"There's only one way to find out."

Mr. Bingo laid his plans on the table.

Miguel was skeptical about it. Molly felt a sense of disdain about the plan.

"What made you think that'd work?" She finally asked.

"Same reason why I helped you." Mr. Bingo stated calmly, "Think of it as friends having a good time."

"That is not how things work in the department, Bingo" Miguel hissed.

Molly nodded in agreement with Miguel.

"We can try!"

As if on cue, Molly's phone ringed. She picked it up without seeing the ID and started with her usual line.

"Molly this side, how may I help you?"

"Hey Molly! Remember me?"

"Of course, Lisa. How have you been?"

A small smile formed on her lips. She decided to keep it formal.

"I am good. The team has missed you a lot though..." Her voice trailed.

"Thank you for remembering me," Molly said, reeling over the memories in her mind, "I missed you all too. How's everyone?"

"That's what I called you for, Molly. Things are not well here. And we also don't know what to do."

"What do you mean?" Molly asks as she leans forward in her chair.

"Do you know of the food poisoning cases going around?"

"I have heard of them, yes"

"Detective Garcia succumbed to the cause. It happened last Friday."

"What?! No! That can't be true." Her chest tightened at the news.

Detective Garcia was one of the most respected and resourceful person on the team.

Everyone looked up to him in times of joys or despair. The world felt empty without him.

Mr. Bingo and Miguel were quietly observing the room when Molly panicked.

They were quickly alert, ready to help her to her feet or be prepared for whatever news was coming for them.

"Unfortunately, yes. I don't know what to do, Molly. Everything seems bleak without him."

She held back her tears and rocked back and forth in her seat in an attempt to calm herself.

'I have to be strong', she decided. 'The last thing Lisa and NYPD needed was me losing my grip.'

"I am sorry," Molly muttered without realizing, "Is there any way that I can help with it? What's the team's response on this?"

"It'd be lovely to have you back," She could hear Lisa's faint smile from the other end of the line, "But I am not forcing you. Do what you have to."

Molly winced at her bittersweet tone, "It'd be really difficult for me to do that. I really wish I could give my word, but I can't. I could, however help you on the case from the background."

Mr. Bingo caught a hint of what was happening and his face glowed with a grin.

"Why, thank you Molly!" There was a pause before she continued, "You still have access to the server, but more as a viewer. I will update the settings and send you all the information you might need"

"Thank you, truly." Molly smiled as she ended the call.

"Well, would you look at that."

Molly narrowed her eyes at him, "I hate you."

Miguel decided to amp up the drama, "I hate that I know you, Mr. Bingo." He looked away as a giggled flushed his cheeks.

Mr. Bingo was unfazed in his seat, grinning ear to ear.

"I knew this was going to work. Now where's my pizza?"

※※※

They worked hours at their desk, sifting through the various documents in the server.

Currently, they were seated at Molly's personalized work desk that was large enough to fit three people comfortably.

The room was simple yet ambient. There were books, an old PC and an Xbox controller.

The window overlooked a grove. The steady breeze, along with the ceiling fan ensured good ventilation.

Keyboard strokes became a soft symphony in this mystical setting, while the trio's hands danced along with it.

Miguel was the first to break the silence, "I am hungry folks. This doesn't seem to work. What are we searching, really?"

Molly looked up from her laptop and removed the on-ear headphone she had put on to listen to music. It had a button for RGB lights that immersed the person wearing it into the full DJ experience, but she rarely used that feature.

"Food Patents and Regulatory Guidelines. Its going to be heavy."

"Isn't there a way to summarize this?" Mr. Bingo asks, channeling his frustration into his forced keystrokes that caused a rustle.

It was one of those silent mechanical keyboards that he had been gifted during his birthday and it suit him perfectly. It allowed him to tap as loud at the keys without causing a ruckus.

"We could skip the ordeal and ask AI to make our tasks easier, but we are dealing with sensitive data here. I don't think Lisa will be too happy if she finds out."

"Fair enough," Mr. Bingo pondered, "How about we make one then?"

Miguel shot quickly, "Mr. Bingo you've run out of your wild card choices for the day. Please suggest something better."

"Unless you want us to break our skulls, no." Molly followed the train.

"The faith you folks have in me." Mr. Bingo feigned hurt as he placed his hand on his heart.

Molly gave him a tough shove, causing him to almost tumble over but he managed to regain his rights to his seat.

"You should've used your full force Molly. I would have been more than happy to crush his ego with his chair."

"Did Thor just come out of nowhere and threw me off? That's some super strength, Molly."

He continued as he regained his posture, "Makes me wonder what you do in your free time."

"A lot of things. Most, out of curiosity. But some experiences are just to induce pain. I like pain."

His eyes widened in realization, "Don't tell me..."

"Not that kind of pain, you idiot." Molly said as her lips played a small smile, "I am talking of emotional pain. Catharsis."

"That's still a weird thing to do to yourself." Miguel commented briefly.

"You tell me!" Mr. Bingo exclaimed, "And here I thought I was the abnormal one!!"

"That you are." Molly said cheekily, "But seriously, I am okay guys, don't worry about me."

Selene entered the room with a plate of sliced apples on one hand and blueberry cupcakes on the other.

"You didn't have to bother, aunt." Miguel said politely as he accepted a slice of apple.

She placed the plates on their table.

"You kids won't come down to eat. This was the least I could do."

"Its late evening." Mr. Bingo said in defense, making her shake her head.

"Exactly my point. We waited for you all to come downstairs for lunch but when nobody showed up, I decided to take it upon myself."

"Thank you aunt." Miguel said as he took a bite of the muffins, relishing in its taste, "These are decadent. Did you make them at home?"

Selene's expressions softened, "I brought it fresh from the nearby bakery. They're known for their cupcakes."

"They taste so good!" Molly commented as she went for another cupcake.

"Make sure to have the fruits too!" Her mom chided before turning around to leave.

"Yes ma'am!" Mr. Bingo said dramatically as he took a slice of apple.

※※※

a/n: and that was another episode of Mission.

how do you like it so far?

i had so much fun writing this chapter (says me, in every chapter) because this is the kind of drama, action and comedy that makes the story come alive.

AI made an appearance too, yay! I was not sure about how to incorporate it, but it worked.

RIP Detective Garcia. You will be missed. I did not plan his death, at all. It just... happened and I had to roll with it.

Also, Molly's inclination towards catharsis is quite intriguing, don't you think?

let me know your thoughts on the chapter!

with loads of purrs and cats,
Sara