I need to stop talking to Kate
Fandom: Sailor Moon
Title: Diamonds are a girl's best friend
Author's Note: Just something spawned from one of THOSE convesations Kate and I end up having. Set in NYC, AU-ish...
The alarm went off. He automatically reached over and turned it off, double-checking the time.
5:15
He’d managed almost a full 4 hours. That was an improvement.
He rose from bed, ignoring the aches and pains. He’d been ignoring a lot more than that recently. Weeks of unopened mail and dozens of unchecked messages, bags of unemptied trash bore testament to the toll the recent crime wave was taking on Detective Karl Wasserman.
Still, in spite of all the aches, the pains, the burdens, he worked like clockwork. Enough time for a quick shower, a shave, (mostly) clean clothes found, and he’d have enough time to take the subway down to the station. He’d turned on the radio at some point, ignoring the headlines about wildfires in Australia, drought in Africa, floods in India, and the continued threat of war in the Middle East.
The whole damn world was going mad, but he had quite enough to deal with in his little corner here in the city, where it felt like everything was just one bullet away from coming tumbling down.
He couldn’t think about that. He had to steel himself against another day of bodies, and weeping mothers, and citizens scared to go out at night.
***
“Detective Wasserman? I’m Detective Nathan Brown from the 1st. Call me Nate.”
Karl eyed the stranger who was standing between him and his desk with his hand outstretched. He didn’t have time for this. There was a mountain of unsolved cases on his desk, and he needed to hit the ground running today. Karl calmly walked around his latest obstacle and proceeded to his desk… only to discover it empty.
“Where are my files?”
Nathan put his hand in his pocket and ran his hand through his long brown hair before starting again.
“Detective, as I was saying, I’m from the 1st. I run a Major Case Unit squad. I’m trying to put together a team. I was hoping you might be a part of it.”
Karl looked back to the stranger, slightly more irritated.
“Look, even if I was interested in a babysitting job uptown, I have way too much to do here. And I could do it, if someone could tell me why my desk has been cleared!”
Nathan shifted a bit uncomfortably.
“I’ve spoken with your captain, and I’ve been trying to reach you for the past week. The department has reassigned you to our unit, and we’ve shifted your cases to new detectives.”
Karl looked at him as though he’d sprouted a second head.
“Look, it’s way too early in the morning for this. Whoever’s sick idea of a joke this is, I’m really not interested. I’ve got a busy day.”
Nathan reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a letter. He placed it on Karl’s desk.
“Transfer orders, and a certification from the Department psychologist that you shouldn’t work homicide.”
Karl looked at the letter for a moment before crumpling it and tossing it into the trash.
“If you’re trying to recruit me, you’re doing a terrible job.”
“Hey, look man, I wanted to do this the easy way. But according to your Captain, you’ve been ducking calls for the past month. You haven’t been to your counseling sessions in twice that long. By all rights, you should be at home without pay.”
Karl rose and leaned across the desk.
“I’m fine.”
Nathan didn’t back down.
“Tell me about the Shields murder.”
Karl didn’t respond immediately. But Nathan could see his fists clench.
“You remember the one. Dr. Darien Shields, surgeon, shot outside the hospital where he worked.”
Karl sat back down.
“Yeah, you’re fine all-right. Look, I’m going to go across the street for a bagel. When you’re ready, we can take my car uptown and get you briefed.”
***
Karl reviewed the file as they made their way from Brooklyn to Manhattan.
“I thought the whole point of this reassignment was to give me less stress. And instead, I’m thrown into the deep end on the first day.”
“Well, if you ever answered your phone, maybe you could have helped us stop the jewel heist of the century! Consider this punishment for not pulling your weight this past week.”
Karl reviewed the file again. Late last night, there had been a break-in at a private exhibition at the Waldorf-Astoria. The Rothchild brothers had rented out the hotel for a gala in honor of their father. Somewhat odd as the senior Rothchild was a bit of a recluse. But his three sons, Dermot, Sanford and Randolph, were more than flamboyant enough to make up for it. They loved flaunting their wealth and power.
Karl knew the type and hated them. The family had enough money to fix all the city’s problems and them some, but they more often blew it on stunts like this, uncaring of any bodies they might have left in their wake, figurative and literal.
Karl hated Manhattan sometimes.
He looked out the window as they crossed the bridge. Dark clouds dominated the sky. He couldn’t remember the last time he saw the sun.
He returned his attention to the file.
“So the NYPD is now reduced to private security for Uncle Moneybags and his spoiled brats?”
Nathan smiled a wry smile. “Hey, look, I know what you and the rest of the boys in the Five-oh say. ‘The great number one! Full of number two!’ The island might not be Brooklyn, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have some excitement now and again. Police work is police work. Those diamonds are worth millions, and someone stole them. What’s to stop them from hitting up a museum, or a bank?”
