Unlikely Allies

Chapter 12

Nadia walked into the station. She greeted her co-workers and disappeared into her office. A sealed file and several pieces of unopened mail sat on her desk. She turned on her computer and looked over a few emails. Nadia wasn't nearly entertained. She could only think of last night and how happy she was that Riddie had re-entered her life. Nadia had been ready to get out of this business for awhile. The killing was enough but now that Riddie was back she had him to add to the list of reasons to quit. She wanted a normal life, filled with normal things. Sure, Riddie was a fugitive but she's already been living her life in exile this long, at least now she would have someone to share it with.

"To hell with this. We can just disappear." Nadia thought as she gathered her things. "It would be for the best."

Nadia cleared her desk and grabbed her purse. She looked up and there was Johns standing in the doorway.

"Are you ready?" He asked.

"Sure." She said. "I just have to go to the ladies room."

"This will only take a few minutes. Grab that file, you will need it." Johns said winking at Nadia. "Let's go."

"Shit! Shit! Shit!" She thought.

Johns was on Nadia's heels as they walked to his office.

"You look pretty." He said. "Although I said for you to wear something sexy but pretty will do."

Johns swung the door to his office and offered Nadia a seat.
He took the seat behind his desk and gave Nadia a good once over.

"It's been way too long since I've seen that pretty face of yours. Where ya been?"

"Absent." She said sarcastically.

Johns let out a deep roaring laugh.

"This meeting is concerning your next assignment. So, how long have you been working for me? Seven years and you' ve just hit payday. The infamous Richard B. Riddick has escaped slam. He took out some of the best guards that they had and it's your job to ghost him once and for all. This guy has been a pain in my spinal cord for way too long. He went for sweet spot and missed."

Johns showed Nadia his scar.

"You can open the file now. There are pictures of your target and of his victims. I want you to get a feel for how dangerous this guy really is. Also, there is some useful material about your past. You once knew him. Read the material, whatever you remember, use it as a means to track him down."

"I doubt if I can do that." Nadia said. "I don't remember a thing."

"Give it a try. See what you come up with." Johns replied.

"I can't remember. I'll never find him that way."

"Nadia, I have never seen you give up so easily. Why now??"

"Maybe I forgot about it for a reason. I have spent the last seven years trying to figure out who I am and where I came from. A few days and a few slips of paper wont change a thing."

"Yeah and I know the reason. You’re hiding him aren't you?"

"What are you talking about?"

"I know he was in this sector. I know that you have him. Why are you protecting him? He's a killer." Johns said.

"And thanks to you, so am I. Isn't that what you trained me for. If I didn't do the job to your satisfaction you'd X me out. Congratulations Johns! Job well done." Nadia yelled out ferociously.

"If you don't kill him. I will." Johns smirked.

Nadia gave him the look of death and stormed out of the gates of hell.