I mentally imagine the word "case closed" on top of the folder of John and Melinda Lucas. They have been promoting human trafficking and sold approximately 32,000 women and children all over the world in the past ten years. They have been moving from place to place, changing identities just so no one could track them.
But I guess that changed now, didn't it?
---
I punch in the code in the keypad to get in my apartment and when I opened it, my neighbor across the hallway, Jim, was teaching my German Sheperd, Tabs, basic tricks. He's the only thing that can tug my heartstrings -- Tabs, I mean.
"Hey Jim, thanks for babysitting my baby," I say as I put my duffel bag down near the door and tread toward the kitchen to make late supper.
"No problem, Francine, Tabs reminds me of my Labrador in Canada," he replies sulkily. I flinch. I don't like anyone going on first name basis with me. It's either my second name, Sierra or my last name, Kravinsky, but never Francine.
I didn't let anyone call me Francine until after that unfaithful night.
"Jim," I whine, "what did I tell you about calling me Francine?" Grabbing the ramen from the cabinet, I make my way toward the thermos and fill half the cup with hot water.
"To not call you that," he whines back.
"So I suggest you don't okay? You're pretty hard-headed for a fourteen year old," I smirk, leaning against the kitchen island.
"Yeah and you're pretty softheaded for a twenty year old."
"Softheaded is a term for dumb people with uncritical minds. Do I look dumb to you, Jim?" Jim is the only person who can humor me with his wits and get away with it.
".....no. You actually look like someone who can kill people with your bare hands and easily get away with it." He nods at me cheerfully. Oh Jim, if you only knew.
"Well," I look at the clock, seeing it's ten minutes past ten, "it's almost past your bedtime and your mom's going to kill me if I don't return you to her soon. So scurry off before I kill you with my bare hands."
"What the heck, Sierra, I'm fourteen, I don't have bedtimes anymore." As if on cue, his mom knocked loudly on my door.
"Jimmy? Sweetheart, it's your bedtime!" 'Jimmy' groans and hangs his head in embarrassment.
"See? Bye Jimmy!" I say smugly.
"I'm going to kidnap your dog tomorrow," Jimmy says as he scurries toward the door and gives Tabs one last pet.
I sigh and shake the smug in my face and get back to work.
Grabbing the ramen, I snap my fingers to Tabs which is a signal for 'Follow me to my room."
Grabbing the Mac on top of my bedside drawer, I flip it open and sit Indian style on my bed.
I put the ramen on top of the drawer and begin working.
I click open the file icon and enter my password. 1s and 0s fill my screen and I type a command to translate them into something readable and coherent.
Getting in the database of the FBI and various crime-related agencies has never been difficult for me, I did finish my degree in Information Technology back in college and advanced a little when I based 2 years of my life on research.
Hmm let's see...
John Lucas
Birth: September 25, 1982