Karl said nothing as he pretended to read the file more. Nathan noticed.
“You wanna talk about the case?”
“Everything’s in here,” Karl noted.
“Not that one.”
Karl looked out the window again.
“No.”
Nathan merely shrugged as he got off the bridge. “You’re going to have to at some point.”
***
A few flashed badges and the pair of detectives made their way through to the crime scene, past a mob of reporters and photographers covering what had already been dubbed the crime of the century. Karl grimly though that none of the murders he had worked out in the city’s rougher corners had ever garnered this much attention; another reminder that this island was a whole different world.
Just past the tape, he saw a familiar face.
“Izzy?”
A mane of blonde curls bounced as a slender young woman with a sketchpad in hand turned at Karl’s voice. Her bohemian style made her stand out in this high fashion world, and Karl suspected she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Hey Kaiser Bun! What are you doing in this neck of the woods?”
Karl smiled, in spite of the awful nickname and embraced her. Isabelle Reilly was an aspiring artist, who paid rent sometimes by doing freelance sketch work for the department. She loathed the name Isabelle, and insisted on being called Izzy. Karl had used her many times. But not since the Shields case.
As they broke apart, Karl lifted her chin and frowned at the scarf she was wearing. It was cold, but not enough for her to wear it.
“I’ve been transferred. How’s it healing?”
Izzy looked down, suddenly feeling self-conscious. “I’m not fond of the scar.”
Karl remembered. Izzy was leaving the crime scene, after working on a composite of the suspected shooter in the Shields case when a man attacked her.
Officers and detectives knew the risks, that criminals might target them and their families. But for someone to come after Izzy?
Karl had fired on him, killing him instantly, but not before the assailants knife had nicked her on the neck. It was only the fact that they were at a hospital that kept her from bleeding out.
Izzy pushed her hair back over her ear, as Karl had learned over the years that she did when she was nervous.
“It’s okay, really. Your new partner over there has offered me steady work on this side of town. I should be safer.”
Karl was taken aback by that. A small smile grew on his face, and he gave Izzy’s hair an affectionate ruffle.
“I’ll see you around then Isabelle.”
She frowned, but Karl could see in her eyes, she didn’t mean it.
They parted and Karl rejoined Nathan. He didn’t look him in the eye immediately, and instead took in his surroundings.
“Lead the way… partner.”
Nathan smiled. “You’re welcome,” he whispered.
***
The two worked their way to the main ballroom, where the exhibition had been housed. Karl was mostly focused on observing what he could of the security system on his way in, when he was momentarily distracted by something to his left; a petite woman in a trench coat and sunglasses, with a red bow in her bright blonde hair. He didn’t know why she caught his attention. She was far from the only glamorous woman in the hotel. Karl shrugged it off, but not before one last look when he caught sight of red soles on her sparkling gold heels.
Manhattan.
Karl shook his head and followed Nathan to a man with short, curly blonde hair clad in a tuxedo that probably cost more than all his suits combined, and barking instructions into a walkie-talkie. Karl recalled the details from the case file and gathered that this was the head of security for the exhibition.
“Jeremiah Carlisle Harrison.”
He jumped at his name.
“Jesus, man. Only my mother calls me that, and only when I’m in trouble. Call me JC.”
Nathan shook his hand. “I’m Detective Brown, this is Detective Wasserman. Are you implying that you’re not in trouble now?”
JC smirked. “Oh, I’m always trouble. But I’m also very good. If you’ll follow me, I’ll fill you in.”
“So how much did they get away with?” Nathan asked.
“Nothing.”
“Excuse me?” Karl exclaimed in disbelief.
“All the diamonds are accounted for.”
Karl rubbed his forehead as he followed along.
“You know, I became a cop to do good, catch bad guys, stop crime. And you’re telling me that we’re here, and there hasn’t actually been a crime committed?”
“Oh, there was definitely an attempt. But as I said, I’m very good. I designed this security system.”
“It’s impressive,” Nathan noted. “But I’ve yet to meet a system that can’t be beaten.”
“And that’s because there’s no such thing as an unbeatable system. I never claimed to make one. I just made a system that dictates how, where and when it can be beaten. State of the art electronic surveillance on a secure network that can’t be remote hacked. Computer based locks that would require a genius to crack. Secure doors that would need heavy duty equipment to breach. There’s no individual element that can’t be beaten. But put together, that’s where the beauty of the system is. Thieves these days are all about high-tech solutions. You give them a few flashy computer based locks, some motion detectors and surveillance cameras to beat, and they think they’re James Bond. They forget the simple things, like mercury triggers on the cases, ink traps, all the nickel and dime stuff that’s ‘beneath them.’”
