killer, gbd (EDITING)

9

Waking to Grayson's music seems to be a constant in my life. Surprised that he had gotten up earlier then me, I sit up and rub my eyes. The memories of the night before clear up in my mind, my emotions much more rational without alcohol in my system.

"How's your head?" I ask, raising the seat to meet me.

"Fine, chugged some water and I was good to go," He mumbles through a cigarette. My mouth suddenly feels dry, so I down the rest of my tea from yesterday's diner.

"How far out are we?" I roll my shoulders out, stretching out the soreness from my awkward sleeping position.

"Not far now, boss-man set me the details, you're welcomed to read them." He grabs his phone out of the cup holder and offers it to me.

I take it from him, opening it to see a long message. I read through it: a master suite reservation has been made under the name Princeton, use the name to get to your room. The night it yours, but do not leave the hotel. The ball begins at 6 the following evening. Respectful clothing has been provided and waits for you in the hotel room. A taxi will arrive outside the hotel at 5:45 to take you there. Don't be late. A weapon safe is installed behind the wall of the closet in your room. Use what you need. You do not have physical tickets to get into the ball, use the name Princeton to get in. Our team will have already eliminated their targets when you are ready to retrieve the data.

The picture of a man fills the screen for a moment, I study his features, taking a mental snapshot. This man will be sat at the bar, he will have the briefcase that you need to obtain. He has been given your pictures as well, he will address you as Mrs. And Mr. Princeton. The exchange should go unnoticed. From there you will return to the hotel. You will change back into your civilian clothing and continue your travels to the next safe house.

"Seems complicated enough," I sigh and put his phone back into the cupholder. He nods, fixing his hair with a laugh.

"Yeah, well it could be worse. The hotel is really nice," He says, glancing over to me.

"You never mentioned which hotel we will be staying in," I shift in my seat to be able to face him easier.

"The Charleston, I used to stay there a lot. My last partner loved that place," Instead of becoming distant like he normally does, he smiles at the memory. "She once told me that if she ever retired, she'd come and live in the area." His mind goes too far, and smile slowly begins to die out.

"What was her name?" I ask, scolding myself immediately. His hands fix his hair and rest at the nape of his neck to a moment. He takes a sigh and half a smile return to his face.

"Rose," He says, his eyes no longer seeing the road. They are somewhere else, distant. I tuck my hands beneath my thighs and keep my questions at bay, not wanting to push any further.

"She was my partner for 2 years." Grayson says, breaking the silence. My hands pull into my lap and I turn my body so that I can look at him. He pinches the skin of his index finger between his teeth, his elbow propped on the window. "She was brilliant," He says, an endearing look coming over his face. "She was intelligent, strong willed, she took pride in her work and always strove for the best." A proud smile graces his face. "But she never let the work consume her, she knew how to have fun. She gave me a reason to keep going, she made me happy." He shakes his head and pulls at his hair.

"She sounds amazing," I smile, but feel his pain within me. He glances over to me, a soft smile lifting the corners of his mouth.

"Yeah," He nods, putting his attention back on the road. I look into Grayson's expression, and find his emotions out on his sleeve. The pain that Rose has caused him is immense and on going. But it isn't a hateful hurt. His heart bears a great love that has been poisoned by sorrow.