In Plain Sight

3. Date With Destiny

POV: Sam

I was sitting at work and all I could think about was Kelly. She's beautiful and has an aura of mystery about her. She doesn't say or give away too much. She either has trust issues or she has been hurt before or hiding something or maybe I'm reading too much into this. I just met her and I'm trying to analyse her like a suspect. I chuckle at myself. This is why I'm single, I bring work home.

"Mac, let's go. Meeting is starting." Brian called me. He's been my partner and best friend for the last 10 years and I trust him with my life.

"Yep, coming." I replied grabbing my suit jacket from my chair.

Our boss, Mr Ellis, said today's meeting was very important because a big case was brewing and he wants us in on it. That's all he said. Further details to follow once there's an agreement that we're in. 

We got into the boardroom and I saw a few faces I didn't recognize and some that I do. As we exchanged greetings I learned they came from other FBI offices and some are police detectives. Once we we're all seated, the head of the FBI task forces walked in and greeted us.

"Good morning. I believe you have all met so I'll get right to it. You are now all officially part of a task force we've formed to take down a few very bad guys. It could take weeks, months or more but it will be worth it. If this is not for you, this is your opportunity to walk out."

No one made a move to leave. "Fantastic. Let's get started."

The screen came to life with pictures and names of 5 men on it. I recognized 3 of them. One was a wanted arms dealer, the other a cartel leader and the third was a smuggler of just about anything you can think of. I hadn't heard of the other 2 before.

As the Head of the task forces explained each man, it turned out the other 2 guys were also an arms dealer and cartel leader respectively.

"I am not going to lie and say that this will be easy. These 5 men are very elusive and honestly even if we get 2 or 3 of them I will consider it a win." He said.

Cases like these could drag on for months or even years. These guys businesses are so complex and not easy to unravel and pin a crime on them. You could get lost in that world trying to untangle that mess. I have seen good agents and officers become alcoholics, get on criminals' payrolls or turn up dead. It was never pretty work especially if you go in undercover.

Undercover is so delicate, soul sucking and rewarding all at the same time. You get the opportunity to be part of a team taking a bad guy off the street. If you're in it for too long it can become difficult keeping up with what's real or not. 3 years undercover on a single target can suck anyone in.

It's not easy trying to lead a double life and maintaining clear lines between them.

"This time we are lucky because we finally have a link between 3 of these 5 men. They all have something in common. A thread we can pull that can unlock some information. Her." And a grainy, low quality photo of a woman popped up on screen. It was a surveillance camera still photo. It was black and white. She had on a hat and sunglasses and the photo was of her side profile at an angle.

"She goes by the name J.R and she's our way in. She's a high level thief and can easily find her way in and out of many places including secure buildings, undetected. These gentlemen have used her services a number of times. Find her and we can turn her and catch these other guys with the intel she gives us. Any questions?"

"Do we have a clearer image of her? Or any other lead?" Brian asked.

"Unfortunately this all we have. No fingerprints, DNA or photos. She's very careful. This image is from a surveillance camera near a New York hotel but that's all we have."