From The Dark

Chapter 1

Two Years later

    "You promised the documents would be completed by tomorrow. I am counting on you to stick to your word!" She yelled into the phone. "You were only suppose to call me at this number if there was an emergency."

    "Well Miss, I am still going to adhere to our deadline but there is one important piece of information you left out for me to complete my task. I need to know what name you would like me to print."

    A name. She remembered now that she hadn't decided on a name when she approached the hacker two months ago. It is surprising that he has waited so close to deadline to finally ask this question. When you have no past you have to pay top dollar to create one. She requested a birth certificate, passport, drivers license, school transcripts, death certificates for both parents, a marriage license and finally a death certificate for her husband. Plus some newspaper clippings of the the accidents that killed them all.

    "Marty, Marty Brooks."

    "Don't you think it sounds a bit manly?"

    "Well maybe that will work in my favor, they do like men."

    "So is that your married last name or your maiden name."

    "My married name, since I am a widow and not a divorcee I would think it is customary to keep my husband's last name. All the other documents I don't care what name you assign I just need them by tomorrow so I have the next three days to study them."

    "Ok Mrs. Brooks, 6:00 am money drop like we discussed at the location I assigned and your documents will be dropped an hour later in the warehouse you chose. All the documents will be ready."

    "Perfect, until tomorrow," she disconnected the line. Marty did not like to be on a call for so long. Living in the underground world for so long she picked up on the scary thought that calls can be traced and it was never smart while conducting illegal business to speak about it openly.

    When she first dug her way out of the tunnels two years ago she ran until her feet were blistered. Stopping that day to take a rest almost cost her her freedom. The father and son combo was nice enough but she couldn't stick around and let them help her. The things she faced as a child made her brave enough to hitch rides from strangers but she would only get in a vehicle where she had straight access to an escape. Once she reached Washington DC her first task was changing her look. She already traveled too long wearing clothes that would easily identify her. 

    She didn't know where she came from but she knew it wasn't America. She had dark features, long dark hair that flowed straight and to her butt. She had dark brown eyes, almost black at times and her skin had a natural tan. Obviously living underground didn't allow for much time in the sun. Her eyes were very sensitive when she first stood in the bright new day. And her accent was different from any other she had ever heard. 

    She stole some clothes from a Walmart and then spent the afternoon of her first day in D.C. like every other homeless person in the street, begging. She made twenty dollars, which allowed her to go to McDonalds and order a meal for the night. After paying seven dollars to eat she realized that twenty dollars a day was not going to be enough. She had to eat but it would not help her to change her look or get her a roof over her head. 

    Using the brain that often got her in trouble in her past life she sat to work to come up with a plan to make money. She found out about a women's shelter in the area and went and claimed a bed there, along with free meals. She kept to herself, no matter how many people tried talking to her she didn't speak. The more people you talk to the more likely you are to be caught, especially when the person is in just as much need as you are, they would roll over on you just to make a buck.

    After a few days everyone stopped trying and she continued with her plan. Now that she had free lodging and three meals a day she could focus on her next task. She needed to make enough money to change her look and get her out of the shelter so people don't ask why.

    She was back on the street each day begging but also picking the pockets of those expensively dressed men who refused to help the needy. The first day she walked away with $300. With that money she went and bought new clothes. Next time she went out she went to a public restroom to change into her new clothes, she didn't want anyone asking questions at the shelter. Then she played the corner in a new role, a p********e. She never got into anyones car or went home with them but way more sleeze balls stopped for her to steal from. 

    After one week she had two Rolexes, five wedding bands, four wallets filled with a total of five thousand dollars and four cellphones. She waited three weeks with all of this attached to her body in the shelter. Then she took a cab into Virginia and hit five different pawn shops. Each one she sold different items to so she didn't attract any attention. In the end she walked away with thirty thousand dollars, the watches she stole were worth way more than she thought but she remembered the prestige of the brand in the underworld. 

    That day she found a salon and had her hair cut to her collar bone and dyed blonde. She also had her eyebrows lightened and reshaped. She went to a mall and bought some new clothes from an upscale boutique and some color contacts from a novelty store. She was now on her way to unrecognizable. Her last stop was the makeup counter at a department store that taught her how to apply makeup to reshape her face. She spent $400 in makeup product and prayed that she could remember the techniques she was taught since she had never worn make up in her life.

    After that day she took on two jobs, she worked the street at night with a red wig and green colored eyes and went by the name Savannah. She learned a country accent and a lot of the politicians and their assistants ate it up. She would pull in really great money. During the day she picked up jobs under different names with different businesses trying to decide which fit her best. The last one she had is where the name Marty came from. She was working as a legal assistant to a big time Lawyer in D.C. It was the perfect job to set her up for her next task. She used the name Marty Brooks and she purchased a wedding band that she wore on her ring finger. Her co-workers knew her made up story about losing her husband but she left out information that she wasn't ready to share yet. They took it as grief and didn't pressure her.

