FINE LINE - T. BRADFORD

14

"Oh really?" Tim asks.

"Mm-hmm," Mirana nods. "Wanted to know if I wanted to be their third"

"Their third?" Tim asks with a frown before the realisation dawns on his face. "Oh. You said no right?"

"Yep, then she asked if you wanted to join too," Mirana says, giggling as Tim's face screws up.

Tim shakes his head. "No thanks. I'll pass on that offer."

Mirana grins, finding amusement in Tim's reaction. "I figured you might."

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Mirana watches through the small crack in the door as Nyla speaks to a room full of women about undercover work.

"You're not supposed to be listening," Nolan whispers to Mirana who rolls her eyes.

"Why? 'Cause they don't trust patrol with all their trade secrets?" Mirana asks.

"It doesn't matter why. Rules are rules. And I'm already on thin ice, so I'm outta here," Nolan whispers and Mirana shrugs, going back to listening to Nyla.

"This seminar today is about being a female undercover cop and the unique risks that that poses. Now, I will warn you, this is not gonna be an easy ride. Some of what you're about to see is hard to watch. But if we can learn from the UCs who died in these videos, then maybe we can save some lives. Are you with me?"

As the women in the room cheer and clap, Nyla locks eyes with Mirana who closes the door carefully.

"What are you doing?" Tim asks and Mirana whips around, a guilty look on her face.

"Nada," Mirana shakes her head and Tim raises a disbelieving eyebrow.

"Is this why you never want to talk about what you want to do once you're P2?" Tim asks, his tone accusing. "You want to do UC work?"

"This is a conversation to have at home," Mirana replies. "Not at work. I've got to use the bathroom"

Tim watches Mirana hurry away with a sigh, glancing at the sign posted next to the door. 'Women Undercover'.

"Shit," Tim whispers under his breath.

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"So, UC work?" Tim asks as he takes a driver's information. "Is that what you want to do?"

"Tal vez," Mirana shrugs. "I feel like I could do great there. Lucy and I were both considering it when we joined and looked at what we could do after becoming P2. I'm just keeping my options open"

"Look," Tim sighs. "The information and tactics the CCOA present are so unique and so sensitive, they're literally on a need-to-know basis. Got it?"

"Yeah," Mirana nods as the next car pulls up.

"Tim?" The woman in the car asks.

"Beth," Tim's voice is full of surprise as he takes the woman's card.

"I'm here to surprise Mack. He's barely been home the last three months," Beth says.

"I bet," Tim says, looking up at Mirana for his next words. "Yeah, undercover work's a full-time gig"

"Is he here yet?" Beth asks and Tim freezes momentarily.

"Yeah," Tim nods. "He rolled through a few hours ago. It's great seeing you"

"You too," Beth replies before driving away.

"You aren't even going to warn her?" Mirana asks, watching the car.