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

perhaps,” Zero chimed in. “But nowhere near as interesting.”
    “I don’t like him,” Ryan added.  “I refuse to trust anyone who smiles that much.”
    Agent Murphy burst back into the room.  The ever-present smile definitely went a long way toward changing his appearance from the evil man they had faced off against just a few months prior, as did the dirty and wrinkled brown suit he wore.  He also now walked with a bounce in his step, instead of flames on his fingers.  It was hard to believe this was the man who called himself the Angel of Death.
    He sat down at the head of the table, placed a file in front of him, looked at the group, and his smile actually managed to grow larger.  After a moment, he spoke.
    “I honestly can't tell you how excited I am to have you all here.  I've read all your files.  I mean, the battle you folks had a few months ago with that Damon Memphis fellow, just brilliant.”
    “We have no clue what you're talking about, Murphy ,” Alexa responded.  The rest of the group nodded.
    “Oh, right, don't want to incriminate yourselves.  I get it,” he replied as he placed his feet up on the table.  “But, you see, it's a whole new world nowadays.  We're operating under an entirely new set of rules. In fact, we’re actually here today to discuss how we would like to subsidize your vigilante efforts.”
    “What vigilante efforts?” Ryan asked.
    “Oh please,” the smile weakened only slightly.  “I am well enough aware of how my predecessor ran things around here, as I believe you are.  If things were not different, you can be certain that just stepping foot into our offices would have sentenced you to living out the rest of your lives in some dark hole.”
    “Go ahead and try it,” Zero said through gritted teeth.  “It’s your funeral.”
    “But that’s precisely my point, Mr. Hamilton.  I have no intention of bringing about any harm to the four of you.  If anything, I’d like to try to do something good.”
    “Look, Murphy,” Buddy said as he stood.  “I don't know what kind of game you're playing here, but we're not interested, okay?”
    “Buddy Jackson, the de facto leader of this band of heroes.  I love that you've taken on this role even amid this new world.  I understand how you may distrust me, or anyone in my job.  However, since you’re already here, why don’t you just hear me out?  If you don't like what I'm saying, you can just go along on your merry way pretending we never crossed paths.”
    “Yeah, like that's possible,” Ryan spoke.  Agent Murphy gave him a hurt look before continuing.
    “How about we start fresh?  Would any of you care for some doughnuts?  You know us law enforcement types.  Never too far from a circle of sugar.”  Murphy made a gesture to the mirror.  Seven seconds later a young lady wearing a suit jacket and skirt walked in and placed a platter of doughnuts on the table.  She exited without speaking a word.
    “Please, please. Dig in.”
    The heroes did not move.
    “As you wish,” Murphy said as he nabbed a chocolate-covered pastry for himself.  “They’re there if any of you change your minds.  Before we begin, it might help to give you all a little background on the current state of the MHDT.  As I’m guessing you’re all aware, the Meta-Human Defense Team was initially created in connection with the Super-Pact to seek out and eliminate all people who exhibited extra-human abilities, as well as those who were known collaborators. 
    “However, what you’re probably not all that aware of is how things have changed recently with the new administration in the White House.  I hope you’ll understand that this information is highly classified and I could be considered treasonous just for telling you.  However, I’m willing to risk it, as I think it makes the case much clearer. 
    “You see, our new Commander-in-Chief feels that this Super-Pact, the international agreement to rid the world of