Dance the Night Away

I'm trying something new. Completely AU. Like, completely. Stress on "completely." If you like, please review.

CAli

Prologue - New Beginnings

Detective Traci Nash inhaled long then exhaled just as loud as she stared at the white board. Her eyes darted left to right, up and down as she studied each face. Her thumb kept clicking her pen. Her body language was tight, arms crossed, resting where her sternum ended as she memorized each profile they had so far on the men. Their mugshots looked either menacing or down-right drunk. But they were not to be underestimated. It was a big case and she had to know everything about these men. Her UC depended on it.

The door behind her opened; hinges squealing like a wounded animal but Traci was used to it, just like the draft that seemed constant and permanent in the cement box they called a room. It wasn't until the boots thunked on the cement floor, echoing against the walls that made her turn around. Her eyes and facial expression went from business to pure awe as she stared at the woman before her.

"Wow," Traci said, her voice matching her face.

"Thanks," Gail said, smirking and her sarcastic tone very prominent.

Traci was used to the mood and it had only been two days since she met Gail. Detective Gail Peck, although Peck was new nowadays. She was formerly Detective Gail Sullivan, Vancouver PD. She recently changed her last name to Peck, because after all, she was Toronto police royalty but moving a child across the country at a very young age (Toronto was home for two days for newborn Gail) could do wonders, but it all worked out for the best, especially now. The disappearance of Gail Peck from the Toronto police force turned out to be a blessing for everyone involved in this case. But now Gail had to go through another identity. She didn't seem to mind too much, though. Gail looked like that damage soul that needed to reinvent themselves every once in awhile.

And reinvent, she did. She was now Gail O'Brien, badass bouncer at Jonquel's Ladies, lieutenant-in-the-making in the after hour's shadows. Toronto PD finally got their in in the strip club, which was run by one of the most dangerous mob bosses Toronto has seen in the last 20 years.

The buildup was slow, violent here and there, disappearances random, small increments that inflated like a slow burn, stats that increased then decreased sporadically that was so subtle, cops were actually soaking it in. Which was how it blew up in their faces to what it was now two decades later. Jonquel Lesvesque was smart in building his empire, and the worst part was, it was just beginning. The last five years, Lesvesque was getting stronger and stronger and he showed no signs of slowing down. His empire was going to keep going.

And he was genius. He took the quote, "The enemy of my enemy is my friend" quite literally. He did research. He formed alliances of other gangs and studied Toronto PD. Every caught gang member because of undercover work and those involved, every patrol rotation that arrested gang members, every detective involved in a gang-related case was profiled and surveillanced by Levesque. And he worked his way until he knew what every cop and their family and friends in Toronto looked like. He had connections deeper than anyone thought.

That's why everyone hoped and prayed an outsider could break the case. That had to be their advantage. They considered someone who wasn't connected to Toronto since Levesque seemed to have a lockdown on his enemy, but a nonlocal seemed too obvious and Lesvesque was too inquisitive not to consider the police would try an outsider tactic. They needed someone who was an outsider but knew Toronto. Enter Gail Peck. She might not have grew up in this city but her memorization skills was high, to the point she was considered to have photographic memory. Her mom might've forced her to leave Toronto, but being a cop was still required of her. And Gail was ready to prove her worth. This meeting now was an overview then she had to venture out for her audition.

"I didn't think you'd pull off platinum with you being so pale," Traci said, still in awe. "But you look good, Gail."

Two days ago, Gail had been brownish-blond. The bleach was stark contrast and definitely altered her appearance just in case Levesque was detailed enough to trace any in-laws of former and current police officers. They hoped that the knowledge of Gail changing her last time constantly (three times in her adult life) buried the history and lineage that was in their UC, plus making it difficult for Levesque to research her or even know she existed in the police world. To Levesque, Gail had to be Gail O'Brien, a girl who grew up in Toronto and loved Toronto but had a storied past that caused her to be a drifter, which allowed her to hone her skills in organized crime. She was back in town and looking for a job.

"It's all about new beginnings, right?" Gail drawled, her voice low and husky as her ice eyes bore into Traci's brown. "A new me."

"A new you, indeed." Traci nodded then gestured to the white board. "Wanna get to know your new friends?"

"Of course."

"Jonquel Levesque," Traci pointed to the picture center mass. "Owns a strip club on the somewhat upscale part of town. We believe he's doing everything there. Actually running a legitimate business and the dirty dealings in the back. Over the past 20 years, he has pushed an influx of cocaine and speed, even dabbling in laced methamphetamines. Drugs and trafficking girls are his main focus. He's been the middle man for some very powerful gangs and has integrated others, slowly becoming a mass army. They all kept their names to avoid suspicions."

