John sat by himself. The darkness of the night was dimmed by the lights of the city. Silently, he watched Claire through binoculars. Strictly speaking, this wasn't what he was supposed to be doing, but he was fitting into the neighborhood alright.
He saw her body stretched out against the lamp post, the darkness only accentuating the curves of her frame with shadow. She strutted confidently out there, but he couldn't help thinking how vulnerable she was and he saw the creeps who were picking up the other girls around her. God, why did he let himself think these things? He turned away.
"Any sightings of the target?" The crackly negatives from the others parked in cars close by broke the silence that had formed around him. He glanced up and his breath caught in the back of his throat. A car had stopped in front of Claire and the passenger door was open. He didn't need the automatic glance at the registration plates to tell it wasn't the one they were looking for but some other man was sitting there, expecting her to get in.
John cursed, why had no one even considered this? He was about to get out and chase the potential client off, but he stopped himself just in time. It was Claire's call, and he wouldn't risk blowing the whole operation just to make Claire comfortable. She was good at undercover work. He laughed at his own bitterness and settled back into his seat.
Meanwhile, Kerry and Don, across the street were also watching the scene unfold.
"God, is Sergeant Boulton going to do anything, or just let Claire be abused by that…" Kerry was straining forward, trying to get a better view of the scene unfolding.
"Oh come on Kerry," Don cut in. Although he too was starting to worry, Claire should have sent this man on his way by now. "John's hardly going to break cover over a difficult client."
"Well maybe he should. All I'm saying is, if Claire gets hurt, it's going to be his fault. I thought you'd be worried about Claire." Kerry cast a sidelong glance at her sergeant. She was only guessing, but it didn't take a genius to figure lingering glances and, in Don Beech's case, politeness.
"Don't be such a school girl. John's right, it's far too risky to intervene." Don hated the fact that someone had read him. Secrecy was something he prided himself on. You needed it in his position. He decided he'd have to keep an eye on Kerry, it could be dangerous for them both if she became to inquisitive.
The car in front of Claire suddenly pulled the passenger door closed and sped off into the night. Where she stood, Claire shivered slightly. The night was cold, but more than that, she was starting to feel the fear pressing in all around her.
She wondered pointlessly if John had taken things differently, would she even be here, or at least be this afraid, determined to prove herself. It was ridiculous. There was no way she could change his mind, and even if she could, would she be willing to risk one of her colleagues in her place – the selfishness of such an idea overwhelmed her. It was then she saw him, not in a car, but standing on the corner, not three meters from her – Finchly.