| "Leaving the Tunnel" | ||
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Laurence Harbor May 11, 2008 0915 hrs Jordan stared out the window, waiting for the light to turn green. So much had happened this past week, and it didn't seem like she had lived it. It was just one of those weeks where you have the days all planned out (to some respects), you do what you need to, eat, and then sleep, moving onto the next day and so on with the respective days. It was almost like walking (or running) through a tunnel, where all you can see is the end, not the journey along the way, but the end and that's all you want. It was done, done with Sara, done with the betrayal. Yet, she rationalized, it was needed betrayal. Had they not intervened into what was becoming of Sara, she feared they would've lost her. However, things were still uncertain, however Sara would take this betrayal, she was again uncertain, but she knew that it would not be taken lightly, let alone well. She pulled into the small parking lot of her store, wondering what to do, sure she had plenty of things to do at the store, a mountain of paperwork, ordering, and she had to hire a new person. Marie had come in the day before, telling the she of her daughter Beth, who was going through some rough times and she was moving out there, to Kentucky, to help with the boys. She was sad to see her go, but wished Marie the best of luck and to keep in touch. She shivered at that memory; keep in touch, who would have thought she would ever be saying that? It was impossible to think of, let alone the possibility of it, or lack of. She headed to the front door, key in hand, and peered into the darkened room before unlocking the door. A faint coffee smell greeted her, along with the harsh tones of the alarm. She reached over to the keypad and entered the 6-digit security code. Turning around she walked to the center of the store, where the couches sat and plopped down onto one. She gazed around the store, not knowing quite where to begin. At the same time she wondered why? Why about the store, her own cover story/job seemed to be so involved�but now that she thought of it, she didn't know exactly what the rest of alpha did. "Hmm�that is very interesting," she wondered out loud. Why was that exactly? Perhaps she wasn't as close to the rest of the gang as she thought. "No no, stop it, you are going no where, filling yourself with doubts that are going no where." She said to herself. These doubts belonged in Section, not here�and never again.A ringing brought her attention back. Realizing it was her phone she reached into her pocket and took it out, "Hello?" "Jordan, it's Gray." "Hi there Gray, how are ya today?" "Well, thanks for asking, can you come in?" "Now?" she replied, wondering what this was all about. Certainly not another mission, they had just finished one. "If it is convenient, but preferable, yes." She nodded, "Sure, I'm just at the bookstore, but I'll leave right away." "Thank you Jordan," Gray replied before hanging up. Why was he always so damn polite? Sighing, she rose from the chair and headed to her car, locking the shop door behind her. She climbed into her chilly car and started the engine. SIA Headquarters 12.34 hrs Jordan sat on the couch, flipping through a magazine she wasn't reading. She was waiting for Gray to get off the phone or whatever he was doing. She turned to the next page, wondering how much longer it was going to be. She looked down at the magazine for the first time, actually looking at the page instead of only appearing to be reading it. It was an advertisement for a mountain bike. She immediately remembered Tommy. A mixture of hurt, anger, and betrayal overcame her. She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't hear Gray's office door opening or see him come out. "Jordan?" he asked. She looked up at him, jarred back into the present, "Gray." He looked at her for a moment, causing her to wonder what he was thinking, but she wouldn't find out this time, as he motioned for her to join him in his office. She sat down and waited for Gray to begin. "So Jordan, I've notice that Marie has left." She nodded, but didn't say anything, questioning how he knew, or more so how he found out. She hadn't told anyone. "In that case, we are willing to help you out, if you like that is. I still have the list of other applicants from when we first opened, I can get someone for you if you like or you can interview them yourself�whatever you like." She thought for a moment, fingering the ribbon pattern of the armchair before replying. "Yes, I would like the list, but be able to choose who worked for me, if you don't mind." Gray smiled, "I thought you might like to interview them, so here is the list," he replied, handing over the paper. "All their contact information is there. Additionally, the order they are in, from top to bottom of who is most suitable. Do with it what you wish." She nodded, looking at the list. Why was he doing this? Why was SIA doing this? There had to be some catch. What the hell, "Why are you doing this?" she asked him. Gray stared at her in a way that made her almost regret asking, almost. "Jordan, we are merely trying to make things easier for you. You know full well of your business experience." She nodded, only half believing him. "Forgive me for being critical, it's just it seems strange, the kind gestures. I've never experienced them before." What she was really saying, she was sure Gray understood without her having to mention it, that section never treated them like this, so why them? Gray smiled, "You, much like everyone else here are great assets, something we do not want to lose. Understand?" She nodded again but said nothing. "One more thing, your staff, they are okay with the conferences you've been going too?" "Yes, it is working for the moment, I suspect though, next mission I should go on a book find, or something of the sorts." "Certainly," Gray replied. "We'll get something in order for you next time. Thank you for coming in Jordan." She rose from her seat and nodded and smiled. "Thank you for the names," she replied, walking out the door. As much as he said, she still wondered what game he was playing exactly. He had to be playing one right? Return |
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