6:52 AM – LAPD Mid-Wilshire, Evidence Room
Lucy slid a file across the metal table. Alice’s eyes scanned the top sheet — trafficking ledger, South L.A., multiple minor victims, suspected link to La Fiera.
“Grey wants us quiet on this,” Lucy said. “Narcotics is circling. But no one’s closer to this victim than you.”
Alice lifted her gaze.
“Who’s the survivor?”
Lucy hesitated. “Seventeen. Didn’t give a name. But she asked for you — specifically.”
That stopped Alice cold.
---
7:20 AM – Interview Room B
The girl sat hunched, arms crossed like a fortress.
Alice entered quietly, no badge, no clipboard.
Just presence.
“I’m not a cop,” the girl snapped.
“Neither am I,” Alice replied gently. “Not today.”
Silence.
Then the girl whispered, “I saw her. The queen. The one they call La Fiera.”
Alice nodded slowly.
“Tell me what you saw.”
---
8:03 AM – Outside the Interview Room
“She was branded,” Alice said softly, voice flat. “Wrist. Mark of servitude.”
Tim frowned. “You think it’s La Fiera’s operation?”
“I know it is.”
Nyla stepped into the hallway behind them, arms crossed.
“You sure you’re not seeing ghosts from Boston?”
Alice turned. “This isn’t projection.”
“I’m not saying it is,” Nyla said calmly. “I’m saying it’s close. And close things can cloud you.”
Alice didn’t flinch — but didn’t deny it either.
---
9:12 AM – Briefing Room, Task Force Update
Angela Lopez spread photos across the table — tattoos, warehouse locations, surveillance.
“She’s shifting cargo through underground kitchens,” Angela said. “Catering trucks. No one checks ‘em unless there’s a tip.”
Grey turned to Alice. “You willing to go in? You’ll be the only one La Fiera doesn’t recognize.”
Alice nodded.
Angela raised an eyebrow. “You good playing bait?”
Alice looked her dead in the eye.
“I’ve been bait before. This time, I get to choose it.”
---
10:03 AM – Armory, Prepping Gear
Lucy and Alice suited up side by side.
“You always this quiet before ops?” Lucy asked.
Alice checked her sidearm. “Only when I’m scared.”
Lucy blinked.
“You’re scared?”
Alice finally looked up.
YOU ARE READING
Rabbit Hearts & Bulletproof Vests || Tim Bradford??
FanfictionAlice Hartwell never wanted to be a hero - just someone who could run toward the chaos and still feel the world's poetry through it. But when she joins the LAPD as a rookie and is paired with the infamously hard-edged Tim Bradford, she finds herself...
