The Perfect Alibi (GirlxGirl)

5

Kayla and I entered Harding's office first thing Monday morning to give a status report on the case. We each took a seat across from his desk. "Morning, ladies," Lieutenant Harding said. I couldn't pull my eyes away from the from the crumbs on his mustache.

"We'll cut to the chase," Kayla said. "We have a few leads." She plopped some files on his desk. "We checked the security tapes, and only three people were seen: two janitors and Sheffield's assistant. We're looking into the janitors and plan to meet with the assistant. Apparently, it was common knowledge that the two were having an affair."

I cut in with the new information. "Our team found that Victor Langston, CEO of a women's fashion brand based in New York City, had suddenly ended a decades-long business relationship with Greg Sheffield only a few months before his death."

Harding leaned back in his chair and hummed, looking between the two of us. "That sounds like something worth looking into." We sat in silence while he thought it over. "What else do you know?"

I looked at Kayla who looked at me. That said it all. Harding placed his hands confidently on the desk. "I want you two to go to New York."

My eyes widened. "What?"

"An undercover assignment."

In my twelve years as a detective, I'd only ever gone on two undercover assignments. I cleared my throat. "And what exactly are we supposed to do?"

"I'll need some time to work out the details, but I should have everything sorted by the end of the day," he said. "The assignment shouldn't take longer than a week."

I swallowed hard and glanced at Kayla again. She looked excited.

"Come back at the end of the day, and I'll have all the details sorted out." He leaned back in his chair, doing his signature hands-behind-the-head move. "You're dismissed."

We both stood and left his office. The moment we stepped back into the crowded workspace, we exchanged a glance, our faces mirroring the same look of shock.

Then Kayla's surprise turned into a grin. "I can't believe we're going undercover in New York City! My first undercover assignment!" She cheered, even jumping up and down.

"I have kids."

She gave me a knowing look. "You also have a husband who can take care of them for a week."

I swallowed hard. "Right."

She hooked her arm through mine and, with a skip in her step, pulled me along toward the case room. We entered to find our three team members already at work, coffee in hand. They all looked up at us simultaneously.

"Mornin' ladies," Jackson said, and I couldn't help but rolled my eyes internally.

"We bring news!" Kayla said. "We spoke with Lieutenant Harding, and he's assigned us to go undercover in New York City!" She squealed like a teenage girl just crowned homecoming queen.

Jessica's eyes widened. "Oh my gosh, that's so exciting—congratulations!" It was the loudest I'd ever heard her speak.

"You'll be investigating Victor Langston, I assume?" Paul said.

"Yes," I replied.

"That's great," he said. "We might just catch the killer."

"I don't know. We don't have much evidence against him. For all we know, they could've fallen out over something trivial, like a prostitute."

Jackson laughed obnoxiously. "Good one, Shelley."

I groaned softly, just loud enough for Kayla to hear. She shot me a knowing look.