Flames of the Past

Chapter 1: Job Proposal

20 years later.

Champs de Mars, Paris,

France

09:59

"Aha, interesting..."

Holding her camera, Kaitlyn Donovan mingled herself among the tourists that were photographing the Eiffel Tower.

In contrast to them, the majestic tower could wait, she was assisting a direct illegal transaction and recording everything in the camera while everyone else thought she was admiring the famous tower.

So now she knew who were involved in stealing the information of the company who sought her service and with whom the information was going to.

"The Eiffel Tower is wonderful..."

She casted a side glance towards the man who just approached her, quickly judging that he was not a tourist at the way he was dressed. Tailored suit with a neat tie. He seemed more like a businessman.

"Yes, it is."

The man continued to invade her, "Can I see your shoots, mademoiselle? You seem to be a professional."

"Ah non! I'm just an amateur!"

She quickly pulled the camera away from his view and laughed with deliberate embarrass as she kept an eye on the transaction that was now over. The two men who were involved in the activity decided to separate after a brief exchange of words. She needed to act!

"If you excuse me, I'll get myself an ice-cream!"

She pointed towards an ice-cream van where a melodious music was coming from, attracting many children as well as adults! She sent an apologetic look to the man and concentrated on her case as she distanced herself.

She was about to follow her target-the man who had the pen drive containing important data about the company, when the friendly man held her shoulder in a restraining manner, "Nice work, detective!"

He instantly released her. Alerted, she arched an eyebrow as she gave the man the attention he was demanding. "Who the hell are you?"

Just as she fired the question, she saw four men all wearing formal suits making their way towards her two suspects, getting hold of them, taking the pen drive away and she saw the tech company's CEO making his way to her, stretching his hand for a shake. She held his hand and waited.

"Good job, detective Donovan. You met all the requirements. My lawyer will take care of the rest now. Hope to see you again." He nodded briefly towards the smartly dressed man beside her. He left a cheque with her and greeted her.

She slid her pay in her pocket and asked, "You still want to see the takes?"

She handed the camera to him and remarked as he attentively went through the digital photos, "You seem to be...very interested in my...photos."

Or in me...

They were all related to crime scenes, to her work. "I have a delicate job for you, detective."

She observed him. He appeared to be in his late fifties or something. The man stopped looking at the camera and his eyes stayed transfixed on hers, "I can't say more."

She shrugged as she took the device from him, "Wow! The job seems very tempting! I'm definitely not interested!"

She sent him a bored look accompanied with a regretful smile before she began to walk away, not paying attention to him anymore. What she wanted was a thrilling case and since a few weeks, all she had been getting was follow this one, follow that one.