swear, there's something about writing pissed off cops in a super world that is just satisfying.

Also: slight spoiler warning for the next chapter. I changed a character for the main book (took away their power) and I've yet to decide if they will trigger with a power again or not. If you want a complete surprise don't read it (and if you do read, please keep your comments about it to the patreon).]