by Sonya Jesus
“And how exactly do you expect me to do that?” I ask.
He chuckles. “You’re young and striving hard to be promoted…you’ll figure it out.” He grabs the two folders I’ve seen, plus the other four I haven’t, and hands them all to me. “Take all of this home, study hard, and come back here in the morning with a plan. And it better be a good one, Lyndsey.” He walks away from me and sits back at his desk. He reaches for another set of folders and begins perusing through those as if I’m not still sitting here dumbfounded. “What are you still doing here?!” he shouts, finally realizing I haven’t moved from the seat.
I finally find my legs, and run from his office toward my desk. My heart is racing, as the large folders begin to slip from my grasp. I make it to my desk just in time to let them fall on top of it. A page from one of the folders falls to the floor. As I bend down, I see it’s the page all about Jennifer. I sit at my desk to study who will potentially be my new girlfriend.
Girlfriend. Ha!
I’ve been alone basically all my life and, at this point, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Sex is one thing, but letting someone in that can handle my…questionable tastes, is another. That sexual part of my life doesn’t matter anyway. I can’t cross that line with Ms. Little. I need to keep her interested, not scare her away by mentioning my need to tie her up to my bed.
I stare at the information provided to me about her life. What’s striking is her education and the fact that she has an actual career. Unlike the rest of her family, she works with the law…not against it. However, because she’s a paralegal, she may be secretly helping the family. I need to find out about that. I also see that she has an interest in fitness and runs an Aerobics class that I won’t be caught dead in. But that could be our chance meeting. Considering I work out quite often, there’s no reason why I can’t change gyms momentarily.
Now for the men she’s attracted to. It’s like looking at myself in the mirror. Beyond their appearance, however, they are all blue collar workers. I glance at my manicured fingers knowing there’s no way she will believe I work with my hands. I’ll have to find another way in because, me being physically in shape, won’t cut it. She obviously goes for hardworking men for a reason, and I’m sure that reason is the criminality attached to her family’s name.
Opening another folder, I see the primary members of the Little Family.
Father:
John Little –
Born: January 19, 1946
Deceased: August 13, 2017
Wife also deceased
Three Children
Eldest Son:
Dominic Little –
Current Leader
Born: August 21, 1974
No Children, Unmarried
Youngest Son:
Nicolai Little –
Never Been Arrested/Clean?
Born: February 17, 1979
Married to Monica Little September 14, 2016
One Daughter born March 13, 2018
Daughter:
Jennifer Little
Occupation: Paralegal/Clean?
Born: August 15, 1988
No Children, Unmarried
I’ll definitely need to dig more into Nicolai. I just don’t believe his hands are as clean as the Littles try to portray.
After studying her life for hours, I finally lift my head up from the papers that are now spread across my desk. I hadn’t even noticed that everyone has gone and it’s now dark out. I yawn, stretching my arms back and suddenly feel the hunger rumble in my stomach. Even though I’ve been trying to come up with a way in for hours, there’s no use in prolonging things. I’m hungry, tired and really just need to go home. I gather the folders and place them in my workbag before leaving the precinct.
On the way home, during this warm summer’s night, I decide to make a stop at Jennifer’s gym to join it. It’s no better time than now, and I’d probably be able to get some information about her while I’m there. I park in front, noticing there are still quite a few people working out. Leaving my badge in the car, I walk in, noticing that it is much smaller than the gyms I’m used to. However, the weight lifting section is rather large, which is my forte. Walking toward the welcome desk, I see someone handing his Driver’s License to the employee which makes me remember I left mine in the car. I may not be able to flash my badge, but I do need some sort of ID to present.
As I run out, I absentmindedly swing the door open right into a woman’s face, knocking her to the ground.
“Dammit!” she says, rubbing her forehead as she sits on the ground. “What are you fucking bl-.” She stops her tirade before it even begins as she stares up at me embarrassed.
Fuck! It’s her. Real smooth, Tristan Lyndsey.
I extend my hand to help Jennifer to her feet. “Excuse me miss…my fault.” I smile, watching her wipe imaginary debris from her rear. I try my best not to stare at what looks to be a delectable ass from the side. My other brain pulsates in my pants as I think of bending her over on my bed…maybe even tying those thick legs into a spreader bar. Hmmmm.
“I should have been paying attention. My name is Jen,” she raises her hand, “and you are?”
Shit! What’s my name?
“Ummm…Kent…. great to meet you.” I smile, trying to distract her from my name stumble. She seems like the stuck-up type, maybe she will mistake it for nerves.
“You forgot your name?” She giggles.
She clearly thinks I’m into her, and she’s right. I would love to fuck her right now, but that’s clearly off the table. I do need to keep this going, however. “What can I say? Standing in front of someone as beautiful as you are, may cause a man to forget.” I smile wide as she blushes. Checkmate. I should get out of here now that I have the upper hand. “Well, I have to go. Hope to see you again soon.”
“Oh…okay,” she stammers as I run back to my black, Chrysler 300. Thank goodness I decided to drive my personal car today.
Damn, that was close.
