Reina Molestador wrapped her coat around herself tightly. It was a chilly Seacouver afternoon, and she was feeling restless. Ordinarily she would have gone to the dojo, but ever since her trip to Los Angeles, things were a bit strained. Reina was still more than a little annoyed at Duncan for meddling and now she felt as though she had to convince him that she hadn't gone off the deep end every time she was around him. On occasion, it would end in an argument. Arguing with Duncan was difficult, especially when he went into his older and wiser routine. How do you argue with someone who had centuries of experience to fall back on? Every time she tried to make her point he'd come up with some example from two hundred years ago. It was infuriating. Then there was the other problem. Ever since Amanda gave her that book, The Blade of the MacLeods, she found herself snickering at Duncan when she wasn't arguing with him. Which only made her seem crazier than she figured Duncan already thought she was. Especially since Reina refused to tell him why. Amanda had told her that Duncan hated the book and there was no way she was going to tell him that she had been reading it. Besides she was enjoying keeping her secret. It's not often she knows something he doesn't and the slight power trip was exhilarating to say the least.
Reina sighed wistfully as she thought about the older immortal. She missed her. It was nice having another woman around. Plus, Amanda had a way of making MacLeod squirm. Reina loved seeing that. It made up for all the times when she herself was in the hot seat and MacLeod used his age as though it were a trump card.
Reina smiled as she pictured Richie flying off the road and MacLeod being blown up by Cory Raines' bomb. She had been out of town and had missed most of the excitement. She had returned just in time to say goodbye to Amanda who had given her the Reader's Digest version of events on her way out to the airport.
Reina shook her head as though she were clearing the memories away. S he looked in a store window. Nothing "spoke" to her. Maybe you should get a job. She made a face at her reflection. You have enough money to live more than comfortably off the interest for several lifetimes. Why the hell would you want to subject yourself to the indignities of dealing with an idiot boss?
Reina checked out the computer ads in the circular. A movement across the street caught her attention. A young man a few years older than she was stood on the other side of the street. He quickly busied himself with a newspaper. Suddenly, Reina realized she recognized this guy. She pretended to read the circular as she tried to remember where she had seen him. The man across the street continued to rustle his newspaper. Reina surreptitiously watched the man for several minutes before she folded up her circular and briskly walked ahead. As the distance between them increased the man tucked his paper away and continued walking.
Like a lightning flash the realization hit her. She remembered where she could have caught a glimpse of him. She'd seen him everywhere. At Joe's, in Los Angeles, and in Brooklyn. Possibly Barcelona.
Why is he following me? Reina abruptly turned a corner and waited for her shadow to appear.
Peter Michael Thomas scowled as his subject rounded a corner. He preferred to think of the girl he was following as the subject rather than by name. It kept him from becoming too attached.
Girl? He said to himself. She's only a couple of years younger than you are.
Peter was somewhat resentful of the young immortal he was watching. This was not exactly how he pictured his life. Who could have possibly pictured this, being who could potentially live forever but must fight to the death to do so? And you with the dubious distinction of having to watch these beings. Peter was somewhat bookish but once he took his glasses off he had to admit he had his fair share of luck with the ladies. However, he hadn't gotten laid once since he started watching this one. She never remained in one place long enough to develop a relationship with anyone. That and the fact that she stayed at the clubs too late for him to pick up anyone for a one night stand.
Maybe you should have gone into research instead.
"Who are you and why are you following me?" A feminine voice demanded interrupting his reverie.
Peter pulled himself out of his thoughts at the sound of the angry voice. He looked up to find himself face to face with the woman about whom he was just thinking.
"Well?" She demanded.
"I wasn't following you."
"Oh really?" Reina said sarcastically. "Then there are quite a few people with your face. Either you are part of a set of identical quadruplets or something or you're following me. I'm placing odds on the latter."
"I was not following you."
"Bullshit!"
"Let me go or I'll call the cops."
"Go ahead. Call the cops. I believe stalking is against the law as well."
Peter pushed Reina away and ran down the street heading for his car, which was parked in a garage not too far away. Reina immediately started after him but lost him once he entered the building.
"You haven't answered my question!" She yelled into the parking garage not caring about how crazy she looked as she did so. "Why are you following me?" She scowled. "Damn!"
 |
 |