Karl decided to intervene before JC went on too much more. He had a bit of an unhealthy pride in his work by Karl’s estimation.
“So what stopped our would-be thieves this time around?”
“Two things,” JC said as he moved towards the case that held the largest diamond. Karl tried to ignore the stone inside, but it had a remarkable dark luster that grabbed his attention and wouldn’t let it go. It was as though the darkness inside it were something unto itself, and not just an absence of light.
Karl shook his head and turned his attention back to JC.
“The thieves were expecting pressure sensors on the case. They didn’t expect them on the floor.”
Karl and Nathan both studied the floor, and they both had to admit, they missed it as well. It was very well hidden, and played up the fact that anyone would be distracted by the diamond.
“And the other thing?”
JC pointed to a few small outlets around the case. They appeared to be purely for ventilation.
“Nebulized anesthetic. In small doses, it just knocks you out. But in continual doses, potentially fatal. As long as someone administers the neutralizing agent, there’s no problem. Prisoner’s dilemma for the thief that keeps them from executing guards or other hostages.”
Nathan ran his hand through his hair. “So, if this little trick is supposed to catch the uncatchable, how come there’s no knocked out thieves lying about?”
JC shifted a bit uncomfortably. “Actually, it looks like they were prepared for this. I’m guessing they had already inoculated themselves so the gas had no effect. In fact, they probably could have gotten away WITH the jewels, except it looks like they took time to inoculate a few of the guards who were in here and knocked out before someone could get to them.”
“A thief with a conscience then?”
“Something like that.”
“Well, what now?”
“We move the jewels to a secure location while we do a complete review of our systems, and we provide whatever assistance we can to your investigation,” JC said as he retrieved a secure briefcase and began transferring the jewels into it. “Detectives, if you’ll follow me?”
JC led them to a side exit. “We have transport just around the corner.”
Karl and Nathan followed him out, noting that the weather had taken a bit of a turn for the colder. A bit of fog was starting to settle in.
Nathan dug his hands into his pocket. “It’s too early in the year for the cold to be settling in like this.”
As he said that, the fog thickened, and within a few seconds, visibility was down to nothing.
“Nate? JC?”
“Hey!”
“What’s happening?”
Karl nearly jumped as he felt something brush past him. Something that felt far more substantial than fog.
“Freeze!”
The sound of three guns being drawn echoed.
“Everyone okay?”
Without warning, the fog lifted, and three very disoriented men found their bearings.
“Where’s the case?”
***
Karl crashed into his chair, feeling exhausted. There had been hours of debrief, but finally, everyone was convinced that neither he, Nathan or JC had anything to do with the disappearance of the jewels. From what anyone could gather, the break in attempt the night before had been a ruse to get the jewels to be moved, which provided the window in which they could be stolen.
As for the fog… no one had an explanation.
Karl took off his coat and loosened his tie. As he opened his collar, he felt something on his neck. He moved to the mirror to investigate. He was shocked by what he saw.
Lipstick.
“I was wondering when you’d be home. It’s not polite to keep a lady waiting.”
Karl jumped and drew his weapon. He couldn’t tell from where in the shadows the voice had come until a light came on, and he could see the intruder.
He nearly dropped his gun.
It was the blonde from the hotel, still wearing her trench coat and sunglasses. Seated as she was, her heels were even more prominently displayed, and they came attached to some very shapely legs.
She rose from the chair and made her way over to him, totally nonplused by the weapon drawn on her. She reached up to his neck.
“It’s not a bad color on you. It’s always been my favorite.”
Her other hand reached down to his hip before reaching into his pocket and pulled out a tube of lipstick.
“I never go anywhere without it.”
Karl lowered the weapon.
“You’re the thief.”
She pouted slightly and sighed.
“That’s such an ugly way of putting it.”
Karl looked down at her. Without the sunglasses, he could see just what a remarkable shade of blue her eyes were. And even though he should have arrested her on the spot, something about her made him trust her implicitly. Still, he had a job to do.
“Are you saying you didn’t break into the Waldorf last night and you didn’t take them from Mr. Harrison this morning?”
She smiled, and Karl decided it suited her.
“Okay, you caught me Mr. Police Man! I guess you’ll have to handcuff me.”
A quick click caught Karl’s attention and he realized he had just been handcuffed to the table.
“Oops!”
Karl tugged at the cuffs before reaching for his wallet to retrieve his key.
Until the blonde dangled the key in front of him.
“Why are you here?”
The blonde’s smile fell just for a moment before she advanced on him, and reached a hand up to his face, caressing his cheek. Her eyes were wistful, and Karl felt like he could spend an eternity swimming in their depths.
“I wanted to see you,” she said as she looked deep into his eyes. “I missed you so much,” she said in a whisper.
