It's probably just a case of the Mondays, am I right?
If there was something Agata hated more than Mondays was mornings, and coincidentally today was Monday morning, so as usual she wakes up with a groan cursing the LA sunny weather that every morning peaks through her window.
It’s been almost two years since she accidentally became important at work and had to leave her life back in Westview after being the one responsible for closing a multiple murder case, she got promoted and offered to lead an investigation group in LA. Until now she doesn’t know why she said yes.
Rubbing her eyes she put her foot out of bed and went directly into her bathroom, turned the shower on and spent at least 1 minute trying to decide to get in. Her mornings were usually slow, up at 6 am, shower, breakfast and some yoga., yes even if she hated LA she had to do something to blend in.
“I don’t know why I keep doing this, bird of paradise my ass” cursed after failing said pose. Minutes later she was trying to do another one and yes she failed, again. Defeated, stood up from her misery and started to gather the yoga equipment then headed downstairs to feed señor scratchy, who in her opinion is the only decent being in this hellhole.
“Here buddy, I’m getting you those treats you like on my way back from work later” the bunny didn’t pay too much attention to her as he was happily chewing that fresh lettuce and carrots he has for breakfast on Mondays.
As she was getting ready to leave her apartment her phone buzzed in her pocket, she saw the id caller and immediately got in a bad mood. Chief Jones was not her favorite person to be calling her at 8 in the morning but even when she knew it’s supposed to happen because he’s ... .literally her boss she always gives herself the pleasure to be annoyed by him.
“Harkness” said has she picked the call
“Good morning to you too detective Harkness”
“Yeah, sorry sir, it’s just the habit” forcing herself to sound a little bit less harsh
The other end of the line let out a little laugh “I know harkness, classy of you”
Well that’s harsh if you ask me.
“Is there anything I can help you with sir? I’m on my way to the office actually”
“Ah! Yes good you are already heading here, I have something very important to review with you”
Shit, did they know she was responsible for breaking the narcs department coffee machine? Nah they could never, that’s why she is such a star of a detective. Anyway it was a thought that stayed lingering on the back of her head, not because she can’t pay for it but because she doesn’t want to.
“okay sir, I’ll be there in 15 or 20” she said ending the call and tossing her phone back on her pocket
Mondays weren’t actually the busiest days at the station, which was weird considering it’s almost Halloween and people get crazy around those days. Why do adults love Halloween more than kids? That was a question she wasn’t sure if she wanted the answer.
The ride to the headquarters was calm, she liked to drive so much even if that meant being stuck in traffic for hours, actually that was her worst nightmare but ever since she got her drivers licence at 16 and had the chance to drive her best friend's car she felt so free. So every time she was in her car the world seemed different from her reality, singing to her favorite songs and letting the wind kiss her face. Once she descended from the car she shifted back to her normal self.
Heading to the big building she couldn't stop thinking of what chief Jones needed to discuss, usually this kind of thing didn’t get her anxious like, there was a lot of more reason to be an anxious walking mess but nor for this.
“Morning detective Harkness”
“Good morning Steve, how’s the knee?” Steve Rogers, the guy at the front desk always greeted agatha with a big smile, even though sometimes this annoyed her she couldn't help but get in a good mood at least until the levator ride to her office, he always said dumb jokes to her that most of the times she laughed because they were well…. dumb, not necessarily funny.
“It's getting better, I think there will be no more soccer for a while, hey at least we won!” he said almost screaming
“Yeah, because the other team was whipping the floor with you guys and it was apparently a good idea for you to throw your whole being to the defense player” she said sarcastically “How do you even come up with that idea?”
“Hey ! a victory is a victory, i still take it” Steve pulled a shiny fake gold medal from under his desk
Agatha rolled her eyes and continued her way to the elevators “have a good day steve”
“You too detective harkness!”
She took the elevator and pressed the number 6 to take her to the homicide department or how she liked to call it her personal hell from 9 to 9.
