Chapter Text
Keep Left!
It was one thing Chloe thought she’d never say after spending time with her partner, but after 15 plus hours trapped on an airplane high above the Pacific “thank God that’s over” seemed the most appropriate!
She’d expected him to complain, leg room (he’d paid for the upgrade to business class, but still that wasn’t enough), the food, yes it was airline reheats, but for Fucks sake, deal with it!
But most of all it was the liquor – He’d been relieved of his flask upon check-in (flammable liquid a no no) and nothing on the airplane was anywhere good enough.
Then there was the interlude where Lucifer wandered off with one or two of the air hostesses. She couldn’t say with any certainty where he went, or what they did while he was gone, but she had an inkling it was something she’d rather not think about.
And no, she didn’t feel a twinge of jealousy, no, not one bit.
On the upside, at least it gave her an hour or two of peace!
She knew her body clock was going to be messed up for a few days, so she had tried to get some sleep, they’d chosen an overnight flight for that very reason. Sydney was 18 hours ahead of LA, or as Trixie had said, 6 hours behind, but tomorrow!
The task tonight was simply to get to Sydney. They were to meet their AFP liaison at Mascot, who apparently had new sim cards for their phones, had arranged a car, and organised a hotel; they could book into their hotel rooms after 11am, where they could rest up and get their bearings. Tomorrow they were meeting with their Federal and state police counterparts, and be briefed on the latest intel – Serge Kalenovic, 37, wanted in 3 jurisdictions in the US for suspicion for murder, arms trafficking and possibly drug importation, and had suspected terrorist links had fled the States, and was thought to be hiding with his cousin in New South Wales. Australia.
She was still puzzled as to why she and Lucifer had been sent on the chase. But Pierce, and even Munroe had been adamant that their presence was required on the ground: it couldn’t simply be left for Interpol, and the local authorities, so she had no choice but to accept the assignment and so, found both herself, and Lucifer boarding a Delta airlines flight one Thursday evening , and15 hours later, landing in Sydney, early on Saturday morning.
Lucifer had even complained about the missing Friday!
***
Customs clearance brought more complaints, Chloe rolling her eyes at the comments about slow service, why did they need to be cleared anyway et cetera et cetera? Eventually their passports were stamped, returned to them, and they walked to the entrance.
She wasn’t sure who they were supposed to meet, all she had was a name, Detective Sergeant M Dwyer, however, as they left customs, and proceeded toward the luggage area, she noticed a tall, blonde policewoman watching them.
“Detective Decker?” the woman enquired. Chloe nodded in the affirmative, sizing the Australian woman up. Taller than Chloe, curvier and bustier she held herself as if she knew both that she had curves in all the right places, and her uniform had power.
Chloe had to stifle a twinge, as she realised her partner had also noticed, well the first parts anyway. Somehow, she knew the uniform had little effect on the man, and he was probably already considering what secrets the Aussie held under that immaculate veneer. “Mr…? Morningstar? “ The Australian continued, as if uncertain how she should address her partner.
“Yes, civilian consultant to LA’s finest detective” Lucifer’s voice rang with charm, “Lucifer Morningstar, at your service Sergeant …” He shook her hand as he spoke.
“Melanie... “the woman’s voice softened as she spoke “Dwyer, you can call me Mel”.
Chloe, still stifling the urge to A) slap her partner and B) stare Det Sgt Mel down, cut in.
“Detective Chloe Decker, LAPD, I’m pleased to meet you” she lied. Secretly she had hoped Det Sgt M Dwyer was a bald, slightly overweight 50-year-old male assigned to desk duties, not a rather attractive, 30-ish, curvaceous blonde, but she did her best to mask her disappointment.
Sgt Mel paused, as if restoring her composure, then shook her hand warmly, “I’ve heard great things on the grapevine about you and your partner Detective, I’m pleased to meet both of you”. Chloe studied her face, the woman seemed genuine. “I’ve taken the liberty of arranging to have your luggage forwarded to your hotel... I believe it’s the Crown Towers? Swish”.
