Chapter 24

Not fifteen minutes later an assistant came from the back room to let them speak to the officer in charge of missing persons, they found themselves sitting on some chairs right outside of Deputy McNally' office.

"Deputy McNally will see you now" the assistant said.

"I stand corrected," Apollo whispered as he and Chloe hoisted themselves off their chairs and walked into his office.

Chloe had a cocky grin feeling confident and completely in her element

"You never get answers if you don't ask questions" Chloe said as they opened the door into the Deputy's office.

Deputy McNally was seated at his desk wearing his uniform. His brown hair was shaved into a buzz cut and his dark brown eyes s seemed to gleam with hunger as he watched the two of them sit down. Like a lion watching its prey walk into its territory. He stood up and reached his hand out from behind his desk for them to shake it.

"Deputy McNally pleased to meet you" Deputy McNally said as Chloe reached out and shook his hand.

"I'm Chloe Sullivan. And this is my associate, Apollo Kent" Chloe replied.

Deputy McNally looked at Apollo and shook his hand as well.

"Oh Apollo I know, we met when the Mankins had that unfortunate crash a few weeks ago and everyone on the force knows he's got a hero complex" McNally said and Apollo winced.

McNally noticed this and seemingly decided to put him at ease.

"Honestly we'd give him a lot more flack for it but ultimately he's saved lives and it helps that he's town's greatest athlete" Deputy McNally said being friendlier than either of them anticipated.

Deputy McNally motioned for them to sit down in the chairs across from his desk and the pair did so.

"Sorry I don't have a lot of time this afternoon but I'll do my best" McNally said to them.

"We appreciate you giving us any time at all," Chloe told him as she and Apollo settled into the chairs. "I'm sure you're a busy man."

"Right you are Miss Sullivan so let's get on with your questions, shall we?" McNally said to her smiling amicably but Apollo could still see the predatory look in his eyes.

"Well we're here to ask about the missing people. Some of our students have informed us that several people have been reported missing but the police have yet to do anything about it" Chloe said her expression determined and unyielding.

"Is that so Miss Sullivan. Who are these students?" McNally asked raising an eyebrow at her.

"I'm not at liberty to say" Chloe sharply replied and McNally chuckled.

"Not even a senior and already such a stout reporter. It's impressive Miss Sullivan" McNally said.

"Thank you Deputy McNally but you still haven't answered my question" Chloe simply told him.

"Well whoever gave you your information is woefully misinformed. That's the thing with anonymous sources you never know if you can trust them. I assure you I am personally looking into the disappearances and treating them with the importance they deserve. Do you want to know the truth Miss Sullivan, most of the people disappearing are simply running away because they know once the stop and search law passes they'll be discovered for forging their papers and be deported. Even the ones who claim to be here legally are often protecting family who aren't. Your friend or whoever told you about the missing people left out several key details no doubt, mainly that we did inform them what happened to their friends or family and that's that they ran away. Buckling under the fear they would be discovered or lead to the discovery of someone else" Deputy McNally said his voice calm and smooth.

Chloe and Apollo listened to him. What he said sounded perfectly logical, they weren't close to Gloria she very well could've omitted these details the McNally was saying and if any other kids were seated in these seats no doubt they would've been swayed by his words.

However, Apollo wasn't any other kid. He could hear the Deputies heartbeat and he knew he was lying. Apollo clenched his fists in rage, how could a man who took an oath to serve and protect be lying about something as serious as this. Apollo held himself back knowing he couldn't afford to make a scene.

A knock on the door ended the silence that had fallen upon the room and the Deputies assistant informed him that someone important was here to see him.

"I'm sorry it appears that's all we have time for, please let yourselves out and take a candy from the front desk" Deputy McNally said as he walked out.

Chloe and Apollo watched him leave then turned to each other and said in unison.

"He's lying."

Chloe smiled happy that they were in sync.

"He talks well and preys on the beliefs people have about Latinx people but Gloria wasn't lying about Francisco. No son would run away after just getting a job to help his struggling family" Chloe said.

"Agreed" Apollo said.

"I wish we could snoop around a little" Chloe said desperate to look for clues.

Chloe glanced at the missing person's files he had on his desk skim reading through them desperate for something, anything that could help their case.

Apollo was way ahead of her in that regard he already began x-raying the Deputies office. Nothing suspicious was here aside from two things. He had a personal laptop in his front desk. Which was odd considering he had a desktop. Why would he need a private laptop? He also had a gun that had its serial number scratched off, Apollo even recognized the model, it was a 44 magnum. Why would a cop need an unlicensed gun? Apollo stopped x-raying the room as he and Chloe were being ushered out of the Deputies office by his assistant.

The two walked out of the office and saw that the Deputy was talking to Montgomery Mankins the father of Bryan and Corey. Corey was hanging back behind his father as he talked to the deputy but Bryan wasn't around. Apollo instantly began eavesdropping on their conversation not caring about how it was an invasion of privacy.

