A Foreign Dose

Chapter 1: Evangaline

     As always, Everett and I are here early at mothers request.  She says that "the best leaders are prepared for anything, and a part of preparation is punctuality".  I'm pretty sure that you can be on time without being two hours early, but what mother says goes.  The digital clock on the wall says it's 6:52 a.m., which means that the briefing should be starting any minute now. 

     I look over at Everett to see that he's on his third-no fourth-cup of coffee this morning with his laptop in front of him. "What are you doing now?", I lean over to see what was on his screen.

     The instant that I opened my mouth, he hastily shut his laptop.  I gave him a quizzical look of surprise and confusion.

     "It's just something I'm working on for the team.", he said while scratching the back of his head.

     I roll my eyes thinking about the new team.  If they're anything like the rats I attended class with at the academy, I might just fake my own death so that I don't have to lead a team of ungrateful, narcissistic twats.  As if he could read my mind, which sometimes I think he can, Everett says "You know, they shouldn't be that bad. They all graduated the top of their class, and early too." 

     As much as I hate to admit it, he's probably right.  A loud clang brought me back out of my thoughts.  The girl at the door is a slight figure with short black hair and bangs that hang in front of her eyes. She jumps and apologizes, "Oh-I'm so sorry, that's a really heavy door."

     Everett looks up at her with twinkling eyes and a soft chuckle. "It's okay, that happens more often than you think. Oh watch out-" 

     Dang, how does he do that?  The girl jumps aside as the door opens once again.  This time it's my mom accompanied by her consultants and a guy who seems shorter than average with piercings in both ears and his lip.  He keeps his eyes glued to his doc martins that are decorated with dark jewels as he walks in.  Right before the door closes, a tall man with a light stubble catches the door and holds it open for the girl behind him.  "Ladies first." he says politely as she thanks him.

      After everyone takes a seat at the marbled, long, rectangular table, my mom introduces herself.   Clearing her throat as she stands up and smooths down her slacks she announces "Hello everyone, I am Lorelei Kingsley. I have been assigned director of this operation, and as director I am here to brief you on this case,"  She pauses before handing out a handful of manila folders. "Has anyone seen Malachai?"

     Everyone looks at each other clueslessy.  Mom turns to her nearest consultant and whispers an order in his ear.  He nods and walks away through the door.  After an awkward and silent five minutes, the door opens and Mr.Drew walks in dragging a brooding guy with a smug look on his face.  "Nice of you to join us Mr. Campbelle" my mom says before finally handing out the folders.

     The content of the folders are a couple of photos and a list of names. I've worked with less.  Looking up at the others, I can tell some of them haven't.  A consultant spoke up, "Those are photos of  a couple of Bautista's known colleagues.  The male-Maxim Lubovitch-is believed to be the consigliere.  Anya Serge, well her role is still unknown.  We haven't determined if she's Bautista's lady friend or if she's just a mere soldier. We do, however, know their last known whereabouts.  Lubovitch was spotted outside the Caprise Bistro last Sunday and Serge was located two blocks over outside of an antique shop, meeting no doubt.  Unfortunately, we lost them in the crowd and never found them again.  The list are names of recent victims that we believe are connected to the case.  The C.O.D's are consistent with the confirmed victims.  It's the same busted vessels causing bleeding from the eyes,ears, and nails, and the brief seizures before death.  We don't know how or when they would have gotten a hold of the lethal drug. "

     Anya was absolutely breathe taking.  Her angelic facial features matched perfectly with her petite body.  Her brunette hair was pinned up in a classy knot on the back of her head, her golden eyes were surrounded by light eyeliner. Besides the eyeliner, you could hardly tell that she was wearing makeup at all.  I easily hid my jealousy before anyone could notice. 

     It was Malachai that broke the silence.  "And what are we supposed to do?"

     My mom responded in a slightly irritated tone, "You are going to track Lubovitch and Serge down and take them in for interrogation.  Once you get what you need you are going to try to infiltrate the next meeting or drop, whatever it is.  Your ultimate objective is to identify the ring leader and take him down. Once they're taken care of, everything else will fall in place. I trust that your training will prove beneficial on your first mission."

     The man who had spoken before stepped up again. "Your bags are already packed onto the jet.  You may feel free to introduce yourself or carry discussions on your flight to Paris.  Everything else that you will need will be at the base.  Austin will be your pilot and consultant in this case.  He will be there if you need anything."

     "I wish you agents good luck and we will keep in touch. You are now dismissed, please follow Austin to the jet."  I met my mom's steel gaze as I left the room behind everyone else.  Her face held expressions of both doubt and trust.