Please read Ch1 for disclaimers...
Success, the Hunter believed, was not a matter of luck but a matter of knowledge.
The old adage that knowledge equals power had always guided his way. He had learned that the safest way to manage risk was to understand it, to embrace it and, if you are fortunate, turn the risk into an advantage.
Charlie was an affable soul. The dog had reached an age where exercise was welcome and sleep came easily. He liked dogs. One day, when his working days were over, he would have one.
Growing up he hadn't had pets and hadn't understood the appeal until he first used a dog for cover. He had even resisted the idea at first but his mentor had been a wise man.
One of his first lessons was to exist in plain sight. People never notice a man exercising his dog. Never question a dog owner's presence on their street day after day. Dogs gave you an excuse to tarry, to strike up a conversation. Most often the conversation would be unguarded.
Merely by asking for a dog walker recommendation, you could find out who was on vacation, where the best, unpatrolled parks were for off leash play and even when people were or were not home.
Simple really, and as an added bonus he had companionship while he worked.
Today the plan was uncomplicated. Secure rent on his room for at least a month. Inquire about the car at the car lot.
Meet the old woman in the bungalow.
The old woman was a notable risk, although minor. By meeting her he could evaluate what type of risk she was and perhaps even turn that risk into his first advantage. It would take time but with the change in the plan, he wasn't in a rush.
The first item of the day hit a small glitch. The motel was type of place that cash was often the payment method of choice and nobody looked twice. This he had expected. Extended stays were common but apparently dogs were not. This was unexpected. Mentally he filed this observation and countered the scrutiny at the front desk with a story, the words falling from his mouth with practiced ease.
He was careful to outline the unfortunate loss of his job down South and his love of his dog that he had for years. Couldn't leave his only family behind now could he? He altered the flow of the conversation slightly with each change of the clerk's facial expression until the other man's stare became one of passive disinterest. With a last long look at the dog, the front desk clerk charged him a daily surcharge.
Walking away and out of the front office he made a decision to evaluate alternative living options. It might be a wise decision to move locations between the two phases of the job now that the dog had also drawn unwanted scrutiny.
The used car lot was simplistic. Cash was still king in establishments like this. A flash of green and eyes were quickly averted to anything seemingly unusual.
The little black car was nondescript without overt wear or damage that would make it memorable to a casual observer. For show he haggled a little over the price and the deal was sealed within an hour.
The salesman was only too happy to personally handle the registration with the department of motor vehicles the next day with proof of insurance. Those documents he could forge by morning. With the quick exchange of money and a handshake the deal was complete.
A short while later he was back on the street with the old woman's tidy bungalow in clear view. This time he let Charlie dictate their direction and speed. The animal's age and natural inclination allowed him the excuse to move along the sidewalk at a leisurely pace.
He was not surprised after he had passed a house or two that the front door to the bungalow opened and the elderly woman stepped onto her porch and openly observed him. Eventually the dog pulled him along and as he got closer, he offered her a smile. Her eyes narrowed and the skin over her wrinkled forehead developed deep trenches but she didn't say anything as Charlie sniffed along her fence line.
When Charlie pulled him to the bungalow's front gate, she stiffly moved down the front steps to collect the paper sitting on her walkway. He tried smiling again and wishing her a good morning but all he got in return was another suspicious glance and a tight nod in his direction. At that moment he knew this was not going to be the morning he would speak with her. That would have to wait.
No matter.
Tomorrow was another day.
Joseph Landucci put his office phone down with a hollow plastic click and rubbed his hands over his face. Opening his eyes he stared at his distorted reflection in the glass covering the mahogany desk. His contact had accepted the full job. Both issues he had determined could be eradicated.
Issues, was the phrase that had been used.
Issues.
It wasn't that the word was incorrect, both employees were issues in the loosest sense of the word. He buried his hands in his hair and tugged. The movement of his arms moved his shirt and the sweat patches turned cold under his arms.
What had seemed like a solution to a problem was moving beyond his control.
The discussion on the phone was as direct and understandable as any other business dealing. A pure exchange of goods and services, dry and impersonal sounding.
But in the case of Lauren Harper, he knew her face. He knew small stories of her family and what she ate for breakfast at her desk every morning. She knew his preferred dry cleaner, what he purchased through his personal shopper and the fact that his daughter was dropping out of school after this semester.
Sitting back in his office chair a small icy chill ran down Joseph's back and twisted his gut. Turning around he stared at the windows behind him. Boston at night was a stunning sight across the harbor. The lights of the Zakim Bridge glowed blue, highlighted by the brightly lit windows of a busy city.