Her hand felt so soft against his cheek. It was the most delightful feeling, surpassed only by the note in her voice as she talked about him.
“I came here to find out your heart’s desire.”
“My… what?”
She laughed a bit, and Karl wished she would do it again.
“You always were a stubborn one. Your heart’s desire, silly. What would you do if you could have any life you wanted?”
Karl blinked in confusion for a moment. He couldn’t remember the last time anyone asked him that. Not since he was a child.
“I… I wish I could help people… without having to use a gun.”
Her smile returned, but with tears in her eyes, as she stroked his hair.
“Of course it is. Only you would want that…”
Karl used his free hand to wipe the tears from her eyes. He didn’t even think about it as he did it. It just came naturally. She brought her hand to his and held it close before reaching for the key to release him.
“Tomorrow, everything is going to change. The crystal, it’s back where it belongs, and we’ll all finally have what we want. So rest easy. Tomorrow’s going to be a better day.”
She reached for his face again.
“No more guns, no more darkness, no more tears. You’ll have your heart’s desire. And tonight, I’ll have mine.”
She shed her coat, and Karl gasped as he took in the sight of her perfect body.
“I… you… I don’t even know your name.”
She smiled again, and if possible, Karl believed she became even more beautiful.
“Yes you do,” she said as she unbuttoned the rest of his shirt.
He took her hands and stopped them momentarily.
“Are you sure about this?”
In answer, she merely looked him in the eye, and he knew everything he needed to know.
Most importantly that he had to kiss her. Right now.
And so he did, pulling her close, as if his life depended on it. And as he did, somehow, he knew that she loved being kissed right behind the ear and along her jawline. And he knew just the right amount of pressure to put into every touch, every kiss, every thrust.
And she knew how much he enjoyed it when she ran her fingers through the scruff of hair above his neck, and she knew how to run her nails down his back hard enough to make him feel it and spur him on, and she knew what words to whisper in his ear to make him hers.
And when they locked eyes, he knew her, and she knew him, and they knew everything they needed to know.
***
The alarm went off, and he checked the time before shutting it off.
5:15
He was exhausted of course, but he had a busy day ahead of him, and Karl Wasserman wasn’t one to waste time. He had his morning routine down to a science. Shower, shave, find (mostly) clean clothes. Someday, he’d find time for laundry on a more consistent basis. But work could get in the way sometimes.
After all, his clients were those who didn’t have anywhere else to turn. If he didn’t fight for them, who would?
He had turned on the radio and passively took in the story about the city’s falling crime rate compared to last year, and the forecast for sunny skies in the coming week.
Karl made a mental note to himself to try and get home early tonight and do some tidying up. But first, he had a stop to make.
***
Karl pulled up to the community center, and found a pair of familiar faces.
“Hi Izzy!”
A mane of curly blonde hair turned at his greeting, and Karl was met with a slightly paint splattered face and bright green eyes.
“Kaiser Bun! What brings you to the neighborhood? I hope I won’t be needing a lawyer today!”
“Let’s hope not. So you’re doing good work for Nate on this mural then?”
“She’s doing all right,” Nathan Brown remarked as he came out to shake Karl’s hand. “I think the sponsors will be very happy.”
“Dr. Shields and his wife have loved Izzy’s work since they met her at her exhibition last year. I think they’re going to love this.”
“So what brings you by old friend?” Nathan asked.
Karl handed him a few files. “I have some clients I wanted to refer to you. I think some of your programs might do them some good.”
Nathan took a quick look at Karl’s notes. “I think we can help them. Oh, by the way, a friend of mine might be stopping by your office later today. A playwright named JC who needs some contracts drawn up for a new script he’s working on. Whatever you do, don’t call him Jeremiah.”
Karl smiled. “I make no promises. Thanks for the referral. I’ll see you soon. By Isabelle!”
Izzy stuck her tongue out at Karl with a smile.
***
Karl settled into his office and began reviewing his to do list for the day, when there was a knock on the door, and a head of blonde hair with a red bow peeked around it.
“Uh, yes, come in?”
The woman smiled and came in, taking a seat in front of his desk. She had the most remarkable blue eyes, and Karl’s day felt better already.
“Hello ma’am. I’m Karl Wasserman. How can I help you today?”
She cocked her head at him for a moment as she studied him and his office.
“Do you like being a lawyer Mr. Wasserman?”
He was taken aback a bit by the question.
“Uh, well, yes. Yes I do. I like it very much. I like helping people. And this is the best way I know how. So, as I said, how can I help you today?”
She smiled as she reached a hand across the table and took his.
“You can take me to lunch and tell me all about it.”
Karl laughed in spite of himself. “Uh… well… I suppose I could do that for you… Miss…?”
