Triangulation:
a method of finding a distance or location by measuring the distance between two points whose exact location is known and then measuring the angles between each point and a third unknown point.
When You Don't Know Where To Start, Try The Beginning
The pistol jumped in her hand as she squeezed the trigger. Through the earmuffs she was wearing, the resulting bang was just a whisper. Her relaxed stance expertly absorbed the recoil. Every movement was fluid and practiced, and she knew without looking that she had hit the mark. A satisfied smirk tugged at her lips.
Her victory, however, was short-lived, as someone tapped her on the shoulder.
Pulling her earmuffs off as she turned, a tall, dusty blonde haired man commented with some chagrin, "You're the Sharp Shooting Star of the Sacramento Police department…"
She grimaced, interrupting, "Please don't call me that."
"You hold the highest accuracy percentage," he amended, "and yet you're still here for a few hours a day. Don't you want to give somebody else a chance?"
"Nobody has a chance of being as good as me." She answered cheerfully, pressing the button that brought the target closer for inspection as she flicked on the safety and holstered her gun. The silhouette of paper revealed seven clean shots through vital points. A perfect score.
The man offered her a crooked smile, "To best you, it would certainly require an unholy amount of practice."
"So," She talked as she walked, pulling off her practice gear to stuff in a locker, "What brings you down to the firing range?"
"You."
"Oh?"
"Apparently, being your partner also makes me your keeper. Commander Towar sent me down here to get you."
"New assignment?"
"He didn't say."
"Still stonewalling you with the newbie thing?"
The man shook his head, "It didn't seem like it this time. He asked for you specifically, not both of us."
"Now why would I be sent somewhere without my shadow?"
"Why don't we just go and find out, instead of standing around postulating."
She hit the 'up' button for the elevator and said to the man with a face-splitting smile, "We're detectives, Ray. Standing around postulating is what we do."
The man – Ray – shrugged, getting in the elevator and requesting the third floor.
Without delay, the pair arrived and weaved their way around a mess of desks and bustling people to the commander's office. She noticed that the shades had been pulled shut: never a good sign. With a hint of unease that she was thoroughly accustomed to as someone who regularly dealt with crime, she pushed her way inside without knocking.
"You wanted to see me, commander."
"Yes." The toughened, sturdy form of her superior answered. Only he wasn't sitting in his high-backed desk chair; rather, he was standing by the shuttered office window. The commander's infamous chair was currently occupied by another, albeit familiar, man.
"Chief Englert," she acknowledged, keeping the color of surprise out of her tone, "What is this all about?"
"You're new assignment." The wizened old man's scratchy voice replied.
She raised an eyebrow, "Do explain. It might clarify as to why both of you are present."
The two men glanced at each other before Commander Towar continued, "You've been requested to investigate a case."
"Very atypical." She said sarcastically.
"In Oregon." Towar added.
Both of her eyebrows went up.
"This is not something we regularly do," Chief Englert explained, "But, Anne Rudick, the Chief of Police in Salem, Oregon asked for you specifically. There's been a series of homicides that need a full time detective to review the cases."
"And they don't have someone with more experience, both with the city and in general?"
"Rudick insisted." Englert said sounding slightly befuddled himself, "She asked me to send you up there and that their department would cover the cost of your transportation, housing, as well as compensation for your work. It should be about the same as if you were working a case here."
"What about me?" Ray finally spoke up.
"Sergant Raymond Clark." Englert finally acknowledged the man, "What is your concern."
Grudgingly, Ray explained, "I'm her partner, and my detective orientation isn't over for another two months."
"So?"
"Where she goes, I go." Ray sounded firm.
"That's fine," Towar interjected, "You may receive regular compensation from the SPD as long as you're working with her."
"I will be."
Chief Englert returned his attention to her, "What do you say, Detective Pines?"
Mabel grinned at the Sacramento Chief of Police, "This case sounds weird from the get-go. I'm in."
Here it is! For those of you who don't know, I've been working on this for a while and I'm FINALLY ready to post it! I'm going to let the story speak for itself, but just a forewarning, Triangulation is very different than anything I've ever written before. Please Enjoy. And if it behooves you, leave a review!
Much thanks to my friend Andy for proof-reading and making the wonderful cover art! You rock!
PS: Check out this post by Star Fleet Rambo! She's inspirational ;) (starfleetrambo tumblr com/post/100587766728/tough-mabel-yes)
*Spaces indicate periods, since fanfiction doesn't appreciate links*