Charlie Murphy

Charles Dermott Murphy is the chief of security at THE LION GAZETTE.

## History and Personality

**Charlie Murphy** is a stern, however, likable man who is the Chief of Security for the LION GAZETTE. it is unknown if there are any other security guards under his authority. He dresses in a traditional security guard's uniform patterned after police uniform. He served as an Army Military Policeman and in the Kingsville Police Department for a number of years with the goal of becoming an investigator. He left the police force in 2007 to accept the position of Chief of Security at The Lion Gazette offered to him by Managing Editor Robert Seagull. This was a raise in pay and allowed him time to pursue his true investigative goal of becoming a private investigator.

Murphy's skills are really quite refined, although he tends to be looked down upon by others because of this status as "an over glorified security guard." This is a rather ironic situation since he was a decorated Military Policeman and was well liked in the KPD.

## While he seems gruff, and sometimes pompous, when befriended he is charming and full of wit and jokes.

Murphy was from a single parent home, raised by his mother who made some poor choices in life at an early age. These choices left the two homeless for several years when Charlie was a child. Eventually, Charlie went into foster care for a number of years until his mother could recover. When she recovered, the two moved to Kingsville, Texas where Charlie graduated from H.M. King High School in 2001. At which time he joined the Army just in time for service in Afghanistan and later Iraq. He became a Military Policeman and by 2005 had completed his service. He returned to Kingsville to look after his mother until her death in 2007 during which time he served in the KPD.

Murphy is an avid follower of the TV news personality Jenny Jeffers, and never misses her show.

## Relationship with Zandra Marie Niko

Zandra Niko began to associate with **Charlie Murphy** between the events of The Prisoner Agenda and The Heist. This includes, but is not limited to, assisting in the mailroom, watching FLASH ANIMATION together, sharing food from downtown restaurants and Niko hanging around the security desk. Mari Solisnki begins to suspect this, however Niko is unaware of her growing closeness to the Security Chief until Mari points it out after a brazen example. Mari is not so much upset at Niko having a potential boyfriend as she is that work is piling up because of the distraction.

Charlie took an immediate liking to Niko, who he initially called "Miss Niko" until Niko said her name was Zandra. This was somewhat unusual since most people address her as "Niko." Charlie, however, hesitates to approach initially for two reasons, 1) Mari Solinski drives him away from the mailroom work area due to his effect on Niko to slow down work and 2) he feels he isn't worthy since he comes, initially, from poor origins having been homeless as a boy.

## Appearances

Charlie Murphy first appeared as the security guard at The Lion Gazette in Origins and initially barred Mari and Niko from entering the building until Dr. Lola vouched for the girls. By the Prisoner Agenda the girls had reached a point where they were joking with Charlie on a regular basis. During the events of the Heist it is revealed that Niko and Charlie had grown close with Niko coming to realize that she had romantic feelings for him after he had found excuse after excuse to be in the mailroom (a move which Mari found distracting). At the end of that issue we see Charlie rejoicing with and Cheering up Niko after she is cleared of all charges at her court martial.

Charlie Murphy is officially Niko's boyfriend as of the start of The Druid's Secret.

Issue #1: Origins

Issue #2: The Prisoner Agenda

Issue#3: The Heist

Issue #4: The Druid's Secret