Biting into a lemon filled donut; Ryan held the box out to Hawkins. She plucked out a chocolate glazed and sunk back into her chair,
“Just don’t get that powder on the any of the files,” she warned.
The desk and floor of Hawkins’s office were now covered with the boxes of files from Andre Martin’s house. Ryan had spent hours there yesterday, going through stacks upon stacks of material. Martin, it turned out, kept pretty much every scrap of paper and receipt he ever received. And he had absolutely no organizational system whatsoever. Finally, he had given up, and decided to box up the material and bring it all back to the office with him. When Hawkins had rejoined him this morning, she actually seemed impressed by his initiative, and she shared his hope that there may be some evidence of the third man, as she had taken to calling her unknown (and potentially fictional) suspect.
“Did you have any luck with Duane Tompkins?” Ryan asked, licking powdered sugar from his lips and fingertips.
“Nope,” she grimaced. “It doesn’t look like anyone from the outside could have gotten to him or tampered with his food. I mean, obviously the food had to come from the outside, but there is no way to know who gets what once it gets here, and besides that, it had been delivered before we even arrested Tompkins. All the prisoners eat the same food, and so do the guards. No one else got sick. I was hoping that there would be something obvious, but it turns out that I really will need that tox report before I can even be sure that there was a crime at all.”
“Looks like we both hit nothing but dead ends yesterday,” Ryan sighed.
Hawkins nodded,
“We certainly haven’t found our smoking gun yet.”
“May I suggest, perhaps, that it is because there is nothing to find?” Ryan ventured. “Maybe Andre is really the only loose end left.”
“Maybe,” Hawkins admitted. “But I can’t help but feel like we are just missing something, a key piece to this puzzle. We just have to dig deep enough to find it.”
“Well, let’s keep digging then,” Ryan sighed deeply. Frankly, he would rather chew glass; he had discovered quickly that looking at all this crap reminded him of things from his past that he would rather forget. But it was his job, so what could he do?
“You ok?” Hawkins eyed him suspiciously, picking up on his hesitation.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” he opened one of the boxes, but before he could begin sifting through it, there was a sharp knock and the door swung open,
“Excuse me, Agent Hawkins, Agent Stone?”
Hawkins pushed aside the box that was blocking her view of the door and regarded the interloper coolly,
“Can I help you?”
The young agent in the doorway reflexively shrunk back a step.
“Um… Director Collins, he, uh, he sent me,” the man stammered. “He would like to see you both, right away.”
Hawkins rolled her eyes,
“Can’t that man just send an email or use the phone like a normal person?”
Ryan raised an eyebrow,
“Would you have answered if he did?”
“Probably not,” she conceded. “Alright, consider the message delivered, Agent.”
She flicked her hand dismissively.
Ryan rose eagerly, glad for an excuse to put off his work, he turned back to the agent at the door,
“I think your mission is complete. Hope they offered you danger pay.”
The man breathed a sigh of relief and disappeared down the corridor.
“The way people act around you, I would swear you breathe fire,” Ryan laughed.
“What, you aren’t scared of me?” she raised an eyebrow.
“Not really,” he smirked.
“Well, I guess I need to try harder, then,” she grinned mischievously. “I suppose we should get this over with, huh?”
“There’s not much point putting it off.”
“Something tells me this is going to be bad,” she sighed.
Ryan had to admit, if Collins was voluntarily spending time with Hawkins, it probably was going to be something distasteful for her. It was a matter of balance; if Collins was going to subject himself to Hawkins’s presence, it was likely that he was planning to subject her to something much worse in return. Ryan made a mental note to ask her why she hated the A.D. so much, someday. Her obvious issues with authority aside, he was sure that this went deeper than that.
As they reached the top floor, he found that the door to Collins’ office was slightly ajar, Collins was waiting for them. Hawkins pushed it open and went inside, Ryan followed a step behind.
“Ah, Agents, please, have a seat,” Collins welcomed them cordially.
Ryan sat in one of the chairs across from the desk, Hawkins leaned against the back wall.
“Can I offer you anything to drink?” Collins asked.
“What do you want, Adam?” Hawkins interjected tersely.
The A.D. bristled at the use of his first name. He pointedly ignored her question and turned to Ryan instead,
“Do you own a tuxedo?”
“Um, no sir,” Ryan responded, caught off guard by the strange question.
