Chapter 2
"Divergent Animal Shelter, how can I help you?" I ask, phone wedged between my shoulder and ear. I shift through a bunch of papers, trying to find a sticky note.
"Yes, I saw a dog around an abandoned house, she doesn't have a collar. I think she is pregnant too." Oh great! Dogs with puppies are the hardest to catch.
"Where did you see this dog?" I ask. I finally find a sticky note and pencil. I jot down the street she tells me, shoving the note in my pocket. "Don't worry, we'll get her." I hang up, putting the phone on its hook. I grab my keys and go out to the shelters van. I'm the one who goes to find the dogs. I check to make sure I have all I need before leaving. Bacon treats, slip on leash, wood boards just incase I need to trap her, and a dog cage. The woman didn't specify how big she was, so the cage is a good size.
I start the engine and head out. I put the address into my GPS and follow its directions. It takes me to a nasty looking area, with several abandoned houses. She said it was the only blue one. My eyes dart back and forth, looking for the blue house. I finally see it at the end of the row, a total reck. It sends a shiver up my spine a site out of the van. I grab the leash, slide it over my shoulder and grab the bacon treats. I slowly make my way over to the dump of a house, keeping my eyes out for the mamma dog.
I hear something shift near the back of the house and head towards it. There's a little shed in the back that doesn't seem as damaged as the house. I creep across the dead grass and hear a low growl. I freeze, instants dropping down to a crouch. The momma dog comes out of the shadows, and my jaw drops. You can literally see her rib and hip bones, she has sores all over her and a few cuts. It looks like she might have gotten in a fight. She's a young golden retriever, which sorta surprises me. I never expected to see such a beautiful dog out here. Her fur is long, and tangled, clearly miskept, and you can still see her ribs through it. She's still a pretty dog though. And she is clearly carrying puppies. I grab the bag of bacon treats and open it. Her nose twitches, ears perked.
"Hey girl. I'm just here to help." I say quietly, tossing her a treat. She sniffs it, then snaps it up. I smile and toss another, closer to me. She tentatively steps forward, eating that one too. I throw another, same result. "You're a good girl." I reach my hand out and she sniffs it, still unsure. "See I won't hurt you." She lays her ear back, looking at me curiously. I stay still as she comes closer and sniffs me all over. She finally comes to sit in front of me. I slowly grab my leash and rest it in front of her. I know how to work with dogs, I love them. She sniffs it too, this time not at tentative. I hold it up slip it over her head. She stiffens and stares at me. I stand up, pulling her to the van. She comes with little resistance, but she's a little wobbly on her feet. I decide to let her sit in the front with me. She lays down, staying silent. I drive back to the shelter and take her into the room where they can check her out. A vet lifts her onto an examination table. I watch quietly as they fix her up and cut her fur. They don't shave it off, just all the huge tangled parts. She just sits there, looking around curiously. When they finish, I take her to the kennels and get her comfy. She gets a big rectangular cage that has a lot of walking space and a lot of blankets. This shelter is the best around here, it pretty big.
I go to take my break when I finish getting her in. I sit in the break room, sipping my coffee. My phone goes off and I look down at the screen. Unknown. Huh. I go outside just in case and answer it.
"Hello?"
"Hello. Is this Tris Prior?" A man asks.
"Depends, why do you wanna know?" I reply sharply. I can't go around telling everyone my information.
"I have a job I need her to do. I was told she could figure some things out for me." He says.
"Then yes, this is she."
"Good. Could you meet me tonight, at Amity Park?"
"Sure. When?" I ask.
"10 o'clock." The phone goes silent and I look down at the screen again. Call ended. I shove it in my pocket and rub my chin. I wonder what the job will be this time. I return to my now cold coffee, finishing it off. I go back to the front desk since my break is over, sitting in my spiny chair. Now I just wait for another rescue call.
Later that night...
"So you all set?" I ask. Caleb looks down at the bowl of soup, his laptop, glass of water and another glass of soda, all the while nodding his head. "Ok. I'll be back later, don't worry." I smile and go out of his room, closing the door behind me. I had to make sure he had everything before I left for my meeting with the man I talked to on the phone. I slide a hoodie over my head to hide my face. I quietly make my way out of our apartment and to the park. It isn't that far, so I just walk. I have an old pick up truck, but I rarely use it. It was my fathers, so we were able to keep it.
When I get there, I go to sit on a park bench. I sit there for a while, just looking around. This place is really nice. It has a lot of trees, a lake, a nice place for kids to play. I hear a twig snap and look up to see a man that's probably in his 40s. I narrow my eyes at him, waiting for him to speak.
"Are you Tris Prior?" He asks. He sounds the same as on the phone. I nod slightly. "I'm Marcus, and I have a job for you."
"If you didn't, I wouldn't be here." I retort icily. I'm not friendly to anyone unless it's Caleb or my coworkers at the shelter.
"My friend wasn't wrong about you." He snorts. "Anyways, I need you to figure some thing about a man named Four Eaton." That's a peculiar name.
"Four, as in the number?" I ask, a small smirk growing on my face.
"Yes. It's a nickname. He's the fourth richest man in this area. He lives in a mansion, and i need you to find things out for me. If you take this job, I'll get you a job as a maid in his mansion. You'll get paid there, and I'll pay you if you figure out what I want." I mull the thought over in my head. I get paid as the maid, and get paid for spying. I don't like that word, but I don't know what else to call it. I look up at the guy, rubbing my chin. "So will you do it?"
"Maybe. First of all, I have some questions. Do I have to stay at the mansion?"
"No." Ok good. I wouldn't take it if it took me away from Caleb.
"Ok. What do you need me to find out?" I ask.
"Anything. His weaknesses, his strengths, anything to do with his money." I nod, rubbing my chin once again.
"Ok, I'll do it." I state. He smiles and sticks his hand out.
"Great! You need to show up at the mansion at noon tomorrow for an interview." I shake his hand and he heads off. I watch as he disappears. This should be an interesting job.