Copyright 2012, 2020 Lisa Summers
"Damnit, Kayce, where are you?" Melissa exclaimed. Melissa Clouthier was a partner with Kayce Anderson in the elite investigations agency, Metropolitan Enquiry Services. The two had started the agency a few years before, and it had quickly become known as a 'boutique' investigative company that catered to high level clientele that demanded discretion.
"Tracy, what have you got?" she asked the two investigators' all-around assistant, Tracy Singer.
"Just what I told you before. She'd gotten a tip about an office in New Dorp, and was headed out to check the lead." Tracy scratched her short red hair, and shrugged. "You know Kayce can take care of herself."
Melissa sighed, and brushed back her medium length brown hair from her face.
"Yeah, but I have a bad feeling about this. She would have called by now." Her worried look didn't detract from her attractiveness. Twenty six, taller and heavier than petite, blonde Kayce, she couldn't help feeling protective of Kayce, in addition to being years younger than her partner. Their relationship was purely and completely professional, with a friendship honed by years of working together and socializing with boyfriends.
Tracy's phone rang. "Metropolitan Enquiry Services," she responded. She paused, listening, then "Kayce!" she squealed.
"Let me have that," Melissa ordered Tracy. Tracy handed over the phone reluctantly.
"Kayce, where are you? Are you alright?" Melissa barked into the phone. She listened intently.
"Alright, I can do that. I'll see you in fifteen minutes." She handed the phone back to Tracy.
"She says that she's okay, but that this thing is incredible. I'm going to meet her at her apartment. If you don't hear from me within the hour, I want you to go to my brother. He's a special agent in the Brooklyn office of the FBI. Here's his address and info." Melissa handed Tracy a card.
"Melissa, how do you know it's not a trap? Maybe Kayce was speaking under duress?" Tracy looked skeptical.
"You think we didn't already think of that?" Melissa said. "The first thing she said was, "I'm okay, but my knee is a little sore.' That's our agreed on 'I really am okay' signal. She wouldn't have said that if someone was holding a gun to her head. Still, this better be some story."
"No wonder you guys charge the big bucks," Tracy said. "Maybe you and I should have a secret phrase."
"Fine," Melissa said. "How about, 'I saw the most beautiful roses today.'"
"I love it," Tracy said. "And I'll say, "Were they pink? I love pink."
"Okay, fine," Melissa said. She left the office, driving over to Kayce's apartment in Park Slope.
"Hey," Melissa said, when Kayce opened the door to her knock.
"Were you followed?" Kayce asked.
"I don't think so, at least I didn't notice anyone," Melissa said. Kayce hugged her.
"God, I'm glad you're here. This is an amazing story," she said.
Melissa stiffened at first. She'd never known Kayce to be at all touchy-feely. Apparently this was going to be some story. She hugged Kayce back in a perfunctory way.
"Take a seat, this is gonna take a while," Kayce said. "Tea? Coffee?"
"Water would be fine," Melissa said. "Kayce, where were you? We were worried about you. I know that you can take care of your-"
"In a word, undercover," Kayce said, as she momentarily left Melissa's sight to pour her a glass of water. She soon re-entered the living room, sitting knee to knee with Melissa as she handed her the glass of cold water.
"Why did you go undercover?" Melissa asked, taking a polite sip of the raspberry flavored sparkling water. "You know we don't do things like that unless we've game planned it, and arranged contacts, backup, that kind of thing...heck, we're not a cloak and dagger agency at all."
"I know, I know," Kayce said, her eyes shining. "But the extent of this, well, I guess you'd call it a conspiracy, is breathtaking. The Boss of this criminal organization, some think he's like a Fu Manchu kind of guy, he's got his fingers in almost every part of government, and inside a lot of big corporations. This is dynamite!"
Melissa took another sip. "Do tell," she said. "But we were looking for a mother and daughter. Did you find them?"
Kayce shook her head. "No, but I think I've got a lead on where we can find them. I guess I should start from the beginning."
"Okay, that'll make it easier for me, anyway," Melissa said, blinking. She was feeling a little lightheaded. Certainly, her relief at finding her business partner was having an effect on her. She took another sip of water.
"Okay, as I'm sure you know, I went to that business in New Dorp. Melissa, it was just a front - it wasn't an actual real business at all- are you okay?"
"I'm feeling a little light headed," Melissa admitted. "Just ref-relief-at seeing you home safe, I guess," she said.
"You're probably a little dehydrated, too," Kayce said. "Finish your water."
Melissa did as Kayce suggested, and within seconds she found it impossible to keep her eyes open.
"Oh Kay-Kayce-I'm sorr-" she slurred, and fell forward into Kayce's arms. Kayce reveled in the warmth and softness of her partner's female body on hers. While she was tempted to take advantage of Melissa's unconscious state, she knew that she would soon have many, many opportunities with Melissa, and very soon.