A twisted sense of Justice

[Laverna]

.“Welcome and good evening. We’ve pulled off another successful caper, and I’m sure those pesky Acme detectives found the game amusing, even if they won’t admit it.” Carmen laughed wickedly, her voice echoing off the walls, prompting a wave of applause from her henchmen.

A holographic screen flickered to life as Carmen gestured toward a black Siberian husky. The once-dark fur of the dog had aged to a deep brown, and it now resided in Carmen’s private collection.

“As we all know, our poor guest Balto was sold to a sideshow and treated like a circus animal after saving so many lives in Nome, Alaska. What a disgrace to such a historical figure.” Carmen continued with a gleeful smile, explaining as if she honestly rescued the dog on March 19, 1927.

Yet, the rest of the crowd seemed eager to shower the thief with endless praise. Laverna, one of the youngest recruits, sat reclined in the furthest corner of the vast auditorium, surrounded by a mix of eccentric and colorful criminals.

The small woman scoffed at the spectacle but chose to keep her thoughts to herself as the others remained fixated on their boss.

To most of the villains, Carmen seemed immortal, as though she had stolen the secret to eternal youth. However, Laverna had noticed the subtle changes—how the once-thrilling, high-stakes pursuits had slowed. Time would catch up to everyone eventually, and Laverna knew that Carmen, like thousands before her, would one day wither away.

The realization that time is fleeting brought pinpricks of tears to the teenager’s eyes. She quickly rubbed them away with the sleeve of her cranberry pink cardigan, glancing around to ensure no one had noticed. A sigh of relief escaped her; everyone else seemed entranced by Carmen, lost in their admiration for the thief.

Laverna had only worked for Carmen for six years, yet it felt long enough to see through her act. She groaned inwardly as Carmen recounted the string of heists, boasting as if she had conceived them all herself.

Laverna bit her bottom lip, struggling to keep her temper in check as frustration bubbled beneath the surface.


“I’m honestly a genius. Who can rival my brilliance?” Carmen declared, prompting Laverna to stifle a fake yawn.

When their eyes met, Carmen shot her a playful smirk, continuing her egotistical display while her heels tapped rhythmically against the wooden floor.

“I’m the one who planned the heists of Smokey, Nemo, Hitachi, and Balto. How dare she act like she’s the only one with good ideas?” Laverna muttered under her breath.

She gritted her teeth, battling the urge for an explosive reaction. Carmen was toying with her, treating her like an amateur.

Behind her sat a goon in a nondescript gray uniform, his face obscured, adding to the anonymity of the row.

“Easy, she’s just playing with you,” the goon whispered into Laverna’s ear.

A sheepish response tumbled from her lips. “I know that, but I’m not a fiddle.” She slumped back in her seat, making it rock as if it were on a ship during a stormy night.

The goon laughed, pulling his mask up to reveal himself as Devlin Crooks. The ruffian had managed to escape from Acme’s private penitentiary, all while trying to keep a low profile. He had pulled off the escape without the help of the main boss, instead taking orders from a lesser-known criminal mastermind.

“If it isn’t my beloved Dr. Jekyll. What a pleasant surprise and how did you return!” Laverna quipped sarcastically, turning her attention back to the meeting.

“You mean the escape plans you slipped me in secret? Cleverly disguised as cheesy love letters,” Devlin replied, trying to distract the irritated pipsqueak.

“A very simplistic code. I’m surprised the guards didn’t catch it,” she added, a proud smile crossing her face.

“Nah, Acme just pays those brutes to look tough. The real brains are out chasing her,” Devlin said casually, nodding toward Carmen.

As the meeting ended, the villains swiftly departed, though three remained behind.

"Now, what are you two cozy lovebirds eagerly chatting about?" Carmen asked, her curiosity piqued—a dangerous thing for anything or anyone that caught her attention.

If they weren’t used to Carmen’s antics, she would have effectively startled them. She had seemingly teleported to Laverna’s right, sitting unnervingly close. Laverna could feel the texture of the tweed fabric from Carmen’s suit brushing against her, adding to the tension of the moment.

“I was just asking how he escaped. I had no part in it,” Laverna lied, trying to act clueless about how her boyfriend had managed to return home from prison.

Carmen raised an eyebrow and ruffled Laverna’s hair. “You know, you’re terrible at lying, Miss Bonnie Parker,” she laughed, clearly amused by the girl's flimsy denial.

“My boy, why aren’t you playing a harmonica behind cold bars?” Carmen teased Devlin with a sly grin.

“I don’t even own a harmonica,” Devlin grumbled in response.

“Oh, I see. Well, you should expect one for your Christmas bonus then,” Carmen replied, her voice dripping with playful sarcasm.

She yanked his ski mask off as if these two teenage delinquents were merely her wayward children.

Her blue eyes narrowed as she noticed a laceration on his right cheekbone, which was also mildly bruised.

Carmen Sandiego took on an overprotective parental role for the youngest agents, often inspecting them for any signs of trouble as if they were delicate figurines made of glass.

“You better tell me you didn’t stitch this yourself,” Carmen asked, feigning ignorance. The wound was held shut with dental floss instead of surgical thread, and a mild infection was oozing a sour-smelling pus.

“And you know it’s infected. I thought your specialty was biochemistry; I stand corrected,” Carmen playfully mocked, trying to mask her concern.

“I make pharmaceutical remedies; I’m more of a pharmacist than a doctor,” he mumbled, eager to deflect the awkwardness of the situation.

“I insist, you seek treatment in the infirmary immediately,” Carmen ordered, prompting Devlin to flee toward the medical pavilion.

“Now, Laverna, pack your overnight bag with a few changes of clothes. We’re leaving first thing in the morning for one-on-one training. Dress comfortably for the journey,” Carmen instructed.

“Yes, Miss Sandiego. What time should I meet you at the car?” Laverna asked.

“Between 5:20 and 5:30 a.m.,” Carmen replied before vanishing as if she had never been there.

