Chapter 13

Chapter 13

“I’m not sure yet,” Seth said with a grimace “I haven’t gotten that far. I did all the foot work already. I know just about everything about her. I’m just not sure what to do with the information.”

Tilting her head to the side Larissa tapped a finger on her chin. “You know facts but not personality. What you need to do first is find a way to get some inside information on her. Someone who knows her and how she ticks.”

“She is a loner, Larissa. No friends, her family is distant at best.  There is only one person she is semi close to, the butler believe it or not.”

“Well then you need to talk to the butler.”

“Agreed, but he can only tell us what he knows, we need firsthand knowledge….” Seth trailed slowly grinning at Larissa. “I have a great idea.”

Sighing loudly “I know where you’re going with this. I’ll do it.”

“Really, that easy. Not even gonna put up a fight?”

“No,” she shook her head ruefully “I told you I would do anything to help. If this is what you need then I’ll do it.”

“I really do think it will help.”

“Then it’s done. Give me her class schedule so I can memorize it. I’ll have to enroll so I can take a class or two with her. Do we have funding for this?”

“I have quite a bit of money put away from over the years. We should be fine on cash.”

"alright I will see if I can get close to her. but I can promise nothing if she is as much a  loner as you say I may not be able to get close."

"I understand, thank you for trying."

 

Seth strolled quietly up the lawn, hands in the pocket of his jeans. His black button down was expensive looking enough that people didn't question a guy in jeans in the most expensive and exclusive country clubs in town.

While seemingly lost in thought Seth was surreptitiously scanning the grounds looking for the butler.  He knew that everyday at this time he could be found on the grounds while her dad engaged in the game of destroying up and coming young executives.

He wasn't sure yet how he would approach the man. He was hoping to wing it as he went. Most likely he would play himself off as a student advisor looking to get a better feel for Liza, but he wasn't sure if that would work.

He allowed himself a deep breath as he scanned the area. It was still so new and exciting to feel the oxygen work its way into his newly restarted blood stream and feel the muscles react to the extra oxygen. He had spent so long not feeling anything that it was a wondrous to him now that he wasn't as freaked out by it.

Spotting his mark, Seth took another deep breath and headed to where the man was talking with two others, working out in his head his story. He would make his way in as planned, playing at be a student aide working on a project with Liza.

“Excuse me, your name is George, right?”

The older man glanced at Seth without answering and went back to his conversation. Seth had expected to be brushed off so this didn’t faze him in the least.

“George, I am a student aide assigned to work with Liza on a project. She is very closed off and I was hoping since you have known her since she was small that you might be able to give me some insights on how to get her to open up, at least be less hostile to working with me.”

George looked back over at him frowning. Seth smiled inwardly, he had caught the man off guard like he wanted to and his concern for Liza was mirrored in that frown along with suspicion. George turned back to his associates and made his goodbyes.

“Walk with me son,” George said with a tight smile. “I’m not sure I believe what you are telling me but I will at least give you the courtesy of hearing you out before I judge what you are telling me.”

“I appreciate that George,” Seth said with a friendly smile “I really am at a loss. We are supposed to be doing this project together for occults class but it requires us to share each other’s history and how it affects our belief systems now.

“She won’t even talk to me let alone share the relevant information for the project. I was assigned to her because it’s a partner project and she was the only one without a partner. If we don’t complete this project she may fail the class and I may lose my position as student aide.

“If there is anything you can tell me to help get her to open up I would very much appreciate it.”

They were walking through the grounds a slow pace. George had his eyes on the ground brow, furrowed in concentration. He slowed then stopped without ever looking up. Seth could tell that there was something wrong by the quickened breathing and the slight scent of fear coming off of him. This was not fear for himself, but for her. Georges protective instincts were on high alert, this could be bad.

Seth assumed the most non aggressive and unthreatening posture he could think of. He stuck his hands deep in his pockets, hunched his shoulders up and looked at the ground in a timid and humble way. He couldn’t tell if George was paying attention much less buying it but he had to try something before he lost the situation completely.

Just as he was about to say something to try and salvage the conversation George looked up at him.

“I know you are not who you say you are. I could tell before you walked up that you were thinking dishonest thoughts. I can see though there is real concern for Liza in your eyes. In your own way stranger, you care for her as much as I do.

“I will help you but I thought you should know that I did not fall for this little ruse. I am helping because I see in you the ability to protect her and that you care for her.”