The Eruption of Mountgomery

Chapter 3

No, you may not—I never meet with clients until I gain the down payment. I am not looking for a relationship—my business is one I take pride in. I will never take kindly to those who abuse the honor of working with someone of my caliber—despite people like you are the reason—

The text halted there. Well shit, Nero mused, placing his phone back in its place in the central console of the car. Do I look like someone somebody intentionally abusing this person's illicit business practice? With a roll of his eyes, the car in front of him lurched forward, as the light turned from a neon crimson to a piercing light green. Pressing upon the accelerator, his hands upon the wheel tensed then relaxed. The text's words seemed to bounce around in Nero's head like a buoy in water as he pulled into the precinct. Emerging from the vehicle, Nero glanced at the horde of reporters feasting like vultures upon his partner, Caleb Jones, who had been speaking to the news outlets as a liaison. Nero slammed the door of his car, leaning against it. Crossing his arms, he observed the unworthy vultures as they quickly dispersed sauntering toward Nero. They shouted questions regarding Drew Cooper's case, however, Nero was having absolutely none of it. Growling low in the back of his throat, lightning crackled through the dry air, causing the hairs on the backs of everybody's neck to stand at attention. Caleb quickly approached Nero and coiled an arm around his neck.

He bent down to his partner's ear and whispered something into it. Immediately the fury that slowly welled within him vanished. Upon entering the building, Caleb glanced at Nero and sighed. It was not like Nero to react so strongly toward a crowd of reporters. Nor was it within Nero to hold an overwhelming surge of electrical fury. Caleb had known Nero quite well. Knew that he considered Blaise Vesuvius, who had died a few months prior, as a close-knit ally. However, Caleb disagreed with the passion with which he held when speaking about her. Nero hadn't dared defend the dead woman though, but something in the air informed Caleb that today was the day when that changes. Upon pouring a mug of coffee, Caleb propped himself against the refrigerator, "How much closer are you to reaching that likely assassin?"

Nero shrugged, a stirring rod in between his fingers. "Not likely." He sighed. "Nobody else claims to have seen a woman that fits the description. They're careful, Caleb. They witness every plausible outcome and plan accordingly. It's not likely that we could force her to attack, and even if we did—"

"Nero, the department head wishes to speak to you though." The head's assistant barked sharply. Caleb clapped Nero on the back as he chuckled, "You may be getting that promotion—"

Nero rolled his eyes, shoving past Caleb. He doubted that, the case, one that was thought to be open and shut became more complicated than he would like to admit. Upon entering the disorganized office of Jennifer Haben, he was greeted with her back and her arms were clasped behind her. She intoned, "Is it true? You believe Blaise Vesuvius, of whom is confirmed to be dead, to be alive?"

Nero froze, his hand still resting upon the rapidly cooling bronze door handle. He glared at his employer's back and sighed. Removing his hand from the doorknob, he shuffled into the room. Crossing toward her desk, he sat down and said, "Ma'am? I am not being taken off this case, am I?"

"Do you trust Mr. Jones?" What? What does this have to do with a woman who is supposedly dead killing a government official? Nero shook his head.

"Ma'am, yes, I do, but I hardly see why that is a critical point of reference. Caleb is a liaison, not exactly what I would define as a cop. I've brought in more criminals—"

"I trust him more to find her if she is indeed alive." His employer replied finally facing him.

"Why?" He questioned carefully. "Am I not competent, ma'am? Or is there something else that I deserve to know? How exactly did Miss Vesuvius die?"