Tears streamed down Diane’s cheeks as she pieced together what happened. The scene was a message, to her. Sapphire pulled it off like a master manipulator. If Diane would have told anyone the scene was written to and for her, she would have come off like a crazed fan who took the show much too seriously, like some of the women on Lyssa’s fan forum. No, she wasn’t crazy. The proof was staring her in the face.
Diane vowed to put a bullet between Sapphire’s eyes if it was the last thing she’d ever do. Not for Lyssa.
For Alexa.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Diane sat in briefing room 1A two hours later. Hathaway took a seat beside her and grunted. He had dark circles under his eyes and looked like he hadn’t slept for days. Diane nudged him and whispered, “Is everything okay?”
Hathaway muttered something under his breath and nodded. He took a long pull from a paper coffee cup and exhaled with a loud hiss. Diane decided not to push the issue. She figured they could talk in the cruiser, away from people who didn’t need to hear about any personal problems her partner was having. She shot an annoyed glance at Gabe, who pretended to follow the path of a gnat around the briefing room as justification for looking in her direction.
Sergeant Addison kicked off the briefing at 7:00 A.M. sharp. He looked around the room and nodded with an intense air that made Diane sit up straight. Hathaway slumped in his seat and sipped his coffee.
“Okay, ladies and gentlemen, some serious stuff is going down, and Panther’s under the microscope big time,” the sergeant intoned. “Everybody’s gonna have to put on their big girl panties and man up.” Diane cocked her head at this but didn’t speak. None of the other officers said anything. The room rustled with the sound of people shifting in their seats. The sergeant continued. “It’s, uh, come to my attention that not everyone is on board with certain changes, and that needs to end pronto ASAP.” He pronounced the abbreviation “ay-sap”, which threw Diane off. She focused on “pronto” and assumed the second word was similar. Her forehead began to ache in response.
Sergeant Griggs swiveled in his seat and addressed Diane’s side of the room. “Some of you seem to think the rules don’t apply to you. That it’s perfectly acceptable to go off in your own direction at the expense of the team. If that fits your description,” he glowered at Diane as he spoke, “you are mistaken. The Panther Division has no place for—”
Sergeant Addison raised his hand and waved Griggs off with an air of disgust. “Stand down, Oliver. I’ve got this.” Sergeant Griggs grimaced at the interruption and turned to face the lectern once more.
“Yes, of course, Vincent. I merely intended to reinforce the gravity of the situation, to show a united front.”
“Noted and appreciated Sergeant, but again, I’ve got this. So, like he said, we’re a team here, and that means we don’t just wear the same uniform. We all have to sing from the same sheet of music, and we all have to keep our eye on the ball. Any stray ducklings have to be brought back into the herd, you get me? Panther gets it done, period. We all succeed, or nobody does, capiche?”
Diane looked around nervously. Hathaway took another sip of coffee and seemed to be shutting her out. Was this about last night? I was done with my shift. What I do after hours is my business, she thought darkly. He probably didn’t spend time getting tortured last night, or swim across the Hudson. She rubbed her shoulder and winced. Holy crap, did that really happen?
Her sore shoulder reminded her that she had indeed exerted herself far more than she did while on patrol. Pulling a trigger or cuffing people wasn’t nearly as taxing.
“Team,” Gabe said, and clapped his hands. He looked around sheepishly when nobody else joined in.
Sergeant Addison arm-pointed to Gabe. “That’s the winning attitude, Hinajosa, but I’d feel better about it if you weren’t part of the problem. Sergeant Griggs says you’re not up to speed on your reports.” He pointed to Officer Salazar. “Or you.” He pointed to Diane. “Or you. The wheels are pretty well off the wagon, I’d say.”
Diane felt exposed. Hathaway took a hasty gulp of his coffee and spat some of it back into his cup. She looked up at his haggard face and scowled. Reports? Really?
Sergeant Addison lowered his arm for a moment, then gave the room an affable chuckle. “It’s not all doom and gloom, you guys.” He arm-pointed to Hathaway. “Sergeant Griggs says that one filed some damn fine reports last night, up to the new standards and everything. That’s what I’m talking about. Teamwork makes the dream work. Good hustle.”
