On it (Open)

[Elighan (DELETED 6625)]

Would you be nervous to take your food back if they messed up your order? I would be. I am. They’ve done it again in fact. I tend to use the drive-thru as you have less contact with people – which suits me just fine. Only when they get the order wrong I all but have a full on panic attack at the thought of having to take the bag back inside and confront someone about the mix up. Oh. I’m not timid. One on one I’m fine but a crowded restaurant full of people; that I’m not so good with. So here are. I have two options. Drive back around and queue up again or just eat what they’ve given me. You’d be surprised how often door number two is the one I choose. Not tonight though. Tonight I’ve been given a fish burger and while I don’t mind fish, I’m really not in the mood to try and swallow that down. It takes me another ten minutes to get my order sorted. Granted, ten minutes isn’t very long but when you’re supposed to be on a job, ten minutes can make all the difference.

Oh. What do I do? I’m a private investigator. I know what you’re thinking. An investigator that’s frightened by people but I can’t help who and what I am. Besides. I take the jobs I want. I keep contact with people to a minimum. Most people shy away from stakeouts but me, I love them. And I’m not really scared of people. It’s large groups that make me nervous. I can handle people in small numbers. This could be the sort of disorder that keeps a guy down but I try not to let it stop me from living my life. Of course school was hell. Thankfully I wasn’t subjected to that institution for very long. My parents’ home schooled me. I’ll always be grateful for that.

But back to the here and now. I have to eat. Eat and watch. I’m outside another seedy motel on the outskirts of town. I’d been told that the bread and butter of the PI business is husbands thinking their wives are stepping out on them, but this town is a little different. I’ve noticed we have a lot more missing person’s cases than your average city. I try not to think on that though. Honestly. It’s depressing to see the city you love fall into ruin. I’m just glad Caitlyn got out when she did. She’s my sister. In case you were wondering. My twin actually. Nice girl. She’s not as messed up as me. Or as tied to this city. You see the other day I noticed something. I became something. I’m not entirely sure what it means yet but something has awoken in me. I’d love to tell you a little more about that but I really don’t have the time. I have work to do.

I focus on the motel. I know what the woman looks like but to be honest I may not see her go in. Women are tricky you see. They cover their hair or style it differently. If they put on a hat and dark glasses they can be difficult to spot. I stand a better chance of seeing the woman leave the room than enter. They never seem to be quite as careful on the way out.

Having finished my food and with no sign of the woman I’m supposed to be able to find here, I wipe my hands on a paper napkin and leave my car just long enough to deposit the food wrappers in the nearby trash can. This is bad idea. Sod’s law says that if it can go wrong, it will go wrong and well what do you think can go wrong when you’re on a stakeout and decide to get out of your car? Yep. That’s right. The woman you’ve been waiting for exits stage right and your camera is on the passenger seat of your car. Luckily I always have plan B; my mobile. I pull it out and take a few quick snaps. The quality won’t be the same but at least I’ll have something to show the guy when I pick up my pay check.

[Adelita (DELETED 5973)]

It wouldn't take a rocket scientist to know why a woman like Adelita was at a motel like this. It was obviously for reasons that weren't very good, depending on just who you were to the woman, or how you came to know her.

You see, Lita was a very busy body that was up to no good. The kind that would eventually come back to bite her in the ***, hard. For the better part of three months, Adelita had been 'seeing' two men. Javier (who she wasn't seeing anymore for reasons she would like to forget about) and his rival from another street gang, Angelo. And when things started going south with Javier, Adelita started slipping pieces of information to Angelo. Who were the top men that were closest to Javier. Where they were going to be. When shipments from Mexico were coming in.

Of course,none of this could be done at any places the man owned. It was too risky. So, here they were and Adelita was completely oblivious that she had a tail on her. As she leaves from the motel room, she is given a large wad of cash in a manilla envelope and a kiss to her lips. She whispers something against his lips and then laughs, but that's all anyone can hear is her laugh. She is a risky being, but she's not completely oblivious to the idea of keeping things secretive and out of the ears those that shouldn't hear certain things.

