[b]Nova Consolidated HQ[/b]

[i]Alan/Bella[/i]

Maddison pulled the car to a stop in front of the Nova Consolidated building and Alan got out of the passenger side door. They’d stick around in case things went really poorly, but that seemed likely. Still, you always need a plan to kill everyone you meet in this business. Even the daughter of an old associate. Apparently the old man went and died while Alan was gone for a week. He really ought to have Maddison dig into everyone who vanished so that he could at least have an idea of who had powers. It was only a few million people. Should be doable in a month. Right?

The building itself blended into the inner city well, at least after the big red Nova sign stopped registering from having seen it so often. Alan walked straight in the front door and took an elevator all the way to the top and Bella’s office. “I’d like to have a word with Ms. Nova if she can find the time” He said to the receptionist after he came out of the elevator. “”Tell her a Mr. Carter would like to see her. She’ll understand.”

The receptionist, Deborah stared at Alan with an almost deer-in-headlights expression. There was nothing on Bella's scheduled for this time and this man didn't appear to be important enough to request her boss. His direct manner of speaking did make him seem important enough to not shoo him away. Deborah forced a smile.

"She just got in, but I'll call her." She said a bit nervously before dialing Bella's office. "There's a Mr. Carter here to see you. Oh. Yes ma'am." Deborah hung up and looked to Alan. "Just down the hall, sir." Deborah pointed down the long hallway that led to Bella's office.

It never ceased to amaze Alan how simply acting like you belonged somewhere was enough to make most people go along with you. Of course its not as if he was entirely unwelcome, but his official reason for being here if asked was somewhat weak. Officially he needed to provide belated condolences for the late Mr. Nova. Unofficially..."Why thank you ma'am" Alan said with a slight bow before turning on his heel and heading directly down the hall.

Entering Bella's office Alan walked up to her desk and pulled out a chair on the other side "May I take a seat?"

[Color=magenta]"Of course. You've earned the privilege from the work you did with my father."[/color] Bella was seated behind her desk looking at the man seriously. She hadn't dealt with Mr. Carter before, but only heard from her father that he was the best man to use in the worst of times. "Reliable, professional, and an expert at his craft" he'd spout. She had heard this man hung up the towel, so she was a bit concerned to see him so suddenly. [Color=magenta]"How are things?"[/color] She asked as if she hoped it was the correct question to ask. The question that would reveal his intentions.

"They're going spectacularly!' Alan almost sang as he sat down. "The state of things these days has really got me going." He talked with his hands, spreading out his arms as if to encompass the whole world. "Which," he added with a calmer voice "Is why I'm here. To tell you that I'm coming out of retirement for some.... Personal projects. Not that I think you should be worried. I have no intention of messing with your business, just that you should put my pieces back on the metaphorical chess board. Call it a professional courtesy."

[Color=magenta]"Really?"[/color] Bella leaned forward as a smile crept onto her face. She wanted to remain serious, but this was the first bit of good news she's heard all day. [Color=magenta][i]Dad was right about this man.[/color] She cleared her throat which gave her a moment to prepare her words carefully. [Color=magenta]"I guess you just have perfect timing. I have a few projects you might be interested in taking up. My company is successful as it stands, but I have to be honest about needing a man with your experience. You see I currently have a few clients, but one in particular needs just the right package with just the right services attached."[/color] Bella grabbed a picture of her father on her desk and turned it to show Alan. [Color=magenta]"I can't help but be as much of a perfectionist. I think I'm going to see what I can do first. Give this Jace Williams fellow a way to sample or try out a few things before I go looking for your help. I want to make sure this goes well."[/color] Bella placed the picture of her father back on the desk, but facing Alan. [Color=magenta]"He vanished one time.... Didn't see him for a week... So now that he's back, he's got my attention."[/color] Bella was a lot more intimidating with her tone that had grown harsher with each pause.

A wicked smile crossed Alan's lips. "He vanished you say?" he asked rhetorically. "I've been listening to some stuff on the net recently and one of the tidbits that caught my attention was that most criminals stop being criminals around age 28. After that it's like they..." he wiggled his fingers in front of him like he was trying to grasp onto something intangible. "They just lose the impulse... become more conservative and less willing to go against the man. Just a thing that happens when people grow older" Alan sighed. I couldn't really say how true it is, but I find it sort of funny. I got out at 28, but I felt completely differently about it."

He leaned in to make sure he got Bella's attention. "I'm going to tell you something that your father knew well. I work to push myself. So when I tell you, that if you give me the word, that I will hunt down this... Jace fellow, for whatever your base rate is, I want you to know that its because I want the opportunity to test myself." Leaning back the wicked smile returned. "It sounds fun. Hunting supers."

Bella would never admit it, but the man took her by surprise. It was like having the knowledge of something thrilling versus actually experiencing. She had wondered what he was getting at, but it all came around as he talked to her straight. 

[Color=magenta]"Like a second wind?" Bella almost said to just herself as she thought about a lot of what the man in front of her had said. [Color=magenta][i]Did he disappear too? Getting out of retirement... testing himself... Plus the confidence.[/i][/color]  Bella bit her bottom lip and looked away for a second. When her eyes met Alan's again she shook her head. [Color=magenta]"I don't know you that well, but I don't want to send you into something I don't even have knowledge of. These people that came back can do a lot of damage. They can kill people without touching them."[/color] Bella spoke in a low voice. She knew the power she herself held, and she could make a deadly man a ragdoll.

She was worried. Cute. Even if it was only out of a need to keep an asset around. He did not say anything about it though. This relationship needed to be kept as professional as could be managed. Being in good with Mr. Nova had allowed Alan to mostly ignore the politicking within the underworld while skimming some good jobs and there was no reason to jeopardize that with some jokes at Bella's expense. Or being too eager. "Alright" Alan stated flatly. "I will wait till you need me. I can always find some already planned on methods for prepping my personal project. Alan stood up added. "I really only came here to say hello, so unless you have anything you are dying to discuss I don't think I should be taking up any more of your time."

[Color=magenta]"I'll contact you when I'm ready.  I just need to be sure I know what I'm dealing with... Thank you for the courtesy of meeting with me."[/color] Bella wore a smile, but she was beginning to feel the pressure of her position. A lot was happening and she needed answered before she could just act on things. Hopefully no more bad news would get to her. As Alan exited, her phone rang... It was Anthony.