The next day, Grace went to work with Roger and got ready for her day. Part of her fellow cops whispered about her showing up with Roger, but that was nothing new; they liked to gossip about everything. Roger was a good friend and partner to her, but she had no interest in him as a man.

"Where should we start?" Grace hummed as she thought, while sitting at her desk. "Ideally, we could take a look at the security cameras to search for the men..."

"Not always the easiest," Roger said as he leant against her desk and drank coffee. "That park also has cameras."

"But I wonder if any of them are good enough to see in the dark."

They both sighed, their shoulders slouched.

"Maybe we should ask Pez?" Roger suggested. "He's the best we've got for intelligence."

"But he'll want something in return. This isn't official business." The last time Grace asked him for something, he got a dinner date out of her.

"He's a big eater, despite the petit body, so I hope your wallet is full."

"Ugh..."

A newspaper swatted her desk, startling both of them. "Finish that bust, and you two start slacking off?"

"Uh... No, sir." Roger stood up straight.

"Get back to your old patrol root," the chief said, and left.

"How does he always pop up out of nowhere like that?"

"No idea. He must've had ninja training," Grace joked.

"That would explain a few things."

Roger and Grace headed out of the office to their patrol car.

"Let's hope today is uneventful," Grace said as she started the car.

"You cursed us at the start, didn't you?" Roger complained after they stopped another fight in the streets. "It's like people have gone crazy."

"Maybe it's a full moon tonight; brings out all the crazies." Grace put another man in the back of their car.

"But it's so much more work for us..." Roger leaned in close. "And how are we supposed to have time to look into your issue?"

"I've been trying to keep an eye out for people staring at me, but I haven't noticed anyone."

"Maybe they gave up after yesterday's failure?"

Grace raised an eyebrow. "Since when do the bad guys give up that fast?"

"Maybe they're waiting for nighttime again."

"They could be... It's easier to strike when it's dark out." Grace slammed the door shut and got back into the driver's seat. "Let's process these people and then go see Pez."

"Okay."

"Fine, I'll help you, but in exchange... I want a date at a fancy restaurant." Pez tossed the stick from his lollipop into the garbage.

"Seriously? My life is at risk, and you're extorting me for high-end food? You know my pay ain't that good." Grace pouted.

"You know what you're asking for is against the rules, and we could both get into trouble. If you're so against the dinner date, then go turn this into an official investigation."

"You know they won't let me investigate it when it's about me! They'll try to keep me away from it, and if it turns into something bad, I'll be put into protective custody, or I'll have cops watching me all the time."

"You know you're a cop, right?"

"Yes, and I don't like them watching me."

"The choice is yours, Grace." He swivelled, turning back to his keyboard.

Roger leaned in close to whisper, "Just do it. I'll help you pay for it if it's that bad."

"Arg!" Grace stomped away from both of them. "I'll just find another way. Let's get back to work."

Roger rushed to catch up to her. "Do you really think we can figure things out without him?"

"There has to be another way. How about we go old school and ask around in that area? Someone's bound to have noticed one of those sketchy men hanging around."

He grabbed her shoulder. "And what if someone attacks you again?"

"I'll fight and then run... or you could try to save me."

"That's one way to say 'I'm going regardless of what you say'." Roger sighed and let go. He knew she wouldn't listen to him once she made up her mind.

"You know me so well." She smiled and kept going.

"I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not..." There was no way he'd let her do things on her own, so he knew he'd be dragged in – as per usual. "Quit walking so fast." He rushed to get in-step beside her.

"How about you quit walking slow? We don't know how long we have."

"By the way, you should probably stay at my place again."

"Depends on what information we find."

"This is where it started," Grace said as she looked down the alleyway the man who called out to her was hiding in. "Now... where would this guy have been spotted from?"

"And what about the whole group? Where'd they come from?" Roger asked.

"I think it was a black SUV that drove up after I downed them."

"Always so amazing..." he muttered. "There are quite a few of those around."

"I know, but I couldn't see the licence plate. Scratch that. I had no time to even try to look."

"I can only imagine. How in the world are you able to come back here so quickly? No traumatization or anything."

"I'm a cop; I'll do what I have to. Besides, I'm too busy trying to figure out what's going on to be that afraid." Grace pointed at a camera across the street at the Chinese restaurant with an apartment on top. "I'm not sure if it'll be good enough to spot them, or get a licence plate, but it's worth a shot."

