Eight: Seo Hwa Eun

I paced aimlessly in my bedroom, the letter laid out on my bed. I kept stopping in front of it, reading it, then pacing even more. I swear that I was going to wear a hole in the floor, but in a situation like this, a hole in the floor is a least of my problems.

Every once in a while, I would reach for my phone wanting to call Lestrade, but I know I couldn't. Maybe... I could not call the police station. I could call his personal phone. Would they count that as contacting the police? Could they listen into my calls?

I didn't know what to do. John could die with a single wrong move. Could I casually run into Lestrade on his way to to work? No... They were in the alley across the street. They know where I live. There is nothing I can do. Lestrade would just tell me that there was nothing I could do.

I could be with John at every moment and call the police with him locked in the bathroom with no window... I don't want to risk it. In case I look in the opposite direction for just a second. Besides, they have an assassin who could kill him on her day off. Of course... maybe he could escape it. He works with a very smart, powerful consulting detective. Maybe he could avoid it for a while.

A while wouldn't mean he was going to stay alive. A while would just postpone the inevitable. I held my head in my hands and fell back onto my bed. I stared at my ceiling, my eyes wandering and not really landing on a spot. I stood up and kept pacing. Finally, I called John.

"Crystal?" he asked, sounding tired, "It's two in the morning."

"I-I know." I breathed a shaky breath, "I have a very important question."

"What is it?"

"This may seem weird but... would you come over?"

"What?"

"Would you come over tonight? Like... now?"

"Why?"

"I... I'm scared. I don't know why. I just am. I... guess I must have had a bad dream I can't remember. I'm just scared."

"Don't you think it's too soon? It's only been a week."

"No... No. No!" I exclaimed, "Just... I want to be with somebody."

"Well, alright. I'll be there in a few minutes."

"Thank you."

I hung up and ran around my apartment turning the lights off and changing into my PJ's along the way. I kept my bedside table light on and the living room light on. I sat on my couch and waited. I was nervous if he just went outside for a few minutes. Blimey, I was going crazy and it had only been a few minutes. Damn, I thought they wouldn't be back in my lifetime. Now, they were back and ready to terrorize me.

Then, he knocked on my door and in about thirty seconds I was pulling him inside and into my arms. I breathed in the old-book smell of him. I'd only been dating John for about a week and I liked him. A lot. I intended not to let him get hurt by my job.

In another few minutes we were laying in bed, me laying partially over him, my arm around his torso pulling us closer together. His arm wrapped around me, his hand on my back. The lights were off, and I was staring out into nothingness. I couldn't tell if John was asleep or not, but I sure as hell wasn't.

"I'm sorry if this is awkward." I whispered.

"Mmff." he grunted.

"Okay then."

I laid there in bed and watched the alarm clock on the bedside table for hours. I kid you not, hours. I must have counted to sixty a million times. Of course, it's impossible to do in one night, but still. When it was four fifteen in the morning, I knew John was asleep. So, I slipped out of bed and moved to my closet. I slipped off my pajama's and into my spring-green work suit, with the one button on the blazer, the tight pencil skirt, the white under-shirt, the matching green handbag and five-inch peep-toe heels.

I gathered my wallet, keys, and cell phone and stuck them all in my purse. I brushed my hair and put it up in a business bun that could look better, but it's pretty good for just throwing it up.

Before I slipped out the door, I wrote a note to John. "Went for a walk to clear my head. Can't sleep. Don't be alarmed."

God knows he's going to come looking for me.

I lightly kissed his cheek before leaving my apartment. I walked down the street, heading for where I know they'll meet me. I knew I had to take the subway. It would take about an hour to get there. Then again, maybe an hour in the cold air, heading towards what could possibly be my death wouldn't be so bad.

Well, maybe not my death, but the beginning of the end of the adventure leading up to my death. That is always a possibility.

