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Post by Dr. Walter Everett Burkhardt on Nov 21, 2011 23:44:51 GMT -5
According to information Walter had received from his spies out on the streets, a girl fitting Josephine's description frequented this coffee shop in the middle of London. It was actually quite a find, as they apparently had a number of different roasts and brewing styles that were closer to what he preferred. He was currently sipping a double espresso and reading a muggle newspaper from a booth by the window, which also had a perfect view of the front door. Of course, he wasn't actually reading the newspaper. He was watching for Josephine, who supposedly came in for coffee every day around this time.
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Post by Josephine Elwel on Nov 21, 2011 23:55:32 GMT -5
It started as an assignment, coming here. One of her targets frequented this cafe, and Joey made a habit of it, even after the assignment had been terminated, in a matter of speaking. It was her one weakness in her quest to never make a habit of anything. Habits were easy to track... it made it easy for poeple to find you.
But everyone here seemed to be a regular, and she didn't get weird vibes from any of them watching her. Even if she'd seen Doug here, before. And at the gym. But he wasn't subtle enough to be following her... just a man that trailed after coincidence.
The bell above the door rang as she came in, her eyes taking a quick sweep around the room. Everyone seemed quiet, and she stepped up to the bakery display, taking a muffin. Even if she came here every day, she never ordered the same thing. Moving to her left, she came to stand in line- there was only one person in front of her.
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Post by Dr. Walter Everett Burkhardt on Nov 22, 2011 12:46:01 GMT -5
He knew it was her the second she passed by the window where he was sitting. As she stepped into the shop, making the little bell above the door jingle, Walter raised his newspaper to block his face from view. He didn't think she would recognize him... none of the others had. But if she was as cautious as he expected her to be, anyone unfamiliar in a place so filled with regulars would be suspicious to her. He wanted to blend in, and observe her quietly.
He knew what she did for a living. His spies had told him that, as well. It didn't surprise him that little Joey, the girl he once thought too small and weak to be of much use, would choose such a career. She'd always been tougher than he'd given her credit for. That was his mistake... he must remember never to underestimate his "children."
He watched her over the top of his paper as she got in line. Her back was to him, and he could observe her without her noticing. He could tell that, despite her tiny frame, she was keeping in very good shape. She'd have to in her line of work. Well, at least there was one he probably wouldn't have to retrain when he got them all together...
Realizing she was standing in front of a glass case and could possibly see him watching her in the reflection, Walter took a sip from his coffee and focused on his newspaper.
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Post by Josephine Elwel on Nov 23, 2011 2:21:46 GMT -5
She saw him, though. While looking at the scones, she saw his reflection. It was distorted by the glass and the glare from the light outside, but she could tell that he was watching her.
She was very careful not to react, but she couldn't stop her body tensing the way it did. She'd assumed him harmless when she first came in, and now she wasn't so sure. Maybe he was just observing who came into the coffee shop.
She paid for her coffee and her muffin, and turned to assess the shop, looking for an open table. Luckily, there was one pretty close to the guy she had never seen before- and, in fact, the only unfamiliar person here. She took the seat and kept an eye on him out of the corner of her eye.
Finally, unable to help it, she said in a calm voice, "That paper might be a lot more interesting if you ever turned the page."
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Post by Colleen Christiansen on Nov 27, 2011 3:11:59 GMT -5
Maybe she could sneak in unnoticed. Maybe whoever was covering for her right now just wouldn't notice that she was late. Again.
For the third time this week.
She couldn't help it, actually. Usually, she was very punctual. But it didn't matter how early she got ready for her shift, the morning sickness still stopped her in her tracks. And though she would probably start showing any day now, she couldn't bring herself to tell anyone yet. She was still having a hard time adjusting to the loss of the unborn child's father, let alone the fact that she was having a child.
She passed right behind Josephine and slipped behind the counter, grabbing an apron and trying to avoid locking eyes with the other barista. Heaven help her if she said anything to Colleen.
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Post by Dr. Walter Everett Burkhardt on Nov 28, 2011 22:31:40 GMT -5
Walter silently cursed himself. He was smarter than that; he didn't usually make mistakes. But it was just as well, he told himself. He had to make contact with her somehow, didn't he? The trouble was that he hadn't had time to plan out his strategy for approaching her and getting her to trust him--which he already knew was going to be a challenge. She was tougher and more naturally suspicious than even Kylie, and her particular line of work made her even less likely to put her trust in a stranger.
He turned only halfway towards her, half of his face still shielded by the booth. "Do forgive me," he said in as contrite a tone as he could manage. "I thought you looked like someone I used to know. I see now that I was mistaken, and I won't bother you again. I'm new to the area, and it would have been nice to see a familiar face."
Speaking of familiar faces, as Walter turned back to face the other direction, he saw another familiar face. Colleen. She was hard to miss with her flaming red hair, and she really had no hope of slipping in unnoticed. But this time Walter managed not to stare or even follow her with his eyes.
