A/N: Welcome to Case #2 of Upside Crime!
So I found out mature books don't get on the ranking. Too late for this series though, because my Riley gotta have his sailor cursing. I'm okay with it. I'll make some stories 👌
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RILEY:

I can't call myself a terrible driver. My only excuse is, I'm hot on a suspect's tail in a car chase. Yes, I may have broke a couple of street signs and drove on the wrong side of the road for a few minutes, but that's what the red and blue lights are for.

No one can't blame me that I lost my patience in this month's criminal activity- that damned increasing activity. It doesn't help that the weather is in its three digits already.

My partner, Hal Berghim, holds onto his seat when I make a sharp right. His clothes are untidy; his shirt is unbuttoned down the front enough to make his maroon tie look misplaced. The sweat on his forehead causes his red hair to stick to its side.

The ginger grits his teeth, "Riley, goddamnit, don't destroy the loaned police cruiser. The chief is going to kill us."

I shout back while turning a sharp left, "She either gets a damaged car and the suspect, or nothing but a broken car!" I cringe at the sound of another stop sign scratching the right side of the cruiser.

Ahead, the suspect's car accelerates further, weaving through vehicles that are slowing down. I unconsciously let out a growl, stepping on the gas pedal. My partner lets out a surprised yelp. The middle lane is clearing up because of the sirens.

I keep my eyes focused on the road and the suspect's car. We make another right onto the freeway; this is going to take a much more dangerous end if not pursued carefully. The suspect honks his horn at the cars he pass by. Like the streets, the vehicles make way for my cruiser. Hal glance over his shoulder, "Two more police cruisers are here."

Good. Backup. I look down at the speed meter. Christ, if I go any faster, I will loose control. With that thought, I fear a major collision will be the result of our chase. I explain my worries to my partner, "If the guy-" But the screeching sound in front of me beats me to the punch.

The suspect's car slams into the highway barriers. I press down the gas pedal even further to reach the wreckage. The cruiser skids to a stop and I motion Hal to follow me. We both hustle out of the car right when the car begins to smoke.

"Shit! Shit! Shit!" I mutter to myself as I hurriedly reach the driver's side. I pull on the door and luckily, the guy had his car unlocked. "Hal!" I call out to as I struggle to get the unconscious man out of the car. My partner appears next to me no later than a second. The two of us carry the man away from the smoking car.

And just in time, the car exploded when we make it to our ride. Hal maneuvers us behind the cruiser for protection as debris flies everywhere. We set down the knocked out suspect, who's probably suffering from some blunt trauma.

I let myself slide to the ground, leaning back on the car. Hal collapses next to me with a exhausted grunt. His head lightly hits the side and he begins to chuckle to himself, "Holy shit, that was pure luck."

I laugh short, "Then don't jinx us, Hal." I slightly agreed with him. Despite that, I don't want my skills and career to rely only on luck. That idea would send the two of us into an early grave. I'm sure my parents wouldn't want to hear that their oldest died because he is gambling his life.

Backup appears a second later, parking a good distance around the ball of fire. Now, we have to wait for a firetruck and ambulance to arrive.

I glance at my watch which read 9 o'clock. It's getting late but fortunately for us, we finished our work for the day. Hal rests his head on my shoulder. I rake his sweaty hair with my fingers, allowing him to rest.

The two officers who were our backup come to our aid, asking if we were fine and if we needed medical attention. I only ask for the suspect to be attended to. I just need to take Hal home then we'll be fine and dandy the next day for another moronic car chase or armed robbery.

I couldn't leave the officers there until more help arrived. I shift my gaze back to my partner. I know he isn't asleep yet but after that all nighter we pulled yesterday, I want him to rest his eyes after hours of staring at the computer screen. He adjusts his head on my shoulder; that red hair of his sticks out funny after my fiddling around. A soft smile settles on my lips as my fingers brush against his.

