90: Photogenic – Pt. 3

“As I was saying, I know where the threat is coming from. In your time, I took down Al Capone?”

“That’s right. You and your ‘Untouchables’ singlehandedly ended the threat to prohibition and organized crime in Chicago,” Mike said, the huge grin never leaving his face. “Honestly, you’re like one of my biggest heroes!”

“It’s true. He has a framed picture of you in his office…which is kind of surprising he didn’t recognize you,” Victoria smirked at the displeasure on Mike’s face. “Anyway, you’re thinking it’s a threat from Capone, Eliot?”

“I am indeed. I’ve just been appointed to the Bureau of Prohibition on assignment from the U.S. Treasury Department. I’ve been tasked with destroying all lines of illegal smuggling and thereabouts ending the reign of these gangs that are plaguing the city. I haven’t been personally assigned to the task force for Al Capone but, my department is working up to creating individualized teams who will cover different parts of the state. And you’ve ruined the surprise as to which city I’m getting.”

“Yeah,” Mike smiled sheepishly. “Sorry about that.”

Continue Reading: "90: Photogenic – Pt. 3"

89: Photogenic – Pt. 2

“What do you mean ‘who’s Mike?’ Seriously, Derrick? This is no time to be funny.”

“I know, Victoria, I can sense how upset you are, I know this is real, I just, I have no idea who you’re talking about.”

“Mike, my partner, Michael Rizzitello. The guy who sits at that desk?” Derrick turned and looked over Mike’s desk before gazing back at Victoria with a shrug.

Retrieving her phone, she pulled up an image from her camera roll, but every photo she’d taken of Mike and every picture of them together was gone. “This doesn’t make sense. My pictures…how is this possible? What is going on?”

“I don’t know, Baby, but we’ll figure this out. I promise,” he said, pulling her into his arms as he swept her hair behind her ear. “I don’t want you to worry about anything.” Moving forward, he looked around the area in front of Mike’s desk and sighed. “You found the phone here?”

Continue Reading: "89: Photogenic – Pt. 2"

88: Photogenic – Pt. 1

“There! How’s that?” Mike asked, giving his latest acquisition a small adjustment. It was a painting of a swinging club scene. He smiled as he looked over at his partner, awaiting her reaction.

“It’s nice, Mike, but…”

“But what?”

“I don’t know—it doesn’t really fit, does it?”

“What do you mean? All of my décor is retro.”

“Yeah, but your style is more 1940s noir. This is more—1920s jazz age.”

“Nah! I think it’s great. It reminds me of those early films like with Bogart.”

“Who starred in classic 1940s noir like The Maltese Falcon.” Mike quieted for a moment in deep thought and Victoria laughed. “My point exactly.”

“Whatever! I’m keeping it!”

Continue Reading: "88: Photogenic – Pt. 1"