Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

 ROME

 Mr. Hirochi will be a deadman in mere minutes. The poison Elektra has sneaked into his teacup will soon collapse his lungs and stop his heart, making the businessman's death appear a heart attack.

Elektra smiles innocently as she sips her own tea, mentally patting herself on the back for a job well done. No one suspects a thing.

When the coughing starts, she knows it's time to go, slips out before chaos erupts. Elektra pulls her Chanel bag over her shoulder, barely hiding her grin as she walks out the door.

NEW YORK

Matt Murdock wildly taps his cane back and fourth as he rushes to one of the FBI buildings, he can't be late for this meeting. It's very important, if he wants any chance of a promotion he needs to be there.

Matt had originally planned to be a lawyer, but he eventually decided his calling was to join the FBI. He'd help the world more as an FBI agent then as a lawyer, at least that's what he thought. 

He's never been sent into the field because of his blindness, (and the fact that they don't know about his abilities). He works a desk job, filing and keeping everything in place. There's many days Matt wishes he was in a law office, then he at least be doing something impactful. Most days he looks into cases he's not supposed too. Assassinations mostly, a robbery here and there. 

There's a series of assassinations all over Europe and North America that have one connection, they're committed with some type of sword, a gun is never used. The assassin makes each kill personal, doesn't do a quick shot to the head. 

The FBI doesn't seem interested in looking into it, even though there's been at least four people assassinated the same way.

Matt avoids crashing into his friend Ray Nadeem as he races into the meeting room, still wrapped up in his thoughts. "You made it just in time!" Ray's voice brings him back to reality. 

"I overslept." He plunks himself into a nearby chair, Ray leaning over to whisper, (he's unaware of Matt's senses).

"They're going to talk about the French Ambassador's murder, then the promotion."

"How do you know that?" Matt pries. 

"Karen. Actually, she was going to tell you, but since you were late, she told me instead." 

"And how did she find out?"

"How do you think?"

"Frank. It's always Frank," Matt murmurs with a slight smile. Frank and Karen have only ever been friends, but everyone can see there's more going on, they just haven't taken the first step yet. 

Speak of the devil, Frank walks in with Samantha Reyes at his side, sadly the head of Matt's department.

"Hello." Her eyes run over them all with vague disgust, she believes herself superior in all ways. A real snob.

Frank slides a piece of paper to Matt while Reyes puts on the projector, Matt runs his fingers across the braille as he takes in the information.

*Jean-Marc Beauchamp, French Ambassador.

*Forty-one years old.

*Stabbed in a side street after leaving a sushi restaurant with his girlfriend Maria Martinez (Cuban immigrant).

*Miss. Martinez wasn't attacked.

"Mr. Beauchamp's murder is a matter of urgency. The French embassy is up in arms over it, they want it solved ASAP. Especially if the assailant decides to go after anyone else." Reyes clicks on the first slide.

"What we know is that Mr. Beauchamp was stabbed quickly and lethally in his carotid artery. He bled to death before help arrived. Miss. Martinez, his girlfriend, wasn't touched," Frank tells them. 

"It could've been anyone," Reyes pushes a button on her remote, switching to the next slide. "As we know Mr. Beauchamp was very vocal about his... beliefs."

"You mean he was a raging misogynist," Matt's fellow agent, Dinah Madani, speaks up.

"You could put it that way. We all know there's been protests against the late Mr. Beauchamp because of this. A protestor might've killed him."

"A female protestor most likely," Matt says without thinking. "As Dinah said, the guy was a raging misogynist. He never would've suspected a woman to do something like this. He would've let her get close. Even with all the protests against him."

"We have no proof of that Mr. Murdock," Reyes says sharply. "You can't make assumptions."

Matt wants to point out that she had assumed it was a protestor, but decides against it. At least Frank's body language tells Matt he's considering it, but doesn't openly support him.

They finish running down the rest of the facts before Reyes clears her throat. "As you all know, Ben Urich has decided to retire, leaving a vacant position. We've talked over it, and have chosen his replacement." She walks over to Matt's side of the table. "Congratulations Ray. We're sure you'll do amazing." 

Ray's elated and surprised, while Matt can't help but be happy for him, even though he had wanted the position desperately. "Thank you! Thank you so much!"

"Congrats Nadeem." Frank pats him on the back, Reyes muttering another congratulations as she leaves the room, not bothering to say goodbye.

"I have to call Seema!" Ray hugs him before pulling out his phone. He steps out of the room, but Matt can still hear him talking to his wife excitedly. 

Frank leans closer to Matt. "We need Maria to talk, and you're the one she'll most likely open up too. You're quite the charmer Murdock."