"Here comes the ambulance," announces one of the officers. They should be able to take it from there.

I bump Hal gently, "We can leave now. Get up." I pull him up by the arm and we both enter the police cruiser. I give out an exhausted sigh before driving out of the highway.

Time to get some shut eye and prepare for the next eventful day.

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??????:

The intoxicating smell of cigarettes, expensive wine, and sex are the main scents of this club. No one walks out without at least smelling like one of the three. The girls and I around here have to ensure that always happen. One wrong move and a senseless beating is all we end up with instead of a small handful of cash.

The music blasts loudly and I feel like the rhythm is in sync with my heart beat. I sway my body to the song, enjoying the thirsty men who are watching my performance, throw money at my feet.

I crouch down, giving them a closer look at the pleasures they couldn't afford. A coy smile spreads on my face when the cash continues to pile. Slowly, I place each dollar bill into the hem of my black laced garters while I bend in the right places "to show but not reveal." It is a tactic that does wonders on the imagination.

"Fifty bucks and you let me bang you!" shouts a middle-aged man with a potbelly. I place my index finger to my glossy red lips. My price is ten times what he's offering. But even if he did have the money, I still have my standards.

My red pumps clack at every step on my small platform. I kneel down and move some hair back over my ear. The man eyes me up and down like I'm some slab of meat. I give him a forced smile, "Sorry, sweetie. But you will have to do better that." I let my hands trail over my body as I continue, "... Though I can stand here longer if you repay me."

The man lets out a whistle taking out his wallet.

This is so damn easy.

Another hour and my shift is finished. I change into my regular clothes, a shirt and tight jeans. I switch my heels for sneakers then exit the back door of my work. I have to hurry home if I don't want creeps to approach me. Just in case, I have my concealed handgun on me.

The moonlight is the only source illuminating the area. The back of the club is always a mess. Near the back entrance is broken furniture that still hasn't been thrown away. The dumpsters has scraps and boxes scattered around it. Discarded cigarettes litter the pavement.

I fiddle with the strap of my bag as I make a right into the alleyway that leads to where I parked my car.

I halt in my tracks. A black SUV enters the tight alley. It's headlights blind my sight from the sudden change of lighting. I squint, placing my hand to shield my face. Four doors open and slam close. The first man I spot is in a neatly pressed black suit. Who would want to wear a big suit in the summer?

His shadow casts far with the help of the vehicle's headlights. I couldn't make out his face. The man finally speaks, "What a beautiful woman walking about! Why are you out so late at night? Don't you know the city is dangerous at night?"

I take a step back, clutching my bag closer to my person. This man is shady and reeks of danger. My handgun weighs more noticeably tucked at my side.

The guy continues, "I can tell you are one of the girls. I ask only for you to lead me to your boss... and maybe give me your name?"

My boss, Pete Baxter, could be the type to mingle in illegal business. I could only wonder what trouble he's gotten himself into to attract these men. But unfortunately, Baxter is out around this time and let's his cronies ensure his control over us.

"H-he's not here," I stutter out, taking another step back. The lights of the car turns off, darkening the alleyway once more. The man lights a cigarette with his silver lighter, revealing a gruff face and forest green eyes.

He takes a drag of his cigarette while I watch anxiously. The man then lets out a sigh, "That's too bad..." With one motion of his hand, three other shady men appear; they aren't dressed nicely compared to him.

I turn on my heel, sprinting back to the club. Many questions swirl in my head for different reasons.

Shots ring out in the back of the club. Shouts and screams are heard. I wonder where this life of mine is taking me.

......[(( _ _ ))..zzzZZ(( _ _ ))..zzzZZ]......
A/N: Vote & Comment 👌
I've made the Prologue a bit longer than the first case. I hope it's more enjoyable with all the action going on.
I'll update this more than the other stories I'm working on. It won't be as fast as the first one but it'll be often to not get boring. My writing time is between one to three days for each chapter (if I don't stall).