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

"If they let us see it."

Grace quickly looked around as she headed into the restaurant.

"Welcome, a table for two?" the person at the front asked them.

Grace showed him her badge, and their expression dropped. She pointed at the entrance where the camera was. "I need access to the camera outside to check on an incident last night."

"Uh..." He looked between Grace and Roger. "I'll go get the manager." He tripped over his chair as he rushed into the back of the restaurant.

"Scaring people again?" Roger shook his head.

"I didn't do anything."

"You flashed that badge with that serious expression of yours. Don't turn it on me." Roger shuddered. "Didn't you know you scare people?"

"Normally, only bad guys."

"I'm sorry to tell you this, Grace... partner..." He rested his hand on her shoulder. "But you're intimidating to a lot of people."

"But why?" Now that I think about it, people seemed afraid of me in high school, too.

He pointed at her face. "You get this serious look that says 'get out of my way or I'll run you down' or 'you better do what I'll tell you, or else'."

"Tch." She shoved his hand away. "If I was so intimidating, Pez would've helped us."

"Pez knows you."

"You know me better, and yet you say—"

"Ahem," the manager cleared their throat. "My employee has explained the situation. Can I see your badges?" Grace and Roger both held up their badges, and he leaned in close to inspect them and nodded. "Let's speak in my office."

He led them to the back and closed the door behind them.

"You'll excuse me for being wary; too many fakes these days, and too many walls have ears. I don't want any trouble."

"Then you'll show us the security footage?" Grace asked.

He flopped back into his chair and swallowed hard. "It can't be known that I'm friendly with the police around here. With all the gangs who like to stop by to eat here while they chat, if anything goes wrong, they'll blame us. It doesn't matter if we did anything or not. Do you understand my predicament?"

"Do I have to come back with a warrant?"

"No, no, no. That'd make it worse." He turned his attention to his computer. "When did you say it was again?"

"Last night around eleven, at the alley across the street."

"Last night..." he mumbled as he brought up the security footage. "Uh... this can't be right."

"What is it?" Grace went around his desk to look and saw scrambled video footage. "It's gone?"

His hands shook as he went back a bit on the recording. "I-it cuts out here."

"Tch..." If they were able to do that, it's likely none of these places would have footage of them.

"I swear we didn't do anything to it."

"Don't worry; I don't think it was you. Thanks for showing us, anyway. We'll see ourselves out."

He bowed his head as they left.

"Are you sure about that?" Roger asked after they closed the door. "They could be in on it."

"Nope; I don't think they are."

"I never understand how you're so sure about things and end up being right."

"Never doubt a woman's intuition, or a cop's detective nose." She tapped her nose.

"Wait, is that your way of saying you're going to go for detective? We've all known you could for some time now."

"I have no plans for that at the moment," Grace said as they walked back through the restaurant to the entrance.

"If we can't use the cameras as our lead, and likely anyone who saw anything around here would be too afraid to say anything, then how do we continue?"

"I have a bad feeling I know who is behind this, but I don't know why."

"Wait, you do? How?"

"Well, there are only a few people who have much influence around here. I think it's someone in the mafia."

"The mafia? As in... mobsters? That's pretty high up compared to the gangs we've been dealing with recently. I don't see why one of them would be after you, unless you got in their way somehow. Do you think yesterday's gang was connected to one of the mafia families? It was a pretty big bust."

"I didn't think they were, considering how small they seemed in comparison, but they could be linked. If the Bertolottis family has been expanding even more than we knew, it wouldn't be surprising if they were recruited into it."

"But didn't you say they didn't want you hurt? Wouldn't the mob want your head for busting their new deal?"

"Or they want to try to recruit me. They do love having dirty cops on the force."

They headed back to their car, keeping a careful eye on their surroundings.

"Do you feel that?" Grace asked, a chill running down her spine.

"Like someone's watching us? Yes, but I don't see anyone."

Grace walked past their car, and Roger followed her without question.

"The park is nearby," Grace whispered. "Best place to lose them."

"But there are kids around at this time of day."

"Dammit... Maybe the convenience store nearby. There are too many people here."

"Maybe that means they won't attack; they're just watching us."

"Roger, they're just after me, so go get back up." She handed him the car keys and kept walking.

He stopped for a moment. "Wait... You expect me to leave you here alone?"

