Time to go home

You sit down to watch TV and nervously surf channels. Normally you'd just settle on HGTV and watch some folks pretend to be excited by some houses. You're pretty sure it's scripted like most reality TV but normally the entertainment is there. Today though you aren't feeling it. You end up pulling Netflix up on your phone and casting it to the room's smart TV. You settle on queueing up an episode of Gotham. The program has always creeped you out with the dark settings and nasty villains but it matches your mood so you settle in to watch it.

A few minutes later your phone beeps, you check and see the cam app blinking. About six months ago you had this weird feeling someone was hanging around in your place when you were out. You ordered a camera from Amazon and hid it in the living room to try and catch them. Your guess was creepy old Jim was pawing around your stuff but what could you do without proof? You'd had a few false alarms recently but if he was breaking in, the camera hadn't caught him. This time it saw someone though.

The video features a big guy in gray overalls in the living room on a step ladder messing with the air vent in the ceiling. You can tell he's speaking and curse yourself for being too cheap to get one with a mic. You'd complained the AC didn't cool the place near as much as it should, during the height of summer the place broke 80 at times regardless of how high you set it. It wasn't Davey the normal handyman you note, why would cheapskate Decard shell out for outside talent? You get an idea and remote desktop into your laptop, for once glad you keep forgetting to turn it off. You turn on the built-in webcam and mic so you can see more of the room and hear what's being said. The handyman speaks.

"OK, everything's set up here," he says as he slides the vent plate back into place.

You don't see any other people in line with the cam but the audio helps.

"Yes, sir. I just have to check the bedroom and bathroom, then I'll be done. Yeah, it's funny. This vent was filthy, between cleaning them out and juicing the compressor it should fix the issue. Yep, another half hour and I'll be ready to go."

You guess he was on his phone. Then you notice him staring over at the laptop.

"I think she left her machine on."

He says as he walks in its direction.

"I'll turn it off just to make sure."

You see him hit a key and kick it out of power-saver mode. You can see his face lit by the screen now.

"Good night little computer. . .," he says as the audio and webcam go out. Then he walks out of view of the other camera toward the bedroom and bathroom.

You frown at the phone as you cut the app off figuring you can review the footage later. You're definitely not thrilled someone was in your place while you were gone but you can't do anything about it until you get home. That'll mean seeing Jim, not a thing you enjoy at all.

You pull up your Eats app and order a chicken wrap from a local place with a diet coke. You're not a huge soda fan but crave it for some reason today. Maybe it's the nerves? Then sit and watch creepy Gotham until the food arrives. Between the show and the camera footage you really feel the need to get back home. Thirty minutes later, your food is here and you nibble at it while thinking about the situation here. You know it'll be nightmare city if you have to stay overnight again. You decide to shower and change into your sweats. Then you pace the room hoping Kuhn calls soon.

The phone finally rings a couple of hours later. You rush to the coffee table and answer offering an earnest greeting. Walker sounds rather surprised since he's used to you being less than eager on the phone.

"Good news, Ma'am. The contract people have OKed your leaving. They spoke with Mrs. Beckett and she agreed not to dispute the early departure. You should have the money by Monday. Any and all gifts are yours to keep so I guess you're getting an early Christmas present."

"Yeah, that all sounds good, Walker. When can I get home?"

"Flights are a slight issue though. The earliest I can book through the airlines is a redeye leaving at midnight, otherwise, you're stuck in Austin overnight. Tomorrow is a good one though, I can book you a flight at 8, 12 or 6. Have a preference, honey?"

You think for a moment before answering.

"Is there any way to get something earlier without blowing my entire profit from this trip? Austin is really creeping me out right now."

"I did check the secondary market. There's a couple of tickets there but they want a tidy premium. The earliest is a 6 pm departure and it stops in Denver so you won't get in until 11 pm. I can book it if you like but they'll pull the difference from your pay."

You exhale feeling a weight leaving your shoulders.

"Please do. I can't explain why but I really feel uneasy here. It's like I know something really bad is going to happen if I stay but I don't know what it is. I'll pay the extra for the peace of mind alone."

"Got it, Simone. I'll text you the deets soon. Relax, I got you covered. Walker out."

You immediately cut the TV off and get to work packing. You won't really feel better until you're on the flight and heading back toward Oregon but you can see a way out now. You pull the two outfits out of the closet and tear the wrapping off. Since they are yours now, you don't feel bad sating your curiosity. The "B" outfit makes you laugh. It's a tight denim jumpsuit with a 'boob window' and a zipper down the back. You check the "B" compartment in the suitcase and see there is just a pair of polished black safety boots in there. Outfit "C" is a swanky looking forest green cocktail dress. You aren't sure where you'd wear one especially with the plunging neckline and a cut designed to show plenty of leg. The "C" compartment has a pair of jade-colored heels and a matching thong with a green clutch. You have no idea what Beckett had planned with either of these and are kind of curious. You shrug it off though because you'll likely never know.

The text arrives a half-hour later confirming your flight at 6. You wince at the additional $300 you'll have to surrender for the privilege. You put your phone away and pile your bags at the door. You'll be home soon enough.

The trip back home is an uneventful one aside from dealing with airport security. Why do they always seem to single you out for patdowns? At any rate, the Uber driver gets you back to your apartment a shade before midnight. He's kind enough to help you carry your things up to your apartment and you meet him back at the car with a decent tip. He drives off and you walk into the building thankful to be home.