    While at work she learned some of the ins and outs of not only the legal branch of the law but also learned a lot about the government of the United States. They watched a lot of news in the office and she made sure to take notes. At nights she would crawl into her bed in the small rent controlled apartment she was able to get and used the internet to search people. Her plan became more detailed and she knew what her next step was. It wasn't easy tracking down schedules for people who don't exist but she some how found a way by stalking government officials. 

    It started with a little research of the government and who was running each operation and a man named Richard Burtin. Burtin was the secretary to the Solicitor General, James Walton. Burtin ran many errands for Mr. Walton and Marty came in contact with him at the dry cleaners. They spoke for a few minutes while waiting in line and he seemed nice enough. He wasn't married but at the same time he didn't seem to be undressing her in his mind nor did he try picking her up. Luckily she was able to pick his pocket. Once she had his wallet she went to the restroom where snapped a picture of his drivers license and all the photos he carried. Once she got a picture of everything in the wallet she came back out into the main hall and dropped the wallet near the couch by the front door. When Burtin went to pay he noticed his wallet was missing and went through a panic attack.

    After locating the wallet Burtin was quick to escape the business. That night Marty went through f*******: and found Richard Burtin's account, but he went by his middle name. Smart on his part hiding his outside life from the public eye. She also found the email address he used to make the account. Using that information and the information she obtained from his wallet Marty cracked the password for his email account. Once she did that she had the schedule for the Solicitor General. She knew where he would be and when. She quickly downloaded the whole schedule to her computer and logged out of the email address.

    Now that she had this information she spent the next day at Saks Fifth Avenue where she used some of the cash she stashed away to buy formal gowns and business suits so she could attend the functions on the calendar. The first one was a charity event being held that Saturday for Fighting Against Human Trafficking. 

    While getting ready to attend the event on Saturday she felt fear for the first time since the night she escaped. She wasn't sure who she would come face to face with but it was important that she attend and that she be well disguised.

    She dressed in a yellow satin gown that skimmed the floor. The back was open, exposing the majority of her back. The scars there were well hidden with tattoo covering makeup. Her blonde hair was styled in an intricate top knot with a few strands that fell in her face. Her contacts turned her eyes a bright blue and her makeup sculpted her face, she barely recognized herself looking back at her in the mirror. She finished the look with some expensive jewelry that she had to have to play this part. She also carried a ten thousand dollar check made out to the charity and a fake invitation that she duplicated from the email she found in Mr. Burtin's inbox.

    She made sure to arrive at the same time as the calendar marked the arrival of Mr. Walton. It didn't take long for her to pick him out of the crowd, having studied his picture for weeks. He was unmarried and had a history for dating blondes. She thought she would be the perfect candidate to cozy up to him and move her way up the list. She walked through the door five groups back from him. Walking into the Ronald Reagan building she had to suppress the shock of the extravagance. She wasn't used to such elegance but she was able to play it off like any other rich person who walked through the door. She did take notice that every lady was entering the building accompanied by a companion. She would be judged for coming stag she was sure.

    "Ms., may I take your coat?" The door staff asked at coat check. She took off her coat and handed it to the gentleman and he handed her back a ticket. Placing it in her purse she continued scanning the surroundings in awe while looking for Mr. Walton. She spotted him with a group of other men looking rather bored and thought it was her time to go fishing.

    Walking past him with a slight strut of her hips she made sure that she was clicking her heels loud enough while digging through her clutch as if in search of something and oblivious to her surroundings. Nothing turned these men off as much as a desperate woman. You have to look available while being unobtainable. Marty flagged down a lady with a head set on and not so quietly asked where she would make her donation for the charity.

    "I don't often attend these events but I wanted to make sure to show my support for the cause," she said making sure the gentlemen could hear her. Women with their own money is something else desirable to these men.

    "Of course dear, if you would like to follow me I can take you to the donation drop," the lady responded.

    "No need, Martha I can escort her," Mr. Walton said coming up beside Marty and giving her a bright smile, politely dismissing the other woman.

    "Thank you, sir."

    "My pleasure dear and please call me James. Are you here alone?"

    "Unfortunately yes. I was unable to find someone to accompany me on short notice, James"

    "What about your husband?"

    "Yes, well I really wish he could be here but he passed away last year."

    "Sorry to hear that. You still wear your ring. Does that mean you are still holding on?"

    "Well James, I am not sure if you truly let go of a loved one," she said giving him a flirty smile and a little hope.

    "Are you going to share your name with me?"

