A LIAR WOMAN

It was a busy morning in downtown Las Vegas, just like every other morning. The ever-awake skyscrapers in the city that never sleeps exuded money and power. This was a place where people would never feel at home, yet they wouldn't want to leave either.

It was still too early for the rest of the world, but not for the ambition of the casinos and clubs that opened their doors and showed the public the best of life; the pleasure. The elegant buildings along the avenue housed offices, nightclubs and residences. The eclectic mix was what characterized the city of sin, its vastness and love of novelty. Boredom would never set in in Vegas.

Among the countless pleasures in the city of sin, the police departments did not rest either. The phones rang relentlessly at the police station, especially on Saturday mornings.

And in the midst of the hurricane that the department turned out to be, Blair Collins walked through the front desk. She was out of place in this troubled environment, with people moving nimbly as they raced against time to get their jobs done.

Blair approached the front desk. The woman was carrying a box with her, in which she kept some of her belongings. This would be his first day on the job at the Las Vegas Police Department as an assistant inspector. It wasn't essential work, but she was happy to be able to help in some way.

- “Hi” she greeted the receptionist, who was typing quickly on the keyboard in front of her.

- "Good Morning. How can I help you?" the woman replied, and didn't even look at Blair.

- "I was transferred, and I have a recommendation..." Blair started to explain, but was interrupted in her speech.

- “You came from the New York department, right?”

- "Yea"

The receptionist looked up at the woman in front of the counter. She was undeniably pretty, and would rock the male portion of the station. She analyzed Blair's clothes too; seemed to be a simple woman, without many whims in her look.

- “Inspector Davis will guide you. Come with me, please"

The receptionist's badge had her name on it; Eloise Donelle. Eloise circled the reception desk, then guided Blair into the department, where the magic of law enforcement took place.

As they walked through the department, eyes followed the new employee like hawks. Some were curious, others were interested.

Eloise knocked twice against one of the last doors in the hall, where there was a sign titled with the name of the inspector who worked there.

Blair sighed. She hated her old boss, and feared that Spencer Davis could be even worse. However, the woman didn't have much time to think about it, as the door opened, revealing a middle-aged man with gray hair and very intelligent blue eyes.

- “Welcome, Miss. Collins” Spencer greeted, looking directly at the girl next to the receptionist.

- "Thanks"

- “Come in, please. I was waiting for you"

Spencer made room for Blair to enter, and then dismissed Eloise with a subtle wave. Blair entered that small office, full of boxes closed at the ends and papers piled up on the table. The cupboards were open, revealing the old books the inspector kept. She tried to ignore the clutter, but it was impossible.

- “I received great recommendations. Tell me, why did you ask for a transfer?” Spencer showed interest.

He walked over to the table and sat down in his old chair, which creaked under his weight. Blair took her seat in the chair across from the table, and set the box she was carrying on the floor.

- “I decided to move to Las Vegas, to live near my father”

- "You spent years away from your father" he accused, like the good inspector he was.

The woman was static for a moment. Blair and Jean Collins, her father, weren't best friends. They'd had disagreements in the past, and Spencer seemed to know about them. However, father and daughter were looking for a way to get back together, although it was more difficult for her.

- "This is past"

Spencer frowned as he thought of something. He was a very focused man, and he certainly knew how to delve into people's lives to understand them. It was no different with Blair. And just as Spencer prepared to say something, the door to her office swung open without warning.

- "Good morning, Inspector Spencer"

A man entered the inspector's office, taking some files with him. He glanced at the redhead instinctively, and took a few seconds to analyze her, longer than was ethical. His name was Colton, an operational agent.

- “Good morning, Colton. Tell me you brought good news,” Spencer said, leaning back in her chair.

- “I brought the reports you asked for”

- "Leave it to me. This is Blair Collins, our newest coworker.”

Colton kept his eyes on the woman for a few seconds, then smiled. He liked the sympathy her angelic, beautiful face expressed.

