The real chapter

Any thoughts about this morning promptly vanished once you saw the imposing building listed as Premier Consultations Inc.

*Cue Doofenschmirtz Evil Inc jingle*

“Well shit mom did say Eva was the best at whatever she does.”

Craning your neck you were barely able to see the top of the skyscraper.

“And clearly that whatever pays very well.”

---

“Excuse me.”

On your left, you saw a stunning brunette approach.

Don’t say it! Don’t you say it!

On your left.

Come on!

“I couldn’t help but you notice you checking out the Premier Consultations building.”

Removing her Gucci sunglasses and revealing her milk chocolate eyes she gave you a demure smile.

“Um, yeah. I have an appointment there.”

Face to face with the woman, all you could think about was kissing her.

Watching her modest smile turn to a precious pout.

Those Hershey-colored eyes clenching shut

Every insignificant laugh line creasing as

Her little button nose wrinkles feeling your lips on hers.

Button nose wrinkles…yes please.

---

“You wouldn’t happen to be meeting with Miss Black would you?”

Why? Why? Would she have to go and break your heart by bringing that witch up?

“Um, yeah actually.”

A look of urgency washed over her pretty face.

“Would you mind if I spoke to you for a minute.”

Haha, you ain’t saying no to this woman.

“Sure.”

“Great follow me.”

The woman took hold of your hand and pulled you with her.

Behind her, you struggled to focus. **** to split your attention between the sensation of her warm hand gripping yours and the sight of her pert behind in those grey jeans.

Quarter, bounce

---

Guiding you to a bench about a block from Eva’s building you both sat down.

“I should be honest with you. I was outside that building waiting for you.”

Well, this’ll bad.

“She was right. You are quite handsome.”

Okay, maybe not entirely terrible.

“My name is Kathrin Summers. I used to work with Eva.”

Scratch that.

Wait

Used to?

“Wait, used to?”

Hey that’s what I said.

“Yes, we parted ways after a particularly nasty disagreement.”

Shit.

Suddenly unsure if you should you even be speaking to this woman you stood up.

“Listen Kathrin, I’m sorry but I should go.”

---

“Wait Joseph! You have doubts about her don’t you?”

You stopped mid-step.

You didn’t know if you should turn around or keep walking.

Pfft, don’t look at me I don’t know either man.

She was the first person outside your parents who seemed to know Eva.

If she really did used to work for her, maybe she could help.

Sighing stuck between a rock and hard place you turned.

“You have one minute.”

Kathrin moved her handbag into her lap. Opening it, she stared inside the black void for a moment. Clearly thinking. Then reached in and handed you a red folder.

“Please take a look.”

Thumbing through the folder, you saw ransom notes, **** letters, **** photos, transcripts with numerous politicians from here to Manilla. In other words, a bunch of really bad shit.

Brie’s words played back in your head.

“She “connects” individuals with people who can help them with problems. Be it politicians looking for rich donors, a wealthy movie star seeking a lawyer to escape a failed marriage, foreign investors on the hunt for a realtor to help them find properties in a new country. She does all of it and she’s one of the best.”

Clearly her client’s problems extended much further than a nasty divorce.

“You said you used to work with her. Was this you?”

You questioned gesturing to the red folder.

Kathrin’s eyes betrayed nothing.

---

“No, she always kept me far removed from that.”

“If what’s in this folder is true, I think you’d be better off talking to Jason Bourne or Michael Westen. I mean I’m just a fuckin’ college freshman not spec ops”

Kathrin’s hands nervously moved from her handbag to your thigh.

“I don’t think you fully understand yet. But please believe me when I say you’re the only person in the world who can take her down. What you are makes you perfect for this.”

“What I am?”

Kathrin’s hands twitched briefly. A bit of over-sharing perhaps?

Biting her lip she answered.

“I can’t say much, if I do it risks putting both of us in danger. Let Eva explain the details to you. You’ll understand then.”

“You knew my name, where I’d be, knew who Eva is, so I have to assume you know about the banquet since that’s the only interaction I’ve had with her in years!”

“Yes”

“Then explain.”

“I can’t”

“Fine, I’m sure Eva will have lots to tell me about Kathrin Summers.”

Kathrin tensed, her eyes stared at the handbag. The open palms on your thigh clenched into fists.

Guess you had an effect.

“So the banquet?”

“She awakened you.”

“Awakened?”

Kathrin shook her head.

Fine.

“So the hot flashes, pain, passing out? I’m assuming it wasn’t just my time of the month.”

Her hands eased.

“Side effects.”

“Side effects? So I’m assuming it worked.”

You thought of the extended side effect chilling in your jeans.

“So what would have happened if it failed?”

You thought of Brie.

---

“I genuinely can’t say anymore. Listen to what she has to say and if after you want to help”

Reaching again into her bag, she removed a pen and scribbled onto your hand.

“Call me.”

Standing up she dropped the pen into her purse and gave you one final once-over.

“Kathrin, you know I don’t trust any of this right?”

“I can’t say I’m surprised, you seem smarter than he was.”

In her palm, a sterling silver wallet frame. Kathrin popped it open and you caught a brief glimpse of a younger Kathrin, Eva and an unknown man before she slammed it closed.

“Oh and by the way if it failed, you’d have died.”