Anna sat at her desk with her head in her hands. She was getting tired of looking at a computer screen day in and day out. She and Kristoff had dug up plenty on Hans Anders and his family, and she was sick of seeing the names. Anna was disgusted with everything the family had gotten away with in the South. There were charges from drug laundering to prostitution. Every new file brought a new headache to the strawberry blond. She heard the chair across from her creak as someone sat down. Anna looked through her fingers to see Kristoff tossing a file on her desk.
"What is it this time?" Anna groaned.
"Take a look," Kristoff nodded at the folder.
Anna sighed, picked up the folder, and opened it. She saw pictures of someone that was clearly a man with auburn hair getting out of, what looked to be, an expensive car. She quirked an eyebrow at the photo and flipped to the next one. This picture showed the same man walking into a rather large estate, one that looked all too familiar. Anna's eyes found Kristoff's.
"When were these taken?"
"One is security footage. The other is outside where Hans is taking up temporary residence."
"Security footage from where?" Anna looked between the two photos.
"The Frost estate, just outside of the city," Kristoff answered. "Looks like Frost and Anders might be doing business after all."
Anna's eyes widened and her heart began to race. "You took this from the Frost security system! Kristoff, that was incredibly stupid!" She put her head back in her hands. "Don't you think they'll find out someone was hacking into their video footage?"
"Relax, Summers," Kristoff rolled his eyes. "There's been surveillance around that estate for years. It came from our own cameras, not Frost's."
Anna picked the photo back up, analyzing it carefully. "This doesn't prove anything. He could merely be making his presence known."
"What makes you so sure?"
"Isn't that what you would do?" Anna furrowed her brows. "You're the son of a power player in the South, you come in to a new city, and you want the locals to know you're here."
"Not sure I would want to present myself to Frost," Kristoff shrugged, "but I can see your point. You think he wanted Frost to know he's moving in?"
"It's hard to tell," Anna mumbled, more to herself than Kristoff. "Everything we have on this guy is cringe worthy. He's worse than any of his brothers."
"You saying you don't think Frost would want anything to do with this guy?"
"I'm saying that I find it hard to believe that someone as powerful and influential as Frost would associate herself with the bottom rung like Hans."
"From the time lapse of the photos, it doesn't seem like he stayed long," Kristoff pointed to another picture in the file. "Seems he stayed all of twenty minutes."
"She either wanted nothing to do with him, or-."
"It was a social call," Kristoff interrupted.
A new thought hit Anna. "Kristoff, how long has this surveillance been in place?"
"A couple months, why?" He tilted his head in confusion.
"Has- Has anyone seen anything worth mentioning? Why are we just finding out about this now?" Anna's heart felt like it was about to beat out of her chest.
"This has been the first I've heard of it," Kristoff admitted. "Seems with Anders in town, they decided to let us in on it."
"What about activity? Not just during the day, but at night?" Oh, gods. Have they seen Elsa leaving at night?
"You think he might be making night visits? I can talk to the people on it, see if they can find anything noteworthy."
"No!" Anna nearly shrieked. "I-I mean, no, that's fine. I was just curious," she bent her head back down to the file. She could feel the heat spreading across her cheeks as she tried to hide them from Kristoff's gaze.
"Okay, then," Kristoff said, quirking an eyebrow at his partner's odd behavior.
"So, where is it that Hans is staying?" Anna asked, hoping to divert her partner's attention.
"The Plaza."
"He's certainly staying somewhere with style, I'll give him that," Anna muttered. "Staying on the top floor?"
"Yup," Kristoff chuckled as he nodded. "He appears to have a thing for flare."
"We should make a stop at the Plaza," Anna looked at the clock. "We have a few hours before quitting time. What do you say?"
"I'm game," Kristoff grabbed his jacket off the back of his chair. "Maybe we can pick up dinner on the way."
Anna gasped, pressing her hand to her chest. "You mean you'll let me eat in the patrol car?"
"As long as you don't make a mess."
"I would never," Anna grinned.
"Uh huh," Kristoff rolled his eyes. "Just remember to keep your feet off the dash. I'll put Sven up there if you even try it." He pointed an accusatory finger at her.