I’m not sure what my next move will be, but at least I know she’s attracted to me. Beyond that, I know exactly where she will be tomorrow. I’ll have to make my move then…as Kent.
Why couldn’t I come up with a better name than that?
Once I get home and make a quick bowl of cereal for dinner, I pull the folders out to reexamine them as I eat. There can’t be anything different in here that the other detectives didn’t catch…and they still failed. The answer to getting close to Dominic is not in these papers. I’ll have to just wing it and hope my inexperience won’t get me killed. First thing’s, first. I have to tell the Captain I fucked up and literally bumped into the target. He’s going to have my ass, considering I went in blind.
I don’t like being the one punished. I like to be the punisher in all ways.
****
“What! You goddamn idiot!” the captain shouts as I stand in front of his desk. He jumps to his feet, and closes the door.
I’m sure his rumbling voice will still carry through the precinct. “Sir, it wasn’t planned…I-I just thought I’d scope out the place,” I stutter.
This is humiliating.
“And how did that work out for you, rookie?”
“In a way it did.”
He stares me down angrily. “Are you sure about that, Kent?” He chuckles.
Okay…maybe not that part.
“I meant, I’m pretty sure she’d go out with me if I asked.”
“Well, you better hope so, you clumsy fuck! Get out!” he shouts and I quickly pace toward the door. “Oh, Lyndsey,” he picks up a sealed folder from his desk before walking over to me, and presses it hard against my chest, “remember, she is your mark, not your girlfriend.” He raises his eyebrow, telepathically reminding me to keep my hands off. But the look he gives me, is more of a father telling some jerkoff to keep their hands off of his innocent daughter. Strange.
I shake my head in agreement and leave the office. I’m not sure I’ll be able to keep that promise.
At my desk, I unseal the new folder the Captain handed to me. It turns out the department already had my cover prepared. The name they were giving me was to be William Tomlin who is the foreman for McCollum Contractors. Beneath my new identity is an address I don’t recognize, with an entry code, and what looks to be a description of my life. Tomlin has never been married, no children, all family is deceased, no pets, works out during spare time, loves sports and many outdoor activities.
Well, that shit is boring as fuck.
What’s worse is, this is the real me. Tristan Lyndsey…a nobody. A grown, ‘fucked up in the head’ man who’s lucky to be alive, and a detective with nothing to show for it. Let’s hope I’m not dead before having the chance to make some changes.
In the middle of the day, a small sealed envelope is thrown in front of me. I pick it up and see it’s me with my new name, Kent Tomlin with the same address I didn’t recognize in my dossier.
“You’re lucky they were able to change your cover so fast! Did you open the other sealed address?” the captain inquires at almost a whisper.
“I did,” I respond simply.
He stands there staring as if he expected me to elaborate. However, it was sealed for a reason. If the superiors wanted to know, he would. “The superiors did let me choose your cover and contact…and he’s expecting you.” He turns to walk away. “I’ll see you in a week, idiot!”
I’m not going to take too much more of being called an idiot.
Things are definitely not off to a good start. My captain already has very little confidence that I will assist in the Little takedown…I don’t have much in myself either, for that matter. I stare at the new me, now thoroughly spelled out on paper, hoping I can pull this off. After all, my life depends on my accuracy.
I look through my dossier to see who my contact is at McCollum Contractors before gathering my things to leave for my new identity. I walk out into the scorching heat, toward my car as the nerves begin to flutter through me. Because I’ve never done anything like this, there’s no way to know what to expect. What I need to do now is, learn a lot about the construction industry…fast.
It doesn’t take long before getting to my new place of employment. I thought I would be arriving at some construction site, however, I’m standing in front of a small office building. I walk in, heading straight for the reception desk, where a petite woman - that I barely see behind the high structure - with ivory skin and long brunette hair sits calmly answering the phone. I stand there patiently, waiting for her to acknowledge my presence. She finally glances up at me, almost in a relative slow motion as time seems to stand still. My breathing becomes heavy as I hear nothing but the echoes of my shallow gasps for air.
She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.
Her small, glossed lips begin to move but all I can hear is my heart beating through my chest. Her big brown eyes pierce through me as if she can see all the pain and anguish I hold deep within myself and I’m left here, standing naked and exposed. I cower as the need to protect my inner most unbearable thoughts becomes overwhelming.
“Uhm…Sir?” she says quietly, staring.
Say something, you nitwit!
“Sorry…I-I ummm…my name is Kent Tomlin. I’m here-“
“Oh, yes. You’re here for Mr. McCollum. Follow me.” She stands and walks out of her crescent-like, large cubby and waits for me to join her before continuing down the long, marble hall.
I follow her captivating perfume and curvy hips as they sway toward the offices of the first floor. Her tiny stature powerfully takes control of my thoughts as I try to figure out how I can get to know this woman better. And not as my usual, ‘tie her up-fuck her-kick her out’ routine…I’d like to really get to know the woman who has captivated my empty shell. And with just one dominating look.
But I can’t.
I’m here to do a job. However, I will explore this nameless woman as soon as I can at least tell her my real name.
