Tiny rivers of rain trickled down the glass of the store front, forging paths across the smooth surface. Torrents fell from the sky, mercilessly pelting the people below who scurried with their feeble umbrellas in hand, anxious to escape the offending drops. The streets were slick, sidewalks dangerous, and ankle deep puddles pooled beside the curb. Car horns honked impatiently as drivers glanced repeatedly at watches which seemed predisposed to tardiness. In the heart of the city, a solitary figure trotted down the pavement, dashing inside the glass door, passing beneath a sign which read “Seattle’s Best Coffee: Cyber Cafe”.
Once inside, the person pushed back the hood of their black sweatshirt, unveiling a mop of unruly curls the color of fire. Wrinkling her nose in distaste, the woman tugged the rain soaked outer layer of clothing over her head, thankful to be rid of the hindrance. It revealed a thick green wool sweater accompanying the loose fitting blue jeans which did little to enhance her form. Wiping her hands across her thighs in an attempt to dry them, she strode purposefully toward the back of the cafe to her usual terminal, tennis shoes squeaking ominously. Sliding comfortably into the well cushioned chair, she appraised the fine piece of equipment before her. Lightly running a fingertip along the edge of the monitor, she thought with pleasure of the technical potential contained in the computer in front of her.
“What’s it going to be today, Claudia?” a familiar voice interrupted her thoughts. She glanced up to find Stephen, the lanky blond man who manned the front counter, standing over her.
“The usual,” she shrugged distractedly. He nodded and moved off, presumably to prepare her double shot hazelnut latte tall; the usual.
Sneaking a discreet peek to her left, then her right, Claudia assessed the other occupants of the cafe. It wasn’t exactly peak business hour; relatively deserted, only four other customers occupied the premises, none of them too close for comfort. Finally turning almond shaped green eyes to the screen, Claudia activated the computer with a click of the mouse. The empty blackness faded as the desktop appeared invitingly. Choosing the internet application from the menu, Claudia was hardly aware of Stephen’s return with her proffered espresso. He placed the heavy paper cup on the edge of the terminal, leaving her in peace.
Once online, Claudia quickly navigated her way into the private email system she had created specifically for this job. One letter graced her inbox, which she swiftly opened.
“Black Cat~
Deliver the package to Pier 40, four pm. Your retribution will be waiting. Don’t be late.
~Fox”
Claudia sat back in her chair for a moment, her gaze narrowed in calculation. Wrapping her palms around the hot cup, she attempted to warm her body, hoping it would catch up to the pace of her mind. Finally, she leaned forward and clicked ‘reply’.
“Fox~
Retribution unacceptable. Price has just been raised an additional five units. Do not refuse.
Package will be ready for exchange in accordance.
~Black Cat”
The email was sent plunging into cyber space as Claudia risked a check out the store front at the weather. Just her luck, the rain ensued. With a heavy sigh, she plucked the remainder of her latte from the desk, pausing to chuck it into the trash. Claudia wrestled the still damp black sweatshirt over her head as she prepared to reenter the storm. Battling to tuck her defiant tresses beneath the hood, she braced herself before opening the door and stepping out once again onto the slippery street.
*****
Claudia maneuvered her beat up Chrysler into a haphazard position along the curb. It’s paint was peeling badly; numerous scratches, dents, and blemishes further marred it’s appearance. The bodywork of one back door was damaged severely after a run in with a telephone poll several months prior. All of this went unnoticed in the face of her car’s trustworthy disposition. It had been an inanimate party to all of her shady business dealings, even as far back as Microsoft.
Shutting off the ignition, she eased her door open with an awful screech of metal against metal. Not bothering to wince at the racket, Claudia slipped from her seat then made her way around the corner of a tall brick building that had seen better days. She strolled down the alley, fishing in her pockets for the key ring, oblivious to the figure sitting leisurely on her door step.
“Claudia Valentine?” asked a strong female voice. Claudia froze, her keys in hand as she appraised the woman before her. The femme sat boldly on the steps leading to the locked back entry of the structure, her forearms propped on her thighs as she assessed the one to whom her inquiry was directed. She was surrounded by a potentially menacing aura, one which set Claudia’s instincts on guard. Long hair formed an ebony waterfall over her shoulders, bleeding into the black trench coat which engulfed her form. Piercing brown eyes which were likely to send shivers of apprehension down anyone’s spine met her own green orbs questioningly.
