Act 4: A Shaky Partnership
There are a lot of things that Karen Tehama thought she would never do in her lifetime, such as helping O'Farrell take a picture of his butt and things like that. This was one such occurrence. The Safety Patrol had received reports about one of the student's stealing the lunches of other students. That in itself wasn't really strange but this kid was running around dressed as a mime. But that too was the least pressing thing on the young forensics specialist mind; her eyes were locked on the form of her new partner, one Cornelius Fillmore. To say that she was slightly aggravated with her situation was an understatement; she was pissed. For the last couple of weeks she had been made a fool of by the very person, that was now her partner and assigned responsibility.
If that wasn't bad enough, Fillmore had a smirk on his face when the lunch bag stealing mime spotted them. Tehama let out an aggravated sigh as the mime quickly turned and ran toward the nearest exit.
"Halt, X Middle School Safety Patrol!" Tehama yelled at the retreating mime, then scowled as Fillmore laughed.
"Does anyone ever stop when you guys yell that?"
"Shut up and cut him off before he clears the cafetorium!" Tehama yelled at him while breaking into run after the mime.
"I'm on it." Fillmore replied run in the opposite direction.
Tehama had already covered half the distance to the mime but noticed that Fillmore was nowhere in the immediate area of the door. She cursed herself and Vallejo for trusting that Fillmore would live up to his word. That thought had barely left her mind when the mime turned around and rush directly at her. Tehama barely had time to jump out of the way as the mime dove to tackle her legs. Though her dodge was successful she still ended up sprawled face first in one of the many lunches that lay across the table. She was well aware that many of X's student body were laughing at her misfortune, but that was the last thing that concerned her. Tehama wiped the excess food from her face in time to see the mime make his break to the side exit by the snack and soda machines. That was it; Tehama knew for a fact, the mime would get away.
"Hey Tehama duck!"
Tehama turned to the voice and saw one of the lunch trays flying directly at her head. She also saw who threw the tray, Fillmore stood in the middle of the cafeteria arm extended from the throw. Tehama turned her head to the side and closed her eyes as the tray flew over the left side of her face, just barely missing it. Tehama forced her eyes open in time to see the tray slide directly under the mime's foot and sent the boy sliding into the soda machine. Unfortunately the machine's door burst and whatever soda was contained inside was released onto X Middle School's floor, coating it in a spray of the sticky liquid.
Tehama stood staring in open awe and shock at the disaster that her partner had caused to catch a simple lunch bag thief. In all the time that she had been a Safety Patroller, Karen Tehama had never seen this much chaos delivered from one of her fellow officers. Fillmore walked toward Tehama eyeing his handiwork appreciatively; Ingrid would have liked to see this mess a lot. She always liked when something simple like a chase caused such ruckus.
"What the hell was that Fillmore?!" Tehama yelled incredulously.
"What's the problem I kept him from getting away didn't I?" Fillmore asked with a smirk.
Tehama could only shake her head at his response. Why did he think that the end justifies the means? Yeah they had stopped the mime, but in the process he had caused obviously expensive damage to the cafeteria. Tehama knew that they were in for an earful when they made their report back a HQ.
"Lets go Fillmore. And remind me after Vallejo gets through with us to have a long talk you about procedure." Tehama said while hauling the mime to his feet.
"But it isn't fair that you got lunch and I didn't." Fillmore said his voice laced with humor.
Tehama turned toward her partner and glared at the smirk he had on his face. She was really starting to hate this whole deal.
"Shut it and move."
Cafetorium
Unbeknownst to either Karen Tehama or Fillmore their most recent escapade had caught the attention of one of X Middle School worst, Randal 'The Vandal' Julian. He had found the whole situation a rare oddity for the parties involved. He found the forced roles that everyone associated with his so-called boss Sting Ray, strangely entertaining. The two most intriguing roles, in his mind, were that of Ingrid Third and her partner, Cornelius Fillmore. He wondered what effect this current chain of events would have on them, seeing how Third was at this point was still a criminal under Sting Ray and Fillmore was now aligned with the Safety Patrol. 'I will have to make it a point to speak with both Third and Fillmore in the near future.' Julian thought while leaving the cafetorium.
Safety Patrol HQ
"So then I land face-first in today's lunch special and I don't see Fillmore anywhere. That was it I knew that the mime got away, then out of nowhere I hear Fillmore yell for me to duck. The guy's crazy I'm telling you, he threw a lunch tray half way across the cafetorium and timed it just right to send that mime sliding across the floor into the new soda machines." Tehama told her fellow Safety Patrollers.
"Wait you're telling me that he did all that just to catch some kid that liked stealing lunches?!" Anza asked in disbelief.
"Yeah and he didn't even think twice about it."
