Chapter 1 - Kolya #2
I waited until her lights went off and then another thirty minutes to be sure she was sleeping before I got out. The street was dark and quiet. It appeared that most of her neighbors were also sleeping, which was a good thing.
Walking to the corner and back, I studied the houses and the street. I needed to know the layout and any possible dangers lurking. Getting back to my car, I headed up the street and scanned that side as well. On returning to my car, I walked over to her house.
Carefully, I moved around the small house, ensuring I hadn’t been heard or seen. It was a simple layout. There was a kitchen with an open-plan lounge in the front. One bedroom and bathroom to the back.
I couldn’t see any cameras or even a security system. This was good as I could enter undetected.
Moving back to my car, I could now start planning. Morning came, and the day was more of the same. Sitting in front of the office building, I decided the best would be to follow her another day or two and then grab her from home. She seemed to live a very plain, simple life, playing into my favor.
The end of her workday came, but Sophia didn’t come out. By six, I started worrying. Her car was still in the lot, but there was no sight of her. Most of her employees had left, of that, I was sure. Was she working late? Maybe, I told myself, maybe. But this was out of the routine.
Yet, her schedule seemed so predictable, but this wasn’t. As seven started approaching, I wondered if she had left with someone. Did I miss her? Was she already home or at someone else's?
“Arg!” I huffed. “This is bullshit,” I said as I banged the steering wheel. I was about to start my SUV and race over to her home when the office doors opened. Leaving the building was Sophia, but she wasn’t alone. She was accompanied by a young man with thick glasses in overly large frames.
They stood by the entrance, speaking and laughing.
I couldn’t make out what they were saying, but she seemed taken by him.
They walked to the lot and then got into his car.
I followed them as they went to her house.
Were they a couple, I wondered as they entered her house.
Would he miss her if she suddenly disappeared?
Sitting in my car, I steamed over what could be happening.
He wasn’t even attractive. He was a skinny nerd with red curly hair and awful glasses.
How could a woman of her stature be into a guy like him?
Shaking my head, I tried clearing the invading visions of them together.
What did it matter who she was seeing? I just needed her to sort out these shitty lawsuits.
The evening felt like a week. Time appeared to have stopped a couple of times. I was restless and didn’t feel relaxed by the time morning came. I followed them back to the office and watched as he dropped her off and left.
She didn’t make her usual stop for coffee and a muffin either. But she did grab a coffee from the little café. Adjusting my seat, I thought I would get a bit of rest as the day may be long.
But before I fell asleep, I saw her coming back out. She was carrying a stack of papers, which she handed to a courier who had just arrived. He, in turn, gave her a box, which she took back inside. There were a lot more people coming and going, and she, too, seemed to be in and out all day.
I watched boxes, files, and papers exchange hands. By lunch, my mind was reeling. What if some of these were documents related to me, my dealings, and the organizations I'm involved with? Even though I was sure it wasn’t, as there was a lot of information, some of it could be.
Five-thirty arrived, and like most days, Sophia came out on time. However, today she was carrying some boxes. She loaded them into her car and headed out. I followed her to another law firm, where she dropped some of the boxes, and then to the police station. Here she also dropped a box.
I was confident that the information couldn’t be on me.
She needed more time. She couldn’t have gathered so much in the three months I was gone.
Yet, if any of the information was about me, my contact would let me know.
By the time we got to her house, my anger was raging.
I wanted to grab her and get it over with.
But I knew grabbing her in such a state would be atrocious.
Sitting back, I just watched as she watered the plants and then moved from the kitchen to the living area.
She had not pulled the curtains, and with all the lights on, she was clearly visible.
She picked something up. A remote, I assumed, as she started swaying her hips and dancing. Evidently, she was listening to music.
Staring at her, I felt the ends of my mouth curling up.
It was a while before she closed the curtains.
Looking up at myself in the mirror, at the smile on my lips, I felt agitated.
Frowning, I lightly slapped my cheek as I scolded under my breath.
“What the hell's wrong with you? She’s the target, you shouldn’t be smiling! ”
Leaning back in my seat, I closed my eyes.
Opening after what felt like seconds, I noticed the sun had already started the day.
The days went by as the first and second, with no new twists or turns.
Day six followed the same pattern except that she came off earlier.
She spent her afternoon in the park reading a book.
Every now and then, she looked up, gazing at the trees, the people, and her surroundings with a gentle smile. She seemed fascinated by it all. Then I remembered seeing the paintings in her home. Most of them were nature scenes.
Her passionate nature was fascinating. I felt there were more layers to her than met the eye.
I knew that when I took her, I had to leave a message or send one from her phone.
This would prevent anyone from coming to look for her.
I also had to confirm if she knew what I looked like.
So, as she stopped on her way home to grab a coffee, I also entered the shop.
She ordered tea, to my surprise. I waited for her to turn before lightly bumping into her. She glanced up only briefly. “Sorry,” she mumbled as she moved around me and left. It was slightly strange that she didn’t recognize me. But maybe she hasn’t delved as far into my business as I had thought.
I didn’t buy anything as I wanted to be there when she got home.
As she pulled in, I parked my car behind hers.
She glanced my way as I jumped out and walked closer.
“Sorry, miss,” I said before she could open her mouth.
“I was wondering if you could assist me. I seem to have gotten myself lost.” I kept my tone calm and friendly.
She turned to face me as she locked her car. “Sure thing, what address are you looking for?”
“Well, this is Main Street, right?” I asked, glancing at the paper I held in my hand.
“Yes,” she replied, shaking her head.
Brushing my hair back with one hand, I replied quickly. “I’m looking for Fourth Street.”
She moved closer and came to stand next to me. She pointed down the road as she spoke. “You see that green wall down the block. Turn left there and then two blocks up, you will find Fourth Street.”
This was it, my car door was open. The car was still running. All I had to do was grab her, push her in, and drive off. Before I could, I noticed a shadow coming from behind us. Looking back, I saw an elderly man approaching.
“Sophia,” he heaved as he stopped behind us.
Taking a deep breath, I knew it was time to leave. “Thank you,” I mumbled as I got in and drove off. I watched them chatting in my rearview mirror. I felt like I was about to explode. Why did the old fossil have to come over now? Why did he have to interfere with my plans?
I’ll have to think of plan B, as I felt sure she wasn’t going anywhere tomorrow. It would have to be Monday morning before work. Her innocence was all an act. I knew the truth. She wouldn’t fool me that easily.
I waited outside her house from around two, in case anything changed in her routine. I was glad I did, as she left earlier than usual. As I followed her, I tried to decide between sneaking up and drugging her or just grabbing her.
As she stopped, I pulled up close but not too close. She opened the back door of her car as I got out. I knew killing her wouldn’t solve anything. I wanted to set an example, disrupt their plans, whatever they may be.
My plan wasn’t foolproof, and I would have to decide on the fly what to do with her. But I always managed, and this time was no different.