Aaaaand here comes chapter two! I'm still trying to find my way back to writing so it will be a little iffy. Hopefully, I'll find my groove soon. This one goes to VAGypsy – my first reviewer – so thank you very muchly for your lovely, lovely review. Hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not in any way own Vampire Academy. Rights go to Richelle Mead.
It was around noon that my mother decided to grace us with her presence.
My asshole boss Stan Alto had called us all into the meeting room, a huge grin plastered on his face, before introducing us to the famous Agent Hathaway. Her eyes swept of the room briefly, her expression stayed impassive as her gaze met mine. Geez, would it kill the lady to show a little affection?
Beside her stood a man who looked to be in his mid-forties. He introduced my mother before introducing himself as Hans Croft.
"Alright," Janine began. The room quietened down as soon as she opened her mouth. She held everyone's complete attention. "You've all been gathered here for a reason. That reason is murder, drug trafficking and who knows what other illegal activities – better known as Peak Fitness."
Okay, now she had my interest. Still, I was Rose Hathaway and I wasn't one to sit around quietly and miss a quip.
"Right," I drawled out. "Murder and drugs, hey? Sound like the usual. What I don't understand is why you need us. Isn't your team meant to be the best? Why does the director need our help with your case? "
Her eyes narrowed on me as her lips pursed themselves into a thin line. "Perhaps, Agent Hathaway, if you would let me speak you will find out we are here."
"If you wish, Agent Hathaway, I can send her out?" Alto offered.
I almost accepted before realising he was speaking to my mom. Phew, that would be embarrassing.
"It's fine," she told Alto, waving him off before continuing as though I hasn't said anything. "My team and I have been investigating Peak Fitness holdings for several months now. They are – as their name suggests – a fitness company that owns quite a lot of branches. However, we believe that the gyms are just a front for illegal activities. Peak Fitness originally started with one small gym in Omsk-"
"-Russia?" Meredith questioned, a deep frown settling over her face. "I-I don't understand. Surely they're Russia's problem?"
"They were," my mother clarified. "Up until seven months ago when they started to expand their holdings. Peak Fitness may have started out with one small gym in Omsk but their growth has been phenomenal. Within their first month of business in Omsk, they managed to open another thirteen branches within Russia. Their growth only increased from there. After three months and thirty-eight branches in Russia, Peak Fitness has expanded internationally. They now have holdings in multiple European and Asian countries, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and several throughout Africa."
"But not America?" Asked agent Nagy. He was an older agent with a dry personality and a problem with alcohol. I usually did what I could to avoid him.
"Five months ago they began talk of their first American branch," Hans answered. "They're starting out small, mostly wanting just a branch in each of the major regions. We investigated them as best we could but there's not a lot you can learn from hired staff when they're so far down in the chain. Whoever runs Peak Fitness is a slimy bastard, we just can't get a hold of them – that's about to change though," he added almost as an afterthought.
"What's different this time?" I asked. "What's changed since your investigation?"
Janine smiled. "Peak Fitness opened their first American gym last month - in Montana. They haven't got a hope in hell now that they're on our turf."
"We'll be sending three of you in undercover," Hans told us, a predatory smile making its way to his lips. "Then we'll have all the evidence we need to put these bastards away."
"Surely not three?" Stan asked, his eyes popping wide. "How could you possible send three new American employees to the head office of a Russian company? They'll never go for it. It's too risky. You may be a Special Agents, but these are my agents. I won't risk it," he told them as he shook his head.
What? What was happening? Had Stan lost his mind that he was actually trying to protect us? The man didn't have a single caring bone in his useless body that I knew of.
"You don't have a choice," my mother responded, the familiar Hathaway bite in her words. "We're under the Director's order so if you have a problem, you will take it up with him. Agent Croft and I are not here to negotiate. We will be sending three of your agents in over the next month. We have already dispatched Agent Ivashkov who has successfully infiltrated the group. We will be sending another agent in next week – we will begin assessing agent right after this meeting is done," She was using her no nonsense voice and I was glad that I wasn't the only one it worked on. Every agent nodded – even those looking more than a little pale.
"By Monday you will know who the first agent going in will be. Consider it an honour to be put on our taskforce. Whoever this snake is, we'll put them away."
"Does our snake have a name?" Alto asked, bitterness seeping into his voice. Huh, she'd said one little thing to him and he couldn't handle it. Try twenty-one years of not being good enough.
"Not that we yet know of," Hans replied. "We have only yet come into contact with lower level staff who have not had the privilege knowing the name of their employer."
"Wait," I called out, pinning my gaze on my mother. "You mean to tell me that you don't even though the name of whoever it is you're chasing? How the hell do you know they're doing something illegal then?!" I asked incredulously. It was unlike Special Agent Janine Hathaway to not have solid evidence behind her.
"Because no company grows that fast, Rosemarie-"
"That's Agent Hathaway, thanks," I interrupted drily.
"Of course," she responded smoothly, her eyes void of emotion. "No company grows that fast. There are processes – investors, permits, certification and legal paperwork, finding qualified staff – and it's all just been met too quickly."
"I guess that makes sense," I admitted. "And the name? Who are we trying to take down? Or should we make up our own nickname? Peak Fitness guy, perhaps?"
"He has a nickname," Hans said. "We aren't the only organisation trying to take him down. Peak Fitness' leading competitor and Russia's previous leading fitness company Dashkov Enterprises named the head of Peak Fitness a nickname. Almost every rival business has accepted it."
"And that is . . .?" I asked slowly. What was with all the suspense?
"Zmey. He's called 'Zmey'.