"What would the U.N. want with us?" Matt asked, running a hand through his hair. "And, I should probably know this… but what is the UNODC?"
"You could open the letter and find out," Maria suggested sarcastically.
Elisa felt her lips twitch with a grin. There were times… many times… when her parents had asked Elisa where she'd gotten her sarcasm from.
She'd gotten it from her "aunt" Maria.
Elisa took the envelope from Matt's hands and slipped a finger under the flap to tear it open. She took out the letter, frowning as a brochure fell out and swore that if this was some kind of advertisement, she'd be completely disgusted. "The UNODC is the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime."
Shaking out the official letter, she began to read;
Det. Elisa Maza
Det. Matthew Bluestone
Gargoyle Task Force
The Secretariat of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption wishes to inform Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) that in accordance with the resolution entitled "Non-governmental organizations and the Mechanism for the Review Implementation of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption", adopted by the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against corruption at its fourth session, which will be held Wednesday, 20 June 2003, a briefing will be held on the outcomes, review processes, inclusivity and technical assistance needs will be identified.
The briefing will be convened on the margins of the session of the Implementation Review Group reports, thematic implementation reports and regional supplementary agenda. Only admitted observer organizations may designate representatives to the briefing.
Attached is an Informal Note and a programme for the Briefing, for your information and guidance. An official letter indicating the names of the persons constituting your Organization's delegation, including individual email addresses where applicable, should be sent no later than 6 June 2003 to the secretariat of the Conference of the Parties, United Nations office on Drugs and Crime.
Mr. Vikrant Singh
Executive Director
Chamber of Logistics
Frowning, trying to puzzle out the fancy wording in the letter, she bent to pick up the flyer that had dropped.
It was a flyer giving information on the UN, its history, and a map of the area. Tucked inside was a more informal looking note that Elisa passed to Matt.
Detectives Maza and Bluestone,
We, the members of the United Nations, wish to call your grouping of gargoyles before our members in order to address not only your involvement within the police departments of New York, but to address their status within the United States.
As approved and acknowledged liaisons for the gargoyles concerning both the New York Police department as well as the public in general, we are reaching out to you so that you may assist the gargoyles as needed to prepare.
As there is limited space and seating appropriate to accommodating their size and stature, we ask that the number be limited to three. We will convene after nightfall to accommodate their nocturnal natures and will clear the schedule that session to complete as much as possible at that time. If additional sessions are needed, we will schedule those as needed.
Please contact my office with any questions or concerns, and I will clear my schedule to meet at your convenience.
Thank you for your time,
Rachel Hardwick
Executive Director of Public Relations – United States Offices
As Matt read those last words, he lowered the paper and met the equally surprised gazes of the two women in the room.
"The UN." Elisa began slowly, then picked up speed as her thoughts began to race. "THE United Nations, is calling for a meeting with the clan? What for?"
Matt raised his shoulders in a shrug. "They aren't exactly clear," he said. "There's an email address on here, though," he said, squinting at the tiny print at the top of the letterhead. "I can try to email them and see what information I can get."
Maria glanced at the calendar. "They didn't give us a lot of time," she said with a frown. "The original letter asked for information to be sent by the 6th, which is next week, and the meeting with the assembly is only two weeks after that." Maria looked at Elisa, "I know that they're well-spoken and able to present themselves well, but do you think they're ready to meet the world?"
"I think they're ready," Elisa said. "They've been ready since creating the council, but…"
"But?" Maria encouraged.
Elisa sighed. "No. No buts. It's my issue, Maria."
"She doesn't like to share," Matt said.
"No, I don't," Elisa growled. "For years, it's been just us who knew about them. Kept them safe. Now… Now there are times it feels like everyone has a piece of them, and it's damn frustrating. Besides that, it's been hard enough on some of the other clans coming out to the public in their own countries. And now, we're going to be asking them to come forward and meet with delegates from all over the world, and for what?"
"We'll find out," Matt said firmly. "Let's go see if anyone's awake there to take a call or answer an email."
"Probably only night security there now, but you said that a courier brought that letter a short time ago, so you may get lucky," Maria pointed out. "Go ahead and do a drive by and see if you can get their attention. Wake someone up." Maria stood and crossed her arms, "As the home base, so to speak, of the Gargoyle Task Force here in Manhattan, we have an interest to see what is going on. If you can't find anyone tonight, one of us can call the office and set up a meeting tomorrow."
Elisa nodded her agreement and turned to exit the office.
"Matt," Maria called to stop the man as Elisa left the office. "You may want to do the talking."
"Understood," he said. That had been his intention, anyway. Elisa was calm and collected most of the time… But when it came to the clan, she wasn't as unflappable sometimes.
Turning, he hurried out to join his partner.