Innocent

Chapter 21: Models and Murderers

"I love you as certain dark things are to be loved. In secret, between the shadow and the soul."

Pablo Neruda

I was impeccably dressed as I walked down the runway. My couture silver dress flowed freely at the bottom like angel wings. I stopped and posed, giving my best pout, when on cue Matthew from the crowd that had gathered, threw a dozen red roses at me. I blew a kiss at him, to signal that I had gotten the message, as I quickly turned and gave my fiercest pose as I threw a brilliant smile at the audience, who was cheering loudly. I walked backstage with a hurry, please don't let us be too late. I thought worriedly, as I rushed my feet to go farther.

I gasped with shock, my silver heels had become stained with blood, as I looked down at the massacre before me. Blood was in puddles on the floor, as I looked at dozens of models and designers, their blood scattered on the walls.

We were too late.

3 days before---

"Isabelle I'd like you to meet someone." Agent Collins said in a formal tone, "This is Thomas, he's the head of one of the most important NYPD divisions." I smiled as I looked at Thomas, my old friend who I still kept in contact with all these. He grinned at me, as we shook hands.

"It's nice to meet you, Thomas." I grinned back.

"It's nice to meet you too." He replied kindly, with a hint of excitement in his voice. I was practically jumping for joy. I hadn't seen Thomas since the trial, and even though we had secret phone calls using the advanced technology his father made, which were a pearl ring disguised as a transmitter, and the receiver which was implanted underneath the skin of my wrist. Agent Collins furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. The Agents surrounding us also look confused. Matthew looked at me with amusement. I just shot him a confused look, which made his smile grow wider.

"I wasn't exactly expecting this." Agent Collins said with surprise.

"Expecting what?" Thomas and I said at the same time, realizing this we gave each other a smile.

"That." Agent Collins pointed out, "I expected you to be stabbing him by now."

"I'm sorry to disappoint you." I retorted, giving him a sarcastic smile.

"You know he put you in prison." Agent Collins said, "yet you blame me more than him."

"He didn't tell me to rot in hell." I sneered.

"My friendship with Isabelle should not concern you." Thomas said in a strict tone.

"Very well, you're right. " Agent Collins looked slightly intimidated by Thomas, who had aged quite a bit since I last saw him. He was almost thirty, you could tell, and he had taken on this more mature, wise look, probably since the birth of his four year old son. "The reason I called you here, is because Thomas requested you and Matthew work a case together." I furrowed my eyebrows. I do not like the sound of this.
" You'll be working case for a top designer named Ralph Pierre he designs top-of-the-line dresses. He is well known, recently he has been getting death threats. Just last week someone blew a bomb in his office. You need to find out who sent these threats and find the bomber. Isabelle you will go undercover as a model, we're going to lure the bomber in by setting a trap he will think it is a perfect opportunity steal the dress that is worth 12 million dollars. The dress is known as Lux. Matthew will pose as a photographer and later a fan. This guy is armed and dangerous, he's already proved to us he doesn't mind killing. You think your up for it?"

I gave him a mischievous smile.
"I've handled worse. I think I can handle a killer who wants to play dress up. He wants a show I'll give him one."

"We'll." Matthew corrected with a slight smirk.

"You're just a fan, you just have to throw flowers at me." I said playfully.

"I can do more than just flowers."

My phone beeped,
Aidan: Sorry I had to cancel our date. Try again today?

Me: Can't working a case.

Aidan: How can I help?

Me: It's too risky for you to be on this. I'm working with Matthew, I don't want him to get suspicious or see your face. The last thing you need is to be on their radar.

Aidan: Your working with Matthew?

Me: Yeah why?

Aidan: I don't like the way he looks at you.

Me: How does he look at me?

Aidan: The same way I do.

Me: You're cute when your jealous.

Aidan: I'm not jealous.

"Earth to Isabelle?" Agent Collins said with a hint of annoyance. I rolled my eyes at him.

"Yes, mission control. I have landed on a strange planet where there is this flesh eating alien with six arms and his name is Agent Collins. Can you send something to blow him up?" I asked, grabbing the banana that was on the floor, and I began to use it as a cell phone. The Agents cracked a slight smile and even Matthew couldn't keep the grin off his face.
"Ha, ha. Isabelle you're so funny." He said sarcastically.
I gave him a cheeky smile. "I know. "
Thomas kept a small smile on his face as he continued discussing the plan.
"You start today. First, do surveillance on Ralph Pierre, he has refused our help and says he can handle it, but his boss demanded that we protect him. Currently he's at a coffee shop called the Bistro."
"I love that place." I added.
Agent Collins scoffed, "That place is worse than Starbucks on steroids."
"I'm a millionaire remember? I can afford a cup of coffee." I retorted as I pointed to the dingy, old, rusted coffee maker that made coffee that tasted like rotten eggs.
"What's wrong with ole faithful?" He petted the old coffee maker fondly."She's been here longer than any of us even me."
"She must be older than the dinosaurs then. " Agent Collins frowned."When's the last time you cleaned it?"I wrinkled my nose, as I remembered the taste once again.
"You're suppose to clean it?" He asked in a serious tone, looking generally confused. I groaned as I buried my face in my hands. Thomas made a face but didn't mention anything as he looked down at the coffee he hadn't taken a sip of yet. He quietly put it down. His phone rang, I saw the caller ID, Susan, his wife. After a long pause, Thomas finally spoke,"You're dismissed." He waved us all off with a flicker of his wrist.
Matthew gave me a mischievous smile. "Who's ready to catch a murderer?" He asked.

"Isn't that my line?"