"You almost sound impressed Tehama." Vallejo said from the doorway of his office. " Just remember it's your job to watch him so he doesn't try anything that have Folsom breathing down my neck. It's bad enough that she's already on her way here to talk to you and Fillmore. So get up and go find your partner and tell him what's going down."
Karen Tehama simply nodded and made her way to her new partner's desks. Unsurprisingly she found Cornelius Fillmore sitting at his desk feeding his fish Miles while rescanning the same files he had been looking over since they had first been paired up. He always seemed to be able to find something new about the case he was working. Tehama always found that little fact strange, Fillmore never seemed to trust the Safety Patrol fully, he didn't even fully accept her as his partner. That was a right that was only reserved for Ingrid Third. She always wondered how they hooked up together and just how close their relationship was.
"What's going on Tehama?"
Fillmore had known she was in the room the minute the door opened. She knew that had a habit of staring at him whenever he was in the room by himself, but he made it a point not to ask why.
"Vallejo said Folsom is on her way down and that we should be ready."
"Oh Really." Fillmore said finally looking up from his work at her.
"Yeah really… Hey Fillmore can I ask you something?" Tehama asked hesitating for a quick second before asking.
"Yeah what is it Tehama?" Fillmore asked knowing what the question was.
"WHERE ARE THEY VALLEJO!!"
They both sighed when they heard her voice. Tehama gave Fillmore a pointed stare .
"We'll talk later."
Vallejo's Office
Principal Folsom was currently in a situation that she was the most comfortable, yelling at the Safety Patrol Junior Commissioner Vallejo. The reason for this meeting was the newest member of X Middle Schools' finest, Cornelius Fillmore.
"Vallejo what exactly was going on when one of your officers decided to take down a simple lunch bag thief resulting in the destruction of the school's newly acquired vending machines?"
If Vallejo had learned anything about dealing with Principal Folsom it was never to show her that she had total control of any situation. But that was proving difficult under his current situation. Folsom had a way of knowing when she had the upper hand when it came to the Safety Patrol; she felt that she motivated them to perform on a whole different level.
"Principal Folsom give me a chance to get my officers in here to tell you what happened, then you can decide what action should be taken."
Whatever response Principal Folsom had been ready to make die on her lips as the two Safety Patroller's in question came into the office. Folsom gazed coolly at their entrance, Karen Tehama the resident forensic expert on the force was the first to enter, Folsom remember reading about the young girl recently. Tehama had proved to be invaluable in the Safety Patrol's search for evidence against Sting Ray. The second person to enter the room carried himself with a confidence that Folsom neither liked fully nor disliked for that matter. But the challenge Cornelius Fillmore provided was overly too mentally stimulating for her to turn down.
"Tehama, Fillmore Principal Folsom would like an explanation as to what happen this afternoon in the Cafetorium." Vallejo said.
Tehama looked at Fillmore to see which of them was going to tell the Principal about their most recent case. She sighed when Fillmore raised one of his eyebrows over the rim of his glasses.
" It was supposed to be an easy arrest Principal Folsom, we had intelligence that the Mime who was stealing the lunches would make another snatch and grab today. Our plan was to ambush him when he made his move but things went wrong. The mime spotted us as soon as we entered the cafetorium and made a break for the closest exit. We gave pursuit but he managed to split us up, I was taken out of the chase when the mime threw one of the lunch trays causing me to dive for cover on one of the nearby tables. I was….temporarily blinded. In the confusion the perp made for the exit. When I regained my vision Fillmore yelled out a warning and then threw a lunch tray at the retreating mime."
Fillmore wisely kept his mouth shut about the rest of the events that happened during the bust, but Principal Folsom knew better. She sat through Tehama's report with a knowing smirk on her face.
"An interesting report officer Tehama but I'd like to hear the rest from your partner." Folsom said focusing her gaze on Fillmore.
"It was just like she said Folsom, so I got nothing to add to the report." Fillmore replied.
"Is that right?" Folsom asked in a silky voice.
Tehama and Fillmore exchanged nervous glances, they knew what in meant when Folsom spoke in that voice: they were screwed.
"Then please explain to me how the two of you have single handedly managed to COST THIS SCHOOL OVER 12000 DOLLARS IN REPAIRS IN TWO WEEKS!!!" Principal Folsom exploded.
"1500 dollars for each of the soda machines destroyed today, 6000 dollars for a floor waxer, another 1500 for the replacement of our Lobsty uniform, and the remaining 1500 was divided between the various clubs you trashed on your while tailing Tony Clementina. How do you explain this?" Folsom finished looking coolly between the officers.
Tehama was staring completely dumbfounded at how much damage they had caused in their short partnership. Fillmore on the other hand had a smirk on his face at the news.
"Just lucky I guess."
The reaction to this response was varied but only one was recognized by every one in the room.
