Black Dahlia III: Belize

Chronicles of the Black Dahlia Note: Character derived from The Wingman Series by Michael Davis, WC writer. Recommend reading at www.chanceransom.com

Ringing.

 

Something is ringing and I don't think it's just my head. The sunlight is streaming from the drapes not quite pulled together. It might as well be someone shinning a flashlight in my eyes.

I rise up and look around. An empty bottle, a robe, a pair of trousers, all strewn about. The aftermath.

 

Shaking my head to relieve the fog, I realize it's a mistake. My head is throbbing, and where is that blasted ringing coming from.

 

It's my cell, buried somewhere on the bed. I nudge Ransom. He rolls over with a gruff, revealing the cell.

 

"Hello," I croak out.

 

"Elizabeth, you need to get out of the safe house."

 

It's Emily, the Spotter. She has my attention now. Nobody knew I was coming back here to stay, not even me until the last minute.

 

"What are you talking about?" I'm alert now.

 

"Someone knows you're there, with him."

 

Panic sets in. I've jeopardized everything, my career, reputation and possibly my retirement, and for what.

 

"Is it the Arch?"

 

"No, I don't know who it is but they are moving fast. The staircase is to the right, don't take the elevator."

 

"How much time?"

 

"Maybe ten minutes, maybe less, you've got to get out of there now." I don't know how she knew, but she's one of the best Spotters I've ever worked with.

 

"Thanks Emily. If I get out of this, I'm recommending you for a promotion, you've earned it." Click

 

 I jump out  the bed and start to find something to put on.

 

"Get Up!" I shout at Ransom. He rises up on one arm.

 

"What?"

 

"I said get up, someone knows we are here. We have to leave now." I think I've got his attention now, he scrambles to the end of the bed to find his pants.

 

I shove the Dior over my head, its the closest thing. I dump out the contents from the evening bag. I grab my ID, keys and papers. I decide to use the Gucci, it has a shoulder strap. I shove them inside.

 

"Who?" He's hopping around trying to find the pant leg.

 

"Who what?"

 

"Who made you?"

 

"Me? What about you? Oh I don't know, Emily wasn't sure. Hurry they'll be here any minute."

 

The only shoes available are the Manolo's, not the best for escaping, but we are only on the fifth floor. I can run faster barefoot, so I shove them in my bag as well.

 

He's finally dressed, if you could call it that. No socks, just shoes, a mis buttoned shirt and a rumpled trench. Aren't we a pair?

 

We make a run for the door. He gets there first. He makes a "shh" sign. What does he think I am an amateur?

 

Slowly he opens the door and looks outside.

 

"Quick, I hear the elevator bell." Ransom grabs my hand and we run for the staircase. I think I hear voices as the door closes behind us. We scurry down the five flights. I'm thankful I'm barefoot.

 

One thing about hotel staircases, they only go down. This way if there is a fire, people can't go back inside. We make it to the bottom and the door to the outside. Ransom pushes it. It's stuck. Then I hear the stairwell door open.

 

"Push harder," I hiss

 

"What do you think I'm doing, maybe you could help?" We both push on it.

 

Finally the door gives. Ransom and I spill out into the alley and onto the pavement. He's up first and extends his hand to help me up. I begrudgingly take it.

 

"Come on, we've got to get moving." He pulls me towards the front.

 

"We should head around the back."

 

"No, that's what they're expecting."

 

We get out onto the street side. I still have my bag. I stop to put on my shoes.

 

"What are you doing? We don't have time for that," he argues.

 

'Well, a rumpled dress on a woman is one thing, but barefoot. Even that's too much for Manhattan. This isn't Hollywood."

 

I rest my hand on his arm as I slip them on. Then the first whiz goes past my ear.

 

"Run!"

 

Easier said than done, me in the Manolos. I give up and kick them off.

"I told you to leave them off."

 

"Shut up!"

 

"Drop the bag. You can run faster."

 

"No way. All my ID is in that bag."

 

"Drop it."

 

"NO!"

 

We run and push our way down the street, while the whizzing is piercing my ears. I see Ransom glance back, quickly and then refocus on the crowd falling away to take cover. We are now the lone human beings still upright.

 

'Why are they shooting at us?" I'm now a full length behind Ransom.

 

"They're not shooting at us, they're shooting at me."

 

"Well do you mind filling me in?"

 

"There's nothing to tell," he shouts.

