Disclaimer: I do not own Blood Ties or any of its characters. They are Tanya Huff's creations.
Thanks to my story consultant, Lena!
Previously in Out of Nowhere: Henry was brutally attacked in his apartment. Vicki with Coreen's help nursed him back to health. Vicki enlisted Mike's help to obtain a security DVD from Henry's condominium. They are still trying to discover who wants Henry dead.
Chapter 10
Brock peered through his pocket binoculars. His client's brown hair stopped at her shoulders. She wore sunglasses like a celebrity might wear. She was tall. All her curves were in the right places. He proceeded to scan the area.
She was alone.
Maybe that's the way she wants it to appear. Maybe I'm just being too paranoid but it's kept me out of prison all these years. I'd like to keep it that way.
Brock placed the binoculars into his spring jacket and slowly approached her.
She had been standing near the statue of George Brown for about five minutes when a tall man with brown eyes and a goatee walked towards her. He was dressed in a green jacket and blue jeans. Most of his short brown hair was covered by a Toronto Maple Leaf cap.
"Miss Moneypenny, I presume?" He deadpanned.
"Yes. And what should I call you?"
"Mr. Smith."
They walked to a nearby bench and sat down next to each other.
"So what was so sensitive that you couldn't tell me over the phone?"
His client inched closer. "He's a demon."
The contract killer laughed. "Come on, lady. Demons don't exist. Maybe you should consider seeing someone. It's obvious you need a shrink."
Brock rose.
"Wait. Please wait," the woman pleaded.
She reached into her jacket, removed a folded piece of paper and shoved it into his hands. "These are entries from my sister's journal."
His eyes skimmed the passages as he sat back down. "Did your sister have mental issues? She's talking about this guy having fangs. His eyes changing colors."
"I know it sounds crazy but I assure you my sister was quite sane."
Brock rubbed his face and lowered his voice. "I'm not saying I believe what you're telling me but if Fitzroy is what you say, how do you expect me to complete this job?"
"I'll give you a bonus." She added as an incentive.
"I'll continue this job on one condition. No more contact until it's done."
"It's a deal. Thank you, Mr. Smith."
"It's what I do." He walked away.
As Brock drove away, he couldn't help but shake his head in disbelief.
Demons. What's next? Werewolves? Vampires? I can't believe I'm actually keeping this job. Maybe I should have my head examined. Surveillance seems the best option at this point. Once I know exactly what I'm dealing with I can plan accordingly.
Vicki rapped on the door which almost immediately flew open.
"Hi, Vicki."
"Hi, Henry. Unfortunately Coreen didn't get any hits from the facial recognition software." She sat on the couch. Henry sat in a leather chair facing her. "I tracked down the messenger service but they were only told where to pick up the clock. I asked Mike to have the crime lab check the clock for prints. It's obvious we're not dealing with an amateur but maybe we'll get lucky."
"If we are dealing with a professional, I doubt he would be so careless as to leave fingerprints."
"I know it's a long shot but it couldn't hurt. It's not like we have an overabundance of clues."
"In the meantime we could try something else."
Vicki's eyebrows rose in curiosity. "What do you have in mind?"
"I will resume my normal activities and hope whoever is after me takes the bait."
"There's only one problem with that plan. Innocent people could be caught in the crossfire."
"I could always try luring the assassin to a more secluded location."
"I don't know if he or she would fall for that either."
A slight irritation was evident in Henry's voice. "Well if you have any other ideas, I would be glad to hear them."
"Now that you mention it, I think I do."