The Rise of the Fat Mogul (The Defenders Saga Book 2) Read Online Free

classified.  As such, we would be required to discuss them in a much more secure location.”
    “Look, dude, I don't know what sort of crazy agenda you've got going on here, but if you think we're going anywhere with you, you're sorely mistaken.” Ryan stepped forward and raised a metallic device to Agent Murphy's face.
    “Oh, such rage,” Agent Murphy smiled, turning to his companion.  “We’ll need to mark that in their files. These four have such amazing spunk.  I would have never guessed it from the debriefing on the Barber Street incident.”
    Alexa stepped forward as well.  “Spunk ain't the thing you need to worry yourself about, bub.”
    “Please,” Agent Murphy said as he shook in delight.  “This is too much.”
    “You ain’t seen nothing yet,” Bumblebee spoke as he placed himself between Murphy and Alexa. 
    Agent Murphy's smile turned into a frown as he looked in question at Agent Kent.  “I don’t believe he was in the file you provided me with.  Who is this?”
    Kent shook his head without a word.
    “Who am I?  I'm the goddamned Bumblebee, that's who!”
    “The who?” Murphy asked glancing down at the plastic gadgets lining the yellow man's belt.  “Nevermind.  You're of no importance to our cause.”  He looked to Kent who then touched Bumblebee's shoulder and disappeared in a loud pop .
    “Alright, Murphy ,” Zero began, “what's your game this time?  Where's the fire and brimstone you love so much?”
    “Oh, Zero Hamilton,” Murphy giggled.  “The note in your file concerning your rather interesting way of turning a phrase truly does it no justice.”
    Kent returned, again accompanied by a pop .  “Have we cleared this up yet, Murphy?”
    “You are right, Mr. Kent.  I had not intended to be out in the open for nearly this long.  I would greatly appreciate it if you would be so kind as to deposit these folks in the meeting room.”
    “Not a problem,” Agent Kent said as he touched Buddy's shoulder and they disappeared in another pop .
     
    Buddy and Kent appeared in a small room filled with only a table and chairs.  The room was drab with yellowing-white walls sporting a couple of forgetful pieces of art and one large mirror.  The mirror, Buddy quickly recognized from every cop drama he had ever watched as being a one-way, probably with a whole host of men in suits sitting on the opposite side.
    “Take a seat,” Agent Kent said gruffly and just as quickly disappeared.  He reappeared only a moment later with Zero.  Before Buddy was even able to move to grab a seat, Alexa, Ryan, and Agent Murphy were brought into the room as well. 
    “Please, please, take a seat,” Agent Murphy said happily.  “I just have to sign you all in with the front desk.  Bureaucracy, you know.  I’ll be just a minute.”
    Kent and Murphy left the room.
    “What's going on with Damon?” Ryan asked.  “I mean, isn't he supposed--”
    “Not here,” Buddy muttered through gritted teeth.  He glanced at the mirror.
    Alexa, not noticing Buddy's glance, “Yeah, and where's Parker?  I thought he and-”
    “Dearest Alexa,” Zero interrupted.  “I believe Buddy is attempting to state that we could be overheard in this location.”
    “Oh,” Alexa blushed.
    “Yeah, thanks for keeping it subtle,” Buddy scowled.
    “I only aim to assist, chum.”
    “Okay, but what do you think they want?” Ryan whispered, leaning forward.
    “I don't know,” Buddy replied.
    “Well,” Alexa began, “to be honest, I'm not sure what should concern us more, the fact that Damon's back, the fact that he's working with Kent, or, the fact that he seems so happy to see us.”
    “Those are most definitely some worthwhile things to ponder,” Zero responded.
    “I’ve got the answer to at least one of those questions,” Buddy offered.  “But I’ll have to tell you about it later.  For now, let’s just enjoy the fact that Murphy is a heckuva lot nicer than Memphis ever was.”
    “Nicer,