Belly Literary Universe (part 2)

Cozca's Devils part 5: Recruiting Jackie 2

The plans for the reverse heist were percolating in Kelri's mind. The distraction was well in the works with Veera, Valerie, and the tailor Camilla handling the details. On the other hand It was two days after Valerie failed to bring her aboard. It was a lingering bad taste in the plan. With a belly full of morning weight gain shake, and clothes clinging tight to her fattening form, she couldn't help but feel sluggish. She should have checked on how it went on Tuesday. She should have acted on Wednesday right when she found out instead of driving an hour north to talk about clothes and sound systems.

She waved away Connor's concerns about her mood. She'd probably be fine. But for all she knew, there could be police waiting for her at work. The uncertainty ate at her. She needed to think of all the things she might need to say. To the police in case she ratted them out. To Jackie if she didn't.

Eventually she relented. Kelri pulled out her phone and sent a message to the Secret Advisor. "Did Jackie compromise us? This whole thing?" If anyone knew, it would be him.

As always his response was quick. "No. Not that I'm aware of. Should she have?"

"I guess by your response you know exactly who I'm talking about and why I might be worried about it," Kelri replied, and let out an annoyed grunt.

"Jackie Martin's skill set should prove to be invaluable. I assume you've sought to involve her somehow."

"You know people. You always say that. Is she going to rat us out? Or can we get her involved somehow?"

"I think it is within your abilities to get her on board with whatever your plan is."

"Thanks. Useful. Any advice?"

"Only the same advice I've given you before. Be bold. Be honest."

Kelri plopped her phone next to her. "Ugh."

***

On the ride to work Kelri developed her plan.

Once she got settled in, she sent word to security to have Jackie brought to her office. To the security personnel and to everyone else it would look like she was getting fired or something. She hoped it would throw her off her game, and make the conversation that little bit more immediate. At the very least it would remove the need to track her down.

Just as ordered, two guards escorted Jackie in. Kelri dismissed them with assurances that she'd be fine.

With a calm stoic face Jackie asked of her fate. "So I'm fired?"

"No," Kelri said, trying to look equally as serious.

"Then what is this about?"

"I know what you're doing."

Jackie's face shifted. She erupted and shook her fist. "And fucking what? You're trying to intimidate me into silence? I'm smarter than you. More experienced. You'd never catch me in anything." After a moment of Kelri saying nothing, Jackie blushed a little. "Valerie told you."

"Valerie told me she thought you were a spy on..." Kelri pulled out her planner and flipped through pages. She didn't let her face show any reaction. All that mattered was the numbers. At least that was the persona she wanted. "On April 14th," she said and punctuated it with a click of her pen, hoping it would cause Jackie to stew a little more.

Jackie froze in place.

"Listen, Jackie. I know you're looking for information. About me. Valerie. And others. People I've been associated with. So tell me, why is it that you think I'm associated with them. I mean, why do you think I choose to do so."

Jackie shrugged but gestured vaguely to Kelri's belly.

Kelri smirked and looked down at the huge gut covering her lap. "This thing..." She said, rubbing one hand over the top of it. "It's sort of obvious isn't it. Always sticking out. Wobbling."

Jackie did her best to hide her disgust.

"No. That's not why. It is related though. The reason I ask, is because without you even knowing it, we have more in common than you know. I wasn't always this fat and gluttonous. Actually even back as soon as September I was a diet freak."

"Do I need to know this?" Jackie looked down at her slightly soft stomach. "Wait. Are you commenting on my weight gain? We're not alike."

" I wasn't talking about your weight. Just mine. I'm here to recruit you. And I think you'll want to hear what i have to say. Sit."

Jackie huffed, and sat herself down. "This better be good." She crossed her arms.

Kelri shook her head. "I'll summarize. Eating contests were my hobby. I kept losing. One day I get an email from someone offering me something to make me win. They got me to see a doctor who put me through an experimental treatment that made my stomach bigger. I could no longer control my hunger. Then I got fat. You know who that guy was?"

"Some doctor?" Jackie shrugged.

"Goes by the name 'Secret Advisor'."

At the mention of that name, Jackie shifted in her seat. "So what? I already knew you were in contact."

"Sure. But what you don't know is that time and time again I've been tricked and manipulated by him. After that stomach issue, he manipulated me into getting his access to secure files. He's helped me get someone important here fired. And who knows what other ripples he's caused using me. I know you want information on this asshole. My point is that I want information about him too."

The surprise on Jackie's face said that she didn't expect to hear that. "No. It can't be that. Why would you - ya know - go along with all that?" Jackie gestured again to Kelri's huge belly. "You don't get that fat from getting a bit hungry."

Kelri laughed. "Rude. But you're right. That's another thing he's done. Manipulated me to like all of this. I don't actually hate that this is how that's turned out. That's how good he is at manipulating people. Set that aside for a moment. What I'm very concerned about is that this guy seems to be stealing data with impunity while always being five steps ahead of everybody else. He's what you don't know. He has data on everyone. You. Me. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if he's actually recording this conversation. He's got browsing habits. Sexual proclivity estimations. It's weird and kinda messed up and I want answers. So I've been cooperating. Helping. And this mission I'm on? The one that Valerie and others are in on? This is the ticket to earning the trust of the people you're investigating."

"So what exactly are you saying?"

"I'm saying that we're on the same side. If you help out, then I'll share everything I know with you."

Jackie gulped then sat in silence. "So you're saying you want me to help you break some number of laws, so you can advance in some secret organizations hierarchy? All because they promised you that this time they'll give you the answers you want? Bullshit. I've been down that road. You seriously think they'll just give you their darkest secrets? They'll dispose of you once you're not useful."

"Maybe. Do you think I haven't thought about that? You may even be right, but I know that I know so much more now than I did a few months ago. How far along is your investigation? Further than me? Given that you asked 'What do you know about Cozca?' to Valerie makes me think you don't know much."

"Fuck you."

"Indeed," Kelri Chuckled. "Listen, if you have information, I'd love to share notes. But I know the Secret Advisor well enough to know he'll be leaving you chasing ghosts. Work with me. Hell, I'll tell you my whole story. Whatever you want to know. If you help me out."

Jackie sat for almost a minute in silence. "Fine. I guess I'll help."

Kelri smiled. "Good. And one other thing? Valerie feels bad about what she did. Forgive her. She really does like you."

Jackie blushed, and got up to shake Kelri's hand.