The Hunter and The Butterfly

Chapter 14

A/N: This chapter contains graphic content near the end that some readers may find disturbing. If you do not like blood, then skip to the note at the end from the first section!

Lorna felt her hotly flushed face as James pulled into the parking lot of her apartment complex. Her face remained a visibly deep red color as she and James left Jubilee Park, and for the rest of the ride home it was dead silent. While she had trouble thinking of words to say, she was tempted to ask James if he enjoyed the kiss as much as she did, but she worried he might not be in the mood to speak after what had went down tonight. For both their sakes, she decided it was best not to annoy him with her clamor and save it for the morning. James climbed out of the driver's seat and opened the passenger door, helping her from her seat before they both headed towards the door.

"Well, tonight was thoroughly entertaining. I, uh…I'll see you in the morning," Lorna gulped.

"As will I. Have a goodnight, Ms. Bow," James said as he started to walk away.

"James, wait," Lorna's voice stopped him from leaving. Turning around, James felt Lorna's arms wrap around his abdomen and she gave him another quick peck on the lips. James's eyes widened but they instinctively closed and he wrapped his arms around her lower back before they separated after a few seconds. Lorna smiled coyly and brushed a lock of hair behind her hair.

"Sorry, I…I just wanted to do that again. I hope you didn't mind," she blushed.

"Of course not, but don't let this go to your head. I will still treat you just like all my other employees."

"Oh, I'm sure of it, James. You're still my boss, regardless of the circumstances. However, I hope this does not change the way you felt about tonight."

"I wouldn't have it any other way. I'll see your first thing tomorrow. Goodnight again, Lorna," James smiled lightly. Lorna nodded her head and this time she did not stop him from disappearing out of sight.

Once she was left alone on her doorstep, Lorna stepped inside her apartment and quickly closed the door behind her. Her eyes widened and her face was beat red from the events that had transpired. Sinking to the floor, she pressed her knees against her chest as she pondered how to take this all in. How would she relay this to Godfrey, or worse, how was she going to tell her parents that she was on a romantic date with her boss?

Behind a lowly lit back alley of a random clothing store, a lightbulb flickered underneath the backdoor as Edgar Dumbarton checked the time on his watch that read 11:55 PM. He had waited for his informant to return after scoping out the areas where he had followed the BMW, but he had not gotten a word for a few hours and it was starting to anger him. He adjusted his glasses and tapped his foot impatiently against the concrete. Before he could walk off, he heard the sound of hasty heels running towards them. A short man with a blonde balding scalp held his hands on his knees, panting as he tried to form words.

"Where have you been? I asked you to call me hours ago," Edgar snapped.

"Well driving and talking on the phone ain't exactly easy, Dumbarton," the man hissed. "Anywho, I've tailed that fella ya spoke of and it looked like a Mr. James Delaney to me. He drives a pretty sexy looking BMW, if I say so myself, hehe!" he laughed and straightened his jacket.

"Did you get a picture of him?" Edgar asked. The informant pulled out his cellphone and brought up the photo of a man with a young woman who were walking into The Ledbury. Zooming in, the photo made out the clear image of James Delaney and the girl he was with. Smiling, Edgar handed the man back his phone. "What happened when they left?"

"I tailed them around until they stopped at Jubilee Park. He was doing some interesting things with that gal pal of his,"

"What were they doing?"

"Well, they were talking all this sappy shite when James went in for a-smoochin'. The girl got nervous, but after a bit, they had a long nice one if ya gettin' my drift."

Edgar's eyes lit up at this revelation. James had a weakness, he realized as he smiled his yellow-stained teeth grin. Adjusting the glasses on the bridge of his nose, he patted his informant's shoulder and thanked him for his service before he started to walk away. The man's eyes narrowed and he stopped him by grasping his wrist, causing Edgar to turn around at him.

"We ain't finished yet, sonny. You still owe me my pay," he snapped.

"I don't have it with me right now," Edgar shrugged his shoulders.

"Pay me my due, or we're gonna have problems," The informant suddenly flicked a medium-sized knife out of his jacket pocket with a sharp and long enough blade. Edgar stayed silent for a moment before nodding and sticking his hands in his pocket.

"How do you want it? Check or cash?"

"Cash."

"Ok." As the guy harrumphed and lowered the knife, Edgar saw this as an opportunity. He charged the shell-shocked man, grabbed his hand with the blade, and jammed it into his throat! A loud gurgling sound echoed through the alleyway as the man's body went limp. Smiling, Edgar quickly jerked his hand from his throat, pulling the knife along with it. He stepped away as blood splashed across the pavement.

"Damn…you…Dumbarton…" the man rasped as he clutched his neck.

"I see that you've managed to stab yourself in your trachea. You'll be dead in a matter of hours," Edgar tipped his hat and walked away. The informant reached out for him, but only another gurgle escaped his throat as blood seeped from his throat wound down his clothes. In the distance, Mr. Dumbarton smiled sinisterly as he disappeared down the street. Now that he had the information he needed, all that was left to do was to report back to Stuart Strange on James's whereabouts. He may just have to pay Mr. Delaney a visit, or more interestingly, the woman he was spotted with.

To Be Continued

After five-thousand words for the other chapter, we get a short one. Ugh, why does my brain not work when I want it to? Anywho, I've go another semester of college starting, so unfortunately, updates will be slowing down again for the time being.

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See ya next chapter! :)