๐๐:๐๐ ๐ฉ๐ฆ โข ๐๐๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ฎ, ๐๐๐ฅ๐ข๐๐จ๐ซ๐ง๐ข๐ | ๐๐๐๐๐ก
The wind blew my hair, although it was up in a ponytail for things such as this. No one was here. Iris, my trusted, AI-powered partner, is helping me as usual. The wind blew harder this time, but I held the ropeโhanging on the best I could until she gave me the signal to go in.ย
Iris whispers in my ear, "Blair, thermal scans of the surrounding show someone coming down the beach, behind you. Just hold on."
"Yeah, I am holding, Iris... Doing my best here."
A few minutes passed, maybe more, before Iris said, "Oh, incoming... He's coming your way."
"I am going to let go of the rope now, and the gear. Send someone to pull them up asap!" I murmur.ย
๐๐จ๐ง๐๐๐ฒ; ๐๐ฐ๐จ ๐๐๐๐ค๐ฌ ๐๐ ๐จ | ๐:๐๐ ๐๐ฆ โข ๐๐๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ฎ ๐๐๐๐๐ก
I revved the engine of the high-end motorbike and nearly collided with a younger guy with short brown hair, dark and wavy. Someone else was on the beach, and by the looks of it, he always runs with the guy next to him.ย
Iris tells me,ย "That is Eddie Kramer. Prior history is blurry. Attempted murder. Jail. That's all it says."
"Thanks, Iris..."
Swinging my leg off, I approach Eddie and ask if he is okay. "Are you okay?"
Iris:ย "Be careful, Blair, that's Lieutenant Mitch Buchanan. He takes things seriously around the Bay."
Thanks again, Iris, for the unwelcome information. Mitch forces me to back up, like he's hostile about all of this. Once Eddie is pulled up, I go and check my bike for damage. Footsteps behind me made me freeze, but his words? Did not rattle me.ย
"That's a lot of machine for a morning cruise, especially on a crowded beach. You're lucky Eddie's fast on his feet, or we'd be calling an ambulance instead of having a conversation."
"Iris, full details on Mitch Buchanan, please, and don't leave anything out," I whispered. As Iris gives me the full information on this Lt., I get up and turn around slowly assesing him with my eyes.ย
Digging in my pocket of the leather outfit I am wearing, I pull out the letterโthe recommendation letter that I had someone else type, well, with a gun to their heads. He takes it from me, warily. Eddie was watching too.ย
"Lt. Mitch Buchanan," I murmured, letting the name and title stick.ย
"You know, normally we would interview you," Mitch said after reading the letter. Folding it, he keeps it in his hands.ย
"Then interview me. Maybe... not here," I reply, waving my arms at the gathering crowd. All of them stare at meโmesmerized by the sheer beauty I brought to the table.ย
๐๐จ๐ง๐๐๐ฒ; ๐๐ฐ๐จ ๐๐๐๐ค๐ฌ ๐๐ ๐จ | ๐:๐๐ ๐๐ฆ โข ๐๐๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ฎ ๐๐๐๐๐ก
Craig and Mitch were talking in hushed voices after bringing me into their headquarters. They were discussing me and my situation, I could tell. And what I didn't know yet was that I had a twin, Celeste, who is more lethal in her own.ย
I stood by the window, eyes sharp, watching the surrounding area for anything suspicious or off. They were talking as if I were not here, in low, hushed tones. And occasionally, they would glance at me like an anomaly.ย
"Alright," Mitch says as he approaches me. "You wanted an interview. Let's start with the parts the letter 'forgot' to mention. Why Malibu? A woman with your... let's call it 'profile'... doesn't just wake up one morning and decide she wants to sit in a tower watching tourists forget to wear SPF 50."
"Did I say I wanted to just chill around and not be of help? Cause I can be of.... help."ย
I crossed my arms over my chest, and yes, drama was my whole thing. "Help," He repeats before speaking what is on his mind.
"Help in Malibu usually means dragging a panicked tourist out of a rip current or treating a stingray wound. It's gritty, it's unglamorous, and it's definitely not a stage for 'drama.'"
He will figure me out, but the smoother the answer, the smoother the mission. I spiel on about my studies and such, all relating to this certain field.ย
"Studies, huh?" Mitch said, his voice dropping into that low, rhythmic rumble. He paced in a small circle, never taking his eyes off mine. "Oceanography. Emergency medical response. Advanced maritime navigation. You've got the 'studies' of a veteran, Blair. Maybe too many. Most 21-year-olds are still figuring out how to set an alarm for a 7:00 AM shift."
And then he rambled on, about the passion that is his beach. When he gets close to me, really close, I grab him by the lapels of his jacket and press our lips together.ย