“Who wants to know?” Claudia replied warily, discreetly angling the keys between her fingers, forming a fist. If there was trouble, she was determined to fight tooth and nail. The drop at the Pier was much too important to miss; plenty was held in the balance.
The woman stood then, exhaling a plume of smoke and tossing a cigarette butt on the ground, extinguishing it with her heel. Claudia worked to keep a blank expression on her face, though her jaw had almost dropped at the woman’s height; she was head and shoulders above her own meager 5’4” frame.
“Parker Mendoza.” the woman offered, extending a hand. Claudia analyzed the situation warily, finally opting to dart past the intimidating Parker, heading for the door.
“What do you want?” she demanded, gaze narrowing fiercely as she slid the key into the lock. Turning to face Parker, she caught a glimpse of surprise fleeting across her features. Obviously having not expected Claudia’s less than hospitable greeting, Parker shrugged.
“Listen, if you’re going to be this way about it, you could have saved us both the hassle by tendering your refusal.”
“Excuse me?” Claudia frowned in confusion. “Look lady, I don’t know who you are, or why you’re here, but I really don’t have time for this.” The two squared off uneasily as the moments ticked by.
“You know Daniel Reanney?”
“Yeah, I know Danny...” Claudia admitted hesitantly. “What does he have to do with anything?” her voice softened with curiosity as she delayed her hurried escape into the building.
“You get a job offer from him?”
“A job....a......oh....OH!” Claudia exclaimed at last, the query sparking something deep within the recesses of her memory. A phone conversation......“Yeah, a couple months ago.....maybe more....I can’t quite remember. I didn’t think he was serious, though!” she chuckled. “Oh, that’s rich. Wanna come in?” Claudia asked suddenly, her countance transforming warmly. Anyone who could drop dear Danny’s name had to be safe. It was difficult to know who you could trust these days. Besides, it was only the pending drop at the Pier which was making her jumpy.
Parker nodded her consent.
Claudia let them in the back door then ushered the other woman down the hallway to the first apartment on the left. Inserting a key into this lock as well, Claudia struggled with the door before finally issuing it swift kick at the base. As her boot made contact with the solid core panel, it swung open easily. “Welcome to my home. Make yourself comfortable.” she invited, ridding herself of her sweatshirt then flinging it over the back of an armchair. Parker entered the apartment, her eyes not missing a detail. Books, papers, and clothing seemed to adorn every surface, obscuring the furniture she was sure resided under the mess somewhere. “Don’t be shy, clear a space for yourself.” Claudia called brightly from the kitchenette where she quickly set a pot of coffee brewing. “So, Danny sent you, huh?”
“Not exactly....” Parker hedged, still surveying her new surroundings. The hardwood flooring hadn’t been varnished in a long while, the shades on the windows appeared to have been drawn once many years ago, then left that way for whatever reason. The walls of the apartment were akin to one giant bulletin board as memos, papers, faxes, and diagrams were tacked up through the entire living space, most noticeably around a monstrosity of a desk. Upon closer inspection, the desk was actually a computer terminal, armed with a state of the art system that would make some of her old Pentagon buddies jealous. “Dan recently sent a proposition my way regarding a job. Your name is listed as a partner of sorts, so I thought I’d pay a visit to you.”
“Wait....my name is listed somewhere?”
“Yes, on this deposition which I received several days ago. You should have a copy.....” Parker hazarded, brandishing a thick envelope. Claudia studied it intently before rummaging through a pile of mail on the table near the front door.
“It’s probably in here.....somewhere......” she muttered. “I’ve just had another.....project claiming my attention. Ah ha!” Claudia emerged victoriously from the entryway, manila envelope in hand. “I think this is it.”
With a sweeping arc of her arm, she cleared the low coffee table before settling Indian style on it’s surface, in front of the chair Parker had chosen to perch on. Silently, her eyes skimmed the pages, widening every so often. Finally, after ten long minutes of silence, Claudia raised her doubt filled emerald eyes to Parker.
“Music group?”
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