Stage Lights and a Heist

Chapter 1: I'm what?

I'm just your ordinary girl, well- that is if you consider waking up to hack into multitudes of databases for the FBI everyday. I'll figured I'd be doing that until I retire and end up passing on peacefully to the next life. Everyday I'm asked if I like my job, which to I reply "Why wouldn't I." I know they only ask because I'm a girl. We're almost never in the hacking industry. On top of that, all of the people in my branch are male besides one other girl. It doesn't bother me any. Little did I know, my once planned out life...that was all going to change.

"Here you are, Miss Lanette. Peterson wants the credit card history from this suspect. They might be able to get a step closer to finding the girl if we get the last used location." A fellow colleague of mine, Jeffrey Logan, said as he placed a manila file folder onto my desk. He usually did this pretty often so I'm not so fazed by it.

"Sure thing, the sooner we find her the sooner her family can be relieved." I open up the folder and quickly type on my computer, click and type the numbers in and done. "Here you go."

"That was super quick." Jeffrey leaned to where he could see the computer screen. He pulls out a pin from his breast pocket and jots down the address. "Thanks, I'll hand this over now." Tucking his pen back into his pocket he heads straight for the chief's office. I turn back and go back to my regular day to day work. Normally I just get stacks of papers to sort through and get the data for if I don't get any special cases. Special cases are when one of the agents come to me with something specific they need hacked and I'll do it if they have the necessary permits. I always end up losing track of time when I'm working and I never really know when it's time to go until someone tells me.

"Hey, Emilee. You know it's quitting time right?" Hana, the only other girl in my squadron nudges me. She usually dealt with all the forensics that needed to be analyzed. She was really good at her job. She was the same age as me, only in her twenties. Many people are shocked about how young we were, since most FBI agents are older and very experienced. We were both in the top of our class in the academy. We had nearly perfect scores.

"I know it is, I just want to get as many of these papers completed as I possibly can." I don't even bother looking from my monitor as I continue typing the information in and then flipping the papers into piles. I want to do them, the more I do, the more people who could possibly be caught and the more people we could possibly save.

"Yes, I feel your empathy, but you do need a break every once in awhile. We are in Los Angeles, and on a Friday. What do you say? We go out and have some fun! Come with me." She winks and smiles.

"Sure- I suppose you are right. I could use a break." I replied and stood up from my seat. I stretched as I went to go pick up my jacket. It's been awhile since I went out, ever since I came to LA I haven't had a chance to relax, so this could be nice.

"Good, you're finally letting loose." She pats me on the back.

"I used to be loose back in college, I could out drink almost anyone. I doubt I could live up to that now though." I laugh as I pick up my jacket.

"Just one second before you leave Lanette, step in my office for a moment." The head chief of our branch, Erik Peterson, stuck his head out his office door. I had to admit I was confused. Usually I never speak directly to him, Jeffrey usually was the messenger between us. I can't question it though, or I could be in danger of losing my job.

"I'll meet you at my place?" Hana asks. She flips her wavy blond hair behind her.

"Yes. I'll see you there." I waved bye to her as I walked into the office. Peterson was sitting at his desk with a folder with the classified stamp on it. That probably isn't good, we haven't seen one of these in our squad since a year or so ago. His expression was rather serious.

"So, I'm guessing you noticed the the folder by the look on your face." He gestured to sit down at the chair across from him, I nod. I quickly examine his character as I sit, I never got to see him really other than when he pops his head out the door every once and awhile. His hair was slicked back and he was wearing a full suit. He looked really professional, which he had too. He is the chief of our branch after all. 

"Yeah, the last we had one it was the hardest case of my career." I widened my eyes.

"Well, if you didn't hack into the main data base of those security cameras, we wouldn't had found where the suspect hid all the stolen money that was transferred." He said trying to glorify me.

"I just did my job that's all."

"Always like you to not accept the compliment Lanette." He laughs."Anyways, you're probably wondering why I called you in here I presume?" He looks up and was fiddling with his pen looking directly at me.

"Of course I am." I replied quickly, I was really interested now that I knew it was a classified case. These rarely come in, way less than all the television shows make it seem.

"Well, the reason I called you in was because I have a task from the higher ups. I know you're a hacker- but, would you try out a undercover mission? I need someone to gain entry into a certain group, gain their trust and hack into their information. Bringing a copy to the branch of course." He explained.

"Me? Why me? Why wouldn't the higher ups just send it to a field agent?" I ask.

"Because, they want a female. The organization they want to gain intel on is very well known for their well-"

"Harems? I bet it's the Diamonds." I interrupted him.

"Correct, they've been recently being talked up on the streets by everyone, even the lesser gangs. We think it's something about holding a major heist. Whether it's for drugs or money, it's something big. They even killed six because they all apparently had a debts or some other measly excuse. They even apparently kidnapped some young child for leverage against their foes."

"That's terrible. No wonder they're on the list to track down."

"That's why we want you to gain access so we could put an end to their treacherous acts. So, are you in?" His brown eyes narrow as he looks me over.

I begin to think. Is this really the job for me? I'm not really a fighter- then again I'm supposedly only posing as a trophy girl. All I really have to do is sweet talk a few guys in the group in order to gain access. Before I even knew it, I was already telling him my answer. "I'll do it."  He smiles. I don't know why I agreed but it may be something interesting for a change.

"Good, I'll let them know. You're free to go now, that's all I needed. I'll give you more details soon."

"Well I'll be going." I stand up and head for the door, but before I grabbed the knob he calls out to me.

"Also, you said you were going out to party with Hana tonight? Well, I recommend the club by the beach, Straza? It's notorious for their members to hang out there. Might as well put yourself on their radar so you can gain access easier. So wear something nice." He tells me.

"Alright boss." I head out the door and go on my way to meet Hana.