Serious business and a cup of tea

Werk Werk Werk

I pulled off my helmet scraping my hair back into a ponytail. I glanced across the busy road to the small set of apartments. Glancing from left to right I pulled my body around to climb off my bike. The air smelled like rust and dirt. I placed one foot on the granite pavement before hooking my other foot on the other side. I stood up facing my bike. My eyes flickered to the parking meter and to a rotting sign reading; '2-hour parking.' That should be sufficient enough timing. I walked across the street once I saw a gap in the traffic. When I opened the door I was greeted with the smell of hand sanitizer and dust. The room consisted of a few white couches and a black lamp. The setup was simple. Nothing too expensive. I took out my lipstick from my purse, applying a thin layer before pretending to drop it. I leaned down glancing around quickly to check the surveillance. Again. Simple nothing complex. Picking it up I stood up dropping it in my purse. I walked towards the teenager standing behind the bar. He wore a simple white shirt a belt and an unnatural grin. I smiled quickly before reaching back into my purse. I pulled out a 50 dollar bill passing it to the guy. "I'll have a single room thanks," I said simply glancing at my watch. I still had 20 minutes. "Sure." He said cashing the register. "With riverside views?" He asked showing a toothy smile covered in braces. "No. Just a single." "Ok, well I'm going to need your number." My eyes flickered up. "You know for insurance and if you leave anything." He scratched at the back of his neck. Red creeping across his cheeks. I recited my number easily as he jotted it down into his computer. "I'll give you a call." He said smiling feebly. I turned to click my purse shut. "I'd rather you didn't." I walked swiftly up the stairs checking the room numbers on every floor. Room 10. I came to a stop when I found room number 9 and up. I glanced around feeling the stuffy air on my face. I walked up to the door pushing open the wooden slab. It creaked but did not open. It was locked. I was prepared for this. I pulled a pin out of my hair and jiggled it in the lock. It wouldn't click. I suspected he had a more complex lock. I reached into my pocket biting my lip. My fingers searched around the fabric until I felt what I was looking for. I pulled out a small key. Smiling I clicked it into the lock. I stood up stretching my skirt over my thighs. I straightened my blouse checking it wasn't crumpled from the movement. I reached out and turned the handle. I walked into the small apartment. Different from the outside the inside was furnished with expensive decor. Large paintings hung from the walls and sculptures and artwork lined the room. The apartment opened up into a tight hallway which lead to the kitchen. This then conjoined to the loungeroom. There was a small bathroom to the left and a master bedroom to the right. Despite the simple layout and small nature, the place looked like something out of a magazine. I walked around admiring the pictures. When I came to the fridge I resisted the urge to open it. This was none of my business. Get in and get out.  I walked over to the window gazing out. The city sat high on the horizon. The midscape featured the road I had parked on and an old carpark I glanced at my watch. Roughly 5 minutes if he came quickly. 10 if he took his time. I sat down on the leather couch with a thud. I turned to look at the counter. The tv remote sat amidst a gold statue and a framed picture of a waterfall. I reached down lifting it from the table and flickering through the channels. I had settled on a renovation show when I heard the click of a key in the lock. I sat patiently watching the figures on the screen move around. I heard the footsteps travel from the front door into the kitchen. I heard the clatter of keys and the tap running. I could assume he was putting his stuff down and having a drink and possibly something to eat. This would mean in about 1 minute he would enter the tv room. I stretched my feet out sighing. I heard the glass clink. He had put it down. He had heard the buzz of the tv or the noise I was making. I heard the footsteps approach the door before it was opened suddenly. A man stood there. He was tall with freckled stubble on his chin. He had dark brown hair and dark blue eyes. He wore a Marrone sweater, snakeskin pants, boots, and a pair of small frame glasses. He held a kitchen knife in his hand. "Who are you? What are you doing here?" I kept my eyes on the television. He took a step forward wielding the knife. He pointed the glinting tip towards me. "What do you want?" He asked wearily. The shock and anger turned into fear. I Brang my feet don from the counter and swung my body towards him. I leaned with my forearms on my thighs. "You did something you shouldn't of." I said standing up and stepping towards him. His eyes darted around the room. When they settled on me his brow furrowed. "I don't even know you. I haven't done anything!" He spluttered. I let my eyes wander to my hip. I hutched my blouse up to show a black gun. The man instantly dropped the knife. It clattered to the floor. He ran to the door stumbling over his own feet. I whipped out my gun pointing it towards him. He kept moving his eyes never leaving the door. I sighed. This one was more annoying than the others. I hate the runners. I lowered the gun aim and pulled the trigger. His leg contracted in pain. He let out a scream as he fell to the floor. I lowered my gun letting it rest at my side as I approached him. The sound of the clack of my heels and the man's whimpering was the only noise in the apartment. Not that the neighbors would care. Bad neighborhood This sort of thing wasn't uncommon. I stood over him kneeling down so my breath was on his face. He turned his head away the tears leaking from his eyes. "Get off me, psycho!" He said desperately shaking his head. I tilted my head grinning. I stood up stepping away from him. I raised the gun pointing it at his head. "Who sent you?" He asked rocking himself as the tears streamed steadily. "The company that you leaked information from. Remember them? They didn't press charges. Instead, they called me. I smiled digging my heel into his stomach. He groaned. Clutching at it. Desperately trying to pry it from his stomach. "Who are you?" He asked again. I chuckled, loading the gun. I closed one eye grinning. Bang. The bullet shot through the air hitting him squarely in the head. "I'm Tereasa Cassandra."