FBI Damsel: Foreign Affairs

Three: Wisconsin

The unit had barely walked off the plane when they were bombarded by news crews, concerned citizens, and police.The chief did his best to push everyone away, but it was to no avail.It took Eddie and Parker to stand on a table and shout into the intercom to get everyone to keep silent.

“The FBI is only here to consult; we’re not miracle-workers and won’t solve this case overnight, though we will do our best to help.Please, remain calm and we will update you on anything important via press conference - all to be scheduled on our terms.Please, leave us to do our work so we can resolve these issues as soon as possible,” Eddie explained.The crowd appeared to listen to his plea.

Parker, not to be outdone, cleared his throat before he began.“If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the local police department.We have an agent here who is willing to fill anyone in who has any serious concerns and questions and will answer them diligently.Thank you.”

They hopped down and strutted through the airport, the crowd making a path for them as they walked.Everyone - especially the rest of their team - stared in amazement at the two.

“Since when do people actually take their advice?” Valerie asked.

“And say the right things without embarrassing anyone, including the FBI?” Simone added.

“Hell hath frozen over,” Mitch muttered.They shook their heads and followed after the two towards a group of waiting police cruisers.Everyone had a partner that they broke off with, each going with a different officer to their assigned tasks.

The group of three - Simone, Vaughn, and Victoria - went to the station.There, they were going to compile the station’s notes, evidence, interviews, and suspect lists.It was Simone’s job to pick out who would be more willing to allow her to speak to them.As a Journalism Major in college, she had an uncanny ability to find the one person in an entire crowd who wants their voice heard or face seen on TV.It’s a talent many in her profession would kill to have.

Vaughn nodded to a few important looking people as they strutted through the precinct.They were led to a room directly in the center of the station.A little weird and slightly less private than they would have liked, but at least there was a door and the windows had curtains.A small room, perhaps 10x10, with a table and dry erase board that could barely fit into the room.They managed to squeeze four chairs around the long table.Photos and papers and maps were scattered everywhere, hardly leaving any wood visible below.

“Um, I think I’ll sort this out first,” Simone said.Victoria jumped in to help.Neither enjoyed cleaning much, as most people don’t, but this mess was unacceptable.

“What information do you have so far?Anything new?” Vaughn asked who he thought was the chief.

“Nothing that I know of, sir.Let me ask my superior, though.He’s the only one who knows everything there is to know about the case so far,” the man said.He nodded - almost a bow - and backed out of the room with a nervous smile on his face.

Everyone in the station was leaving them to themselves, but continued glancing into the room.It was almost as though they were trying to eavesdrop on anything the FBI Agents might have to say.As if they didn’t know much about all that was going on and were trying to find answers for themselves.As if the Captain and Sergeants and Chief of Police didn’t trust the regular deputy’s with too much information.An older woman with a few badges on her shoulder shooed the eavesdroppers away, scolding them like children.

Victoria exchanged looks with the Team Leader.“This isn’t weird at all, Vaughn.”

“Not at all,” he replied with just as much sarcasm.A much more macho, but far older, man entered the room at last.