Sara Pezinni walked into her office to find her partner Jake McCarty sitting at the computer.
"What are you doing rookie?"
"Just finishing some last minute work."
He logged off the computer and stood up. As he moved back to his desk, Sara approached her desk. She started to sit down when the door opened and Captain Siri opened the door.
"Pezinni, McCarty I need to see both of you in my office now."
"Yes sir." They said together
The door closed and they looked at each other. Sara nodded to the door. Slowly they walked out of the office and headed for Captain Sir's office. Sara knocked on the door, then opened it slowly. Captain Siri was on the phone, but waved them in.
"Yes sir. I have 2 of my best detective here now. Yes sir, 20 minutes."
He hung up the phone and motioned for them to sit down. Reaching in his desk, he pulled out a manila folder. He set it on the desk and opened it slowly. As they sat down, he said
"The mayor's daughter was found dead this morning in her apartment."
"Why wasn't it on the news or in the papers?" Sara asked
"It is being kept quiet. She was…she fell under the influence of John Malfat."
"The self appointed self help guru."
Sara turned to him,
"I…I saw one of his infomercials a few weeks ago."
"Detectives, may I have you attention please."
They both turned back to Captain Siri.
"The mayor's daughter Shelby attended one of Malfat's sessions, then became hooked. She talked about him, gave him money and tried to convince others to do the same. When the mayor found out, there was a huge fight and she ran away. After a few weeks, she contacted her mother from Malfat's compound in the mountains. They tried to convince her to come home but it didn't work so they sent someone in to get her back"
"They kidnapped her?"
"Its not kidnapping Detective. This Malfat is a plague. He convinces people that he can save them if they give enough money to his cause."
"And the murder?" Jake asked
"That is where we come in. The mayor wants to send someone undercover to check out this Malfat."
"But you said she was found dead in her apartment."
"Once they managed to get Shelby thinking straight, they planned to use what she knew against Malfat. He must have gotten word about it and…"
"Took care of problem." Jake finished
"A man was spotted leaving Shelby's apartment with a folder. One can assume that is was one of Malfat's followers tying up the loose ends."
"But why us?" Sara asked
"Because Sara, you are the best homicide detective we have and McCarty, I want you to learn from the best. Everything has been arranged for you to attend a weekend retreat. While you are there I want you two keeping you eyes and ears open. See what you can dig up on this Malfat character."
Joe slid a folder across the table towards Sara. She took the folder and said
"When do we leave?"
"This afternoon. That folder has the info on Malfat plus the identities that you will be using while undercover."
"Then I guess that's everything." Sara said
She and Jake stood slowly. He turned towards the door but she stayed.
"Go back to the office Jake. I need to talk with the captain for a minute. Jake nodded and walked out of the office. Sara turned back to Joe and said
"Why him Joe?"
"He needs to learn Sara."
"But why is it my job to teach him."
"He is your partner Sara."
"Danny was my partner Joe. This…rookie doesn't know anything."
"Which is why you are teaching him."
"And there is no way of getting out of it."
"No."
"All right but if he slips up, I am sending him back in a body bag."
"You better get ready to go."
Sara nodded, standing up. She walked out of Joe's office and headed back to her office. Along the way, she opened the manila folder and began to read the information.
"Damn."
She walked into her office, shutting the door behind her. Jake looked up from the computer.
"We're married."
"What?"
Sara set the folder on the desk and picked up a piece of paper.
"You are Robert Simmons and I am Gracie Simmons. We have been married for 6 months but are having some adjustment problems. A friend told me about John Malfat's couple's therapy retreats and I made the arrangements to go this week."
"When do we leave?"
"Go home and pack."
"That soon?"
"Yeah, get moving rookie."
Jake closed what he was working on and stood slowly. He walked out of the office with Sara following behind. They walked out to their cars. As he climbed in his, he said
"Want me to pick you up?"
"Sure. Give me half an hour to get ready."
"Okay."
Sara jumped on her motorcycle and looked at him.
"You might want to clean up a bit before you pick me up."
Before he could respond, she sped out of the lot. She arrived home quickly, parked her bike and headed up to her apartment. After unlocking the door, she walked into the bedroom, got a suitcase from the closet and set it on the bed. She walked over to the dresser and began pulling things out and setting them on the bed.
She packed quickly and closed the suitcase. Then she made her way to her closet and opened the door. After a few minutes of searching, she found what she wanted.
*^*^*^
Jake pulled up in front of Sara's apartment and parked his car. He climbed out and headed inside to meet her. Raising his hand, he knocked on the door then leaned against the wall, pulling at his tie.
I hate these things.
The front door opened slowly.
"So are you rea…" the words died on his lips as he took in Sara's appearance. She had changed from the jeans and t-shirt into a knee length black skirt and white button down shirt.
"Something wrong Jake?"
"N…no…nothing."
"Then let's go."
She reached down for her suitcase but he grabbed it before she could. He carried it downstairs and set it next to the car. She climbed in the car while he loaded the suitcase. He walked around to the drivers side and climbed in the car. Sara turned to him.
"Let's go over the rules so there are no mistakes. One, I call the shots, Two, Don't make a move without me and Three, don't break rules one or two. Got it rookie."
"Yes dear." He said, starting the car.
Sara looked at him,
"Just getting into character."