Counting Freddy

Tasks to handle

"Sorry!" I yelled as i crashed into Mr. Wilkins. He looked at me disapprovingly as he re-adjusted his tie and picked up the papers i had knocked down. I helped him pick them up with a sheepish look on my face. Noticing how flustered I looked he chuckled.

"You could have killed this 58 year old man, miss. Don't underestimate your strength." With a final chuckle and a twinkle in his eye he walked away. It was true. Being a transfer recruit who had worked for CBI and currently worked in CIA, I did have a lot of strength and Mr. Wilkins did not stand a chance if i decided to punch him...not that I would do that.

Right, you must be confused. To formally introduce myself, I'm Debanjali. Originally from India, the world of detectives has always intrigued me. Right after university i managed to apply for a job in Central Bureau of Investigation more commonly known as CBI in India. After working for a year in CBI, my family decided to send me to USA for my Ph.D. Not wanting to give up the work I adored, i decided to take a recommendation from CBI to be recruited in Central Intelligence Agency or CIA.

Staying in America proved to be a pain in the ass. The most annoying thing was that no one could pronounce my name. Thus i decided to shorten it for the benefit of my American friends and have since been called Debs by all of them.

Needless to say, i miss India but i also have enough work to keep me occupied. I have since worked in CIA for three years and running.

Where was I? Oh right! Getting flustered because my deadline was due the next day and i still had not managed to get my files in order.

"Excuse me...get out of my way!....sorry...umm let me through" I managed to make my way to my desk through the crowded office. Curiosity tried to get the best of me when i saw around 15 people huddled around Jake's desk reading something off his computer screen.

Jake was the kind of guy you could always trust with your Ferrari...if you owned one. He was the kind that looked all innocent and nerdy but was great fun to hang out with. He was a member of our team and he did all the technicalities and analytics when we had a task to handle. Most of my other colleagues were jealous that Boss had decided to put Jake to work with me because he was said to be a huge technology geek and could hack into nearly anything. Needless to say, all the cases we handles were a cake walk, thanks to him.

Coincidentally Jake was my roommate (this happened 4 days before i found out he was my colleague). Mom and dad were apprehensive of me sharing an apartment with a guy but calmed down a little when they found out Jake had a girlfriend. Just a day of hanging out and we became really good friends

"CONCENTRATE ON YOUR FILES!!!! You need to submit them tomorrow morning. You can talk to Jake about the commotion later." I consoled myself as i sat down at my desk and opened the files of last months case about a bank robbery. Just as i was about to get to work i heard a loud laugh beside me and before i could register what was happening, my chair was spun around and i came face to face with Emily.

Emily and me had become friends almost instantly when we had first found out we worked as a part the same team. She was a new recruit when i joined and an excellent agent overall. Her speciality was shooting and could get a near perfect aim using any gun that the world had created. Did i mention she was Jake's girlfriend? Those two were a cheesy couple and looked like they had stepped out of a rom com. They had been dating for a month and did not hesitate to show a LOT of PDA and called each other childish pet names that would put Walt Disney to shame.
                      *Gag*

"Em I'm working." I sighed as she pulled up a seat beside my desk and picked up a file to flick through the pages. He face contorted at the image of the dead banker who had been shot in the head and she shut it with force. She could shoot well but had a soft spot for too much blood.

"Did dear little Em get scared of some blood? Sooooo saaaad." I heard someone holler at us from across the hallway. Looking over i spotted Scott and Jason. They were twins and good looking one may i add. These two were the final members of our team. Scott did field work with Emily and me. Jason and Jake worked together.

These two were absolute jerks to anyone who met them for the first time but on the inside both were real softies. Both were players and had never had a serious relationship and gave me company when we gaged at Jake and Emily. To us however they were like family. I always kept a watchful eye on them to keep them from getting into trouble. They were scared shitless of me because last time they were messing around with a girl on a case, I backhanded them to get their attention back...however they loved me like their sister and did not mind me being bossy around them.

"Shut up dickface" Emily retorted at Jason. Jason pretended to look hurt and held his hand over his heart. He opened his mouth to say something back but I interfered.

"SHUT UP!!! All three of you, leave. I have work and you dont want me to rip your throats out if you don't let me work." I said with irritation clearly visible on my face and voice. A moment passed in silence and all three of these idiots burst out laughing. Where was Jake when i needed him to control these baboons with his reasonable words?

"Yo guys, let her be. We all know how furious she gets about getting her work perfectly done and presented. We don't want to be on her barbecue grill tonight, do we?" I heard Jake say from his desk. They three smothered their laughter and walked away grinning at me. I sighed and turned back to work. Just as i was about to start typing, a loud announcement was heard.

"Jason, Emily, Debs, Scott and Jake, please meet me at my office right now. No excuses."

I gulped. It was my Boss, Mr. Hardy. He was a pleasant man in his middle ages and was very encouraging. He always made me feel at home since he knew it was difficult for me to leave my entire family and friends to come and live in a different country. However when he was angry, which he seemed to be by his voice right now, he was like a volcano that you should avoid.

Now if that volcano announces for you to meet him in his office, would you be relaxed knowing you may get burned by the lava?

Turning around i saw the other four sharing the same frightened expression as me. I got up and walked towards them calmly.

"Let's go. If we don't he may just get someone to arrest us for disobeying him." I chuckled to hide my fear. My nervousness and anxiety was making me crack "jokes" that were nowhere near funny.

We tentatively approached his office and knocked on his door. I was pushed forward to enter the office first by the rest of them...what loyal friends have.

"May we come in sir?" I asked when i realised that the door was unlocked.

"Yes please come in all of you" Mr. Hardy replied. I was surprised to hear that his angry voice had morphed into a concerned and tired one. With one last glance at each other, we headed in.

"Please take a seat" he told us gesturing towards the chairs facing his desk. We sat down and looked at him expectantly. He gave us a look and sighed.

"I hope i made the right decision by trusting the lot of you" he said slowly, as if thinking over his words. We all bore confused expressions.

"There is a case i want you to take up. Its not an amateur case like the ones you have handled so far. It is dangerous. I have had you working for me for at least three years and i know you are well trained. This case was supposed to go to a different team but two of them fell sick and it cannot wait." He said, growing impatient with each word. We listened quietly, not daring to talk.

"Will you assure me that you will not let me down?" He said. It felt like he was almost pleading.

"No sir we won't disappoint you" we said in unison. He looked at me and Emily as if silently apologising for putting us on this case. I did not understand why until....

"I want you to take up the case of Counting Freddy"

WHAT???!!!!!!