Chapter 43

Los Angeles Police Department Headquarters, Los Angeles, California, United States

Gen only had one chance to get what they needed to stop the bank robbery. She had five minutes and a thorough understanding of the layout of the police department headquarters. The old captain of the Los Angeles police department, who had been fired due to his high moral aptitude, gave her his key card and his password. Hopefully, they'd still work and be enough to get her into the restricted access areas of the police headquarters.

Captain Neal had worked closely with Gen to help her understand exactly where and how she needed to find the city maps and bank blueprints. They had discussed having the terminated captain of the police force do the job. But if the magical clapboard failed, then Captain Neal was too recognizable and would blow the whole operation. Gen was trained in being stealthy and also, she was prepared to fight her way out of the building if her cover was blown.

As Gen stood across the street from the Los Angeles Police Department headquarters, she couldn't help but marvel at the towering structure before her. The building was a pillar of glass and steel, its sleek lines and sharp angles a far cry from the ancient stone fortresses of her native London. The sun glinted off the polished surfaces, creating a dazzling display that made Gen squint and shield her eyes.

The air was filled with the constant hum of cars and the chatter of the countless people who moved about the streets like a never-ending river. Gen's nostrils flared as she caught the scent of something savory and spicy wafting from a nearby food cart, mingling with the unpleasant hint of exhaust from the passing vehicles.

As Gen watched, groups of people entered and exited the police headquarters, some wearing the distinctive dark blue uniforms that marked them as officers of the law. Others were dressed in simple clothes, their expressions ranging from worried to relieved as they passed through the large glass doors. The entrance was flanked by towering columns, their surfaces adorned with intricate carvings that reminded Gen of the great cathedrals of her time, though the designs were strange and unfamiliar to her eyes.

Walking inconspicuously up to the sprawling fa?ade, Gen already felt unnoticed in the crowd of people, all distracted by their own plans. No one seemed to notice Gen or anyone around them. Actually, most were distracted, staring at their mobile devices. Several times, Gen observed as people ran into each other, structures or nearly got run over due to the phones that possessed their attention.

For a moment, Gen laughed to herself, thinking that she might not need the magical clapboard if the guards in the building were on their mobile devices. Still, she needed every advantage to sneak into the police department headquarters. Therefore, discreetly, Gen raised the magical clapboard, sucked in a breath and on the exhale she whispered, "Action." Simultaneously, she lifted the top piece of the magical clapboard and slapped it back down with a popping noise.

Gen froze when everyone around her turned, as if something had stolen their attention. Several people looked directly at Gen with puzzled expressions. She tensed, wondering if she'd done something wrong using the magical clapboard. That's when she noticed that it had simply disappeared from her hands. And just as quickly as everyone had seemed to notice her, all the people turned back to what they were doing, looking at their phones or resuming their path—not paying any attention to Gen at all.

Not knowing if it had worked and if she were in fact going unnoticed, Gen decided to test things before passing through the entrance to the police department headquarters. She sped up, sidling up next to a guy who was walking fast and staring forward.

Daringly, Gen waved her hand in front of his face, knowing that if she did that normally, the person would halt and probably wonder what the hell was wrong with her. The guy, untouched by her gesture, simply continued on, not seeming to notice her or the movement in front of him. Gen smiled, feeling invisible and invincible, but that wouldn't last long—therefore she had to be fast.

As she passed through the entrance, invisible to the busy world around her, the atmosphere shifted. Inside the building, the air was cooler and carried the scent of coffee mingling with the industrial freshness of air conditioning. The lobby was spacious, its high ceilings contributing to a feeling of openness.

A large emblem of the LAPD adorned one wall, flanked by American and Californian flags that stood solemnly on either side. Desks manned by uniformed officers and civilian staff formed a semi-circle in the center of the room, guiding visitors and answering queries with practiced ease. The soft clack of keyboards and the rustle of paperwork provided a steady background cadence.

Gen moved effortlessly past the main security checkpoint, where officers and security personnel screened people with metal detectors and x-ray machines for bags. Her invisibility allowed her to glide through without the usual stop-and-frisk or the need to empty pockets.

She could almost feel the gaze of the security cameras, and hesitated, studying one as it rotated, scanning the area. It didn't pause on her and so she assumed that like with all the guards and personnel, it simply didn't notice her. It was strange to be solid and visible, but not seen, like she was covered in a strange camouflage.

As Gen navigated through the bustling environment, she was careful to slide around people in the crowded areas. This was a first actually because others usually saw Gen and avoided her. But several times, officers nearly ran into her, not seeing her striding straight in front of them. These uniformed personnel moved purposefully, badges glinting under the bright fluorescent lights, their faces set with the seriousness of their daily responsibilities.

Following Captain Neal's detailed instructions, Gen made her way toward the restricted access areas, where the atmosphere grew noticeably quieter. Apparently, the city maps and blueprints they needed for their plans were kept in the Major Crimes Division of the headquarters. That was where sensitive information related to potential threats and vulnerabilities were guarded behind several security measures.

The hallway narrowed as Gen entered the Major Crimes Division. The bustle of the main lobby had been replaced with the hushed tones of corridors lined with doors requiring keycard access. Each door bore a placard, marking the significance and confidentiality of the rooms beyond.

When Gen found the office that she'd been told to go to, she halted and checked her phone for the time. She'd used up two minutes. According to Rusty, she would only go unnoticed for two to four more minutes. Gen had to hope that the next part was faster and she got out of the police headquarters before she was spotted. Dwayne would have her head if she was caught trespassing in that building.

Using Captain Neal's credentials, she swiped a keycard as instructed with a flick of her wrist over a scanner. Gen held her breath, hoping that the badge still worked. The soft beep and flash of green light granting her entry made her chest lighten with relief. The door clicked open to a less frequented passage that smelled faintly of various chemicals—a stark contrast to the lively sensory experiences of the lobby.

In this secluded part of the headquarters, the air was thick with the weight of responsibility and secrecy. Here was where the real nerve center of her operation existed. This was where she'd access the secure data and sensitive information that would make or break their plans to stop the bank robbery.

Gen's heart raced from the anticipation of reaching her goal. This was the culmination of all her meticulous planning and daring. As she slid into the seat of an empty workstation, she knew the hardest part of this mission was next. The woman from medieval London was going to have to use a computer.