He had known that Colleen was in the area, but she wasn't high on his priority list. But here she was, practically delivered to his doorstep. This was a very interesting development.
But to avoid attracting Josephine's suspicions any further, he went back to his newspaper and attempted to make it look as though he actually cared about what it said.
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Post by Josephine Elwel on Nov 28, 2011 23:16:19 GMT -5
It sounded logical enough. It would have explained why he was looking at her in line, and, she supposed, his lack of interest in the paper now. Still, Joey kept her eyes on the man, looking him over (what she could see of him). There was something familiar about him, but that was all she could really say about the man. She had no reason to think she knew him, especially after studying him for a moment.
Still, anyone who was "new to town" worried her.
She glanced at the muffin she hadn't even touched yet, and the drink beside it. She should finish and get out of here soon, keeping an eye of course to make sure she wasn't being followed. Living a life of a professional paranoid person was lonely- even Joey had to admit that.
"Right," she said at length, turning her attention back to her own table as she heard the two baristas commenting about schedules and being late. "Sorry I'm not her."
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Post by Dr. Walter Everett Burkhardt on Nov 28, 2011 23:43:14 GMT -5
"It's quite all right. Sorry to have bothered you," he replied pleasantly.
He would have to make a habit of coming here every day. She'd get used to seeing him, and she wouldn't be so suspicious of him anymore. And he'd be able to strike up casual conversations with her that way. Of course, he hated casual conversations. But he had to tread lightly with Joey.
Colleen would be easier. And here she was, just within reach. But he couldn't talk to her while Josephine was here... she would probably think that suspicious, too. Still, if he came here every day, he would be able to reach them both. He'd be a regular, just like everyone else in this place. Soon enough, he would have them both under his control again.
The thought made him smile, and he covered it by taking another drink from his coffee.
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Post by Joe Dean on Nov 29, 2011 1:06:09 GMT -5
This was the time of the morning when Joe usually worked in the back, roasting beans while he wrote up purchase orders or worked on bookkeeping. Aislinn would work the front, usually with Chase or with Colleen. Today was supposed to be Colleen's shift, but she was late, so Joe had to stay out in the front for a little while.
When Colleen arrived, Aislinn had commented to her about being late in her quiet, gentle way. It was lucky for Colleen that both Joe and Aislinn were not particularly strict about such matters. In fact, Joe was more concerned than angry. It wasn't like Colleen to be late, so naturally, he was a little worried about her.
So Joe walked over and pulled her aside. "Colleen, is everything all right?" he asked in a low voice. "This is the third time you've been late in the last week. It's not like you."
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Post by Colleen Christiansen on Nov 29, 2011 1:57:42 GMT -5
Colleen hated that she was late. She truly did, and she was indeed lucky that Joe was so lenient. She wasn't family, she didn't even really know anyone here. It would be easy to let her go and just not worry about her. So yes, she was lucky and she understood that.
When Joe pulled her aside, she wanted to just cry. She'd done a good job at keeping quiet about what happened to her boyfriend, and about being pregnant, but she was beginning to wonder if it was too much for her to handle alone. Would there be harm in telling someone else why she needed this job just so that she had a reason to get out of bed anymore? Merlin, she used to be stronger than this.
She put on a soft smile. "I'm fine, really. Just a little under the weather. Nothing contagious. I'm really sorry, though. I'm usually never late and I promise I'll be better."
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Post by Joe Dean on Dec 6, 2011 1:25:00 GMT -5
"You do look a little pale," Joe said, frowning.
He looked at her carefully, taking note of the dark circles under her eyes and the ashen color of her skin. She definitely didn't look well. Of course it was much too soon for him to guess what was really bothering her, but after raising a teenage daughter all on his own, he knew a little about woman troubles, and that was what this looked like to him. He had no idea just how close he was to the real problem.
"Just take it easy a little, OK? If you feel any worse, just let me know. I can see if Chase can fill in for you. And in the future, try and send me an owl if you're running late, just so I know you're all right."
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Post by Colleen Christiansen on Dec 20, 2011 0:54:46 GMT -5
When Colleen nodded, it was accompanied by a sad smile- the kind of smile that a girl her age had no right to wear.
She didn't deserve his worry or his kindness. She had come into town on the wind, and would probably leave the same way, her story and her past a mystery, until one day, it was just, "Remember that odd redhead who used to work here?"
"I'm fine," she insisted, but she let the subject drop at that, tying an apron around her waist and heading over to the counter.
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Post by Josephine Elwel on Dec 27, 2011 19:53:07 GMT -5
Joey's interest had been taken away from the man with the newspaper when she saw Colleen pulled to the side, and she watched for a moment. Colleen was fairly new. Nice enough, but there was just something about her...