As I walked forward, I thought about everything that could have happened. John and I could really be going places. I could have beat Sherlock Holmes at a case. Nicky just got a girlfriend. I haven't visited Dad's grave in a few weeks now. Maria and I would always be on bad terms. Mom... Mom needed me. I'm going to miss all of this. I decided to take the scenic route to my destination, just to see London.

I passed a few people on the street and we gave each other a friendly smile. A few taxi's passed by, cutting through my haze of thought. At least I saw Nicky and Mom today. Maybe I should call Maria... No, it's almost five in the morning.

To think about it, what was I doing awake at this hour, all dressed up (kind of), heading to my death? Right. I can't sleep. It would just be stupid to postpone to inevitable. My death. I knew I was going to die, if not tonight, then later this month. I could see my breath as I walked under a streetlight. It was a little cold, I suppose, but I didn't really feel it.

Then, I stopped, looked both ways, and dashed across the street into the park. I walked around for a while, searching for the bench where I usually go to meet a 미녀 operative. I was near the lake when I finally found it. I sat down, watching the sleeping park and not looking at the other side of the bench where the other woman was to sit and explain things more clearly. Messages travel quickly and efficiently in their little world.

"안녕하세요, 미녀 요원." I said in Korean once I sensed another person sitting in the shadows.

"안녕하세요, 알렉산드 리아. 당신이 한국어 여전히 좋은 참조하십시오." she replied in the same language, then repeated in English, "I see your Korean is still good."

"Of course. I practice."

"Do you practice them all?"

"Mindig." I said in Hungarian, "All the time. I stay fresh."

"Good. You will only need Korean, however."

"What do you have for me? Anything to go on?"

"This," there was the sound of paper sliding across wood, "is a list of all of us. Where we live, where we work, our contact numbers. We're giving you this information carefully. You may also have to find who does what in our group. Three are going to die. You will no be informed of where, how, or why. And... we will not hesitate to kill those we have in our possession because of you."

"Under what specific circumstances would you kill someone and how would I know who it was?" I asked, reaching behind me to take the envelope.

"If you inform the police at all, then someone will die. They will get involved, I don't doubt that, but keep it quiet. Don't tell them, or anyone beforehand. We will let you know when we kill someone." I could practically hear her sinister smile.

"Won't I know you by your voice?" I asked.

"Of course not. This isn't my voice." My eyes widened, "Consider this a warning."

"How-" Somehow, as I asked the question, I knew I wouldn't get an answer. When I looked, there wasn't a woman sitting there.

Sitting there instead was a very scared looking Jordan. My associate. His eyes were wide as he held up a microphone and had a speaker hanging around his neck. I gasped, putting a hand over my mouth. Had he been there the whole time?

"Jordan." I whispered, and he shook his head and he looked up. There was a red laser being pointed at his head. No...

"He is not my voice. Just my messenger. I was there a mere sixty seconds to hand you the envelope." said the speaker. I stood and looked around me frantically, "Don't bother. I'm long gone by now. Now... as for your warning..."

There was a sharp sound that cut through the air like a knife, and when I turned around, Jordan was slumped over, blood slowly trickling from a red bullet hole in his head. My eyes were wide, my heart was racing. It got a bit lighter as the sun began to rise. The first death... was my friend. My good friend. No... this couldn't be happening. I knelt next to him and felt his pulse in the hope that he was faking, but to my distress... he wasn't.

When I checked my watch, it was just past five thirty. Now, I really couldn't sleep. That wine at my mothers should have helped me, but it didn't. I should have been asleep with John next to me, safe and sound. At least for the time being. I stood up and began pacing. Now fatigue was settling in and now I was tired, but I knew I was never going to get to sleep. I had to wait two hours to get coffee.

For the first time in a long time, I was scared. Really scared. This... this threat was indescribable. I'd dealt with them before, but never at this scale and they never showed me their face. Or let me hear them speak. They just kind of... left, and now they're back. They wanted something with Dad because he had some kind of deal with them and now they're coming for me. They want to mess with my head and make me crazy. Well, they've succeeded. I am going crazy and there's nothing I can do.

