DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NCIS OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS!
Ch7
He saw the well dressed man across the street. He'd never seen him or the other man who was accompanying him around the neighbourhood before. For some reason this man was making him nervous. Mot people he'd see around tried to ignore the worn down look of the buildings, but he seemed to be checking them out thoroughly. Their glances met and the stranger sent him a short wave.
Shocked at being caught watching he backed away and stood out of sight. Slowly he calmed himself down. It wasn't worth getting worked up about. He positioned himself to be unseen and saw the second man come out of the coffee shop holding two cups and point down the road. They walked off in that direction not giving another look his way.
He sat contemplating if there was any way he could've left a trail. Knowing he'd taken every precaution to remain undetected, he figured the two men weren't investigating him. They certainly looked like they worked for the government. Feds perhaps? But if something led them out her, it wasn't him. He'd have to play it cool in case they approached him with any questions.
Not able to resist he returned to the view of his world. There weren't many women out at this hour. He usually spotted them at the beginning or end of his shift. He liked the ones he saw at the end. They were just beginning their days. It was easier to follow them at that hour, though he preferred the cover of dark. In those early morning hours, with more people around, they didn't sense him. If they did happen to see him his uniform would put them at ease.
The sight of the two men approaching from the opposite direction they had headed earlier started the bells in his head ringing and his whole body tensed. Attempting some deep breaths he willed himself to relax and not come off as nervous. The other man was looking directly at him, so he nodded before turning back inside to wait for their arrival. It was obvious, to him, that the wanted to see him. They were walking directly toward the hotel their eyes never diverting in another direction.
When more than a few minutes passed and they didn't arrive he dared to look out the window. Searching as far as he could see in either direction he thought he caught a glimpse of them turning the corner. Was it only his imagination earlier? He didn't think so. His instincts were torn between running to Sarah to make sure she was still where he'd left her and making a run for it.
He'd had to move in a hurry a few times to avoid detection. It was a hazard of his hobby. There was a certain thrill to find in new places. The hunt continued no matter where he was; there were always plenty of prey everywhere he settled.
Two hours left of his shift seemed like an eternity. Never more grateful for his shift at this job giving him plenty of time to think and plan. Posing different scenarios, he chose the best responses. Denial was the key to achieving more time. As long as Sarah's position remained unknown, he was in the clear.
He was confident she was immune from discovery. There was no way into the room from the outside and few were aware of the passageway in the basement of the hotel that led to the room. He'd only found it by chance himself when he'd been bored one night and ventured around to pass the time. It really was perfect for his hobby. He could combine work and pleasure.
Even if during his scheduled hours he was limited to drop-ins. He could almost feel their closeness. After work he could leave and re-enter through the service door and enter the stairwell to the basement unseen. It was how he'd brought his prizes in without detection.
He watched the clock as it neared the change of shift. He was growing more and more anxious as the time ticked by. He needed to see Sarah, to touch her. He ached to make her his own and tried to tamp down the desire to rush things. His fist girls were quickly used up and he truly regretted the quick end that came of them. He enjoyed having the same one for as long as possible.
Taking Sarah now would bring the end to her too soon. He had learned over time to keep control, but the night had been a long one and the two men brought a sense of unease that made him think they might be on to him. He didn't want to miss out on the opportunity to be with her.
When his replacement sauntered in, he prepared to make his usual exit. Gathering his bag he gave a nod and passed him to walk out the door. "Have a good day," he heard mumbled behind him.
He threw a smile over his shoulder. "I intend to," he responded.
He had his bag over his shoulder casually scanning the human traffic that was beginning to occupy the sidewalks. Everyone seemed lost in their own thoughts and didn't notice him slipping in through the narrow door.
He walked speedily down the corridor pulling the keys from his pocket so as not to waste any time opening the door to see Sarah. When he did he saw her sleeping curled in a fetal position. He paused to admire her and smiled feeling the tension from his earlier worries abate.