Page 32 of Lau Ahi
“Now, back to my original question. What in the hell are you here for?”
My arms went across my chest because I didn’t want to believe this man had sought me out after a quick hookup. It had been weeks and it wasn’t necessary for us to stalk one another. It also made me wonder if I needed a better way to hide my identity if he was able to locate me this easily. He had resources that were better than the average person but still, all databases could behacked with the right motivation and money was always at the top of that list.
“They’re here to find help with a case.” I guess she wasn’t too scared to shut up after all.
“Working a case with the FBI? Hmm, that’s interesting.”
“Interesting? Most people would see this as high praise in your field.” He seemed slightly insulted that I wasn’t clicking my heels together for the job to be in his presence as he delivered the news.
“Most people would be shocked that you were a puppet for a system you so obviously detest. You seem very anti-establishment. Funny how you’re happily here playing the role, though. I guess all assumptions really do make you an ass.” I shrugged and gave him a pitying look that had him narrowing his eyes at me.
“So do you, as a matter of fact. Now who’s being prejudiced?”
I smiled broadly hoping that I was pissing him off even more. “Looks can be deceiving.”
He looked me up and down again. “I calls it like I sees it.”
“Can’t blame a girl for her own observations. And, you haven’t really denied it.” I was happy to point out that he hadn’t refuted any of my statements. I could happily agree that I thought the entire system on which this world was built needed to crumble to dust and rebuild itself even though I doubted it would ever happen. People like my father were doing their best to level playing fields but it was still working within a diseased framework so the fruit it bore was still slightly tainted in the best scenarios and unusable in the worst.
“I’m sorry, do you two need a minute?” A voice tinged with humor broke into our banter and we both slowly turned toward the sound.
“I’m sorry for your coming in on this. They don’t seem to get along well do they?” Margo again seemed to want to take controlof the room and I had to wonder why she kept inserting herself into a conversation that so clearly didn’t need her input. If they were here for her I wish that she would take them into her office and leave me be. Hell, I’d forgotten that she was there yet again.
Agent Ortega-Castillo gave her a charming smile that had her fluttering her eyes at him. “My partner has that effect on people. My apologies for his lack of manners while I had to take that call.”
“Hmmm, Manners would dictate that I say it was a pleasure to meet you but since you’re here with him I’ll reserve that judgment.” My comment only made Agent Ortega-Castillo smile harder, like someone talking shit about his partner gave him pleasure. Maybe he hated him too.
See, you might have a friend after all.
“Asha! You are so different today. Why are you being rude to these two men?” I wasn’t sure if she thought that they were going to lock me up because of my immigrant status or if she assumed I was going to kiss the ring because of their occupation. Neither was true even if I didn’t already know whoOriwas.
You didn’t even know the man’s name until six minutes ago, bitch.
“It happens when people question your intelligence and irk you. Especially this early in the day. Haven’t been caffeinated. Pray excuse me, I’m sure that you all have much to talk about. Agent Nakoa…Agent Ortega-Castillo was it? Charmed. Since I’m not the head of the department I’ll be excusing myself.”
“Well, that can’t happen.” The arrogance in the hint of a smile on his face made me want to rip his lips off. Which was a shame because I knew firsthand how talented they were.
“What?”
“You’ve been especially requested.” Margo volunteered the information with too much annoyance for my liking.
“Since when?”
“Since now. I wouldn’t think you would want to back down from a challenge. Especially not one that is so directly in line with your… unique set of skills. Something to flex your big brain seems like something you’d jump on, not run away from. It’s about a murder.”
I wanted to sneer at the way he so happily watched me with the joy that refused to display on his lips dancing in his eyes. No matter which way I played this he was going to win. Whether it was running away from this challenge to avoid dealing with him or if I gave in, it would force me into his orbit as we worked through this case.
“Game on.”
Margo interrupted our standoff yet again drawing attention to herself. “You really seem disinterested.”
I cut my eyes at her happy to have a distraction from his presence. “There’s noseem, I truly am disinterested in all of this.”
“That’s too bad. The dean of your school has already said that you would be willing to help us out.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. Am I chattel now? I can just be leased out without prior knowledge?”
Everyone in the room flinched at the implication because it looked bad. I was a fully autonomous human but apparently my boss issued that I would be willing to keep my current teaching load and take on additional work for the FBI.
