Strange Encounter

Chapter 11

Riley woke up naked and alone in her bed. The only evidence that he was there were his ties on the bed. She got up showered and went downstairs for some breakfast. It was ten in the morning and she was starving.

Peter was in the kitchen toasting a bagel.

"Where is everyone?" she asked nonchalantly.

"William left early this morning to set up everything." She sat there in lonely silence. He left without saying good bye. She felt empty but shook it off. "It's just you, me and Agent Jones." Oh joy she thought. "Are you sure about doing this?"

"Yes sir. I just want this over with."

"It'll be fine." He turned and started reading his newspaper. She felt dismissed. Her appetite left her. Riley went back into her room; grabbing her phone she called Sally.

"Are you all right?"  Sally asked her voice full of concern.

"Everything is fine." Riley filled her in as best she could.

William showed up at 1:30 pm. He ran up the stairs to find Riley. He hadn't wanted to be gone this long but he wanted this plan to be executed flawlessly. He opened the door without knocking. He found her curled up in a chair, dazing out the window.

She felt him before she heard him. Slowly her eyes found him standing by the door. A cry of relief broke from her lips as she jumped out of her chair and ran to him. He smiled as she ran to him. He caught her and twirled her around as their lips found each other.

"I missed you," she said in between kisses.

"I can tell. I missed you too." She slid down his body as he placed her on the floor. His tone became serious. "Riley."

"No. Don't ruin this moment. I haven't seen you in a few hours and I want to enjoy this."

He let out an exasperated sigh, raking his fingers through his hair. He sat on the edge of the bed. He ignored her plea. "Don't do this."

She kneeled in front of him. "I already explained to you why I have to."

"I'll protect you."

"Yes you will. At the Pier. Then I won't need protection anymore." She forced a smile. She was nervous. So many things could go wrong and this could be their last moments together.

He couldn't think of anything else to say to talk her out of it. His blue eyes pleaded with her but she was too stubborn to give in. Agent Jones barged into the room, as was her nature.

"Seriously, you really need to learn how to knock," Riley said as she rose away from William.

"Inspector, a word," was all she said as she left the room.

William kissed the tip of Riley's nose before following Lucinda out of the room and into her bedroom. She approached him but he held out his hands. "Please Lucinda, say your peace."

She was an attractive woman. Her hair was a luminous buttercup yellow, her face was arresting, irregular. She had a square chin and a wide mouth. Full kissable lips but not as soft as Riley's. Her wide eyed innocence was merely a smoke screen. He knew her intent. He remembered when they met at the academy. She was strong and independent. Unfortunately, she was also a controlling, manipulative person and he had zero tolerance for that.

"Wills, what happened to us?" her voice came out in a soft purr. He knew why he fell under her spell; he was glad that he was able to get out of it before it was too late. "I'm not sure I follow. We dated a few times but it just ran its course. It didn't work out."

"You didn't give us a chance," she was able to run her hands up his chest and around his neck.

Softly, he removed them. "Lucinda, we are not at the same place. I have moved on, please do the same."