Just doing my Job

One of the intruders began to stir slightly. A moan escaped his lips. He tried to sit up. With minimum pressure, she placed her barefoot on his bruised sternum and forced him back down. She leaned down and whispered something in his ear, something so terrifying that he clutched his heart in shock. His eyes watered in pain and his hands trembled in fear. He blanched as he cowered under her foot. She heard someone clear their throat. There stood the police officer. “He’s bleeding on my floor. I don’t like it when they bleed on my floor. Get him out of here please. I’ve already spoken to him.” In a huff, she turned away and left the room. It was time to allow the police to do their jobs.

Coming down the hallway to a spare bathroom, Jenson stood with his arms firmly crossed over his chest. He had an unsatisfied smirk on his face. “What the hell was that I saw?” She shrugged her shoulders and kept walking. She sensed him trying to stop her and changed her route. He followed anyway. “What the hell did you say to him? Why did it look like you lost your control?” Those words stopped her dead in her tracks. She turned on her heel. She was seething mad. She couldn’t see straight. She reared back to hit her friend and co-worker when he stopped her. “Calm down and listen. They didn’t get him. They didn’t hurt anyone. The team is on it. I’ve got Jameson working through the system to find what went wrong. Take a breath and hold up for a minute.”

“Are you done?” He nodded. “I need to de-escalate. Leave me alone. And for God’s sake, keep the kid occupied. I’d hate it if I hurt him.” She stalked off to a private wing of the villa. Jenson rubbed his closed eyes in frustration. She swore to him that the outbursts of anger were under control. He went back to the kitchen. Niall was holding a cup with steam coming off in waves. “Cuppa?” “Nah man. Beer. But thanks.” “She ok?” “Not really but it’s not my story to tell.” “Can you give me anything? I don’t want to set her off and to be honest, she kind of scares me.” He laughed quietly. “Just give her space. You’re a pretty important client. She puts a pressure on herself that is like nothing else. She doesn’t even hold us to those standards and ours are pretty high.” “But that’s kind of a good thing. Innit?”

“Yes and no. It’s a fine line.” “I think I understand.” “Come on kid, let’s catch the rest of the game.” “What’s on?” “Football. Ours, not yours.” He chuckled and followed the large man. In the den, the large couch was plush and inviting. Jenson pushed a button on the wall and Jameson did the rest of the work. A large screen descended from the ceiling. The lights automatically dimmed slightly. The two men immersed themselves in the game and casual conversation. The police excused themselves from the house a short time later; their investigation being complete for the time being. One of the officers left a card with Jenson and said he’d be in touch. Jenson gave him the contact of their team member who was heading up their own internal investigation.

Leslie sat in the shower. Knees pulled into her chest, still clothed, tears streaming down her face. The temperature was rapidly declining. She didn’t notice. She was trapped in her own little world. The voice of her old commander was replaying over and over in her head. She shook her head and frowned as his last words to her echoed. “I pray you never take a breath without remembering the breaths you’ve taken away.” A strangled scream ripped from her mouth. She faintly heard footsteps running down the hall. “Hey, unlock the door. Are you ok? Leslie speak to me, dammit.” Time seemed to slow down. The door splintered into a million pieces. Two large bodies stormed the small space. She felt rough calloused hands gently grasp her shoulders and shake her. She noticed the water cut off. A warm, fluffy towel wrapped around her shoulders.

The voices speaking were garbled, almost muffled. She was undressed and redressed in some shorts and a shirt. She was led to the bed and laid down. Once the covers were pulled up over her chest, she spoke, “I feel like I can’t move. I’m paralyzed. Cold and scared.” She closed her eyes and darkness enveloped her. The bed moved when a body sat beside her. A cool towel was placed over her forehead. She was adjusted so she could sit up. A tinny voice in her ear was pleading with her to take the medicine offered, that it would offer temporary comfort until she was back to her normal self. Willingly she obliged.

Jenson was worried. More so than normal. “A little of her is gone. I can see it in her eyes. Each time she has one of these spells, it hurts a little more. Kiddo, you have to trust me. She’ll be back to normal tomorrow. I’ve got a contact in the South African region. He’s on his way now. He can help her. It’s not regulated here in the U.S. but I’m desperate. Right now, you and I are stuck together. None of us is leaving this house until she gets back on her A-game. You feel me?” Niall nodded. He looked mortified. The elegant female he escorted to the gala tonight had gone from lady to warrior to a whisp of a person in hours. He was scared. Scared more for if she was going to be ok than his own life. His fear began to mix with his anger at the current situation. As he walked down the hallway to his room, he reared back. Putting his full force behind it, a fist sized hole appeared in the wall. “Jesus man, are you ok? Or are you stupid? You don’t need to hurt yourself. You need to find an outlet. A healthy outlet. Follow me. I’m gonna wear your ass out in the gym. Let’s go.” Jenson barked. The young man allowed his anger to take over and shoved the older man to the side. “Meet you there.”

Notes

Sorry yall. The list of things getting in the way is rather long and October is just a busy month for me. I've one chapter ready for every day of the week though, so that's a good thing.