Chapter 5

Kaitlyn’s POV

I arrived earlier than usual. It was 7am and I was already here which is highly unusual of me. I was at my desk working on some paperwork when Anna approached me. Great. Do I need to spell it out for her? I’m not interested.

“Hey, you’re early today” She says in a tone way too friendly as she leans against my desk, a smirk growing on her face.

“There’s a meeting so I couldn’t be late” My tone was cold as I continued to finish my paperwork, not even paying attention to her. I feel bad being so cold to her, but I have made it very clear I am not interested.

“What meeting? I thought it was cancelled.” Anna says as she furrows her brows.

What the fuck did she mean it was cancelled? I swear if I came in early for nothing-

“It’s not, you’re just not included” Quinn says as she walks past us and to her office. Thank God. “Prescott, conference room in 5 minutes”

I let out a breath of relief because seriously I hate coming in early. I may be late almost everyday but I get shit done. I turn my attention back to my paperwork, hopeful that if I don’t pay attention to Anna she’ll go away. Of course that wasn’t the case.

“So, special meeting.. Are you excited?” Anna says as she nudges me slightly. I took a deep breath in and a slow breath out. My patience is warring thin. I know she’s just trying to make small talk but seriously, who the fuck gets excited from a meeting? And at 7am in the morning?

“Depends” I say coldly before adding “I’m gonna go set up for the meeting”

She said something, but I didn’t quite catch it. I think it was “Good luck” or “Have fun”? I had no idea, I just continued walking.

The conference room was already partially filled when I walked in and there were only a handful of people. That alone narrowed things down: either a high-profile case or something so sensitive that only a select few could be trusted with it.

“Look who finally showed up. The star of the show,” Ryan called from across the room, feet propped up on the table.

I frowned. “Sorry?”

Before he could elaborate, Quinn entered. The energy in the room shifted, chairs straightened, feet dropped, conversations died. I took my seat as folders were slid in front of each of us.

“You’re probably wondering why there are only four of us here,” Quinn began, standing at the front. “That’s because each of you was specifically selected.”

The projector flickered on as it revealed what this meeting was about, or who. Mia Laurent. Of course. When will I ever escape such torment such as Mia Laurent.

“I’m sure you’re all familiar as each of you were given specific roles for this case,” Quinn continued. “Ryan compiled the intel.” Ryan wasn’t exactly an officer or detective, he had something to do with coding, I never really knew what he did exactly. “Chloe helped structure the operational plan.” She gestured towards Chloe. She was a good officer, we used to be quite close a few years back. She was smart and knew how to play her cards right, so her being one of the people selected was no surprise.

I flipped open the folder, scanning quickly, then looked up. Everyone else seemed to have something assigned to them, why exactly was I chosen? “What exactly is my role here?”

Quinn met my gaze. “The most important one. You’re going undercover.”

The words hit like a brick. Undercover?

“I’m sorry—what?” I sat forward. “Why me?” An office of dozens of officers, and they chose me to do this.

“You have prior contact with Mia. You’re the only one she’s shown any level of interest in engaging with.”

“Exactly,” I shot back right away. “She knows me. That’s a liability, not an advantage. She won’t buy it, she’s too smart.” I hate to admit it but Mia’s way too smart for an operation like this. She’s smart enough not to slip up and to cover her tracks, what more for finding out I’m undercover?

Chloe pinched the bridge of her nose. “Or you could let her finish explaining before closing off the idea completely.”

I leaned back and stayed silent as I clenched my jaw. Chloe was smart but she was also quite blunt. Quinn nodded once, then gestured to Ryan. He stood, switching slides.

“This is Andrea Diaz.” Ryan pointed to the screen.

A photo appeared which revealed who Andrea Diaz was. She had dark hair, brown eyes and she didn’t seem like the type of person who would get involved with Mia’s line of work.

“Mia’s… girlfriend,” Ryan said, though he didn’t sound convinced.

“She’s not her girlfriend,” Chloe corrected bluntly, almost irritated. “She’s just the current one Mia hasn’t gotten bored of yet.”

I glanced back at the file—a list of names, a pattern. No one lasted long. This girl takes nothing seriously. Not even relationships.

“Mia doesn’t do relationships,” Ryan continued. “But Andrea’s been around for over a month. That’s… unusual. And she’s currently in France.” Of course Mia doesn’t do relationships. My thoughts go back to our conversation just yesterday in the interrogation room. You seriously think I would date a man? Have you seen me? No one would dare date Mia Laurent. It’s basically suicide.

I then realised that in our conversation yesterday she said her motive was love. If her so-called motive was love and Andrea’s all the way in France.. Why did Mia assault those two men at the bar? What was her true motive? Was Mia even capable of love?

“Mia is expected to return there within the month,” Quinn added.

Quinn hesitated for a fraction of a second. Chloe didn’t.

“You’re going to France,” Chloe said plainly. “You’re going to get close to Andrea. That’s your entry point.”

Silence stretched between us. I waited for someone to laugh, or say something. But no one did. The fuck am I gonna do in France?

I stared at her. “You’re serious.”

“Completely.”