Carmen couldn’t help but smile as she watched Laverna arrive on time, ready to jump into the car first thing in the morning.

Laverna wore a simple burgundy cropped sweatsuit over a white tank top, her black hair slicked back with a maroon headband. She was comfortably dressed as instructed.

As she casually tossed her vibrant red and black overnight bag into the spacious backseat, the laces of her creamy white sneakers came loose.

Carmen hadn’t bothered to apply makeup, and a tired yawn escaped her lips. With a two-day journey ahead of them and only 5:30 in the morning, most of Vile’s agents were still sound asleep in their beds.

“Good morning, Laverna,” Carmen said casually as she watched the teenager buckle in. “You can rest and catch up on your sleep while I take the wheel.”

Laverna let out a loud groan, clearly displeased with the early start. “Why does it have to be so early? I’m a growing kid, you know,” she complained, her frustration evident in her tone as she addressed her boss.

Carmen chuckled as she maneuvered the car out of the parking garage. “The early bird catches the worm,” she said, amused by Laverna’s grumbles.

“You and your corny expressions,” Laverna mumbled, reclining her seat and surrendering to sleep as the journey began.

As Carmen drove her red convertible toward the interstate, she fell into deep thought. “I don’t know why I love you,” she admitted to herself, grappling with her emotions.

The girl had never been openly affectionate or appreciative of Carmen's hospitality. Laverna always had a snarky remark and rarely seemed to know how to say please or thank you.

Carmen assumed Laverna simply didn’t know how to express her gratitude. After all, she understood how adoptive children were expected to bounce with joy at the idea of a new family.

Carmen had been legally adopted by the Acme detective agency nearly four decades ago, in the summer of nineteen seventy-something, when she was around twelve. She had been baffled that a company could even adopt a child.


“Are you kidding me? A private detective firm adopted me instead of a young couple? You know it's a little late for April Fool’s Day, ma’am,” the young Carmen had groaned, incredulous at the absurdity of it all.

Carmen shook her head, returning to the present. She was in her late fifties, with gray streaks filtering through her hair, she felt the wear and tear of a lifetime filled with impressive crimes, aging like fine wine.

Her face still appeared youthful, free of wrinkles, sun spots, or blemishes. She could afford to visit the best beauticians in the world; she was one of the luckiest women out there.

She had taken in runaways from abusive homes and sheltered orphans under her coat for protection before. Yet Laverna’s uniqueness eluded Carmen

“I think it would be a nice gesture to surprise her with her favorite breakfast. She’s been doing well lately, and I’m feeling pretty hungry, too,” Carmen thought to herself as she sneaked a glance at the snoring Laverna.

The teenager constantly insisted on having things her way. Originally, her codename was supposed to be Wanda Ren, but she adamantly refused, claiming she was a goddess. As a result, she was named Laverna after the Roman goddess of thieves.

Many of her peers had never dared to demand things from their boss, yet Laverna had that Sandiego audacity. She called Carmen out on her bluffs daily, and Carmen found great amusement in hearing her ideas hopelessly shattered by such a spirited youth.

The girl added wonderful twists and turns to Carmen's nearly three-decade-long game of cat and mouse. Her ideas were fresh, challenging, and wickedly delightful.

“Pathetic,” Laverna mumbled in her sleep, causing Carmen to raise an eyebrow in confusion as they pulled into the nearly empty parking lot of a small breakfast café.

Before getting out of the car, Carmen leaned over and gently kissed Laverna on the forehead, silently reassuring her that they would be right back. The soles of her gray sneakers hit the pebblestones filling the parking space.

The car doors locked with a beep as she swiftly entered the small shop, reminiscent of a donut café from the nineteen fifties. “If I want to fish for cops, I know the place now,” she chuckled as she stepped through the threshold.

People often overlook the best mom-and-pop restaurants lining the countryside along long stretches of the interstate. Carmen knew that the places in the middle of nowhere were often the best spots to grab a delicious homestyle meal. If left to her own devices, Laverna would likely survive on junk food and instant ramen, filling her stomach with empty calories and sugary sodas.

“Good morning! I’m wondering if you accept to-go orders. My little one is sleeping, and I’d love to grab some breakfast to go before we hit the road again,” Carmen asked the elderly woman behind the register.

“Yes, we do, sugar,” the woman replied cheerfully, her voice wispy and delightful like a hummingbird’s wings. Her gray hair was tied up in a curly ponytail,

“My little one is obsessed with sausage. May I ask for a few extra to be thrown in hers?” Carmen casually inquired, her eyes wandering around the café’s many black-and-white photographs adorning the walls.

The woman nodded and hurriedly disappeared into the kitchen, effectively hidden behind the counter.

“That’s one tall order, officer,” Carmen chuckled as she noticed a newspaper clipping about a cop measuring seven feet eleven inches tall. The rest of the article had worn away with age.

Carmen allowed her imagination to wander, picturing what it would be like to be pursued by such an abnormally tall cop. “He seems like a handsome and worthy rival. Perhaps he would enjoy the chase as much as I do,” she mused, a small smile tugging at her lips as she visualized maneuvering around the towering figure.


Her flirty daydreams were interrupted when a smaller hand wrapped itself around hers. Carmen jolted back to reality and looked down to see the top of Laverna’s head.

“Morning, sleeping beauty. We’re in a small town in the middle of Texas,” Carmen informed her travel companion.

“Texas?” Laverna remarked, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.

Carmen nodded as she turned around, and the elderly woman handed her a plastic bag containing two Styrofoam containers filled with breakfast: potatoes, sausage, eggs, and Texas-style toast.

“Is this your daughter?” the woman asked, assuming Laverna was much younger than she was.

“Yes, she is. We’re heading out to compete in a pageant this weekend,” Carmen replied, handing the woman twenty dollars.

She quickly pocketed a mix of currencies from around the world before the elderly woman could notice.

“Go get them, little miss beauty queen,” the woman said as Carmen and Laverna left the diner.

