Gina drummed a steady rhythm on the table with her left hand. It was not a nervous tick, nor one of boredom or impatience; it was anticipation that coursed through her. She had sat unmoving for almost an hour, sipping her coffee now and again in the cozy café overlooking a busy street.

No one paid her much attention, people-watching was a pastime many patrons of the café indulged in while having their meal.

However, if anyone had been watching her, they would have noted the intensity of her stare, the slight nods of her head as if she were counting, and the occasional twitch of her jaw.

The day was dull and grey, with a slight drizzle adding a dreary touch. People on the street moved along in a mass of heaving bodies, heads bowed, shoulders slumped; cars crawled in the early morning traffic.

It was a scene that could almost be called depressing, but this was what Gina had hoped for. Everyone seemed to be minding their own business, getting to where they were going as fast as they could with as little interaction between them as possible.

“Some more coffee, Miss?” A cheery voice broke into her cocoon, and Gina looked up at the friendly owner of the café, standing over her with a pot of rich steaming brew. As she begun to debate the offer, out of the corner of her eye she saw the movement she had been waiting for.

“No,” she said abruptly, getting to her feet. Then hearing the coldness in her voice she added, “Thank you,” as she paid more than she owed for her coffee and swung her black satchel bag onto her shoulder.

The kindly owner watched her move quickly out onto the street, shrugged his shoulders and cleared the table; he was used to eccentric types here in the big city.

Following the convoy

Outside, the chill in the air cleared Gina’s mind and calmed her. She fought her way through the mass of humanity on the sidewalk and purposefully weaved her way through the slow moving traffic.

Her eyes never left the sleek black car that was now coming to a standstill on the other side of the street outside a tall building. She reached the sidewalk just as the doors of the car swung open and several men holding black umbrellas propped up like shields began moving slowly towards the glass doors of the building.

Gina moved faster, coming up behind the umbrella convoy and selecting her target. Then she swung into action, with a sharp kick to the shin bone followed by a hard jab to the rib cage and one to the throat: The slender man fell. Giving him no time to cry out, Gina grabbed his umbrella from his now flaccid grip and deftly stepped into his place behind the convoy just as they reached the glass doors and entered the building.

Once inside, the sounds of the street were replaced by the hum-drum of a fast paced, formal work environment. Phones rang constantly, albeit for only a few seconds before being answered in hushed voices. The humming of computers was accompanied by the clicking of keys as people typed away furiously, footsteps echoed as smartly dressed employees walked briskly running never ending errands, talking in muted official tones.

Gina took in every movement through her well trained eyes as she closely followed the chief executive’s convoy, keeping her head down, her black clothes blending in seamlessly with his entourage.

As they reached the elevators, she slipped away and walked confidently towards the rear of the large hall, fingering her victim’s executive key-card that she had picked out of his pocket as she assailed him, effectively locking him out of the building so that he could not raise the alarm.

Coming to the door of the stairs, she buzzed her way through and broke into a run, climbing two stairs at a time. Her mind was alert, her lithe body responding to the sudden physical activity.

Tight grip

Gina’s timing was perfect. She reached the executive floor just as the CEO’s entourage was leaving his expansive office suite, having completed their morning duties now that he was safely inside.

Since no one could access this floor apart from executive key holders, there was no need for extra security and they would not be back unless summoned. She peered through a glass panel on the stairwell door, catching her breath and readying herself as she watched the group file into the elevator.

As soon as they had left, Gina focused her attention on the secretary keeping vigil outside the CEO’s frosted glass suite. She didn’t have to wait long. Within a few minutes of the security leaving, the woman answered the phone on her desk got out of her chair and stepped into the office.

The door clicked open as Gina flashed the stolen key card at the sensor. She padded silently across the space and positioned herself behind the secretary’s desk. The woman soon came back out muttering under her breath and carrying a large pile of papers.

She sat down and started sorting through the stack of papers when two hands suddenly wrapped themselves around her neck. Confused and shaken, the woman thrashed futilely against Gina’s tight grip, and then slumped onto her desk unconscious.

“Louisa! What’s all that out there, heh?” an arrogant voice barked out in the silence. “Louisa! Louis…”

The chubby, red faced man’s mouth hung open as Gina walked into his office, a gun attached to a silencer in her hand. His eyes popping, his heavy jowls flapping he tried to speak but shock had constricted his chest. How did she get in? Who was she? What did she want?

“Do you recall the chemical spill in ‘99?” Gina’s voice was calm, almost soothing. Her eyes bore into his, hypnotic in their intensity. The small man felt a stab of total fear in his heart as he remembered the wanton loss of life he knew he was responsible for. A flash of acknowledgement showed momentarily in his eyes.

“Well, today is pay day,” she said, her voice tinged with emotion.

***************************
No one paid much attention to the woman in black who walked out of the building into the drizzle, melting into the crowds on the sidewalk.

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