Both times he had spoken to his contact he had somehow been in this office and alone. In a busy office that worked internationally and had laboratory space that was practically unheard of. His palms went clammy. It was almost as if that fact was known before the call was placed.
Joseph was still staring out the giant window, fully aware of how vulnerable he was when the quiet knock first broke into his panic. The well known cadence came again, louder.
"Come on in Lauren." He watched her walk in. She was graceful and poised. He knew the folders in her hand would be his travel information for the next week, each destination exquisitely organized.
"Joe, I have your arrangements to go to the AACR symposium in Florence next week finally figured out." Lauren took a seat in front of her boss and pulled out a sheet of paper. "You're booked all three days with meetings so unless you'd like me to change it, I have you flying home Sunday morning." She looked up in question when she didn't hear the expected agreement. "Joe?"
He shook his head slightly and focused back on his EA. "Sorry, my mind was still on that last call I took."
"I wanted to know if it was okay that I left you with a Saturday night stay? If you open your Outlook calendar you'll notice that you're booked for all three meals and drinks through Saturday night. I assumed you would rather leave your travel home for the red eye Sunday night rather than attempt to catch a late flight Saturday night." Lauren held up the paper again. "The drinks on Saturday night are with Dr. Vogelstien and you know he won't be quick. I didn't want to risk you not being able to make a flight out."
"Of course, that's fine." Joseph knew he was acting preoccupied. Could feel Lauren studying him. It was too much. He gripped the arms of his office chair tightly, not surprised when sweat made them slip along the leather.
He took a deep breath and let out a sigh. "Why don't we review this tomorrow? I can't focus."
Lauren slipped the paper back in the folder and studied her boss. He looked nervous, uncomfortable even. "Are you okay?"
Lauren's eyes were bright and alive. He could feel his heart start to pound as he imagined what they would look like staring still and blank. The room buzzed in his ears.
"Joe?" Lauren placed the folder on his desk, trying to get his attention back. "Is it Lizzie again?"
Lizzie, his wayward daughter and the least of his problems. "No more so than usual. I'm fine. I think I need a good dinner and a night's rest. You own my calendar, book something for us tomorrow."
"Joe, if you have a minute I needed to talk to you." Lauren shot him a small smile. "I wanted to wait until everyone had left for the night. It's personal."
She looked flushed. Joe couldn't place the look on Lauren's face. Embarrassment? But no, the flushed cheeks were graced with a bigger smile when he offered her a smile in return.
Lauren took a deep breath. "I'm pregnant!" The words were followed by a rush of relief. "We've been trying so long I had almost given up hope! I'm almost 14 weeks along. I know I should have mentioned it a few weeks ago but I wanted to be certain."
He heard the words but the meaning was only slowly starting to sink in. His reply stuck in his throat but he cleared it and tried again. "Congratulations."
Her voice bubbling with excitement and relief, Lauren leaned forward. "Don't worry about my work. We need me to have this job. I'm returning as soon as my maternity leave is over."
Lauren's hand was resting on her stomach. For a minute Joe remembered all those years ago when his wife first told him Lizzie was on the way. "Don't worry about here, but speak with HR as soon as possible."
"Oh, I will tomorrow! I just wanted to tell you first." Lauren gracefully stood up. "I've always appreciated this job." She took a step back and studied him. "We've been working together a long time, haven't we?"
He could almost feel the windows pressing on his back, as if eyes scorched his skin. His voice came out more serious than he intended. "We have." He felt sweat forming on the soles of his feet. "Lauren…"
Her hands grasped the chair back and her expression fell slightly. He knew his expression had to be tipping her off but if he moved any more she'd see the growing wet stain under his arms.
He tried again. "Lauren, I hope you realize how important you are to me." The next words were sandpaper against his tightening throat. "This is a special time in your life, enjoy it. Go home to Bill, he'll have my head for having you out this late while you're expecting."
Lauren nodded and walked towards the door. Joe was still avoiding eye contact. In their five years of working together she had often been frustrated but never uncomfortable. Tonight she couldn't help but feel both.
Uneasy she looked over her shoulder. "Get some rest tonight Joe. I'll see you tomorrow."
He looked up when the door shut and stared at it for a long time.
He could always rescind the second request. Perhaps he would reevaluate after the analyst was no longer a problem.
There was still time for that, wasn't there?
He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.
He didn't know anything anymore.
A/N: Many thanks to CharlietheCAG for the beta. Any mistakes are mine Benders. I edited a little last night after she had to go. So all my fault. I'll go whip myself with wet noodles for missing commas.
