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Moriarty drummed his fingers on the table top. He glanced at his watch, knowing that there were still about thirty seconds before the meeting was scheduled to begin.
The small click of a heel sounded on the tile behind him, approaching.
The woman who sat across from him was well dressed, in a pressed suit. Her hair was pulled back into a bun; her eyes hidden by dark sunglasses. Her mouth was pressed into a thin line.
“I’m sorry,” Moriarty said. “I believe you have the wrong table.”
“I don’t.” A clipped tone, yet still feminine.
Moriarty was king of keeping composure; he was confused but his face didn’t show it.
You, however, were used to this. Twas the way of society. You pulled off your sunglasses, laying them on the table. Your eyes were cold, calculating. You stared, unflinching, at Moriarty. “So, what business do you think my men can help you with?”
“A large shipment needs to be moved. Discreetly, of course.”
“Discreet is their business. What is the shipment in question?”
Moriarty shook his head. “That’s out of the question.”
You inhaled sharply through your nose. You picked up your sunglasses and stood in a fluid motion. “Very well. Good luck to you.”
Moriarty listened as you clicked your way out of the café. He’d never been turned down before (the one or two people who had tried had been… persuaded to say yes). But instead of feeling hurt, he simply felt that this was another challenge.
He lifted his teacup, hiding the smirk on his face. You certainly lived up to the rumors he’d heard about you—harsh, commanding, self-assured. You had a cold beauty about you, one that drew the eye but warned about getting too close.
Moriarty knew he’d be seeing you again soon.
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A few nights later, you stood by the river, looking out over the water. The air was cool, the wind carrying a sense of foreboding. You heard the crunch of footsteps behind you but continued to face forward.
“Did you doubt that I would show up?”
Moriarty stepped beside you, looking out at the horizon. “Dangerous, isn’t it, standing out here by yourself, so late at night? A lovely lady like yourself is surely a target for the less desirables.”
“My eyes are open and always watching.”
The two of you stood in silence for a few moments, the air filled with the gentle lapping of the river and the feeling of eyes all over you, your henchmen hiding in the shadows.
“Do not waste my time, Mr. Moriarty,” you finally said. “And do not mistake this meeting for generosity. If you want to do business, let’s do business.”
Moriarty sniffed. “Does ‘business’ still mean you being incredibly nosy?”
You turned and began to walk back up the bank.
Moriarty looked over his shoulder at you. “That’s where the shipment is. Gather your men and meet there at three a.m. Twelfth brick down, third over. A key will be hidden.” He paused. “The shipment needs to be gone by four.”
You were quiet for a moment. “You will receive confirmation when the job is complete.”
“That won’t be necessary. I’ll be watching the entire time.”
You nodded. Of course, he would have hacked into the security cameras. Was it in order to keep his shipment safe or to keep an eye on you, see if you lived up to the rumors? “Then I expect payment to be transferred the moment the shipment is out of the warehouse.”
“No need. The money has already been transferred.”
You turned, staring at the strange man. “Why?”
“Your work speaks for itself. I know you will get the job done.” Moriarty turned and started up towards you. “Do not disappoint,” he whispered as he passed you.
A slight shiver ran down your spine—if it was from the wind or the weight of this mastermind’s words, you weren’t sure.
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