Hathaway gave him a bashful wave. “Just doing my job, sir.”
“I like that one,” Griggs said, beaming. Diane gritted her teeth and tried to be supportive in front of the others. She clapped and patted Hathaway’s shoulder, and immediately regretted it. She felt the need to wash her hands pronto ay-sap, lest she become infected by Griggs somehow.
After the briefing, and after a quick trip to the nearest bathroom sink, Diane took her seat in the police cruiser she shared with Hathaway. Her partner seemed to be feeling the effects of his morning coffee, as he wasn’t as sullen as he had been during the briefing, but he wasn’t his usual upbeat self. The dark circles still remained under his eyes, and his hair was messier than usual. As if reading her thoughts, Hathaway mashed his hat on and adjusted the brim in the rear-view mirror. “Time to earn the doughnuts,” he said quietly.
“Roger that,” Diane said with a smile. She glanced at her partner and searched his face for clues as to his mental state. She couldn’t tell if he had a terrible night’s sleep due to something he ate, or something he did. He shot her a glance that suggested he was angry with her, but he fixed his gaze on the road and moved stiffly and deliberately behind the wheel.
Not something he did, she thought, it was something I did. Okay, but what? She huffed and rolled her eyes. She didn’t appreciate the silent treatment. If he had a problem with her, she fumed, he should just come out and say so. Or strap her to a table and electrocute her half to death like the Masked Man. Diane studied her hands and wrists for signs of burns or scarring. Her skin was smooth and unblemished. She huffed again. No, the electrocution never happened. She got the message loud and clear.
Hathaway shifted in his seat. “I, uh, I didn’t expect them to call you out like that in front of everyone. I told the sergeant I’d talk to you privately.”
Diane cocked her head. “Talk to me about what, exactly?”
Hathaway sighed and took a quick sip of his coffee. “The reports. It cheesed me off that you skipped out on me after half-assing your reports. We’re supposed to be on the same team, here.”
“I finished my reports, and I had other places to be,” Diane said coldly. “What did you expect me to do, sit around and wait for you to finish yours?”
“No, but it was pretty flippin’ embarrassing to be left hanging after you rushed in your reports. You didn’t even use the new standards. The sergeant and I couldn’t believe you’d make us look so bad.”
“Us? I finished first, even after Griggs made me update the stupid reports with his stupid new rules or whatever. It’s not my fault if you’re slow.”
“There’s a difference between being slow and being thorough,” Hathaway said sternly.
“I got the job done, period. I had other things to do. I’m glad you and Griggs are all buddy-buddy now. I’m sure he was lonely after his little army fell apart.”
Hathaway turned sharply to Diane. “A plane dropped on top of his fellow officers. Show some respect, Pembrook.”
Diane’s eyes widened. “Wow, he told you about that?”
“Yes, among other things.”
“Like what?”
“It doesn’t matter,” he said. “Let’s just do our flippin’ jobs.”
Great, Diane thought with a groan, Hathaway is kissing up to Griggs. I give him a week before Griggs gets him kicked off the force. She fingered the butt of her sidearm absent-mindedly.
Or worse.
Diane filed her last re
port and pushed her tablet aside at the end of her shift. She took care to use the latest report standards and matched Hathaway’s pace so they finished at the same time. Sergeant Griggs looked over their reports and grunted his approval. It didn’t escape Diane’s notice that Griggs favored Hathaway. He was much breezier in his acceptance of the tablet and subsequent review. By contrast, he snatched Diane’s tablet out of her hand abruptly and inhaled to voice his disapproval at some oversight or error. Diane enjoyed watching his facial expression and body language change as he completed each review without incident.
After Griggs dismissed them, Diane walked with Hathaway to the locker room. Her comm unit flashed a summons. She turned the screen downward and smiled at her partner. “Guess that’s a wrap for today,” she said.
“Another day above ground is fine by me. Not everyone is so lucky,” he said.
“True.” Diane peeked at her comm unit. The screen was black with white lettering that read simply, FRONT ENTRANCE. Diane changed out of her police uniform and into a white t-shirt and jeans. Hathaway’s shirt and trousers were much dressier. She looked him up and down and blew a low whistle. “Hot date tonight?”