“Well, I suppose that there isn’t enough time to rent one for tonight, but I am sure Mary downstairs will be able to find something for you.”
Mary ran the department that provided clothes and accessories for various undercover ops. Though it was not common practice in most organizations, NIA had long ago found that maintaining a stock of certain commonly used articles of clothing kept their agents out of trouble, and not just the undercover agents. In fact, the brass often needed to borrow tuxes and suits for impromptu functions. It was very convenient.
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“May I ask why I need a tuxedo?” Ryan questioned.
“It would be in poor taste to go to a black-tie affair without one. Especially if you are a guest of honour.” Collins smiled.
Hawkins had clearly had enough of his cryptic remarks,
“We’re too busy for this,” she interrupted. “Tell me what this is about, or I’m going back to work.”
“Patience is a virtue, Agent Hawkins,” Collins chided calmly. “But since this is short notice, I suppose I should let you go and get ready. Grayson Pauling is hosting a benefit tonight, with the proceeds to go to a charity for missing and abducted children. It is his way of expressing gratitude for the safe return of his son and of trying to help others in the same situation. There will be a lot of very influential people there, on Pauling’s request.”
“He pulled this together so quickly?” Ryan raised an eyebrow.
“It is, admittedly, something of an impromptu affair. But he wanted to celebrate his son’s return, and who would refuse him that?”
“And where do we come in, exactly?” Hawkins asked, her tone suggested that she knew exactly what he was getting at, and she didn’t like it.
“As I said before,” Collins purred. “As you two are the agents who recovered his son, Pauling wants both of you to be there tonight, as his guests.”
Ryan almost laughed out loud at the look on Hawkins’s face, but he managed to bite his tongue. He realized now why Collins was so pleased; he got to torture his least favorite agent and get some positive press for the agency at the same time. Win-win. Most people would find this a very desirable opportunity, a lavish party, and a chance to rub elbows with the rich and powerful. Ryan himself was thrilled; it was the kind of invite some people would kill for. But it was clear that the mere thought of it made Hawkins miserable. Despite her confident and forceful personality, or perhaps because of it, she could also be abrasive and antisocial, and an event like this, full of people and political hobnobbing wasn’t really her niche.
“Oh, there is no way in hell,” she muttered. “All that ass-kissing is really more your thing, Stone. You go, they won’t miss me.”
Collins’ laugh was positively venomous,
“What’s the matter, Taylor? Scared of a few rich old men?”
“I’m just not interested in wasting my time.”
“Too bad. PR is a part of the job Agent, and if you want to keep yours, I suggest you go, put a smile on your face and make us look good.”
“And if I refuse?”
“Then you are off this case,” he replied calmly.
Hawkins flinched; it was obvious that Collins would do it. He just needed an excuse.
“I guess I have no choice, do I?”
“I knew you would see it my way. Oh, and don’t worry, I already talked to Mary for you, she will have a nice dress all ready. Hors d'œuvres are at 6. Be early.”
Hawkins nodded tersely, then she turned on her heel and left the room quickly. Ryan made to follow, but Collins stopped him.
“One moment, Ryan.”
“Yes sir?”
“This is going to be one of the most important moments of your new job. You need to make us look good here, and to accomplish that, you are going to need to make her look like a normal human being. This could be a disaster if you can’t handle her. I am trusting that this isn’t beyond your capabilities.”
“Of course not, sir. It’s no problem at all,” Ryan replied obediently.
“Good. Enjoy the party, then. At least one of you should,” Collins dismissed him with a wave of his hand and Ryan hurried down the hallway. He caught up with Hawkins at the elevator door.
“I can’t believe that he is going to make me waste my time with this,” she muttered. “There are so many other things that I should be doing right now.”
“This really is a part of the job, Hawkins,” Ryan reasoned. “Keeping up appearances.”
“I’m no good at this crap. I won’t be any help. The only reason that asshole is sending me at all is because he knows I will absolutely hate every minute of it.”
“You really aren’t a people person, are you?”
She snorted a laugh,
“Oh, I love people, in the same way as I love sharks: from a distance. As an abstract concept, they are very interesting.”
“Well, it’s time to step outside your comfort zone, then,” he encouraged. “Come on, it’ll be fun.”
They got on the elevator and Ryan pushed the button for the 3rd floor.