"I think you like that dog more than me sometimes," Anna pouted.
Kristoff laughed, mussing Anna's hair. "Come on, feisty pants. Let's go do our jobs."
"You seem happier today," Olaf smiled as he entered Elsa's study. "Did you have a good night?" He waggled his eyebrows as he shut the door behind him.
Elsa laughed and rolled her eyes. "I could say the same to you. Did you and Marshall have an entertaining night?" She rose a playful brow at him. "After he was done following me, that is."
Olaf's jaw dropped open in shock. He closed it slowly and a smile took over his features. "Guess you have your dirt on us now, huh?"
"Oh, please," Elsa waved her hand dismissively. "I've known about you two forever. You're not exactly discrete when you talk about him," she chuckled. "I mean, Marshmallow, seriously?"
Olaf chortled in return. "He's a big softie when he wants to be."
"I can't imagine that being helpful in the bedroom."
"Elsa!" Olaf's eyes widened in surprise at Elsa's blunt remark. "I guess this woman has put you in a rather scandalous state of thinking."
Elsa shrugged. "On a good day." She smiled warmly at the man seated across from her. "You two do make quite the pair."
"I would say the same for you and your paramour, but I don't know her. I don't even know what she looks like!"
"Odds are that you won't meet her, Olaf."
"That hardly seems fair." He crossed his arms over his chest. "If you just told me her name, I could see who she is for myself."
"And that is precisely why you aren't going to learn her name."
Olaf sighed dramatically, flailing his arms in the air. "You and your secrets!"
Elsa just shook her head at the young man, a smile on her lips. "If I want to know everything about her, I could simply ask. There's no need to compile an entire portfolio on her."
A sly grin spread on Olaf's face. "I already know where she lives. It wouldn't take much to-."
"No, Olaf," came Elsa's stern reply. "What was it you came in here for anyway?"
"Oh!" He exclaimed, remembering the reason for his trip to Elsa's study. He picked up the packet he brought in with him that he had set on the table beside him. "It appears we aren't the only ones interested in Hans' presence in the city," he held the packet out to Elsa.
Elsa's brows furrowed as she opened the packet. She read over the contents, shaking her head. "It doesn't come as much of a surprise that the police are involved. Hans and his family are notorious for their involvement in the crime syndicate."
"True," Olaf shrugged, "but the force appears to have put two of their younger officers on the case." He pulled a photo from inside the packet.
Elsa's eyes widened as she studied the photo closer. A familiar shade of strawberry blond caught her eye. Oh, no. No no no no. Shit. Shit!
"Their names are Kristoff Bjorgman and Anna Summers."
What the fuck is going on! They put Anna on this? It's too dangerous for her!
"Where," Elsa stopped to clear her throat. "Where was this taken?"
"It was taken today at the Plaza. Hans is staying there."
Elsa snapped her eyes to meet Olaf's. "They went there! What would make them make such a reckless move?" Her gaze dropped back down to the photo, locked on the redhead. "They have to know that Hans will have that place watched at all times." A thought crossed Elsa's mind that made her begin to sweat. "Has Marshall seen these?"
"No. These were brought directly to me. Did you want me to have Marshall follow these two?"
"N-No. I think it best we keep our distance." Elsa pinched the bridge of her nose between her thumb and index finger. "Thank you for this, Olaf."
"You're welcome." He stood to leave.
"Olaf," Elsa called after him. She waited until he turned around, "Set up a meeting with Duke."
"Any specific time in mind?" Olaf asked while pulling out his phone.
"Soon."
Olaf nodded. "I'll get right on it, Elsa." He left the room, closing the door behind him.
Elsa glanced down at the picture in her hands. She traced her finger over the image, as if she could somehow reach the woman in the photo. She had to protect Anna. Hans surely knew by now that the police were interested in him being in Arendelle, and she feared what he might do to those assigned to keep an eye on him. She needed to speak to Anna. She needed to find a way that she could protect Anna that wouldn't compromise both their positions. Elsa released a frustrated groan, leaning her head in her hands.
