The lights of the runway loomed ahead, red and white glaring through the dark misty evening. Lelle rubbed some life back into her legs and wiped the sleep from her eyes. As the sleep fell away from her she felt the knot of apprehension in her stomach that her blissful sleep state had let her forget. She should have never volunteered for this exchange, she had just been excited. America had always seemed like a place of excitement, away from the humdrum of home, and she suspected the same for most Britons. She took a swig of her now warm water and tried to think pragmatically about this trip. She would be working alongside the FBI, and (although most of her information had been gleaned from films) had held more prospects for exciting and action filled days than her boring little CID office back in England. Lelle wondered how she would appear to them at FBI. She had an awful inkling that she would seem rather uninitiated to the federal agents, like a little girl from the sticks visiting the big city for the fist time. Just like the films. She groaned and took a deep breath as the plane dipped in to land.

******

He ran in a blind panic, babbling incoherently, more animal now than man, terror governing every move. Sweat ran from his brow and dribbled down his nose, mingling with the rain that falling fast and hard. His chest rose and fell deeply as he sucked in huge buckets of air. Rain soaked through to his skin, the broken and torn soles of his shoes causing him to tumble to the ground. He looked back up the alleyway through the curtain of rain. The dark figure that was chasing him silhouetted against the light of the alley mouth. He raised a feeble hand, trembling trying to hold off the figure advancing on him. The figure knelt down beside him and swiftly grabbed his throat.

"Eat" , the silken voice commanded.

******

Lelle awoke to her alarm sounding. She swiftly swung her legs out of the bed and tried not to think to hard about the day ahead. Just take it easy and do one thing at a time she told her beating heart and turning stomach. She tied back her long black hair into a sensible bun and climbed into her pinstripe suit. She smoothed the material down in the mirror, and strode out of the hotel with more confidence than she felt.

The offices of the FBI building were intimidating, and the sheer amount of glass and black leather that was on display in the lobby was in stark contrast to the shabby wood of her office in England. After she passed all her security checks the security guard waved her past

"Tenth floor, room 9" , and he smiled at her and wished her a nice day. She got out at the tenth floor and after a few people pointing her in the right direction set off toward room 9. As she approached she could hear arguing. She held back to hear what the voices were saying.

"...that's all very good sir but I just can't have someone hampering my investigation, I have always worked alone and have got good results."

"This is more than just an investigation, this is a collaborative effort between two countries to share investigative techniques and may lead to increased intelligence sharing between our nations in the future."

"With all due respect sir, there is a killer out there and you want me to play babysitter so our political standing is better?"

The second voice sighed, "Look, Jayden, i'm sure this Detective Hillier will be more helpful than you think."

Lelle bristled at the sound of her name. Damn right she would be helpful! Who did this Jayden character think he was? Not waiting to hear a reply she knocked at the door and coughed loudly.

"Come in, ah detective Hillier we were just talking about you ", the older man in a grey smartly pressed suit smiled at her. Lelle smiled wanly back, you sure were she thought. He had thinning grey hair and sad thoughtful eyes. "I trust your journey was pleasant?"

"Oh yes, and a pleasure it is to be here sir ." She smiled smoothly.

"Indeed. Well as you already know i'm the Special Agent in Charge - Murray" , he held out a strong hand and shook hers. "And this is agent Norman Jayden, he will be taking you under his wing while you are visiting."

Lelle turned on her heel smile affixed to her face. Jayden untempled his fingers and gave her a wan smile back and held out his hand. Jayden was in his early thirties she guessed, a smattering of stubble across a pale face. He wore a dark grey suit and held a nonchalant air. Lelle swallowed, Jayden had the most intense pale blue eyes she had ever seen. She was sure those eyes were staring right into her, assessing everything about her, putting little black marks next to the bits they didn't like. She remembered herself and held out her hand in return.

"DC Lelle Hillier, i'm looking forward to working with you ."