Chapter Three: Elijah

Elijah

3 months ago

The strong smell of tobacco mixed with freshly waxed leather irritates my keen sense of smell. I slouch back against the deep red leather arm chair, my ankle resting on the top of my knee.

"It has been four months, yet Still no leads?"

Howard piercing blue eyes stare back at me from beneath his heavy brow.

"Its as though the moment she left the stage she vanished into thin air," he sits back, lighting his cigar and taking a deep inhale. His long fingers, decorated in gold rings tap one by one across the arm of his leather throne.

"I have one other lead to follow. However it means I'll be MIA while I'm tracking it."

"How long?"

I strum my fingers on my knee.

"If the lead is a dead end, I'll be back within a month. If it leads me somewhere…" I lift my hand to my face, tapping a thoughtful finger on my chin.

"Five months Max."

"Five months?" he exclaims, almost jumping out his chair. "No. That's not good enough. Questions are already being raised. Fans are growing restless."

"Then announce she's taking a year to fully recuperate. I'm sure a smart man like you can come up with some kind of a cover story," my lips curl up into a smirk as his face reddens with anger.

Howard Sullivan Mcmannon. One of the biggest names in the music business. A pioneer of our time some might say. He's put out many successful artists, but none have been as big as his beautiful, angelic wife. The wife that hightailed it without so much of a clue as to where she's disappeared to. Howard is gentleman to the public eye, and an absolute brute behind closed doors. I'm not surprised she ran. The guy has a record number of people he's paid to keep their mouths shut about his malpractice, including the woman he sacked after finding out his wife of twelve years fled his control without her knowing. His devilish looks certainly hide his disgusting personality, that's for sure. He runs his hand through his mousy blonde hair before nodding.

"Fine. But you find her in four if your hunt is fruitful. If she isn't returned by then, you don't see a cent of the money we agreed on."

"Thats fair," I push myself out the chair. It moans as the leather relaxes back into its unstretched pillowed form.

"Elijah," he calls out, stubbing out his barely smoked cigar into the ashtray on his stupidly ginormous desk.

"You remember our deal don't you?"

I wave my hand over my shoulder.

"Do what I must, just don't defile your precious gold mine."

The door shuts slowly behind me.

"Shes not my type anyway," I mutter under my breath. The pretty blonde receptionist gives me a seductive smile as I pull out the packet of cigarettes from my pocket.

"Finished already?"

"You could say that," I slip the small white stick behind my ear and start walking. She plays with her hair, biting her lip.

"Elijah, are you free tonight?" she calls out, stopping me in my tracks as I try to move past her without getting into conversation. Before I left on the last lead I was tracking, I took the beautiful Penelope to my bed thinking she was the type of woman to fuck and then act as though nothing happened. Exactly how I like my women. Turns out she is the complete opposite and has been trying to get me to take her out for a month now.

"No." I answer a little colder than I planned. "Im flying out tonight."

"When will you be back?" her Hazel eyes seem to flicker as though she might die if I answered never. A straight mind your fucking business would probably result in my money being cut for making the boss's Secretary cry.

"Who knows. Take care of yourself, Penny."

He Botox lips clamp shut. Good.

Maciek was outside waiting for me when I emerged back onto the street. He inhales the entirety of his cigarette in one before dropping the end to the floor and digging the ball of his shiny black shoe into it.

"What did he say?" he adjusts his glasses that have slipped down the bridge of his crooked nose.

"Four months to find her."

"You think it'll take that long?" he tugs at the handle of the black Mercedes and holds the door open for me while I puff the last of my smoke.

"I only need four. But it's best to cover my back incase she doesn't come so willingly."

He frowns.

"You think she'll be hard to persuade?"

"A woman who somehow managed to disappear without getting caught on servalliance? I think she's a smart woman who won't just let anyone get close."

I slip into the back, flicking the butt of my cigarette out the door and onto the pavement.

"Where to then boss?"

"August. Something tells me our little bird is in hiding in August with her PA."

Present Day

Large, round green eyes stare back at me.

"Felix," I answer flatly. Those beautiful eyes light up as she repeats my fake name back to me.