"Anna, what have you gotten yourself into?"
"Oh, come on! You can't do that! That's just- you're an incredibly rude person!" Anna yelled as she shoved Kristoff's shoulder.
"That's the way you get shit done, feisty pants," the blond man laughed loudly.
"You didn't even give me a chance!"
"Hey, survival of the fittest."
She narrowed her eyes at him. "We're not friends anymore," she pouted, crossing her arms.
"You're way too competitive, you know that?" Kristoff laughed while he set down his controller. "It's only Mario Party."
"Yeah, well, you still cheated." She grabbed her beer and slumped back against the couch. "I could kick your ass in Mario Kart," she muttered.
"Should we put that in? I can school you in that too." Kristoff smirked before taking a swig of his own beer. He reached down to the dog at his feet, scratching Sven's head. "She's just upset I'm better at everything, isn't she, boy?"
Anna gave an unladylike snort. "Yeah, like burping is really that important in the real world."
"Not my fault you burp like an infant," Kristoff poked her side.
Anna batted his hand away, looking at the clock. "Is that really what time it is?"
"Yeah, why?"
I need to get home to where, hopefully, a hot blond woman will be coming to see me.
"This day has just been really long," Anna answered while stretching. "I think I'm gonna head out." She slipped her shoes back on and looked down at Sven. "Don't let him get too crazy tonight."
"He's a good dog!"
"I was talking to Sven," Anna laughed. "I'll see you later."
She left Kristoff's and trekked the six blocks back to her own apartment. The nights were getting cooler, signaling that fall was not long in coming. Anna pulled her jacket tighter against her and picked up her pace. She never favored the cold and couldn't fathom why Elsa enjoyed it so much. She guessed having a rich family that took you to go skiing in the middle of winter had something to do with it. The only things Anna liked about winter was that she could drink all the hot chocolate she wanted without people giving her strange looks, snowball fights, and cuddling up with a certain woman during the cold nights.
Anna rounded the corner to her block and fished her keys out of her jacket pocket. She looked up and noticed a black car parked across the street. Anna could swear she had seen the vehicle before, but she couldn't place where. Watching the car out of the corner of her eye, she walked up to the front of the building, put the key in the lock, and went inside, shutting the door quickly behind her. She made her way to the elevator, punched the button, and waited for the doors to open. She rode the car up to her floor, twirling her keys on her fingers as she leaned her back against the wall.
Anna reached her apartment door, put the key in the deadbolt, and was confused when she didn't hear the click when she turned the key. Her heart raced when she tried the doorknob and it turned with no resistance. She cracked the door open slightly to see that the lights were on inside. Anna started to panic, wondering who it was that would break into her apartment. She checked the door and frame for any signs of forced entry and found none. She slipped through the door quietly, closing it softly behind her. She walked lightly down her hall to the living room when she smelled something delicious wafting from her kitchen. Anna furrowed her brow, making her way to the kitchen. What she saw stopped her in her tracks, a small grin playing at the edges of her lips.
Elsa was standing at the stove, stirring something that was sizzling in the frying pan in front of her. Her blond hair was out of its usual braid and flowed in platinum waves down her back, a small amount was pushed behind her ear. She was dressed in a black pair of jeans that hugged her hips and a white tank top that fit her tightly, showing off her toned physique. Elsa was focused on the food in the frying pan and didn't notice Anna watching her from the doorway.
"Breaking and entering is new for you," Anna commented, leaning against the doorway.
Elsa froze, her hand stilling from stirring the contents of the pan, her eyes shooting over to Anna. She gave Anna a warm smile before returning her attention to the pan.
"You weren't here yet, so I let myself in," she shrugged. She turned off the burner and pulled the pan off of it. "You're just in time actually. It just finished cooking."
Anna walked over to the blond, wrapping her arms around her waist, and leaned her chin on Elsa's shoulder. "I don't remember giving you a key. How did you get in?"
Elsa looked at her out of the corner of her eye. "Your locks aren't very hard to figure out."
Anna chuckled and placed a kiss on the woman's cheek. "That smells great. What is it?"
