The Girl with the Knife under her Pillow

The gunmen were getting uneasy and even though they couldn't see him reflecting back to earlier in the week, they could tell his mind was racing with thoughts other than how to help them out.  They had been chasing Edward all over town and were far beyond run out of patience.  What started out as an easy pick up and dispose of turned into a week long marathon of hide and go seek.  If they would have known then that this trash was watching them from outside when the deal first went down they would have done everything in their power to chase him down then.  It had been 5 days since the initial threat for the briefcase and so far all they had gotten was a new person to chase after and more questions.  And no briefcase.  At this point it wasn't even really about the case anymore, it was eliminating these two thorns in their sides solely because they knew information.  The girl was supposed to be it, she turned out to be a lot smarter than first assumed and had eluded them on every turn.  The last known bit of information they had on the briefcase was a sighting of it near an apartment complex near San Marco, this turned out to be true but by the time the pack of them arrived to collect their property it had disappeared once again.  A minor slip up had finally given them a break and they were able to track down a paper trail leading straight to the office of Edward himself and lucky for them he happened to be there when they arrived.  It was ending tonight whether he liked it or not.
"You got ten seconds Edward and we're blowing your brains all over your blinds.  This briefcase business has run its course, now where is she hiding?"
If they kill me then they won't have any information, then again, they probably still will and continue the search anyways.  The only thing I can do is talk my way out of this, they aren't the smartest group so it's at least a shot.
"I tell you and you'll kill me anyways so where's the fun in that?  Besides, maybe I'm on to the trail of where the briefcase is..."
"None of this bluffing crap Edward, I've had about enough of chasing you around this damn city.  So unless that briefcase is under your ass right now, I don't want to hear it."
"You don't redecorate my walls with my insides and I can lead you straight to the case, then me and the girl skip town and nobody hears nothing for the rest of our lives."
"It ain't all about the case anymore genius, now it's personal.  We been at this for days and you've caused enough headaches for me to be addicted to aspirin.  The case is irrelevant."
"See, I would think that would make your boss plenty happen.  Especially if he knew that the contents of the case have tripled in value."
He paused for a moment and his eyes shot a glance at his cohorts then back to me very quickly.
"What do you mean tripled."
"I have leads of my own and been following the case myself.  Information that I've gotten so far is that the case is in the hands of someone who is quite fond of gambling and has since tripled the loot in said case."
The gunmen to the left visibly showed too much excitement "That'd make the boss happier than he's ever been man."
I could tell my line was out to sea and the fish were nibbling.  Just had to keep it casted out just long enough to convince them, then get out of here to make sure Meg was safe.  She was number one priority.  Ugly leaned off my desk and started to walk a little towards the door, his back facing me.  "Three million huh.  That's some high job security.  How do I know you aren't bluffing just to get out of here Eddie?"
"You're going to kill me either way, so what's the point in lieing.  It would just be delaying the inevitable.  Three million and I know how to get my hands on it."
He didn't turn around.  "What's the catch?"
"No catch really, I get you the case, you let us go with the wind."
"The girl huh?  This Meg you're so crazy about."
"Three million."
"We don't have anymore time, god knows if we leave you to go get it you'll skip town anyways and then it'll be back to chasing you around."
"Then I give you the same deal you gave her.  One day."
"You can get pretty far in a day."
"You found me though, didn't you."
Still not turned around, you could tell the gears were turning in his head.  His other two sidekicks had their focus on him and weren't looking in my direction anymore.  Bingo.
With the quickest reflexes I've ever been able to muster up inside myself, I lunged to the right and threw my arm around the wrist of the one gunman and used it to shoot the one on the left.  The shock in both of their faces was priceless and before he could even register what had happened, I forced the gun around on him and shot him as well leaving just me and the talkative jerk in the room. The gun was warm in my hands and its aim was trained on the lone man.  He had turned around shocked at the commotion and a look of fear and surprise was on his face.
"One day and I'll get you the briefcase, but you leave us be after that."
"You got spunk Eddie, you'd be great in the gang.  Shame you had to off my compatriots, they were good men."  He paused for a moment.  "She really worth all that?"
"More than you could ever afford or steal."
There was a small huff of respect that came out of his mouth.  His face relaxed and there was almost a sign of mutual compassion.
"All right Eddie, you got one day.  Then I'm coming for you.  Do not let us down because I won't waste a second next time."
He left the room and shut the door.  The only noise was the fan above and a slight rumble of thunder in the distance.  It worked, I had bought time.  Gotta dispose of the bodies and then get to Meg, I hope she was alright.

