Love can't be undercover

Epilogue

"It's yours."

Amber gave Rotherman a confused look. "What's mine?"

The case. You know... the one you've been so on edge about over these past few years. You can have it." He said, hesitantly enough for her to question him a bit more.

She knew what case he was talking about. Case 5970, Bin Timber and Marie Suido. The case that was constantly rejected because of the lack of evidence and "stupid reasoning" according to Agent Rotherman himself. But here he was, all of a sudden saying that it was hers. Which meant that her suspicions were right.

"Wait, this is odd, why?" She asked, raising an eyebrow. Rotherman was a mean man who kept to himself. Maybe he had reconsidered the evidence? She didn't know. She just wanted to bring justice to the man who killed her aunt. Well, at least she believed that Timber killed her.

"Well, we looked at the evidence again, for one, but also there was some movement up down on Geary Boulevard. A chase between two cars. One was abandoned, and when searched an ID was found. Guess who?"

"Suido? No," she bit her lip, thinking it further. That would be too careless. "One of her alias's. Kergan."

"Bingo. And because you think that your aunt was killed because of one of those bastards, you're the lead on the case." He said, crossing his arms and averting her grin. She was right, and he was wrong, this was so rare!

"Well, that says something. Is Agent Black in right now? She'll love to hear." She said, obvious excitement in her voice. She finally got to be the one with devious faces. Hah.

"Agh, wipe that smile off your face. It's getting old."

"I'm proud, what can I say?" She replied.

He rolled his eyes at her statement. "l'll bring Black in. Update Johnson if you make her your second. Chances are she won't be, it's a big case according to him."

"Makes sense, thanks Devon." She made out, before he left the room.

This was a rare win. Knocked down two birds with one stone—the case she's been after for years, and the guy who's given her smug grins through all those years, finally put down. Finally. Just as she was about to review the new folder she had received, a call to her office was made. Without even checking the number, she picked it up, a jolly smile still on her face.

"Agent Rodrigues? Did I get the right number?"

"Yes, this is Rodrigues. Who is this?"

"I'm agent Louis with the PCR division. Listen, I need you down here. There's a woman who says she knows you. A witness. Doesn't speak english but keeps repeating two words, 'power out.' She says it after your name and it's all she seems to say," Louis explained.

"Power out? That sounds familiar.. uh.." Amber paused a moment. The term felt familiar. A code she had made with one of her clients when she was an intern at law school? No. A code with a friend? Unlikely. Then she rethought it. Parade. Fuck, she thought. "Agent Louis, where are you?" Amber inquired. This could not be good.

"Governor Riley's office. There was a gun threat a couple of hours ago and it's been in lockdown since and-"

"Yeah, I heard from Assistant Special agent Brass. I'll be down in 10." She told him, worry in her voice. She knew who it was, just not what the woman wanted.

"Alright. Thank you." He recognized.

She hung the phone up and reached for her coat, locking her office doors before leaving. It was her sister-in-law who had just moved to San Francisco not even a week ago. She could barely speak English which heavily explained why she would pronounce parade as power out. When Gabrielle first moved to the city, Amber told her a distress word if she ever came around a federal challenge. She explained it in French of course. And that was her first mistake

"Yeah no problem, I think you're going to love the city." Amber said.

"Thank you for much Amber, seriously you have no idea. Also has anyone ever told me you speak french like a native?" Gabrielle told her. Amber laughed.

"Yes, they have. By the way, if you ever have any trouble with the cops, agents, anyone, tell them my name and just say 'parade.' It'll let me know you're in deep trouble and aren't able to explain the situation yourself."

"Heh.. thanks. How do I say that? Parod? P-Parowde?" They both laughed.

"Parade." Amber pronounced.

"I'll try my best to pronounce it. Thank you Amber." She expressed, before walking Amber out.

"Bonne journée, Gabrielle."

—
When Amber got to the scene, she presented her FBI ID and got in. She wasn't surprised with the situation, or the amount of older people around. "Ah, you must be Agent Rodrigues, Agent Louis from earlier. You can call me Blake."

"Well Blake, you can call me Amber. What's going on here?" Amber asked, looking around for her in-law. She was a bit overwhelmed with the noise. Blake gestured toward a group of officers gathered around Gabrielle, who appeared distressed.

"We've been trying to communicate with her, but she seems to only respond to your name and the phrase 'power out.' Do you know her?"

Amber's heart sank as she recognized Gabrielle among the crowd. Rushing over, she knelt beside her sister-in-law, concern etched on her face.

"Gabrielle, what happened? Are you okay?" she asked, her voice urgent.

Gabrielle looked up at Amber, her eyes wide with fear. "Amber, it's about something urgent," she said, her words trembling with emotion.

Amber's pulse quickened as she processed Gabrielle's words. What could be so urgent that Gabrielle had sought her out at the governor's office.

"Tell me, Gabrielle. What's going on?" Amber urged, her mind racing with possibilities.

Gabrielle took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. "I was assisting Madame Delacroix, the French diplomat, during a meeting at the governor's office," she began, her voice shaky. "Suddenly, there was a commotion outside the building. Shots were fired, and the building went into lockdown. She.. she got shot."

Amber's heart raced as she listened to Gabrielle's account. So, there had been an incident at the governor's office. And the ambassador had been shot. What the? This could start a war.

"Thank you, Gabrielle. You did the right thing by coming to me," Amber said, her tone reassuring. "Now, let's get you somewhere safe."

As Gabrielle was escorted to safety, Amber's mind raced with new leads and possibilities. Whatever had happened at the governor's office, it wasn't a pleasant experience for anyone.

"I need to follow up on this. Can you handle things here?" Amber exhaled, fingers tapping on her crossed arms. "Oh, by the way that's my sister-in-law. Parade was the safety word we chose. Call her husband. I can sort the family out after further investigation."

"Yeah, we've got things. I'll let you know what we find out. PCR isn't really involved with these kinds of things but the crime division will be thrilled. I'll make sure they direct the case at you." Blake followed, reassurance in her voice.

"Yeah. Yeah, I'll be on the look out. Agent Louis, I have a question," Amber started, look in front of her into the street. Blake nodded her head. "Have you heard about Timber and Suido?" She asked, turning to look at Blake.

"I've heard they're frauds. But, I also heard a case, most likely turned investigation opened on them. How come?" Blake questioned, confusion rising on his face.

"If you find the initials B.M. anywhere on the evidence, let me know, immediately." She suggested.

"Okay. I can do that. See you around I guess?" Blake extended his hand, and Amber shook it. If only she knew what she was getting herself into...