Yara Hughes: All-Seeing Detective

Chapter Two: An Opportunity Arises

      Like most days, I took the Tube from Hammersmith to Westminster and then walked to New Scotland Yard for work, stopping quickly at the café nearby to pick up a bagel and coffee. After signing in at the front desk, I made my way up to my office in the Criminal Investigation Department. As I strode confidently through the halls, I could feel hundreds of pairs of eyes burning into my back, analyzing my every step. Don't mind them, I told myself. You're better than them at this. You know it, they know it. You just see more than they do. If only they could understand.

      There was a note left for me on my desk when I walked into my office. "My office, ASAP," it said. The stationary revealed that it had been written by my superintendent, Eric Smith. I put down my bag, coat, and cap, and left my office. I walked through the remainder of the hallway to the corner office and knocked on the large wooden door.

      "Come in," I heard from inside. I opened the door slowly, stepping in after it. Smith's office, as always, was decorated with all wooden furniture. The walls were lined with framed newspaper articles and awards he'd received during his years of police work. Sitting in a large cushioned chair behind an even larger desk was Smith himself, dressed in a very formal-looking black suit accompanied by a fat red tie. Everything about Smith and his office seemed extra. I didn't like it.

      What caught my eye this time, however, was the tall, lean figure standing beside Smith. Though I hadn't seen him recently or often at all, I recognized him from numerous photos hanging around the department and the internet. He was none other than the Commissioner of Police at New Scotland Yard, Alfred McGrath. He was also staring right at me, which made me feel grateful that I hadn't yet eaten my breakfast, otherwise I may have needed to vomit out my anxieties. Astonished, I could barely take another step into the room.

      "Ms. Hughes," he said with a surprisingly welcoming voice. "Come in, take a seat."

      It took nearly everything I had to not hyperventilate as I walked over to the seat in front of the desk. I sat down and began to fidget with my hands to keep myself calm.

      "Sir," I began, my voice shaking. "May I ask what I've done to warrant your attention?"

      The Commissioner gave a reassuring smile. "Well I can certainly tell you that you aren't in trouble... unless you've done something, and we haven't found out about it yet."

      "No, sir."

      "Then all I'm here for is to offer you an opportunity. Mr. Smith?"

      On cue, Superintendent Smith picked up a case folder laying on his desk and held it out for me to take. Cautiously, I took the folder and couldn't help but stare at the front. The label read, "TOP SECRET: FBI USE ONLY."

      "...FBI?" I asked. "Sir, the FBI is American."

      "Right you are, Ms. Hughes," the Commissioner replied, nodding. "They have a high-profile case to deal with and have reached out to us for assistance. I've recommended you to be the one to fly over and help them."

      I felt my face lose all color. "Me?"

      "With your spotless record? If anything, I had less difficulty making this decision than deciding what to eat this morning!"

      "I- thank you, sir."

      "Well? We can have you out on a flight tomorrow morning. I'll even let you leave early to pack and get ready. What do you say?"

      My heart was beating so fast, I wondered if the Superintendent and Commissioner could hear it. The United States? I was being given a chance to go to the United States? And to assist the FBI?

      "...I'd love to." I said, unable to keep myself from grinning broadly. I stood up and held out my hand to shake. "Thank you, sir."

      The Commissioner shook my hand, also grinning. "You're very welcome. Make us proud, Ms. Hughes. You're dismissed."