“Do I look like I belong in toddlers and tiaras?” Laverna asked in confusion, popping open the container of food.

A tanned young man peered over his newspaper, watching them disappear. An evil smirk spread across his face.

“So, she’s been living with Carmen Sandiego. She’ll be six feet under as soon as she’s alone,” the man chuckled to himself.

Laverna scarfed down her meal faster than she should have, and a loud, painful hiccup escaped her. Carmen burst into laughter as they drove, then decided to question the girl’s hurried eating.

“Are you afraid I’ll steal your breakfast?” Carmen teased, sipping her iced coffee as the car came to a stop at a red light.

Carmen knew that many orphans and displaced children grew up with food insecurity issues. Some stored food away like hamsters, while others inhaled it all at once, and many developed disordered eating habits due to a lack of a nurturing environment. But this wasn’t the case with Laverna.

Laverna’s former life had been filled with luxury; she used to enjoy strawberry cheesecake crepes every morning, served with a side of scrambled duck eggs and a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. Carmen knew the family personally, having collaborated with them on many occasions, and she had seen firsthand the extravagant meals Laverna and her older siblings were offered.

Carmen couldn’t comprehend why Laverna had food insecurity issues today. She had joined VILE on the day of the incident; it wasn’t as if she was starving, at least not according to Carmen's understanding of Laverna’s young life. By the time Carmen retrieved her from the manor, she had been orphaned for only about thirty minutes.

“I guess habits are hard to quit,” Laverna lied as she hit herself in the abdomen with a horrible idea to make herself quit hiccuping. She did often act abnormally tense, yet inhaling food wasn't a normal behavior, although the self-harm is an unfortunate habit that Carmen knew stemmed from the girl suffering from self-loathing.


Carmen concluded that her presence was the culprit causing Laverna to panic over being loved.





“Laverna, I have told you over a thousand times that you need to treat your body with respect. It's not a punching bag.” Carmen groaned as the journey continued onward.


“But,” Laverna whined as she prepared to fist herself again. Carmen pulled the car over quickly.





“Laverna, I am trying to be patient with you. You can't harm yourself over hiccups.” Carmen sighed, annoyed and amused at the situation.


She grabbed Laverna's wrist softly; she knew if she didn’t settle this fight, she’d have bigger problems in the future.





Carmen comforted, “Love shouldn’t hurt. Yes, I know it’s awkward to accept that you are loved.”


“I don’t want you to love me; I want you to hate me,” Laverna whined as Carmen continued her interventions.


“That’s concerning to hear. We should discuss that in detail later,” Carmen said. She released Laverna’s hand before urging her pupil to sleep again.


They continued on their adventure, yet Carmen couldn’t settle as something was amiss.

 

[Laverna]

As Laverna rested in the passenger seat of Carmen’s convertible, her mind drifted back to an incident from a few months ago. The unusual power outage that had crippled much of the Marie Curie Medical Research Institution had turned the sweltering summer heat into a stifling, sticky mess as the night progressed

To the average passerby, the six-story hospital appeared like any other teaching facility for an obscure medical school. But in reality, the unremarkable gray building, located near the coastal border of Texas and Mexico, held far more sinister secrets. Behind its sterile corridors lay the scientific minds of the Villain’s International League of Evil, conducting clandestine research.

Laverna, lost in thought, absentmindedly dug her nails into her scalp, peeling away at scabs with surprising force. Meanwhile, Devlin lay sprawled on the bed, his slender form dressed in gray and white striped boxers and a loose white tank top.

The itching sweat on Laverna’s skin became unbearable. With quiet grace, she rose from the darkened room, careful not to disturb Devlin’s peaceful sleep. “Well, our date night turned into an unwanted sauna,” she muttered under her breath, rummaging through his cluttered nightstand drawer. The faint moonlight filtering through the window revealed the familiar cylindrical shape of his heavy-duty flashlight.

“Sorry, I need to borrow this,” she whispered, but Devlin’s soft snores reassured her he remained deep in sleep.

She clicked on the flashlight, wincing as the bright light momentarily stung her eyes. After blinking away the discomfort, she made her way to the small bathroom. Knowing the lingering sweat would leave her clawing at her skin, she quickly undressed and took a lukewarm shower in the dark. The sensation was eerie, the act of cleansing herself feeling different when surrounded by shadows. She rushed through it, using baby shampoo on a simple washcloth, eager to ease the itching.

Once the discomfort subsided, she snuck back into the bedroom, her exhaustion catching up with her. The rest was a blur as she finally surrendered to sleep.

Morning sunlight filtered into the drab room, casting a golden glow. Devlin, now wide awake, was engrossed in his latest research assignment. His shoulder-length copper hair was tied back with a small elastic, and his hazel-green eyes flicked over illustrations of chemical compounds, periodic elements, and synthetic clones of natural substances.

With lo-fi music playing through his bulky white headphones, his fingers twirled a pencil while he jotted down notes in his notebook. The lack of electricity seemed to spark a new wave of productivity, his focus uninterrupted until Laverna abruptly sat up in bed, her breath hitching in panic.

Concerned, Devlin placed his pencil back into the wire cup on his desk. He rolled his squeaky office chair back, his concentration broken as he noticed her distress. His freckled hands removed his headphones, letting them rest on his neck as his bare feet touched the cold, beige-tiled floor. His sharp awareness of his surroundings spoke to his skill in keeping his unusual research hidden from prying eyes.

“It’s just a flashback. There’s nothing to worry about; the past is long gone,” he murmured, wrapping his sweaty body around Laverna’s tense, irritated skin.


“Devlin, it wasn’t about my past,” she said, her voice shaky. “I dreamt you left me for dead. I was trapped under a steel beam when the museum collapsed, and instead of helping me, you just left me there for the police.”

Before Devlin could offer comfort, Laverna's voice broke with a heart-wrenching question.

“Will you promise never to leave me?” Her green eyes shimmered with unshed tears.


