"I was waiting for you to turn around," Benedict said.
"You were watching me?" Claudia asked while shifting the rest of her body around on the barstool.
He stepped closer to her so that the low tone of his voice could be heard over the crowds and conversations surrounding them. "Yes, I do suppose I was."
He smelled of whisky and rain. And his firm, astute answer led Claudia to believe there was more to this situation than what he was saying.
As she contemplated her next words, Claudia assessed the man in front of her. Yes, she recognized him from films and television, seen his picture laced across the magazines on the newsstand, but nothing prepared her for the penetrating, steely glare that reflected off his eyes and consumed her attention.
"How long have you been watching me?" She asked him.
"Since you walked in. I was told you were wearing a violet dress, with your blonde hair pinned on the top of your head. I had been watching the door for over an hour before you finally entered the bar."
Alarmed, Claudia used any bit of space she had to move her body backward. Her back pushed against the wooden bar top, alerting her that there was no other place to go. This man, Benedict, knew where she would be tonight and had waited for her. But the question that rested on the tip of her tongue, was why?
He spoke again, "I know what you want to say. How did you know what I was wearing? How did you know I would be here? And I want to answer you, but right now I cannot. I came here for a reason, a reason that is more important than questions you could possibly ask me in this moment."
Benedict took Claudia's arm and slid his hand down until he grasped her wrist. "Open your palm."
Speechless, Claudia could do nothing but comply. She felt something cold press into her skin, and looked down to see an old brass key. Tied to it, with a crimson ribbon, was a small pieces of card stock.
"1125, North Beckinson Road. Remember that address." Benedict said before he quickly turned around and vanished into the crowed.
Claudia held up the key and flipped the piece of card stock. On it was a date and time.
Friday, May 24th, 11:59 p.m..
