To the new recruits they would describe the laboratory as clean, efficient and organized, what they wouldn't say was that it was ruthless, cruel and everyone for themselves. There was no teamwork and they would steal each other's results if they could take a little more glory for themselves. The research money went to the ones who published in the most prestigious journals, to the losers went nothing at all. They all had Ph.D.'s. They were all brilliant. But here brilliance was the norm and even a genius didn't stand out. Once again the scientists are arguing as they exit the elevator.

" Gather up!" The director shouts as we all shuffle into her office. " Okay, It seems like Ivar has more time on his hands then we thought, he wants to meet in a day's time. And for the girls, he wants to trade, girls for $80,000.... Play the recording." The recording starts to play, other than the noise of a generator, the room was a silent concrete box. He could be anywhere. His voice was rasping, like an old man but the picture that was shown was a much younger man.

" If you want them safe, meet me at Sensational Goodies tomorrow at 3:25. Bring $80,000 or there's no deal... no cops." The line went out, we were all confused. It's not like the first time they wanted money, this time they didn't say how many girls. I remembered last time someone wanted to trade, but then there are only five girls, five that were barely alive.

"You know what to do." Boss shouts and we all get to work. Quickly Michael, the tech guy, looks up Sensational Goodies. We all get to work, I grab the copy of the file we have on him and reread it getting absolutely nothing from it, nothing we could use. I just don't understand why am part of a case if there's not a language issue. Just as I'm thinking that agent Edwards walk in from the FBI.

Agent Edward was like a swimwear model without the charm. Black, clean cut and the recipient of a humour bypass; but if you wanted efficiency he was your man. The FBI had been his childhood dream and he lived it like he was an all action hero. Backing up that muscle was his perfect aim and faultless paperwork.

He can't keep a girl though, I hear he cycles through them faster than his razor blades. The job always comes first with him, but he can't stand it the other way around. The first time he's cancelled because they have to work late or see a girlfriend, he pouts and picks up a new girl. In that way his good looks cursed him, enabling his urge to ditch his women rather than work things out and improve his character.

It seemed like he was part of the case, do you want to bosses office but it didn't seem like he was there for long there was an open desk next to mine where he's that typing away at the computer. What's again gazing at the file again I noticed he had a strange tattoo on his neck, it wasn't like a tattoo more of a birthmark. I feel like I've seen that before, I pull up a file on the computer. Hitting enter key my computer crashed. I slam my hands on the table, this computer has visited the technology lab more time then I've went to the doctors. I call up Ben our technology expert.

"Hi, Ben it's me again..." I say apologetically.

" I'll be right down, Eri." Ben says, I feel so bad how he knows why I'm calling. The next time the elevator door opens he comes out coming to my computer. Touching some buttons and changing some plugs he turns around to me and says. "I really think you did it this time Eri. I'll be back." He says, I Jott my thought down before I forgot on a sticky note which I put in my book.

"Why in the world do you have a book full of sticky notes?" Agent Edward asked like a snob.

"No, it's not a book full of sticky notes. It's a book of helpful reminders." I close my book and put it back down. Then comes back and unscrews the back of my computer, he takes a part out and he takes a deep breath.

"Your computer is fried, and no that's not a good thing. The brain of the computer is dead. You need a new one..." He says as he throws the peace and the trash a perfect goal like usual.

"Are you serious, at least that's the first one of the year. It seems like these computers I have never seem to last more than a year. Last when I had lasted two years. What could have happened?" Once again as he goes in depth of what could've happened with my computer. A few minutes later he comes back down with another computer the one that he used to have when he was in college. "Thank you so much Bunny."

"I told you not to call me that." He says as he takes his seat on my desk.

"Well you have been well known on this floor, you come out of your little hole every single time that I make a phone call." He nods his head in agreement.

"Whats happening now?" He asks I tell him about the case and that I was going to look up before the computer crashed. The phone rings seems like someone from another department wanted him.

Later that day in bed and came back wondering if you wanted to grab some drinks after work. To have a break from work would be a nice thing, but I don't want to be wasted before this case really begins. He slugs my shoulder and says "You've never been wasted, I don't even believe you've ever had a sip of alcohol before." I think back, and I must agree with him, finally after deciding to go with him it was time to leave anyways. We both had to the bar every night finishes like the usual.

Getting ready for the case the next day, I got a device hooked up under my shirt so they could hear everything. Next thing I knew over at the café.

Sitting outside the bakery/café I looked over at the backed  cookies of every kind layer the bakery counter. From white chocolate and macadamia nut right through to sprouted grains and wheat germ, there really is something for everyone. Yet it isn't the "grown-up" treats that catch my eye, it's the gingerbread men and their gum-drop buttons. From this store they are a far cry from the biscuit-like ones of my youth, the ones so crunchy you could hear the bite from a block away. These ones are softer, the ginger more pronounced as as moreish as anything I've ever tasted.

Waiting and waiting for him to come, he never showed. Waiting minutes  that felt like hours, boss called in saying Ivan change the meeting place, he wanted me at Lieutenant park.

"Because he didn't  show up at the shop, the money deal is off. You're going to go to the park empty, if you see anything strange. Anyone strange you know what to do." She added then she hung up that's the usual thing that she did. My thoughts got the best of me, why there, why change the place at the last minute?

Going back to the office, we set up for that night. We were still all curious what you wanted to me even though he wasn't getting anything. Was this an ambush should we even be doing this?

It seemed the night came faster than expected, the stars started to show one by one. It felt like I was missing something, something on my body something about this case. No matter what my thoughts were I kept on walking to the park.

There was no-one in the park but an old gent who appeared to be reading a newspaper. I paused at the gate, the greenery was already charcoal and two dimensional and the grey path was melting into the night. I shivered. It sure was cold; now that the jacket my mother gave me seemed very old and thin I might as well buy a new one.

He folded down his paper, as stood I saw a pair of keys fell to the ground. It seems like he didn't notice, because he walked away. He was walking unusually slow almost robotically, as if his brain was struggling to tell each foot to take the next step. It was as if he were in a stupor; like someone under hypnosis in one of those scooby-doo cartoons.

I didn't feel too safe about this, suddenly there was a noise of two shots, fired in rapid succession. Collapsing to the ground like a 50 pound weight I call for back up. My eyes dart all around, seeing no one.