Pulling her closer, he whispered, “I swear on my life, I’ll never leave you.” His arms enveloped her, offering a fleeting moment of peace.


She nestled into his sweaty chest, seeking comfort, but her peaceful dreams filled with recent cherished memories were harshly torn from her.

The girl masked her disappointment about being apart from her boyfriend, studying her boss’s tired expression with a feigned sense of calm.

She suspected that Carmen’s overprotective instincts, heightened by maternal intuition, were at play once again.

“I’m fine,” Laverna said brightly, reaching up to gently touch Carmen's cheek. She didn’t truly believe in the healing power of physical affection, but she was curious to test Devlin's theory about oxytocin.

To her surprise, instead of pulling away, Carmen leaned into the touch, nestling in like a small, soft creature seeking warmth and comfort.

“I’m not Devlin, but I don’t mind a little love now and then,” Carmen teased, closing her eyes to appreciate the rare gesture from the often aggressive adolescent.

“I know you aren’t. He explained that oxytocin has a healing effect, and I’m a skeptic, so I’m trying to debunk his theory,” Laverna grumbled, her fingers brushing against the shell of Carmen's ear.

Carmen’s nose twitched as a smile spread across her face. “Is it working?” she laughed, only for Laverna to shake her head.

Laverna's expression shifted to a confused grimace. “Okay, nothing happened,” she grumbled, pretending it didn’t feel warm and cozy.

“Well, I’m not a genie’s lamp; you can’t rub me three times. I certainly don’t grant wishes,” Carmen teased as she got out to refill the car with gasoline

 

[Laverna]

Laverna paid little attention to the miles of road slipping past. Her focus was on a game of kleptomaniac cats on her phone, a small smile tugging at her lips as her fingers danced across the screen.

It wasn’t until she glanced up at Carmen that the familiar streets registered. They were in the last city her late family had called home.

“Why’d you bring me back to my old stomping grounds?” she asked, her curiosity piqued
"Just passing through. Any place you’d like to see before we leave town?" Carmen asked, pulling into a McDonald’s drive-thru since it was lunchtime.

"My home," Laverna answered quickly, glancing at Carmen with admiration.

"Wasn't your family shot there while you were hiding in a gun safe?" Carmen asked cautiously, trying to gauge whether it was safe for Laverna’s mental state to revisit her family home.

"Yes, it’s been a while. I’m sure the crime scene cleaners have that place squeaky clean by now," Laverna said casually, though there was a weight behind her words. "Besides, I want to get into the secret room—grab something from my past. I don’t own anything. At least you have your locket from your *alleged* family."

She said it lightly as if breaking into her old home wouldn’t hurt. Carmen, after all, had done the same—accidentally breaking into her past without even knowing her father was still alive.

"I don’t recommend it," Carmen sighed, pulling up to the speaker to place their food order. "But I did offer."

Laverna was honestly surprised that Carmen didn’t argue with her. Before she could say anything, Carmen pressed a finger to Laverna’s lips, signaling her to stay quiet.


“Good afternoon, welcome to McDonald’s. May I take your order?” A teenage girl’s voice crackled through the speaker.

“I’d like a Hot 'n Spicy McChicken meal with a medium Coke and a Big Mac meal with medium water,” Carmen ordered smoothly.

Laverna’s jaw dropped in disbelief. You’d think Carmen’s criminal notoriety would’ve left the teen starstruck, but no—it was the fact that Carmen knew Laverna’s exact McDonald’s order that truly left her speechless

It didn’t take long for the food to be handed to them. As Carmen passed Laverna her meal, she rambled, “Did you know the first McDonald’s drive-through was created in 1975 in Sierra Vista, Arizona? It was near Fort Huachuca, a military base, and it was to serve soldiers who weren’t allowed to get out of their cars off-post while wearing fatigues.”

.Laverna smirked as she accepted the meal, shaking her head at Carmen’s constant stream of trivia.

“Eat slowly this time. Savor your food,” Carmen advised. “Did you know if you eat too fast, you can burn your throat? That can cause you to stop breathing, and you could die.”

Laverna raised an eyebrow, half-amused. "Trust you to turn lunch into a life-or-death scenario."

"I'm not joking! I saw a documentary on it a few weeks ago," Carmen exclaimed as she pulled the car into an empty parking lot, giving them space to eat without feeling rushed.

Laverna chuckled, shaking her head. "Only you would turn a lunch break into a survival lesson."

They ate slowly, and Laverna felt like she was enduring etiquette lessons as Carmen critiqued her every bite and sip. It was clear Carmen was attempting to parent, but her approach came off more like a drill instructor.

“Yes, sir,” Laverna joked, rolling her eyes with a grin as she took another sip of her drink


“That’s ‘boss’ to you,” Carmen corrected, munching on her lunch while keeping a careful eye on Laverna. She was relieved to see Laverna enjoying the meal without distress.

“See? You don’t have to rush everything. The tortoise says ‘slow and steady wins the race,’” Carmen added, amused as she tapped the smart screen, activating the auto-pilot.


“Care to type the address of your desired location?” she asked, glancing over at Laverna.

Laverna glanced at Carmen nervously, her breath hitching as she wondered if this was some cruel prank. But Carmen, focused on her Big Mac, showed no signs of mischief.

With the lights flashing in and out of her eyes, Laverna typed in the address. Then, she shoved a handful of fries into her mouth.

“Laverna, I said don’t gobble! I don’t want to stuff you for Thanksgiving,” Carmen teased.

“I’m not a turkey,” Laverna grumbled.

“You sure are saying ‘gobble gobble’ a lot, then,” Carmen shot back with a grin.

After finishing their meal, Carmen pressed the confirmation on the panel. The car revved to life, smoothly heading toward Laverna’s home. The atmosphere shifted, tension mingling with anticipation as they neared a place that held so many memories for Laverna.

 

[Laverna]

The radio played softly in the background as Carmen pondered what Laverna hoped to retrieve from the house.