Adelita leaves and Angelo watches her for a minute. Until she turns around with a smile and waves her fingers at him, then blows the guy a kiss before getting in to the car he got her for some really good information she passed to him last month. Once she's in the car, he believes she is safe and will drive away soon, and so Angelo closes the door and goes about his business. However, that isn't the case.

Lita gets a call and is on the phone when she thinks-no, she knows she sees someone focused on her. Or at least, the general area she's in. Her head goes left and then right to see if anyone else is around her, but there is no one. She tells the person on the phone 'un momento,' before she gets out of the car and heads right over to the guy in the car opposite of her. She is speaking Spanish, and her tone is apparent. She's angry. But who is she more angry at? The guy watching her, or herself for being so careless?

[Elighan (DELETED 6625)]

Rule number one in my business is don't get caught. It's probably a good rule for life in general too, but it really is important in my line of work to not draw attention to yourself. I suppose it was bound to happen seeing as we were the only two people in the parking lot. I didn't think to watch what she was doing. Not at first. I was too busy getting myself settled. I had what I needed and was more or less ready to leave. When I look up from behind my steering wheel, I see her waking towards me. Now would be the right time for some carefully chosen expletives only I rarely if ever use such vulgar language. Even in my line of work I rarely find it necessary. Vulgar language, in my opinion, is used by those with lower than average intelligence.

I watch the women for just a moment and take in her appearance, as I hadn't paid all that much attention when I took the photos of her and the gentleman she was with. She's tall but not overly so, the heels add a few inches and I suspect that if we were standing face to face that she'd be able to look me in the eye. She's entirely too thin to be healthy and the dress does little to hide the fact. I would say that she looks like your stereotypical model only I'm not the best judge of beauty. If Caitlyn looked like her, I would definitely be encouraging her to eat a little more. The blue dress she's wearing is short, tight and backless (I noticed that much when she was leaving the motel room). All in all, I would say she looks like a high class call girl. Even the way she carries herself is reminiscent of one. There's a confidence in her steps that I'm sure would be there even if she didn't look like she was about to murder someone; that someone possibly being me.

I reach over to the passenger’s side seat and pull my jacket over my high-end camera. Of course I don't tell people what I do for a living. Not unless they walk in my office and wish to hire me. No. So if she sees the camera, I'll tell her the same thing I tell everyone else. I'm a free-lance photographer. Not that I should have to tell her as such. There's no reason for a photographer to be out this late taking pictures in the dark. Which means, if I am right and she's about to start banging on my window, I'm going to have to go with a more plausible reason for being here. I do so hate to play this kind of role but when needs must, I really do just have to go with it.

I turn the key in the engine to the first position so that the car has power and I hit the button to lower the driver's side window. I drive a silver Hyundai Elantra in case you were wondering. It's a popular model which helps me to blend in but of course I drive a more modern version that's only a few years old. I spend a lot of time in my car but it doesn't show. I keep the interior pristine. I'm a little ashamed of the fact that it's going to smell of my dinner if she gets too close but there's nothing i can do about that now. I'll have to air the car out on the ride home. In the hopes of stopping her from leaning into my vehicle, I fold my arms across the now open window and lean into the door.

"Your name wouldn't be Michelle by any chance would it?" I ask in a very casual way, when she's close enough that I don't have to shout to be heard.

In case you haven't guessed, I'm going to pretend I'm here for an entirely different nefarious reason. I'm going to pretend I'm waiting for the sort of woman she looks like. I'm not sure if I look like the sort of man that might require the services of a call girl but I know I look like sort that could pay. The car is one clue. My outfit would be the other. While I'm dressed in what I would consider my street clothes, the garments are all designer. I have on a dark grey, round-necked jumper with a plain white tee underneath; both of which are Hilfiger. Whether you consider Tommy Hilfiger to be designer clothing I do not know but I like it. I even have on a pair of back, tailored trousers of the same make.

