Short Stories

Cat and Mouse

A waiter in a full tuxedo ushered Isobel Drake across the candlelit dining room and to a secluded table in the corner. She first noticed the delicate glass vase filled with red roses and the intricate formal silverware layer precisely about the table. She then noticed the man sat on the other side.

"You must be Isobel Drake," he stated, rising from his seat to greet her. He took her hand and placed a tender kiss upon it.

"And you Hideo. It's nice to meet you," Isobel replied politely. "You really spared no expense on this date."

"Only the best for a potential lover," he responded with a brilliant smile. It was then that Isobel paused to examine Hideo. He wore a tuxedo almost as extravagant as the waiter's and had his long hair combed back away from his face. His hands were covered with black fingerless gloves, an interesting pairing with the tuxedo. He was making a good first impression for Isobel.

"Glad to hear that you see a potential connection. Because I do to. I'm excited to get to know you," Isobel smiled. She smoothed down her scarlet red dress and sat down at the table, the flickering candle illuminating the gems on the collar. Hideo watched her sit down with great interest.

"Your dress is beautiful. Do you always dress up so much?"

"Definitely not. I usually prefer to wear basic black."

"Same with me actually. Black is my color."

Isobel chuckled at that. "Seems we have something in common. What are your favorite things to eat here?"

"The sea bass is divine. Or the sirloin. I personally am going to order the lobster tonight however."

Isobel smiled. "I was going to get seafood too, though the scallops are more my speed."

"My sister enjoys scallops too. In fact, my father was a fisherman. I have a great appreciation for seafood because of him," Hideo reminisced.

"My father is a banker even to this day. He taught me everything I know about money and prices."

"What do you do for a living?" Hideo asked, a curious look on his face.

"I'm a collector of sorts I guess. I run a pawn shop on the south side of the city."

"A pawn shop, huh? And you agreed to go on a date with a city slicker like me?"

"I sure did. You seem attractive and nice enough. What field do you work in?"

"I take jobs that are contracted out to me."

"Like a contractor in construction?"

"Something like that."

"What do you-"

"Sorry to interrupt," the waiter interjected. "May I take your order?"

"Scallops, please" Isobel responded.

"And I'll have the lobster," Hideo added.

"Very well," the waiter responded, leaving with the menus and once again leaving Isobel and Hideo alone.

"What's your favorite place in the city?" Hideo asked Isobel before she could continue to ask any questions back to him.

"Probably the museum. They have so many interesting artifacts. You?"

"I would have to say that I enjoy the park. So many people, so many things to see and places to get lost in."

"Poetic answer."

"I guess," Hideo responded. "But I'm not usually poetic. My mother used to be a poet. Haven't read any poetry since she passed."

Isobel gasped. "I'm sorry about your loss."

"It's okay. I'm getting very close to having closure. It was a long time ago. She was working late when there was a break in. One shot to the head and she was dead."

"That's horrifying," Isobel responded, putting as much emotion into the exclamation as she could muster.

She reached across the table and grabbed Hideo's gloved hand, hoping to comfort him. He squeezed her hand back. That was when Isobel felt it. There was something sharp and hard on the back of his hand. At first she dismissed it as his knuckles or part of the glove, but then she realized her mistake.

"Hideo, what did you say you did for a living?"

"People contract jobs out to me."

"What kind of jobs?"

"Best not to go into the boring details."

"Hideo. Tell me what you do for a living."

"I kill animals."

Isobel tried to hide her panic and slowly rose from her chair. But before she could get away, Hideo gripped her arm tightly.

"What kind of animals?" Isobel whimpered.

"Humans," Hideo replied. "But you already figured that out. Don't think I don't know who you are. I know exactly who you are."

"Who am I then? Huh, Hideo?"

"Isabella Dalton. Renowned thief and criminal. Runs an underground pawn shop where she sells her stolen goods. Killed my mother when she broke into the city museum."

"You got me. What do you want from me?"

"Your life."

The knife went straight through the fabric of the crimson dress. Isabella Dalton crumpled to the floor, seemingly lifeless.

Hideo reached down to the floor and pulled Isabella's scarlet lips to his own. He then pulled the largest diamond off of her dress before rising again. He blew out the candle on the table before speaking.

"So long, Isobel. Too bad you killed my mother and stole the ruby my boss wanted. And what a shame you had the audacity to wear it on your dress."

His footsteps receded into the distance as Isabella lay on the floor. After she was sure he was gone, she opened her eyes and looked around the restaurant.

"Fake blood works miracles," she said, removing the now empty pouch stashed in her bra. She smiled as she looked around the restaurant one last time. "And Hideo will sure need a miracle after attempting to assassinate me."