Part 30
Amy squinted, took in and held a breath, and squeezed. Three rapid shots hit her three targets right through the heart. She exhaled softly and smiled to herself. She tilted her head to the side as she heard two booming reports. "Brewer! How many times have I told you, you can't use that…that…hand-cannon for your qualifiers! This is pistol qualifications! Maybe if you ask nicely I'll allow you to use it for heavy arms." Max crossed her arms as she walked towards Amy, smirk firmly in place. "Sorry, Mr. P. You know I can't resist!" "Stop calling me Mr. P!" He smiled at the girls. "Now, Max, if you'd like to take your shots, we can finish up this round of qualifiers. Janet and Dominique have moved on to the big guns. Amy, nice grouping." The blonde flashed Mr. Phipps a bright smile and handed her Smith & Wesson service weapon over to Max. "Show him what you can do, soldier."
Taking a bit more time than the Perfect Score had, Max carefully aimed and shot the same three targets Amy used right through the center of their foreheads, sawdust puffing from the entry holes and floating carelessly to the ground. Max flipped the handgun around and held it out to Amy. "So, can I use the grenade launcher for heavy arms?" Mr. P. hung his head, shaking it slightly. "It's not heavy explosives, Brewer. I'll let you use the hand-cannon, but only if you stop calling me…" "Sure thing Mr. P!" He let out a breath, hand placed lightly over his mouth, covering a smile. "I'm gonna miss you girls."
Max and Amy walked out of the indoor firing range and into the bright sunshine, in time to see Dominique fire off the largest assault weapon Amy had ever seen. "Dom…where the hell did you get that? How are you even lifting it?" With what looked like significant effort Dominique pointed the rifle skyward and set the butt on her hip. "Eet was a gift from mon pere." Janet watched with glee as Dom tried to pull out a cigarette and light it, but was unable to while holding the mammoth weapon. She shook her head and pulled her ear protectors back on. She fired a few short burst rounds from her M4, hitting each target with ease. She put the rifle down, and picked up the assault shotgun, squeezing off four rounds and all but exploding her remaining targets. She hung the shotgun back in the cabinet and clapped for herself, giggling and bouncing. "Yay! How'd I do Mr. P?" "Janet, you've passed all qualifications, as well as all of your finals. You have earned your stripes for showing courage in the face of unspeakable danger. You are officially a graduate of Jameson University, and a full-fledged D.E.B. Agent! Congratulations, Janet!" "Oh my god, yay! Janet whipped out her cellphone and began composing an email. Phipps turned to the rest of the girls and motioned towards the firing range. "Ladies? Would you like to finish up?"
"Luce, look at me! I look like Colonel Mustard!" He tutted and put his arms straight out, turning around. Lucy's eyes widened as she looked Scud up and down. "You…you…are Colonel Mustard! You did it! You killed Mr. Body, in the ballroom, with the candlestick!" She tilted her head, studying him. "You picked out a yellow tux, Scud? I don't know what you were thinking. I like the monocle though." "I do too, but it's kinda hard to keep my face scrunched up to wear it too long." Scud squished his face around with his hands. "Hurts a little bit. I tried to get a pair of pince-nez, but I couldn't find a suitable one with this kind of time." Lucy shook her head a bit. "I don't even want to know what the qualifications for suitable pince-nez are. The only people who should know that are old librarians." The lanky man snorted a laugh and shrugged. His phone buzzed in the breast pocket of his tux. He pulled it out, chuckling as he read the message. "Janet?" Scud looked up and shook his head. "Zeda. Seems there is a single Belgian arsonist in town, and she's looking for a date…" Lucy pinched two fingers closed on his lips. "Just...no." His shoulders shook in silent laughter. She took her hand back and raked her fingers through her hair. "I do have an email from Janet, too. Looks like they are all finished with everything they need to graduate. They have nothing left but Endgame tomorrow."
Lucy looked down at herself, suddenly feeling a bit self-conscious. "How do I look?" Scud lightly grasped his chin and squinted at her. "I see you decided to stick to black…" The thief just raised a brow at him. "It's a good choice, if a familiar one." Now she was glaring at him. He held up his hands in a gesture of surrender. "Ok, ok. You look…well, you look….like a young Mr. Monopoly!" She opened her mouth to reply, face reddening and a snide comment on the tip of her tongue. She caught a view of herself in the mirror and her lips closed into half smile as the brunette looked herself over. "Ha! I so do! You've just won second prize in a beauty contest! Collect $10!" Lucy heard her second in command whimper a bit and she looked over at him. "What?" He stuck out his bottom lip, pouting at her. "Only second place?" She breathed out a chuckle and became serious for a moment. "Hey Scud, do you think maybe we should try to just blend in instead of looking like board game characters?" He turned, twirling his mustache. He seemed to consider her suggestion, but then his face broke into a broad smile. "Where's the fun in that?"
After all four girls passed their qualifications, they stopped by McNulty's for a bit of celebrating. Amy headed to the bar, Max went to secure a booth, Janet made a beeline for the foosball table, and Dominique headed for the outdoor patio. As Amy stood at the bar she felt a feeling of déjà vu and felt herself look across the bar, almost sure she would see Lucy looking back at her with a smirk. The bartender appeared in front of her. "What'll ya have?" She ordered drinks for the four of them and turned around, leaning on the bar. She sighed, thinking of her four years at Jameson, her squadmates, and a certain brunette that never left her mind for long. When her phone buzzed in her pocket, there was no doubt in her mind that it was Lucy. She fished it out and the smile on her face morphed into an annoyed expression and an eyeroll. Ugh, Bobby. She hit the 'Ignore' button and slid the phone back into her pocket. Well the phone made it halfway into her pocket before she pulled it out and sent a quick text, a small smile finding its way to her lips. Maybe the celebration doesn't have to end after a drink or two here.