~!~!~!~!~!~

"Are you okay?" Jacqueline asked, "You look like death."

I decided to go to work early that day. Besides, I couldn't sleep and I was tired of waiting for the coffee shop to open. Besides, Jacqueline said that Hwa Eun brought coffee each day. Jacqueline called her and told her about me and my order. I just about kissed her. Coffee might calm me down, and if not, I'll wait until ten to make myself some tea.

"Yes, I'm okay. Well, I didn't sleep at all last night. Something came up, and I am going crazy." I slumped into a chair.

"Will you be able to work today?"

"Of course. I just need some coffee. And I'll take a nap or something during my lunch break."

"If you insist."

Jacqueline looked worried, but I did my best to not look exhausted. I waited desperately for Hwa Eun. I need my coffee or I will die. I will die in multiple ways, no less. I didn't even know this girl, Hwa Eun, and yet I was waiting for her like she was God, coming to give me advice that will change my life. When I was informed that she doesn't usually come in until ten... I think I died just a little bit inside.

When it was about nine, John called me. He was flipping out and I thought he was possibly hyperventilating. It's true, I didn't go home first, but I couldn't help it. Temporarily, my flat had vacated my mind and I decided not to go home and change into something a bit more comfortable. I don't know, jeans and a t shirt. Something less business-like. I at least took off the jacket just to be in a tank top.

"John, I'm okay. I couldn't sleep and I went for a walk then went to work."

"Are you in pajamas?"

"No. I got dressed." Jacqueline looked at me, an eyebrow raised.

"Good." John breathed.

"I'll call you after work, alright?"

"No problem."

I hung up and looked up and looked at her, looking at me with a curious half smile on her face. I shrugged. Just as I stood to put my phone with my purse, the most beautiful woman I had ever seen walked into the shop holding one of those cardboard carriers with three cups of coffee. I'm a woman, and I am perfectly straight. I just appreciate a woman's beauty. She was Korean, as far as I could tell with red-black hair that looked like silk and deep, dark, brown eyes. As I looked closer... interesting. It seems no one knows yet...

"Ah, Hwa Eun." Jacqueline said, standing, "Good morning. You're early."

"Good morning to you as well." Hwa Eun smiled.

"Hwa Eun, this is Crystal, our new employee."

"Ah, yes. It's good to meet you." Hwa Eun said as I eyed the coffee hopefully.

"You as well." I said, then I finally looked at her, "I am so sorry if I seem a bit... off today. I didn't sleep last night."

"Oh, it's alright." Hwa Eun laughed, her eyes lighting up. She pulled a cup from the holder, "We all have those nights."

"감사합니다. Thank you." I took the coffee, trying not to seem too eager. I took a few cautious sips before I took a rather large gulp. For a moment, I let the warm drink spread warmth in my entire body. I sighed in relief.

"참 잘 오셨습니다. You're welcome." Hwa Eun replied.

"Ah, Crystal." Jacqueline turned to me, "Could you do some work upstairs in the bookshop. It's a bit... unorganized, and you seem like a very organized person, so could you maybe do something about that?"

"Of course." I said, "I'll do that it just a moment." I took another drink.

"No problem. Do it on your own time. If you haven't had breakfast, there's a muffin rack under the desk."

"Why is the muffin rack under the desk?"

"We put it there when we close." Jacqueline explained.

So, heading upstairs with two blueberry muffins, a cup of coffee, and my purse, I couldn't tell for the life of me if today was going to be a long day. I finally found the counter upstairs and started by cleaning all of the boxes of books off of it. I would deal with those as soon as I got this straightened up. I started on the counter by fixing the cash register. It wasn't broken as it was simply unused and unplugged.

Then, I dusted. Man, I opened all of the windows I could up there, turned on the fan, and used the bandanna I tied to my purse handle as a make-shift dust mask. Hey, you never know when you'll need one, right? Anyway, in almost no time at all (four hours) I'd dusted the check out counter, and most of the first and second bookshelves. To finish all five, one against each wall and three in the middle, both sides, and the books would take work, but some people like their books dusty.

