Authors Note: Thank you so much for reading and leaving your reviews, I appreciate the feedback.
-Jess-
It was late afternoon on a Sunday, her and Connor had both made sure they were not at the ARC because of pre-scheduled 'appointments' that they both had to attend.
They were sitting in a non descript SUV that Jess had rented just for this occasion, both of them had decided on wearing mostly black clothing – not because they needed it, but more for the ambiance.
Jess turned to look at Connor as he let out a low sigh while typing at his laptop. "Becker has more security systems in place than need be in my opinion."
"Are you able to bypass them?" Jess questioned with a little bit of hesitation in her voice. Connor didn't answer her right away but with a few more moments of furious typing he looked up and nodded.
"We should be able to get in now … are you sure you want to do this Jess?" Connor asked, he had questioned her on this before but now his tone of voice held more worry than it did before. Jess thought of a quote she has read early in the day.
"Rapidity is the essence of war: take your advantage of the enemy's unreadiness, make your way by unexpected routs and attack unguarded spots."
Yep, she was sure, turning she gave Connor a devil-may-care smile.
"Come on Connor…I think we can get this done in an hour or so mate." She reasoned getting out of the car, she saw Connor roll his eyes but soon he was walking with her down the street making their way to Becker's apartment.
They were at Becker's door and Jess was working the lock with her lock picking kit.
"So when did you turn to a life of crime eh?" Connor asked, Jess gave him a amassing look over her shoulder as the door clicked open.
"Were in." She commented softly as they both slipped inside shutting the door behind them, as she walked into the entry another quote came to her just has she hesitated…
'During intense strategic confrontation where one may face each other over a long period, without engaging or retreating; careful observations are essential.'
Jess took a calming breath, all she was here to do was observe and that was what she was going to do, she forced herself to look around and take in all that she could. She had decided to stick with her basic morals and not go completely rifling through his stuff, she was here mainly to get a 'feel' for him.
There were very little as far as decor in the main area. Jess felt herself relax at seeing this lack of a women touch on the place. As they entered the kitchen Connor went ahead of her and opened up the fridge.
"Practically empty…" He relayed laughing, again Jess was happy to note that that was another sign that there wasn't a female present in this house.
While Connor looked around the kitchen some more Jess made her way to the living room.
"Interesting." She thought as she noted that there was a comfortable armchair and a huge bookshelf filled with books, mostly historical, philosophical and mystery books.
"Never took you for a reader Becker." Jess muttered smiling, something she should note for future reference, quickly she scanned some of the authors… especially some that made a repeated appearance on the bookshelf.
With each step that she took she found herself getting bolder and bolder, she walked down an adjacent hallway and noticed that again the walls were bare – she hadn't seen one photo on the walls. It was something that she found strange.
When she got to his bedroom she saw another bookshelf with similar types of books on it as the one in the living room. His bed was…white, it seemed the pillows, sheets, duvet, everything was bleach white. Jess stood there looking at it in wonderment, something about that intrigued her but she has no idea what…could it be because she has basically seen him in nothing but black?
On the wood nightstand was a glass of water, and a lamp – still no pictures. After a moment of thinking a thought came to her.
"Connor mate?" Jess whispered coming back into the living where Connor now was looking at the bookshelf.
"Hmmm?" He answered as he was looking at the books.
"Would you frame your photo's or put them in an album?" Jess asked, hoping to get a male perspective answer. Connor thought for a moment.
"In an album, why?" Connor asked, Jess didn't answer the question she started searching the room more closely, she found what she was looking for in the bottom shelf left hand corner.
She felt her heart racing as she walked over to the window to get some better light as she opened the album.
She felt Connor come up behind her, his breath was light and felt odd on the back of her neck.
"Found something?" He asked.
"Don't know yet…" Jess sighed she flipped quickly but efficiently through, there were a whole groping of photos of what had to be family – based on their resemblance to Becker. She got halfway through the pages when the pictures seemed to stop. Only as a quick afterthought did she flip all the way to the back.
"Oi." She exclaimed softly as she opened the few pages near the end.
She held the page open and looked at the picture of Becker in his civvies, hair slightly dishevel – sitting on a couch with her arms wrapped around a women. Connor let out a low whistle, and Jess couldn't blame him - the girl was blond, with green eyes, and very, very attractive – looking at the picture Jess couldn't help but notice that this girl was the complete opposite of herself.
Ignoring the pain in her heart at that observation she pulled out her phone and took a picture of Becker and the girl, not wanting to torture herself any longer she shut the book and put it back in its place.
"I think I got what I came for…" She said quietly - suddenly getting the feeling on the back of her neck and down her spine, that they should leave…like, now.
Authors Second Note: All quotes are from the book, The Art Of War by Sun Tzu. Thank you again for reading.