The place was quiet,like suspicious quiet. There were a few detectives on their desks doing office duty with piles of papers everywhere. As she reached the door handle of her office a voice coming from the other side of the hallway called her name.
“Morning again Harkness, please come in and close the door” Chief Jones, a man in his early 60’s, white hair and beard, Santa's look alike.
“So” she did a long pause ”spill it,what is it with all this mystery”
“Well, I have news for you,” Jones pulled a folder out of his desk drawer. “Remember when you asked the district board for resources to improve forensic testing for the Hollywood Hills case?
The Hollywood Hills case was the first Agatha worked on when she joined the LAPD before replacing the detective in charge at that time. The murder investigation of an aspiring young actress found in the Hollywood Hills Hotel, the case was never closed due too many inconsistencies from witnesses testimonies to poorly handled forensic evidence, fuck detective Bhoner, that case was Agatha’s roman empire.
“Yes, they gave me a politely fuck you, telling me that case was not worthy” she said “What a shame right? an innocent young woman’s life being “not worthy” “ this was the only part of her job she didn’t like, having to deal with tons of injustice on her every day.
Chief Jones let out a long sigh “listen Harkness, i know how you feel about that and this is the main reason why i'm doing this”
Oh no, did she just signed her death sentence, is she gonna get fired? Why do men like to make everything so cryptic?
“We are getting the resources,a big donation is being made to this department”
You can read the confusion on agatha's face, because honestly that was the least she was expecting from this meeting. Who is willing to give away thousands of dollars just because? That’s suspicious.
“I’m sorry, what?” she asked. “Are you being for real, what happened, how?”
“Well that's the second part” giving her the folder he had on her desk. “Take a look on this”
“What am I looking at?” she said as her fingers traced the paper.
“It’s an NDA form” Jones put his elbows on the desk before taking the file back.”it’s for or new addition”
Wow pause, new addition? he’s being fucking crypting again, classic men.
“Im sorry chief but you lost me there, what the fuck has one thing to do with the other?” rubbing her forehead with the tip of her fingers clearly now very irritated for this stupid ass meeting.
“We are hosting a consultant Harkness that’s what the NDA is for, of course”
Hosting a what the fuck now? Agatha told herself trying to keep the most neutral face ever, it was impossible.
“Care to enlighten me because i'm getting more lost as you speak” crossing her arms and letting him know how done with this bullshit she was
“An executive from a studio approached us, they want to our help for a project”
With a face of disbelief and annoyance agatha nodded for him to continue speaking.
“They want you, I mean they are sending someone to study you and your work” he said.
Oh no
no
hell no
“I don’t have time for this,” said storming out of the chief's office.
“Come on Harkness, it’s something that I just can’t call off” he said.
“Wait, did you already accept, without even consulting with me first? oh my god” she replied now clearly angry “ do you think i need a shadow with me, looking at everything i do and interfering with my job? hell. fucking . no”
If Jones knew that she wouldn't dare to hit him or at least not yet, he wouldn’t have followed her back to her office.
“Give it a chance Agatha, this is important, it would help this department a lot” he said stopping at the door
“Oh yeah? You can’t tell these people to take their money and go away, we have better and let me remind you but uhh actually important shit to do over here!” she didn't notice she was now yelling until one of the interns peaked her head from her desk towards her office.
He took a step into Agatha’s office and sat on the couch near the desk. “Hey I know this can be a pain in the ass, but they are being a pain in my ass too” by them chief jones referred to the big men in charge who cared more about public image and of course, money.
Agatha gave him a quick look and shook her head in amusement knowing she had to take another loss on this fucking monday.
“For how long?” she asked.
“We don’t have an estimated time, you know for “the creative process " and all that stuff" he said while quoting marks on the air.
Sitting back on her chair letting out a sigh “I don’t have another choice right?”
“Not really, sorry”
“Fine, but if this person gets their nose on my things I’m calling it off” she said
“It’s not like you can do it but yeah I can work with that” said back standing from the couch and reaching for phone on his pocket “i'll make the call, she should be here tomorrow”
She? Agatha thought, so not now has to deal with a nosy writer but with a she noisy writer. Pinching the bridge of her nose so hard she could actually break it.
