Kristen Cates

Interpol Task Force
Somebody has to believe the truth matters.

#PinkPantherGang

[Kristen Cates @CatesInnocence]

Europe. Interpol. International investigations.
I didn't come this far to watch from the sidelines.

[Kristen Cates @CatesInnocence]

@BlackFileChaser @TeamVireon "I didn't see anyone."
I shrugged, trying to sound more certain than I felt.

[Kristen Cates @CatesInnocence]

@BlackFileChaser @TeamVireon I gave a small, self-conscious laugh.
"There's a tree back there too. I don't know."
I reached for the flashlight I'd left on the counter and held it out to him.
"I swept it across the whole yard."
My fingers tightened around the flashlight for a second before I finally let go.
-

[Kristen Cates @CatesInnocence]

@BlackFileChaser @TeamVireon One order of tyrokafteri, the whipped feta spread loaded with chili.
Extra pita.
I set my phone on the counter and looked around the quiet house.

[Kristen Cates @CatesInnocence]

@BlackFileChaser @TeamVireon Eventually I found a little taverna that also served dishes inspired by northern Greece and the Balkans.
One order of bouyiourdi—baked feta with roasted tomatoes and hot peppers.
Spicy enough to qualify.
One chicken souvlaki platter with extra grilled peppers.
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[Kristen Cates @CatesInnocence]

@TeamVireon Where the hell is @BlackFileChaser?
I grab my cell and shoot him a text.
"Want me to order something for dinner?"
I don't want him to think I'm not capable. But I'll feel better when he's here.

[Kristen Cates @CatesInnocence]

@TeamVireon A moment later, I heard the garage side door pull shut.
Then...
Silence.

[Aleksandar Kovač @SasaTheFixer]

Dammit!

[Felix Marlow @TeamVireon]

{Just as I’m relaxed again another vehicle rolled up.
Not a police cruiser.
Cleaning company.
"...You've gotta be kidding me."
I sank lower into the bushes as two people climbed out with vacuums, buckets, and enough cleaning supplies to sterilize a hospital.
Okay…
Not ideal.
~

[Kristen Cates @CatesInnocence]

@BlackFileChaser I could've sworn someone had been standing near the back fence.

[Kristen Cates @CatesInnocence]

@BlackFileChaser Slowly, I stepped toward the kitchen window looking out at the garden.
The evening sun had begun to dip, throwing long shadows across the grass.
Something had moved, but I couldn't tell what.
I stayed perfectly still, scanning the yard.
For just a moment...
-

[Kristen Cates @CatesInnocence]

@BlackFileChaser I checked my watch, still no sign of Marek.
I wandered downstairs, the refrigerator was empty.
Of course it was.
I leaned against the kitchen counter, there goes plans to make dinner. I’ll order something.
A sharp noise interrupted the thought.
Crunch.
From the backyard.
-

[Kristen Cates @CatesInnocence]

@BlackFileChaser Marek looked like the type of person who'd appreciate having the larger room without ever asking for it.
I set my suitcase on the bed and started unpacking.
By the time I'd finished, the room already looked lived in.
Not home, just... functional.
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