- "Welcome, Blair"

- "Thank you, Colton"

Colton left the files on the inspector's desk and left the room. Spencer opened the reports without much anticipation, knowing that none of her cases were easily resolved. Blair didn't understand that movement, and was confused about her presence in that room.

- “Yes, I investigated your life. I know she lived in Philadelphia, and I know she was a great employee in the New York department. I also know she's the daughter of a millionaire filmmaker,” Spencer said nonchalantly as he started to read one of the open reports.

- “I guess it's your job”

- “Well, it's true. But there is another reason you are here.”

- "And what would be?" Blair asked, frowning with a mixture of confusion and discomfort.

- “Your father, Jean Collins, is a very influential man in the elite. He knows people who interest us. And the only way to reach people at the top is to climb there.”

Blair didn't need more words to understand the situation. Then the police department would use his father's social standing to reach powerful people. At first, she thought it was a good joke, but just looking at Spencer's serious expression to see that it wasn't.

- "I understood. You want to use my father's social position to reach people like him, and you want to use me for that. But I'm sorry, Spencer, I'm not part of Jean's social milieu,” she explained.

- "I know. You've spent many years away from him, and most people don't even know that Jean has a daughter. But I'm sorry Collins, now it's time to show yourself to the world."

- “Do you want me to work as an undercover agent or something?”

- "No. We're not the FBI. Turns out a billionaire has come up on our suspect list, his name is George Banks.”

Spencer opened the top drawer of her desk and took out a folder. He opened it and took the first photo out of the pile, holding the paper out so Blair could see it. It was a printed image of a well-kept man in his mid-sixties, well dressed and accompanied by an elegant woman.

- “I've been investigating this man for years, but his record is cleaner than distilled water. The Banks family is above suspicion,” he continued.

- "Then why do you keep investigating?"

- “My intuition never fails. I know there's something wrong. But the CIA never wanted to get involved in the investigation, because if we're wrong, this family is against us,” Spencer commented, looking wistfully at the photo.

- “I need to understand better”

- “I don't want you to be an undercover spy, Blair. I just want you to attend events with your father, and be my eyes and ears in high society. I will never have a better chance”

- "And if you're wrong?" Blair questioned, never ruling out the possibility.

- “If I am wrong, then we will forget about this investigation and you will go back to being a simple assistant”

Blair ran her hands through her hair nervously. She was assigned to print papers, make coffee, answer phone calls, and send messages. This was his job in New York. However, overnight, the woman found herself having to spy on the lives of millionaires.

- “Benedict Brian was a Parisian fashion designer. He was brutally murdered five years ago, and his body was found in one of his workshops, with strategic stab wounds and part of his tongue severed. It's a common mark among traditional mafias, who follow strict protocols... ” Spencer began to explain, seeing that only then would he be able to convince the woman in front of him.

- “...Some witnesses cited the surname Bank s. Everyone ignored it, but I didn't. Four days after Benedict's murder, Ethan Banks took over the family business. My mind exploded, and I tried hard to find enough evidence. But they were slippery...”

The inspector leaned forward, leaning his elbows on the antique table. He looked at Blair almost as if he were pleading. That case, in particular, was one that the man could not solve. Even after years of trying, sleepless nights and fruitless research, he didn't give up. For Spencer, good should always prevail, and if it didn't, it was his obligation to intervene.

- “...My boss ordered me to stop my obsession. Involving the country's most influential family in an investigation would be like asking to be prosecuted. He gave me one last chance, and I can't let him down. If we don't get even one proof against this family, then it's over,” he added.

Blair Collins didn't know how convinced she was. She still couldn't dissolve the information she'd been given. However, the only certainty she had was that helping Spencer could be a good and selfless thing.

"I can try." Blair muttered, a little hesitant in her words.

- "I hope so. Now let's meet your co-workers, then I'll explain the next steps.”