Chapter 6 : The Worst Disguise In History
779 Words
Alora Vance had imagined many ways her investigation would progress.
She imagined interrogating suspects.
She imagined finding hidden evidence.
She imagined chasing criminals through dangerous streets.
She never imagined wearing a pizza delivery uniform.
"This is ridiculous."
Alora stared at herself in the mirror.
The bright red cap.
The oversized delivery jacket.
The fake company logo.
Everything about the disguise offended her.
Frederick, standing beside her, looked completely relaxed.
Actually, he looked like he was enjoying this.
"You know," he said, adjusting his own cap, "I think this suits you."
Alora looked at him.
"You are lying."
"Of course."
She narrowed her eyes.
"Then why say it?"
"Because your angry face is entertaining."
She sighed.
"Remind me why I agreed to this?"
Frederick picked up the pizza boxes.
"Because your official police badge would get us noticed immediately."
"And your plan was to become pizza delivery workers?"
"Exactly."
"That is your brilliant plan?"
"Yes."
Alora stared at him.
"I expected something smarter."
Frederick smiled.
"You did. That's your first mistake."
The target was a private factory owned by one of Adrian Locke's business associates.
According to Frederick's investigation, illegal financial records had been hidden inside the factory.
They needed proof.
And they needed it before anyone realized they were investigating.
The factory was heavily guarded.
Which meant walking through the front door as police officers was impossible.
Walking through the front door as pizza delivery workers?
Somehow...
Frederick believed it would work.
Alora still wasn't convinced.
"This is the stupidest thing I've ever done."
Frederick looked at her.
"Really? More stupid than chasing the wrong suspect for three hours?"
She immediately turned.
"You promised never to mention that."
"I promised nothing."
"You are unbelievable."
"Thank you."
"Again, not a compliment."
They arrived at the factory entrance carrying pizza boxes.
Two security guards stood at the gate.
One looked suspicious.
"Pizza delivery?"
Frederick immediately smiled.
"Yes."
The guard looked at the order.
"We didn't order pizza."
Frederick didn't hesitate.
"Exactly."
The guard frowned.
"What?"
Frederick leaned closer.
"That's why we're here."
The guard looked confused.
Alora whispered.
"That makes no sense."
Frederick whispered back.
"Confusion is a powerful weapon."
The guard looked between them.
"Explain."
Frederick opened the pizza box.
Inside were several empty boxes.
"No pizza?"
The guard stared.
Frederick sighed.
"Congratulations. You discovered the mystery."
The guard became suspicious.
"Who are you two?"
Alora prepared herself.
The plan was falling apart.
Then Frederick moved.
Fast.
In seconds, he distracted the guards, knocked their communication devices away, and used their own confusion against them.
Alora helped restrain them.
A few moments later, the two guards were unconscious and safely hidden away.
Alora stared at Frederick.
"You planned that."
"Obviously."
"You didn't tell me."
"You would have objected."
"Because it was dangerous."
"Exactly."
She looked annoyed.
"You can't just make decisions without me."
Frederick smiled.
"You mean like when you blackmailed me into helping you?"
Alora opened her mouth.
Then closed it.
Because unfortunately...
He had a point.
They changed into the guards' uniforms and entered the factory.
The disguise worked.
Nobody questioned them.
They moved through the building, following Frederick's directions.
"This way."
Alora looked around.
"How do you know where you're going?"
"I studied the building."
"When?"
"While you were sleeping."
She stopped.
"You investigated without telling me?"
"I investigate better alone."
Alora glared.
"You are impossible to work with."
"And yet here you are."
She hated that he was right.
Again.
They finally reached the restricted section of the factory.
According to Frederick, Adrian Locke's hidden records were stored near the executive office.
They were close.
Very close.
Just a few more steps.
Then everything went wrong.
A voice came from behind them.
"Interesting."
Both of them froze.
Slowly, they turned.
A man stood there.
A security manager.
And he was smiling.
"You two are not guards."
Alora's hand moved slightly toward her weapon.
Frederick stopped her.
Not yet.
The man walked closer.
"Your uniforms are correct."
He pointed at Frederick.
"But your shoes aren't."
Frederick looked down.
The man smiled.
"Real guards here wear different boots."
Silence.
Alora glanced at Frederick.
For once...
He had no joke.
The man continued.
"And the real guards never walk around together."
More footsteps echoed.
Other security members appeared.
They were surrounded.
Alora whispered.
"Your plan failed."
Frederick whispered back.
"Technically, your plan failed."
"My plan?"
"You agreed to it."
She stared at him.
"Now is not the time."
Frederick smiled slightly.
"Actually, this is usually the perfect time for arguing."
The guards raised their weapons.
The mission was exposed.
They were seconds away from discovering the truth behind Adrian Locke.
And now they had a much bigger problem.
Escaping.
- Writer
