The Meeting

The evening was brisk, as was common in the mile high city, but Jane enjoyed the walk. His hotel was only about a fifteen minute walk from the library and his normal pace was brisk. He briefly wondered if this a good idea. There are so many horror stories about internet meetings, but most of those were females getting hurt. "I wonder why you never hear of men." He hummed as he walked along. "Aggression levels, I guess. Most women are not physically violent. That's left for the testosterone laden males."

He walked around to the main entrance and scanned the area. No sign of her yet. That wasn't a problem, he was early. He preferred to watch how people make their approach. You could learn a lot that way, and on reflection, he realized how little he knew about his 'date'. He chuckled. "I don't even know her name." For someone of his talents, he'd dropped the ball on this one.

He nearly jumped across the street when someone tapped him on the shoulder saying, "Patrick?"

He spun around, nearly tripping over his own feet and was face to face with the lady in the third picture. She smiled a totally disarming smile. "I'm Eliza. That's the El in VampEl."

Quickly appearing to recover his composure, he took her proffered hand. "I'm pleased to meet you, Eliza. I'm ..." He hesitated, realizing that she'd called him by his first name. "Patrick, but you seem to know that already. He was intently scanning her for information and clues. Her smile was "memorable" as he classified it. He cataloged: 5'4", 115 pounds, wiry, fit, very pale complexion but wearing very dark lip stick. Not exactly goth, but really close. He wouldn't classify her as freaky, but getting close to the edge, there.

"Yes, I do know know your name. A girl alone has to do her home work if she wants to survive. I know quite a bit about you, actually. I'm very good with computers."

Jane really wanted some time to regroup. It was obvious that Eliza was clearly ahead of him, so far and he didn't like it. If this were a chess game, he knew mate would be only a few moves away. "I saw a nice restaurant a couple of blocks that way," he said gesturing, "Would you like to give it a try?"

"Honestly, I'm more in the mood for some good music and some good drinks and I do happen to know a place that fits the bill on all counts. Are you game?" Eliza flashed that award winning smile at him again.

"I actually think that fantastic smile is genuine. This one could be a heart breaker." Out loud he said, "Sounds like a good combination for a Friday evening. Lead on."

She hooked her arm in his and they strolled in the direction she indicated. They'd been walking and chatting for about twenty minutes when Jane realized that the area was beginning to look a little seedy and much less well lit. Eliza seemed as at ease and vivacious as before. He didn't want to "wimp" out, but his experience with the CBI had taught him to be aware of such signs and he was distinctly uncomfortable. He was trying to think of a way to tactfully express his concern when the sound behind them, the cocking of a revolver, removed any need.

"Freeze, you two,"

Both of them stopped in their tracks.

"Turn around."

They turned to face a tall man holding what appeared to be an ancient revolver. "Just give him what he wants, Eliza. Right now we just want to be able to walk away," Jane whispered.

"Good advice, Blondie. Play nice and you might live. Now, hands up"

As Eliza raised her hands, Jane realize she was raising one much faster than the other. With blinding speed, the laggard hand swept the gun way from both of them and a vicious kick landed in his groin. He doubled over, gasping. Eliza kneed him in the face. He crumpled to the pavement, limp. Eliza bent and picked up his gun. "Here you go. Add this to your collection. Now, as I was saying...." She took him by the arm and continued the conversation like nothing had happened.

Again, Jane realized he was "behind the curve." Music interrupted his confused reverie. "Here we go. Good music, good drink and good company. Could some wandering waifs want more?"

Jane realize that he was sort of feeling like a wandering waif, now. Eliza had a very keen way of observing and presenting things. "This particular waif would really like something to drink, right about now. I hope this is as good as you've billed it"

Eliza grinned and stuck her tongue out. "Have I steered you wrong, yet?" Before he could say anything, she continued. "No, I have not. So let's enter and make light of the rest of the evening."

"An odd turn of phrase," he mused as they walked into the dim recesses of Bur Bur's Den.