A Curious Case
#FFF 355: A Curious Connection
@flashfictionfridayofficial
Avatar: The Legend of Korra
Main: Lin Beifong (implied Linzolt)
Word Count: 490
Summary: Shortly after Lin is injured in the line of duty, some interesting developments occur between the triads.
“Lin, what are you doing here?” the newly appointed police chief Detective Hana Li asked, stern and gentle in equal parts, as soon as Lin appeared in Toph's doorway. Detective Li’s doorway now. Chief Li’s. In truth, it was all enough change to make Lin’s head split mercilessly, even with all the painkillers and muscle relaxers Katara had insisted on her taking since the incident. “You're not supposed to be back yet.”
“I'm fine—”
“You were recently injured in the line of duty and have three whole weeks of medical leave left. I know because I signed off on the paperwork. And I also know that your doctor hasn't cleared you for field work yet.”
Lin took a deep breath and tried not to flinch when her cheek smarted on the exhale. “I know,” she said. “It's just too quiet in that house. I feel like I'm losing it.”
“Then move, or get a hobby. I'm not risking one of my top detectives' safety because she's bored.”
“It doesn't have to be in the field,” Lin said. “Just let me help with something. What are you working on now?”
“Payroll,” Chief Li said flatly. “And annual budgets. The triad maps are shifting like never before and here I am arguing with the council over fucking decimal points. I finally see why your mom always had such a massive stick up her ass.”
“What's happening with the triads?” Lin asked, sensing an in.
“The Triple Threats are running Sandshark Heights these days.”
“But that's the heart of Terra territory.”
“Not since they pissed off the Triple Threats, it seems.” Chief Li said. “You know, it's a curious thing how this turf war seems to have started as soon as you went out on leave. If I didn't know any better, I'd say those stolen jewels you recovered were worth more than our investigation accounted for. That, or Lightning Bolt Zolt must have had a thing for your side profile.”
For the first time, Lin felt grateful that she couldn't move her face much until she recovered. “You think a kingpin would start a deadly turf war over my face, when my own mother wouldn't file a damn report over it?”
The laugh that bubbled out of her was mirthless and cold, but in truth, it was not a thing she would put past the Zolt she had once known.
“Sometimes a good enemy can be more consistent than anything else in our lives,” Chief Li said. “So I've heard, anyway. All my enemies are in a cell block or a plot of dirt. It'd make a hell of a story, though.”
Lin shrugged and it only aggravated her head a little. “Better than payroll at least. But I'm glad it was you who got promoted to chief.”
Chief Li rolled her eyes. “And flattery will not get you back to work any sooner. Go home, defective. And that's not a suggestion.”