[Adelita (DELETED 5973)]

The man doesn't even try to get away, which he could have as Lita comes storming his way. Instead, he asks her if her name is some common female name, which only has the hotheaded senorita, enraged. "Do tu think I'm un idiota?" Lita asked as she leaned in to his window to see just what he was doing here. Was he with the policía? If he was, he wasn't showing her a badge and telling her to move along. Was he a reporter? Did he know who she was?

As she leaned in to his car, she noticed one thing. His clothing, while mundane and even boring, was on the higher scale of materials used to make his clothing. Money. That was her initial thought and so, the woman's demeanor changed completely. A long, warm smile fell on her red painted lips as she leaned in to the car more. She even angled her body so that he good a real good look at her rear. "Who do you work for?" She asked, the tone in her voice soft and warm as she swayed her hips just a little bit, as if she were getting more comfortable with the position she was taking. Which was right up against his car, so he couldn't leave.

[Elighan (DELETED 6625)]

Now there's a question. Do I think this woman is an idiot? There's what I think and what I should say. I know a little about her. I know she shouldn't be unintelligent. Not entirely. But an idiot? My tongue seems to find a diplomatic answer. One I'm comfortable saying. But I hold off on replying for now.

Playing my role, I allow my eyes to wander over her body, so that she knows I'm clearly checking her out. I think she's seen through my charade already though. Her question said as much. I really didn't need to look her over again either, I know what she looks like, I got a very good look at her as she was strode purposefully towards me. My plan to stick to my role backfires almost immediately when my pulse quickens. She may be beyond skinny as far as I'm concerned but I am still a man and she is quite attractive in the face. Or would be. If she removed the call girl make-up. As much I would like to think otherwise, I'm not immune to a pretty face. I just have to be thankful that she can't hear the effect she's having on me. Outwardly I show no signs of being flustered. Not even when she starts wiggling her posterior and making my mind race with inappropriate thoughts. I'm almost entirely certain that women do this on purpose. They have to know that by bending over in such a suggestive manner than any man, or woman for that matter, would be distracted by the darker impulses of their own nature if they are even the slightest bit attracted to them. Without much thought I hook my finger under the collar of my t-shirt and swipe run my finger along the material from one side to the other and then drop my hand into my lap. When she leaned forward, I had little choice but to lean back. As much as I'd prefer her to keep her distance I'm not about to offend the woman.

"Well, to answer your first question, beauty and brains are such a rare combination."

I'm leaning back in my seat now, my right hand idling, outstretched on the top of the steering wheel. My body is turned ever so slightly in her direction and my left hand rests on my upper thigh. I give her one of my more charming smiles.

"As for who I work for, I'm self-employed. Master of my own destiny."

This isn't untrue either. Honesty quite often is the best policy. And it is somewhat easier to keep your lies straight, if you keep them to a minimum. I did work for someone else once but I recently set up my own firm. My boss didn't seem to mind my quirks, so long as the work got done, but it seemed like the time to strike out on my own. I may yet come to regret that decision. Especially if I find myself stretched too thin what with my other, more alternative, form of income.

I'm hoping that I come across as a little cocky. I must at least be able to pull off confident. I'm not entirely averse to speaking to pretty strangers, but it does make me more nervous. Being home schooled may have eased my anxieties but it did little for my social skills. I managed to practice on the friends my sister brought home, as she never did share my issue (something for which I am very grateful) but even then, the situation was quite different. My sister did have some attractive friends though, so I'm not entirely out of my depth in situations like this. It's all about applying what you know, though honestly I probably should try to practice my skills more often.

I watch her a little more reservedly once I've spoken. I saw her demeanour towards me change. I'm just not entirely certain as to what it was that brought that about. I'm more than certain it wasn't the way I look or the way my car currently smells. It could of course be the car itself. Some women are like that. Shallow. Though I really shouldn't mar an entire sex that way. People in general can be shallow, and there are those that would probably count me among that number as I do take pride in the way I dress.

