Almost a month had past with no contact from her new client.

Catherine winced as she passed the 9k mark on her run, willing herself to speed up. The doctor's lack of communication had her left on edge, and she felt the need to run faster and farther more now than ever. Another strong factor for this sudden uptake of training was sheer boredom- cutting ties with Charlie had left her at somewhat of a loose end.

The two were a team and relied on each other for work- Charlie found the clients, she carried out the job with his technical assistance. No Charlie meant no work. Whilst she was managing to fill her time currently, long term this could become a much larger issue. Double pay is not worth it when it's on 0 projects she mused as waited to cross a busy intersection. Whilst she didn't live much of a lavish lifestyle and had plenty of savings, the thought of having no income was still very discomforting.

She had even spent a while contemplating stealing Charlie's client list- an idea that lead to an instant dead end, given that their relationship was entirely limited to technology. She had never met her partner, nor had she any idea where he lived, or anything else about him for that matter. They could walk past each other on the street without recognition. It had always been safer that way. Sensible then, more of an inconvenience now. She sighed. Still, she could remember some of her older clients (Miss Loehlin, for example), but approaching them would be a difficult matter. When your job is to provide mostly illegal and stolen goods, wealthy clients rely on your utmost discretion. Brazenly turning up on their doorstep to ask for business directly would not make the best first impression. Plus, it would risk revealing more about herself than she felt comfortable. If they remembered her appearance, all it would take is one dissatisfied (though admittedly, determined) client to end your career and stick your life behind bars forever. So, for the moment it looked like she was out of options. Unwilling to dwell on this thought any longer, she broke into a sprint, expending her last burst of energy on the home stretch, stopping just short of her driveway. After quickly stretching (never a fan of the 'aftercare' of running) and recording her time and pace into her phone, she re-entered her home and was greeted immediately by the noise of Alfie's feet excitedly pattering, which was eventually followed by Alfie himself, carrying a half chewed envelope. With a groan (and careful to not accidentally elicit a game of tug-of-war), Catherine snatched the letter from his mouth. Even with half the letter missing, the handwriting was unmistakeable, and she realised with a mixed sense of dread and excitement that her retirement was finally over.