Diana nodded slowly, studying the operation outline pinned to Michelle's board. "You need the Leadership for Women in Business workshop as your entry point?"
"It's our best angle. The membership coordinator has already provisionally accepted our application. Natasha and I were supposed to be former corporate colleagues starting a consulting business. The workshop is the foothold we need."
Diana leaned against the desk, arms crossed. "What about the new transfer? Walsh?"
Michelle blinked, trying to place the name. "From Coastal Heights PD?"
"Arrived last week. Her file landed on my desk for review this morning." Diana's expression turned thoughtful. "Specialized inundercover work and received commendations for an operation infiltrating a real estate money laundering ring. According to her previous captain, she has exceptional adaptability in developing cover identities."
Michelle pulled up the personnel file, skimming quickly. Detective Jenna Walsh, thirty years old, five years in law enforcement with the last three in undercover operations. Impressive closure rate. Psychology degree before switching to criminal justice.
"She's young," Michelle noted, a hint of reservation in her voice.
"Young enough to be hungry to prove herself," Diana countered. "Sometimes fresh eyes see what we miss."
Michelle continued reading, her interest growing as she absorbed Walsh's performance evaluations. Described as intuitive, quick-thinking, and naturally charismatic—all qualities essential for undercover work.
"I'd need to vet her myself," Michelle said, already calculating how quickly they could modify the operation parameters. It bothered Michelle to work so closely with someone as yet unknown to her. "And she'd need to understand that this isn't a typical assignment. The PWC women are extraordinarily careful. One slip and it’s blown."
Diana nodded. "Have her report to you after this afternoon's departmental briefing. See if your instincts say she's right for this."
After the Chief left, Michelle stared at Jenna Walsh's personnel photograph. The young detective had intelligent eyes and an open, approachable expression. Good features for undercoverwork—memorable enough to make an impression but not so distinctive as to stand out in a crowd.
Michelle pushed away from her desk and walked to the window, looking out at Phoenix Ridge's dramatic coastline in the distance. The city's iconic cliffs caught the late afternoon sun, the ocean beyond a deep blue that usually calmed her. Today, it offered no peace.
Ten days until the shipment. Three dead girls whose families deserved justice. An operation hanging by a thread.
"Let's see what you're made of, Detective Walsh," Michelle murmured, returning to her desk to continue adjusting the operation parameters, ignoring the knot of tension settling between her shoulders.
After several hours, Michelle pushed away from her desk, glancing at her watch. The department briefing was starting in fifteen minutes, and it offered the perfect opportunity to observe Detective Walsh in person. She gathered her notes, locked her office, and made her way through the busy hallways of Phoenix Ridge PD.
The department was housed in a renovated historical building, its modern interior contrasting with the classic stone exterior. Michelle nodded to officers as she passed, her mind still working through contingency plans if Jenna proved unsuitable. By the time she reached the conference room, she had mentally outlined three alternative approaches to the operation, none of them optimal.
Michelle arrived five minutes early, claiming a spot at the back of the room where she could observe without being the center of attention. As a captain, she typically led these meetings, but today she'd asked Lieutenant Allison Harper to handle the briefing. Michelle needed to focus on identifying Natasha's replacement, not on departmental updates.
The conference room filled quickly with the controlled chaos of shift change—detectives finishing their day mingling with those just starting. Michelle scanned familiar faces, registering the absence of Detective Rivera, who was testifying in court and noting Detective Rhodes's animated conversation with Sergeant Cooper about a case they'd closed yesterday.
"Quite a turnout," said a voice beside her.
Michelle nodded to Detective Julia Scott, the veteran detective who'd originally connected the designer drug deaths to the Phoenix Women's Collective. At thirty-nine, Julia had the calm confidence of someone who'd seen everything the job could throw at her and remained standing.
"Rumor has it we've got fresh blood," Julia continued, crossing her arms. "Three transfers from different departments. One from my old academy class—Valerie Rhodes. Good detective, solid instincts."
Michelle scanned the room again, this time noting the less familiar faces. "Which ones are the transfers?"
Julia subtly indicated a tall woman with close-cropped hair speaking with the Chief Diana Marten. "Rhodes, homicide." Then she nodded toward a slender woman examining the case board along the side wall. "That's Bethany Farley, she'll be working with Mendez in scene containment with the tactical team." Finally, Julia's gaze settled on a woman standing near the front of the room, her chestnut hair falling in loose waves to her shoulders. "And that's Jenna Walsh from Coastal Heights. Undercover specialist, from what I hear."
Michelle studied Jenna, cataloging details with professional assessment. Mid-height, athletic build, easy posture that spoke of physical confidence without aggression. She wore dark jeans and a deep green blouse that complemented her coloring, the outfit walking the line between professional and approachable. Even from this distance, Michelle could see she had the kind offeatures that registered as attractive without being distinctively memorable—a natural asset for undercover work.
What caught Michelle's attention, however, was how Jenna interacted with the officers around her. She kept her body language open and her smile genuine but not forced, listening intently to whoever was speaking. She seemed to project a warmth that had already drawn several colleagues into her orbit, despite being the newest arrival.
"Interesting," Michelle murmured.
Julia raised an eyebrow. "Looking for Natasha's replacement already?"
Michelle didn't bother asking how Julia knew about the setback. The veteran detective had an uncanny ability to know department business before it was officially announced. "Possibly. What else do you know about Walsh?"
"Came up through Coastal Heights PD. Small department, but they run a tight ship. Their undercover operations have a solid reputation."
