THE HUNT
PART TWO
THE WATCH
The pitch of the idling limousine engine rises to compensate for the strain of the air conditioning running on the highest setting. I rub at my wrist while staring out the window, waiting for Paul’s return. He’s already late, increasing my restless agitation. Tearing my attention from the front of the house, I examine the watch on my wrist.
“It feels odd. I’ve never worn a watch.”
“It’s quite a beautiful gift. The rose hue sets off the diamonds,” Saul replies.
I sigh and once again turn to the house. It’s been twenty minutes and Saul gave careful instructions to Paul not to linger inside for any reason. I just know the deed is *not* done. If you want something done right…
“Do you want me to go in there?”
“I’ll deal with it, Saul.”
I rub my wrist again and check the time. Twenty-two minutes late. There’s no way to avoid it, I must do something. I can’t send Saul every time I have a problem. It annoys me that I rely on so many men considering everything about my life. Placing my hand on the door, I pause and lift my eyes to Saul.
“You said he was ready.”
“I could be wrong, but I stand by my assessment.”
Opening the door before I give vent to my irritation, a wall of heat presses into my body as I step outside. It’s dark, but the temperature remains over 100 degrees and sweat forms on my temples. Without giving myself time to overthink the situation, I approach the side door of the house and turn the doorknob. It’s unlocked and I slip inside the house as quietly as I can.
Pressing my back against the wall, I count to ten to give myself time to adjust to the darkness of the room. My heart races and I try to control my breathing, unable to discern what room I’m in. Taking a deep breath, I exhale slowly, trying not to move. I hear something and strain to concentrate on the noise from the end of the hall. Two people talking, perhaps more. I step forward in that direction, one foot in front of the other until I’m close enough to recognize Paul’s voice. The other belongs to a woman.
“Tell me again why you are here.” The woman asks Paul. Before he can answer, I step from the darkness into the room.
A lamp illuminates the space, which appears to be the master bed room of the house. The tallest woman I’ve ever seen stands over Paul, pointing a gun at his chest. He’s tied to a chair, but doesn’t look afraid, eyes calm, almost serene. The bed is covered with blood and the remains of the man I sent Paul to find, body parts wrapped in plastic bags. This deed took time and skill. After scanning the rest of the room, I look at the woman. Sparkling blue eyes meet my gaze.
“Did you do this?” I ask.
“I did.” The woman engages the safety on the gun and puts it into the holster strapped to her chest. “Consider it my present to you, Ella.”
Oh? As I ponder her words, Saul enters the room and points a gun at the woman.
“The question I have,” Saul begins, taking a spot with clear space to aim. “Who the fuck are you?”
“It feels odd. I’ve never worn a watch.”
“It’s quite a beautiful gift. The rose hue sets off the diamonds,” Saul replies.
I sigh and once again turn to the house. It’s been twenty minutes and Saul gave careful instructions to Paul not to linger inside for any reason. I just know the deed is *not* done. If you want something done right…
“Do you want me to go in there?”
“I’ll deal with it, Saul.”
I rub my wrist again and check the time. Twenty-two minutes late. There’s no way to avoid it, I must do something. I can’t send Saul every time I have a problem. It annoys me that I rely on so many men considering everything about my life. Placing my hand on the door, I pause and lift my eyes to Saul.
“You said he was ready.”
“I could be wrong, but I stand by my assessment.”
Opening the door before I give vent to my irritation, a wall of heat presses into my body as I step outside. It’s dark, but the temperature remains over 100 degrees and sweat forms on my temples. Without giving myself time to overthink the situation, I approach the side door of the house and turn the doorknob. It’s unlocked and I slip inside the house as quietly as I can.
Pressing my back against the wall, I count to ten to give myself time to adjust to the darkness of the room. My heart races and I try to control my breathing, unable to discern what room I’m in. Taking a deep breath, I exhale slowly, trying not to move. I hear something and strain to concentrate on the noise from the end of the hall. Two people talking, perhaps more. I step forward in that direction, one foot in front of the other until I’m close enough to recognize Paul’s voice. The other belongs to a woman.
“Tell me again why you are here.” The woman asks Paul. Before he can answer, I step from the darkness into the room.
A lamp illuminates the space, which appears to be the master bed room of the house. The tallest woman I’ve ever seen stands over Paul, pointing a gun at his chest. He’s tied to a chair, but doesn’t look afraid, eyes calm, almost serene. The bed is covered with blood and the remains of the man I sent Paul to find, body parts wrapped in plastic bags. This deed took time and skill. After scanning the rest of the room, I look at the woman. Sparkling blue eyes meet my gaze.
“Did you do this?” I ask.
“I did.” The woman engages the safety on the gun and puts it into the holster strapped to her chest. “Consider it my present to you, Ella.”
Oh? As I ponder her words, Saul enters the room and points a gun at the woman.
“The question I have,” Saul begins, taking a spot with clear space to aim. “Who the fuck are you?”