"It'll be up and running once again soon. Take it, and in a few days, use it and make sure you nip this in the bud quickly, this has already gone on far too long Jed and if we want everything to go smoothly this needs to be dealt with. Do not mess this up, our dealings with the Japanese are too important for a hiccup like this to get in the way. Too much is at stake especially for myself and Corey" Montgomery Mankins ordered as he handed the Deputy something.

It was the same flash drive that Doctor Wesley saved from the crash. The Deputy nodded and placed the drive in his pocket. Apollo needed to get that drive.

Chloe saw Montgomery Mankins talking with the Deputy and her eyes lit up like she realized something.

"What?" Apollo said noticing her expression.

"Most of the missing people they were field hands right? Montgomery Mankins owns the largest collection of farms in Smallville and it's all of his properties that are being used. And you can bet that the extra plots of land he's buying tie back to these disappearances. Odds are he's not oblivious to a few of his workers going missing but rather that he's the head of the snake" Chloe said and Apollo looked at the elder Mankins a similar frightening idea forming in his mind.

"I am going to talk to him" Chloe told Apollo not caring if he disproved or not.

Chloe rushed over to them and while usually Apollo wasn't a fan of how Chloe could just force her way into places for a story without care he was a fan of it now. It gave him time to make a plan. He quickly scanned the precinct and saw a similar flash drive on somebody's desk. Apollo swiped it his hands moving faster than any eye or camera could track and put it in his pocket. His Aunty Makkari would probably feel a weird sense of pride knowing Apollo was using his super speed to 'borrow' things.

"Hello Montgomery Mankins, Deputy McNally fancy seeing you two talk" Chloe said.

Deputy McNally clenched his jaw but Montgomery Mankins instantly put on the same charming expression Corey did when he first met him. That must be where he picked up that behaviour Apollo thought, however his father was far better and more believable than his son.

"Is it? I like any citizen of Smallville am not above coming in to commend the Sheriff's station on all of their hard work. After all I am one of the biggest donors to the policeman's fund" Montgomery Mankins said suavely.

"I guess you are but still trekking all the way to the police station to personally see the Deputy is quite something. You two must be close. Perhaps from all the times the cops come to forcefully stop all the protests at your offices over the rights of undocumented workers? Maybe you have him on speed dial like your own personal 911 for when Latino's fight for their rights too much for your liking" Chloe said as she looked the elder Mankins in his eyes.

Apollo smiled at Chloe, damn she was good.

Montgomery clearly wasn't expecting that jab and clenched his jaw at the accusation.

"My company and I universally condemn any form of bigotry and would never discriminate against any group of people based on race or gender" Montgomery Mankins said.

Chloe opened her mouth to respond but the Sheriff intervened and grabbed Chloe.

"Miss Sullivan I answered your questions and let you into the precinct. This impromptu interview with Montgomery Mankins hasn't been sanctioned and your slanderous statements are untrue, unwelcomed and unappreciated" Deputy McNally said.

Gripping her arm forcefully like he wanted to drag her out of the precinct.

Apollo intervened and grabbed the Deputy Sheriffs arm, one thing Apollo hated was bullies and right now the Deputy was trying to use his strength to intimidate Chloe. He was nothing more than a bully with a badge and Apollo wouldn't let him bully his friend.

"You know what else is unappreciated is you putting your hands on a minor who is simply asking questions" Apollo said as he moved the Deputy's arm.

The Deputy got in Apollo's face and Apollo met his angry gaze. Apollo puffed up his chest and stood up straight his full height allowing him to tower over the Deputy.

"That's enough" Montgomery Mankins said to the Deputy.

Deputy McNally turned to Montgomery Mankins and then walking past Apollo intentionally bumping into Apollo and while usually Apollo would just let them bump past he was angry and wanted to show the Deputy he and Chloe weren't to be intimidated. He stood his ground and the Deputy fell over like he walked into a wall. The precinct turned noticing the small scene unfolding.

Apollo fought the urge to smirk.

"Here let me help you up" Apollo said giving the Deputy his hand.

The Deputy clasped it and Apollo pulled him up and patted him down helping him get the dirt from the floor off him. Once again moving his hands faster than anything could register Apollo stole the flash drive from Deputy McNally pocket and replacing it with the one he had taken earlier.

The Deputy nodded to Apollo looking him up and down and then walked away.

"Sorry about that" Montgomery Mankins said to the two of them.

"It's alright" Apollo said having calmed down now that he had the flash drive.

"No it isn't. I am no idiot. I know who you are Apollo. Whenever I turn on the local news I feel like all I see is stories about your brilliance on the football field or basketball court or baseball pitch" Montgomery Mankins told him.

"I can't have Smallville's 'Ultimate' being abused in my presence. Especially since you've not only met my boys but saved one of them am I correct?" Montgomery Mankins said.