“This is insane,” I said, standing. “You’re asking me to walk straight into Mia’s personal life and what? Hope she doesn’t kill me?”

Ryan shrugged. “Mia doesn’t eliminate problems immediately. She studies them first. Plays with them.” I was about to disagree but he was right, Mia never lets things go easily. I say that not in a way of pettiness but in a way that she makes sure you get what you deserve if you dare do her any wrong. Yeah I’m definitely fucked.

“That’s supposed to make me feel better?” I say with a scoff.

“No,” he said. “It’s supposed to keep you alive.”

Quinn stepped in before I could respond. “You won’t be going in blind. Your cover will be solid.”

I crossed my arms and raised a brow, waiting for her to continue.

She nodded toward the folder. “Starting now, you’ll be placed under suspension for alleged misconduct, entirely fabricated. Within a matter of days, that suspension will be converted into a formal termination. The documentation is solid and will withstand any scrutiny. We’ll even fake the termination in a few days with you storming out of the office and cussing everyone out.”

I flipped through the updated documents tucked inside. It was all legitimate. Reports, complaints, a full disciplinary trail. It seemed real enough to believe.

“You’ll disappear from official channels,” Quinn continued. “No badge. No access. You’ve just lost your career, the job you love so much. You’ll look desperate.”

The plan seems to be well thought of, my cover story seems completely believable, except for one part.

“And Andrea just happens to meet me?” I asked.

Chloe shook her head. “Not ‘happens.’ You’ll be placed. We’ve already identified her routines such as cafés, galleries, a gym she frequents. You’ll be introduced through closeness, not coincidence.”

Ryan chimed in, “You build rapport first. No rushing. You’re not there to seduce her… you’re there to be believable. If you just show up at Mia’s doorstep she’ll know for sure this was a setup. But show up with the girl she’s currently with and make it seem like a coincidence, she’ll probably buy it.”

“And when Mia shows up?” I asked. Quinn’s gaze hardened. “That’s when it matters.”

“You’ll already be on Mia’s radar by then,” Chloe said. “A disgraced officer, suddenly overseas, associating with someone in her circle? She’ll be curious.”

“And suspicious,” I added. “Good,” Ryan said. “Suspicion keeps her engaged.” He says this shit as if he knows Mia personally. Well, he isn’t wrong but still he’s acting like some expert on her. Just because he did his research doesn’t mean he knows her. He isn’t the one– the only one Mia is willing to talk to.

I ran a hand through my hair, pacing now. “Let’s say she doesn’t buy it. Let’s say she decides I’m a threat.”

“Even if she figures it out, you stay with your cover. Do what she does, deny it as much as you can.” Denying it would probably make it worse, not only would she have figured it out but I’d be lying like an idiot. “And if that goes sidewards as well, don’t worry. You won’t be alone, even if it feels like it.” Quinn continued.

“And if it works?” I asked quietly.

Quinn didn’t hesitate. “Then you get close. You listen. You gather evidence. Evidence such as financial links, communications, anything that ties her to her operations. We build a case that actually sticks.”

The room fell silent. I stopped pacing. This whole thing sounds insane. This is all too much. But I can’t even deny it seems like a pretty solid plan… if this plan was for some normal criminal. Mia is no ordinary criminal, she is smart and always one step ahead which makes this whole plan risky.

“This plan is way too dangerous, ” I muttered.

“Every plan is,” Quinn replied. “This one just happens to be our best shot.”

I let out a slow breath, staring down at the file, at Mia’s name printed in bold.

Ryan leaned back in his chair, smirking and shaking his head. “Told you she wouldn’t take it.”

Chloe said nothing, but the corner of her mouth lifted slightly.

I looked up and saw their expressions. As if they didn’t think I could do it, mocking me. I didn’t think I could do it either, I’ve been behind a desk for years. Still, they annoyed the fuck out of me.

“Get out,” Quinn said to them as I felt her gaze on me.

They left without argument, the door clicking shut behind them. Silence filled the room as I tried to find the right words.

I dragged a hand over my face. “You’re asking me to burn my career, and hope I come out with evidence instead of a body bag.”

“I’m asking you,” Quinn said evenly, “because you’re the only one who might actually pull it off.”

I clench my jaw as I look at her. How am I supposed to be the one who pulls this whole operation off when I haven’t done anything but sit behind a desk for years?

“And if I say no?”

Her expression didn’t change. “Then we find another way. But it won’t be as clean. And it won’t be as effective.”

I stared at the file again. At Mia Laurent. This can either be the best thing I do for my career, or the biggest mistake of my life.

Quinn exhaled as her expression softened just the slightest bit. “Look, you said you wanted Mia behind bars, and if this works it basically guarantees that woman will be in prison.”

Then I exhaled. “…Give me till the end of the day.”

She nodded before gathering her things and leaving the room. I was left alone with her file in front of me. I scan through it some more to see exactly what I’m dealing with.

I see the number of possible crimes we could have her arrested for. Money laundering, drug trafficking, murder, and so much more. I hate her with all my heart, but this plan is far too complicated, it’s way more than I could handle.

I want her behind bars more than anyone else, I’ve been dealing with her for the past how many years. But am I truly the right person for this? After everything that’s happened?