"I take it he's a very patient man." Gail said, as she studied every picture with intent.

"Very. He started small and was able to grow big, slowly. We didn't catch on until five years ago when he was huge. Now, he's about to be gigantic."

"What makes you say that?"

"He's been aggressive in a takeover. Something's brewing and we think it has to do with the gun trade that's booming in Africa. He might be fusing two powerful gangs, and soon. There's been a hidden bloodbath for the past five years. I think he's close to the integration and smuggling guns."

"And where do I fit in?"

"There's an opening for a bouncer at the club. The last one was killed in a drive-by shooting."

"At the club?"

"Ten miles away. An shady area known for speed." Traci showed the crime scene photos of a dead woman. She looked about Gail's age.

Gail studied the two bullet holes in her chest and the one prominent one where a gaping hole replaced her nose. Her eyes were glazed over and she honestly didn't look human. If zombies existed, she'd probably be the prototype; the shining example.

"Hmm," Gail said after several moments of silence. "Peculiar he choose a woman to protect him."

"Lesbian."

Gail cocked her eyebrow and Traci shrugged.

"Surveillance indicates it. He trusts lesbians, for whatever reason."

"I knew I didn't get the job because of my pretty looks."

"You are catnip. The ladies do fall for you."

"Of course you read my file." Her love life was tumultuous and that was a generous adjective.

A domestic dispute with her ex-girlfriend was frowned upon in the police force, especially since cops had a bad reputation for having being excessively aggressive. Another reason why this undercover job was a good reason to leave. A chance to escape and clear her head. A new beginning, after all.

"It made it easier to choose you, trust me," Traci assured. "You fit the profile of what he likes. At least you don't have to lie about loving the ladies."

"Lying has never been a problem for me," Gail waved her hand, dismissing.

She tilted her head looking at several surveillance photos of what looked like an endless supply of women, entering and exiting the strip club. She briefly wondered how many of these girls were truly strippers or trafficked girls. The strippers, did they know about their boss's dirty dealings? Were their coworkers trafficked? Did they have a part in all this? Would they ever betray their boss if they knew secrets?

A series of photos caught her eye. She grabbed the series and flipped one by one, studying the stunning brunette. She was with Levesque either being affectionate with hugs or laughing. Or she'd just stand by him, looking just as serious of the tall, lean man. But his eyes always shined on her. She was obviously the favorite, therefore she was close to Levesque. She studied the girl more intently. She looked like one of those natural beauties, with and without her sexy librarian glasses. Each photo Gail looked at and she thought the woman was more beautiful than the last. Finally, she spoke her thoughts when she looked at the last picture in the series.

"Do any of girls know about Levesque's side piece?" Gail asked, holding up her stack of photos.

"All of them check out." Traci shrugged.

"Even her?"

"Holly Stewart. Definitely checks out. She's a med student at UoT. She's the Grade-A classic cliche."

"Hardly. She's exquisite." The response was automatic.

"I'm talking about her profession, you're talking about her looks," Traci said, her tone teasing. "You already have a crush."

"She's hot, and obviously Levesque's favorite. There's a connection there."

"Unrequited love, maybe. She's only been seen with Levesque at the club. And she never travels with him. We've never seen them together unless it's during club hours. You think she's involved in the mob dealings and they're just being smart about it?"

"If he's trafficking girls, there's at least one girl a part of the trade. Builds trust for the scared ones. But I highly doubt it's her. She doesn't look evil behind a beautiful smile."

"Looks can be deceptive. I'm sure you know all about that."

Oh, right. A dig at the fact her ex turned out to be a psychotic knife-wielding bitch. Of course, others saw it the other way around since she manipulated the situation for sympathy points. Gail rolled her eyes and looked back at the photos. She couldn't stop staring.

"But if she is Levesque's favorite then she might have more privilege than the other girls," Traci continued when she realized she wasn't going to get a rise out of Gail. "She might have access to office."

"She might be an angle." Gail conceded.

A knot formed in the pit of her stomach. She didn't want to use this Holly Stewart like that even though that might be the only move given to her once she gained Levesque's trust. She found herself hoping that wouldn't be the case. Holly Stewart looked like the type who was extremely vulnerable on the inside. She could definitely relate to that. She hoped - God, she hoped - she would be more than just a con.

Mysterious, yes?

Review if you'd like.

CAli