Problem Child 11

The security footage was illuminating. Aiko crossed her arms and watched as the scientist walked into the office. The door creaked shut behind him, showing that a great silly hulk of a person had been lying in wait. He crept in behind the herpetologist, arms raised. His tail barely avoided knocking into a desk. He was nominally hidden from his victim’s gaze by a coat rack.

Dr. Fraggier stopped in the middle of the room. The video quality was too poor to see his expression, but Aiko was betting on “puzzled.” 

The doctor slowly turned in a circle, an unwitting horror protagonist. Marvel and Aiko held their breath. 

He was face to face with Herkimer. A mid thirties nerd in slippers and an argyle sweater, face to …chest, really, with a ten foot tall genetic masterpiece of muscle and teeth, hidden futilely behind a tall rack with some coats on it.

He turned past Herkimer. He scratched his head. On screen, he opened his mouth and said something that the visual-only camera could not catch.

“No,” Marvel said, aghast. 

Yes. He did not notice the 10 foot tall crocodile man in the security office. Marvel let out a low, distressed moan as Herkimer stepped out from behind the coat rack with menace.

Aiko sucked in a deep breath and honestly wondered if they should save this guy. Maybe the zoo was better off without him.

Dr. Ehlos sighed. The security guy in the back of the room rubbed at his face. They seemed to be undergoing a shared grief that this experience could only hint at. Was there a special reason that Dr. Fraggier had possessed a beeper for the night security team? 

On the screen, Herkimer brandished a rough canvas bag out of the ether and pulled it over the notably hapless herpetologist, head to toes. One foot was left sticking out haphazardly. Then Herkimer snatched the bag of Doctor up and victoriously burst out of the room shoulder-first. Dr. Fraggier’s slipper fell off and landed on the floor. 

They watched a few seconds of footage where nothing at all happened. A few leaves blew into the office. Then the security guy leaned forward and turned off the screen with a click.

Aiko turned in the direction that the criminal had left in. There was an enormous black plastic sheet taped over what she now suspected to be a Herkimer shaped hole in the drywall. 

She turned to Dr. Ehlos. She waited for some kind of explanation. They deserved an explanation for most of that nonsense.

“We don’t know why he chose not to use the door,” Dr. Ehlos explained. She seemed absolutely exhausted. The dark circles underneath her eyes somehow looked more pronounced than they had in her office.

Aiko pursed her lips. Unsatisfactory. She nodded. 

“Do you have Dr. Fraggier’s shoe?” Marvel asked. “Maybe we can glean some kind of clue from it.”

What? …maybe Marvel knew things that she didn’t. To be fair. He was a professional hero, presumably bringing home the big bucks that she could only aspire to one day make as a member of the Justice League. Of course he knew things she didn’t. Seeming like a dope didn’t erase experience and expertise.

‘Looking forward to learning what he has in mind for that.’

“It’s been placed in evidence, the police have it.” Dr. Ehlos gave a sharp nod to the security guy who was letting them use his office. “Thanks, Dave.”

“No problem. Have a good night.” 

They all left Dave to whatever banalities his job title required. Aiko and Marvel regrouped privately on the huge lawn that overlooked the food court. 

“So!” Marvel clapped his hands like a kindergarten teacher. Aiko valiantly resisted the urge to shove him in a locker. “Let’s go over what we know!”

She sighed and ducked her head. “Herkimer took the herpetologist to use him for information on how to ensure the health and welfare of the zoo crocodiles when he releases them into Fawcett city,” she droned. “He will by necessity come back to the zoo for part two of his plan. He will also keep Dr. Fraggier alive for whatever duration is necessary to extract information from him. If he has any sense, he would keep Dr. Fraggier as a consult for any problems that happen after the crocodiles are actually released, I leave that personal assessment to you.”

Marvel blinked at her.

“Herkimer is going to need supplies, which he will need funds to acquire and time for reception. We could try to figure out how he would pay for whatever he needs and track that, maybe find the delivery address. Assuming we know enough about his financials. We may need to contact another herpetologist to find out what Dr. Fraggier is going to recommend so we know what to watch, in case Herkimer attempts to steal supplies or orders anything unusual enough that the sudden purchase will lead us to him.” She frowned, thinking it over. “We didn’t really get any new information from that security footage, unless we think it matters that Dr. Fraggier is a silly guy.”

“...I don’t know if I would say he’s silly,” Marvel demurred politely. He scratched his head. “That was, uh…. Good work!” He beamed at her and gave her a thumbs up. “You’re very smart!”

She observed his positivity, feeling like they were different species. Jeeze. This guy was weird. “Thanks.” She waited patiently for his critique and whatever additional information he had.

What she got was an extended silence and then, “Herkimer will not think to keep Dr. Fraggier alive after he releases the other crocodiles. He will appreciate the dramatic irony of having the doctor be the first victim consumed, given his belief that Dr. Fraggier was unfairly incarcerating his brethren.”

Aiko grimaced. Getting fed to crocodiles seemed like a really bad way to go.

“Herkimer previously had access to business accounts, but after his first arrest they were closed. I believe that he has been funded by the Monster Society for Evil, possibly directly by Dr. Sivana, given his expertise at money management and ability to hide financial fraud in large accounts.”

She kept a straight face at that and nodded. That was not going to be a very useful investigative detour, unless they could open Dr. Sivana’s emails or whatever he might be getting contacted by. 

‘Beautia might know. If this drags on I could contact her… Or ask Robin to. He’s good with people.’

“Herkimer is more likely to personally steal what he needs. He is very active and involved. He gets restless without action.” Marvel seemed different like this. More adult. Aiko found herself relaxing a bit, comfortable in his presence when he acted like a general and not a friend. “We should contact an expert to determine what materials Herkimer will require, stake them out, and catch him in the act.”

“Whatever you say, boss.” Aiko gave him her own thumbs-up.

“Be ready,” Marvel said. “He will act tonight. He is impatient.”

Great. That was convenient for her, given that she was going to be incredibly grounded as soon as she got back home.