Red Dice

Chapter 6

            Since a majority of the traffic is stuck downtown, I reach the city in record time, speeding down the streets in fearless ecstasy. I park just beyond the city edges, fill the meter, and continue on foot. Police have already set up perimeters, but I came prepared for that. Disguised as a sexy, blonde agent, I should be able to get anywhere I need. The badge and uniform had belonged to an old friend of mine and I had managed to steal it off of her before her body was collected. She’d died in the line of duty working a special case for me, but I’d had no choice but to leave her there with asset of brand new clothes I’d purchased from a nearly tailor. I didn’t think she’d mind.

            I hear a few unprofessional whistles as I approach the thick wall of security. I am halted by a street cop who looks me up and down in surprise. “I’m sorry Miss, only trained officers beyond this point. Wherever it is your going, you’re just going to have to take a different route or wait until the trouble passes.”

            Politely, I reach around my neck to find the chain that is attached to my stolen badge and reveal it to him. “My apologies, Miss,” he stammers, stepping aside to let me pass.

            “Next time check out the uniform, hotrod,” I mutter so that it is just barely audible, but I quietly remind myself that he is only doing his job. I slide easily underneath the yellow caution tape to find the city in greater turmoil than I’d suspected.

            White sheets covered the bodies of countless victims and the flashing lights of ambulances, fire trucks, and cop cars reflect off of the scattered crystalline shards of glass—the jagged edges of several window shops and buildings the obvious source of the fragments. Broken boards litter the streets and cars are at a complete standstill, backed up in traffic for miles. Smoke has begun to intermingle with the city smog, no doubt tribute to the explosives Allegra set off.

            Ultimately, my only question is why? Why target an entire city when her primary target was me? I mean who does she think I am…fuckin Batman out to save Gotham City? A couple of street lights are busted out and night is already close on the horizon. The city was a gleaming wilderness at night, and to see some of the power out in portions of the buildings was actually a neat look. It had the appearance of shadows descending onto different parts of the city—as though trying to devour the light.

            Scanning through the people there, I pinpoint a group of men, profession and business-like. I could tell they were all from different bureaus, each one assessing the situation accordingly. They have no idea what has occurred, but every single one of them is whispering about terrorists and national security. Another man is trying to get the press to back up. Approaching the group, I appear confident and collected—as usual—and all their heads turn in mocking disbelief.

            “Can we help you with something, Miss?” they smirk. “The hair salon is close today,” they add, chuckling.

            Assholes! I hiss to myself. “You can brief me on the situation,” I growl coldly.

            “You think just anyone gets the details?”

            “Yeah, where’s your badge sweet thing?” another one enforces.

            “I’m not about to be pushed around by some idiots in suits. I toss my badge forcefully to them and place a hand on my hip.

            “Lindsey Phillips, F.B.I.,” I state. It earns me a few whistles in return.

            “Oh yeah? Well what happened to Jae?” the grouchy, fat one interrogates.

            Shit! First mistake. I hadn’t thought about him being here too; at least, I didn’t realize these men were smart enough to notice his absence. I need to establish some sort of authority here to earn their respect. I had to make them realize I was more than just a petty face if I was going to get anywhere with them and fast. Agent Jae would probably be here any moment. What would I do then? Improvise, I conclude with a smile.