Derek sits at his computer safely tucked with his Haven. There's no light save for the glow of his monitor and the internal lights of computer tower. It has been over a month since the events at Erika Alten's apartment. And from what was shared between himself and the Prince it seems as though nothing has been done to clean up the mess. Lina is gone from the Domain and Derek has taken it upon himself to ensure the First Tradition is protected.
So now what.
He begins with a cursory search on the web for news about Echelon's movements. As careful as Echelon has been to keep a low profile, based on the information Lina left behind, it's nearly impossible for such developments to go unnoticed and reported upon. He reads the top results, checking the sources and the meat of the articles that come up.
What's this? The Echelon building planning a Grand Opening in the coming months? Have they made that much progress already? Well it's no surprise. They'd been setting the groundwork since January. Or at least that's when the Kindred had become aware of them. He continues to read. Based on photos the exterior looked mostly done. It was reported that the interior wasn't altogether finished, but considering how much money Echelon is pouring into the project it could be finished before any real effort is made to investigate the property.
And then it'd be a fortress.
And what was Echelon's goal? They had tried to secure experimental weaponry that could tear a Kindred body apart. They had already developed a toxin that could burn through Kindred flesh. And the underground expansion might mean they were encroaching on locations where Kindred were known to hide. The Haunts especially. To flush them out? To eradicate them? Or was Lina's theory correct that they were Kindred themselves, seeking to usurp Prince Alessandra's rule? If that were true then it was happening in other cities as well. Perhaps already happened.
Too many questions. He needs answers.
Since it's still early in the evening, 8:30pm, Derek decides to reach out to his Contacts to see what they might know. He shoots out some emails to a reliable if unsavory data broker, a middle management scumbag he's blackmailed into service, and a bored stock broker that offers the occasional tip. About the building construction timetable and its purpose, about the money funneled through Merchant National and Arnoud Geissen and what he might be able to do with an account number but no password.
StevenContacts, 1sux