“I wish,” he said, looking down at his shoes. “Memorial service.”
“That’s terrible.” She cocked her head. “Wait, I didn’t think we lost anybody lately. Did I miss something?”
“No,” he said glumly. “The ACTF did. We lost a lieutenant yesterday. Totally out of the blue. I’m not sure if you noticed, but I had a rough night. I was out late with the guys, trying to wrap our heads around what happened.”
Diane stood up and put her hand on his shoulder. She looked him in the eye and said, “Oh, Noah, I’m so sorry. It’s never easy losing somebody you care about.” She remembered her recent lesson with Lady Diamond: Embrace what you hate. Diane felt disconnected from Hathaway’s words. She didn’t know whoever died, and the ACTF was his crowd, not hers. She did her best to convey sympathy without actually caring.
Hathaway nodded. “Thanks, Pem… uh, Diane. That means a lot to me. Appreciate you.”
Diane patted his shoulder twice. “Anytime, partner.” She glanced at the urgent summons on her comm unit. It now read IMMEDIATELY. Diane sighed and pocketed her comm unit. “I’m sorry, I’ve got a thing. I’ll catch up with you tomorrow, okay?”
Hathaway gestured to his dress clothes. “Me too. Sure. Be safe.”
Diane hurried to the front entrance. After her electrocutions, she had no interest in keeping the Masked Man waiting. She burst through the front door expecting to find a sleek black SUV waiting to whisk her off to her next assignment, or to a secret location for training. Instead, a gleaming silver sedan sat beside the curb. Its rear passenger-side door opened automatically when she got close to the car.
Diane looked around the empty vehicle and felt a thrill when the door closed behind her and the car sped into the evening traffic. She hoped this meant another session with Lady Diamond. The first car was a different make and color, which fed her nagging doubts. She countered them with the memory of her first and only session. She hoped lightning would strike twice. More electric torture, probably, she thought. She grabbed her wrist involuntarily at the memory.
The sedan darted and weaved its way through the city until it reached a quieter part of town. Diane studied the landscape for familiar landmarks. Nothing was obvious, except there was a sense of familiarity with the area. She felt the same way about the places the Masked Man sent her. The sedan glided to a stop beside a building with a single metal door illuminated by a harsh overhead light. Diane reached for the door handle and felt a pang of relief when it opened freely. She walked through a long hallway that ran into a set of beaded curtains. Diane tingled with anticipation when she parted the curtains and spotted a long table set for elegant dining.
A lone figure sat at one end of the table. Diane took a deep breath and centered herself. She wanted to show the impression Lady Diamond’s instruction had left upon her. She chose her words carefully, then looked up at her teacher. “I am prepared to receive your lesson, Lady Diamond.”
A woman dressed in a fine red gown rose from her seat. Her blond hair shone in the accent lighting that surrounded the table at dramatic angles. Diane took a step backward, horrified. Instead of Lady Diamond, she was face to face with Alexa Charlevoix. Alexa extended her hand and lightly clasped Diane’s fingers. “Charmed, I’m sure. Begging your pardon, miss, I think you have me mistaken for someone else.” She flashed the whitest smile Diane had ever seen. “And you are…?”
Diane’s jaw trembled. She stammered and sputtered but couldn’t form any words. She studied her dinner companion. Was she a look-alike? Was this all a big joke? No, it was her. It was Alexa, live and in person. Diane looked down at her t-shirt and jeans and felt the urge to throw up. She tried to project an aura of confidence, but her thoughts betrayed her. Alexa’s here, and I’m wearing this? I could just die! Lyssa is never going to believe this!
“Duh… Dia… Diane… uh…”
“Diana? That’s a lovely name. My name is Alexa Charlevoix. I am pleased to make your acquaintance.”
“Yuh… yeah, uh, I mean, like I’m sure. I mean, likewise. I sure am.” Diane winced and shook her head. Could I blow this any harder?