"Just stir-fry," Elsa shrugged. "I didn't have much to work with," she portioned the food out on to the plates on the countertop. "You really need to go shopping."
Anna sighed, releasing the blond from her arms. "Yeah, I've been meaning to do that. I've been a little distracted as of late." She walked to the fridge, opening it, and grabbed a beer. "You want a drink?" she said over her shoulder. She saw Elsa lift a beer off the counter.
"I got one already. I had to go buy beer. You were completely out."
"Oh," Anna popped hers open. "Thanks," she smiled then took a drink. "You always buy the expensive stuff, so I can't really keep that on hand."
"Not my fault you like that cheap shit. I'm just trying to show you the finer things in life." Elsa winked. She picked up her plate and headed towards the table. Anna grabbed her own plate and followed after Elsa.
"Yeah, yeah." She rolled her eyes. "Thanks for cooking. Even though you broke into my house to do it." She stuck her tongue out playfully at Elsa.
Elsa quirked an eyebrow, her eyes darting down to look at Anna's tongue. "Is that an invitation?"
"It can be," Anna smiled back lasciviously. She waggled her eyebrows, causing Elsa to laugh.
"Maybe later," Elsa chuckled, taking a bite of her food.
They ate in comfortable silence, occasionally exchanging small talk about the weather getting colder. Both women were lost in their thoughts. Elsa was thinking about how to broach the subject of her knowledge of Anna's involvement in Hans' case. Anna was thinking about how long she could keep her mouth shut about being assigned to keep an eye on Elsa's dealings and if Elsa had anything to do with Hans Anders being in Arendelle. Anna decided to try again with small talk.
"There was a car parked across the street when I came home," she started. "It felt like someone was watching me from inside of it."
Elsa seemed unfazed, taking a drink from her beer before responding. "It's just Marshall."
Anna tilted her head curiously. "The head of your security? Why would he be outside my apartment building?"
Elsa quirked an eyebrow at her. "He's here because I'm here," she said as if it were obvious. "He's here to make sure you're safe."
Anna's brow lifted to her hairline. "To make sure I'm safe?"
Elsa's eyes widened as she looked down at her plate. "To make sure I'm safe, I mean." She pushed what little was left of her food around with her fork.
Anna reached across the table, placing her hand on top of Elsa's. "Elsa, what's going on?"
Elsa sighed heavily, running her free hand through her hair, tousling her locks slightly. "I know you're watching Hans."
Anna froze, her eyes widening. "How do you know that?"
Elsa gave her a pointed look. "Because I'm watching his activity while he's in Arendelle," she said coolly. "I have people watching him and Olaf brought me pictures of you and your partner outside the Plaza today." Elsa kept her eyes locked with Anna's. "Do you have any idea how dangerous that was, Anna? Hans isn't like most people. If he finds out you're following him, he's going to do something about it."
"It's my job, Elsa!" Anna stood up and started to pace. "I was assigned to look into why he's here. Kristoff and I were just checking out where he's staying."
"Anna, Hans is not your average thug," Elsa stood to try to keep Anna from pacing.
"I know that," she deadpanned. "I've read everything there is on Hans and his family."
"You've only read the things that the family has allowed to be known," Elsa grabbed Anna's wrist, pulling the younger woman to look her in the eyes. "There is much more to that family that no one outside the syndicate knows. They buy cops, judges and officials, and when that doesn't work-," Elsa stopped, screwing her eyes shut. She opened her eyes again slowly, all warmth gone from them. "When that doesn't work, he attacks them. I will not let anything happen to you."
"Elsa, you can't protect me from everything!" Anna pulled her wrist from Elsa's grasp. She covered her face with her hands, feeling the tears burn behind her lids. "Elsa," she said, a sob causing her throat to catch. She opened her eyes to see Elsa gazing at her with nothing but concern in her cobalt eyes. "I need to tell you something."
A/N: Hey guys. So, the plot thickens. Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. :) Thank you to everyone still following the story, to all the new followers, and thank you to the people that take the time to drop a review. You guys are awesome and make me enjoy writing this.