"You think we can fight off a whole mob of people? I know you're a good fighter, but know your limits."

"I'd still rather fight with you than leave you to fend for yourself. I don't care if you are better than me; I still can't abandon you."

Goosebumps trailed up her arms. Crap, they're on the move. "Roger, I don't have time to argue with you. Go, now!" She nudged him back towards where the car was.

A black SUV came to a screeching halt beside them.

"Roger, run!"

Another car pulled up in front of them, blocking their path.

"I think it's too late," Roger grumbled as a bunch of gruff looking men got out of the vehicles and surrounded them.

Grace looked past the ones in suits in front of them at the alleyway nearby and thought about trying for it, but she couldn't leave Roger behind.

"Don't even think about it, missy." The one in the purple suit with a scar over his eye blocked her view. "Try to run, and your partner gets it."

More vehicles pulled up, and the group surrounding them grew.

Holy crap... She'd never seen so many mobsters in one spot before. Grace looked back at Roger, who was clutching the keys tight enough to make his hand bleed. I'm sorry, Roger, for whatever I got you involved with.

The man inched closer to her. "Come with us quietly, and no one has to get hurt." He zip-tied her wrists as one of the other men grabbed her gun and did a pat down.

"Hey, watch where you're touching." Grace jerked away from one of them.

"We've got to be careful, girlie." He chuckled and backed away. "She's clean otherwise."

"So is this one." Roger, also with zip ties around his wrists, was pushed beside Grace.

"You're only after me, right? So let him go," Grace said. She could feel Roger's eyes boring into her, begging her to look at him, but ignored it.

The purple suited man laughed and grabbed her chin. "You're in no position to negotiate, and he'll be coming to make sure you behave yourself. Got it."

"Tch." She wrenched herself away from him, and he chuckled.

"I like a girl with fire..." he mumbled to himself. "Put her in the car." He nudged his head towards his own vehicle.

One man grabbed her from behind, and she reacted automatically. She elbowed him in the stomach, grabbed his arm, and flipped him over her shoulder into a couple of other men. Even with her hands tied, she was dangerous.

The purple suited man clapped and whistled. "Great to see you in action, but did you forget the situation?" He pulled out his handgun, cocked it, and aimed at Roger.

"I'll get in, but I don't want any of them touching me." Grace resisted the urge to spit on them.

He smirked. "Okay, I won't let them touch you." He put his gun away and approached her. "You asked for it, missy." He ducked down and pulled her over his shoulder.

"What the... What the hell are you doing?" She pounded on his back.

"Not letting them touch you."

"You're one of them, though!"

"Grace..." Roger called out to her. A wave of helplessness washed over him as they ushered him into a different vehicle.

"Arg," Grace groaned as she was tossed into the backseat, and the man followed her in, closing the door behind him. He's probably an underboss, not a capo.

He grabbed her upper arm and pulled her into a sitting position before she could kick him.

"Go," he said, and the driver took off. "Glare all you want, but you're not getting out of this."

"Why are you doing this?"

"I'm under orders."

"Why does a mafia boss want me?"

His eyebrow twitched. "I guess you've figured out at least one thing, but I'm not going to tell you. He will be the one to explain the situation."

"Tch." She looked out the dark-tinted windows and concentrated on keeping her breathing steady. They want me for a reason, but why? I'm not important enough to drag that many people into it. She bit on the inside of her lip as she tried to keep track of where they were.

"You have a lot of bad habits, don't you?"

"That's rich, coming from a mobster."

"Mannerisms, speech... biting your lip." He sighed and shook his head. "He'll be disappointed with how unrefined you are."

"Like I care."

"You will."

She glared at him again. "Who's a thug like you to judge someone else's behaviour?"

"Aren't you the one judging me? What do you know about me?"

"You're a mobster who handles women roughly."

He rolled his eyes and cursed under his breath. "You think that was rough? Are you sure you're a cop?

"What would you call picking up a woman over your shoulder and shoving her into a vehicle like that?" Never mind threatening us and pointing a gun at Roger.

"That's a bit of fun, if you ask me."

That's concerning, but not surprising.

"Whatever." Grace turned back to look outside again. "How far are we going?"

"Does it matter? It's not like you're going anywhere."

Wait, where did I miss a turn? Where are we now? She lost track of their location because of the man beside her. "Tch..."

"It doesn't matter if you know where we are; you won't be leaving soon."