Page 52 of The Presidents Shadow

MADDY IS READY to go undercover. Really undercover.

But she realizes that this is no Halloween costume party.

This is the real world, and her intrusion into a very dark part of it is truly frightening.

She has to admit to herself that she’s scared.

Yes, she keeps reminding herself that she’s worked hard with Dache, that he’s even assured her (in his own stern way) that she has mastered the teachings of the master.

But Dache is still a man in a man’s world, and Maddy is about to wander into the worst place to be a female.

She’s got to do it. Belinda and the other girls need her. No matter what she encounters, she has to remember that they live like this, with no hope of escape. Her undercover is their everyday.

The start of her adventure begins badly. In fact, it begins very badly.

Maddy arrives quietly and leans against the side wall of a luxury apartment building. A few yards away from her is another girl, clearly working the same job as Maddy. They exchange a glance, and after a minute or two the other girl walks quickly toward Maddy.

“You’re Belinda’s friend,” the girl says.

“How’d you know that?” is what Maddy says.

“Belinda told me a few days ago that her new ‘guardian angel’ was thinking of joining us,” says the girl. Then she adds, “So, you’re a cop, right?”

“No,” Maddy says. “I work for the public defender’s office, but I’m here on my own.”

“Bullshit,” says the girl. “Here on your own for what? You tried, girl, but everything you’re wearing is expensive labels. You don’t need a dime, and you ain’t here for—”

“I want to help,” Maddy says, quickly cutting her off.

The girl’s eyes narrow. “Like I say, bullshit.”

The girl yawns and smiles just a tiny bit. Then she says, “No difference to me, you want to take a walk on the wild side. Just get off my corner. You filch my customers, I’ll tear that expensive hair out by the roots.”

So much for caring about others, Maddy thinks to herself, as she slinks away from the girl.