Red Light

Books, Breakfast and the Attic

Godzilla smiles his best cheesy smile and takes a selfie with Rodan. Half the crowd passed out in horror. (Again, Godzilla insists on his moment in the spot light. Such a diva. 🙄)

Nie Huaisang came out of the elevator with a spring in his step. Who knew what wonderfully horrible pieces of evidence Wen Chao had laying around? Never guessing it was all just waiting for the teams that were about to invade his territory? His grin had a distinct flair of malicious glee.

Charlie noticed this from across the crowded lobby. The Boss was in a good mood. She was in a grumpy mood mostly because she had three hours of sleep. Add four coffees and she was tired with a caffeine buzz that could kill small mammals. Not a happy combination. She knew once she got home, everything would fade in the quiet of her apartment. A few hours of sleep and she'd be back at the station putting together the last pieces of tonight's op. She had sent Xin Di home right after her report was done. Same with Ouyang Zizhen. Exhausted people make stupid mistakes and they were the ones going in.

She watched Nie Huaisang make his way toward her and wondered again how he managed to work on as little sleep as he regularly did. She had seen him go from an all night op to the office with only a stop to shower and change. It was impressive but she pondered the eventual cost. Maybe he just slept all weekend?

Her ruminations on sleep were interrupted by a cheerful, "Good Morning, Charlie!" Nie Huaisang was all smiles. Charlie couldn't help but smile back. Complain as she might, she liked her boss and his willingness to do whatever was necessary to protect his people.

"Okay, here you go. One caramel latte." She handed it to him and he immediately took a large swallow. Looked like the Boss had a long night too.

"Here are all the Known Associate books and 2 of the Pass Books. We made them a convenient size to tuck in a pocket. Pictures are large with necessary information reasonably sized so no one has to go blind trying to read this shit. The other four may or may not get here today. We need to sleep and then get the last of the op together before we head out for insertion around six-ish." Charlie was blunt and it was something the inspector prized about her.

"Agreed. Good work, Charlie. I appreciate it. Autographs, right?" Nie Huaisang patted his cheek with the closed fan.

"Both of them. Same pic." Her tone brooked no disagreement. He raised an eyebrow.

"Impossible. Their managing companies would never allow it. If they did, and it ever came to light, there would be huge fines for them.  However, I have plans. I think you will find yourself adequately compensated."

Charlie looked at him with a healthy dose of skepticism. "This had better be good."

"I do not think you will find it wanting." he replied with a hint of mischief.

"Better not." She mock growled at him. "I'm headed out. I'll let you know about ten minutes before the briefing starts. Work for you?"

"Sounds good. Sleep well, Charlie. Thanks again." Nie Huaisang smiled.

Charlie just smiled and gave him a wave over her shoulder as she left.

-----

Jiang Cheng was sitting on the sofa dozing. It had been a long night. The only problem was his dreams kept taking him to the evening's highlights. The wails of Wei Yuan panicking as they wheeled Wei Ying away. The pain of waiting for word of the surgery.  The terror in his little brother's voice as he begged Lan Wangji to save his brother and sister from their own mother. His pleas to not return to the hell his mother and Wen Chao had imprisoned him in. The tears of A'Yuan on his shoulder soaking through his shirt. By the time his ShiJie lightly shook his shoulder, he was ready to be awake.