Finally, at the very end of the hall, lined with many empty offices, we reach a large glass door with Trevor McCollum CEO etched on the right side of it.
I wonder where all the other employees are.
My mystery woman knocks on the door, and then enters holding the door open for me to go in. The tall grey-haired man sits behind the desk on the phone as she walks over to the chairs in front of his large desk, and gestures for me to take a seat. The man, I assume is Mr. McCollum, smiles and then rushes the person he’s talking to off the phone.
“Mr. Tomlin for you, sir,” she says.
“Thank you, Melody.” He responds as she disappears from the office.
I fight the urge to watch the woman I now know as Melody leave. I have to keep my head in the game.
“I’m not too thrilled about having a cop working for me,” Mr. McCollum says, getting up to walk around his desk to stand in front of me. “I’m in the construction business…you can’t let it get out.”
Straight to the point, I see.
“Mr. McCollum, you don’t have to worry about that. Letting something like that get out won’t be good for either of us.”
“I’m glad we understand each other.” He takes a deep breath and sits beside me in the other empty chair.
“I’m sure you’re aware I know nothing about construction.”
He laughs. “You won’t need to. You will have an office here but this is a total front. When the Littles call, Melody knows what to say. You just make sure you have your story together.”
Does she know who I really am?
“Mr. McCollum, why are you helping?” I’m curious to know where everyone stands.
He clears his throat and relaxes in the chair. “It’s time for me to get from under them…the Littles.”
Interesting. Just how corrupt is McCollum?
“Listen,” he stands to face me, “Captain Richards knows all about my involvement…we have to help each other to take down such an immense empire. We have to trust each other.” He extends his hand as if we need to shake on sticking together.
But I don’t know who he is? How can I trust him when I don’t know how deeply involved he is with the Little family? However, I have to accept that I can’t do this alone. If the Captain feels this is the way to go, then I have to follow his direction…for now. I stand and firmly shake his hand, intentionally holding eye contact. “I will trust you, until you give me a reason not to, McCollum.”
“Agreed. I’ll show you to your office.”
I follow him through the doors of his office and back toward the front of the building. Just before the elevators, he goes into a small office with two windows, and blueprints laying across the desk. There is also a blank name plate, empty picture frames and a few decorative building models on the glass table beside a long white couch against the wall.
“I guess, this is where I’ll be spending my days for now,” I say, spanning the room with my arms.
“Hopefully not. If things go well, you’ll find a way to infiltrate the Family and will hardly be here. That should be your plan.”
I chuckle. “Of course, that’s my plan. It’s not going to be easy.”
“Right. But there’s a reason things seem to be moving so fast. I’ve heard Dominic is trying to expand his reach. The last thing that asshole needs is more power.”
“Expand how?”
“If we knew that, you wouldn’t be here. Get close to Jennifer…the minute they find out she’s seeing someone, you will be introduced to Dominic. Trust me.” His devious smile makes me think her brother isn’t too fond of men going after his sister.
Great.
“Here.” McCollum reaches in his pocket and hands me a key fob with a Chrysler logo on it. “The Captain says you’ll need a company car similar to your personal.”
I take the fob remembering, Jennifer has already seen my car. We don’t need her being suspicious about anything. I’ve already had trouble remembering my name for fuck sake.
“Thanks.”
“You should get a move on. Get acquainted with wherever your new place is, and bring personal things here. We need to make things look real. Car’s in the garage.”
“What about my car?” I ask, remembering I parked it out front.
“It’s been moved,” he says simply and disappears down the hall.
I’m not sure how anyone expects me to make either places personable. I don’t have any family so there is nothing to put into frames. I guess, I can just leave it how it is mostly. I do have to get a name on the door and for my desk.
I head for the elevator, glad that I don’t have to pass Melody’s desk to get to the garage. I’m not sure I would be able to restrain myself from talking to her more. Fighting the urge to learn more about a woman that has already captivated my thoughts is surprising for a heartless man such as myself.
Once in the garage, I walk in a little before pressing the unlock button on the key fob to see which car mine is. The black Chrysler 300’s, located in the second reserved spot to the right of the elevator, headlights flicker.
Well, they have certainly done their research.
Before going to my temporary hideout, I head to my home to gather enough clothes to last a few months. Although, I’m hoping this won’t take much longer than a month. I’d like to get to normalcy sooner than later, especially because I haven’t gone without sex for longer than a couple of weeks. It’s the only thing that tames me. If I don’t find a way in before then, there’s no way I’ll keep my hands off of Jennifer.
The Case II:
Sub in Training
At my new apartment, I put in the code supplied to me. The door opens to a large, living room with three windows, a large black leather couch, a glass coffee table placed in front of the couch, and two matching end tables. I place my bags just inside the door before closing it. I explore further, walking through the living room and to the right where there is a substantially large galley kitchen with all new appliances. I search the cabinets and drawers to become acquainted with where everything is. Last, I open the fridge and see I need to go food shopping, unfortunately. At least they have all the utensils, cookware and dishes I’ll need.
