heart so helpless
I know I'm fooled, I can't help it
You make my heart so helpless
- Atlantis, Ellie Goulding
Disclaimer: Still can't find anywhere on the internet to buy the rights to this show.
Just like most of them are, he's a shadowy figure. The man's face is hidden by a hat despite the dim lighting of the shady bar, but she's not afraid of him. Even unarmed, she knows at least 9 ways to overpower him and kill him if he tries anything.
"I will pay whatever price you name," his voice is quiet but still carries a level of authority, "if you kill this man as soon as possible. Without suspicion, of course."
He slides a picture across the table. Her eyes are scanning the photo with practiced ease before she's even picked it up, eyes committing the figure to her memory. This target doesn't seem like the usual ones. He's tall, broad-shouldered with intense blue eyes and brown hair that flops in front of his eyes, giving him an air of immaturity. Usually her targets have some of the stereotypical signs of villainy; a scar or tattoos, for example.
But this man- Nothing.
"What's his name?" She asks without looking away from the photo.
"Richard Castle." The man replies hesitantly.
This time, she does look away from the photo and stares at the shadowed man. "As in the author?"
Now she really is confused as to why he's her latest target.
"Yes. As in the author."
Vaguely, she remembers that her Mom used to adore this guy. Each of her copies of the books were well-worn, notes scribbled on every page and she even had one signed.
She pushes that away and focuses on her next question, the man sat in front of her and the man in the photograph. "Why do you want him killed?" She asks curiously.
The man before her is silent for a moment, unmoving, until he reaches up and removes the hat from his head. This move reveals a long, jagged scar running from his temple to his upper lip, and she recognizes the move for what it is. He's trying to intimidate her. At that thought, she almost laughs, but she remains composed as she stares the guy down. He doesn't scare her. He's the one who's come to her for a murder he's too afraid to commit, after all.
"I don't believe that's any of your business." He supplies eventually.
"I think it is, considering I'm the one who's going to be killing him."
"I'd always heard you were the best, since you don't ask questions. I suppose the rumors were wrong."
She bristles at that, sitting up straight and narrowing her eyes at the man. "Any price I name?" She repeats his earlier words in a question.
The man nods. "Will you do it?"
Kate looks back down at the photo she holds in her hands. This man is innocent. This man hasn't done anything. Her targets have usually done something wrong, perhaps even taken a life themselves, and they deserve some form of punishment. But this guy? No. There's never been anything on her radar for him, no price on his head, he's never been wanted by dozens.
"I'll do it." She finally answers, wondering when it was that she'd lost all her morals. "But my price is high."
The man before her is already nodding his head vigorously. "Yes, yes, of course."
"And I get paid up front."
The man obviously hasn't heard of these terms before, because he hesitates. "All of it?" He asks meekly.
Kate nods. "All of it."
Kate emerges from the bar ridiculously richer than she was beforehand, photo of Richard Castle in hand.
"Uh, how will I find you if I need to?" The man asks as she begins to walk away.
Kate smirks. "You don't find me, Mr Smith, I find you." She replies carelessly over her shoulder, before disappearing into the shadows of the night.