This chapter includes Prompt 4 - Peace is made between two feuding people or groups

John checked his watch and decided it was late enough to catch them sleeping. He got out of the car and crossed to the hotel, spotting the desk clerk snoozing behind the counter. A quick jog up the stairs and then a cautious slink down the hall to the room number the clerk gave him earlier.

He listened for a minute at the door, then carefully and expertly picked the lock, and eased the door open. Without waiting, John stepped in and fired several silenced shots into the bed. He hurriedly found the light, and was prepared to find a satisfactory result - instead, he found two pillows with foam bits bursting from the bullet holes.

On the dresser he found a few bills weighted down by a glass, and he swore at having overestimated his judgement of the targets. Back down to the lobby and past the sleeping clerk, John ran for his car, jumping in and immediately using his phone to check transportation service in the area. He knew they didn't have a car, and no taxis arrived, so he concentrated on public transport.

******

Chase steered Paula off the bus and across the busy street to the indoor mall.

"Would you please tell me where we are going?"

"Would you just be quiet for a change?"

"I'm getting pretty tired of you and your attitude, mister, and being dragged around like some--"

"Over here. Sit down and shut up."

Chase did a slow 360 turn, quartering the food court they were in, and watching for red flags. When he sat, she started up again, and he clamped a hand over hers, pinning it to the little table-top.

"I'm reaching the end of my tether with you. Even if your uncle didn't have a reason to knock you off, I'm getting a big one now." He let go of her hand and she massaged her fingers.

"That hurt."

"So will a bullet, Miss Regan. Now, are you hungry?"

The sudden change left her stunned, her head swirling with a confusion of impressions. Who or what was this man? Calm one minute, mad the next? A killer? A saviour? She saw he was waiting, but her mouth wouldn't work, so she just nodded.

"Do not move. I'll be right back." He rose and crossed to the row of food counters, wasting no time with his selections, and moving faster than the other diners, he was back, setting the dishes in front of her.

"There's wings, sausage, fries and coffee." He unrolled some flatware from a serviette and gave her a set. "You can relax, we're okay for a while."

For the first time Paula really looked at him; the serious features, eyes that saw everything it seemed, and the self-confident demeanour. What made a man like this a killer for hire? He showed intelligence, skill, and he wasn't that hard to look at either. Her hand instinctively went to her hair.

"Is it alright?"

"Hmm?"

"The food. Is it okay?"

"Oh . . ." She poked at the fries. "Yes . . . I guess."

"Say so, why don't you. You want something else?"

"No, this is fine. I'm still trying to adjust to all this."

"Well you aren't as feisty as earlier, so I guess it's working."

My goodness, was that a compliment, she wondered. The balance of their eating time passed in silence.

"I need to use the restroom, and I would like to freshen up."

"Down that hallway over there," he pointed.

"Do you trust me to go alone?"

"I can't go in with you. Look, Miss Regan, if you think you will be safer on your own, by all means give it a whirl. I have my own skin to look after now."

She wiped her lips on the serviette and stood from the table. "They do say there's safety in numbers."

"I'll be right here." He watched her wend her way through the tables and over to the washrooms. At any other time, he thought.

******

"Doc? It's John. I need something to work with. Your boy lost me and the trail has gone cold."

"You mean, you lost him. I told you at the start it wouldn't be easy, but this has to get done. Time is running out."

"So, what can you give me?"

"Where did you lose him and where are you now?"

John gave him the information and the public phone number.

"Give me an hour."

******

Paula stood in front of the restroom mirror and gave a soft groan. Her blouse was wrinkled and her skirt had a few as well. The hose she had removed and tossed in the waste can, and now she was fussing with her hair. The impulsive touch of lipstick surprised her, and she expected an admonition from her reflection. Getting none, she did a hasty side and rearview and returned to the food court.

"Feel better," he asked when she sat back down at the table.