"WHAT!?!?" Folsom yelled.
"Listen Principal Folsom, the only reason I'm working with you guys is because Sting Ray's got Ingrid and I'm want her back, and that means I'm going to do what it takes to bring him down." Fillmore stated calmly.
"Alright Fillmore if that's how you are going to play this little game of yours. I have a new assignment for you and Tehama. Hopefully it will give us both what we want. As you both know the Student Council elections are in the next couple of weeks, you two will be the bodyguards for one of the candidates."
"And why are we babysitting?" Fillmore asked tiring of this whole affair.
"Because he received a threat to drop out of the race by the very person that has Ingrid Third, or so you say, Sting Ray."
Folsom had a satisfied smile on her face when she saw Fillmore's demeanor change. She knew that this would get his attention and just might keep her school from being destroyed in the process.
"Who will we be guarding?" Tehama asked sensing her partner's darken attitude.
"Derrick Menna."
Jimmy Nevada Casino
The Nevada Casino hadn't changed much since the last time she had been here, but that was the farthest thing from Ingrid Third's mind. She sat in the same seat she had when Fillmore and herself had cased the casino to pull their smoit heist. A smirk graced her face at the memory of their last job, and then her face darkened when she what events took place afterwards. The sooner this whole Sting Ray mess was over the faster she could get away from this mess, but not before she and that green-eyed serpent Penny settled the score.
Those thoughts were to be saved for another time; she looked at the note she had received early this morning.
Ms. Ingrid Third,
I have heard much about you and your previous exploits, and I must confess that you and your partner's current situation are rather intriguing to me. I humbly request a meeting with you to converse about it. By no means are you required to arrive at this meeting but if you do so, I believe, it will be beneficial for the both of us. If you decide to meet with me it will have to be in the public eye; so our meeting will take place where yourself and Cornelius Fillmore were last working together. I look forward to meeting with you Ms. Third.
That was all it had said, but the note had made her wonder who this person was. Fillmore and herself were very cautious about their jobs and making sure no one could trace them. It was disturbing to think that someone knew that they had pulled the job at the Nevada Club. All she could do now a wait and get her answers when her 'benefactor' arrived.
"Ah the infamous Ingrid Third. It is my distinct pleasure to finally meet you."
Ingrid turned to the voice and was greeted by the presence of a young man dressed in a full tuxedo bowing at the waist before her. As he rose she was shocked at just who she was speaking to. Casually taking the seat across from her was one of X Middle School's worst and greatest criminals, Randal Julian. Ingrid knew why he was so well known, he was the only student in X's history to ever be given maximum-security detention and escape. As to how he accomplish this feat was unknown except to Julian himself.
"I see you received my note for this meeting. I am glad you decided to speak with me."
"It… it's my pleasure." Ingrid replied.
Truthfully she was nervous about speaking with Randal The Vandal, but she was sure that there was more behind this meeting beside them just meeting each other. Something more was going to happen during this meeting it was just a question of what.
"Well let us begin. I am curious as to why you are working with Sting Ray?" Julian said cutting straight to the point.
Whatever Ingrid expected it was not that. How does he know about her working for Sting Ray?!?
"I gather from your expression that you didn't know your working for Sting Ray was common knowledge between those that are in his web of influence?"
"What do you mean his 'web on influence' Julian?" Ingrid asked clearly confused by this information.
"I mean Ms. Third that your employer, Sting Ray, is the reason for my release from detention and the lack of the Safety Patrol's presence during your work for him." Randal explained smirking at his guest.
"I understand but what does that have to do with me?" Ingrid asked once more.
"It has more to do with you and your partner, Cornelius Fillmore, who I also believe is your significant other."
"WHAT THE HELL DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH FILLMORE?!!?" Ingrid raged at Julian.
"Calm yourself Ms. Third. Your situation is what intrigues me, you see because Sting only needs my services as a diversion. I am allowed to move freely at my own wish. This is why I have come to speak with you. Tell me Ms. Third how would you feel if your partner was working with the Safety Patrol?" Randal Julian asked watching her reaction closely.
Ingrid didn't know what to say that little bit of information. It was just something that she couldn't wrap her mind around. Fillmore lived to embarrass the Safety Patrol. So why would Julian ask her something like that?
"That's easy Mr. Julian, I would never be put into such a situation. Fillmore would never get involved with the Safety Patrol." She declared with the utmost certainty.
"Ah you maybe right Ms. Third, but what if it was for you? Could you actually use your skills against your significant other?" The Vandal asked with genuine curiosity in his voice.
"I don't know. Fillmore was the first person at X to give me the a second glance. Me and him are tight Julian, but the thought of him joining up with those belts, just doesn't seem right. Even if it is for me." Ingrid said more to herself than to Julian.