“Mina. My name’s Mina.”
Title: Diamonds are a girl's best friend
Author's Note: Just something spawned from one of THOSE convesations Kate and I end up having. Set in NYC, AU-ish...
The alarm went off. He automatically reached over and turned it off, double-checking the time.
5:15
He’d managed almost a full 4 hours. That was an improvement.
He rose from bed, ignoring the aches and pains. He’d been ignoring a lot more than that recently. Weeks of unopened mail and dozens of unchecked messages, bags of unemptied trash bore testament to the toll the recent crime wave was taking on Detective Karl Wasserman.
Still, in spite of all the aches, the pains, the burdens, he worked like clockwork. Enough time for a quick shower, a shave, (mostly) clean clothes found, and he’d have enough time to take the subway down to the station. He’d turned on the radio at some point, ignoring the headlines about wildfires in Australia, drought in Africa, floods in India, and the continued threat of war in the Middle East.
The whole damn world was going mad, but he had quite enough to deal with in his little corner here in the city, where it felt like everything was just one bullet away from coming tumbling down.
He couldn’t think about that. He had to steel himself against another day of bodies, and weeping mothers, and citizens scared to go out at night.
***
“Detective Wasserman? I’m Detective Nathan Brown from the 1st. Call me Nate.”
Karl eyed the stranger who was standing between him and his desk with his hand outstretched. He didn’t have time for this. There was a mountain of unsolved cases on his desk, and he needed to hit the ground running today. Karl calmly walked around his latest obstacle and proceeded to his desk… only to discover it empty.
“Where are my files?”
Nathan put his hand in his pocket and ran his hand through his long brown hair before starting again.
“Detective, as I was saying, I’m from the 1st. I run a Major Case Unit squad. I’m trying to put together a team. I was hoping you might be a part of it.”
Karl looked back to the stranger, slightly more irritated.
“Look, even if I was interested in a babysitting job uptown, I have way too much to do here. And I could do it, if someone could tell me why my desk has been cleared!”
Nathan shifted a bit uncomfortably.
“I’ve spoken with your captain, and I’ve been trying to reach you for the past week. The department has reassigned you to our unit, and we’ve shifted your cases to new detectives.”
Karl looked at him as though he’d sprouted a second head.
“Look, it’s way too early in the morning for this. Whoever’s sick idea of a joke this is, I’m really not interested. I’ve got a busy day.”
Nathan reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a letter. He placed it on Karl’s desk.
“Transfer orders, and a certification from the Department psychologist that you shouldn’t work homicide.”
Karl looked at the letter for a moment before crumpling it and tossing it into the trash.
“If you’re trying to recruit me, you’re doing a terrible job.”
“Hey, look man, I wanted to do this the easy way. But according to your Captain, you’ve been ducking calls for the past month. You haven’t been to your counseling sessions in twice that long. By all rights, you should be at home without pay.”
Karl rose and leaned across the desk.
“I’m fine.”
Nathan didn’t back down.
“Tell me about the Shields murder.”
Karl didn’t respond immediately. But Nathan could see his fists clench.
“You remember the one. Dr. Darien Shields, surgeon, shot outside the hospital where he worked.”
Karl sat back down.
“Yeah, you’re fine all-right. Look, I’m going to go across the street for a bagel. When you’re ready, we can take my car uptown and get you briefed.”
***
Karl reviewed the file as they made their way from Brooklyn to Manhattan.
“I thought the whole point of this reassignment was to give me less stress. And instead, I’m thrown into the deep end on the first day.”
“Well, if you ever answered your phone, maybe you could have helped us stop the jewel heist of the century! Consider this punishment for not pulling your weight this past week.”
Karl reviewed the file again. Late last night, there had been a break-in at a private exhibition at the Waldorf-Astoria. The Rothchild brothers had rented out the hotel for a gala in honor of their father. Somewhat odd as the senior Rothchild was a bit of a recluse. But his three sons, Dermot, Sanford and Randolph, were more than flamboyant enough to make up for it. They loved flaunting their wealth and power.
Karl knew the type and hated them. The family had enough money to fix all the city’s problems and them some, but they more often blew it on stunts like this, uncaring of any bodies they might have left in their wake, figurative and literal.
Karl hated Manhattan sometimes.
He looked out the window as they crossed the bridge. Dark clouds dominated the sky. He couldn’t remember the last time he saw the sun.
He returned his attention to the file.
“So the NYPD is now reduced to private security for Uncle Moneybags and his spoiled brats?”
Nathan smiled a wry smile. “Hey, look, I know what you and the rest of the boys in the Five-oh say. ‘The great number one! Full of number two!’ The island might not be Brooklyn, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have some excitement now and again. Police work is police work. Those diamonds are worth millions, and someone stole them. What’s to stop them from hitting up a museum, or a bank?”
