suntans and smugglers (Alice)

Another case led to not only an early start but international co-operation; so knowing they had an early start didn't bother her. When she checked into HQ she'd find out all the details from her partner. So strolling into the office space they shared Alice looked like her normally dressed self. A lightweight trouser suit in a cream colour and a pink blouse that suited the heat that even the early morning had once the sun rose.

"Good morning Francis; what do we we have today?" she mused still sounded a little tired but that would change after her next mug of coffee. She'd already picked up a bag of pancakes for them from the 24 hour diner with a little bottle of syrup if he wanted some.

"Also our breakfast has arrived" she added.

Francis Dominic

Alice had a feeling it would have been smuggling; probally drugs and given their records in cracking such cases these Lead Detectives just kept getting them and the other tough dangerous cases. Alice didn't mind the type of work she was getting though. It was like an adventure or being in your own action movie and she raised an eyebrow when she heard this one would be off island.

"So we have a field trip.For starters how are we going to get of the island? And even if we do where are we going to be working? Even we have rules to follow. Other forces probally have more" she mused shrugging her shoulders. She went looking for the pot of coffee as Francis selected his pancakes. So when she emerged with her hot steaming mug of black caffeine she had something to add.

"Also when we do get get there will the local OSE fuckers know to not interfere with the law enforcement force we're supporting or the case?"

You had all different kind of people in OSE but the fanatics were the worst. She might be able to deal with Ace Nottingham but that meant nothing away from the island she called home. She seen the initial problems but once they were out of the way she felt hopeful; and this might even be enjoyable.

Francis Dominic

"Oh I got plenty of sleep last night. So when do we leave?" she asked. It wasn't going to be much notice but if the Ashford PD didn't fully realise what they could do on cases the outside world would still only view them a members of the Ashford's private army. So they had plenty to prove to the world as well as the the local force they'd be helping out.

"I'll read over the case details over pancakes and coffee since this field trip is clearly going to happen" she replied thoughtfully. "And if they do interfere they'll also have a piece of my mind; surely they can't be that dense to sabotage a case just because they're prejudiced against our kind. In any case local government can overrule UN appointed jobsworths especially since they want our help".

So she powered up her computer and got to work reading over what they knew about the case. Probally drugs, rum and even firearms being shipped onto the next link in the chain judging by what the authorities in Guadeloupe had to state. This also gave her some ground rules they'd have to follow as Guadeloupe was part of France; not just an overseas territory. So more rules that they had to normally follow. More hassle than usual but they'd get to show the world what they could do.

Francis Dominic

As she mused over what she read on the screen between bites of pancake and drinking her coffee something else clicked in her head. "I think we're going to be dealing with people like us. It states here that smuggling and serious things like that are dealt with by the 'National Gendarmerie'. They're part of the French armed forces and where we are going is France although its an overseas department".

She knew Francis did most of the deep thinking and planning between them as a case evolved but they did share the preparation and reading up. So as she broke this up into easy to digest pieces of information it helped them both. "I think you're right about that; this does look really serious and the sooner we can help break this operation the less suffering the region will have to deal with.

On the plus side you'll have good food, culture and art to look at if we get a chance to get of the clock; as well as local rum to bring back. I might even get to a mall". Alice smiled contently knowing this about the side benefits of the case. It was also a major tourism centre so the shopping was bound to be good along with the hotels.

So with there being no time to tell anybody they were leaving it would have to just be that way. Their colleagues would know and that was it. So no getting to ask her boyfriend if he wanted a present brought back. Such was life so she'd have to guess what he might like.

Francis Dominic

Alice was more inclined to be on the side of her own kind rather than thinking in terms of good or evil (certainly very close to good even with what she'd grown up dealing with) but snuffing out this smuggling operation was going to be good for everybody in the region. You could see patterns in cases and quite often parts of the smuggling ended up in different nations as the cargo was transported. Eventually some would end up in Ashford Isle and they could stop that happening.

"In that case let me be the people person because we will have to interact with other officers on this case. My French is non-existent but I will keep trying. This is the nature of the crime we deal with and it affects the whole region, even mainland USA and Canada. So we can help stop some of that reaching them too" she replied. Knowing Francis wasn't a people person and not usually a morning one either things would improve for him once they actually got there.

So with the clock ticking she finished breakfast, printed off two case packs for them to look over later and then they were on their way; diversions were needed so they could get packed quickly and given the urgency of the situation she figured it would be a plane getting them there. With their luggage in the back of a Security Services jeep she figured they'd only need their pistols and basic police equipment for starters. Any other small arms and field equipment they could borrow from the French armed forces.

Francis Dominic

Francis and Alice might look like an odd pair but they were damn good when they were together. So the drive to the airport was a relaxed and entertaining one as she got them to the plane in time after they left the jeep and the keys with Airport Security. She did confirm this was their bird and it would take them to Guadeloupe; so happy with the plans they'd be on their way. They'd also meet the officer they'd be working directly with on the plane so there'd also be time to be briefed and do their own briefing with them; so they'd both know what they knew about the situation and also get to know each other better.

This wasn't their first time dealing with smuggling and probally wouldn't be their last. This time was different as they'd be the visiting team and have a lot to learn in a short time.

Francis Dominic

Alice did feel reassured as she had felt more than a little nervous landing in a civilian airport. The pilot hadn't seemed to mind her anyway during the flight as she felt some light flirting despite a major language barrier.

So the guy holding the sign that read 'Monsieur Dominic, Mme Seraphim, Ashford Security Services' looked quite hot to her.  When they met him he introduced himself as Officer Laurent Dumas from the National Gendarmerie. He was wearing a light weight suit rather than a uniform but Alice seeing his ID see what looked like a military rank. It was in French so she had no idea yet what it was. He also had a very good command of the english language which Alice certainly appreciated.  She'd give her partner plenty of opportunity to speak but this guy seemed to notice the angel in front of him more than her partner. 

"I hope you'll take good care of us" Alice said cheerfully. Then introduced Francis in case he did have something to say.

Francis Dominic

(FC is Rege-Jean Page. just couldn't insert the image)