Chapter 4: Exigent Circumstances
Needless to say, Brock Rumlow was in the doghouse that night. Leaving forensics to rustle up what they could at the scene, they headed back to headquarters, where they regrouped around the conference table to debrief. Lola had kicked off her heels and was rubbing her sore feet when her phone rang, and seeing that the number was blocked, she answered it, Bucky's ears pricking up on instinct.
"Hello?"
"Good evening, my dear." said Ulysses smoothly.
Lola looked up, meeting Bucky's eyes and quickly putting the phone in the centre of the table, beckoned at everyone to be quiet as she put it on speaker.
"Mr. Klaue, I didn't expect to hear from you tonight."
"SHIELD seem to be your number one fan."
"What can I say? Everyone wants me."
Val snorted and Maria slapped the back of her head.
"Maybe a little too much. How do I know you didn't bring SHIELD with you?"
There was no denying the suspicion in Ulysses' voice, and Lola met Bucky's equally concerned eyes across the table. Mustering up all the confidence she could, she answered haughtily, as if she couldn't believe that he would even entertain the idea.
"You say you know me and yet, you're questioning my reputation?"
"Forgive me if I ask you to prove it."
"How?"
"There was a piece you came across earlier today at the museum."
"The axe." she said dumbly, dreading what was about to come next.
"The Wakadans want it back, but, I'm rather attached to it. See if you can't get it for me."
And with that, the line went dead, leaving a roomful of SHIELD agents looking quite uncomfortable and in Bucky's case, furious.
"No." he said, before Lola could even open her mouth.
"Why?" she demanded, crossing her arms. "I'm not going to keep it!"
"You're not stealin' anythin'! Not on my watch!"
"This is the best chance we have! We don't even know where he is!"
"Actually, we do." interrupted Steve, entering the conference room. "I had Sam tail him when he made a run. We've got eyes on him."
"Then what are we waiting for?" cried Lola, leaping out of her chair.
"Hold on there." said Steve, as Bucky threw an arm out to catch her. "Right now, all we have is hearsay. We need evidence."
"His initials aren't enough." added Val, seeing the confusion that clouded Lola's eyes. "Neither is you stealing something for him."
"But, you know where he is." said Lola, looking between Steve and Bucky. "If you went marching in right now- "
"We'd be in a lotta trouble." finished Bucky sternly. "We need a warrant, and we're not gonna get one based on hearsay."
"Where even is he?" she asked, and Steve raised his eyebrows, making it clear she was not privy to such details.
Lola stomped her foot in frustration and Bucky rubbed his temples wearily, snatching a book off the shelves and thrusting it into her hands.
"Do me a favour and read the laws you like breakin' so much." he ordered. "Agent Kyrie, could you please escort Miss. Hunter home."
It was a statement, not a question and Lola protested until she was blue in the face but Bucky's eyes flashed dangerously as he all but pushed her out the building and into Val's Audi. Weak with exhaustion but mind racing at one million miles an hour, Lola felt too wired to go to sleep. Changing out of her dress and into something more comfortable, she curled up on the couch and tried to bore herself to sleep with the book of law Bucky had loaned her. As dull as it was, it did little to nurse her to sleep. Sighing, she tucked the tome under her arm and ventured to the kitchen, hoping that Loki hadn't polished off the bottle of wine.
There was a streak of light peeking out from under Tony's door, and full of curiosity, she rapped her knuckles on the wood, pushing it open when his muffled voice invited her in. Tony was lying in bed, the remote in his hand as he aimlessly watched a rerun of Top Gear he clearly had no interest in.
"Can't sleep?" he asked knowingly, and she nodded.
Tony smiled wryly, patting the bed and she shuffled over, flopping down beside him with a loud sigh, the book thumping softly against the duvet.
"What's on your mind, buttercup?"
"You first."
"Uh, well," began Tony, scratching his chin. "I made a robot today. It was great, until it tried to kill me and half my team. My lawyers aren't too happy. Now you go."
Lola sighed again, before blurting the events of the last two days from start to finish. She felt so useless, and although Bucky hadn't outright said it, she knew he had effectively benched her. She was a sitting duck. Knowing that Ulysses was out there and there was nothing she could do was gut wrenching. Tony listened patiently as she she lamented over it, stroking her hair softly until she eventually ran out of words. Her little tirade took more energy than she imagined, drowsiness consuming her without her realising.
The next thing Lola knew, she was yawning loudly as she lifted her head from Tony's chest; having curled up to him during her short nap. Tony himself was still wide awake, one arm wrapped around her shoulders and one holding open the book she had abandoned. He had a mischievous grin on his face, as he looked down at her.
"Say it, I'm a genius." he beamed, pointing out a paragraph.
Lola squinted at the writing, gasping as she scrambled to get up, pressing a quick kiss to Tony's cheek in the process.
