Philomela sat in front of a table covered in case files. Photos of crime scenes, shady deals, and half-captured images of the unknown leader.
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Her brow furrowed.
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They were always there. Always one step ahead.
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"How did they slip through every damn time?" she muttered.
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Just then, someone slid into the seat across from her.
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Philomela looked up, startled. A shady looking woman-wearing something to cover herself, sharp eyes, a presence that felt too comfortable in the shadows.
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"Who—"
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"A friend," the woman interrupted. She leaned forward, tapping one of the photos. "Or an enemy, depending on what you do next."
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Philomela’s spine straightened. "Excuse me?"
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The woman smirked. "Relax, Duchess. I'm a private investigator. And I know things about her that even the police don’t."
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Philomela studied her. A former investigator? That could mean many things.
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"Why would you help me?"
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The woman shrugged. "Let's just say... I have unfinished business and decided to help out the little Duchess."
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She slid a small USB drive across the table.
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"You want clues? You’ll find them in here."
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Philomela’s fingers hesitated over the USB. She looked up.
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"And if I don’t trust you?"
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The woman grinned. "Then, Duchess, you’re already missing out."
This is clearly a snake tempting Eve to eat an apple.
With that, she stood and walked away, leaving Philomela staring at the tiny device in her hands, she clutches it and puts it in her purse.
In a dimly lit room, a large screen flickered to life. The security feed showed Philomela sitting at the table, fingers hovering over a USB drive.
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She was hesitating.
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The mafia leader smirked, swirling a glass of wine between their fingers.
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"Oh, Princess… what will you do?"
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They leaned back into the chair, watching as Philomela glanced around, deep in thought.
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They could almost see the wheels turning in that brilliant little head.
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The investigator had made her move. Now, it was Philomela’s turn.
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"Do you really think you’re in control, Duchess?" They murmured.
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Their eyes gleamed as they reached for the phone.
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A message was typed.
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Unknown Number: Play the game well, Princess. I’d hate for you to get lost.
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She pressed send.
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Back on the screen, Philomela’s phone lit up. She saw her stiffen.
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They laughed, from the otherside of the screen.
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'I'm waiting, darling♡.'
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Philomela grips her phone in anger.
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"Why are they being like this?" Darling here, darling there, this woman.
She types a message back
'Just wait till you see yourself behind bars.'
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Then press send, then almost not a minute passed a notification pop up.
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'If you can or I might as well be your darling♡.'
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"What kind of a criminal texts like that?!"
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'Would you please stop texting me like that.'
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'Why wouldn't I? Darling♡'
'Because you are a criminal'
'So what, you like it don't you?'
Unable to reply further, Philomela turned on her phone's airplane mode.
Their POV
"Looks like she is to flustered to answer me, look at how cute that face is..."
"All mine"
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and then Add to home screen.