"The Virtuoso"

The mystery woman

The jazz club was the perfect place for a getaway. A place for affairs best not remembered and for memories not soon forgotten. It was similar to a speakeasy from long ago, what with the secretive and seductive ambience. A safe haven for those looking for an escape from their otherwise frenetic lives.

Raymond Reddington, the concierge of crime himself, had just found this place. It was peaceful, quiet, a welcome escape. He, like so many others, appreciated the protection and seclusion. People like himself were well protected here.

In the middle of the club was a beautiful white grand piano. It had remained untouched for the past 50 years or so; merely a display, an artifact. On more than one occasion, somebody who had too much to drink would stumble over it, but that person would be properly escorted out.

Tonight was different: Raymond could feel it. After all the lives he lived, he was very in tune with shifts in energy. He quietly sipped his wine and surveyed the room. He took in the couples, the singles, the mafia uncover with their three piece suits, the ones in the shadowy corners trying to remain inconspicuous.

Suddenly a woman walked through the double doors. He had no idea who she was, but he certainly didn't mind her presence. The first thing Raymond noticed about her were her eyes. Though the room was dark, her eyes pierced through like a lighthouse in a storm. Her long brown hair cascaded down her back and framed her face. Her simple demeanor was a far cry from the scantily clad women here who were on the arms of gangsters. She wore a plain blue dress that went down to her ankles. No jewelry adorned her, her shoes were black flats. She did not take a seat at the bar; in fact she seemed focused and determined, like she owned the place.

She was walking towards the piano. Once she approached it, she slowly grazed her fingers over the keys, as if paying her respects. Once she sat down at the bench, the owner proceeded to walk over, ready to throw her out. Raymond grabbed his arm as he walked past his table. Before the owner could say anything, Raymond whispered "Don't". He could immediately tell that she was not a threat: she meant no harm. He could tell just by watching her from across the room. The owner grunted back in disapproval and Raymond released his grip. The woman took a deep breath in and out and started to play. The piano was old and terribly out of tune, but she brought it back to life.

Raymond was transfixed on her, the way her body swayed with the music like a willow tree, the way her fingers glided across the keys effortlessly like an ice skater. The conversations, the noise, the clinking of silverware and dishes halted, All that existed was the music. Raymond felt at peace. Few things in his otherwise chaotic life and world full of unspeakable crimes and tragedy had he felt like he could slow down. Now with this mystery woman here, he felt alright.

All too soon, as quickly as it had started, she ended her song. The world moved again. The chatter was unsilenced. The woman lifted her hands away from the piano and looked out at the crowd until her eyes met at Raymond's gaze. She smiled shyly. He motioned for a waiter to bring over an extra wine glass. He got up and walked toward her, holding a glass of wine in each hand. He lifted the glass as if to raise a toast. She couldn't help but laugh softly. "Young lady, that piece was fantastic!" he said, setting the extra glass on top of the runner covering the piano. "May I offer you a glass of Chateau Latour? One of the finest wines from the vineyards of France." "Thank you, sir," she answered. "I have been playing the piano since I was a child. It's very rare to find one in modern day clubs, especially one so fine as this one here." She laid her hand on the piano, running her hand over the runner where her wine glass sat, as if wiping away a non-existent stain. Raymond noticed her hands, her smooth skin, her long fingers, her nails painted a deep shade of purple. She picked up the glass and gently clinked it against his. "Salut" she said. Raymond smiled and bowed his head slightly towards her. She took a sip, trying her very best not to meet his gaze. Though his eyes were kind, his stare burned through her, like he was studying her. Her cheeks flushed and her skin crawled with goosebumps. " I normally don't accept drinks from strange men," she said "but since I saw you pour it and take a sip from your own glass, there's no way you would have slipped something in it." Raymond coughed slightly, almost choking on his wine. "Oh please" he said, laughing " I may be a lot of things but some rowdy frat boy is not one of them" She laughed as well, turning her head away and looking around the club. " I feel like nobody really enjoyed my music," she said, disappointment ringing in her tone of voice. "A few clapped, but I feel like that was purely out of pity" "I wouldn't dwell on the approval of these people" Raymond said, his hand gesturing outwards. " You were brave enough to get up here and share your talent. That is very admirable. And you greatly improved my night." He finished his glass of wine and looked at her. She met his gaze and smiled. "Thank you for your kind words."

She finished her wine as well then looked at her phone for the time. "I should probably get going," she said, standing up. Raymond saw her reach for her coat that lay across the bench. "Here, allow me," he said. She started to say she could manage but before the words could escape from her mouth, he said " I insist." She turned her back towards him, lifting her hair with one arm as he slipped the coat on her. She could hear his steady breathing, feeling it on her neck, feeling his hands on her as he adjusted her coat. It made her nervous.

As Raymond helped her with her coat, he smelled her perfume. It was an exquisite, elegant scent that seemed to match her personality perfectly. He had to control his breathing, he didn't want to make her uncomfortable. As she adjusted her coat, Raymond couldn't help but notice she kept pulling her sleeves down. He didn't think much of it, perhaps it was just a nervous habit.

Once she was ready, she walked with him to his table. He slipped on his own coat as well and put on his hat. They walked out together.

They got outside, and she took in a deep breath of the crisp fall air. She held out her arm for a cab and Raymond said " I'm sorry, but I didn't catch your name." As a cab pulled up beside them, she said "My name is Mona Lisa, like the famous painting. It suits me well, since I prefer to remain in the background, undisturbed." "Well you give that name a new meaning" Raymond said. Mona smiled and got into the cab. " I hope we will meet again soon." she said. Raymond tipped his hat toward her. "Goodnight my dear"

As the cab drove away, Mona jumped at the sound of her cell phone ringing. She answered immediately. "Were you successful at making contact?" the voice asked at the other end. "Yes sir" she replied. "Good girl, my Mona." the voice said, a sickly smile in his tone. "You will meet him next week and complete your mission." When she didn't reply right away the voice said " I should not have to remind you what will happen if you fail me." "I understand. It will be done." she said and promptly hung up, her hands shaking.

As Raymond watched her cab drive away, he let out a sigh. What an experience to meet this young woman. Why did he feel such a connection to her? Letting his guard down for such a random encounter was very much unlike him. He kept things close to the vest and kept himself guarded. Dembe pulled his car up to him and rolled down the window. "Raymond, I tried to text you, is everything okay?" Raymond got into the car and laughed. "Oh yes indeed Dembe, you worry too much. I just had the most interesting encounter with the most extraordinary woman." Dembe chuckled " I think you've had too much of that expensive wine" " No really!" Raymond protested " Things have been set in motion. And I can't wait to see how this turns out!"