In addition to acquiring new languages, Mira Spiegel enjoyed books, all sorts of gaming, various forms of dance, and running. Running around rice paddies in Japan had become a cathartic ritual and she was excited to continue it in Portland.
It only took about ten minutes to walk to Columbia Park from her little house near the University. Once she hit the lovely paths of the park, she picked up the pace.
The towering evergreens provided a tunnel of shade. Not that it was necessary. Though it had been a beautiful clear autumn day the sun was starting to go down and the air was getting chilly. Fortunately, a light weight running jacket had been one of Mira's first purchases on US soil. After a tea pot that used US current.
Mira ran around the entire park perimeter. Then she started on a second lap. Parts of the park were getting rather dim now but street lamps kept the paths lit. One more lap would do it. She had just passed the cottage when she heard it.
"Stop it! Let go of me!"
Mira stopped, listening. There. To the right. About… 30 yards. A copse of bushes and trees were blocking her view.
"Shut up, bitch!" There was a loud thump. Mira stepped quickly through the bushes in time to see a man dragging a now cowering woman through the bushes. His hand was over her mouth and she had clearly received a blow to the head, though she was still conscious.
Mira started walking purposefully towards them. She pressed the emergency button on her Bluetooth. "Yes, I'd like to report an assault in Columbia Park. I need two ambulances and a police unit. Please hurry!"
She hung up then walked faster, bursting through the bushes after the man just as he dumped the woman on the ground. "HEY! What the HELL do you think you're doing?!"
The man jerked around to face her, clearly enraged. "Back off, bitch. This is none of your business."
Mira stood her ground. "It is absolutely my business right up until the police get here." She paused for effect. "They're on their way."
"I told you to get lost!" He took a step towards her, nostrils flaring.
"And I said no." She stepped sideways, almost between him and the dazed woman. "Though you might want to consider taking your own advice."
He reached out to grab her and she slapped his hand away, hard.
"Bad idea, girlie." The man's head jerked and his skin rippled into scales. His teeth sharpened into points and his eyes turned red.
Mira didn't even blink. Her own skin rippled. The Skalingeck did blink, which was all the time she needed.
"Worse idea for you." She stepped over the unconscious body and disappeared into the trees.
###
It was just after 4 pm. Sean Renard checked himself in the mirror. He ran a hand over his hair. Hmm. Was that a bit of gray? Perhaps not. It was fine.
He checked the knot in his tie, straightened his cuffs, and headed for the car.