"You're a genius, Tony!"
"It gets better. I got just the thing to get you in."
"I'm in." agreed Lola hurriedly. "I'm going to call Loki, he'll know where to find Klaue."
Feeling thoroughly roughed up, Bucky felt like he had only just laid his head down on his pillow when his phone rang. He blindly reached for it, not bothering to leave the comfort of his bed.
"Fucking what?"
"Really, Barnes?" huffed Sam's voice.
"It's three in the mornin', the hell you want, Wilson?"
"Hunter." said Sam quietly, and Bucky shot up. "She broke her perimeter."
"I'm on my way."
"Are you sure he's coming?" whispered Tony, his car hidden in the shadows.
"I'm sure." nodded Lola.
"If he's so much as thirty seconds later than SHIELD's response time, I'm coming after you."
"I'll be fine." she said, giving his hand a reassuring squeeze.
"Good luck you little minx."
Lola put her hands in the pockets of her knee-length trench coat, her heels clicking loudly in the quiet night air. As she approached the warehouse Loki had texted her the address of, she plastered a sweet but coy smile to her face, stopping in front of the two men stationed at the entrance.
"Excuse me," she said girlishly. "I'm here for Mr. Klaue."
"Who?" boomed the bald one.
"Get lost, sweetheart." warned his stocky friend.
Lola giggled coquettishly, pressing her palm to the bald man's chest.
"I don't think you understand." she said, unbuttoning her trench coat. "I'm here for Mr. Klaue."
The men stared, jaws hanging. Underneath her trench coat, she wore a black corset that was layered with blush coloured lace and matching panties, the little straps on the end hooked on to a pair of black stockings just visible above her thigh-high boots. Wiggling a little for her audience's benefit, she watched their gormless expressions turn into wicked smiles as they apologised hurriedly, leading her through the door.
Lola's heart began to race as she stepped into the warehouse. There were rows upon rows of tables laden with half-constructed guns, workers putting together the various mechanics. They all glanced up to look at her, and she did her best to keep her cool.
"I'll take your coat." said one of the guards, his hands already pulling it down her arms.
"Oh, that's not necessary." she insisted, growing anxious.
"Mr. Klaue would want you to be comfortable." leered the second guard, tugging it from her grasp.
"Why don't you go wait in his office?" said his friend, pushing her forward.
Ulysses Klaue's 'office' was more like a little cabin, or a conservatory of sorts. It was made from panels of glass, and she felt far too much like she was on show as she perched on the end of his desk, staring out at the warehouse before her. She tapped her fingers on the wood, praying that Bucky was about to burst in any second now. Her smile grew uneasy with every passing second, heart in the pit of her stomach when she saw Ulysses swaggering towards her, his dirty great grin unmistakeable.
Unable to handle how afraid she was, Lola scrambled up and slammed the door shut, turning the key in the lock and backing as far away as she could, until her back hit the cold concrete wall. Ulysses had broken into a run, his two henchman right behind him and when he reached his office, he jerked the handle up and down forcefully. Despite the fear she felt, Lola smiled evilly at him, stretching out her leg and unzipping her boot. As soon as Ulysses caught sight of the tracking monitor on her ankle, his entire demeanour changed.
There was no tangible expression on his face, it was impassive, the only sign of life was in his eyes and her blood ran cold knowing that if he broke through that door, he was going to kill her. A cold sweat formed on her skin as he threw his shoulder at the door, and it began to shake with every single thud. Pressing herself flat against the wall, she glanced around the office, trying to find something, anything, that she could defend herself with. Ulysses' voice roared through the reinforced glass as she pulled open the desk drawers, frantically searching. Seeing a handgun, she snatched it up just as he burst through.
It all happened in a blur. She aimed the gun at Klaue but it fell from her hands when he wrapped his arms around her neck, squeezing tightly as she scrabbled at him, her nails scratching into his skin.
"You are a particular kind of bitch." he spat, as her face turned purple. "I'm going to enjoy this."
Tears were falling down her cheeks, her vision blurring over but not enough to miss Ulysses reaching for his belt. And then, there was a loud crash and a dozen SHIELD agents came swarming in, Bucky at the forefront. Ulysses didn't pay them any attention, intent on finishing the job until Bucky came running in and pulled him back by the scruff of his neck. Grabbing him by the collar, Bucky stared down into Ulysses' face with murder in his eyes. Growling, he threw his fist forward into The Dealer's face, thoroughly enjoying the sickening crunch.
"Get him outta here." he snarled, as Sam and Steve ran forward, wrestling Ulysses to the ground and snapping handcuffs on him.
Bucky whirled around, softening instantly when he saw Lola collapsed on the floor in a huddle, arms wrapped around herself. He crouched down and her eyes snapped up to meet his as he took her hands to help her stand. He was taken by surprise when she threw herself at him, breathing heavily into the front of his shirt. Running a hand down her back a little awkwardly, he murmured into her hair, reassuring that it was okay and that she was safe.
