Double Deception

Chapter 6: The Case

Nadia woke the next day, ate some breakfast, and soon found herself in her closet. She played music from her Spotify. She slept well her first night and wanted to continue sleeping, but she had to get to work and couldn’t be late on her first day.

She brushed her auburn brown hair, and her hazel eyes stared back at her in the mirror. She picked out a simple outfit,a white button shirt with black slacks and matching black shoes. As she got ready, she thought of ways to make her apartment more of a home, already planning to get plants and maybe a cat.

Once she was ready, she left her apartment and, into the busy streets of New York, she decided to walk to the coffee shop, which was only down the street. She agreed to meet with her detective partner there. She arrived in no time, and when she entered the shop, the smell of coffee filled her nostrils and made her stomach rumble. She looked around and spotted him at the cashier with his back to her.

She approached him and took in the long line of people waiting for coffee and danishes.

“If it isn’t my favorite partner,” Nadia said teasingly and poked his back.

“I’m your only partner,” Callum said, turning to face her with two coffees in his hand. He held one of the coffees out to her.” Here, I got you a latte.”

Nadia grinned and accepted it gratefully.” Yum, thank you so much! I thought I was going to have to wait in that line!” She laughed at the line nearby. “And this is why you are my favorite partner.”

“Glad to be one,” Callum chuckled. They moved to the side so they were out of the way of the guests, and Nadia began sipping her latte. “How is your family?”

“They’re good, Nora is getting married,” Nadia said proudly as she added more sugar to her coffee. She stirred it. “How are things with you and Latavia?”

“She’s a cheater,” Callum said gruffly as he scratched his clean, shaven jaw.

Nadia froze at his words and sighed.” I’m sorry, Cal. I knew she was no good for you.”

“No need to say I told you so,” Callum murmured and sipped his drink. “Anyways, we need to get to work, chief wants a word with you. About our case.”

“I only been in town for two seconds and I’m already on a case?” Nadia asked in disbelief.

“Trust me, I think you’ll want this one,” Callum said as they left the cafe.

Devina sat in that same coffee shop with her agent sitting across her in one of the booths. She anxiously fidgeted with the hem of her blouse as her agent looked at some papers.

“So I've been doing some thinking,” began her agent, whose name was Lisa. “You’ve done well in other plays, why not stick to that?”

“Those plays and singing gigs are good,” Devina said carefully. She didn’t want to sound ungrateful. “But they’re not my dream. And my dream is Broadway.”

“I know, my dear, but getting you in is going to be hard and not for a couple more years.” Lisa said gently.”Yes, you’ve been in many productions and are a great singer, actor, and dancer. But you haven’t gone to any drama schools, I see.”

“College is too expensive, but I know it looks good.” Devina sighed and rubbed the left side of her face. She fought back the feeling of frustration and stress. She wanted to attend college to study theater, but she couldn’t afford it. She resisted the urge to bite her nails, something she does when she’s nervous or anxious. Devina took a deep breath and rested her hands on the table, and ignored her barely touched cheese danish.”Were you able to get me an audition this week?”

“I’m sorry, Devina, they’re looking for someone with those credentials that you don’t have,” Lisa said gently. She looked at Devina as if Devina were a delicate flower as she spoke, as if this news would crush her. And slowly, it was. She looked at Devina with sad eyes, and Devina blinked away tears. “Also, you've been behind on paying me, my dear.” Lisa put the papers away in her files.

“I’m sorry, money has been really tight lately,” Devina explained. She rubbed her nose as she tried not to get emotional. “I’ll get it to you soon.”

Lisa gathered her papers and her purse and stood up.”Well, until I am paid, I can’t help you anymore.”

Devina just gave a nod. She knew this was coming, and she hoped it wouldn’t happen.

“I’m sorry to say this, but I think it’s time to rethink your career,” Lisa murmured. She gave Devina a small smile and left without another word.

Devina sat there in the cafe, her agent’s words sunk in, and she took a deep breath. It was at that moment that she knew her dream was hanging by a thread. It would take a miracle for her to hold an audition; she had a great voice and could act, but it wouldn’t be enough without credentials and a background in higher top productions. Broadway was indeed huge and big.

Could she do it?

The police station was filled with people greeting and getting to know Nadia that morning, and her partner, Callum, introduced her to everyone. She barely got settled in her office by the time she was being called into her chief’s office.

“Good morning, chief,” Nadia greeted her boss as she entered her office with Callum. Trish was a dark-skinned, heavier-set woman with short, dark curly hair.

“I wish I could agree that it's a good morning when it is not, Detective Fenske,” Trish said bitterly as she rose from her desk. They could hear the sirens down low in the busy streets of New York.

“What makes it not a good morning?” Nadia asked, confused.

“I need you two on a case, a big one,” Trish announced as she crossed her arms.

“Work for me already, chief?” Nadia grimaced. “I just got here.”

“Well, I’m sorry I didn’t have time to form a welcome party. I've been dealing with threats to the Broadway singers!” Trish said half angrily with some playful sass.

“Threats against the Broadway singers?!” Nadia gasped, confused. She looked at Callum whose been quiet, and he nodded.

“Yes, there have been numerous threats made against the singers for the past few months,” Trish informed.

“But why?” Nadia questioned. “They’re just singers.”

“Thats what I’m wondering,” Callum murmured as he rubbed his chin in thought.

“The why is part of what you two will figure out on this case.” Trish crossed her arms and leaned back against her desk. She looked at Callum and Nadia seriously. “You two are two of my best detectives and will make a good team on this. The safety of these singers rests on your shoulders.

“Of course chief.” Nadia said seriously and nodded.

“Callum here is already in, but I need you on this case too, Fenske.” Trish locked her eyes on Nadia. “Can I count on you?”

Nadia stared at her for a minute as she thought and processed everything.

“Yes, chief, you can count on me.”

She and Callum were dismissed after that, and as they left their boss's office, Nadia knew it was time to get to work now.

“Let’s find out who is threatening the Broadway singers,” she thought to herself.