Chapter 18
I sighed as I closed my front door. It was nice to be back home but I couldn't help but wish to see V moving about the kitchen cooking and humming without his gloves while wearing his ridiculous looking aprons that always made me smile. Never has a month passed by so fast and I almost found myself in tears, thank God V wasn't around to witness it. V was busy with something in his room and was locked up in there since the night before. Who thought I would become one of those girls that would get mopy over a guy? If it was any guy other than V I would have had to smack myself.
All in all the month was productive. V and I patrolled London together and sometimes seperately, except he just didn't know it. We stopped the badies whether just street punks or Fingermen. V's grand vendetta was on schedule I suppose. I still was a little unclear on what exactly he was planning to do but he did open up to me about his past. I learned he was a prisoner in a place called Lark Hill. He was only referred to as prisoner number five, hence the codename V. He didn't remember anything or anyone from his previous life he didn't know his mother and father or if they were alive, if he had a wife or kids. It was incredibly heart wrenching but I restrained my tears around him and saved my river of tears for when I was alone, at least that was the plan, but it didn't always work out that way. He burned down LarkHill which explained his scarred textured hands. Talking about LarkHill always makes him anxious and tense so so far that's all I know about him but these things take time. V does not like talking about himself much unless you wish to discuss sword fighting techniques or 18th century literature. I think he loves showing off all that he knows especially since he taught himself so I don't mind indulging him.
Since my stay in the Shadow Gallery I noticed a slow change in V. He seems more, what's the word I'm looking for? Serene. V can also have a very dangerous temper and unfortunately I caught a glimmer of his killer nature which slipped through one day during an argument about patrols. Of course I wanted to go on my own and V strongly oppossed leaving me no opportunity to rebuttal. He's obsessively protective of me and I'm beginning to think no matter how long I train he's never going to trust me to go on my own. We haven't quite reached the L word on his side yet but even if he can't or won't say it I know how he feels about me and that's enough...for now.
However the last few days of my stay he acted somewhat out of character. He's never been completely open with me but he doesn't keep me at arms length anymore either. Yet when I asked him about what he wanted to do for November fifth he fell silent and secluded to his anxious behavior that resulted in his speech and actions ping ponging at a rate that was difficult to keep up with.
I thought he would be excited seeing that he idolizes Guy Fawkes and all. I had hoped maybe we could celebrate in the Shadow Gallery together but that thought was pushed aside. After the short outburst of his anxious nature V fell silent and secluded himself in his room for the rest of the day. He didn't even appear to say goodbye to me, which hurt, but I tried not to take it personally. V is a puzzle of a man sometimes this comes with the territory. I continued telling myself not to take it personal but it did nothing to stop the tears from covering my cheeks. Trying to shake the lingering thoughts I sank down on my couch turning on television, although I doubted anything good would be on, however I did like to watch Gordy on the teley from time to time.
Tomorrow it was back to the BNB and to be honest I was dreading it. Everyday I had an argument with myself asking why we were even putting up with this crap Mr. Jacobs pretty much told me I could have my old job back although that was months ago. Still, I could find a different source of employment if I wanted. That's when my other half made some pretty good points convincing myself that I needed to stay at the BNB. For one I held nearly complete access to the entire facility secondly I was admired by many employees higher up on the food chain. This was perfect. I had the inside scoop and access for whatever V needed. I couldn't take that away not when he's worked so hard. The highlight of my days were seeing and spending time with Gordy. We went out for lunch nearly everyday and he would hang out in my office on the rare occassions I was in one spot for an ample period of time.
Turning off the teley I decided to head to bed so that I could take on the day with a not so annoyed type of attitude. I always did better the more rest I got. After changing into my pajamas I sat on my bed staring at the phone I used to call V. I made sure to hide it well and would change locations periodically. I stared down at the cell phone debating whether I should call him or not and decided no. One, I wasn't sure it was completely safe and two it was late we both needed rest. With a deep sigh I placed the phone back in it's hiding space and laid down to sleep.
The next morning the sun shined high over the city. I still wasn't excited about work but I was in a much better mood than I was the night before. I made myself a cup of coffee and put it in a to-go mug before walking out to my car that was parked in my garage.
"Hello darling" I smiled running my fingers over the hood lovingly.
I missed my baby.
Work was in a word, work, and I was managing to make it through with my reputation in tact until I received a knock on my office door.
"Come in" I called not bothering to look up as I continued typing up the paperwork I was focused on.
With a glance I saw my secretary standing in the open doorway with two men dressed in trench coats behind her. Her face looked paler than normal as her eyes darted in fear.
"Yes?" I responded calmly with a friendly smile.
"Ms. Dunas these detectives wish to have a word"
"Of course come in gentlemen" I said motioning for the two men to take a seat.
My secretary bolted the first opportunity she received closing the door tightly behind her. I couldn't blame her. London was a scary place right now and the police were not on anyone's side besides Sutler and his cronies. The people had no protection.
"How can I help you gentlemen today?" I asked turning my full attention to the two men.
One was a younger, lean man with barely any facial hair making him appear as if he was attending college. The second detective was much older. You could tell by his dark rimmed eyes from many long nights on the force and typical analytical detective demeanor. Best bet they weren't fingermen but rather actual detectives. The older man had a full head of thick dark brown hair with no evidence of salt n pepper. If he smiled he might have been found as attractive.
"You are Evelyn Dunas correct?" The younger one asked.
"Yes I am"
"Ms. Dunas we are investigating the terrorist cell known as codename V. Are you familiar with them?" The older gentleman asked watching me intensely.
"Well I do work at the BNB. We have aired several stories about the attrocities they have committed" I said with a sad sigh and shake of my head.
"Yes. Do you mind if we ask you about your whereabouts on the nights of September 15th to October 15th of this year?"
"Not at all. That was my vacation time I put in from work. I stayed home enjoying my days mostly and spent time with Gordy a while"
"Gordy?" The older detective questioned confused.
"Oh I'm sorry Gordon Dietrich. I enjoyed dinner with him early into my vaction and decided to stay at his home a short time during my vacation time"
"I see. Is that all?"
"I believe so that's all that comes to mind" I said pretending to search my memory.
"Forgive me I must seem awfully rude I did not even ask you gentlemen your names" I smiled.
"That's quite alright ma'am" The older detective said avoiding my hint.
"Is something wrong?" I asked trying to seem genuinely concerned and frightened.
"No ma'am. Just routine questioning. Well we won't hold you up from your work. You have a nice day" The older detective said with a closed mouth smile before quickly standing to his feet to leave. The younger detective was a bit slower to respond and looked surprised they were leaving so soon but silently followed his Senior detective.
Well look at there and here I thought today was going to be boring. Routine questioning my bottom. They are looking for something. They don't completely suspect me of working with V or I would be getting black bagged not asked questions. Something's up but what exactly? Maybe I could call V later today to see if he has heard anything. There was no hope that I was just going to forget this however I couldn't let it show that I was contemplating it or risk me looking guilty.
No doubt everyone has already heard that the boys in blue were in my office. People are going to be cautious around me now, which I don't mind I could use the quiet, but I had to be extremely careful about how I went about this for Gordon's sake. I would not have him harmed or worse because of me. I couldn't live with myself if anything were to happen to him. I loved him. Not in the same way I loved V no I was in love with V but I loved Gordon. He was more than a best friend he was like an older brother, much older but still. He knew me better than anyone I've ever known, not including my mother of course, but it was pretty damn close. Well I didn't expect to lead this double life without the threat of danger that would be foolish. I rolled my eyes and gave a silent sigh in thought, and so it begins.