"So... you aren't Michelle then?" I ask quirking one eyebrow as I speak.

My charade may already be over but that doesn't mean that I'm willing to drop it quite so easily.

[Adelita (DELETED 5973)]

Lita was far from amused with this human, though she didn't show it. Instead, she idly nodded her head, as if agreeing with him. "Mmm. Yes. But not as rare as a male who thinks with the right head at the right time." Lita said, her Spanish accent thick and even heavy as she spoke. Did she mind that he glanced at her? Not at all. It was only natural, yet, if they were going to stand around and insult the other, subtly and not so subtly, then who was she to not indulge in the past time?

"I think we are past the point of playing pretenses, don't you?" She no longer spoke any Spanish, mostly because she was irritated with the male. And because she was almost positive her native tongue would be lost on him. "So, master of your own destiny, are you going to tell me your name, or shall I just make one up for you? Dick, sounds quite apt." Lita stood up straighter at that and crossed her arms at her chest. What little there was of it, that was.

"So, Dick," Her voice sharp as she referred to him as the given name she chose, ["How much is he paying you?" Adelita knew it could be no one other than a male, and probably one that she pissed off not that long ago, that had hired him.

[Elighan (DELETED 6625)]

Touché, I think to myself as the corner of my mouth lifts slightly. The woman has wit. Maybe brains and beauty aren't a myth after all. I didn't ever truly believe they were but it is rare, just like I told her. She quickly spirals though in my estimations as she decided to call me 'Dick.' In some ways it's a rather fitting name to call a PI but she doesn't know that yet. Does she? She knows something. That much is obvious. I'm just not entirely sure who she thinks I am. Honestly. The more she speaks. The more she disappoints me. The more I disappoint myself. I'm better than this. I've never been caught before. Not ever. I guess this is a lesson I must learn from. You can never afford to be complacent. I should not have stepped out of my car. I try to keep my disappointment to myself as I speak. My heart is still racing and I’m guessing that won’t pass anytime soon.

"Are you going to tell me yours, Michelle?"

Adelita. I don't say her name, but I do think it. I don't want her to know that I know her name. I believe it suits her though. It didn't sound right the first time I heard it and I found it difficult to associate the name with the woman I had photos of but now I start to believe it suits her. It's a strange name, for a stranger woman. It probably doesn't help to shake my previous perceptions of her though. Despite knowing who she is, I still cannot help but think that she looks like call girl. The name sounds like one too. I would wonder if it's an alias but all the information I have on her suggests that this is her given name. I cannot help but wonder if parents knew she'd grow into this kind of woman or not. Did they intend this lifestyle for her? I can't imagine that they did. I don’t believe they saw this coming. If they had, they would have protected their assets better. When I say assets I'm thinking of their wealth, not their daughter. I'm almost positive that someone, somewhere is delighted by the families fall from grace.

My train of thought reminds me yet again of rule number one; don't get caught.

"I'm not entirely sure who you think I am. Honestly, this conversation is a little odd."

Odd indeed. I had not planned on talking to the mark. I should be pulling out of the parking lot. I should drop my hand to the key, turn it the last two notches and bring my car to life. I could be gone in a matter of second. I should be gone. And yet here I am. I ponder that for the briefest of moments. Was she right? Was I allowing the wrong brain to make my decisions? I cannot believe that. I'm not that type of man. And yet, I am a man. Are we not all susceptible to a pretty face? I don't believe that's the reason. I cannot. It's not my style. So why am I still here?

[Adelita (DELETED 5973)]

The sound of his heart racing puts Lita at a stand still. Was he scared of her? Or was it something else? He calls her 'Michelle,' again and her tongue clicks as she shows her signs of annoyance. "Rose." Adelita says to see if she gets a rise out of the male. A look on his face that says he knows that isn't her name. Or an interjection, even.

"Not as odd as being stalked." Lita admits in passing as she waves a dismissive hand. And then a thought strikes her. If he wasn't going to tell her anything willingly, was it possible she could force him to? Lita wasn't exactly sure how someone became a 'thrall,' but she didn't have one yet. The thought was an entertaining one, at least. Still, she dismissed it quickly. The idea of someone, or something tied to her for any long length of time simply put the woman off.