"I see. Then I thank you for your time Ms. Third. I hope to speak with you on this subject again in the near future but that is only after I have the other side of this story. I bid you good day." Julian said and left Ingrid to her thoughts.
"Fillmore what the hell did we get ourselves into." Ingrid sighed.
The Egg Rollery
Karen Tehama looked around the small eating establishment with an eyebrow cocked at her partner's choice of restaurant. While she wasn't picky about where she ate, her shock came more from the fact that Fillmore ordered three of the meals for himself and had already consumed half of the meals he had purchased. Fillmore on the hand was content with the silence while he ate.
"So Fillmore, tell why you decided to piss Folsom off even more than she already was this afternoon? I mean between the two of us you have the most to lose from this deal." Tehama began.
"Easy Tehama, Folsom needs someone from the outside to bring down Sting Ray. So she can't touch me." Fillmore explained finishing off the rest of his meal.
"I don't get it. Why does she need you?" Tehama said plainly.
"Okay, look at it this way how many guys did the Safety Patrol take down in the past in a week span before we teamed up?"
"I don't know maybe 5 or 6." Tehama replied.
"Now since you been working with me how many have we put away?"
"In the last two weeks including the lunch bag mime we've put away about …20 criminals!" Tehama said realizing what Fillmore meant. "But we aren't doing anything that wasn't always done before."
"That's where you're wrong Tehama." Fillmore said smirking at how simple it was to notice the Safety Patrol's main problem from his position.
"Huh what do you mean?" Tehama asked bemusedly.
"I'll give you an example. In the past you guys would yell that 'halt' crap then end up running all over the school and now we get on the crime scene and proceed to capture the prep first then ask questions."
"And all the stuff that gets destroyed?" Tehama said sarcastically.
"Aggressive laws Enforcement."
"Right." Tehama said still not understanding what Fillmore was trying to tell her.
"That's why Wayne was always the closest one to catch me, he didn't just go by the book. Wayne went that extra mile to get the job done."
"You sound like he was your hero or something Fillmore, Wayne was the one who knew you better than everyone else." Tehama argued.
"Wrong again. I said Wayne went a little farther then you guys did, and it's simple to see. Simply put, Wayne was a crook." Fillmore stated.
"BULL!! Wayne was the straightest officer we had." Tehama said indignantly.
"No what I mean is, Wayne thought like I did when I planned a job. That's the Safety Patrol's main problem." Fillmore said.
Tehama sat back and sigh heavily about what Fillmore had just told her. It made a weird kind of sense to her. Wayne had always been able to find a lead when a case came to a dead end. No one ever questioned how he pulled it off but it always happened. Then the day came when Wayne had done what the Safety Patrol had been trying to do for the better part of a year, he had brought Fillmore down on one of his jobs.
"I think get what you trying to tell Fillmore. But now I have a more personal question to ask you." Tehama said.
"You want to know about Ingrid, right?" Fillmore said knowing that the subject of Ingrid would come up.
"Yeah if isn't too much trouble? I just don't understand what makes Ingrid special compared too all of your old partners?"
"You remember the day that Wayne brought me in before he left? Well that was the same day that you guys had brought in X's newest student, Ingrid Third. Now at first I just thought she was just another nobody that got herself caught doing something stupid. So just for laughs I sat down next her and try to get the story out of her. She ignored me at first but I was able to get her to talk to me. Turned out Ingrid had been brought in and booked with setting off a massive stink bomb. But the problem was that she knew who had pulled the job and she wanted to even the score big time. As you know Parnassus was brought in the next day for possession of materials used in producing and distributing stink bombs. Now tell me that him suddenly having that much stink and stank powder wasn't strange?" Fillmore asked breaking from his story to get her answer.
"It was but no one said anything because it was such a big bust." Tehama said.
"Well I helped Ingrid get the majority of those supplies. I had promised her a way out and I gave it to her. What was strange was the fact that Ingrid didn't just want to end things there, she wanted to see what developed. She told me I was the first friend she had at X and I try to live up to it. That's why Ingrid and me are so tight, we have that trust between outcasts. We got nothing to prove to each other or anyone else. We're together because it's a win-win situation for us. That answer your question?" Fillmore finished.
Tehama nodded even though she hadn't thought Fillmore and Ingrid's friendship went that deep. She expected something along the lines that they were just convenient for each other. But what Fillmore had just told her made her understand why his partnership with her seemed one sided, no one could replace his loyalty for Ingrid.
"Okay Fillmore I understand, but I got one favor to ask you?" Tehama asked shyly.
Fillmore nodded his head for her to continue.
"Teach me to think like a criminal. Teach me to be like you."
That's it for chapter 4. Hopefully I'll have chapter 5 up soon. Thanks for the reviews.