Hard Time's

If Looks Could Kill

The Baroness is in such a state when you take her in your arms she melts against you and clings to you. Her heart is racing and she's grabbing all over your body scared that you slip from her arms. You rub her back trying to get her to calm down. Suddenly she rushes from you to the ensuite bathroom throwing up from all the anxiety and the stench and horror of the dead rat. You look over at John and share a look he puts on his gloves so as not to get fingerprints on it and removes the box from the room. You enter the bathroom the Baroness wretches throwing up and holding her stomach.

You appear behind her and softly touch her back she bats at you with her hand not wanting you to see her in such an unladylike state. You however do not care and are concerned about her well-being. Instead, you grab her hand to reassure her and lean over her smoothing her hair back from her face until she is just panting trying to calm herself. 'Good girl, it's okay.' you reassure her. You grab a face cloth when she stands, she is still holding your hand. When she tries to take the cloth she fumbles. 'Shh.' you gently wipe her mouth. 'I am sorry that was not very attractive of me.'

You flush away the vomit and grab a glass filling it with cold tap water. 'Rinse.' you gently order. She takes the glass a little more steadily and takes a few sips swiveling the cool liquid in her mouth and spitting it out. You watch her with a gentle look of concern. 'Feel better?' The Baroness looks towards the door. 'It's gone. You don't need to think about it anymore.' This makes her breathe a sigh of relief and she comes into you resting her head on your shoulder hoping you are not disgusted or put off her. You couldn't care less as you saw much worse when you worked in the strip club.

'C'mon let's get out of here.' you escort your lady downstairs to the parlor where you sort her a strong drink to calm her nerves while she sits on the hardback chair. She takes the amber liquid and sips it closing her eyes. You stand by her side and put your hand on her shoulder immediately going to that same damn knot that always forms in her back it's so tight. The Baroness is in a world of her own paying you little attention. 'The police are checking the box for fingerprints. The driver works for a company the person who sent the box paid in cash. There is no evidence to believe anyone was here, and I've made sure the guards are close regularly to protect you. But the chief of police asked if there is anywhere else you could stay in-'

'I will not be chased out of my own home!' You jump you had not been expecting the baroness's snarl. She gets up heading to the bottles pours herself an even larger drink and swallows. 'You,' she points at John. 'will stay here tonight to make sure I am protected.' she pours the third drink and you approach her and touch her hand. 'Take it easy.' she stares at you her eyes filled with sadness and perhaps a little betrayal that you failed to protect her. She clenches her jaw and takes another drink pulling from your touch.

To be honest you are a little annoyed at this and the fact she thinks John will be a better protector than you but you keep your mouth shut. You grab your leather jacket and head into the cold night air lighting a cigarette and taking Genghis for a walk with you. 'Halt, who goes there?' a guard shines a flashlight at you making you squint trying to see. 'I'm the mysterious one-man bandit that leaves my victim's house through the front door when there is security clearly standing in the front garden. I am the Baroness's girlfriend you imbecile.' you slap the silly little torch out of his hand. 'Oh...yes I saw your picture in the briefing. Apologies madam.' he scrambles for his torch.