Crypto Murders: Focused on the Task

“Now, I’d like to propose a toast…to all of you lovely ladies. And to you Bao, who has been so faithful and steadfast in your approach to all of this.” Bao slowly raised her cup. She brought it to her lips and then spit it out. It was the blood of the dead girls sitting around the table. She let out a shriek that prompted him to rush over to cover her mouth.

“We’re polite and genteel ladies. Enjoy your dinner!”

The trio looked at the electronic board. Kim tapped it and an animation of a shadowy figure approaching Bao’s car appeared. She then expanded the image to show her the entire picture.

“There!” Darby exclaimed. “That’s our guy.”

He was wearing a mask but it matched the profile and facial structure of the man seen snooping around a conference of crypto workers.

“If we can nab this bastard, we’ll see a reversal of these missing women,” St Kitts mentioned. “He looked over to Kim and so did Darby.

“If you could just access the conference….”

“Undercover. That’s for you guys. Not you guys but it would be improper. And I’m too old and black for this kind of job. Don’t you still have Hanna Lee in accounting? She’s still trained as an FBI Agent. She would do far more good than I ever could.”

“Yes, but….”

“Yes but nothing, Chris. I’m doing this because I want to see this guy caught just as much as you both do. If you can devise a plan to allow Hanna to go in and be a plant and then see how she interacts with the suspect, then we might have a break in this case. I’m only saying this because technically I shouldn’t be here. I need to get back to my students.”

“You’re just selfish,” Darby lobbed a bomb.

“You’re goddamn right I am,” the bomb was a dud.

“If we just stay focused on the task, we’ll be okay. We’ll get the perp, pick up the vic and ride off into the sunset. The three of us.”

“No, I don’t want any recognition regarding these cases whatever.”

St Kitts looked at Darby. They seemed to just slump down where they were standing.

“Okay, Okay. We don’t need your help. And we did the heavy lifting with the QR codes.”

“Oh, is that what this is about?”

“Not really, just pointing out the facts.”

“Okay you can have my car and book deal and the option for the movie. You want my house? You can live in that, as well. Let’s be clear. none of this is going to weigh heavier than on your shoulders. Instead of bickering until the midnight sun, we should be finding a strategy to bring this bastard to justice.”

The two special agents fell silent. Kim didn’t say anything for a long time either. All three folded their arms. Then, Kim spoke.

“Get Helena into some crypto gear and mode and have her visit this conference. Let her know that we’re closing in on this perp hard and fast. We’re prepared to back her up, or at least you two anyway. Does she remember how to hit her targets just in case things get iffy?”

“We can certainly find out,” St. Kitts said. He grabbed his jacket and left the room. Kim and Darby stared at each for a moment and then left the room as well.

****

“Now it’s time for bed. We’re going to wear our nightgowns and completely remain focused on our friends here. We’re going to dress them for bed, also.”

Bao wept.