Then, I decided to take a break. You'd be surprised how tiring it is to keep a book shop. With a coffee shop under it, no less. And there are other employees here. I suppose I'll mostly dust today, then go through all of the books where the author's last name starts with "A". That is going to be fun...

As I started dusting again, Hwa Eun came upstairs. She looked around for a moment before she noticed the difference. She smiled and moved towards me a little bit.

"Jacqueline is about to run off to get lunch. Do you have a preference?"

"Not Mexican." I said, "Or Scottish."

"Okay..." Hwa Eun trailed off.

"I'm fine with anything." I assured her, "Just let me know what you choose. I just... don't know why I don't like Mexican or Scottish."

"I understand, just the thought makes me sick." Hwa Eun said quietly, and she did look sick. What was up with that? Hm...

"How about Italian?" Jacqueline called up. Hwa Eun looked at me and I nodded.

"Chicken fettuccine Alfredo." I called.

"Lasagna for me, thank you." Hwa Eun said.

"No problem. Any wine?" Jacqueline asked, "Wait... we're working. Darn it." Hwa Eun and I laughed.

So, a moment later, Jacqueline left and Hwa Eun went downstairs. I guess we could talk more over lunch or something. Then, as I started dusting again, the door of the shop opened and I heard Hwa Eun greet a costumer. A moment later, I heard the stairs creak as he climbed the stairs.

Yes, a man. He was about 6'1"-6'3"-ish... large feet. Size... nine and a half, I believe. Well built, but not muscular. A bit scrawny, but probably looks hot in a suit. I mean, let's face it... Who doesn't? Something in his walk said that he was confidant and... there's a faint smell of my boyfriend's cologne.

"What do you want with me?" I asked, turning to look my annoying neighbor in the face, "I honestly don't understand."

"I'm just trying to figure out who you are." he said, and lifted a small book to show me, "In here you have dates several days apart with different names under them. Ooh, Clarissa Oden. That's a good name."

"Ah, I think of girls names all the time that I think are pretty. I just add last names to make it more... cozy. I do plan on having children one day, you know." I stepped forward and took the book from him. "Where did you get this, anyway?"

"You dropped it on you mothers front steps." Sherlock stated.

"Alright then." I stuck the book in my purse, and I eyes the envelope the woman had given to me a few hours ago, and my heart rate went up. "Thank you. You can go now, right?"

"I could, but your workplace is so cozy, I might just stick around." he smiled.

"Do you really have nothing better to do?"

"No, not really."

"Well, then, do you want tea or something?" I asked, being a good host for business-sake.

"Hwa Eun is making some for me. Beautiful girl."

"I don't think you've ever called a woman beautiful in your entire life."

"Well, she is. It's just a universal fact."

"Yes, yes it is." I sighed. I couldn't argue with that one.

"Crystal, I have a question for you." Sherlock said moving to stand next to me over by the counter.

"Yes?"

"Why can't I read anything about you? I have no idea who you are, and it's starting to get on my nerves." Sherlock said.

"I don't know." Lie. "I suppose I'm just one of those common people which are just harder then normal." Lie. "I'm sorry you can't divulge in my personal life." Lie. "When, in fact, you are my personal life." The sad, sad truth.

"It is quite annoying. I don't understand how you could tell not-quite-everything about me." Sherlock sighed, crossing his arms and leaning against the counter, "I've been racking my brain and the only way that it could actually work is if you were a detective like me, but your skills aren't as sharp."

I burst out laughing. I couldn't help myself. This guy was a riot. He actually thought that he could be smarter then me. It's simply ridiculous. I had been doing pretty well these past few days of keeping it together around these guys, especially Sherlock that I wasn't as smart as him, though I was smart. This time, I cracked. I doubled over from laughing, and my cheeks were wet from crying so hard.

"What?" Sherlock asked, genuinely curious, and I sunk down a little father, laughing even harder.

