Short Story: The new Client
Friday, April 22nd 2016, Roof Gardens, London
The raven haired German business woman needed a break. Badly. She had been working for about 36 hours already. And had about 20 more hours to go before bed. Just another day of the Director.
Maybe Aikateryna is right and I need to work less … One day I will.
Rovena stepped out of the elevator and into the fresh air, the green oasis that are the roof gardens. Even on a rainy day like this, the view was great.
She popped open the black umbrella, that matched her business outfit and walked out into the open. The water drops started to drum on the fabric above her and a faint smile formed on her lips.
Today she should be pretty much alone here. While the staff tried to make up for it, most people went to different places for dinner when it rained, or just moved their reservation to the inside restaurants.
Not Rovena. She did not even had a reservation today, just wanted a few minutes away from work and a quick snack for lunch.
Something is off.
The woman blinked and took another look around, this time it was not the depressed and distracted look of an overworked manager, instead it were the suddenly awake and fully concentrated eyes of a agent that took in her environment.
Fuck, I grow too comfortable. That are eight men, maybe ten securing a perimeter
She blinked again.
No civilians in the area … why did they let me in? A trap?
Instinctively she double checked that her concealed pistols were in their holsters, her mind already rushed ahead and made escape plans, calculated chances of success.
Her heart was beating in her ears and she just hoped the glowing of her bracelet would still be concealed by her jacket.
No, I won’t allow the bee to take over …
She took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down. The smile returned to her lips. It were the small victories that kept her going these days.
Rovena was about to turn around and head back towards the restaurant when a waiter approached her from the other direction. Her left slowly reached behind her back, slipped under the jacket and her fingers closed around the grip of the pistol that was resting at the small of her back.
Then she relaxed again. It was Marc, a waiter who had served her several times during her visits here, during business meetings and dates with friends. If someone was killing her, it would not be him.
“Dr. Treublatt.” He gave her a lopsided smile, his uniform already dripping wet. “Glad you still made it. Your privacy table is at the usual spot. Your guest is already waiting, please follow me.”
The German blinked and nodded. This was a surprise and for a split second it showed on her face. But then the agent took over again. She returned his smile.
“Thank you, Marc. Make sure you add a tip large enough for a sauna visit to my tab. I can’t allow you to become sick working out here for me.”
She chuckled and he thanked her while leading the way.
Who the fuck set this up? Kat?
Rovena’s mind raced and tried to come up with people that would know that she was here or had the resources to surveil her good enough … She blanked on it. Not like there were no people that could do it but none that had a good reason.
She was about to find out.
After walking around the large tree they reached the gazebo. A roof protected the guests from the elements and a pillar of fire behind some glass worked as a heater.
The German’s eyes immediately caught who was sitting there.
Jane!
The woman was about her age, maybe a few years older. In all the years they had worked together, Rovena never dared to ask. The suit looked like it would not be fitting perfectly but the German knew this was just to hide the protective west and weapons beneath. Jane probably was one of the most dangerous normal humans she knew. If not the most dangerous.
Jane rose to her feet and extended a hand to Rovena. “Good to meet you again, Dr. Treublatt. Thank you for the invitation. The usual?”
Rovena nodded to the waiter. “Yes, the lunch menu, some of everything.” Then she took the hand and shook it. Both women looked into the other’s eyes, held each other’s hand a little too long. If they had true privacy they might even had exchanged a soft kiss.
But they had not. So they just sat down, their movement very similar. Elegant, agile, with confidence.
“It has been far too long, Miss Johnson.” Not the woman’s real name, but Rovena knew it was the one Jane usually used in public.
The German noticed a few gray hairs, something she so far was lucky to have avoided. Or well, probably the bee kept her youth. Anyway, the accents in her hair made Jane look even more experienced, professional.
Her natural color was what Rovena’s dad always called ‘Straßenköterblond’, a kind of dirty, dull blond. Not really beautiful, but it fitted. Perfect for someone working in the background like Jane.
Maybe she actually colors it to look like this …
They exchanged a few courtesies but once the waiter was out of sight and Jane’s men had stepped away far enough, Rovena switched the topic.
“Jane, what do you need? You know I am not in the Guard anymore, not even with the hall anymore.”
The other woman nodded.
“I know Rovena. And that is why I contact you. Let’s say the family is looking for additional contractors. And … "
Jane cleared her throat.
“Not sure how to say it, but the princess is … she is changing a lot, looking for new options. And I trust you Rovena, regardless of who you work for. I and, … the mother for that matter, know you will be loyal to the family.”
Rovena felt her stomach pulling together. Even after three years, Jane perfectly knew how to push her buttons. But it was right, she would be loyal when hired, always had been. And it filled her with some pride, that it still was remembered.
“Alright.” she finally said and nodded. “But I will need some details and I will need to talk with my business partners. This is not a decision I can make alone.”
Jane smiled. “Sure. Let’s talk about details then.” She poured herself a red wine. This would be a long lunch break.