Chapter 5 ; The USB War
858 Words
The sun was setting over the city as Alora Vance and Frederick Vale walked away from the factory.
For once, neither of them was arguing.
Which was unusual.
Almost suspicious.
Alora held the information about Victor Kane tightly in her hand, her mind racing through everything they had discovered.
Damian Cross's murder.
The hidden organization.
The mysterious person controlling everything.
The case was becoming more dangerous by the minute.
Then Frederick stopped walking.
Alora took a few more steps before noticing.
She turned around.
"What?"
Frederick looked serious.
Too serious.
That immediately made her suspicious.
"What are you planning?"
"Nothing."
"You have that face."
"What face?"
"The face you make before doing something annoying."
Frederick placed a hand on his chest.
"That hurts."
"I don't care."
He sighed dramatically.
"Anyway, I believe our little agreement has reached its conclusion."
Alora frowned.
"What agreement?"
He looked at her.
"The one where I help you solve Damian Cross's murder in exchange for you not sending me to prison."
She immediately understood.
"No."
Frederick blinked.
"I haven't even asked yet."
"I know exactly what you're asking."
"I doubt that."
"You want the USB."
Silence.
Then Frederick smiled.
"See? This is why I like talking to smart people."
"You don't like talking to me."
"Correct."
Alora crossed her arms.
"And no."
Frederick stared.
"No?"
"No."
"You didn't even think about it."
"I don't need to."
He looked offended.
"That USB contains evidence against me."
"Yes."
"Evidence that could ruin my life."
"Yes."
"Evidence you promised to return."
Alora looked at him.
"When did I promise that?"
Frederick paused.
"Well..."
He looked away.
"Not exactly promised."
"Exactly."
He pointed at her.
"You are exploiting a technicality."
"I'm a detective."
"You're supposed to protect justice."
"I am."
"By keeping my property?"
"By keeping evidence."
Frederick sighed.
"That is the most annoying answer you could have given."
"Thank you."
"Again, not a compliment."
Frederick followed her as she walked toward her car.
"Alora."
"No."
"You don't even know what I was going to say."
"You were going to ask again."
"I was."
"No."
He walked beside her.
"Alora."
"No."
"Alora."
"No."
"Officer Vance."
"No."
"Beautiful detective lady."
She stopped.
Slowly turned.
"Never call me that again."
Frederick smiled.
"Interesting. That one worked."
"It did not work."
"You stopped walking."
"Because I wanted to threaten you."
"Still progress."
She looked exhausted.
"Why do I feel like working with you has reduced my intelligence?"
"Because you're finally realizing how much smarter I am."
She stared at him.
"Did you practice being this irritating?"
"Naturally."
They reached Alora's car.
Frederick leaned against the door.
"Let's be reasonable."
"Okay."
He looked surprised.
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Great."
"You don't get the USB."
His smile disappeared.
"That is not reasonable."
"It is completely reasonable."
"No, it is a robbery."
"Coming from a pickpocket?"
"Exactly. I recognize robbery when I see it."
Alora opened the car door.
"The USB stays with me until this case is finished."
Frederick looked at her.
"You're serious."
"Completely."
"What if I need it?"
"You don't."
"What if I want it?"
"No."
"What if I politely request it?"
"No."
"What if I beg?"
"No."
He placed a hand over his heart.
"You didn't even hesitate."
"Because I know you."
"That is offensive."
"Good."
Frederick thought for a moment.
Then his eyes narrowed.
"Wait."
Alora looked suspicious.
"What?"
"You said you copied the USB three times."
"Yes."
"Where are the copies?"
"Safe."
"Define safe."
"Somewhere you can't steal them."
Frederick looked genuinely offended.
"Do you really think that little of me?"
"Yes."
"Wow."
"You stole the original while I was watching you."
"That was impressive."
"That was embarrassing."
"To you."
"Especially to me."
Frederick smiled.
"Fine."
He stepped away.
"I'll admit defeat."
Alora raised an eyebrow.
"Already?"
"Yes."
"That was easier than expected."
"Don't get comfortable."
She immediately became cautious.
"What does that mean?"
"It means..."
Frederick smiled.
"I'll find another way."
Alora pointed at him.
"Do not."
"I didn't say what I would do."
"Because I know you."
"That sounds almost like trust."
"It sounds like experience."
Frederick laughed.
For some reason, arguing with her was becoming strangely entertaining.
Alora got into her car.
Before closing the door, she looked at him.
"You know, for someone who claims to be done helping me, you seem very interested in staying involved."
Frederick froze for half a second.
Then he smiled.
"Don't misunderstand."
"I didn't say anything."
"I just don't want you ruining the investigation without me."
Alora rolled her eyes.
"Goodbye, Frederick."
"Goodbye, Detective."
She started the car.
Then stopped.
"Wait."
Frederick looked at her.
"What?"
She pointed at him.
"If you try stealing the USB again, I will personally handcuff you."
Frederick grinned.
"You say that like I haven't been handcuffed before."
"That was not supposed to make you proud."
"It kind of did."
Alora drove away.
Leaving Frederick standing there.
The thief watched the detective disappear down the street.
He smiled.
She was stubborn.
Annoying.
Impossible.
But somehow...
The case felt less boring with her around.
Meanwhile, inside Alora's car, she looked at the USB in her bag.
She sighed.
"Why is working with him so frustrating?"
- Writer