This was my most immature moment in front of Sherlock I think I'll ever have. I can't help it, though. If I could stop laughing right now, I would, I swear, but I can't hold it in any longer.

Finally, after a few minutes, I calmed down and stood up straight. I wiped the tears off of my cheeks and took in a deep breath. Sherlock looked at me like I was crazy. Hwa Eun raced upstairs.

"Are you alright?" she asked, a light tone in her voice, "Do you need some help breathing?"

"No. I'm okay." I breathed, my stupid grin not leaving my face.

"What's so funny?" Sherlock asked.

"Nothing." I snickered, "Nothing."

"No, really." Sherlock turned to me and Hwa Eun smiled and went downstairs.

"I know more about you then you know about me." I said, "I would say I'm pretty smart. The fact that you don't know which number the planet Jupiter is around the sun or twelve times twenty four is or the fact that you don't even know that Oxygen is the gas that keeps us alive. I also knew about the girl, the violin, pool, diamonds, and Korea. I have a feeling I'm a bit smarter then you."

"This book was owned by a professional golfer." Sherlock picked up a book from the shelf.

"These three," I hurried from shelf to shelf, picking off three books, "were all owned by the same person. An airline pilot's wife."

"This author is writing under a pen name." he picked off another book.

"Everyone think that you and John are gay."

"You speak Greek."

"You speak English, German, and only a little bit of Korean."

"You don't like mice."

"You absolutely hate the color red. Which is probably why the wall got such a beating."

"You don't like math."

"You like cats." I stated.

"Fish give you the creeps."

"That's the first time you've ever said the word 'creeps.'"

"Even though you're wearing it, you could kill the color green if you could."

"You absolutely despise peach, and anything related to it. The color, the video game character, the fruit itself, any candy whether naturally flavored or artificially flavored."

"You were once blond, but your hair darkened with age."

"Dan Brown is your favorite author."

"You desperately want to meet Detective Alex Colt."

"How do you know all of this?"

"I'm my fathers daughter." I stated turning to a bookshelf and starting the dusting of the shelves and books.

"How did you know about Alex Colt?"

"I read some of his work. Who doesn't want to meet him?"

"You haven't met him either?"

"Nope. And we can't go looking for him. He uses a large variety of alias'."

"How do you know?"

"I know Lestrade. I think that's enough."

"He trusts you?"

"I've known Lestrade for fifteen years." I stated, "We're like this..." I crossed my fingers.

"Hm..."

"Anyway, this 'Alex Colt' is your priority right now. You have no idea who he is because you have never seen him before. I've seen him."

"You've met him?"

"No. I said I've seen him. And I've seen you. I've seen you both in the same room." I said, thinking back to the day, five years ago, when I first saw Sherlock Holmes. I believe we made eye contact for about half a second as he left in a hurry.

"Really?" Sherlock looked doubtful.

"Of course. Would I lie to you?" Yes.

"I suppose not, though I don't see why you would lie to me."

"Neither do I. Anyway, you know this Alex guy, but not really." I said, "Maybe take some time to actually talk to people."

"I don't have to."

"It doesn't matter. Just... put in the extra effort. I bet you don't know Lestrade's first name."

"It's Detective." Sherlock said playfully.

"No. It's not." I smirked, "I'm not telling you his name. You have to find out yourself."

"That's not fair."

"Yes, it really is."

I started on the next shelf and Sherlock quieted down. He picked through the books, but he wasn't looking at them. I was dusting near Sherlock, but I wasn't looking at him. It took a few minutes but I finally asked the question that was really on my mind.

"Where is John?" I asked.

"He said he was going out two hours ago."

"Did he say where he was going?"

"He never does. I think he was looking for you."

"Well, I'm right here. Haven't you called him yet. Or texted him. You like texting best, I see."

"Do I?" he asked.

"Yes. Your thumbs look stronger then your other fingers."

"Interesting."

"I'm back!" called Jacqueline, "Lunch!"

"Coming." I called.