“Cut,” said a familiar voice from behind her. Lady Diamond stepped forward wearing a dark blue gown and shimmering diamond jewelry. Her slender leg slipped out from a long cut in her gown every other step. Diane gulped and nodded. Lady Diamond shook her head disapprovingly and nodded to Alexa. “This is no way to act around the great Alexa Charlevoix. She’s too well-bred to say so, but she can’t be anything short of unimpressed with you. This, frankly, is not going to do.”
Diane looked Alexa up and down, then turned to Lady Diamond. “No, but for real, it’s really her? How?”
Lady Diamond patted Diane’s head gently. “Such a simple creature. But so too is a block of marble. In the right hands,” she said, running her finger along Diane’s jawline, “Michelangelo gave us David.”
Alexa sat down and sipped her wine. “I’m used to it. I’ve seen and heard much worse, believe me.”
Lady Diamond crossed her arms and struck a commanding pose. “Noted. But Miss Pembrook is not here to be the worst you have seen and heard. She is here to learn, and we are here to teach. I’ve given you your wildest fantasy, Miss Pembrook. Alexa Charlevoix, in the flesh. She is here to enjoy a fine dinner with you, and only you. And to this auspicious occasion, you wear… this.” She waved to Diane’s attire and frowned.
Alexa sipped her wine and smiled. “It’s okay, Diana, I like to dress up more than most people. I’m comfortable if you’re comfortable.”
Diane wiped away a tear with her knuckle. “I ain’t comfortable.”
“Tch. I never want to hear that word ever again,” Lady Diamond said.
Diane tipped her head. “What, comfortable?” But she said—”
Lady Diamond stepped forward and pinched Diane’s cheeks between her thumb and forefinger. “Ain’t. That’s filthy talk, Miss Pembrook. That’s the way low-lifes and other undesirables talk. It’s repulsive. It infects all aspects of their miserable lives. They talk like degenerates, dress like street trash, and live like animals. That’s not the sort of person who dines with Alexa Charlevoix, is it?”
Diane shook her head with the aid of Lady Diamond, who smiled derisively at Diane’s tortured expression.
Lady Diamond released her grip. “What do you propose we do about this?”
Diane bowed her head. Tears dripped onto her casual shoes. “Fix me.”
Lady Diamond lifted Diane’s chin and softened her facial features. “No, dear child. Not fix. Teach. I am going to teach you.”
“Teach me everything,” Diane said.
“Very well,” Lady Diamond said airily. “Lesson one for this evening: dress to impress. Always. After all, you never know when you’ll be asked to dinner by your idol.” She winked and summoned two assistant
s who wheeled garment racks into the dining area. “Strip down,” she said. “I never want to see those rags again.”
Diane gulped and nodded. She hated the idea of being exposed in front of Alexa, but she wanted to learn. She wanted to excel. She wanted to be worthy. She removed her top and tossed it aside as directed. Alexa sipped her wine and smirked. “Gangly, but wiry. I think we can work with this.”
Lady Diamond smiled and snapped her fingers. “Then by all means, let’s begin.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Diane slipped on a sleek black cocktail dress. The way it clung to her, she felt more exposed than when she was standing before Alexa Charlevoix, Lady Diamond, and three assistants in her bra and panties. She pulled at the fabric in hopes of leaving something to the imagination. After receiving Lady Diamond’s approval for her choice of attire, Diane cocked her head. “I thought you weren’t going to gussy me up anytime soon.”
Lady Diamond smiled. “Slight change of plan. I was going to save dinner with Ms. Charlevoix for your final lesson as a reward for your hard work, but my employer thought it would be a better learning experience to have your vast shortcomings laid bare in front of your idol. My employer outranks me, so the call was made. Fortunately, Ms. Charlevoix was only too happy to accommodate this request on short notice.”
Alexa set down her wine glass and muttered to Lady Diamond, “Hey, nobody told me about humiliating anyone, least of all a fan.” Lady Diamond gave Alexa a sharp glance. To Diane’s surprise, Alexa cowered from her and raised her hands defensively. Alexa shifted in her seat uncomfortably, then struck a more formal pose. Her voice was louder and more confident when she spoke next. “Success breeds success, dear heart. We’re going to set you on the right path.”
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