"It is a pleasure to have your patronage." she responds bashfully. I turn my attention back to my laptop, pleased that after two months of observing Colette Mcmannon at such a close range without her so much as being suspicious has lead to this moment. She fidgets awkwardly on the spot before turning tail and seeking refuge at the worn counter with who I deducted to be the mastermind behind her escape. I'm still surprised Howard didn't have someone follow Alison Sinclare after firing her. He would have his wife back in his grasp by now if he had. Two months of sitting in this rundown yet charming cafe seem to finally be paying. Now she's approached me, it should be plain sailing to bring her back to New York. I wolf down my sandwich and gulp the contents of the mug she had placed on the table before gathering my things and approaching the till where she stands. Listening to their conversation as I slowly approach, I catch their plans to hit Jodies bar on Saturday. Perfect. She's making it so easy and she doesn't even know it.

"I need to settle my bill."

She jumps a little when I speak, spinning round on the spot. Alison makes herself scarce, giving her friend a not so subtle wink. Good, she isn't suspicious of me either.

"Sure, one moment and ill ring you up."

You wouldn't think that the heavy set woman stood before me is the same that had men pining over her and sold out stadiums with her powerful voice. Maybe it's because of the pink hair and green contacts that she thinks hides her identy, or the fact she was no longer stick thin. She was a lot more curvaceous now. Her dress clinges to every curve and roll of her body. The black strappy material leaves little imagination with the size of her breasts barely being contained behind the thin fabric. Mind out the gutter, Elijah. She's off-limits.

"Thats twelve dollars and thirty cents."

I pull out my wallet, dropping a twenty on the counter top.

"Keep the change."

That radiant smile appears on her face once again. Even with make up on, her freckles are still visible.

"Thank you, Felix."

There's something about the way my false name rolls off her tongue that stirs me a little. I wait a moment. Now is my time to strike.

"You didn't introduce yourself earlier."

Her head tilts slightly, loose strands of pink hair curl on the top of her shoulder while the rest sits messily in a high ponytail.

"I thought every regular knew my name."

"I want to hear it from you," I respond. Her cheeks turn rosy. Yep, that foundation does nothing for her.

"Lettie."

"Just Lettie?" I push. "Thats not short for anything?"

She thinks for a moment, her brain ticking.

"Nope. Just Lettie."

"Well then just Lettie. Thank you for the meal."

She beams again, her cheeks making her eyes close slightly from the chubbiness of them.

"You are more than welcome."

I get it. Even if she doesn't look how she didn't four months ago, there's a stunning radiance to her matched with a surprising sexiness.

I take my leave and walk the two blocks back to the apartment Maciek and I are renting. Laughter comes from the kitchen, followed by a female moaning. Of course he still hasn't got rid of the woman he picked up last night. It's almost 4pm and they're still fooling around. I toss my key into the bowl by the door, hoping the amount of noise I'm making disrupts whatever it is they are up to. Please don't be fucking in our cooking and eating area.

"Felix," a petit brunette with a sharp Bob pops her head around the corner wearing a black tee that completely swamps her body. Of course its the mayor's daughter. It's the same woman who just three weeks prior was giving me a lap dance, while her friends egged her on from the sidelines. Maciek and I seemed to have become popular with the socialites of August. An annoyance and hindrance. I would have preferred not to have any attention on us. She licks some red substance from her finger in a way that I may have found sexy if I hadn't had to have listened to her excessive screaming all night.

"Your brother and I were just making some pancakes."

"Its four in the afternoon," I answer with next to no interest as I drop the laptop back down on the couch before changing my mind when I spot pink Lacey panties stuffed between the pillows beside it. I know we're double-agenting out here but Jesus Christ. Keep it in your room, Maciek.

"I'm going to shower then I'm heading out."

I listen to the heavy steps approaching me from behind.

"Out out?" Maciek's voice is low.

"Out." I respond, unable to look him in the eye as he steps towards me wearing an apron and nothing more.

"What time? I'll finish up here and come with you."

"I can go on my own. I'm just going to check something out."

I make my way into my room, listening to the whispers of Maciek and his new toy. No surface in this apartment is safe now, I know that.