Another boring Wednesday night. I finished my dinner, took a shower, rearranged my furniture for the second time, and played video games till my thumbs cramped. Not a call all night. I open my doors at dust and close up at dawn. I sometimes take calls during the day but that's my sleep time. Most of the action happens in the night.
I pushed my loose strand of hair back from my face that refused to be in a pony tail, as I pull out my newer issue of Rock Informer. I had read it maybe nine times, but it's better than nothing. I knew if I decided to relax a call would come in, so I didn't leave my office often. Though a drink at Manny's Bar didn't sound displeasing.
I sighed heavily and glanced at my clock. Two A.M. 'Well, I guess being gone twenty minutes couldn't hurt.' I thought to myself. Chicago was a big town but thankfully there's a bar just down the street, about six blocks.
I jumped up and grabbed my coat. I usually wear black because blood doesn't show as badly. I get tired of bleaching or tossing new outfits. I wore black jeans, a black t-shirt, black army boots, and of course my black leather trench coat. But I think I look better in blue.
I walk to the door to go to Manny's when a knock sounds behind my front door. I threw my hands up in defeat, and answered my door, regretting the drink I wouldn't get. When I opened the door I saw a short, beautiful woman with long blonde hair. She had on an evening gown and a very expensive looking fur coat that seemed to engulf her tiny figure. She was much shorter than myself, I stood at an even six foot. I noticed that she seemed uncomfortable and troubled. Without inviting her in she walked through my door and took a seat.
"Please sit down." I said sarcastically. "So... How can I help you?"
"I have a demon problem."
"Really?" I said with mock surprise.
"Yes... There is a demon that has been hunting me. I need him destroyed." She was sitting with her legs crossed and her sequenced purse in her lap.
"What does it look like?"
"It's tall, around six foot six. It appears to look human when it wants to. It has white hair. It transforms it's body into this hideous devil creature."
"Alright. Where did you last see it?"
"I was on business in New York. It has been staying in an abandoned building."
"You got an address?"
"Yes."
"Great. Makes my job a little easier. Give me an address, a way to contact you and then we discuss my fee"
"That's fine. I'll pay anything."
Oh, how I do love to hear those words. I watched her write down the supposed address of the abandoned building, and contemplated who much I should charge her. From the looks of her, she was loaded, or married to someone who was. Don't get me wrong, I do my share of pro bono work for people who can't afford my services, and need a demon slaying, but I gotta eat and bills to pay. Besides, this means I would have to travel, which meant travel expenses as well as ammunition and other little necessities. I decided to ask for a nice, comfortable sum.
"Well, with travel, ammunition, and my usually fee for disposing of demons... Let's say... $8000. Half now, half on completion. If I don't, can't or won't kill the demon, the first four thousand is mine to keep, and the other four thousand is yours, but I assure you, I have never failed a mission."
"It's a deal."
She sat the address and a business card onto my desk and reached over to shake my hand. When our hands contacted I pulled her forward towards my desk until she leaned close to me, her face only inches from mine. "Remember Miss,"
"Mrs. Leigh-Lamont, Mrs. Samantha Leigh-Lamont."
"Well, Mrs. Leigh-Lamont, I am a devil hunter... I kill the demon... you don't pay the rest... the demon will be the least of your worries. Get my drift?" I said squeezing her hand to make a point.
"Yes, yes."
The woman looked at me fearfully. My comment hit its mark. I've had people try to skip town and not pay me and some just simply refuse to pay. Though it was an empty threat, hunting human not being my style, I wasn't about to let her know that. If i wanted to chase after people who didn't pay the money owed I would have become one of those damned annoying bill collectors.
She left my office to get my first payment, so I decided to pack what thing from the office I may need. All of my clothes were at my appartment, so I would have to go there later. I finished and walked to my desk to await her arrival.
Chicago is known for cold winters but summers aren't too peachy either. Hot and humid around the lakes 90 degree weather feels more like 100 degrees. With no air conditioning and little help from my rotating fan my office was like a baker's oven even in the late night to early morning.
I sat till dawn waiting for her to return. Finally I decided she wasn't going to come back. Guess I scared her too much. Oh well. I grabbed my backpack and decided to leave my packed bags till tomorrow night when she came rushing through my door almost in anger and tossed me the money stuffed in an envelope. Didn't even knock! What a snotty bitch! I pulled out the money and began to count.
"You don't trust me?"
"I trust no one! I'll contact you when I'm done." I said finished counting and began to grab my bags to leave.
She walked out of my office as if she were the queen of all humanity. I was really starting to dislike her. She didn't seem so desperate now, or even afraid. As if she knew something I didn't. Oh well.
I watched her get into a stretch limo. Just before she ducked in she flashed me a smile. I pasted a more than obvious fake smile back to her. Her driver pulled away and I secured my office for the day.
I stopped my several stores on my way to my apartment. Armory and gun store, a deli mart, and then my apartment. Normally I ride my Harley on jobs for speed and flexibility, but on long trips I take my Toyota Camary. She's a fairly decent ride. I packed my trunk and set on my way to New York City, New York.