Chapter Text
At 1 am in the morning I arrested my neighbor for selling drugs, (Weed Wendell)
At 7 am he confessed his supplier sent the inventory through Saja, a strip club in the north part of the city.
At 9 am Rumi and I debriefed Captain Celine about what we had discovered.
At 9:45 Celine told us “Job well done.” And approved an initial scouting party to visit Saja.
At 11 I had delicious Ramyun, perfect, not too hot not too cold.
At 2pm my favorite song came on the break room radio the moment I walked in. (Soda Pop)
At 4:30 We started the briefing for
“ZOEY, Hey, we are leading this together, are you gonna say something?” She looked up at Rumi, then around at the other officers. An embarrassed blush found her face.
Zoey cleared her throat and spoke, “Yes, sorry partner, just taking some notes” Rumi rolled her eyes, she knew Zoey had been journaling. “So, as Rumi said this will be a observatory mission. Officer Nim and I will go undercover to investigate Saja, we will report our findings and then hopefully get a warrant so we can see deeper.”
Proud of herself Zoey nodded at Rumi as if to say ‘take it from here’ but the unamused look on her partners face discouraged her. “Umm, that’s kinda exactly what Detective Nim said.” Zoey turned to the young officer that had spoken.
She felt more embarrassed, “Oh, well I’m just reinforcing the plan in your minds.” “Yah, for those not paying attention.” Rumi added, rather unhelpfully.
Zoey glared at her but was able to continue the meeting without any more incidents.
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Zoey glared playfully at her partner “You know, I don’t think you’ve ever been more unhelpful in the history of our friendship.” Rumi glanced up from her phone with a smug smile. Then said, “The best way to get over a fear of public speaking is to get out all the embarrassment early on in your career. You know, exposure therapy.” Zoey let out a humorless laugh, “ Well your therapy is ruining my best day ever.”
But before Rumi could respond the captain walked in.
Both detectives straitened in their chairs. Celine’s eyes glanced over Zoey and she felt a chill, then her gaze turned to Rumi, “Rumi, shouldn’t you girls begin preparing for your operation tonight.” Rumi responded in her professional voice, “Yes mame, we just finished the briefing and are about to change into cloths more appropriate for Saja.” Celine nodded in approval, “Okay then, don’t let me keep you, be safe out there.”
She then turned and left the room.
At her exit Rumi deflated into her chair with a groan. “Well, you heard the boss. Let’s go raid evidence for some cute clothes.” Zoey tried to put as much pep in her voice as she could muster. Rumi grinned, obviously grateful for the distraction from the stoic woman.
As they left Zoey attempted her best impression of Rumi, “Yes Mame, right away” Her partner punched her gently, “Shut your trap” They both laughed.
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Zoey felt confident as she got out of the sports car they arrived in. She wore blue and yellow parachute pants that had two straps on the side and perfectly concealed her gun and badge; and her top was a complimentary teal halter top that stopped above her navel. Rumi wore tight jean shorts, a white turtle neck and a yellow bomber jacket.
They made eye contact then nodded, “We’re going to meet back here in two hours and 47 minutes.” Rumi reminded. Zoey stuck out her tongue, “Yah, I was paying attention for that part.” Rumi shoved her as they walked in side by side and before Zoey could retaliate they emerged into the dimly lit smoke filled building with music so loud Zoey knew she would get a headache soon.
Then Rumi was in her ear, “I’m going to go check out the bar, you go to the poles.” Then she was gone before Zoey even had the chance to complain.
With a sigh she wandered over, there was actually a lot of people here, the stack of cash she had been given sat in her pocket, “Well I might as well make the most of it.”
She sat down as a man in a blue tiger costume walked out, a little weird if you ask Zoey.
Then he ripped it open and revealed abs, “Damn” Zoey decided to blend in by grabbing her singles and throwing them onto the stage. He was immediately showered I’m money. He did a little dance, rubbed his bulge against a bride to be; basically just douched around a bit. For Zoey it got old pretty quick.
Then, she glanced over and saw some guys walking up stairs, so as stealthy as possible Zoey crept over. When she got up there she saw a lot of men at this one.
Her eyes locked onto the woman who walked on the stage as she sat down.
Long legs, her body barley covered by a cheetah print coat, she walked around with cool confidence. Her pink hair fell down her back, her features were sharp; she gently chewed her lip as she sized up the room.
The room erupted in cheers, deafening Zoey. The detective knew she should join in, throw the money she had left, or at least tear her eyes from her.
She was the most beautiful woman she had ever seen.
The dancer removed her coat leaving black lingerie, Zoey’s mouth dropped. A man offering her a drink walked over, but Zoey refused; Celine would have a meltdown if she found out she drank on the job.
When she looked back she met fierce brown eyes locked on her.
A smirk appeared on the woman’s face and she walked off the stage. A guy with light pink hair and kissable face tried to stop her, the only acknowledgement she gave was flipping him off.
She moved threw the crowd slowly, allowing them to tuck money into her thong. Then she reached Zoey, and the woman sat directly onto the young woman’s lap. Zoey lost all functionality in her body.