    "Oh, sorry, how rude of me my name is Elizabeth, Elizabeth Creswell," she said sticking her hand out to shake his.

    "Well it is nice to meet you Ms Creswell. If you would like I could show you around and introduce you to a few people to help with the awkwardness of being here alone."

    "You are too kind James. Please call me Liz."

    James Walton escorted her to drop off her donation and then into the room where everyone was congregating. Once in the room they made some rounds but there were only two people that she was interested in seeing. One being the US Attorney General, Thomas Buckley and the other being the Director of the FBI, Robert Sandler. She was polite and listened to each introduction and scanned each persons face. And then it happened.

    "Well, Well James, I didn't know you were bringing a date," a tall handsome man, probably in his mid fifties said coming towards us with a smile plastered on his face. His companion a short and younger and, probably in his forties also had a smile but seemed less enthused by the news.

    "Thomas, Robert, glad you could make it. This is my friend Liz, we just met a few hours ago and I thought it only right that I showed her around. Liz this is Thomas and Robert some colleagues of mine," he said pointing at each and stating their names. She didn't need their names she had been studying their pictures for weeks. Putting her hand out she shook each mans hand and said nice to meet you.

    "So Liz what do you do for a living?"

    "Well as of right now I am trying to decide which route I would like to go. I haven't worked in a few years but I have a degree in Art and now that I am living in the city I am perusing my options. And how about you gentlemen what do you do?"

    They all kind of snickered. It wasn't hidden from the public what their jobs were but she needed them to openly feel comfortable to talk about it.

    "Well I am the Solicitor General, Mr. Buckley here is the US Attorney General and Mr. Sandler is the Director of the FBI," Mr. Walton answered for them all.

    "Oh wow, I am sorry, I do not follow politics that much. So James you are the one putting on the event tonight. Such a great cause to support."

    "Oh, yes, even though human trafficking doesn't seem to be as much of an issue here as most countries it is still important to spread awareness," James replied

    "So you don't think it's an issue here?" She asked feeling a little pissed but making sure her emotions don't show.

    "Don't you worry your pretty head about it dear," Mr. Buckley said making her anger go up another level. The nerve of these men up here at the top of the government, able to help make a difference and they don't even believe in what they are selling.

    "Mr. Sandler, it must be do exciting to work for the FBI, I bet there is never a dole moment at work," she said with a smile changing the subject before she exploded. It was time to get back on track of getting the information she needed.

    "It has its moments dear. I do a lot of desk work now so it isn't has happening as when I was a field agent."

    "Oh, do you get to pick the new recruits then?"

    "No, I usually don't see the new recruits until they graduate. Steven Brown is actually in charge of reviewing all the applicants files and deciding who to pick."

    "If it isn't too forward what is it that you look for when you look over applications?"

    "Oh that would probably bore you," he said trying to get out of work talk.

    "I don't know why but I seem fascinated by it. Please bore me."

    "Well it may seem strange but orphans are a big turn on for us. An agent unmarried and not tied down to a family unit are easier to assign. We look for good school standings, grades and attendance but grades don't have to be perfect. Psychical endurance is a big part of the job so someone who's been in sports is also an attractive attribute."

    "It must be tough to make those decisions, but it sounds like a fascinating job. If you gentlemen could excuse me, I need to visit the ladies room," she gave them all a smile and walked out of the room. Making a stop in the ladies room just in case one of them decided to escort her there. 

    Once inside she took out her phone and stopped the recording. Straightening herself up she exited the bathroom on a deep breath in, checked her surroundings and headed for the exit. Lowering her head she moved at an efficient pace and just as she broke through the door she brushed shoulders with someone. Looking up to apologize her heart dropped to the floor.

    "Sorry ma'am I have broad shoulders," the dark and handsome man said with a care free smile. The expression was one she would never forget because it haunted her dreams every night. Nicoli Ransoff was the reason she was here and the reason she feared coming. She learned soon after her escape that the people who were human trafficking were also at the top. Nicoli was deep in Washington D.C politics and many politicians were in his pocket.

    "It was my fault, I wasn't looking," she said with a sweet smile. This was the best acting she had ever done in her life because she could feel the cold sweat dripping down he center of her shoulder blades and she felt like she may faint but she showed none of it. Turning she walked on without another word or glance back and she kept her pace steady.

    When she arrived home that night she puked out the entire content of her stomach as she remembered Nicoli and what he did to her.

    Over the next year she followed Steven Brown, collecting data, stealing applications from other FBI applicants and she watched the training programs outside of Quantico. She paid attention to who was selected and who passed. And she trained. Tomorrow when she receives her doctored papers she will finally be able to apply as the perfect candidate per the FBI Director's own words. 

    She was finally one step closer to reaching her goal. Nicoli and his whole network will fall and it will fall because she will make it fall.