The Rules of the Red - 2014 Watty Award Winner |✓|

Chapter Seven - Part Two

“Or so she can act like the doting mom and create a better image for herself in court.” Addy replied darkly.

“That’s it then.” I said, folding my arms over my chest in determination. “I’ve been putting it off because court isn’t until January, but clearly I’ve only been wasting precious time. So I think we should finally pay Claire that visit. You in?”

“Sure, but you gotta make it fast, otherwise we’re gonna be late.”

“Late for what?”

“Your weekly dance lesson for the cotillion, remember? Babe, I think you should really take those more seriously. I’ve heard rumors you’re still dancing with two left feet… ouch!”

*  *  *

Proctor and Sool was a tall, pointed building, with several floors worth of dark, hooded windows, and shiny, one-way glass. And all you had to do was look, in order to know that it was a building worthy of such a firm as P&S. Even Humans seemed to react to the invisible magnitude of daunting power that it seemed to exude. But it was the Supernaturals of Harbor that were able to recognize the influence of the Vampires who controlled P&S. But the Vampires still continued to prey on the wallets of the victims and criminals who passed through the law firm’s doors, safe from persecution because for once, blood had nothing to do with it.

Addy and I sat in her car, parked on the side of the street opposite the law firm. I reached down, and grabbed the two envelopes that had been tucked away in the dashboard, slipping them safely into my bag.

“Ready, for this?” Adelle asked, observing me with a pleased grin.

“As I’ll ever be.” I replied confidently, slipping on my sunglasses, and unfastening my hair to let it fall around my shoulders. “But it should be easy. All I have to do is avoid Franks and go straight for Claire – she’s the weaker link of the two. Wish me luck?”

“Screw luck – she’s a bitch anyway, and you don’t need her. Just go in there babe, fuck some shit up, and make momma proud.”

So that’s exactly what I set out to do.

*  *  *

Rounding the corner of the short hallway, I felt a strong surge of adrenaline. And before opening the door to the waiting room of Mr. Frank’s office, I pulled up the collar of black Burberry trench coat, and put on a smile. I then slipped inside, and locked the door quietly behind me, before advancing forward into the room.

 “Can I help you?”

Claire Briton sat behind an expensive, mahogany desk, looking important and bored; idyllically unaware of the giant wrecking ball that I was about to bring smashing into the walls of her unsuspecting life. She was middle-aged, but still appearing youthful in a long-sleeved, blouse of violet silk that was tucked into a tight, black skirt. The deep cut of the blouse showed off her ample cleavage, while the understated seductiveness of her stockings complimented her slender legs. And looking down at Claire, with her blonde hair and big blue eyes, I had no trouble understanding the reasons why a scumbag Human like Franks would hire her.