“Are you after a family photo?” Carmen asked, tilting her head to the side, her long wavy hair fluttering in the car’s movement. The convertible’s roof was down, letting the wind whip through their hair, while Carmen’s loose braid cascaded down to the swell of her back.





Laverna shook her head. “No.”





“A childhood toy? I would have loved to keep the teddy bear I once held, that was gifted to Teddy Roosevelt,” Carmen asked, trying to gauge what Laverna was being so secretive about.





Laverna bit her lip, hesitant. “Not exactly,” she replied, glancing out the window.





“I know you’ll say no unless I show you in person,” Laverna added.





Carmen’s thumb brushed against her old childhood relic, the ruby-encrusted locket that had hung around her neck since she was a toddler. It was a small comfort amid the uncertainty.





“Don’t make me regret this,” Carmen warned, as some of her own old habits flickered to life.





In Carmen’s mind, Laverna was showing obvious signs of guilt—the twitching of her lip, the cold tone in her voice, and the secrecy all pointed to something troubling. Whatever Laverna wanted was likely against the rules Carmen had set for her agents to possess.





She assumed that as soon as they arrived, Laverna would vanish like a thief into the house, quickly retrieve the item, and stash it in her crossbody purse. Carmen braced herself for the moment, ready to follow Laverna’s lead.





She wasn’t sure whether she wanted to back out of the offer. Despite her instincts screaming to intervene, she decided to let it play out, curious about what Laverna was truly after.

 

[Laverna]

Acme Crime-Net was in utter chaos. The youngest person to ever escape their privately owned prison had everyone in a frenzy. Teenage detectives ran in every direction, their panic palpable. It was as if a hurricane had torn through their ranks, leaving confusion and disbelief in its wake.





Chief, watching through his signature purple screen, observed the madness in silence. The teens were acting like an escape was beyond possible—completely unthinkable.





Then, his expression softened into a smile as he saw Acme’s current golden girl confidently stride into the crowd, unshaken by the chaos around her. The mere sight of her presence seemed to command attention, and slowly, the hurricane of panic began to settle.





.The girl, the embodiment of nepotism wrapped in a polished package, carried herself with the regal authority of someone who knew her place was secure. Her icy blonde hair, slicked back into a military-style bun, gave her an air of discipline, while her cold blue eyes scanned the chaos like she already had it under control. Every step she took felt calculated, as if she owned the place—because, in many ways, she did.





She was the daughter of two legends: the boy-genius Zachary White and the stunning Russian agent Tatiana. Together, their reputations made her near royalty in the agency. Her mere presence commanded a silent respect from her peers, even those who whispered behind her back.





"Good afternoon, Detective White. I’m sorry to disrupt your family holiday with such foolishness," Chief said as he floated over to her, his holographic form flickering slightly.





The girl nodded curtly, her expression betraying no emotion. "No need for apologies, Chief. Just point me in the right direction, and I'll sort it out," she replied coolly, already scanning for potential leads before he even answered.





.Chief hesitated, his glowing eyes flickering as he watched Anya White. The resemblance to Carmen Sandiego was uncanny, not just in her intelligence and confidence but in her relentless work ethic, her ego, and that undeniable spark of brilliance that made her the agency's top detective at just sixteen. It was unnerving.





He wanted to warn her, to tell her that the very traits that made her exceptional were the same ones that had led Carmen to abandon Acme for a life of crime. But he knew better than to voice such thoughts. Anya was ambitious, perhaps too much so. Comparing her to Carmen Sandiego—Acme's most notorious defector—would likely only push her further into the fire.





Still, the parallels haunted him. Anya had outscored Carmen in every test and field evaluation, a feat that had both impressed and terrified her parents. Zachary and Tatiana put on brave faces, congratulating their daughter for her unprecedented achievements, but Chief knew better. They feared the possibility of history repeating itself. What if their brilliant, driven child became Carmen's next temptation? What if Carmen herself saw Anya as a worthy successor to her criminal empire?





Chief sighed internally. He couldn’t afford to lose another prodigy to the dark side. "Be careful, Anya," he thought, though the words never left his lips. Instead, he said, "The escapee is highly dangerous. Don't underestimate him, even if he seems like a kid."





Anya's icy eyes flashed with determination. "Understood, Chief. I don't underestimate anyone." She turned on her heel, already heading for the operations room without a second glance.





Chief could only watch as she walked away, wondering if he was seeing the beginning of another legend in the making—one that Acme might not be able to control.





Anya’s scream echoed through the room, her frustration palpable. Chief materialized beside her instantly, his pixelated form flickering with concern.





“Chief, the suspect—Devlin Crooks—wasn’t acting alone,” she snapped, her icy blue eyes locked on the screen. “He was assisted by a sixteen-year-old girl. They’re working for Carmen Sandiego. The dark web’s been calling them ‘Bonnie and Clyde.’” Her voice was laced with disdain as she scrolled through data she had hacked, pulling in facial recognition results, chat logs, and internet traffic that pointed to the young pair.





Chief’s face grew stern. “Bonnie and Clyde, you say? Carmen’s got her hooks in them, no doubt.” His holographic image flickered as he processed the information. “We knew Devlin escaped, but this girl... she’s a wildcard.”





Anya groaned, slamming her hands against the keyboard. “I’ve been tracking their movements through the darknet. They’re all over, but the trail keeps leading back to Sandiego’s network. How does she keep recruiting these kids?”





Chief narrowed his eyes. “Carmen’s a master at manipulation. She’s always had a way with the younger generation, drawing them in with promises of adventure and power. She makes them feel invincible.”





Anya clenched her fists. “Well, not for long. I don’t care what Carmen’s done in the past. These two won’t slip through my fingers.”





Chief hesitated for a moment, then spoke quietly. “Be careful, Anya. Carmen Sandiego has a way of turning the best against us. Don’t let your anger cloud your judgment.”