"C'mon, let's get you outta here, okay?" he said gently, and she nodded.
Lola jerked up when she felt something heavy drop on her shoulders, seeing Bucky wrap his jacket around her, the softest smile on his face. She forced her jelly legs to move, letting him lead her outside and into the back of an ambulance. As a paramedic checked her over, he chuckled, caught between being impressed and annoyed.
"That was some pretty quick thinkin'." he said, and she smiled briefly. "And readin'."
"Exigent circumstances in the Criminal Law Act." she nodded. "It allows you to enter any property without a warrant to pursue and recapture someone unlawfully running."
"Technically, that makes you a fleein' suspect." he sighed, grinning at her.
"That sounds like a lot of paperwork." she replied, wrinkling her nose.
Bucky shook his head, hands on his hips and she shuffled, pulling his jacket closer around her.
"Sergeant?" she said quietly. "Thank you for saving my life."
"You don't have to thank me."
"I thought he was going to kill me." she admitted, and he frowned. "So, yes, I do have to thank you."
"You're safe now." he said firmly, looking her in the eyes. "He's going away for a real long time. You did good, Hunter. Just… try to give me a heads up next time you're gonna do somethin' stupid."
"I swear to God, woman, if you don't let me through I will- Agent Barnes!"
Tony slipped out of Val's grasp and ran over, engulfing Lola in a tight hug, and Bucky took a step back, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.
"Thank God, you're okay." breathed a relieved Tony. "All I could think was, 'holy crap she's gonna die and I sent her in there dressed like a hooker'."
"What?" blurted Bucky, eyes narrowing at Tony.
"Well, not a hooker." reasoned Tony, making a face. "More like a high-class escort, for politicians or- "
"This was your idea?" interjected Bucky.
"Didn't see you with any better offers, Agent." huffed Tony.
"Well," sighed Bucky defeatedly, holding out his hand. "You did help us, Mr. Stark. Thanks."
"Oh, you're very welcome." grinned Tony proudly, shaking Bucky's hand. "Face it, you need me."
"Not as much as you think, Mr. Stark." replied Bucky, rolling his eyes. "Could you do me one more favour? Take Lola home, I think she's earned a day off."
Lola stared at him. Bucky had called her 'Lola'. Not 'Hunter'. It sounded foreign coming from him, but there was something… exquisite about the way her name rolled off his tongue. It had been a very conscious decision on his part, judging by the way he smiled awkwardly at her and she wondered if his frosty front had thawed somewhat. Neither of them registered Tony's announcement of fetching the car, their bubble only bursting when the payphone three metres away began to ring.
"What the hell?" frowned Bucky, bemused.
"It's our next quest, Sergeant." said Lola mysteriously, hand hovering above the receiver. "Hello?"
"Lola."
"Clint?"
Her heart skipped a beat, the receiver clutched to her ear like it was her lifeline. She couldn't care less than Bucky could hear every word. She hadn't heard Clint's voice in so long, it was like going home.
"I don't have much time."
"Clint, where are you?" she asked desperately, heart threatening to hammer out of her ribcage.
There was the sound of a Tony's car revving, the noise echoing through the phone and Bucky whirled around, eyes scanning the scene before him.
"He's here?" muttered Bucky, and Lola glanced around too, seeking him out.
"Lola? Lola are you still there?"
"Clint, where are you? Tell me where you are, I'm coming."
"No. No, he's close."
"Who? Bucky?"
"No."
"Then who? Please, tell me what's going on, Clint!"
"Listen to me, Lola, listen."
She fell silent, feeling Bucky's presence behind her once more as he tried to pick up on what Clint was saying.
"You need to tell me where you hid everything. The art, the jewels, all of it."
"What?"
"He wants something. If you give him everything, he'll let me come back."
"Who?"
"I can't tell you, it's too dangerous."
"Clint, please. If you tell me I can help you."
"This is the only way you can help me."
"Clint- "
"I have to go. Please, trust me."
There was a click and the dull, endless ring as the line went dead and Lola sobbed, fingers curled into the phone cord.
"Clint? Clint!"
A/N: hello, everyone. I apologise for the shorter than normal chapter, but I hope it didn't disappoint. That's the first case all wrapped up for our detective duo but fret not, there's more where that came from. Thank you so much for reading my humble writings, I do hope you liked the way I wrapped this particular case up. Any favourite characters or moments so far?
Your reviews have been absolutely lovely to read, so thank you, thank you, thank you for leaving them. I do love seeing what you have to say, so please keep the reviews coming. They mean so much. (And they have inspired me to write the next four chapters, so hint hint!)
As always, a special mention to Reality Rejection for helping me sort out my ideas and write them down.