Zaphira's Flame's

Stepping out of the shower, there’s a message from Raphe telling me to check the computer he gave me for work. Pulling on some clothes, I booted it up. Sitting there are all kinds of numbers, and expense reports.

Getting to work, I’ve been doing this for a while, I love it; I loved being a cop; but the number world, is me.

Putting it all in order, I marked things that should not be put through and sent it all to his link. Seconds later my phone started to ring.

“Hey boss. Yeah I’m looking at it all right now.” “So all this can’t be put through.” “Correct. There are a bunch of names I have highlighted, send me everything they put through, most of it makes no sense.” “Done. Just one click here, and everything is filed the way it should be.” I waited for him to respond. “I need you come in to the office. I think there are some things you need to see.” “Alright. I’ll be there as soon as I can.” We hung up, just as I put it in my bag, Alex came in. “Where are you off too?” “Raphe needs me to come into the office.” He nodded. “Ok. I’ll drive you, come on.” Taking my hand, we walked down to his car. Ever since that night, Alex has been acting odd around me, I think that he thinks he broke me or something. I don’t know how to tell him that’s not the case, he just keeps a close eye on me.

Driving through the streets, we stopped at his office building. “Alright let’s go.” Stepping through the door, the air changed, and every single person working here is a demon of some description.

Looking at everyone there all in their colors, but no one said a word to us either of us as we went upstairs.

“Good you’re both here.” Stepping into Raphes office there are boxes of records all over the place.

“What’s going on in here?” “Things have been a little crazy here for a while. We have to go through all this.” I nodded taking a box I started going through file after file.

“So all these are statements that are questionable. You have to talk to all these people.” He nodded, making the calls. One by one people started filing into his office; until every person on my list is in there with us.

“Miss Lane. The floor is all yours.”

Standing, I moved to the front of the conference room. “Good afternoon everyone. What you see before you are expense statements that don’t add up. I want you all one by one to come up and explain what they are.” I said looking at every face in the room.

“If I deem that they are all acceptable, you are free to go. But if I find that you are lying about them, you will have to pay it all back, and I have been given permission to fire you, as I see fit.” Low murmurs, started around the room. “Silence!” Raphe said, smashing his fists against the table. “You will do as she says, or you all have to pay every cent back, and you will all be fired here and now. Which will it be?”

A few came forward, set their badges on the table, and walked out. I took their names and amounts that they owe, and watched everyone else.

By the time that the last person left, half a dozen people walked out, quitting their jobs, here and now.

“Alright to everyone that is still here, you may make your case.” I said, sitting back, as one by one came forward; grabbing the file with their name on it.

“Thank you all. You’re free to go. As for the rest of you, stay until I say otherwise.” Eight of them left, sighing in relief. That still leaves five that will be paying us back. I will have to talk to Raphe about, if we’re going to fire them, or not. After the last person has left, Raphe and I looked at each other.

“Well that went better than expected. Thank you Z for your help.” Smiling I re-boxed the files, piling them in the corner. “It was my pleasure. It was kind of fun. Getting to all them like that.” Forming a small fire ball in my hand. “What are we going to do about them?” “We’ll keep them for now, but keep a close eye on them. Make sure they don’t do anything like this again.” Looking at the clock on the wall, I had no idea it was so late.

“Let’s head home. It’s been a long day.” I nodded; grabbed my purse. “Someone will come and put these back correct?” He nodded, as we walked back to his office. “Alex will meet us back at the house. He had some things he had to take care of.” “Alright.” He spoke to his secretary for a moment, while I grabbed our coats. “All set?” He nodded, and walked down to the garage.

Getting closer to his car, something doesn’t feel right; the way Raphe has tensed up, I know he feels it as well.

There’s a ticking sound. “Get down!” Raphe threw me to the ground as an explosion erupted.