Crossfire

Chapter 1

Chicago 1921

Caroline stepped down from the train. Smoke wrapped around the quay in the chilly early morning air of Chicago. Taking a brief look at her surroundings, she tightened her grip on her luggage and walked on. There was no turning back, she already had nothing left behind in Virginia. Holding her head high she made her way outside the train station. She had memorised the address she needed to go next meticulously during the train ride.

A couple of hours later, she stood before a bar in the downtown area of Chicago. The Mystic had an unassuming appearance from outside and hardly seemed like a reputed establishment. Taking a breath Caroline opened the door, here would be her first test.

"We're closed."

The older good-looking black woman behind the bar didn't raise her head from her account book as she spoke up. Still Caroline took a few steps forward, a determined glint entering her eyes.

"I saw the announce for a job, has it been filled yet ?"

Finally the other woman looked up, her gaze falling on Caroline, she took in the blond curls, the baby blue eyes, neat clothing and innocent air of the girl before her and raised an eyebrow.

"You don't look like the type who usually want to work in a saloon. You're too 'clean' looking for that."

"I left my small town to find work in the big city, I admit I don't really have much experience in bar keeping, but I'm a fast learner and I will definitely work hard if you give me a chance."

The woman observed her closely for a few minutes without words, her eyes edged with steel, as Caroline stayed quiet waiting for the verdict.

"I'm Gloria, I own this joint. I don't accept lateness from my employees, if you need a day off you better say it in advance unless you're dying. This place is a bar not a church so you'd better leave any prudishness you have outside the door, I don't allow any untowardness from our patrons to the employees, but a little of flirting back with the clients keep them happy and don't hurt the tips. If I find you sneaking drinks you're fired, if I find you sneaking money it'll be a much worse fate, are we clear ?"

"Yes. I'm Caroline Forbes, thank you for giving me a chance." Caroline gave a relieved smile.

"Well Sugar, welcome to Chicago."

-O-

Klaus looked over the people working for him hurrying around, doing their best to complete their job properly least they displeased their boss. Operations were running smoothly, but Klaus couldn't help his gaze searching out a threat.

Klaus Mikaelson was known for his paranoid nature, his ruthlessness and sharp intelligence that made him a feared crime boss at twenty-three. Those traits had certainly served him well to arrive where he was now. He had taken his father small operations and had turned them into something great in only three years. The Mikaelson family business was thriving under his leadership. Though the prettily referred 'business' in question was actually highly illegal activity.

The name Mikaelson was whispered in fear in the streets, and God help those who went against that family. Because only He could help after they were done with you. Recently even the police had taken notice of the organization and was growing wary of them.

The Mikaelson were a pack of wolves and they guarded their territory possessively. Klaus was the head of the family, but his siblings were not any less dangerous when you got to know them, as if viciousness run in their veins. The origin of Klaus rise as head of the family was well known by people, the bastard child, he killed his father at only nineteen and none of his siblings opposed him becoming the head, even though several were older than him, in fact they supported him. Also Mikael, their father's body had never been found so nobody could prove he'd been killed or that Klaus did it, even though everybody knew.

While calculating all that could go bad, Klaus still felt satisfaction thinking of how far they'd come. But he was far from finished, no his ambition was far from fulfilled. Chicago would soon be his.

"Niklaus."

"Elijah. What miracle brings you out from behind your pile of paperwork." He turned to his inpeccably suited older brother.

"Well, someone ought to make sure our affairs are properly recorded least we have problems later."

"A bit of trouble is always fun in the right circumstances. Kol would be bored to death otherwise."

"As long as he keep from being the troublemaker himself. But our wayward little brother isn't what I wanted to discuss with you."

"What is it ?"

"The police has made a move. An Inspector was specially commissioned to come to this town to get rid of the rising mob activity." Elijah emotionlessly reported.

"Hmm. So we've finally become a thorn in their side. Well, it's within our predictions, get someone to dig more into what the police is up to and that new inspector. It seems that things will get interesting from now on."

-O-

"Welcome to our city Inspector Coleman."

"Thank you." He shook hands with the Police chief.

"I heard the glowing report of your achievements in your last assignment."

"I only did my duty. Eradicating the rats polluting our streets."

"Well said. I expect a lot from you Coleman." Laughed the Police chief as the Inspector answered with a cold smile.