Gideon Picked up his luggage and headed for the exit. He had been expecting to have to find his own way to Montrose It was a pretty long haul drive. To his surprise he was greeted by a rather exhausted looking Katie Cole. He Noticed the hair it was the first thing that struck him. She had changed the colour, 'Looked better' he thought pulling his bag closer to his body to avoid a passing passenger who was obviously in a hurry. He was reminded briefly of the first time he had seen her she had a long flowing main of dark auburn hair in those days. He remembered thinking when he say the Richard Gere Julia Roberts movie pretty woman how Julia Roberts hair in that had reminded him of Katie in the old days. The last time he had seen her pleasantries were dispensed with in haste he hadn't had any time to catch up really. He supposed the drive would allow them time to talk.

"Gideon, thanks I always told you paybacks a bitch"

Gideon raised an eyebrow and smiled, "I figured you'd call that one in at some point"

"Yeah, no time like the present. I'll take you straight to your hotel and then to the hospital"

"How bad"

"Pretty bad Jason, he kicked seven bells of crap out of her. It was touch and go for a while. I have two officers guarding her 24/7. I think she got a good look at him, he meant to kill her. I don't think he's above paying the hospital a visit to finish the job."

"We should move her when she's fit to be moved"

"That was the plan but in her present condition I don't think she would survive being moved"

Gideon walked a few steps behind Katie. When they reached her Ford Modeo she popped the boot he put his bag in the boot closed it down and got into the car buckled his seat belt and put his sunglasses on.

"I'm a lousy passenger Katie, want me to drive"

"I know where we are going Jason you don't. So old friend you just gona have to suck it up", they both laughed.

Gideon glanced sideways at her. She hadn't changed much yep Katie was older she had quite a few smile lines but he had to admit she was still damned attractive.

"Done The Profile yet?"

"Yeah haven't delivered yet though. I figured you would want to get your ten cents worth in first"

"Your right." it was a statement of fact. "Got the case file with you?"

"Yeah its on the back seat behind you"

Gideon picked it up and started to read. The pictures though disturbing were mild in his estimation compared to some he had seen or had be grown so accustomed to seeing such that it no longer bothered him. He didn't know which applied but it bothered him all the same.

The silence was comfortable she drove, he read

End Chapter 3