THE ADVENT

Crime Scene

Two hours later, Hardy was standing at the foot of the barn, in the middle of nowhere. It was a huge farmhouse, 15 acres, and the barn was behind a small cowshed, with no cows in sight.

The body of a woman was just outside the barn, already slowly decomposing. Yellow crime scene tape fluttered idly in the slight breeze. People in gloves and plastic bags over their boots milled around, collecting evidence, taking photographs, the usual.

Hardy glanced around, then looked back at the dead woman. A look of shock was frozen on her face, like she had been scared to death. A long white sheet covered the rest of her. She looked like she was in her thirties, slim, medium height. Expensive clothes, all jewelry intact. Not a robbery. Personal grudge? Maybe.

He looked around again, and this time he smiled. A tall, black man built like a linebacker was ambling toward him, arms already raised in a bear hug. Hardy stood waiting, ready for a crushing embrace,when the other man suddenly seemed to hesitate, then lowered his arms and slowly walked over with a grin.

"Morning boss", he said.

"John, I didn't choose this team. I don't know who did."

"I know, but I'm happy to be on the team. So is everyone else."

"Okay. Where is the rest of the team?"

"On it's way. Natty is at HQ, looking up some stuff on her computer. Anna will be here soon."

Hardy looked back at the dead woman.

"Talk to me, John."

John Cooper followed his gaze. "Dana Willis. Thirty four. Worked at the Department of Agriculture as a secretary. No family, no kids."

"I would ask about criminal record, but she had a job at the State Department, so I would say none."

"Yep. Not even a parking ticket. Clean as a whistle."

Maybe too clean, thought Hardy.

He looked at the barn, and the surrounding farm land. There was a small cottage in the distance. It didn't look like the kind of place this woman might live.

"What was she doing way out here?" he asked.

Cooper scratched his nose and said,

"Property records showed it belonged to the now deceased Dana Willis, who had inherited the property from her grandfather upon his death."

"Did she live here? How did she get to work in the city every day?"

"Natty looked into that. Looks like she owned a condo in Soho. I think she just kept this place for sentimental value."

Hardy nodded. A woman like Dana Willis would not live in this place. It was falling to pieces.

They both turned around at the sound of a car pulling in. A woman stepped out. She was breathtakingly beautiful, and every single person at the crime scene stopped to look. Dark brown skin, long black hair that swung as she walked, and sharp yet delicate features. Her brown eyes were relaxed, yet alert. She was wearing a light blue ankle length pantsuit, small gold earrings, and no other jewelry. Apparently unaware of the attention she was getting, she walked straight over to where Cooper and Hardy were standing. She offered Cooper a friendly smile, then turned to Hardy, with her hand outstretched.

"Hello Special Agent Hardy. I'm Anna Salim. I'm very glad to be on your team."

Hardy shook her hand and eyed her intently. His lifetime of experience with law enforcement gave him an advantage over others. He could see through all kinds of bullshit.

At first glance, Salim gave the impression of being humble, unaware of her beauty, sincere and friendly. Non threatening. But Hardy had read her file on the way here, sent to him by the Director himself, and he knew everything there was to know about Anna Salim. She was one of the most lethal agents in counter terrorism, on her way to head her own team, until something got in the way. Something embarrassing. And career wrecking. So now she was on his team instead.

"Are you?" he said.

She glanced up at him. "Sir?"

"Are you glad to be on my team, Special Agent Salim?"

She was silent for a moment. Then she smiled. "You're right. I'm here because the alternative was leaving the FBI. But I'm grateful for the opportunity and I won't give you reason to complain."

Hardy simply nodded. Then he nodded at the dead woman. "Thoughts, Special Agent Salim?"

"Call me Anna, Sir."

"Okay. Call me Tom".

Anna walked over to the body. Took in the sights around her, and listened while Cooper repeated the information he had given Hardy.

Then she said, "She seems out of place here. Clothes are too expensive for a State Department employee to be able to afford, and I saw a Mercedes parked outside which also seems out of her budget. And no way she can afford an apartment in Soho, not unless she has an inheritance we don't know about. And I spoke to Natty on my way in, and the only thing she inherited seems to be this farmhouse."

Hardy smiled. He had already deduced as much, but wanted to see if others caught on as fast. Anna straightened and looked at him. "Now, if you're done testing me, let's get to it, shall we? Why are we here?"

Cooper smirked, " Uh, because this is a crime scene and we are the FBI."

"Very funny, John. But you know what I mean. Why the special task force? Certainly someone else can take care of this."

John Cooper sauntered over to the body. Hardy frowned. He hated John's love for drama. And it looked like John was waiting to reveal a critical piece of information like pulling a rabbit out of a hat. "Out with it, John" he said sternly.

"Sorry boss". He lifted the white sheet, revealing the feet.

Tom Hardy stared for a long moment. Then he simply turned and walked to his car, started it and drove away.