Part 1
Walker sat in the van, trying to look inconspicuous. He'd been driving different vehicles, parking in different places, adopting different guises, even pretending to be an electrician once. Observing, observing, observing. His boss had set his eyes on this woman, and it was his job to deliver her.
He'd followed the woman for a month, watching her hug her husband before work, watching her leave her infant son at daycare, slowly working out her routine. He'd discovered that on Fridays she'd come home early for a trip to the tennis club. He knew she picked up her son around 6pm every day. So far he had not found a chink in her schedule where he could easily grab her, but he wasn't worried. There were still gaps he had not filled yet. Right then for example she was at home when she should be at work.
Perhaps it would be best to abduct her with her son, he mused. That would be an easy way to obtain her compliance. But then again, he knew the boss preferred to do things the hard way ... and besides, disposing of the infant afterwards could be inconvenient.
Diane
, he remembered,
her name is Diane
. It was easy to forget when you treated her as meat. A prime cut of meat though. His boss picked only the finest.
He yawned. Nothing seemed to be happening. There was no movement in Diane's house. Perhaps Diane was ill, and asleep?
Then he saw her. Though still a distance, she was walking towards him. Not Diane, but a different woman. Where Diane was a brunette, this woman had white, almost silver, hair. She was dressed in long red robes and carried what appeared to be a walking stick. Yet she approached with surprising alacrity, and as she drew closer he noticed she wasn't old at all. In fact, she was a weary-looking but still innately beautiful woman, the kind who could have been truly lovely if she just tried. In spite of her tired appearance, she moved with an otherworldly grace Walker had never seen before. He guessed her age at about 25, although there was something timeless about her that he couldn't put a finger on. Something sparkled about her head, and he realized with a start it was a tiara.
This is no normal woman
, he thought
. This is a rare find
.
The boss would be delighted. So delighted that perhaps he should abandon his surveillance of Diane and track this woman instead. It was not like Diane was going anywhere anyway, and the boss was not miserly with praise. He could even earn a fat bonus cheque as well as priority time with this woman! He could already feel stirrings. Yes, he thought. He'll do it. Maybe he could even grab her now! The streets were almost empty after all, and she was alone.
He was still caught up in his schemes when the woman passed his van, startling him.
Nobody can walk that fast in those clothes
, he thought.
So much for seizing her at once.
But before he could think, she surprised him again. "Hello!" she called, noticing him inside. "Can you inform me of the leader of this nation?"
He felt like a deer caught in headlights, and his reply was guarded. "Sure," he answered. "The prime minister is David Cameron."
"Do you know where to find his person?" she asked.
Her speech was weird, just like her attire. Understandable, but somehow incoherent. "Of course," he answered, puzzled.
Everyone knows where to find David Cameron
. "The Prime Minister's office is at Downing Street, London. I don't think he's out of the country."
She did not seem to understand. "Does the nation have problems? Wars?" she asked.
He grew suspicious. For sure Britain had problems. Global warming, stagnant wages, Scottish independence, you name it. Britain was also involved a war, the War on Terror. Everyone knew that. And if they didn't they wouldn't suddenly ask a stranger on the road about it. Cautiously he shook his head: no.
This time she definitely did not understand him. Instead she just looked at him expectantly.
Does she not understand a shake of the head?
Even if she were from some obscure country she should recognize the gesture. This woman must be mentally retarded. Pity ... the boss prefers intelligent women, but nonetheless better a stupid beauty than an intelligent wretch. "No," he supplied.
"I understand." She considered for a moment. "Can you take me to David Cameron?"
His brain whirred furiously, and he came to a snap gamble. "Yes, yes of course," he said. They were in Manchester, far from London and Downing Street, but the boss's mansion was not that far away. He would take her there and save himself the trouble of abducting her later. He noticed with some unease that she wore what appeared to be a sword across her back, but this woman was so stupid he decided he'd take the risk. "If you'll climb in, we'll be there before you know it." He hoped she'd fall for it.
Against all odds, she did. She sat down beside him, let him fasten the customized seat belt only he the driver could release, and made no protest as he started driving. She was trapped, and he'd barely had to do anything. He smiled to himself. If only abducting other women was this simple!
But then again
, he mused,
if it were he'd lose the fun of outwitting his prey