 

"Well I'd still like to know, since we're dodging bullets."

 

"Head for the Park."

 

"No, we need to get to 7th."

 

He spots it about the same time as me. The taxi cab. Our escape. It starts to pull away from the curb. Ransom lets out a whistle, and it stops.

 

"Get in."

 

I don't argue. Whoever is, after us or him, is still shooting, and what other options did I have? We scramble in.

 

"Where to?" the driver asks

 

"Just start driving," shouts Ransom.

*******************************************************************************************************************

The cab driver puts it in gear and pushes his way into the traffic.

 

"Head for 7th,"  I tell the driver.

 

"Maybe now you have a moment to fill me in."

 

"I'm not just a free lancer."

 

"I kinda figured that out."

 

"I've been sanctioned."

 

I don't know what to say. It's the ultimate dishonor for both Wingmen and Guardians. To be abandoned by the organization you've given your life to. After today, I maybe in the same boat.

 

We ride in silence, all the while the meter is running. It feels like hours, although I know it hasn't been that long. I finally recognize the Bean Hut.

 

"Pull over here please." The driver pulls over to the curb. We exit the cab. I lean in to pay the driver.

 

"That'll be $75.00."  Talk about hi-way robbery.

 

I give him the money.

 

"OK Red, now where to"

 

I stop to think. OK, I look like s**t, I'm with the enemy and I'm barefoot, carrying a Gucci. Naw, no one will notice will they?

 

"I said, where to."

 

"I'm thinking."

 

"Do you mind thinking a bit faster?  It won't be long before they find us."

 

I take a deep breath. I can't believe I'm about to suggest this but I don't see any other way.

 

"My flat. It's up about three blocks from here."

 

We get to the lobby. By some small miracle, Carl the doorman is not there. Ransom heads for the elevator.

 

"Oh no mister, we're taking the stairs."

 

"Why?"

 

"Why, you have to ask why? Look at us. I can't risk anymore exposure. We take the stairs."

 

We climb the five flights. My feet are sore and ripped up. Each step is excruciating. No pedicure is going to fix this.

 

We come through the stairwell door. I really can't take another step.

 

"Which one?"

 

I point down the hall, "Second door to the left."

 

He starts out and then turns back, "Well aren't you coming?"

 

"Yes, just go." I toss him my keys.

 

He gets to the door, opens it up and goes in. I'm holding onto the wall, gingerly making my way down. Each step is like stepping on shards of glass.

 

Ransom comes back through the doorway. He jogs back down to where I am.

 

"Maybe you should have kept the shoes."  He throws me up over his shoulder, fireman style.

 

"I can walk you know."

 

"Yeah, well I can't wait till Christmas for you to get to there."

 

***********************************************************************************************************************

My flat looks the same as when I left it. That's a good sign.

 

"You got a lap top?"

 

I point to the desk. I'm busy tending to my feet.

 

"Password?"

 

"I don't use one."

 

He fires it up. I find my slippers near the desk. I slip them on to pad around in.

 

He looks down, "Nice."

 

I make a face at him. I head towards the kitchen. I really need a drink. I find the bottle in the cabinet. Blue Sapphire. I pour us two neats. I shuffle back over to the desk, glasses in hand.

 

I hand him one and sit on the edge. I look to see what he's looking at. Thailand.

 

"Thailand, eh?" He doesn't respond.

 

I limp towards my bedroom door. I need a bath. I leave Ransom to himself.

 

I run the bath water and slip off the Dior. I hold it my hand, shaking my head. What the hell have you gotten yourself into Lizzie girl?

 

The water has filled the tub, so I slip inside. Then I slip off to nowhere.

 

I wake up. The water is cold. I get out and wrap a towel around myself. It sounds too quiet. I sneak out to the living room. My feet are still killing me. I might not be able to walk for a week.

 

It's getting dark. How long was I out?

 

"Ransom?" He's not there, and neither is my laptop. Crap. You've got to be kidding me.

 

I start looking for my cell. It's gone as well. I start pacing with my hands on my head. How could I have been so stupid?

 

"Miss me?"

 

I whirl around. Ransom's got Chinese take out.

 

"I thought you might be hungry. Hope you don't mind, I used your card. I guess people aren't too picky around here," he says as he sets the bag down.

 

I became acutely aware I'm standing in the middle of my flat, with only a towel on, but I'm not backing down. Not this time.