"Yes, sir." Apollo said as he nodded.

"Well, I need to thank you for being so gracious after their little debacle. Bryan told me you and your father rushed to help them and were extremely helpful. He called you in particular a hero. I know there weren't any property damages per se, but I'd like to offer some compensation just the same" Montgomery Mankins said as he pulled out his checkbook from his inner breast pocket.

"No, thank you, sir," Apollo interjected. "My father won't take a penny, trust me."

The man closed his checkbook and put it back into his pocket.

"Now, you're sure about this?" Montgomery asked.

"They landed in an empty, muddy field" Apollo stated simply and Montgomery Mankins nodded.

"Well then if you'll excuse me I'll be going" Montgomery Mankins told them as he walked away.

He shared a nod to both Chloe and Apollo.

"Corey let's go" the elder Mankins said to his son as the two exited the police station.

"We should go too" Apollo said rushing Chloe out much to her confusion.

The two walked and entered Apollo's truck and Chloe looked disappointed like she wanted more from the trip.

"Apollo what the hell? A good reporter doesn't just give up" Chloe told him.

"We're not giving up; we're driving off before we get caught" Apollo said turning the truck on.

"What are you talking about?" Chloe questioned her confusion growing.

Apollo pulled the flash drive from his pocket and smiled at Chloe.

"This is what Montgomery Mankins came all the way to the police station to give the Deputy. What do you say Chloe want to take a look and see what's on it?" Apollo said to a cocky smile on his face.

"I fricking love you right now Apollo. How did you pickpocket him?" Chloe said in amazement.

"You have your skills and I have mine" Apollo replied simply as the duo drove off back to the Torch.

They raced back to the Torch and found Skye, Pete and Gloria all there. No doubt the three of them waiting to hear what if anything they found out from the police station.

"How'd it go?" Gloria immediately said as they entered the room.

"You were right about the cops not caring. Deputy McNally is a piece of work" Chloe answered.

Gloria looked a little crestfallen like she was hoping for more than just confirmation of what she already knew.

"But we didn't leave empty handed" Apollo said as he took out the flash drive.

"What is that?" Skye asked.

"It's a flash drive, I noticed that Doctor Wesley had it a few weeks ago when they crashed on my farm. That day I thought they were looking for something but they said they were taking atmospheric measurements. However, Doctor Wesley went out of his way to make sure he had this flash drive and both he and McNally spoke briefly. And then today Montgomery Mankins came to the station to personally give this to him" Apollo told them.

"That's definitely odd but Mankins has a lot of police connections this could be unrelated" Pete said.

"I don't think so. Most of the people who have been reported missing were working for Mankins when they disappeared" Chloe said.

"You guys actually think Mankins is connected to the disappearances" Skye said a little in disbelief.

"One thing you learn very quickly as a reporter is don't take people at face value. Everyone has secrets and the rich and powerful usually have the darkest secrets of all" Chloe told Skye.

"So what, you think Montgomery Mankins is some kind of villain?" Skye said.

"Let's find out" Apollo replied as he took the flash drive and put into Chloe's desktop.

The computer began to read the flash drive but the files were blocked. The flash drive was encrypted you would need to know the password to gain access.

"Damn. It's encrypted" Apollo said in frustration.

Skye's eyebrow shot up and she smiled at her boyfriend. Gloria and her then exchanged glances smiling at one another.

"Not for long" Skye told Apollo and he got up.

Skye sat down in the seat Apollo had previously been sitting in and Gloria pulled a chair to sit by Skye. Skye began typing away.

"This encryption is insanely complex. I can't get through it as easy as all the other one's I've gone through. Do you guys mind if I take it home with me and work on it there?" Skye asked.

"Sure, but is it not worrying how relaxed you are about hacking. This could be dangerous and what you'd be doing is a crime you know" Chloe said.

"So is stealing" Gloria replied simply before offering some input to Skye on how to beat the encryption the flash drive had.

"Chloe clearly this is bigger than any of us imagined and whatever's on here could be the key to solving this case and finding Francisco. So I'll take the risk, the truth shouldn't be kept from people no matter how ugly it is" Skye said.

"Okay I was just checking because I don't mind the cops going after me for my stories but I would never want to put my friends in danger" Chloe told them.

"That's sweet of you Chloe but we're past that. It'll be okay, you guys keep doing what you do and Gloria and I will work our magic" Skye said a confident smile on her face.

"Yes ma'am" Apollo said to her smiling because his girlfriend truly was amazing.

The group left for the day but they left with a renewed sense of purpose. They may not have answers yet but they were closer than they were a few days ago. They knew for certain the Mankins were involved and they had something that could potentially blow the story wide open.

They would uncover the secret behind the disappearances and Apollo would save Francisco and everyone else that was being abused.

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Also read Superman(Marvel+DC) and Marvel: Hyperion.