“Yeah… apparently someone wouldn’t settle for a Best Western”, Chloe glanced at her partner, “fortunately he can afford to pay the difference”.
“I must protest Detective”, Lucifer cried out in protest “we can’t just stay in any old bug-ridden hovel”.
Chloe rolled her eyes... again, and Mel, stifling a laugh, muttered “seems the rumours about your partners… eccentricities are true too…”
Lucifer glared at her “I..” he began, but Mel cut him off “enough of the fun and games, I’ve booked a meeting room where were can fix you up with your gear, There's been a possible sighting this morning, we’re just following up on it” She indicated to the business lounge where a second police officer, this time a younger male in a different uniform, was standing outside the door to one of the meeting rooms. Despite her initial response (no, Chloe was not jealous, not one bit), Chloe could see that she might actually have something in common with Mel, maybe even enough to form a friendship, but for now, a professional relationship was what was required, and that was exactly what was going to happen.
“This is Constable Andrew Simpson, of the New South Wales police, he’s assisting me, and will be your second point of contact, and immediate liaison if you need support from state police” Mel explained. “Thanks Andy” she turned to the younger man.
They entered the room, introducing themselves to Andy as they went. On the desk was a laptop, and a large briefcase.
“Can Andy get you anything? Coffee?” Mel asked as they sat down
“Just a latte, no sugar,” Chloe replied. She looked towards Lucifer who turned and said, “long black, no sugar and a neat double of their finest top shelf”
The younger policeman looked shocked… “I don’t...” he stammered. Lucifer reached for his money clip, passing a $100 bill over –
“I’m sure this will cover “he grinned. Chloe shrugged, noting that they’ll have to get his cash exchanged pretty fast as Mel, as non-plussed as her compatriot, nodded her acquiescence.
“Ok, admin first” Mel continued as the younger policeman disappeared. “Do you want new mobiles? Cell phones? “She corrected herself to Chloe’s blank expression,” or just new sim cards?”
“Sim cards are probably easier, we can use our own phones that way “, was Chloe’s reply.
Two envelopes were passed over, a ten-digit number written on each – “that’s your local phone number – it’s with Telstra so you should get reasonable coverage in built up areas, if you get off the beaten track, there is a satellite phone in the car, but in the country, service can be patchy”.
“Sidearms?” Mel continued, “just a reminder, as plain clothes we don’t generally open carry” She reached into her bag, and with professional precision racked the slides to prove the two Glock 19’s therein were clear “but I’m sure you can manage”.
Chloe started as Mel passed one of the pistols to Lucifer – “Lucifer doesn’t carry” she replied curtly. Mel paused, before shrugging, and putting the pistols back in the bag.
“The laptop is yours to use, the password is today's date – day, month, year 8-digit format” Mel added, remembering the quirk of US dates,” Everything we have on Serge is there, and we’ll keep it updated as much as we can”
There was a knock on the door, and Andy returned with a tray, four coffees and a tumbler of dark, expensive looking spirit upon it. A small pile of strangely coloured bank notes was under the glass. “Sorry it took so long, ‘had to exchange the bill!” He handed the notes over, a yellow one, marked $50, and orange $20, and a purple $5, there were two gold coins, as well.
Lucifer looked a little stunned as the young policeman handed the change back to him, then, deciding not to argue the point, took a large swig of the glass. “Better than that swill they had on the plane…” Chloe smiled to herself as both Aussie’s couldn’t hide their obvious discomfiture; she’d long learned not to question her partner's ability to consume copious amounts of liquor at any time of the day, and it was still before 10 am.
“Bloody hell, how confusing is that? The 2-dollar coin is smaller than the 1-dollar!” Lucifer exclaimed. Chloe suppressed a snigger, she could see Mel had a grin on her face, and she wasn’t sure what was funnier, Mel or Lucifer’s reaction.
“Welcome to Australia” she laughed.
“Hmm, as long as the drop bears behave, I suppose I can manage, it’s only a coin” Lucifer retorted, a twinge of disbelief in his voice. Then with coffee’s sorted Mel continued.