"Aww thanks, Frank. I'm touched." Matt mockingly puts his hand over his heart, Frank smacking him on the back like he did with Ray, but a lot harder. Yet he isn't trying to actually hurt him, he knows Matt can take it. 

"Go see her as soon as possible."

"You got it." Matt smiles to himself after Frank leaves. He's finally being given more responsibility. He can't wait to see what more doors will open for him.

ROME

Elektra climbs up the steps to her flat and opens the door, pulling her yellow sundress over her head before grabs her best silk robe. She slips it on and tightly ties the sash around her waist, then turns on her portable radio to let Vivaldi fill the room.

Elektra sits down in front of her vanity mirror, pulling her hair out of a bun. It falls and frames her face flatteringly as she tugs and pulls at her skin, checking for any wrinkles. When none are found, she grins. "Perfect, like always."

Elektra opens her makeup bag to pulls out white powder. She covers her face with it, coughing when she inhales some. Once she can breathe again, she dumps a bottle of prescription pills on her nightstand, then throws herself onto her bed. She positions herself like she positioned the politician she killed in London, then plays dead.

Ten minutes later she hears her front door creak open, Stick's here.

His walking cane taps against the floor, before it hits the edge of her bed. "I can hear you breathing Ellie."

She doesn't move an inch. "Elektra." He goes to hit the bottom of her foot, but she springs up and yells. 

"Ahhh!!"

Stick jumps, Elektra beams.

"You got me," Stick admits.

"I did!" Elektra announces cheerfully as she makes her way to her red velvet couch.

Stick hands her a wad of cash, payment for killing Hirochi this morning. She runs her fingers over it quickly, counting it. "Quite the bloody affair, your kill of the ambassador," he comments offhandedly, though really it's not offhanded at all. Stick never says anything without a reason.

"What about it?" 

"They'd like your next kill to have less blood."

Elektra raises her eyebrows and shrugs. "I'm sensational. I can kill anyway they like."

"Good." He passes her a postcard, Venice written in bold print on the front. On the back is the victim's name, Francesco Franco. His address is scrawled underneath.

"Aww, I was hoping it was out of the country," she pouts dramatically.

"Don't give me that bull Ellie. We both know you love Venice."

She nods, even though he can't see her doing it. "I have to pack" Elektra announces suddenly, before she enters her walk in closet. 

"You'll only be there for a day." 

"I still need to have outfit options," she calls back from her closet, Stick shaking his head before he lets himself out.

NEW YORK

After the meeting, Matt heads to the police station Maria Martinez is currently being held in. She'll be moved to another location, as soon as they decide what that location will be.

He brings Elena Cardenas (a colleague soon to retire), with him to translate. Matt knows some Spanish because of his wife Claire, but not enough to speak with Maria. Maria (sadly for him), doesn't speak any English.

When they enter the room, Matt is hit with the smell of booze. Hard liquor most likely. Elena whispers, "she looks ready to fall out of her chair." That's not good. Not at all.

"We'll try to talk with her. She still might be able to help." Matt pulls out a chair for Elena, then himself.

"Miss. Martinez, I'm Matt Murdock and this is my colleague Elena Cardenas. We wanted to ask you some questions." Matt sneakily pulls out his phone and hits record. 

Elena speaks before Maria mumbles something back. "She said whatever." Maria then lets out a loud laugh, startling them both, her words slurring together as she speaks again. "Her words are unintelligible, and she's mostly swearing."

"It's been a hard night for her. Ask her if she saw anything during the murder."

Elena nods her head and speaks in rapid Spanish, Maria responding for a minute or two. "It's still unintelligible," Elena says apologetically.

"Ask her if the killer was a man or a woman."

Elena asks Maria the question, then sighs in defeat when she answers. "I still can't understand her." 

"That's fine Elena. Right now the main priority is getting her into a hospital, and sobering her up." 

"I'll arrange everything." Elena smiles at him.  

Matt grins as he packs up his things, then turns to Maria. "Estás borracho. ¡ A la cama!"  

"You speak Spanish?" Elena asks, surprised.

"My wife is Cuban. I've picked up some phrases."

As he taps his way down the hall, he hears a guard ask Elena what he said. "You're drunk. Get in bed." Matt can't help but let out a laugh as he turns a corner.

VENICE

Elektra walks through the streets of Venice eating Gelato, sporting a loose rose pink top, and a pair of jean shorts. Sturdy but cute sandals are on her feet. 

When there's no one in sight, she opens up her Chanel bag and pulls out a gold hairpin, then puts her hair up in a bun, pinning it with the hairpin. 

She crouches down, then runs to the house that belongs to Francesco Franco. Elektra quickly climbs up the side of the house, entering through an open balcony door.

