"McManus…" Diana Mitchel looked up at her boss blankly. "Who are they?"
"I can't believe you haven't heard of them," David began, sounding more exasperated than he should have, under the circumstances. "They're the vigilantes in Boston offing the Italian mafia members.
"Oh right," Diana opened the folder, "because I get a lot of exposure to crime in Boston living in Los Angeles, California."
"Sarcasm does not become you." David sighed loudly.
Diana raised an eyebrow.
"Look," he sounded tired now, like he'd been up all night arguing with someone he couldn't see again. Diana supposed that wasn't what he had in mind when he was offered a desk job for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. "I got a call last night…"
Bingo, thought Diana.
"from Michael Price in Washington. The McManus family have been killing en mass since early last year, and as infamous as they are, they still haven't been apprehended. Price thinks it's because of who they've been killing. It's entirely possible that the Boston police are partial to these guys, and so far the agent they have there hasn't been able to turn up a damned thing. It's possible that he isn't trying so hard, if you catch my drift, but it's also possible that it's just impossible for him to get anything on his own. Think about it Diana. We're talking about one man working against three vigilantes and a city police system. Even the best get fucked in situations like that."
"Obstructed," Diana interrupted. David glared at her.
"So they're asking for another agent. This one will be undercover. And she'll try and find the McManuses and the police officers working with them."
At the mention of "she" Diana sat up straighter.
"You're sending me to Boston?" she snapped the folder shut.
"Now listen to me before you get all bitchy," David began.
"Apprehensive." Diana interrupted.
"Whatever. Listen. I've set you up with a nice apartment. Your apartment here will be taken care of. And… stop… listen…. You're going to love your cover."
"What is it?"
"You're a graduate student, going to classes at Boston College for Shakespeare."
Diana closed her mouth. She's been ready to protest until he'd said Shakespeare. Boston College was one of the best Universities in the country for drama, a subject she'd always had a passion for. People around the department were constantly making fun of her because she seemed to be able to apply the words of William Shakespeare to any and all situations.
"Who's going to feed my cat?" she said finally. Annoyed with David for being able to manipulate her so well.
"I'll feed the fucking cat," said David. "You're going to Boston." He stood up, ridiculously pleased with himself for having such an easy time with such an ornery agent.
"I don't have a coat!" Diana protested loudly from inside the office.