Karl said nothing as he pretended to read the file more. Nathan noticed.
“You wanna talk about the case?”
“Everything’s in here,” Karl noted.
“Not that one.”
Karl looked out the window again.
“No.”
Nathan merely shrugged as he got off the bridge. “You’re going to have to at some point.”
***
A few flashed badges and the pair of detectives made their way through to the crime scene, past a mob of reporters and photographers covering what had already been dubbed the crime of the century. Karl grimly though that none of the murders he had worked out in the city’s rougher corners had ever garnered this much attention; another reminder that this island was a whole different world.
Just past the tape, he saw a familiar face.
“Izzy?”
A mane of blonde curls bounced as a slender young woman with a sketchpad in hand turned at Karl’s voice. Her bohemian style made her stand out in this high fashion world, and Karl suspected she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Hey Kaiser Bun! What are you doing in this neck of the woods?”
Karl smiled, in spite of the awful nickname and embraced her. Isabelle Reilly was an aspiring artist, who paid rent sometimes by doing freelance sketch work for the department. She loathed the name Isabelle, and insisted on being called Izzy. Karl had used her many times. But not since the Shields case.
As they broke apart, Karl lifted her chin and frowned at the scarf she was wearing. It was cold, but not enough for her to wear it.
“I’ve been transferred. How’s it healing?”
Izzy looked down, suddenly feeling self-conscious. “I’m not fond of the scar.”
Karl remembered. Izzy was leaving the crime scene, after working on a composite of the suspected shooter in the Shields case when a man attacked her.
Officers and detectives knew the risks, that criminals might target them and their families. But for someone to come after Izzy?
Karl had fired on him, killing him instantly, but not before the assailants knife had nicked her on the neck. It was only the fact that they were at a hospital that kept her from bleeding out.
Izzy pushed her hair back over her ear, as Karl had learned over the years that she did when she was nervous.
“It’s okay, really. Your new partner over there has offered me steady work on this side of town. I should be safer.”
Karl was taken aback by that. A small smile grew on his face, and he gave Izzy’s hair an affectionate ruffle.
“I’ll see you around then Isabelle.”
She frowned, but Karl could see in her eyes, she didn’t mean it.
They parted and Karl rejoined Nathan. He didn’t look him in the eye immediately, and instead took in his surroundings.
“Lead the way… partner.”
Nathan smiled. “You’re welcome,” he whispered.
***
The two worked their way to the main ballroom, where the exhibition had been housed. Karl was mostly focused on observing what he could of the security system on his way in, when he was momentarily distracted by something to his left; a petite woman in a trench coat and sunglasses, with a red bow in her bright blonde hair. He didn’t know why she caught his attention. She was far from the only glamorous woman in the hotel. Karl shrugged it off, but not before one last look when he caught sight of red soles on her sparkling gold heels.
Manhattan.
Karl shook his head and followed Nathan to a man with short, curly blonde hair clad in a tuxedo that probably cost more than all his suits combined, and barking instructions into a walkie-talkie. Karl recalled the details from the case file and gathered that this was the head of security for the exhibition.
“Jeremiah Carlisle Harrison.”
He jumped at his name.
“Jesus, man. Only my mother calls me that, and only when I’m in trouble. Call me JC.”
Nathan shook his hand. “I’m Detective Brown, this is Detective Wasserman. Are you implying that you’re not in trouble now?”
JC smirked. “Oh, I’m always trouble. But I’m also very good. If you’ll follow me, I’ll fill you in.”
“So how much did they get away with?” Nathan asked.
“Nothing.”
“Excuse me?” Karl exclaimed in disbelief.
“All the diamonds are accounted for.”
Karl rubbed his forehead as he followed along.
“You know, I became a cop to do good, catch bad guys, stop crime. And you’re telling me that we’re here, and there hasn’t actually been a crime committed?”
“Oh, there was definitely an attempt. But as I said, I’m very good. I designed this security system.”
“It’s impressive,” Nathan noted. “But I’ve yet to meet a system that can’t be beaten.”
“And that’s because there’s no such thing as an unbeatable system. I never claimed to make one. I just made a system that dictates how, where and when it can be beaten. State of the art electronic surveillance on a secure network that can’t be remote hacked. Computer based locks that would require a genius to crack. Secure doors that would need heavy duty equipment to breach. There’s no individual element that can’t be beaten. But put together, that’s where the beauty of the system is. Thieves these days are all about high-tech solutions. You give them a few flashy computer based locks, some motion detectors and surveillance cameras to beat, and they think they’re James Bond. They forget the simple things, like mercury triggers on the cases, ink traps, all the nickel and dime stuff that’s ‘beneath them.’”
