Carmen Sandiego - The Final Caper

Chapter 3 - ACME

I strode down the hallways of ACME, talking to another agent who was keeping pace, and taking notes of everything I said. This higher clearance from Chief really was useful.

"Make sure she is in a cell under constant surveillance. Assign a rotating group of agents to be monitoring the cameras."

The agent nodded and turned away, tapping furiously on her tablet. I continued on my path, making a many turns in the back of the facility. Finally, I came to the holding cell. A temporary one, but it would have to do. Inside was Carmen Sandiego, tied to a chair, looking down and defeated. When she saw who I was she turned away and shut her eyes.

"Come to gloat, have you? Remind me of how you betrayed my trust when I was feeling the lowest in my life? It's my own fault really. After Stockholm I should have known better than to trust you."

Her words hurt, even more so for the fact that she wouldn't even look at me. Decided to try to push past this I began to tell her what was going on.

"I am sorry about this temporary holding cell; we are working to find a suitable cell for you and your needs."

As soon as I said this, I wanted to kick myself. I was trying to be careful to build up trust and I just insulted her to her face! She finally looked up at me. I can see the utter hopelessness she was feeling as soon as we made eye contact.

"Why would you care about my needs agent? You're just going to interrogate me and throw me to the police. At this point I don't care. Do whatever the hell you want."

My communicator pen started beeping, signalling an incoming transmission from Chief.

"Please excuse me for a moment."

She said nothing and turned away again. I left the room and threw the pen onto the floor.

"Agent Argent what is the progress of the interrogation? I need to know what she needed with our servers, and who she may have shared this information with."

Chief looked at my face, showing all my worries, and sighed.

"You haven't started interrogating her yet, have you?"

I know that this case would either make or break my career at ACME, meaning I cannot get thrown off.

"I was about to start, I just... wanted to check up on her first, that's all."

I knew I had said something wrong as Chief looked at me with an expression of... was that pity?

"I'm coming. Hold tight and do not make contact again until I get there."

Was she taking me off the case? Why couldn't I make contact with Carmen?

"You're not being taken off the case if that's what you're worried about. But I am worried about how you seem to be taking Carmen's words to heart."

She knelt down and put her hand on my shoulder. The hologram phased through slightly, sending a jolt of electricity through my arm.

"I know you care about her, but she isn't well. Don't take anything to heart. We will help her, but we must get the information first. Do you understand?"

I nodded and Chief stood back up.

"I will be there in half an hour. Do not talk to her until I get there."

With that the pen fell to the floor, lifeless.

I waited in that room for the 30 minutes, thinking of the best way to help Carmen. After coming up with a carful plan, I stood up and walked out with Chief.