A stake-out for a deal

“Detective Schmelzer here has been investigating the Montell-clan for several months now,” Calloway continued, undeterred, “He and Detective Campbell have worked the case diligently and have shown some successes.” The way the Captain said those words made it clear that he thought that the two men weren’t doing work that he himself would consider ‘good’, but Nancy had a strong suspicion that Calloway was getting directions from above to treat his most useless pair of Detectives with velvet gloves. “However, they are now at a point where they would like to enlist some help…”

Nancy nodded. So far, this was hardly surprising.

“We have gotten word from one of our men on the inside that there’s going to be a transaction happening,” Schmelzer took over from his superior, earning him a gloomy stare which he completely ignored, instead undressing Nancy with his eyes as he talked. “My man tells me that George Mayes, known as “Jizzy”, plans to buy a pound of coke from one of the Machida-clan’s lieutenants in an hour…”

“A pound of coke…” Nancy repeated, feigning an impressed expression, “After just a few short months of work. You are really cleaning up the streets, Schmelzer!”

Schmelzer smiled, undeterred by her sarcasm. “Point is not to get the powder, point is to get good, old Jizzy on tape during the transaction.” He lifted a Canon photo camera that hung from a strap around his neck. “Get shit on him, turn him using that, get shit on the higher-ups and just like that, the house of cards falls!”

Nancy gave him a look, refraining from commenting. She had to concede that the plan was solid. It also really wasn’t that unusual. “Alright,” she asked, “what does that have to do with me? Why would you need me to take those pictures?”

“Trouble is in the location…” Calloway started before Schmelzer took over, earning him an annoyed glare from the Captain which he completely ignored.

“The deal is supposed to go down at the parking lot behind Birdsnest Park in the Hills. It’s a rather well known spots where the…” Schmelzer’s grin widened. “… streetwalkers and pavement princesses of our glorious community take their customers for some real nice action.”

“You know that from personal experience?” McKenna asked, making no effort to hide her disdain for her colleague.

“Sure I do!” Schmelzer let the intended insult bounce off, “Good times! Point is there is going to be cars there and those cars will have two people inside if you know what I mean. So one guy alone in a car with a camera might stick out a little.”

“Fair enough!” Nancy countered, “Then why don’t you take Campbell along and the two of you can take your relationship to the next level?”

Schmelzer laughed, which only annoyed Nancy more. “Nice one!” he commended, irritatingly unirritated, “No, I was thinking I should take someone who could play the part of a whore!”

“Put some lipstick and some fishnets on and do it yourself!” Nancy hissed, her blood boiling by his insinuation. Sitting in this office with him for five minutes would ruin her day already. Being alone with him in a car sounded unbearable.

“McKenna!” Calloway interjected, the tone of his voice firm while also betraying sympathy for her situation, “Schmelzer has asked for your assistance for this mission, and given what there is to gain I think it would be best if you went along with him.”

“Can’t he just take a real prostitute? There’s nothing to do there but sit anyway!” Nancy argued desperately, “It’s just a huge waste of time!”

“You want me to take a civilian along on this?!” Schmelzer let out a shrill laugh that made her want to tear his arm out of its joint, “That would not go along with official guidelines…”

“No way, Nancy!” Calloway said calmly and it wasn’t lost on her that he used her first name, almost as if asking her a favor. “I want you on that, there’s really no alternative given the short time frame. In an hour I want you at Birdsnest Park! For your cover, I need you to hit the evidence locker, there’s gonna be some clothes there to assemble an outfit that should let you blend in…”

Nancy sighed, giving Calloway an incredulous look. His expression was full of regret, knowing what he was asking of her. Next to her Schmelzer stood up, eagerly. “C’mon, McKenna! Time to dress you up like a hooker!”

Defeated, Nancy shook her head, giving her superior a final glare before she reluctantly stood and followed Schmelzer out of the office, cursing her luck.