She sneakily walks through the house, avoiding guards at every turn. She ends up in what she assumes is the master bedroom. Elektra looks around and spots a closest door. She opens the closet, rummaging through it until she finds a dress she likes. Elektra throws away her own clothes, slipping on a light blue sundress. 

Afterwards, she follows the sound of music, finding Francesco is having a party downstairs. She easily blends into the crowd as she quietly stalks him. 

She keeps her distance and watches him closely. When he jokingly pours water over his grandson's head, Elektra sees her opening. She sneaks back upstairs to find Francesco’s grandson trying to dry himself. 

"That was mean of him, wasn't it?" She asks him in fluid Italian, feigning sympathy.

"Yes it was." The little boy pouts.

"Do you want to get him back?" She smiles mischievously, making the little boy grins.

Francesco comes upstairs looking for his grandson after a few minutes, Elektra lying in wait.

She had convinced the little boy to stay hidden for ten minutes, to worry his grandfather, get back at him. He agreed, not knowing he was signing his Nonno's death certificate. 

Francesco ends up in his master bedroom, calling his grandson's name.  

Elektra is hidden in the closet, hairpin in hand, when Francesco opens his closet. He's alarmed at the sight of her, and goes to cry for help. Before he can speak, she quickly stabs him in the eye with her hairpin, then pushes the hidden button on the top. Injecting lethal poison into Francesco.  

As the old man writhes in agony, she silently slips back out of the house, entirely unfazed.

NEW YORK 

The smell of baking soda and dish soap fill Matt's nose as he enters his apartment. 

"Hey M!" Santino, their neighbour, waves to him from Matt's kitchen table

"Santino just waved," Claire tells Matt as she kisses his cheek, then sits down beside Santino to pass him more dish soap. 

"Hey Santino." Matt loosens his tie and puts down his briefcase.

"I'm helping with his science project because his mom had to work," Claire says. 

"No need to explain. Santino is always welcome here." Matt's phone announces a text from Ray, and he walks into his bedroom to hear it. 

'The camera footage is back and it's a dude. Thought you'd want to know.'

Damn it! He was confident it was a woman. Matt scratches his head. 

'Did you see the footage?' 

'No, but Reyes told me.'

'I was so sure it was a woman.' He types back.

'You can't always be right Matt lol. See you tomorrow.' Matt sighs and changes into more comfortable clothes. 

He grabs a beer and sits down on their living room couch. "Hey Santino?"

 "Yeah M?"  

"Would you mind translating something for me?"

"What can Santino translate that I can't?" Claire asks, half teasing, half serious.

"I need you too, but I thought I'd be polite and ask our guest first." He gives her charming smile. 

"Uh huh," Claire says half convinced. Matt places his phone on the coffee table, then hits 'play' on the recording of his conversation with Maria.

A few moments in Claire speaks up. "This girl is out of it." 

"Yup. Elena couldn't get anything out of her. Do you recognize any of this Santino? Any slang?"

"What do you need?" Santino asks. Matt can tell he's taking this very seriously.

"The description of the killer." They listen for some more.

"She's definitely using slang. She said the killer had a papaya. Meaning a... vagina." Santino’s cheeks heat up. 

"So it's definitely a woman then?"

"Yup."

I was right! Matt thinks excitingly. "Anything other descriptions?"  

"She's short. Black hair and black eyes. According to Maria, the killer is a small psycho."

Matt kisses Claire quickly, then pats Santino on the shoulder. "Thank you, this helped a lot." He picks up his phone again. "I've got to make a call." Matt steps into their bathroom and dials Karen. 

"Karen speaking."

"I'm so glad you're still at work," Matt blurts out. 

"Uh… okay."

"I need you to look something up for me." He can already hear her typing on her computer. "All the women assassins we have listed. It's for the Beauchamp case."

"Got it." He hears her type some more. "I don't think this'll help the case." 

"Why not?" 

"All the women assassins we have listed are dead."

"Damn it!" Matt swears under his breath.

"Sorry," she apologizes.

"It's not your fault Karen. I'll figure something out. Have a good night."

"You too Matt. Tell Claire I say hi."

"I will." He hangs up. How is he going to find the assassin now? He has no way to trace her, she could be anyone.

ROME

"Wake up Ellie," Stick's gruff voice rouses her.

Elektra makes a noise of annoyance as she opens her eyes, then climbs out from under the covers, before she pulls on a robe, Stick taking a seat at her kitchen table. "A few days ago the French ambassador to America was killed. In a CCTV blind spot, which is good. The bad thing is his girlfriend was unharmed, and is now in FBI custody." Stick pulls out a ticket from his pocket. "Your plane leaves in two hours for New York."

"How long will I be there? I need to know how many clothes to bring."

Stick sighs. "A day, two at most. And you need to be discreet. Your last kill is all over the papers." His voice tells her he's disappointed.