He hadn't made any contact all night, this wasn't like him, maybe something happened.  Her thoughts were full of concern while she took the chance to shower to rid herself of the grime of the outside world.  They had managed to retrieve some information on the case miraculously but she was still worried out of her mind.  It was a long week but during that time she had fallen for her savior, he not only had kept her alive and mostly out of harms way but he had real compassion for her.  Something you don't see very often anymore.  Plus, what detective not only saves your life, helps you find a lost case, and fills your apartment with flowers.  She dried off her body and stood naked in the mirror.  There were small bruises on her arms from a fall they had taken while evading the gang members that managed to track them down.  She quickly dressed as even though she enjoyed the feeling of nudity, it would be the worst to be attacked by those gang members now clad in nothing but her birthday suit.  Once dressed she walked over to the flowers and laid on her bed and re-read the note again.  She had his business card, should she go there?  It was close but not close enough.  She was exhausted, running around across town and the outskirts was taking a serious toll on her and she had barely slept all week.  Maybe she would be able to nap now, I mean, if he thought she was safe enough here to have it filled with flowers then what's the harm?  Once she decided, she checked the locks on the door and brought a knife with her into her bedroom where she placed it under her pillow and got under the sheets.  The moon lit her room up as a sort of nightlight that she appreciated and it wasn't long before she was out cold.

Her skin was cold with goosebumps all over.  The blankets around her slowly were pulled off and she laid on the mattress with arms and legs open.  Air was breathing over her body making he hair stand on end.  She rolled to her side and grabbed for a sheet that was not there.  Pressure felt her legs up and down, pressing on her so that she rolled back onto her back again.  Tugs brought her pants off delicately while she felt her shirt lifted to above her breasts.  Something or someone was moving about her body.  The pressure moved around her chest, her nipples being slightly squeezed.  The feeling made her move about and make small noises to try and wake herself.  Her legs were spread apart and something was caressing her crotch.  Wake up.  Wake up before something bad happens to you.  Her sleep remained deep and someone entered her.  Gentle at first and then gradually faster to a steady pounding sensation.  She was on the brink of an orgasm when she woke up, jumping awake and sitting up in bed throwing the sheets off of herself.  She was covered in sweat and looked around the room searching around.  Checking her body revealed that she was fully clothed, the knife still under the pillow.  A dream.  What the hell kind of dream was that?  The clock revealed that she had only been out a few hours.  The moon hung in the air and rain drops were scattered here and there on the glass.  Does it ever stop raining here.  She pulled her shirt tighter and curled back up under the sheets.  The room was quiet as death and this unnerved her a little.  Sleep was supposed to be the safest place.  Being alone here was proving to be more scary than it was running around out in the city while people shot at you.  Her breathing calmed down and she felt calm again.  Just as her eyes began to close there was a knock at her door.  Her body tensed to full panic mode and she grabbed for the knife.  She didn't say a word and quietly sneaked over to the door and looked through the peephole.  It was him.  Elation and happiness flowed through her body and she opened the door.  He was wet from the rain and looked like the way over there was rough.  He looked her deep in her eyes for a moment before they dove into each other's arms.
"I missed you"
"Being without you is a tortuous nightmare that I can't wait to wake from."
She didn't care about formalities anymore and kissed him.  He kissed her back with such passion that she forgot about every single danger around them.  The door was kicked shut and locked back up.
"Come on, let's get you out of those wet clothes."
"Though you'd never ask."
She smiled and was glad it was dark so he couldn't see her blush.  "We need to get some rest, it's been one hell of a week."
"Yeah well it's not over yet."
"Don't have to remind me."
He began taking off the wet articles of clothing and she walked back towards her bedroom.  "I'll be in bed when you're ready."
She smiled and winked and went into the room.  Once he was rid of all the soaked clothing, he took a glance around her place and then followed the hall down to her room.  Stepping inside he saw her under the covers looking as comfortable as possible.  Her clothes were on the ground next to the bed.  He met her eyes in the moonlight.  "oh"
Removing the rest of his, he slinked under the sheets with her and their lips met once again.  Their love growing in the twilight, never could he have asked for a better woman.  One he would literally travel to the ends of the Earth for.  Meg constantly surprised him with every chase, every repore, and everything they were thrown into that week.  If this truly will be his last days on Earth, then an angel was there for his final days and he couldn't have been happier.  She climbed on top of him and they continued to kiss, love filling the air.  The mafia was off their tail for the night and it was well deserved.  The search would begin back up in the morning but tonight was his. His and the girl with the knife under her pillow.

TO BE CONTINUED