“I mean seriously,” he continued. “What do you even do for fun?”
“Pretty much anything but this,” she grumbled. “I’d rather dig a bullet from my own arm with a butter knife.”
“Oh, now you’re exaggerating.”
“No, I’m not. And I would know, trust me.”
“Why am I not surprised?”
“Because you aren’t as slow as you look?”
“Harsh,” he laughed good-humouredly. “Don’t take your social phobias out on me.”
“Let’s just go get these clothes quickly, maybe we can still get some work done before this little torture session.”
“Sure, take all of the fun out of it for me.”
“Misery loves company.”
No expense had been spared in preparing for this event, Ryan noted. Pauling was using his own mansion as the venue, and it had been lavishly decorated and catered. Pretty impressive, on such short notice. The guest list was equally extravagant; you couldn’t take a step without bumping into a politician, celebrity, or wealthy philanthropist. Most of them were local, but even so, it was an impressive collection. Ryan basked in the glow of wealth and power. He was beginning to think he had missed his calling in life. Philanthropist would have been just his speed, had he been born wealthy. Hawkins, for her part, cleaned up surprisingly well. She was dressed in a deep plum coloured gown that accented her fiery red hair. Mary had even found a pair of stiletto heels for her. She was attractive, Ryan thought, in her own way. She would certainly look like she fit in, if not for her obvious discomfort. She lingered in the corner, shifting awkwardly from foot to foot and her eyes constantly drifted to the floor. She had truly looked more at ease when she’d had a gun in her face. Every so often, he had to sidle up next to her and remind her to be polite and make eye contact, but for the most part, she was on her best behaviour. Satisfied that she was ok for now, Ryan turned away to see Grayson Pauling approaching,
“Agent Stone, I am so glad you could make it tonight,” he shook his hand warmly. “I know you must be very busy.”
“It is an honour, Mr. Pauling. It was very kind of you to invite us. This is a noble cause you are helping here tonight.”
“I wanted to help, and this is all I really know how to do.”
“Well, I am very impressed at how quickly you were able to put this all together,” Ryan marvelled.
“I have some very talented assistants and some sympathetic friends, they should get all of the credit for this,” Pauling smiled. “There are some people I would love for you to meet; do you have a moment?”
“Of course. I am completely at your disposal, Mr. Pauling.”
“Please, my friends call me Gray.”
Ryan followed Pauling through the crowded ballroom into a smaller den. A waiter offered him what was obviously a very expensive glass of brandy and a cigar. He hesitated for an instant but decided to accept both; it would be rude not to, he reasoned.
“Now,” Grayson began. “I promised my friends that you could update them on the state of the investigation and how you found my son. In return, they have promised me some very generous donations. I am sorry to spring this on you, but can I count on your help?”
“Well, barring any of the confidential details, I can certainly get you up to date on the investigation as it stands now. And I think that by the end, you will all agree that helping missing and abducted children is a very worthy cause. Because what we really need are more happy endings like this; in this business, happy endings are far too rare.”
Ryan launched into a little speech about the case and about missing children that he had quickly prepared in the time before the party. It always paid to be prepared, and in this case, it appeared to have been worth the effort; his audience ate it up and he was even able to field questions about budgeting and statistics that would ordinarily be beyond his ken. Ryan Stone was a natural performer and salesman, so he had some fun with it. By the time he was done, generous cheques had been written, both to the charity and to the NIA itself. Collins would definitely be pleased with him for this one. After he wrapped up, Pauling offered him a lighter for his cigar and invited him to join them for a game. His work done for the evening; Ryan accepted. He sipped his fine brandy and went about beating the CEO of a fortune 500 company at pool. The man was so bad that Ryan wished he’d agreed to bet money on the game. Sinking the last ball, he put down his cue and casually checked his watch; he was shocked to see that over two hours had slipped away since he’d left the main hall. That meant it had been over 2 hours since he had last checked on Hawkins. Not good. Cursing himself for letting her out of his sight for so long, and silently praying that she hadn’t done something to get him fired, he hastily excused himself and hurried back towards the ballroom. Glancing around, his heart sank. As he’d feared, Hawkins was nowhere to be seen. His concern growing, Ryan knew that he needed to find his partner as quickly as possible, before she got into any trouble. Hopefully he wasn’t already too late.