The Next Evening
"Alright everyone, I have your assignments," Maria said from the front of the room. "Detective Maza is undercover with all of you, so Detective Bluestone will be running point on this one. For everyone's safety, we're keeping the gargoyles on alert should they be in the area as an added security measure. We're going to be spread pretty wide on this one, so be careful and remember to check in regularly. Everyone has an assigned officer and a dedicated cell phone. Use it," Maria said firmly. "Everyone texts nowadays, so once an hour text your corresponding officer and update them."
The room was filled to the brim with female officers. Most of them from the 23rd, but in a coordinated effort across the island, there were female officers from every precinct. So many had volunteered to come and help, that a nearby YMCA had been contacted to lend them one of their gymnasium spaces.
"There are a lot of bars in this city," Maria said grimly, "and no guarantee that our suspect will be at any of them. Keep his photograph handy. Memorize it. If you even think that you spot him, report it. Alright, ladies and gentlemen," she checked her watch, "the time is now 6:45. Most of our victims report that they were approached between nine and ten. I need not remind you all to drink non-alcoholic drinks. For those of you who do not drink regularly, I have included a list of non-alcoholic drinks that look like mixed drinks in the informational packets available for you to take at the door. Don't forget to meet up with the tech team and pick up your wires on the way out. We want to get our suspect on recording if possible. Stay vigilant, ladies and stay safe. We will reconvene here at two in the morning, after last call."
The officers, male and female alike, broke apart and began filing out.
Elisa and her assigned officer for the evening stood a little apart from the rest, watching as the informational packets were passed out to the undercovers that were heading out for their assigned locations.
"So, who are you tonight?" Officer O'Banyon asked softly.
"I'm Allora," Elisa said. "Allora Grace Chavos."
He raised an eyebrow at her. "That explains the hair, and the outfit," He said, eyeing her undercover getup for the evening.
Elisa had mercilessly straightened her hair to knock out any semblance of wave to it. She had also used a heavier hand with her makeup, playing up the Native American heritage. A pair of thin rimmed studious glasses, jeans that had definitely seen better days and worn almost through at the knees and a faded flannel shirt over a plain black tee completed the look.
"You know," Officer O'Banyon said, frowning at her, "I've worked at the 23rd for three years longer than you have. One of these days, you're not going to be able to pass for a college student anymore."
"Yeah, yeah," Elisa said, even as she thought, 'If only you knew.'
Thanks to a little supernatural gift tossed her way, she was now aging gargoyle slow.
She was going to look like this for a good long time.
"I had to do something different," Elisa said. "He has seen me in my regular street clothes. That's why I got assigned to The Cellar."
The Cellar was a big, noisy club on East 40th, centrally located to almost all of Manhattan's college campuses. It was known for its ear-splittingly loud rock, its cheap drinks and it was known as a good place for hookups for the single's crowd. It was also dimly lit and the best place for Elisa to go where Roth, if he were there, wouldn't immediately be able to recognize her.
Officer O'Banyon frowned. "That place is pretty big and crowded. If you need help, it might take me a while to find you."
"I'll be fine," Elisa said, pushing away from the wall as the crowd thinned out. "I'll keep in contact and let you know where I intend to plant myself for the night."
O'Banyon grunted his agreement and joined Elisa in the line to get out.