So, I went downstairs leaving Sherlock's upstairs. We sat around one of the tables and we prepared our lunch. Jacqueline looked a little mortified at my terrible manners for leaving a customer unattended. It went a few minutes without being mentioned but before Jacqueline could say anything, I intervened.

"I know him. He's a... boyfriend's, slash, neighbor's roommate, slash, friend, slash, colleague."

"What?"

"He's an acquaintance." I decided.

"Why are you leaving him up there alone?"

"He's a detective, hence colleague, and he's a good guy. I know him enough to know I trust him. Besides, it's just lunch. I'll be up there in a few minutes."

"Are you sure?"

"I could take my lunch upstairs."

"It's fine." Hwa Eun stopped me and put a hand on my arm, "I was going to ask you what your relationship was with him."

"He's just my annoying neighbor. Who's best friend is my boyfriend, so I have to put up with him."

"It seemed like you two were into each other up there, and I thought he was your boyfriend."

"Yeah, not gonna happen." I laughed.

"Why not?"

"First of all, I like my boyfriend a lot. Give it a few months and it could be love. Who knows? Second of all, I hate Sherlock. There is just something about him that makes me so irritated and I want to annoy him as much as possible as if he'll leave me alone." Hwa Eun and Jacqueline exchanged glances.

"You sure you don't like him?"

"Positive. Not even one bit."

"Go ahead and believe that." Jacqueline muttered under her breath.

"Right." I laughed, "Of course. I have a boyfriend, okay? Besides... I'm not interested. At least not like that."

"Neither am I." Sherlock called from upstairs, "It will never happen. I don't do romantic relationships."

Hwa Eun, Jacqueline and I looked at each other, eyes wide. Then, I started laughing and the other girls soon joined in. Once the laughter died down, and we were giving our last giggles, Sherlock came downstairs.

"I'm afraid that you didn't have what I was looking for but you have a great selection and I will be returning." he said.

I stood up and I moved over to him. I looked him in the eye for a moment before I patted down his coat. Satisfied, I let him go. We exchanged no words as he left. I smirked and Hwa Eun and Jacqueline shrugged.

"Hwa Eun," I said, "Your name is beautiful."

"Thank you." she smiled.

"Seriously." I grinned, "What does it mean?"

"'Hwa' means 'beautiful' and 'Eun' means 'grace.' My family name, 'Seo', Is just... 'Seo', My mother and I aren't directly from Korea per se, but she wanted to keep the Korean name thing going. I even have to put my name in the family name, individual name format on job applications. And at home, with my fiance and when I go to see my mother, I'm only allowed to speak Korean."

"Have you ever been to Korea?"

"Of course. I visit there a lot. For vacation and such."

"I used to live there." I said.

"Really?"

"Only for a while when I was really little. That's why I learned Korean."

"Ah, I see. Your Korean is actually very good."

"I have a refresher lesson every other week to keep myself sharp."

"We'll have to visit Korea sometime." Hwa Eun gasped.

"We will!" I exclaimed.

"Goodness, now I'm excited for something that's not even planned."

"Me, too." I laughed.

After lunch, I was upstairs sitting behind the checkout counter, waiting for my lunch to be digested. I pulled the envelope the 미녀 operative gave me from my purse. I looked at it, and I felt it for any bugs or trip wires or any seals that, if broken, would do something horrible. Toxic gas, explosions, the works. Satisfied with the flatness of it, I carefully opened it.

Inside was the list, folded to fit in the envelope. When I unfolded the list, a separate piece of paper fell out. I set the list aside and I picked up the separate note. With a bit of caution, I read the note.

"Alexandria,

I have to apologize on behalf of our computer operator. She left two women off of the list. Easy to do, seeing as they left the group. I have written them down for you.

미녀 요원"

I gulped hard. Five women were going to die and I couldn't stop it? I picked up the list, and I read it over quickly and then I paused. One of the names caught my eye. It was familiar in a very unpleasant way. She was marked as one of the women who were going to be killed. Any time now.

Seo Hwa Eun.