Early Bird (Erkenci Kus)(Part 2)

27. The Art of Evasion

Can closes the door behind him as he steps out of the room, swiping up to answer. "Yes, unknown number, speak," he says and leans an arm against the wall.

"Good day, this is Early Bird," a squeaky nasally voice says in a whisper and he frowns. "Don't mind my voice, I have a little throat cold."

She has to think I'm an idiot. "Well, hello Early Bird. How are you?"

"Well thank you."

"And where are you?"

"In Konya."

Konya my ass. "Hm." Can grins. "And how's the weather there?"

It's silent for a good five seconds.

"I don't know. I haven't been outside."

Can pushes away from the wall and looks around the chairs. He was four feet away from the coffee bar and he looks at the counter. I know that voice...I'd know it anywhere even in disguise. "And what's the area code?"

More silence. He steps to the side a bit further, peeking around the counter and slowly moving closer.

"I don't know... I'm using my mobile... Er, to be honest, I haven't been here long, I'm not from Konya initially, you see? I ran away from home."

Can pulls his lips in, getting closer to the counter. He looks over and stares right at Sanem, crouched down. He sighs. "Ah, I see, but for how much longer can you run, Early Bird?"

Silence follows and then she squeaks, "Sorry, I didn't catch that?"

Can leans over as Sanem looks around frantically from side to side, opening the door of the cabinet to hide behind. He purses his lips. "You have a good script, but you're refusing to come and claim your reward. What are you hiding for?"

"I can't come...I don't have a car... And I really don't mind handing it over to you. You can have all the rights to my work."

Over my dead body, it's too good. You're damn well doing this. "Sorry, but that's unacceptable. You have to be present for both the planning and the videoshoot in case changes need to be made." He lowers his phone and then says to the top of Sanem's head, "And on that note, I'm waiting, Early Bird. You have 10 minutes!" Then he hangs up and walks past a stunned and staring Sanem.

Sanem peeks over the cabinet door and groans, hanging up as well on the dropped call then she sits back and frowns. Why can't I get myself to do this? She closes her eyes for a moment then opens them and gets up, closing the door to follow Can who was already heading into the middle past Guliz.

"Guliz," he says when he reaches her and stops to look over his shoulder at Sanem following.

"Yes, Mr Can?"

"I have to tell you something. It's top secret." He puts his arm around her shoulder when she's close enough and she looks up at him and around curiously.

"What is it?" she whispers.

"You know who wrote the winning story right?"

"Early Bird," Guliz nods.

"And do you want to know who Early Bird really is?"

"Who?" Guliz's eyes sparkle right away.

"Sanem." Can points over his shoulder and Guliz's gaze widen, after which he pats her on the arm and then walks through to his office, grinning to himself. Have at it Guliz.

"What?!" Guliz gasps loudly a second later and then she squeals. "Oh my God! Guys! You guys! Listen to me! Early Bird is Sanem!"

Sanem pauses in the middle of walking in and stares at Guliz clapping and pointing at her.