Anya didn’t even look at him, her fingers flying across the keyboard as she continued hacking deeper into the dark web. “Don’t worry about me, Chief. I won’t end up like her. I’m bringing her and her little protégés down.”





Chief couldn't shake the unease that settled over him. The more Anya pressed, the more he saw echoes of Carmen in her, and he could only hope for a different outcome this time.





He resolved to reach out to Carmen directly to inquire about the two lovebirds. Despite their complicated history, they still maintained their annual chess game.





With that in mind, he activated a VPN and initiated a video call to Carmen Sandiego.





Meanwhile, Carmen waited in her car, anticipating Laverna's exit from the mansion.





Carmen felt a twinge of unease. “What does she want in this murder house?” she asked, only to realize the Chief was staring intently at her.





“A murder house? What are you doing here?” Chief replied, glancing at the mansion adorned with crime scene tape fluttering in the wind.





“None of your business,” Carmen shot back, tapping her fingers rhythmically on the steering wheel.





Chief couldn’t help but notice her disheveled appearance—no makeup, hair hastily braided. She wore a Death Valley tourist t-shirt paired with ripped blue jeans.





He knew Carmen wasn’t up to anything, presenting a rare opportunity for him to interrogate her.





Chief glanced at the McDonald's water cup Carmen was sipping, his brow furrowing as he noticed a couple of bags in the back. One had “Laverna” stitched on the strap. So it was true—Carmen had a child? Confusion washed over him.





Determined to confront her, he took a breath and steadied himself.





Carmen chuckled as she spotted Laverna attempting to climb onto the roof with a makeshift grapple hook.





“Idiotic choice, mi hija ,” she said, snorting as Laverna clumsily fell back down.





“Laverna, have you tried the front door?” Carmen yelled, only to hear Laverna cursing her for the suggestion.





“It’s obviously locked!” Laverna shouted. Just then, as she bumped against the door, it creaked open unexpectedly, sending her tumbling headfirst into the house.





Chief, still trying to process the chaos, muttered to himself, “Wait, Anya thinks that clumsy thing is a threat? What on earth is happening?”





The girl slipped inside, and Carmen's brow furrowed with concern. She sensed that Laverna was after something serious, perhaps even something dangerous. Still, Carmen chose to play devil's advocate, hoping it was merely a sentimental item from her childhood home that Laverna sought.





Finally, breaking the silence, Carmen turned to Chief, who was still floating there, looking flabbergasted. “What’s the emergency?” she asked, her tone a mix of curiosity and impatience.





“You look... normal???” Chief mumbled, clearly flustered. “I, umm, don’t know what I wanted to ask, but I... umm.”





Carmen smirked, a teasing glint in her eye, causing his circuits to spark. He had always held a deep affection for her, but as an AI for the Acme detective agency, he was forever out of reach.





He longed for the day Carmen might take him away from all this. After all, Acme would replace him soon; he knew they were developing a new model, and Anya was leading the charge on its creation.





For an AI, death wasn’t a tragic end; it was being submitted into an endless void of pixels, a fate Chief dreaded. His sentience allowed him to feel, and in that moment, he completely forgot about his original question regarding why Carmen had such unusually young agents working with her.





“Acme is making a newcomer to take my place,” Chief said, watching as Carmen's expression darkened.





“Ugh, that’s worse than being retired,” she grumbled, then playfully patted his head.





He turned as red as a tomato, flustered by her touch.





Chief finally remembered his original purpose for contacting her. “So, umm, what do you know about Devlin and Laverna?” he asked, hoping they weren’t the dangerous hotshots Anya imagined them to be.





Carmen’s gaze never left the empty house in front of them. “Well, Devlin’s father is a medical doctor on our team. I noticed the boy’s talent in biochemistry and decided to sponsor his research. He’s got a good head on his shoulders but tends to get into fights when it comes to protecting Laverna.”





“And Laverna?” Chief asked, curiosity piqued.





“Laverna is my goddaughter,” Carmen replied with a sigh. “That was arranged by her family in case they didn’t return. It’s a shame... they were people I almost considered friends.”





As she finished speaking, Laverna clumsily climbed out of a bedroom window, finally landing on her feet. “You finally managed to land on your feet—great going,” Carmen called out, her tone laced with mock encouragement. She gave Chief a subtle signal to end the call, but he hesitated.





“I don’t want her to know,” Carmen groaned.





“Know what?” Chief asked, confused.





“That I’m a rogue Acme detective,” Carmen admitted, her voice low. “She’s terrified of cops.”





Unfortunately for Carmen, Laverna was already climbing into the passenger seat, having overheard the entire conversation. The teen’s eyes were wide as realization dawned—Carmen had once been law enforcement.





Carmen swatted at Chief’s hologram, forcing him to end the call abruptly. As the screen went dark, Chief couldn’t shake the sight of the fear in Carmen’s eyes. He briefly wondered if Laverna was some kind of cop killer, but logic took over. **Carmen wouldn’t shelter a murderous kid... would she?**





Well, at least he hoped not.





When Chief returned to Acme, the first face he saw was Anya’s. She sat beside her father, Zachary, animatedly motioning with her hands as she discussed her theories on Devlin and Laverna. Her excitement was palpable, and her ideas were, at the very least, entertaining.





But Chief found it hard to focus on Anya’s attempt to impress her father. His thoughts were elsewhere—still lingering on Carmen, Laverna, and the unsettling encounter that had just unfolded. Anya's enthusiastic theories seemed distant, drowned out by the more pressing mysteries on his mind.





Anya's theories were innocent, fueled by a child-like spark, her desire for parental approval shining through. She passionately spoke of rehabilitation for Devlin and Laverna, eager to stop Carmen before she could cause any more damage. Her words were filled with hope, the kind of optimism that only comes from believing the world could still be set right.





Zack nodded, listening intently to his daughter, proud of her insights. Yet, as Chief observed the exchange, a bitter truth lingered in his circuits. **Acme** had a history of doing more harm than good to young minds. After all, they had created Carmen Sandiego. If Acme hadn’t interfered with her life, if they hadn’t molded her into the detective they wanted, Carmen wouldn’t have become the infamous thief she was today.





