Cross My Heart

Chase

BECKETT

"What exactly are we doing?" Jeremy asked, as we leaned against a wall. 

"You wanted to talk. Let's talk," I said, looking at my target beyond the wall.

"I meant in a quiet place. You know, like a coffee shop?"

"I guess you'll just have to make do."

My target, 4 foot 5 inches, stood a few feet away from me, looking off in the distance. 

"Why are we hiding?"

"We're not hiding."

"So...we're just casually crouching behind a wall? It looks like we're about to maul someone." 

"I'm sure no one's thinking that."

"You sure? 'Cuz that old grandpa over there sure thinks so."

My eyes followed Jeremy's and landed on an old grandpa sitting on a bench with his eyes narrowed at us. He took two of his fingers and aimed them at himself and then at us. I'm watching you, his eyes said. 

"Okay...so one person," I said. "Oh. Target is moving. Target is moving," I whisper-yelled. "Come on."

"What did I get myself into?" Jeremy muttered, as we both rose from our crouched positions and straightened up. 

"I told you I was busy," I said, following my target at a cautious distance.

"I thought that was your usual way of blowing me off. You know, like telling someone you don't like them?" 

"If I don't like someone I tell them up front."

"Yeah. I've experienced that first hand. Can you please tell me why we're stalking an eight year old?" 

"We're not stalking. We're...watching...from a distance."

"Yeah. I call that stalking."

"It's not stalking."

"Still not convinced." 

"A very concerned adult wanted me to watch over his granddaughter."

"So...paid stalking. That's even worse."

I stopped mid-step and turned around, glaring at Jeremy. 

"See, this is why I said I was busy."

"Okay. Okay," he said, throwing his hands up in surrender. 

I turned around and started walking again.

"No wonder you're busy. You must spend your weekends stalking kids," he muttered under his breath.

I took a deep breathe as I gritted my teeth.  

Hold it in, Beck. Hold it in. Murder would only land you in jail. Hold it in. 

Maybe just one slap?

A kick to the groin?

Trip him?

No. 

No.

Hold it in. Just hold it in. 

I stopped and immediately pulled Jeremy into hug when Jill suddenly turned around. Jeremy went rigid against me.

"W-w-what are y-you d-doing?"

"Shhh..." I said. 

Jill looked around for a while and then turned around again.