Sorry, this one is pretty short, but still let me know what you guys think! We're getting closer to them meeting, and even I'm getting excited. :P

6.

The following day, her assignment began.

Wired and ready to go, the vest on under her shirt, Holly left the house and headed towards her destination: a club an hour or so outside of town called Cub Casino. Apparently, the club was known for being a hub for criminals, but without probable cause and a search warrant, or a crime being reported from there, the LEP couldn't legally do anything about it. And, even if they could get in, Foaly had pointed out that the likelihood of them finding anything in a place where experienced criminals were known to gather was incredibly unlikely. Most of them knew how to clean up after themselves.

Holly arrived around noon. She pulled into the lot and shut off her car, then paused, reaching up and turning on her wire. "With me, Foaly?"

"Am now," he replied smoothly. "Head on in. I'm right here the whole time… unless something goes wrong, of course, and then I'm still in Ops sending a squad to get you."

"Very reassuring," Holly muttered, getting out of the car and locking her doors behind her. It really wasn't, but it was a little late to turn back now. She walked up to the front door, took a deep breath, and went inside.

The first thing that hit her was the lack of light. Even in the middle of the day, the casino was dimly lit, with just enough red light for her to see what was a few feet in front of her. Despite how early it was, the place was still packed, with people milling about everywhere, drinking or gambling or doing a million other things. It smelled strongly of a mix of sweat, beer, and some kind of filtered air they must have been pumping in to try to cover the rest of it. Music thumped through the room.

Holly stopped for a moment by the door, letting herself adjust to the assault on her senses before moving deeper in. "Poor visibility," she muttered into the mike. "Well, poor everything, really." She wrinkled her nose.

Foaly laughed in her ear. "I suppose you're too young to have been to a casino before, hm? Well, welcome to them."

"Are they all like this?" She started moving inside slowly.

"For the most part, in one variation or another. Some of them have better lighting and ventilation than others, though."

She couldn't help thinking that would have been nice as she moved deeper inside, looking around. She'd only been here a few minutes and she couldn't wait to leave.

Foaly's voice was a bit static-y when he spoke again. "You may want to find a place near people to keep watch. Maybe the bar. But don't pick around and look lost. Someone will boot you out."

Holly nodded, spotting the bar on the other side of the room and starting to make her way over. He said something, but this time it was too broken up to understand. "Foaly?" she murmured into the mike, pausing where she was. "Hello?"

This time, there was no answer, not even static. Holly frowned, looking around. Something must be blocking her signal in here. Should she leave? Step out and tell him that much? Or would that look too odd? She probably looked out of place enough already. Maybe it would just be best if she stayed a little bit. It was doubtful she would hear anything worth directly reporting on her first day, anyway.

Holly went up to the bar and sat down. The bartender approached her almost immediately. "What'll it be?" he grunted, looking at her with narrowed eyes.

She bit her lip, not liking the way he was eyeballing her already. "Um… just a Diet Coke."

He nodded and moved down the bar. She released a breath and turned on the stool, looking around. She was starting to wonder if Julius was a little crazy, thinking this would work. She was very obviously out of place and despite being at the Academy for a while, she wasn't really sure where to start. It seemed incredibly stupid to just walk up to somebody and start asking them questions. It could just be that simple… or she could get shot if she said the wrong thing to the wrong person.

The problem was solved for her, though. At that moment, a hairy but familiar-looking man approached her, hopping up on the stool beside her. She barely spared him a glance, lost in thought, until she suddenly realized what exactly she'd seen. She turned back to him. "Mulch?" she demanded, surprised.

The dwarf winked at her. "I go by Tombstone around these parts, but hello." He grinned toothily at her, and she suddenly swallowed down the urge to ask why he was called that. "What are you doing in a place like this, kid?"

The bartender returned with her drink, and she took it, stirring the straw around as she debated how to answer. She couldn't very well tell him that she was undercover working for the cops, could she? It was almost a laughable thought. Imagine how he'd react. Seeing him here, she suddenly realized he wasn't one himself. Whatever his connection, it was different. "Well…" she held out, still not sure how to respond.

Mulch chuckled and shook his head. "Let me guess. You came looking for trouble, didn't you? You children of authority figures, you're all either one way or the opposite: following in their footsteps, or doing anything you can to rebel." He raised an eyebrow at her. "Old Chris doesn't even know you're here, does he?"

Holly bit her lip and nodded slowly. That much, at least, was true. She hadn't really talked to her father about this yet; he'd worked really late last night, then left very early in the morning, and she wasn't exactly chasing him down to do it. She knew he wasn't happy about it, and at this point, the less he knew, the less she had to hear about it. Of course, she wasn't actually here to rebel against him, but if it gave her a feasible story to work with… Besides, the best lies had a hint of truth in them.

"No," she said at last. "He doesn't. And, to tell you the truth, I'm sick of him treating me like a child, so I came to do a little investigative work of my own." She took a sip of her Coke. "I want you to tell me what you know about Fowl. That's why I came."

Mulch looked at her, contemplating. "Really? And how did you know where to find me?"

Holly shrugged. "You weren't at the police station, but I did some digging. I do hear some things, even though he tries to keep me from them." She leaned toward him. "I'm tired of being treated like a child. I'm an adult, and I want to know about what's going on. I think I deserve at least that much, but he won't tell me anything. But you know something, don't you? You already said so."

He chuckled. "Of course I do. I know a lot, actually - including some things that would make your toes curl, girl. But why do you really want to know?" He raised an eyebrow. "To act out? To hold it against him? Or to get involved?"

She made a face involuntarily. "Get involved? I'm not a criminal. I'm just… curious."

Mulch shrugged. "Suit yourself. But, to be honest, I can't tell you much on the outside. Fowl is a criminal, granted, but he's brilliant. I can tell you that much. And he's motivated, by reasons most people will never understand. Not everyone commits crimes just for thrills, Short." He got up. "If you ever change your mind, come find me. But don't tell your father." With a wink, he disappeared into the crowd, leaving her staring at the spot he disappeared.