Beyond The Trees

Kiele stepped closer to the body and was thankful. “He’s still breathing but unconscious.”

“Good.” Jaden sounded very angry and his dark blue eyes seemed almost black which was unusual. The confusion must be written all over her face because he added, “he pointed a gun at you…”

Oh.

“Thanks…” She quickly turned away and accidentally kicked the revolver.

“Careful.” Jaden was walking up to her as she bent and picked the gun up.

They both looked at it with disgust.

“We better dispose of this.” Jaden took it gently.  “I’ll throw it in a trash bin outside and you search him.” He moved his chin towards the old man’s direction.

“Okay.” Her response came out as a squeak that she had to say it again. “Yeah, sure thing.”

But Jaden didn’t miss the fear she was concealing. Her eyes, which were the richest shade of brown he’d ever seen, never lied. “I’ll be right back.” He patted her head and then left. 

Suck it up, you baby. Kiele scolded herself. It wasn’t so bad. You’ve been through worse.

She approached the body on the floor. You managed to kill that ruthless thug, who was one of the most wanted criminals in San Diego, two weeks ago. The voice reminded her. And you were covered by blood after, and you didn’t feel bad at all -you felt great. Really great.

Kiele knelt beside the body and turned it over and saw the old man’s face. A purple bump was swollen on his forehead. No, she did not feel great at all.

And why? The voice demanded. 

Because he’s innocent, Kiele bet this man wouldn’t even pull the trigger; it was just done for a threat. I should have just walked out… or waited for him to open the door.

Too late now -at least he’s still alive.

Kiele patted the pockets in his jacket and got a pack of cigarettes, a ball pen cap and other useless stuff. She searched his tool belt next. She was certain she’ll find something. Excited, she decided to take it off, tugging it up from the sweat pants he wore which were pocket less so nothing to look forward there.

She unzipped it just as Jaden walked in. “Goldilocks, what do you have there?”

“His tool belt.” Kiele was taking the junk out, scraps of metallic little things, torn pieces of paper, a small flashlight, various tools… and pretty much nothing useful.

“Let’s see, I think he’s clean.” Jaden nodded with a what-to-do-next smile. He was kneeling on the floor in front of her.

“Lexie said the deed is here somewhere and they gave me a hundred percent certainty.”

“You won’t agree unless their dead on sure, Kiele.” He laughed. “I can’t believe the head is scared of you.”

“They better be.” Kiele winked with a wicked grin. “But if we don’t find it though, she may have to hire someone else…” She was putting the things back into the tool belt and was surprised to see Jaden staring at her as she zipped it closed.

“But you’re the best.” He still looked shocked. “Everyone calls you if it gets too rough and when the files get stuck in the red light. How could you say that?”

Kiele made a sour face; she never knew how to react to compliments. People should stop giving her those. “I’m doing this for money.” She simply said and grinned, standing up.

Jaden stood up too. “Of course…”

“I mean I don’t really feel like I have to prove anything. If people think that when I don’t accomplish a mission, it will affect my reputation, then let them. My job is to get through the day alive with food in my tummy.” Even though my life’s at risk; but she didn’t add that.

Kiele glanced at the old man and then his house. It was small with colourful furniture but not enough lighting. It was terribly dim inside, a kind of place that can easily make you depressed. “He lives alone. I’m guessing there’s not much here.”

Jaden agreed and then headed for the back door he came into before knocking out the old man. “I saw something odd out there though. Beyond the trees.”

Author's Note

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