 

"Where's my laptop and cell?

 

"What?"

 

"You heard me, where are they?"

 

"They're on the desk."

 

"No they're not."

 

He steps over to the desk, opens up the drawer, and pulls them out, placing them on top.

 

"Satisfied? We really should eat before this gets cold."  I think I'm really beginning to despise him.

 

I sit down and grab a carton. He raises an eyebrow.

 

"What? You said to sit down."

 

"Suit yourself."

 

I had to admit, I was famished and it tasted wonderful.

 

"You have any Saki?"

 

"Sorry, I don't but there's still some more gin if you'd like."

 

We finish up the food and I go back into the bedroom. I find another robe to put on, grab some extra pillows and blankets. I return to the living room. I deposit them on the chaise. I don't wait for a response. My resistance and common sense has been depleted, I just can't trust myself.

 

********************************************************************************************************************

Coffee.

The wonderful, life blood smell. I open my eyes. I recognize the Bean Hut logo. I am also aware of the weight on the bed too.

 

"I figured you a latte girl." 

 

I sit up and take the cup. The aroma fills my nostrils.

 

"I guess you just got me all figured out," I retort back.

 

"Ha, not by a long shot. I figured you'd just leave to the wolves yesterday," he says scratching the back of his head.

 

He stares around the room, then looks down to the floor.

 

"You're welcome," I say gently.

 

"What?"

 

"I said, you're welcome," a bit more assertively, "You know this thing, it's complicated and mess........"

 

"It's not going to work," he says flatly.

 

"Yeah, it's not going to work." I feel a small twinge.

 

Once a Wingman, always a Wingman.

 

**************************************************************************************************************************

 

As promised, I made my recommendation for Emily to be promoted to Escort. I came out relatively unscathed from the Ransom incident. A small fine, and of course I had to pay for the lost procurement I had to abandon at the RC.

 

It's her first solo flight, well almost solo. Part of the training requires the recruiter to be on hand in case the new Escort fails or gets into trouble on the their first solo. Just my luck the new assignment picked Rasputin's, so tonight I'm sitting in the west bar.

 

It's February 14th.

 

"Hey, I remember you," said the bartender as he places a napkin in front of me, "Red, right?"

 

I just smile and nod my head in agreement. He gives his curt nod back and heads off to retrieve my drink.

 

It sure has been a strange couple of months. I was all set to retire in November, but with the promotion of Emily, all those plans were pushed back.

 

To her credit, she was a quick study. Kinda reminded me of me, back when Gieselle took me under her wing. Gieselle retired about five years ago. Said she just didn't have the stomach for it anymore and at 56, well this is a young woman's game. I tried to convince her she still looked like she was in her early forties, which was no lie. 

 

She took my hand and said, "There is more to life than this. I started to feel lonely, and well I don't want to die alone."

 

I started to protest that she wasn't alone, but she shook her head in disagreement.

 

"Elizabeth, as long as there are Wingmen, there will always be Guardians. It just doesn't have to be you and me."

 

I guess I'm just not ready to give it up yet.

 

The bartender sets the wine in front of me. He reaches under the counter. He produces a small white envelope.

 

"I was told if I ever saw you in here again to give you this,"  he says, and hands it to me.

 

He goes back to polishing his glasses turning his back before I can inquire.

 

I'm about to open it up, when my cell starts vibrating. I check it. It's Emily.

 

Two wingmen, need back up

 

Two? What is this world coming too? I sigh. I put a twenty on the bar.

 

"Keep the change."

 

I pick up the glass and stuff the envelope my bag.  I don't even have time to look at the note.

 

I hear Gieselle's words in my head. As long as there are Wingmen

 

I'm just not ready Gieselle.

 

 I guess Belize will have to wait.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reviews

[Chillbear Latrigue]

I am a fan of the story line. This is fast paced, strong and hot. There is genuine sexual tension between Chance and Elizabeth. A lot of sexuality without sex. I think the three types of agents is a good innovation. I like the way you've described the clothes. It adds a good bit of color to the story. I think a little more about her place and furnishing would be in order. We've been to Elizabeth's flat a few times, but I'm picturing something expensive and chic. I'm loving you're writing. Please, keep it coming.

[Matt]

I rarely like first-person, present tense but this is set apart by a quick pace, snappy dialogue, and an intriguing plot. Great read.