She comes on like a Saint, but that’s exactly what she ain’t. Not a damsel in distress, she’s the devil in a dress.

“Ya know, Little Bit, that sounds mighty interesting. I might just take ya up on it. Now as fun as it’s been to sit with you for a spell, this old mutt needs some sleep. Gimmie a hug and get yer tight ass out of here.”

With a smile, Anwyn embraced the beast tightly, then pulled away and started packing up the picnic basket, leaving Leon to focus his attention on me.

“Son, you already done proved to me that you’re tougher than River was. You take good care of my little girl.”

Wait, what?

He must have seen the confusion in my face. “I did everything I could to make you jealous. When I did that with River, they tried to punch me in the muzzle. I could see what you were feeling but you controlled it. Keepin’ yer emotions in check will save yer life. And it might save Little Bit’s as well. Could even protect you from Missus H.”

His words stayed with me long after we parted ways. From the way Anwyn had talked about them, River had been her lover as well as partner. She had been painfully sparing on the details, however, and I still knew next to nothing about my predecessor at the Agency. Leon’s statement implied that they had been brash and prone to allowing their emotions get the better of them, and furthermore that those emotions had lead to their demise. Food for thought.

Anwyn and I parted ways at the parking area, having come in separate vehicles, but on doing so she surprised me with an unprecedented kiss on the lips, so quick and fleeting that I didn’t have time to properly react. So I went back to my little efficiency apartment and curled up in bed around one AM. Still I found sleep elusive as I had only found another burning question amongst Leon’s revelations.

Who, exactly, was ‘Missus H’?

She read through the latest report, a pinched grin on her smooth unlined face, a grin that didn’t reach her cold blue eyes. She brushed a strand of poker-straight coal black hair behind on alabaster ear before sending off an email.

”I think it’s time for an inspection.”

(Title: “What Baby Wants” by Alice Cooper)