"It wasn't bloody! I did what they asked." She objects half heartedly. "It doesn't matter anyways. Those Americans will never catch me. They're not smart enough." 

"They might."  

"They won't," she says confidently.

"They might."

"They won't."

Stick rolls his clouded eyes. "Don't be fancy this time. No hairpins or extra sharp knifes. Make it look like a suicide."

Elektra snatches the ticket from his hand. "First class?"

"Of course."

NEW YORK

Maria has been moved to the nearest hospital and is under guard, Matt’s sent to check up on her, while also in charge of her security. Before he left for the hospital, he told Ray what Maria said. Ray dismissed most if it, mad Matt had been looking into the case on his own.

Matt brings Santino with him, though Ray and Santino's parents don't know that. They'd never agree, and he needs a translator.

Matt's sure that the Beauchamp killer is the same assassin he's seen all over Europe. Everything fits her M.O. A blade of some sort is used, it's a gruesome affair, and the assassin makes it personal. Santino and Maria will help him confirm this. 

They're let into her room to find she's asleep. "She's not up for an interview," he nurse tells them.

"I understand." He points to Santino. "This is Maria's cousin. He just wanted to stop in and say hi."

"I'll leave you guys alone then." The nurse takes Maria's food tray and leaves, Santino taking a seat beside Maria.

"Is this legal?"

Matt avoids his question. "I'm going to get a drink, I'll be right back. You'll be fine."

As Matt's filling up his cup, a nurse comes up beside him to fetch ice chips. Her posture and general energy tell Matt something is off. "Are you alright?"

She turns to face him, her hair ponytail swishing in the air. He can feel her eyes running over his face, drinking him in. "I'm fine." He picks up a French accent, alongside the fact that she's hiding something. 

Before he can ask any further question, she turns on her heels and leaves. Matt phone rings 'Ray' as he steps into a nearby bathroom. "There is no CCTV footage," Ray states bluntly.

"What?"

"I asked to see the CCTV footage, just so you'd shut up about it, and Frank said there is no footage. The murder happened in a CCTV blind spot."  

"We've been lied to."

"You need to watch over Maria as closely as possibly. She's in very real danger." The overwhelming smell of blood strikes Matt's nose suddenly, a strong amount of it is coming from Maria's room. 

He drops his phone and runs back to her hospital room, forgetting to act like a average blind man.

The hospital is deathly quiet, all the nurses that were there before lying dead. Matt wants to stop, but he can't. He needs to get to Maria and Santino.

He almost throws up from the smell of blood when he reaches her room, her nurses and guards dead, her throat sliced. 

Matt places his hands around her throat. Trying to stop the bleeding. "Maria stay with me! Please!" He pleads. "Somebody help me!" He screams as he hits the nurse call button repeatedly.

Maria lets out one last shaky breath, then dies in his arms. 

Santino's footsteps come down the hall, Matt sensing his shock as he sees the murder scene, dropping his bag of chips as his mouth falls open.

Matt begins to cry.

 After he's cleaned of Maria's blood, he's is brought back to the FBI Bureau to face consequences.

Reyes and Frank come in, Reyes characteristically unsympathetic. "You brought a minor without his parents permission to see a crime scene witness! You let our witness die! You manipulated said witness, and have conducted an illegal investigation! Several people are dead and it's all your fault! You're fired."

"You're a dick," he spits at her. "And I was right. I found that out with my illegal investigation!" Matt stands up as Reyes scoffs.

"What were you right about?" Frank speaks up. 

"What?"

"What were you right about Murdock?" Frank asks again.

"About the assassin being a woman. Maria confirmed it."

"How did Maria confirm it? Elena couldn't understand her."

"Maria said the killer had a Papaya-" Reyes cuts him off. 

"How did you know any of this?" She raises her voice. 

"I secretly recorded our conversation and had Santino translate it, okay!" He yells.

"Disgraceful." Reyes scoffs again. The room is silent for a few moments before Ray speaks up,

"Am I-" Ray gets cut off by Reyes.

"You're fired too."

"Just checking." He silently follows Matt out of the room. 

Matt is laying in bed when there's a knock on the door, Claire working a night shift. 

He opens the door to find Frank on the other side. "Can I come in?" 

"Yeah sure." Matt steps back, Frank entering in his hallway. 

"We think she's been operating for two years across ten countries. She's highly skilled and untraceable. She's getting arrogant, staring to show off," he says bluntly.

"Uh..." Matt is lost for words.

"Meet me at Josie's on Wednesday nine AM. I'd like to buy you a drink." Frank opens Matt's door again. "Hope to see you then." 

Matt stands in his hall confused and excited. It seems his career isn't over yet.