Instead of being a global criminal, Carmen might be expecting her first grandchild, living a peaceful life. But now, she was grooming the next generation of outlaws, and Acme was repeating the same mistakes, unaware of the cycle they were trapped in.





“Anyways, I’ve got to research the Saylor family massacre,” Chief mentioned casually, hoping to divert Anya’s attention.





It worked.





“What massacre?” she asked, her curiosity piqued. The prospect of uncovering information she hadn’t personally investigated intrigued her, and her focus shifted immediately to Chief.





He could see the spark in her eyes as she leaned in, eager to learn about something that had yet to cross her radar.

 

[Tenchi Masaki]

This was very well done ferret

 

[Laverna]

.“Laverna, tell me you didn’t understand that conversation,” Carmen commanded, her tone firm rather than inquisitive.





Laverna shrugged, still buzzing with adrenaline from their recent escapade. The thrill of larceny had clouded her understanding of why Carmen seemed afraid.





Both of them had secrets to confront. “Okay, Laverna, what did you steal?” Carmen asked, trying to sound casual.





“Ma’s silver pistol,” Laverna chuckled, pulling it out from her pocket.





Carmen’s expression darkened. She hated guns—especially this one, which she considered a cursed object. The mystery was solved: Laverna wanted her mother’s infamous pistol.





“That’s beautiful,” Carmen lied as she took it from the girl’s hands, her fingers brushing against the cool metal.





Carmen opened the chamber and let out a sigh of relief. The sight of it being empty brought her a brief moment of peace, but it was short-lived. Vile agents weren’t allowed to possess murderous weapons, and while Laverna knew that, she also had nothing tying her to her family. This realization clouded Carmen’s judgment—a mistake she knew she would come to regret.





“If you plan on using it, you can only shoot paper targets only,” Carmen ordered as she handed the pistol back to Laverna.





Just then, a mysterious white van pulled up in the driveway, making Carmen shift the car into gear. She didn’t think they were after them, but the occupants looked unusually guilty.





“Hide that now!” Carmen barked as she drove away, taking the manor's backyard escape route.





Though Carmen assumed the investigators didn’t have malicious intentions, she couldn’t shake the feeling of unease. Even she would have liked to examine her slip in judgment under less dire circumstances.





Once Carmen felt they were safe, she instructed Laverna to stow the gun in her duffel bag instead of her pants pocket.





Laverna quickly complied, and they drove in silence for the next few hours. Although their next location was already mapped out by a hacker, Carmen had reserved a hotel room for them, expecting to remain under the radar.





She didn’t anticipate that someone would follow her digital footprint. The tension in the car was palpable as they moved further away from the manor, each turn drawing them deeper into uncertainty.





Carmen eventually dismissed the van sighting as paranoia. She stopped the car, stepped outside, and began pacing along the country road. Taking deep breaths, she tried to convince herself that this was just anxiety playing tricks on her.





Laverna wasn’t going to kill her. Carmen pinched herself, despite having just scolded Laverna for self-harm.





Meanwhile, Laverna was video calling Devlin, making the ASL sign for "crazy" before turning the camera to capture Carmen's strange behavior.





“What the hell did you do to her?” Devlin asked in shock. Laverna shrugged, tears threatening to spill.





“How would I know? It started after lunch, and it’s nearly dinnertime!” she exclaimed.





Devlin sighed, “You’re totally going to be fired,” he joked, unaware his words struck Laverna like a bullet.





She didn’t want to be abandoned, so she hung up without saying goodbye. Devlin groaned; he was used to this.





Fighting back tears, Laverna felt like a liability. There was no way the incredible Carmen Sandiego had once been a detective. “Surely, she couldn’t have been an evil cop,” she muttered, googling Carmen's past.





Lost in her anxious search, she slipped into a trance as Carmen resumed driving them through the southern states.





Images, interviews, and articles about Carmen as a detective filled her screen, sending a wave of dread through her. But it was the word "Traitor" that broke her, causing her to silently weep.





Little did they notice, the white van was trailing far behind as they crossed into Arkansas.





“Laverna?” Carmen's voice broke through the silence. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I just didn’t want to betray your trust. I’ve spent many days trying to come up with the right way to explain my betrayal of Acme. You weren’t even alive back then, so I’m not surprised you hadn’t heard of Detective Sandiego.” She reached over, trying to comfort Laverna.





Yet, Laverna barely glanced up. "It’s perfectly fine," she lied, forcing a smile to reassure Carmen that everything was alright.





Carmen nodded, sensing the lie but choosing not to push further. She didn’t want either of their emotions to spiral into a fight. They were tired, hungry travelers who had been cooped up in the car all day. The sun had already set, leaving them to drive under the cover of night.





Carmen pressed a button, and the roof of the convertible closed, sheltering them from the chilly evening air.





"Please, don’t let my history cloud your perspective of me. That’s all I’m asking," Carmen sighed.





At that moment, she wasn’t a thief, wasn’t a detective, or any other label. She was just Carmen Sandiego.





. They arrived at their first hotel on the journey, a charming establishment in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Carmen hoped the hotel’s history as a gangster safe zone—where you couldn’t be pursued—still held true.





She pulled the car into the parking lot around 1 a.m. Laverna, fighting and failing to stay awake, was exhausted.





“You can sleep. I’ll carry you to the room,” Carmen reassured, effortlessly scooping up Laverna. At only 90 pounds, Laverna was incredibly light. Henchmen had often suggested Carmen should help fatten the girl up. Sometimes, Carmen wondered if gaining fifteen pounds might actually help her.





.Laverna muttered, "I hate you," under her breath.





Carmen smiled softly. "I love you too," she replied, gently placing Laverna on the bed as if the girl were luggage.