Karl decided to intervene before JC went on too much more. He had a bit of an unhealthy pride in his work by Karl’s estimation.
“So what stopped our would-be thieves this time around?”
“Two things,” JC said as he moved towards the case that held the largest diamond. Karl tried to ignore the stone inside, but it had a remarkable dark luster that grabbed his attention and wouldn’t let it go. It was as though the darkness inside it were something unto itself, and not just an absence of light.
Karl shook his head and turned his attention back to JC.
“The thieves were expecting pressure sensors on the case. They didn’t expect them on the floor.”
Karl and Nathan both studied the floor, and they both had to admit, they missed it as well. It was very well hidden, and played up the fact that anyone would be distracted by the diamond.
“And the other thing?”
JC pointed to a few small outlets around the case. They appeared to be purely for ventilation.
“Nebulized anesthetic. In small doses, it just knocks you out. But in continual doses, potentially fatal. As long as someone administers the neutralizing agent, there’s no problem. Prisoner’s dilemma for the thief that keeps them from executing guards or other hostages.”
Nathan ran his hand through his hair. “So, if this little trick is supposed to catch the uncatchable, how come there’s no knocked out thieves lying about?”
JC shifted a bit uncomfortably. “Actually, it looks like they were prepared for this. I’m guessing they had already inoculated themselves so the gas had no effect. In fact, they probably could have gotten away WITH the jewels, except it looks like they took time to inoculate a few of the guards who were in here and knocked out before someone could get to them.”
“A thief with a conscience then?”
“Something like that.”
“Well, what now?”
“We move the jewels to a secure location while we do a complete review of our systems, and we provide whatever assistance we can to your investigation,” JC said as he retrieved a secure briefcase and began transferring the jewels into it. “Detectives, if you’ll follow me?”
JC led them to a side exit. “We have transport just around the corner.”
Karl and Nathan followed him out, noting that the weather had taken a bit of a turn for the colder. A bit of fog was starting to settle in.
Nathan dug his hands into his pocket. “It’s too early in the year for the cold to be settling in like this.”
As he said that, the fog thickened, and within a few seconds, visibility was down to nothing.
“Nate? JC?”
“Hey!”
“What’s happening?”
Karl nearly jumped as he felt something brush past him. Something that felt far more substantial than fog.
“Freeze!”
The sound of three guns being drawn echoed.
“Everyone okay?”
Without warning, the fog lifted, and three very disoriented men found their bearings.
“Where’s the case?”
***
Karl crashed into his chair, feeling exhausted. There had been hours of debrief, but finally, everyone was convinced that neither he, Nathan or JC had anything to do with the disappearance of the jewels. From what anyone could gather, the break in attempt the night before had been a ruse to get the jewels to be moved, which provided the window in which they could be stolen.
As for the fog… no one had an explanation.
Karl took off his coat and loosened his tie. As he opened his collar, he felt something on his neck. He moved to the mirror to investigate. He was shocked by what he saw.
Lipstick.
“I was wondering when you’d be home. It’s not polite to keep a lady waiting.”
Karl jumped and drew his weapon. He couldn’t tell from where in the shadows the voice had come until a light came on, and he could see the intruder.
He nearly dropped his gun.
It was the blonde from the hotel, still wearing her trench coat and sunglasses. Seated as she was, her heels were even more prominently displayed, and they came attached to some very shapely legs.
She rose from the chair and made her way over to him, totally nonplused by the weapon drawn on her. She reached up to his neck.
“It’s not a bad color on you. It’s always been my favorite.”
Her other hand reached down to his hip before reaching into his pocket and pulled out a tube of lipstick.
“I never go anywhere without it.”
Karl lowered the weapon.
“You’re the thief.”
She pouted slightly and sighed.
“That’s such an ugly way of putting it.”
Karl looked down at her. Without the sunglasses, he could see just what a remarkable shade of blue her eyes were. And even though he should have arrested her on the spot, something about her made him trust her implicitly. Still, he had a job to do.
“Are you saying you didn’t break into the Waldorf last night and you didn’t take them from Mr. Harrison this morning?”
She smiled, and Karl decided it suited her.
“Okay, you caught me Mr. Police Man! I guess you’ll have to handcuff me.”
A quick click caught Karl’s attention and he realized he had just been handcuffed to the table.
“Oops!”
Karl tugged at the cuffs before reaching for his wallet to retrieve his key.
Until the blonde dangled the key in front of him.
“Why are you here?”
The blonde’s smile fell just for a moment before she advanced on him, and reached a hand up to his face, caressing his cheek. Her eyes were wistful, and Karl felt like he could spend an eternity swimming in their depths.
“I wanted to see you,” she said as she looked deep into his eyes. “I missed you so much,” she said in a whisper.