Sighing, Joey stood up, throwing away her half eaten muffin. She nodded to the owner, who she knew at least recognized her, gave Walter one last, assessing look, and left the coffee shop. She already decided she wouldn't come tomorrow, and maybe even the next couple of days.
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Post by Dr. Walter Everett Burkhardt on Jan 17, 2012 1:24:50 GMT -5
Walter covered a frown as Josephine got up and left the coffee shop. He knew her well enough to know that, despite his best efforts, he had aroused her suspicions. She was a sharp one, that was certain. He would have to tread carefully with her. He even thought briefly about sending Roman to get close to her instead, but somehow, he felt like he wanted to do this one himself. He might have underestimated Josephine once... that was his mistake. He would have to make sure not to repeat it.
For now, however, the trip was hardly a wasted one. Not only had he confirmed her identity, but he had accidentally stumbled on Colleen as well. He wasn't sure she was the most promising of his "children," but there was something intriguing about her now. He wanted to find out more.
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Post by Colleen Christiansen on Jan 17, 2012 15:55:09 GMT -5
Once settled, and catching up at the counter so that there was no line, Colleen eyed the place, checking to see who might need a refill. It wasn't so much a diner set up, but the girls liked to be on top of it to add that personal touch. Even still, the coffee spoke for itself.
Making a quick round, she refilled a couple cups, wiped down the table Joey had been at (the girl cleaned everything else up on her own- something Colleen felt was an attempt at leaving no trace behind. She could understand that, she tried to do tht too. ) finally, she stopped at Walter's table with a bright smile and too pale skin.
"Good morning. Care for a refill?"
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Post by Dr. Walter Everett Burkhardt on Jan 20, 2012 0:39:43 GMT -5
Walter was hyper-aware of Colleen's every movement, even though he remained hidden behind the newspaper the whole time. Like all of his "children," he recognized her movements, her walk, her voice, even the way she breathed. It was how he was able to control them... he knew them better than they knew themselves.
So when she stopped at his table, he would have appeared to her to be very much involved in his newspaper. But really, he had been listening and concentrating on her. There was something different about her, but he couldn't yet put his finger on it.
Slowly, he lowered his paper and looked up at her, his cold blue eyes meeting hers in his best imitation of a friendly smile. "Yes, please," he said simply.
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Post by Colleen Christiansen on Jan 20, 2012 1:51:16 GMT -5
Colleen wasn't stopped by his look. She barely met his eyes, anyway, and his smile was enough for her to smile back. She had always been a little too trusting, one of the reasons she hadn't done so well in the program. On the other hand, she could lash out with the best of them, and Merlin knew she would fight if she needed too. 'Mother bear' was going to be an understatement in a few months.
"Extra strong blend, today, I think. I could smell it half way down the street," she said almost conversationally as she refilled his cup. It didn't really matter if he responded; she was trying to keep her mind off of how.... well, off she felt, and being chatty with the patrons was helping.
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Post by Dr. Walter Everett Burkhardt on Jan 21, 2012 1:56:08 GMT -5
Walter nodded at her attempt at small talk. "Yes, just the way I like it," he replied pleasantly.
He may not have really liked casual conversations, but he recognized that, in moments like this, they were necessary. He needed to keep her close for a little longer while he silently took in everything about her. She hadn't changed, not really... she was the same as she'd ever been. And yet there was something... a lingering sadness and something else he couldn't place. It intrigued him.
"You look tired," he observed. "Why don't you sit down for a moment? That is, if you don't mind talking to a stranger for a minute. I promise, I'm not hitting on you."
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Post by Colleen Christiansen on Jan 21, 2012 14:12:49 GMT -5
"I'm not tired," Colleen responded almost instantly, hoping not all of the customers were getting that impression of her. At this rate, she wasn't going to be able to keep her pregnancy a secret for much longer at all. How did she even begin to explain this?
Her eyes lifted to his, but she couldn't hold his gaze for long, and she let her gaze shift around the cafe. "Well, good," she said with a slight smile. "Because I'm engaged." It was a lie she couldn't bring herself to stop telling yet. Though she wore no ring, and her fiance was dead, her heart still belonged to him. She feared it always would, and that this ache would never go away.
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Post by Dr. Walter Everett Burkhardt on Jan 21, 2012 23:15:56 GMT -5
Walter sat up a little straighter at this news. Since he hadn't kept up on Colleen, he had no idea that the news she was giving was a lie. She spoke the words with such certainty that he had no reason to doubt it. But he would have to find out more about this fiance of hers, and he made a mental note to summon Roman to handle this issue. Being in love could certainly account for the different he saw in her... it could compromise her training. It had for Zane, and that was why Walter had arranged the death of his wife and child.
He might not have been concerned with her before, but now that she had literally fallen into his lap, he wasn't about to let her go. Certainly not for the sake of some insipid fiance.
"How nice," he said, smiling politely. "Forgive me, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. I just moved here, you see, and I don't know anyone. I guess I just long for someone to talk to once in a while."
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