Hired Help

Espionage

Slamming the door behind her and locking it, Tifa Lockhart threw her briefcase onto the sofa and promptly followed it. Tossing off her heels, she hit the power button on the remote with her right toe.

"-ther victim of the 'Del Sol Sink' was discovered today under a surfboard this afternoon. The young woman appears to have been murdered recently, within the last two days, claim authorities. Her name is undisclosed, although witnesses say she looked between 18 to 25 years old. As most citizens already know, this is the seventh victim of 'The Sink', and there is a five million gil reward on the killer's head by an unknown source." The male news anchor turned to the pretty blonde woman beside him. "And speaking of puppies, Mary, don't you just love them to death?" The man asked, with a fake smile. Tifa hit the off button.

The thought of someone leaving dead bodies under surfboards made her sick to her stomach. At least Sephiroth had been upfront with his murderous ways. Not to mention the corny nickname the press had come up with for the "Del Sol Sink." They called him that because he completely drained his victims of their blood. Just like in some freaky horror movie, the victims always had identical puncture wounds on their jugular vein in their neck. But vampires weren't real (unless you kinda counted Vincent....) and even contemplating their existence was a waste of time, when you could be out there kicking the weirdo who did this' ass.

"I'de better call Cloud..." She murmured, gracefully lifting herself from the couch and pulling her cell phone from her purse. She dialed in his number. Someone picked up.

"Cloud?"

"Teef, I was just about to call you. There's been another-"

"I know. Whoever's doing this is in serious need of mental help. Followed hastily by a good ass-whooping."

"Agreed. You know how I've been investigating this for the last few days? Well, I finally got a lead. I think it's a teenage goth cult. They may think they're vampires or something. And they only kill females. Which means they're probably men."

"Good point. What can we do about it though?"

"You? Nothing. Me? I've got an important meeting tonight. And it just might put an end to these murders."

"What?! What meeting? And why can't I go?"

"I don't want you in the line of fire, Tifa. I'll be at the beach. Promise me you'll stay inside."

"What time does the meeting start?"

"No! Tifa, it won't be safe until we know what we're up against. I don't want you getting hurt, or worse. Also......lookTeefIgottagobye-" Cloud hung up.

Tifa glared at the phone before shoving it back in her purse.

"Looks like I'll just have to crash the party then." Tifa said, smirking. She walked over to her closet door, and pushed on a nail on the frame of the door. A sliding sound was heard from inside. Satisfied, she pulled the door open to reveal a hidden room in the closet. Once inside, she went to a rack of clothing and picked out her espionage uniform she'd picked up in a weapons shop in Midgar after Reeve had begun the reconstruction. She picked up a black beanie from a table to keep the hair out of her face. Opening an old chest, she pulled out her new set of black premim hearts, some materia, Cid's night vision goggles he had given her, two death penaltys Vincent had somehow found for her, with attachments, including silencer barrel and laser targeting, and a pair of black boots Yuffie had given her that were made in Wutai, which made no noise when running. And a wooden stake.

"Just in case."

Changing out of her suit and slipping into the skin tight leather of her other suit, she strapped on the gloves, guns, stake, goggles, boots, and cap, and walked out her front door.

Needless to say, Tifa Lockhart was dressed to kill. Literally.

Author's notes: Hey guys! I'm back! I'm finally getting the ball rolling! Sorry this was such a short chapter, but the next one will be way longer. It's just, I really hate typing. Thanks to Shadow Pals for giving me the extra push I needed to type it. I'd much rather be reading than typing. Anyway, I'll try to get the next chapter out by Sunday. R&R, and e-mail me! Love you!