"Yes thank you, although a shower and change of clothes would be even nicer."

"You want to shop while we're here. We're going to have to get another hotel. We can't just keep riding buses and sitting in malls."

She gave him a quizzical look. "You are a very strange man, Mr. Chase."

"You didn't answer."

"If I have a choice, then yes. Will you be coming with me?"

"Stores are all public." He got up and pulled back her chair.

Another surprise, she thought, thanking him.

In the women's ware store, Paula scanned the racks of blouses and sweaters, humming and hawing. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Chase fingering a few of the tops, and she walked over to see what he liked.

"You thinking of changing as well?"

He gave her a wry smile and handed her a top off the rack. "You like this?"

Surprisingly, she did, and it was the right size.

Twenty minutes later, Paula had a complete change of clothes, more suitable to the situation and compliments of a couple of Chase's suggestions.

"Can you pay cash?"

"I have my cards."

"No. Cash, or you wear what you have."

"I don't think I'll have enough--"

"Here." He handed her two fifties. "Get them and let's go."

"I don't need all--"

"Will you please just buy the stuff and let's go!"

They took another bus for several blocks and got off, walking away from the main drag and into another small hotel.

"How do you know where these places are?"

"I make it my business. It's going to be a single room again."

It wasn't a question, she noted.

******

John listened to the instructions from Regan. The guy was a genius, he thought. Who knew phones could be tracked even when they were turned off? It wasn't an X marks the spot location, but it was a small enough area for him to pick up his targets again. With another reminder of the time frame, John hung up and began a search with his own phone.

Once again there were a few places that might be considered by Chase to hole up in with the woman. This time there would be no waiting to please the ego. Once he pinned them down, he would strike - night, day, it didn't matter to him. It wouldn't be the first time he did a broad daylight hit.

******

"Well this is a little nicer than the last one." Paula did a circuit of the room, checking the drawers and wiping a finger over the top of the TV.

"Can we sit and talk a minute?" Chase asked.

A first! "Certainly. What's up?" She sat on the end of the queen bed.

"Is there anyone else at Rytex you might have counted on with this delay?"

"Why? I'm not sure. A couple of the people sort of agreed but not flat out."

"How well do you know Sanford Whitthall?"

"Well enough to know he's only interested in money. He's not medically qualified to have any programme input, he's just an investor."

"I wonder if that love of money might prove useful if he thinks he might lose out."

"Why?"

"Because there should be a backup - someone to raise an alarm about the use of the drug."

"Sanford! Anything's possible I suppose. But why?"

"In case we are compromised,

"Compromised? Are you suggesting we might--"

"I have to consider it. I'm good at what I do, but I'm not the best in the world. I don't know who they've sent after us. I caught a glimpse in the dark but not enough to be sure."

She sat forward, folding her hands on her lap. "But how could he find us here?"

"Trust me, there are ways. My aim is to stay out of reach until the three days are up. Hopefully that will spoil their plans."

"Mr. Chase--"

"Just Chase, okay. We're going to be spending the night together, and that formality is going to sound silly when you ask me to turn out the light."

"Are you- do you think we're going to be sharing the bed?"

"Well where do you want to sleep?"

"Pardon? I thought- this is not funny . . . Mr. Chase."

He grinned, walking to the window and checking the street below. "You're too easy, Paula," he said, using her given name purposefully. "There's a roll-out in the closet."

"Ohh." She blushed and fiddled with her hair again.

"Lighten up. Things will be fine. How about a fashion show with the things you bought?"

"You want to see me in them?"

His grin spread, and he waved a hand, clearing his throat, and began again. "Yes."

"Then you find something on the TV, and maybe something to drink, and I'll model the purchases.

"I'm very much looking forward to your presentation, Paula."

His words clung to her mind as she closed the bathroom door. Was he coming on to her? She considered pros and cons as she slipped out of her worn clothes and began to change. A smile gradually grew on her face.