Little quick thingie -- I came up with the idea at work -- something
about working at the World's Scariest Dairy Store for about 24 hours
straight gives me some strange ideas.  Anyhow, hope yous all likes.

Disclaimers: I don't own 'em.  I probably never will.

Permission to DPs and Mel Moser to archive, anyone else just email me
first so I know where to visit.


"Reinforcement" (01/01)

By Caroline LaRoche (May 12, 1999)


Chatter filled the dimly-lit room as the dark-clad figures checked their
steel watches and grumbled.  The Boss was late.  Figures stretched,
shifted, placed cel-phone calls.  Clocks ticked.  A door slammed.

An immaculately dark-dressed man swept in.  The assemblage snapped to
attention.  "Gentlemen."  He settled at the head of the table.

"Where have you been?  You said two."

"Patience, my friend, patience."  He swept a smile containing all the
warmth of Dante's Hell around the room.

"So why are we here?"  another asked.

"I think you all are fully aware of what we are here to discuss
tonight.  Tracy Vetter."  A din rose and quickly fell under the glare of
the dark figure.  "I am fully aware of your complaints against Ms.
Vetter.  Your reasons, gentlemen?"

One of the assembled stood.  "Sir.  She presents an inherent danger to
the Community.  She knows too much about us, too many of us, to be
allowed to live."

"Indeed.  But she has know of our kind for months and has not presented
a threat to this date."

"True."  Another Enforcer stood.  "However, intelligence tells us that
she's been getting close to the Spaniard.  If they should, shall I say,
have an 'out,' she could slip to spite him."

"Besides, what about your son?"

Lacroix smiled icily.  "My son," he snarled, "is of no concern to this
conversation."

"But he _is_ one of us."

"_She_ doesn't know that."

"And if she finds out?"

"I believe Ms. Vetter has already proven herself trustworthy in such
situations.  Besides, I have not yet heard any complaints against the
medical examiner, who knows as much if not more about the Community than
Ms. Vetter."

"She's a pathologist.  Vetter's a cop."

"Does that really make a difference?"

"To some of us, yes.  Sir, I move to eliminate Tracy Vetter."

Lacroix rose to his impressive six feet, effectively cowing the
rebellious Enforcer.  "As long this organization is under my control, NO
ONE TOUCHES TRACY VETTER.  Do I make myself clear?"

A general murmur of agreement ran around the table.   "Good.  As we are
understood, I believe this meeting is dismissed.  Good evening,
gentlemen."

The Enforcers filed out, grumbling softly, eager to be out from under
Lacroix's iron fist.  He smiled in satisfaction.  He still didn't trust
them not to take action against the detective.  Well, he would just have
to keep a closer watch on her, then.

Well, it was a good excuse, anyhow.

*****************************************

Finita


'K there is a sequel in the works to this.  VERY CERK Perk.  Keep
watching.

comments to cslar@ibm.net