Hired for secrets

Thank you for trying

** Content note: Description of symptoms are purely fictional **

MP Kerry's death was on every channel. The peculiar circumstances, the unknown man she was with, the chaos of leaked information, it was the perfect fodder for a media storm. With little actual information and the mystery man on the run, speculations were boiling over.

"There are no charges raised against him," stressed the police chief on Sofie's screen, "but we urge the public to report any sightings. Do not approach the man, he is considered armed and dangerous."

Sofie switched off the news. They were talking about Philip. Who else would be with her at Elandra? Given what kind of chameleon he was, she wasn't sure what to make of the circumstances. Maybe he and Ms. Hunt decided that Sofie exposing Kerry's crimes would not go far enough or was too slow. Maybe one of Kerry's other enemies murdered her at Elandra to add insult to injury. Philip might be the perpetrator like the Police assumed or an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire.

Or it was the email breach that caused all of this. Someone was cleaning up. Starting with MP Kerry before putting Philip and herself next on the hit list.

Sofie's blood ran cold. She knew how to handle herself. All she needed to do was leave earlier than planned. But Philip might not be so lucky. His safety depended on Ms. Hunt and whether she would protect him. But both of them knew the risks of playing with fire, so getting burned shouldn't come as a surprise.

With a sigh, Sofie started packing her belongings. She was renting a furnished apartment and could be out of here in an hour. Was she being overcautious? Moving her life when she didn't even know whether the murder had anything to do with her. Perhaps. But better safe than sorry. Sofie had all she needed and could write her article from anywhere now. All this place did anyways was reminding her of Philip and how he was toying with her emotions despite the miles between them.

Her eyes fell on her mobile. But what if Ms. Hunt did not protect him? What if he was innocent? Who could he turn to? Who would he ask for help?

Forget him!

She had work to do. While Kerry's death had removed the urgency from her original story, there was something much more intriguing to write: was her death linked to the opposition leader's? Did she paint a target on her back? Was there someone even more powerful and ruthless behind all of this? Seizing power after clearing out all the established players?

Sofie put the last of her clothes into the suitcase. She folded the white sundress she wore that night in the meadow. It still smelled of grass and wildflowers and she could almost feel Philip's hands on her hips gently guiding the rhythm.

Dammit!

If he was innocent, she could not just leave him out to fend for himself.

With a frustrated growl, she called the camera's SIM card. It was a longshot, but if he was in danger and abandoned by Ms. Hunt's, he would keep this lifeline open.

It hardly rang twice before Philip's voice came on.

"Hello?"

There was heavy traffic in the background and it was hard to hear his voice over the noise.

"Where are you?"

"Sofie, thank god." His voice sounded thick, and he formed his words slower. "There isn't much battery left and I need your help."

"Why aren't you with Ms. Hunt?"

"Jasmit didn't... she called off our engagement, because I was there when Kerry died! And now..." his voice trailed off.