Strangers in Costumes: The Detective

For an hour and a half, I drifted in and out of my stressful daydreams. The seatbelt symbol illuminates a soft glow and in unison, passengers rise to gather their belongings. I shake off peeled skin and chipped nails, stress that collected in my lap. As the passengers exit the plane, I catch glances from the woman who sat behind me. Her almond face looks like she’s carrying the weight of apprehension as she tries to rush out the door.

“Excuse me, Miss, I need to talk to you.” I called her in a neutral tone to not alarm the people around us. The woman gripped her bag to her shoulder and dodged me out the boarding gate, ignoring me like a beggar on the streets.

“Hey, can you slow down for a minute? I just wanna talk.” She whips her head in my direction, sizing me up.

“Slow down?! Man I don’t even know you! You might be a kidnapper or something.” Her comment caught the attention of a few people as we headed towards baggage claim.

“No, I’m a detective.” I stated.

“Ha! Then I should be running!”

“You have something for me and I was told you’d bring it. Didn’t someone tell you to meet Samuel today?” This is an awkward situation and meeting my connect was supposed to be seamless.

“What? Nah you got me confused with someone else. I don’t know anything.” She explained. “You must be Samuel, right? Well, whatever you’re investigating it has nothing to do with me.” Doubt clouds me when I hear these words, praying it isn’t true. I’m killing two birds with one stone on this trip. Meet my connect to get the evidence and be on my way to handle other business.

“So do you know…never mind.” I’m burning to ask more questions but the less she knows, the better.

The woman stops walking abruptly and hands me the note I gave her earlier on the plane. “This isn’t right. If she isn’t the one, where in the hell is the other person?”, I thought. I studied the depths of her eyes, searching for truth and lies. I want to believe her, this beautiful nobody, who coincidentally sat in a seat where I expected someone else to be.

“Well since you’re not the person I’m looking for, then this is all a misunderstanding. I apologize. I didn’t mean to frighten you. Just eager to get what I need and head back to Detroit.” The sincerity in my apology gently breaks the tension between us. But I don’t blame her for being guarded.

“You look like somebody mugged you in an alley.” she joked. I laugh mildly because I know my wounds make me look suspect and less attractive. She explores the cuts on my arm and face but doesn’t ask about them. Maybe she’s rewriting a better version of me from what she sees, something less dim and dangerous. Judging by my appearance, I don’t look like a trustworthy detective. Clean clothes don’t look the same when you’re dirty.

Police academies birth ungodly breeds of peacekeepers and their allegiance speaks a different language. They’re even merciless to their own, poisoning one another with lies and manipulation. I’ll always grab the hands of those who collapse between the cracks of justice, ignored and forgotten under the rubble from the people that swore to protect them. But if that means I have to do it my way to protect them, so be it. I won’t live with a calloused conscience.

“I have an uncle here that does business in Detroit. Maybe the person you’re looking for got scared and changed their mind last minute.”, she assumes. I’m unsure what to believe.

“It looks that way but I’ll worry about that later. So, what kind of business does your uncle do?” I ask curving the conversation.

“None of your business. That kind of business.”, she snapped. “I gotta go.” The woman began walking away until I highlighted a recent happening from a few hours ago.

“Oh by the way, I saw what you did earlier…taking that lady’s money.”, I provoked. I was aroused by the way she curled her lips in disgust, acknowledging her sin.

“Relax.” I smirked, raising my hands in surrender. “Karma will come back to you sooner or later. But not by me.”

“Good luck, Detective…and don’t fucking follow me.” I felt heat radiate from the back of her throat. Would following her be worth it? I could be foolish to do such a thing.

I went outside after grabbing my bag from the carousel. I noticed her climb in the backseat of a black Chevy Impala with two men inside. Smiles instantly exchanged and she’s enveloped in safety to finally get away from me. Before driving off, she looked up once more and notices I’m staring at her. I purposely stood in plain view by the automatic doors, begging her to match my gaze before she leaves. Fear didn’t glaze her eyes this time, only a warning. But she could leave with me if she wanted to.

My phone dings and it’s Jeanine texting to see if I made it. Only a few people know I’m in St. Louis and my captain believes I’m visiting family for the next three days. But I don’t have family here, only Jeanine, a detective I’ve been working with for the past three years.

Our agreement is we offer intel and our bodies and to never make accommodations for our hearts.

When I looked up from my phone, the Impala was gone. My heart refuses to bless my mind and body with sound peace. I can’t afford distracting fantasies of a random woman who I’ll probably never see again. I don’t even know her name. She’s not important right now and I need to make this call.

“Samuel.” Oz answered my call.

“Oz, I don’t know what happened but your guy didn’t show up with the evidence. I got a lil’ somethin’ to work with while I’m here but I don’t know where to go around the city without the rest. We need a new plan.”

For my first flash fic series, I’m enjoying this process and love the way story is coming together.

How do you feel about Samuel and the woman?

What’s your favorite part(s)?

If you haven’t read parts ONE and TWO, go back and read them.

Strangers in Costumes: The Loadmaster

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November 5, 2025

I broil underneath the sun as the heat index climbed over 100 degrees on the flight line. Shade from the plane barely cools me off as sweat trails under my chin before landing on my camouflage top. I watch Oz round the crates one at a time, recording each one before we depart. He’s the only person I talk to when he needs wea…

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March 9, 2025

“Flight 3756 to St. Louis will be boarding in 30 minutes.” the airline attendant announces.

Thanks for reading my shit. I love you.

alex b.