As they returned to the hotel he could see she was distraught. He wasn't sure what to say or do. Once they were in the room she broke the silence.
"Krista's dead." she said in a quiet voice that seemed to take all her strength just to force the whisper. She sat down with an empty stare.
John just watched her as he poured her a drink. He poured one for himself and set the glass on the table in front of her as he took a seat across from her. She stared at the drink. She heard the ice rattle as he drank. She slowly looked up at him.
"This seems unreal?" she said struggling with the words coming out of her mouth. This reality she was now in was the complete opposite of her own.
He sat watching her stare at the drink.
"Why?" she asked looking up at him. "Exactly where the hell am I? Are you going to kill me?"
He looked at her. "Evie, do you think I am going to kill you?"
She looked at him feeling embarrassed at her accusation. "No." she said. "John," she paused, "just explain what is going on?"
"I'm doing my best to figure it out." he said.
"No, I mean how does a man know how to kill twelve men in a room in under ten seconds?" she asked.
He looked at her. "I used to be an assassin of sorts."
Evie looked at him focusing her words. "Used to be?"
"I retired." he said.
She gave him a scolding look.
"I'm reluctantly back, temporarily, for reasons of my own." he said."I need to right some wrongs."
"And then back to retirement?" she asked as she watched him twist the ring on his finger.
"Something like that." He said.
"Then let me get out of your way." She said.
"Those men were there for you." He said.
"You don't know that." She said.
"Call it a gut feeling." He said.
"The letter?" she asked. "It didn't say my name. It could be anyones."
"What is your father's name?" he asked.
"I don't know. I never met him. He left my mother when I was two years old." She said.
"What is your mother's name. Full name." he asked.
She looked at him unsure of where he was going, "Judith Natalie Taylor. Why?"
"The letter referenced the sins of the father. We need to find out who your father is." He said.
"Ok, and how do we do that? I go down to the records deparment?" she asked.
"No. I need to speak with a gentleman downstairs. I'd like you to come with me." he said.
"Ok." she said finishing her drink.
He made a call to the front desk requesting a meeting with management. Soon after a knock came at the door. John opened it.
"Mr. Wick, your ordered a fitting?" asked the young light haired man.
"Yes, please come in." said John. The man was followed by an older woman. "Evie,, Martina will take your measurements."
"Excuse me?". She asked.
"You'll need some clothes." said John.
Evie looked confused as the woman pulled a measuring tape.
"Please remove your sweater." asked Martina. Evie removed it as the young man streteched the tape measure across John's arm. John watched as Martina took Evie's measurements. He took note of a several scars on her wrist.
"Sir, would you like the usual styling?" ask the man.
"Yes, thank you." he said.
"And for your lady friend?" he asked.
"The same." he said.
"Very well, Mr. Wick. It will be sent up as soon as possible." he said. Evie grabbed her sweater.
Evie watched as John gave the man some type of coin as they left.
"What was that about?" she asked.
"I need to speak with someone downstairs and thought you might like to come along." he said.
"And that requires measurements?" she asked.
"You'll need a dress." he said.
"Do I have a choice?" she asked.
"Not really," he said. Looking at her wrist as she took her glass.
"How did that happen?" he asked referring to her exposed scar.
"The aftermath of a situation not of my choice." she said.
"Did you try to kill yourself?" he asked noting the placement of the scar at her wrist.
She looked at her scar. She had never been asked that question before. "Probably."
"Because someone took advantage?" he asked referring to their earlier discussion.
"Listen, I'm ok." she said. He just looked at her. "Sometimes memories just hurt." she paused. "I thought the physical pain would somehow heal the mental. A physical wound at least makes sense. You can see the wound, see it bleed, and watch it heal." she said looking at him. "The mental pain isn't that simple." she said as he just stared into her eyes. "I guess what I'm really saying is I'm not ok, but being ok is the goal. I promise."
"It's ok not to be ok." he said. "Pain caused by others is not of our choice. Life takes things from us."
"Sounds like you speak from experience." she said. He stood up and walked to her.
"I'm sorry someone took advantage of you and caused you pain." he said.
"You don't need to apologize." she said looking into his brown eyes. "You're a good man."
He gave her a slight smile as put a hand on her shoulder.
It was about an hour later that there was a knock at the door and a man handed John two garment bags. He handed one to Evie.
"You can wear this." He said.
She unzipped the bag to find a shimmery black evening gown inside. "Wait, wear this just to go downstairs?" she asked.
"I thought you could use a drink." he said smiling.
"And I'm not allowed to be alone?" she asked.
"That too." he said. "They sent some make up and curlers if you want but it's not necessary."
"Not necessary?" she asked.
"Your beautiful." he said as he walked into the bedroom to change.
She just shook her head as she headed into the bathroom to get ready. She was still trying to make up her mind on this man. She took a deep breath unsure of what to expect next.