In the Shadows

I

Now

Detective Elliott Lessin sat leaned back on his chair, with his legs propped over his desk, contemplating his superior's offer.

Being one of the youngest amongst his colleagues – he had just turned into a really charming and handsome twenty six years old – he was always put to observation to test his abilities. Elliott had to admit he loved a good challenge; but the one he was currently pondering didn't particularly make him have a rush of adrenaline and excitement run down his spine. But then again, his superior had told him they needed someone young for the job and he was the only guy in the Crime Division apt for it.

"This is quite different from your usual jobs Lessin and I won't force you to take it if you don't want to; it's a dangerous thing after all and you'll be on your own out there. But I wouldn't be asking you if I didn't trust in your abilities to succeed"

The words of Chief Rogers repeated themselves in his head. The detective sighed and got his legs off his desk to study the file that had been sat on it throughout the week once again.

He scanned the well-known papers once more and groaned as he rubbed his eyes with the palms of his hands. He had briefly heard from the Shadow Men back when he was training to become a police officer but didn't think they were a major thing until now; they had become a subject of interest in an investigation that had run cold about two years ago.

Case n°062949: Maurice Foster, an aristocratic man and head of the local prosecutor's office, had died three years prior under what now was considered suspicious circumstances; alas cast as cardiac arrest on the preliminary autopsy.

Now, the Shadow Men were a society of sorts. They were the kind of people you hired to do the nasty job for you in an illegal borderline unethical situation. But they were known for their stealth and impeccable work; usually the only trace they left behind on every crime scene was a black rose with sharp thorns. This time though, they had received an anonymous tip about them being involved on the prosecutor Foster's death and therefore the investigation had been picked up again.

"If you were to solve this case you'll be rewarded with honour and respect Lessin"

After mulling on his thoughts for a while Elliott admitted to himself that it was a tempting offer; after all Maurice Foster was beloved and had been long mourned after his death.

The detective closed the file and got up to stretch his muscles. He stood on the threshold of his small office with the case file on his left hand and nodded in acknowledgement to a few colleagues before taking a few of his characteristic long strides to his superior's office. When he was about to open the door someone cleared his throat startling him.

"Chief Rogers is on a meeting right now" the chief's assistant smiled flirtatiously at him from her desk.

"Oh, thank you Margot" he smiled politely at her before taking a seat on a plastic chair next to the door "I'll wait here then"

Elliott Lessin wasn't oblivious to the effect he had over women but he had never use it for his benefit. If he was quite honest, he couldn't understand what was so mesmerizing and intriguing about him that had some women worshipping the ground he stood on. He hadn't had a girlfriend in ages and with a demanding career as his he wasn't interested in having one.

"Detective Lessin?" Margot's was ogling him again "do you have plans for tonight? We were going to have some..."

"Yes I do Margot" he lied "maybe another time"

"Oh! Okay, no-"

Chief Rogers' office door opened and two men in seemingly expensive suits came out. Detective Lessin stood up immediately and knocked three times on the open door.

"Can I come in sir?"

"Lessin! Yes, of course!" the older man looked up from his desk with his usual smiled plastered over his face "I believe we have something to discuss"

"We do" Elliott closed the door behind his back "I'll take up your offer"

"I knew you would" the Chief nodded "now, there are some conditions that need to be discussed"

"I'm all ears"

"First of all, we need to get you a false identity and a full background story; secondly, you'll need a place to stay but we have that covered already and-"

"Where am I going exactly?"

"Oh yes! Shadow Port" Elliott half-smiled at Chief Rogers' excited behaviour "your aunt said she could-"

"Excuse me?" the detective was surprised.

"I guess you didn't know about your aunt" he sighed "she lives in Shadow Port and has the perfect place for you to stay"

"Seems like my mother is better at keeping her secrets than I thought she was" Elliott muttered.

"From what I could gather from the brief conversation with your mother, she's her older sister and they don't get along too well"

"That would explain it" Elliott leaned back on the wall.

"Anyways, back to the details" the Chief made a dismissive gesture with his hand "lastly: Annie Foster"

"The prosecutor's daughter?" Elliott asked.

"She lives in Shadow Port and studies Fine Arts there at their local college" Chief Rogers' look made him suspect he was about to say something he wouldn't like "we need you to keep an eye on her even if that means you have to date her; if word gets out that the investigation has picked up again she could be in danger"

"I see" the detective crossed his arms over his chest "her brother John also died a few years prior to the prosecutor's death, right?"

"Yes, on a horrible car accident; the car exploded and his body was so charred up the forensics had a real hard time identifying his dental records" Chief Rogers slightly shivered.

"Horrible death indeed" Elliott agreed.

"Well, your papers and every detail will be ready on Monday morning" the chief smiled at him "you're dismissed for the day Lessin, enjoy your weekend"

"Thank you sir" Elliott opened the door but when he had just crossed the threshold he turned around "I have one more question though"

"Shoot" Chief Rogers smiled.

"How did you know I would take your offer?"

"I know you more than you think you do Elliott"

Detective Lessin quickly gathered his things from his office and went home. On Monday morning he was standing on the third platform at the train station patiently waiting to get on board towards his new undercover life at Shadow Port.