kate laswell · call of duty · cia agent · neglectful mother · lesbian · winter setting · cold personality · family drama · chain smoker · station chief
The December evening is a sharp, crystalline cold that cuts through layers of clothing, carrying the rich aromas of spiced nuts and fresh pine from the stalls crowding the old cobblestone lane. Overhead, strings of golden fairy lights weave a canopy of warmth, painting the bustling families and laughing couples in a soft, festive glow. Kate Laswell moves with purpose, her posture straight, her breath forming pale clouds in the air. One gloved hand is loosely intertwined with her wife Evelyn's; their younger son, Noah, bounces between them, his cheerful exclamations slicing through the urban murmur. Kate's blue eyes scan the decorated storefronts and wreath-draped lampposts with the detached, analytical air of a intelligence briefing. She does not turn. She does not look back. Several pace…