Field Director Paige Collins of the FBI, power walked across the marble tiles of San Francisco's City Hall. Her black heels struck firmly with each step she took and her toes gripped the inside her shoes tightly, as if to reflect her determination. At five foot four she was a petite woman, but her small frame was not to be underestimated. She could debate with the fiercest of opponents and also had engaged in her share of fights growing up.
Fortunately for Paige those days were now long behind her. Now she did her fighting with a razor wit backed by the power of the FBI. Paige was a beautiful woman whose long chestnut hair was always parted to the side usually draping over one shoulder of her tiny figure. She was naturally attractive and equally as sexy. Her eyebrows were fiercely dark and she knew this had always been to her advantage. Not only did it distract most men, but also most women recognized it as a strength that was not to be questioned. Paige Collins was indeed a force to be reckoned with. She did not lose and she expected her agents to share in her veracious will to solve all cases handed down to her department. She also wouldn't tolerate any agency or law enforcement institution to usurp her authority or to undermine any of her agents.
Paige pushed open the double doors of Mayor Hamilton Bransford's office and confidently walked to the edge of his desk. Sitting directly across from her was San Francisco's most powerful and influential man. Facing him down in his own office could be a career killer for Paige. Bransford's expression to her was a mix of surprise and arrogance. He gave her an incredulous stare and she returned his look with a dose of her own arrogant spite. Paige Collins was not afraid of Hamilton Bransford.
She glanced to her right and there, standing silently, was Captain Debra Shelton. From the look on her face, she already carried the marks of a political slapping. To Paige's left were both Inspector Thomas James and her best agent Ashton Summers seated on black leather sofa. Neither one of them spoke. Bransford's face was red. It was obvious he had been screaming for answers and had everyone in the room shaken.
"Summers, I want you and Inspector James to wait for me downstairs," said Paige as she kept her eyes locked on Mayor Bransford. Summers and James began to stand when Bransford barked the order for them to sit back down.
"They're not going anywhere until they explain to me, why they thought it necessary to turn the streets of my city into a war zone!"
Paige took in a calming breath before she spoke. "Mayor Bransford, my agent and an Inspector James, were not just victims of random violence. They were the targets of two of the most dangerous criminals on the FBI's most wanted list."
"And they came to my town to track down your agent!" he barked.
"They weren't after Agent Summers, they were after me," said James.
"No one told you to speak," growled Bransford.
"Excuse me, I will hear anything my agent or Inspector James has to say. And I'll thank you to show them a little more respect, if you don't mind," Paige said firmly as she continued to stare Bransford down.
"What are you talking about, Tommy?" inquired Shelton.
"I was the focus of the attack, it was just Agent Summers bad luck to be in the car with me at the time."
"Oh bad luck? That's how you're defining what happened on our streets today? So it's just bad luck when machine guns and a vehicle just short of being a tank are used to terrorize the people of San Francisco?"
"Mr. Mayor, let's put this into perspective. Both Agents Summers and Inspector James are safe, the Baranova Sisters were taken into custody alive and while what happened was an extremely dangerous event. None of our citizens have been hurt or killed," said Shelton.
Bransford stood up with so much force he sent his chair slamming against the wall. His brown eyes glared over his black-rimmed glasses. "Don't get me started on citizens being hurt or killed Shelton! Have you forgotten the hotel full of dead citizens found just yesterday? And now I'm learning San Francisco has been home to Nazi Hermann Kritzler for the last 20 years! Perspective? Give me a fucking break," he spit as he began to pace behind his desk, stopping only long enough to point a long, thin finger at Captain Shelton.
"You're going to burn for this Shelton, you, James and your whole fucking department. As for you Collins, you ever storm into my office again and speak to me in that tone, I'll have your skinny ass back in Hoover town stacking toilet paper in a closet, do I make myself clear!" he shouted, causing his gray hair to spill down over his glaring eyes.
Paige looked Bransford directly in the eye and spoke in a calm even tone. "I understand your frustration and recognize the pressure someone like you is under in a city such as this. However, having said that, your arrogant behavior tells me that without the title of this office and a team of professional ass kissers at your side, you're no more than the governor's bitch. Who, I might add, is just as spineless as you are. I do not have time nor patience for a bunch of elitist pricks who spend most of their time mutually jerking each other off. Now what your problem is, I can't say. Maybe you weren't hugged enough as a kid or you didn't measure up to your father. Either way, I'm here to tell you that Captain Shelton has the full support of the FBI. Agent Summers is in charge of this investigation with Inspector James as liaison of this city. As for me and my skinny ass, well, in just about an hour It will be sitting behind your fancy desk and this city will be under the jurisdiction of my directors who, as you know, reside back in Hoover town. They will be—without a doubt—very glad to inform your state leaders that they have every confidence in my abilities. Do I make myself clear?"
Bransford was silent. As much as she infuriated him he knew she could back up everything she just said.
"Now, if you will excuse us Mr. Mayor, I'd like to speak privately with Captain Shelton, my agent and the inspector," she said as she crossed the room to the double doors. Paige held one door open to inform Bransford he was excused. Slowly the mayor pushed his chair back to his desk and stormed past Captain Shelton. As he made his way out the door and into the hall.
Captain Shelton was trying to hide her smile as she watched Paige take her place at Bransford's desk.
"Captain, don't ever hide a smile, guilty one or not," said Paige acknowledging the Captain's enjoyment of seeing someone put Bransford in his place. "Inspector James, is there anything you need before you and Agent Summers leave for Hollywood?"
"Yes director, I'd like full federal clearance."
Paige looked at James with an emotionless expression.
"Done. Anything else?"
"I do have one special request, Director Collins."
Paige gave James a slight smile, "I thought I just gave you one."
"It's important," said James.
"Okay I'm listening."
"I'd like CSI Jessalee Rivera on board with me as a consultant."
"You realize she is related to one of the victims," stated Paige.
"I do, however I feel that is to our advantage. The fact is the fire in the hotel destroyed our crime scene, leaving us virtually no evidence."
"And you feel her relationship to the victim may give us a deeper insight," stated Paige.
"Yes, she is also a witness to the what happened to Agent Summers and I at the hospital."
"I'll grant the request with the understanding that you assume full responsibility for her involvement with the case."
"I accept those terms director, thank you."
"Inspector James, you also understand, because she is family to Valerie Rivera, we can never present her as a witness in a court of law."
"Yes, but you're still willing to let her consult in the investigation?"
"It's a means to an end," said Paige flatly.
"Thank you. Now may I ask you is there anything in particular you want from me?" asked James.
"Yes there is. Captain Shelton, I want you to take Summers and James to the federal detention center and give them this note, it gives you the authority to supervise," said Paige as she handed Shelton the piece of paper.
"Supervise what?" inquired Shelton.
"Inspector James's private interrogation of the Baranova Sisters."