by T5
Crasher enjoyed her rides in the speedboat. Its two 1,100-horsepower Chevrolet engines gave the boat a nice touch of freedom. Not many boats could catch up with her. With the engine roaring and the wind in her hair, she zoomed out to the island where she lived. She gave the ropes to the men working at the small harbor. Two other, larger yachts laid there.
She walked up the path to the thirteenth century keep and rounded the corner for the side path that would get her to the back gardens.
Two Dalmatians met her with wagging tails and enthusiastic barks. "Hi, there, my little heroes. Have you been good today?" She gave them a nice hug and a few loving scratches behind the ears.
"Yes they have," a familiar voice said. It came from the lawn chair, currently moved so its occupant, the old man, could watch the sun going down over the sea.
"I did as you told me, father. I talked to the man called Eurostar and let myself be seen by the cameras. And that puzzles me, father. Why? Shouldn't we ask for his help in secret?"
"Yes, my dear. But as things are looking now, we may need the EPS as well. They are, after all, the good guys... in some matters. Have you seen the news?"
"About Chicago? Yes. It is as you feared. The metas are getting restless. And it's hard to tell which ones are innocent and which ones are sent in as saboteurs."
"And did you read the newspaper today?"
"Which one?"
"The London Times has apparently done some statistic research and found that crime levels in Central Europe are diminishing, a bit too much, I would say, to be normal. Either their numbers are faulty, or someone or something is doing away with the criminal element there."
"Sounds weird. Should I look into it?"
"Ah... would you? It would be a great favor for me."
"Sure, Daddy, anything for you."
"Ah-ah. Tomorrow. Today, you and I are going to enjoy this wonderful view over a nice bowl of chicken soup and garlic bread."