"And then lied to." Lita continued on. "But, if that's the game we're going to play, why don't you take a picture of this?" Lita stepped back from the car and flipped the male 'the bird,' before she spun on her feet with a roll of her eyes. Did it matter if he gave some pictures to whoever it was that was looking for her? She wouldn't come back here, and the male in the hotel was a big boy that could take care of himself. So, what harm was there really?

[Elighan (DELETED 6625)]

'A Rose by any other name would smell as sweet,' I think to myself as she lies through her teeth. Of course that phrase has a hidden meaning too, if you believe the scholars. I could almost believe the name suits her if I didn't who she really was. She really doesn't belong here and that's a little sad. I can't believe she was as involved in the family business as her father was, though honestly I only know what I've read in the papers and the media cannot always be trusted to get the facts right. It's history in the making and like all stories the narrative is subjective. We're told what they want us to know. I've set myself on a path that could land me in jail one day and I can't help but be grateful for the fact that I only really have myself to look after. Caitlyn would only have her reputation tarnished by association. Adelita wasn't so lucky.

The woman does have balls though, you have to give her that. She's flipping me off now and all I can do is shake my head as she walks away. I'm not sure what possesses me then to leave my vehicle but I do. I switch the engine off, palm my keys, exit the vehicle and walk around the front where I lean against the hood, my arms folded across my chest. The view from behind is not nearly as good as the one from the front, and yet I have to admit that way in which she moves and holds herself is enticing.

"You know, Rose, your actions are quite unbecoming for a lady."

I'd like to think she's better than that. She was privately educated much like I was, so where she learned that kind of behaviour I'll never know. Not only is that kind of thing below her, but it's dangerous too. She's a slip of a thing and there she is provoking a man she doesn't know and who she has accused of stalking her.

"It's also a little vain don't you think," I gesture with one hand, "to assume that I desire a picture of you."

I have what I came for and I should have left already. My reasons for staying are seemingly not my own. If words gets out that I botched a simple surveillance, I could find myself closing the doors of my agency before I've ever really had the chance to reach my potential. I've learned my lesson though. I shan't be putting myself in this sort of situation again.

I watch her wondering if I should give up on my charade. She knows I'm lying and I'm not entirely sure how she knows that. I'm not the world's best actor but I didn't think that I could be so easily read and certainly not by a complete stranger. She must be quite well versed in body language and micro expressions to be able to make such a quick and accurate assessment of a person. I almost envy her that skill. I could learn from someone like her I'm sure.

[Adelita (DELETED 5973)]

His retort has the Spanish woman stopping in her tracks. A small, humored smile corners her lips before she turns to look at him. As she turns, the smile is lost and is replaced with a cool demeanor. She saunters back over to him, hips swaying from side to side until Lita is only a few feet away from him. "Is that so?" She asks him, the smile finally returning.

It isn't a pleasant smile. No, it is a smile that holds something sinister to it. Something dangerous even. The look a woman gets when she's insulted and out for blood. Someone can see that something bad is about to happen if someone, or something doesn't stop it from happening. "And what are you going to do about it? Take me over your knee and spank me, papi?" Her stance widens as her arms cross over her chest. The rest of what 'Dick,' has said gone to the wayside.

"Are you going to tell on me, Dick? Tell your boss?" She inches forward and wraps a hand around the back of his head, pressing herself closer to him. "Some men like that, you know? A feisty woman. Is that what you are? Taking pictures for old men who get their jollies off looking at something they cannot have? Mmm?' She laughed before she shook her head and removed the hand from his head. "You bore me. This bores me. I have business to attend to." Lita steps bakwards, her feet criss-crossing the other as she does this. "Come see when you grow a pair. Or aren't someone's lackey." Lita raises a palm to her lips and blows him a kiss before turning around, another finger going in the air at him.