This was going to be fun.
A woman stood beneath the shadow of a narrow archway, watching the police department from across the street. The building looked solid and unyielding as if stone and authority alone could keep chaos at bay.
She smiled faintly.
"How long will you hold, " she wondered,
"before the cracks show."
The police would protect their own and the press would chase blood. Neither would notice what slipped between them.
I'll clean this case before they do.
she turned away before the streetlights fully revealed her face.
At the same time,
inside the department, tension lingered like stale air.
"Mr. Clarke I think we should stop this"
Edwin Clarke's voice carried through the hall, sharp and irritated.
"you're withholding information."
Margaret Hale stood opposite him, arms crossed.
"we're following protocol."
"protocol doesn't sell papers,"
Clarke snapped.
Julian appeared at the upper railing, leaning casually over it.
"maybe that's because not everything should."
Clarke looked up, scowling. "this doesn't concern you."
Julian grinned.
"Everything concerns me when you start flapping around like a dying crow."
Sebastian stood silent, observing.
Julian continued,
"Writing another scandal piece at your age is dangerous, you know. heart attacks happen."
"God would take you before you could finish your masterpiece"
Clarke's face darkened.
"mind your mouth."
Julian shrugged.
"just concerned. I said that because I care about you Mr. Clarke, so here's an idea."
he glanced around the hall.
That was when he saw her.
Wendy Fairchild stood near the doorway, half hidden behind a stack of files, clearly unsure whether she should be there at all. bob haircut and stiff posture, her eyes alert but cautious.
Julian paused.
"…you,"
he said, pointing.
Wendy startled. "me?"
Julian tilted his head.
"You're new."
she hesitated, then nodded.
"yes, sir."
Julian looked back at Clarke. "send her."
Clarke scoffed. "what."
"Send her to cover the case," Julian said lightly.
"she hasn't learned how to lie yet."
Sebastian raised his gaze, studying Wendy for the first time.
"…that's not unreasonable,"he said calmly.
Julian glanced back at him, surprised. "Wow. I didn't expect a backup."
Sebastian continued, "she hasn't been involved in the earlier articles. that makes her neutral."
Clarke laughed sharply. "you expect me to trust a rookie."
Sebastian met his eyes. "i expect you to trust that sensationalism will make this worse."
Clarke clenched his jaw. "Fine."
He turned toward Wendy.
"Congratulations. Don't embarrass us."
Wendy swallowed.
Margaret stepped closer to Julian, lowering her voice.
"you're sure."
Julian nodded once. "yeah."
"why," margaret pressed.
Julian looked away. "because I've seen what happens when people like her don't get a chance."
Sebastian glanced at him. "make it simple Julian,an apology."
Julian scoffed. "Don't psychoanalyze me."
Sebastian turned to Wendy. "this won't protect you."
Wendy nodded. "I understand."
"You'll be watched," Julian added.
"by everyone."
Wendy lifted her chin. "Then I'll be careful."
Sebastian studied her for a moment longer.
"…interesting," he murmured.
Now , Wendy's journey as a journalist has began .