If you recognize it, I don't own it.

Behind Blue Eyes

Prologue

Rose Hanford was in a wrong place. She was sweating in her jeans and t-shirt, and the sun was pouring its rays on her sensitive skin. No sun block, not even a hat, she inwardly grimaced, I'm going to be so sore tomorrow. There was no shadow on the terrace of the café where she was sitting. And why would there be, it was the holiday season and most people at the Bay were there to enjoy the sun.

She took a sip of her coke. The person she was supposed to meet, was obviously not coming. Although she wasn't quite sure she really was in the right place to begin with. But that wasn't her fault. The woman had said that she would meet her at the first restaurant left of her hotel. This was the first restaurant.. But she hadn't really been specific on which side of the road, or if it was a café or a bistro she was taking about. Rose buried her face to her hands. What had she been thinking when she'd agreed to do this.

She sighed and took another sip of the coke. And nearly choked as she saw a familiar face in the crowd. His late boss had had one man he said he could trust. And that man was now walking down the boulevard right in front of her.

"Mr. Caldwell." She called his name and waived her hand. "Over here."

The man turned to look at her direction. A moment went by as he didn't seem to recognize her, but then a wolfish grin appeared on his handsome face. He took the few steps up to the terrace and sat down next to her. He was dark, tall and handsome, and Rose was pretty sure that the twenty-something girls at the table near them wondered why the man was sitting next to her.

"Ms. Hanford, of all the people, you are the last one I thought I would se here." He said as he waived his hand to the waiter. He quickly pointed out a drink from the list. And then turned his gaze back to the woman next to him. "What brings you here?"

"Funny thing. I was just about to ask you the same." She replied with a raised eyebrow.

"Work. Work brought me here." He seemed to relax as he leaned backwards on his chair.

"Me too." She took another sip of her drink. "I'm here because of Mr. Kincaid's last wish. But I can't really say more." She shrugged. "It's supposed to be a secret."

The man grinned. "I know."

"You do?" Her eyebrows shot up as he leaned closer.

"Hand it over Rose." The coldness of his voice made her shiver even in the heat of the midday sun. She looked at him wide-eyed as she leaned back a bit to get away from him.

"What..?"

"The Key. I know you have it. So hand it over. Now." She saw a metal glint s he pulled something out from the side pocket of his vest.

This is not happening, her mind raced, Mr. Caldwell is a nice person. He wouldn't threaten me? With a gun..? Would he..?

It seemed that she took too long to answer as he suddenly stood up and raised his fist. It came down to the side of her head so fast that she didn't even manage to yell out. The people sitting next to them jumped up and stared in as much disbelief as Rose at the scene in front of them.

"Hand it over!" He commanded again. Rose gazed up to him as his tall shadow hovered over her. Her hand came up to the side of her head.

"You.. You.." She stuttered the word out, too shocked to speak.

Then the waiter came back with his drink. Mr. Caldwell turned and Rose didn't even think. She was up on her feet in a blink of and eye, and on the next she was running. Her sneakers slid on the stone pavement, but she managed to get away before the man she though she could trust had time to react. Rose didn't turn around when she heard him yell out her name.

She just ran.

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Chapter 1. Coming soon! :)