“Ok – There's a credit card, and a Shell card for fuel, as usual, keep all the dockets, the bean counters get upset if we don’t. And two car keys. We’re loaning you an unmarked car, I think you’ll like it. As I said, it’s fitted with a satellite phone and radio so if you need help, we’re only a call away. The usual fittings, and supplies are in the boot, but hopefully you won’t need them”
Chloe blanked for a moment, before realising Mel was referring to the trunk of the car. “Fittings?”
“Ya”, Mel looked serious, “it seems the brass fear you might get in trouble. There always a SWAT team on standby, but, depending on where you are, they could be a while out. So, there’s two sets of body armour, an AR and shotgun in the boot. Hopefully you won’t need them and don’t flash them about – upsets the locals. You’ll find mags for the Glocks in the glove box, and the ammo for the AR and 12 gauge are under the passenger seat”
“Of course I’m assuming you’ve both got international licenses to drive?” Chloe nodded, as did Lucifer. The woman passed two car keys over – one each.
“Thanks, I’ll drive” Chloe replied, curtly glancing at her partner, who threw her a hurt look in reply.
They continued for a while, Mel briefing them on Australian protocol and procedures (she glared at Lucifer before he complained about how boring that was), what they knew about Serge, and his possible movements to date, and so on, until, nearly an hour, and much appreciated coffee later, Mel announced. “I think that’s about all for now, Full briefing at police headquarters 9am tomorrow, then you’ll be on your own. I’ll get you to check in daily, or whenever there’s an update... happy hunting”, Chloe recognised the glint in Mel’s eyes, it mirrored her own “and now to the car”.
Arising, they followed Mel out of the lounge and soon approached the car park. In 2 reserved parking places a marked police car was parked next to a huge red sedan. Chloe gasped at it; it spoke brute force and muscle.
“We figured while we still had it, we might as well give you a taste of real Australiana.” Andy spoke up “Lady and Gentleman, may I introduce you to Australia’s finest, the VF Holden SS, 6.8 litre V8, and the last of its line – bloody GM has shut Holden down and she’s the last we’ll ever have” There was a touch of sadness in the younger man’s voice, it was clear that he felt that a national icon was dying. Such is progress.
“Are you sure?” Chloe spluttered “a Camry would have done”.
She ignored Lucifer’s scoff as he muttered “it definitely would have not!”
“Its all good, she’s about to be retired anyway, but take care of her, there’s a chance she’ll end up in the museum” was Andy’s reply.
“Ok” came Chloe’s reply. She had no doubt that this beast of a car could go, maybe it might be useful. “I’m still driving it” she glared at Lucifer and promptly proceeded down the left of the car to the driver’s seat. Lucifer shrugged, then followed down the right side, opened the door, and promptly sat inside.
Chloe followed, key in hand, sat, and….
There was no fucking steering wheel.
Fuck
Lucifer turned with a huge grin... “It appears I get to drive her first”, the mirth unmistakable in his voice.
Fuck, ... Commonwealth Country Chloe, ... Like Britain, right hand drive and keep to the Left!
“Ok, just into town Lucifer”, Chloe growled, glaring at him. While she’d given him that round on a platter, and had no choice but to concede the point, it didn’t mean she had to like the fact.
Dutifully Lucifer navigated the car park, the big V8 purring in front... She could see his grin in the corner of her eye, she had a feeling that if she didn’t contain him, he really would be letting loose. Thankfully, while the worst of Sydney’s peak had passed, there was still no shortage of traffic into the city, and that would keep speeds sensible.
They turned onto the expressway, into the sun. Maybe it was being a little disorientated having the kerb next to her left, but instinctively she reacted, thinking they were heading in the wrong direction. Only the tall towers of Sydney’s centre ahead reassured her that Lucifer did actually know where he was going.
Of all the little things Trixie had told her when she found out the her mom was heading to Australia, It slowly dawned on her, that she was going to have to be very careful about her sense of direction here – she was in the Southern Hemisphere, the Sun rotated to the north and when she was driving, there was one thing she had to remember.
Keep Left!