Her hand felt so soft against his cheek. It was the most delightful feeling, surpassed only by the note in her voice as she talked about him.
“I came here to find out your heart’s desire.”
“My… what?”
She laughed a bit, and Karl wished she would do it again.
“You always were a stubborn one. Your heart’s desire, silly. What would you do if you could have any life you wanted?”
Karl blinked in confusion for a moment. He couldn’t remember the last time anyone asked him that. Not since he was a child.
“I… I wish I could help people… without having to use a gun.”
Her smile returned, but with tears in her eyes, as she stroked his hair.
“Of course it is. Only you would want that…”
Karl used his free hand to wipe the tears from her eyes. He didn’t even think about it as he did it. It just came naturally. She brought her hand to his and held it close before reaching for the key to release him.
“Tomorrow, everything is going to change. The crystal, it’s back where it belongs, and we’ll all finally have what we want. So rest easy. Tomorrow’s going to be a better day.”
She reached for his face again.
“No more guns, no more darkness, no more tears. You’ll have your heart’s desire. And tonight, I’ll have mine.”
She shed her coat, and Karl gasped as he took in the sight of her perfect body.
“I… you… I don’t even know your name.”
She smiled again, and if possible, Karl believed she became even more beautiful.
“Yes you do,” she said as she unbuttoned the rest of his shirt.
He took her hands and stopped them momentarily.
“Are you sure about this?”
In answer, she merely looked him in the eye, and he knew everything he needed to know.
Most importantly that he had to kiss her. Right now.
And so he did, pulling her close, as if his life depended on it. And as he did, somehow, he knew that she loved being kissed right behind the ear and along her jawline. And he knew just the right amount of pressure to put into every touch, every kiss, every thrust.
And she knew how much he enjoyed it when she ran her fingers through the scruff of hair above his neck, and she knew how to run her nails down his back hard enough to make him feel it and spur him on, and she knew what words to whisper in his ear to make him hers.
And when they locked eyes, he knew her, and she knew him, and they knew everything they needed to know.
***
The alarm went off, and he checked the time before shutting it off.
5:15
He was exhausted of course, but he had a busy day ahead of him, and Karl Wasserman wasn’t one to waste time. He had his morning routine down to a science. Shower, shave, find (mostly) clean clothes. Someday, he’d find time for laundry on a more consistent basis. But work could get in the way sometimes.
After all, his clients were those who didn’t have anywhere else to turn. If he didn’t fight for them, who would?
He had turned on the radio and passively took in the story about the city’s falling crime rate compared to last year, and the forecast for sunny skies in the coming week.
Karl made a mental note to himself to try and get home early tonight and do some tidying up. But first, he had a stop to make.
***
Karl pulled up to the community center, and found a pair of familiar faces.
“Hi Izzy!”
A mane of curly blonde hair turned at his greeting, and Karl was met with a slightly paint splattered face and bright green eyes.
“Kaiser Bun! What brings you to the neighborhood? I hope I won’t be needing a lawyer today!”
“Let’s hope not. So you’re doing good work for Nate on this mural then?”
“She’s doing all right,” Nathan Brown remarked as he came out to shake Karl’s hand. “I think the sponsors will be very happy.”
“Dr. Shields and his wife have loved Izzy’s work since they met her at her exhibition last year. I think they’re going to love this.”
“So what brings you by old friend?” Nathan asked.
Karl handed him a few files. “I have some clients I wanted to refer to you. I think some of your programs might do them some good.”
Nathan took a quick look at Karl’s notes. “I think we can help them. Oh, by the way, a friend of mine might be stopping by your office later today. A playwright named JC who needs some contracts drawn up for a new script he’s working on. Whatever you do, don’t call him Jeremiah.”
Karl smiled. “I make no promises. Thanks for the referral. I’ll see you soon. By Isabelle!”
Izzy stuck her tongue out at Karl with a smile.
***
Karl settled into his office and began reviewing his to do list for the day, when there was a knock on the door, and a head of blonde hair with a red bow peeked around it.
“Uh, yes, come in?”
The woman smiled and came in, taking a seat in front of his desk. She had the most remarkable blue eyes, and Karl’s day felt better already.
“Hello ma’am. I’m Karl Wasserman. How can I help you today?”
She cocked her head at him for a moment as she studied him and his office.
“Do you like being a lawyer Mr. Wasserman?”
He was taken aback a bit by the question.
“Uh, well, yes. Yes I do. I like it very much. I like helping people. And this is the best way I know how. So, as I said, how can I help you today?”
She smiled as she reached a hand across the table and took his.
“You can take me to lunch and tell me all about it.”
Karl laughed in spite of himself. “Uh… well… I suppose I could do that for you… Miss…?”
“Mina. My name’s Mina.”