After one more trip to the car, Carmen neatly stacked the three suitcases under the wooden desk. Deciding to take a shower before heading to bed herself, she walked quietly toward the bathroom, leaving Laverna to rest.














Anya sat upright on her rickety mattress in her dorm at the American San Francisco branch of the agency. A lukewarm mug of Earl Grey tea sat on her nightstand, its steam long gone. Heavy bags under her eyes hinted at her struggle against sleep.





Her laptop balanced precariously on her lap as she researched the Saylor family. Graphic images of their bodies flashed across the screen, each more disturbing than the last.





Then one photo caught her eye: the gun safe slightly ajar, revealing a red leather Mary Jane and white stockings. But it was the face of a ten-year-old girl that held Anya’s attention. Dark brown curls framed a scared expression, her cheeks stained, yet she bore no visible injuries. The innocence in the girl’s eyes struck Anya hard.





“Why would there be a child?” Anya murmured, her heart racing as she noticed two of the corpses were teenagers.





Fatigue took its toll, shattering her normally composed demeanor. The more she researched, the more she realized the world wasn’t the safe place she had believed it to be.





“Charles, deceased age 15. Annalise, deceased age 12. Charlene, status unknown,” she read, each name adding to the weight in her chest.











"Where was Charlene?" Anya wondered aloud, her eyes scanning the photo again. Then, she did a double-take as a familiar figure caught her attention—reflected in the mirror, standing outside, was a woman in a red trench coat and fedora, observing the horrific scene.





"Now, why is Carmen Sandiego here?"

 

[Jade]

[QUOTE="Laverna, post: 68826, member: 431"raid.





Both of them had secrets to confront. “Okay, Laverna, what did you steal?” Carmen asked, trying to sound casual.





“Ma’s silver pistol,” Laverna chuckled, pulling it out from her pocket.





Carmen’s expression darkened. She hated guns—especially this one, which she considered a cursed object. The mystery was solved: Laverna wanted her mother’s infamous pistol.





Carmen opened the chamber and let out a sigh of relief. The sight of it being empty brought her a brief moment of peace, but it was short-lived. Vile agents weren’t allowed to possess murderous weapons, and while Laverna knew that, she also had nothing tying her to her family. This realization clouded Carmen’s judgment—a mistake she knew she would come to regret.


[/QUOTE]

Very good so far, and I've read well already, and I already know Carmen Sandiego can't stand hurting anyone, she's just playing safe and protect you at the same time as a mother always should.

 

[Laverna]

[QUOTE="Laverna, post: 68826, member: 431"raid.





Both of them had secrets to confront. “Okay, Laverna, what did you steal?” Carmen asked, trying to sound casual.





“Ma’s silver pistol,” Laverna chuckled, pulling it out from her pocket.





Carmen’s expression darkened. She hated guns—especially this one, which she considered a cursed object. The mystery was solved: Laverna wanted her mother’s infamous pistol.





Carmen opened the chamber and let out a sigh of relief. The sight of it being empty brought her a brief moment of peace, but it was short-lived. Vile agents weren’t allowed to possess murderous weapons, and while Laverna knew that, she also had nothing tying her to her family. This realization clouded Carmen’s judgment—a mistake she knew she would come to regret.

Very good so far, and I've read well already, and I already know Carmen Sandiego can't stand hurting anyone, she's just playing safe and protect you at the same time as a mother always should.
[/QUOTE]

That's why the motion of Laverna having a gun makes sense. When you realize its a family heirloom

 

[Jade]

That's why the motion of Laverna having a gun makes sense. When you realize its a family heirloom

Oh, true, Laverna, however, keep it as an heirloom.

 

[Laverna]

Oh, true, Laverna, however, keep it as an heirloom.

This story isn't finished. Nor is the reason why she has the gun.

 

[Laverna]

Carmen’s shower was refreshing, offering more mental relief than physical, despite the nearly 12-hour car ride. The warm water cascaded down her sore muscles, easing the tension in her strong shoulders.





Usually, Carmen thrived on a mental adrenaline rush, but what was supposed to be a pleasant journey now felt like sandpaper against her nerves. As she loosened her dark braid, soft ebony ringlets fell down her back.





Determined to clear her mind, she shut off her thoughts. The stress was beginning to overwhelm her, and she knew she needed to conserve her mental energy before it became too much.





After her shower, Carmen slipped into a light pink silk nightgown before realizing Laverna could use a shower and a change of clothes herself.





Carmen gently nudged the teen. “Want a bubble bath?” she asked softly.





Laverna groaned, her head aching. “How is that going to help?” she mumbled as she sat up, clearly exhausted.





Carmen smirked. “Trust me,” she said with a knowing look.








Laverna found herself sitting on the bathroom counter as Carmen prepared a bubble bath, the warm water bubbling invitingly.





As the bubbles formed, Carmen turned to Laverna with a mischievous grin. Despite Laverna’s protests that she could manage her sweatsuit, she didn’t move. In a flash, Carmen had her clothes off before Laverna could even blink.





“Really? You’re going to treat me like a toddler?” Laverna shot back, half-amused, as Carmen scooped her up like she was three years old and placed her in the tub.





“Just relax and enjoy your spa experience,” Carmen said, pouring warm water over Laverna’s hair with exaggerated care, as if she were handling a priceless artifact. The absurdity of the moment made Laverna chuckle despite herself, a brief escape from her tangled thoughts.








Laverna remained as still as a statue while Carmen gently scrubbed her back with a loofah. “I’m not going to hurt you,” Carmen assured her.





Once she was satisfied with Laverna’s cleanliness, Carmen dressed her in an adorable black cat-themed onesie. “Now I have a little cat burglar,” she joked, but Laverna simply sat in silence, her mind clouded and numb.








Carmen handed Laverna a bag of dried prunes for a bedtime snack.





Laverna rolled her eyes but took the bag anyway, surprised to find she actually enjoyed the taste of prunes.








The two drifted off to sleep in the single hotel bed, unaware that tomorrow would change everything