C.E.O x C.E.O

Ch. 31 - And The Villain Thinks They're Smart

It takes Katherine a long waiting moment to realize how stupid this plan actually is. Perhaps the plan isn't stupid per say. It's the fact they have to execute it to begin with. If Katherine met her younger self, who was just about to start her career as James Artino's secretary, and she told her she'd be trying to fend off some crazed fucker from killing her boss in the next few years or so, young Katherine would just think she's a crazy old hag. For numerous reasons. Namely, this shouldn't be the job of a secretary.

But that's what it has come to. Katherine wouldn't have predicted it would come to this in a million years. It's almost funny to think about.

"Hey," Tamara taps her shoulder. Her other hand has her phone at the ready to record Max in the act. "You okay, girl?"

Katherine reassures her with a nod. "I just want to get this over with."

"As do I," Selene beside her says. They've been keeping watch from this storage room for so long, her black hair almost blends her into the darkness and makes her disappear entirely. Even so, she still manages to light up the room with her warm gaze and light smile. "It's nice of Mr. Cozbi to help us out."

Katherine glances out the room and upward, towards the security camera in the hall that will definitely get the scene on tape if Tamara doesn't.

"Hey, I don't mean to be pessimistic," Tamara chuckles nervously. "But what if things go south? Do we have like... a plan B?"

"Simple, don't fail plan A," Selene says. "Right, Katherine?"

"Yes," Katherine replies. "And you've always wanted to say that, haven't you?"

"Guilty," Selene shrugs, hiding the amusement in her face.

Then, a vibration noise interrupts them. It came from Selene's phone. Taking it from her pocket, she checks what it is. "It's Max," She says. "He said he's leaving, and that he'll probably be back late tonight."

"I think that's our cue," Tamara says. "Okay, let's do this."

Katherine peers into the hallways. She can see the droplets leaking from the ceiling. Yes, that's definitely a safety and comfort hazard, especially considering it's dripping right in front of the entryway. A couple walks past the leak, evidently concerned, but since Max isn't around to connect whatever the electrical device is to the leak then the couple remains unscathed. They disappear into the hallway, not knowing they had just walked past a future crime scene.

Finally, alas, Max appears. Katherine's skin pricks at the sight of him. He's holding... a car's battery box? Held by a pair of latex gloves. Katherine furrows her brows. He's sick. To be brave enough to even bring along such an obvious device to electrocute a man is beyond her. Katherine nudges at Tamara to take a photo of the man. They need to take what they can get.

Katherine gets a text this time. From James. He's asking her how her day is.

Eventful. She replies quickly. Where are you? She takes the opportunity to ask.

Hotel Lobby, I'll be right up. He replies.

Katherine gulps. She's going to have to time this perfectly. If not, then all is doomed.

"James and Dmitri are coming up in a minute," Katherine tells the other two women she's with. "I just..."