She began to think of everything that could go wrong, she liked to be in control of her space and in her field that's very important and it has always been like that. Her team and people in general respected her and that helped to keep that intimidating facade she had for years, until well… now.
*
The next day came too quick for Agatha’s liking and the morning passed too fast until she had to leave for work.
“Goodbye señor scratchy, please wish me good luck and if bunnies pray , do it so your mother doesn't kill anybody today and you become an orphan” she said but in return only had a pair of long and soft ears moving back and front.
By the time Agatha made it to the office she was already running on a large amount of caffeine, there was no way she would cross that door without being prepared for this nightmare. The place was moving as usual.
She opened her office and threw her things on the desk, running her hands through her messy and long hair leaving a loud sigh.
A tall, curly-haired boy wearing what she should describe as a statement of being the most annoying person in the world greeted her with a cup of coffee and a file.
“Good morning Agatha! How was your drive? Did you hear that mixtape I made for you?” he said
“Just a few songs Billy, need to catch up with the rest later” taking the cup the boy offered thinking if it's a good idea to have her third coffee when it's not even 12 pm. she would deal with the consequences later or whatever.
“Good! hope you like them all” opening his ipad he started to recite all the pending work they had for today “Oh! I almost forget, chief Jones asked me to keep you available at 11 am, the consultor is coming at that time and they want a meeting to discuss everything”
Well, at least now she can say that third coffee is justified.
“Okay, thank you kid”
“Are you nervous?” he asked
Frowning her brows playfully she let out a little laugh “And why would i be nervous? they on the other hand” she took a pencil and pretend to stab the air “should be really afraid”
“Come on you cannot kill a fly even if you want to” he said taking the pencil out of agatha’s hand
“Maybe not a fly but what about a teen? possibilities are never that low” she chuckled
“Yeah whatever, be ready at 11 please, or your boss would actually kill me”
Billy left and Agatha continued doing some work she had remaining from yesterday. Her phone set off exactly at 11 am and she knew it was time to face her misery.
Without any motivation, she went to the third floor conference room, where Chief Jones would meet with the people from the studio, a representative from the police department and the consultant.
She didn't know what to expect or the kind of person she was about to deal with, all the information she received was that the consultant would be a screenwriter from Paramount studios and nothing else.
What if it was a weirdo or even a serial killer trying to find more ways to commit their crimes, she was spiraling because there was no other way to react to this. It’s so stupid, so so stupid and she keeps screaming inside her head.
The meeting had already started because she decided to take the stairs and elegantly be late just for the pleasure of fighting this nonsense.
As soon as she walked in, several pairs of eyes looked right into her direction, she sat beside chief Jones and Sahron Davis the HR division director, a witty looking woman that happened to be probably satan's sister by the way she runs the department like the navy.
Just as she was taking her seat another figure entered the room, she was tall, midi long brown hair probably in her late 20’s or early 30’s you cannot tell. She was wearing a pair of black slacks and an indigo green silk blouse paired with some sneakers, a pair of glasses covering what Agatha must think are the most beautiful big brown eyes she has ever seen. With an ease she sat just across agatha and placed a laptop and her bag on the table.
“Sorry for being late, i got lost on my way out of the restrooms, this place is huge” she said while taking her glasses off
And in that moment agatha confirmed, those were in fact the most beautiful big brown eyes she has ever seen
“Detective Harkness, it's a pleasure to finally meet you” she said as she extended her arm over the to shake Agatha's hand.
Agatha shaked her hand back and nodded trying to poorly hide the fact that her hand was sweating and her cheeks were clearly turning pink
“I’m the consultant or screenwriter, i like it more” she chuckled
“But you can call me Rio, Rio Vidal”
In her mind, Agatha had already devised a plan to get rid of this annoying problem. What she didn't realize was that the problem would be the woman who is about to take away her sleep and make her question her whole life.
Oh crap, Agatha was definitely screwed