She almost didn’t hear the words whispered in her ear, “You are in way over your head officer.” By the time Zoey’s brain was able to comprehend the dancer was already onto the next guy and making her way back to the stage.
It should have been a red flag, she should have left immediately, told Rumi her cover was blown, and gotten someone else to take her place. Seven cops had been killed in relation to this place going all the way back to when Celine was a boot.
But Zoey couldn’t leave, she had to know. What gave her away and why did this stranger warn her.
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Zoey knew it was a bad idea to sneak backstage.
But it was easy enough to flirt with the guy through his crazy bangs, then she snuck past when he got distracted. Unfortunately, Zoey got lost in the halls. She had given up looking for the dancer, and was just trying to get out before she got caught or murdered. She rounder a corner and heard a shuffling noise.
Her academy trained brain kicked in. Zoey crept forward, her hand rested on the hilt of her gun. The door was cracked and she peaked in. She didn’t see anything so she nudged the door open.
The room was full of cash, women sat by the counting machines. Kilos of a white substance sat on tables.
Holy shit, this was the mother load, the women hadn’t noticed Zoey, but before she could pull out her phone the door across the room opened.
Zoey cursed, she couldn’t hide, there was nowhere to go. She narrowed her eyes, hand tightening on her gun.
But then strong arms wrapped around her and with the click of a door she was in darkness. Zoey went to yell but a hand clamped down on her mouth; so of course Zoey bit down as hard as possible.
The light came on to reveal the storage closet she had been shoved into.
It also revealed the woman she had been looking for towering over her. Zoey stopped biting, she was too close, her perfume was sweet, she glowed with the faintest traces of sweat, a smirk grew on her face.
She whispered, “Do you have a death wish?” Zoey grabbed her hand and lowered it from her face, “No. Do you? I could have shot you.”
She laughed, “I’d like to see you try.” The pink haired woman leaned over her as she continued, “ But good thing I never will. Because Imma get you out of here, then your NEVER coming back. Correct.” Zoey stuttered, the girls face was so close to hers, she smirked down at her “I’ll take that as a : Yes Mira, of course I’ll give up this suicide mission before I get both of us killed.”
Mira, her name was Mira.
She had to try the name, “Mira. That’s a beautiful name.” Mira looked at Zoey with surprise and apprehension, she looked like she wanted to say something but didn’t. So Zoey took the initiative, “Anyway Mira, who do you think you are?” “Who do I think I am! Your the one who came in, sticking out like a sore thumb, actively trying to die.” Zoey whispered back with equal ferocity, “I will have you know I am an excellent sneaker. Ever think that maybe your just paranoid?” Mira voice humorous, “Oh jee, how subtle is the only sober person at a club, who walks into a room, scans the people for threats in sits in a chair with sight lines to every room.” Zoey was taken aback by her accuracy, “Also, of course I’m fucking paranoid, you saw that room. You know what this is. God why did I decide to help the most irritating cop in existence.” Zoey flushed in outraged but the tall woman turned away.
She peaked out of the closet, she looked back at Zoey, about to gesture for her to follow when a voice broke out, “Mira, there you are! How’s my girl!” Mira slammed the closet door shut. The voices continued but Zoey was deep in thought.
Who was this woman. And why was Zoey’s heart beating so fast. Oh right, dangerous situation, that’s why her stomach was flipping and she was out of breath. No other reason.
The door opening broke Zoey’s train of thought. ”Okay, Bye Bobby!”, Mira grabbed her arm, but Zoey didn’t move, “Why are you helping me?” Mira’s eyes softened, “That is a really good question.”
Without clarifying anymore the dancer pulled off the black hoodie she was wearing and pulled it onto Zoey, hiding her face with the hood. Thus she revealed the lingerie, and it took all of Zoey’s self control not to stare or drool. Mira laced her hand with Zoey’s pulling her along.
Zoey paused in front of the door, it had been closed. But the Handel was right there.
Everything she had worked for right there on the other side of the door. Mira tightened her grip on Zoey’s hand, not aggressively, more asking.
And Zoey listened.
They wound though the halls, occasionally ducking into rooms to avoid people.
Finally, Mira led Zoey all the way out the back and into the alley. “Okay, bye Officer Death Wish.” She loosened her grip on Zoey’s hand pulling away. “Wait! Zoey, my name is Zoey.”
With a slender hand Mira smacked herself in the face. “Oh you really are all looks and no brains.” Mira looked as if she was trying to suppress a smile, “you weren’t supposed to tell me your name. In fact I didn’t hear anything. I don’t know who you are. I cannot identify the body.” Mira rose her hands in the air and backed away. “Good bye random stranger I will never see again. Thank you for stuffing money into my bra.”
With that she winked and turned back into the club. Zoey could only comprehend two things,
One, Saja was the connection they needed to take down Gwi-Ma.
Two, Mira called her beautiful.
Three, Zoey was coming back; just to take down Gwi-Ma, no other reason, definitely not to see any one.
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Rumi found Zoey leaning on her car, “Hey, you disappeared where did you go? Where did you get that hoodie?”
Zoey smiled lazily, “I have so much to tell you.”