Caught Off Guard

The two men stood opposite one another, silently calculating the other. Many people passed between them, it felt like a moment captured in time. The two motionless, and the blur of motion between them. A beautiful photo really, If any had been aware of the magnitude of the meeting of these two gentlemen. Perhaps others would have stopped to observe. But the flow over people remained constant. A large surge came through and the next moment the man by the bench, inside the shark tunnel, was gone.

The other man, a lean man, with a dark suit strode over towards where the other had been standing and examined the bench he’d stood in front of. He passed over each section of the bench with a quick practiced eye, noticing a notch in the otherwise undisturbed smooth finish. He shined his UV light after noticing no other inconsistencies. All that was there was a phone number.

The man, who was known as Liam Flynn, strode to a more secluded part of the aquarium, if you need a conversation, and people are loud… always go to the fish the one thing at an aquarium, ironically that no one goes to see. But the touch pool is always a good area if you don’t want anyone to eavesdrop. The only people there are annoying children, and annoying parents screaming at the children.

Dialing the number he had memorized. He waited silently. It was answered on the second ring.

“Meet me in the restaurant.” Came a woman’s voice.” The call was dropped. The man tossed the phone and placing his now empty hands in his pockets he walked with the air of a confident individual, he seemed to casually strolling towards the dining area. Really he was checking out the competition. The big display would be tomorrow. Others would be there, with a target in his back after the same prize.

Liam spotted a woman in an eye catching red dress sitting by herself. Seeing him. She raised her champagne in a salute towards him and took a sip. Then nodded to the seat across from her.

“Had I known I was going on a date, I’d have dressed up a tad more.” He said in a quiet British accent. sitting across from the lady.

“I suppose you’d like to know the target my employer has asked of you to procure.”

“There’s only one thing in this place worth my time.” He replied.

“For I, or for any other low life looking to make a payday.”

“Can you procure it?” She demanded.

“For the right cut, I suppose I could be enticed to make the effort.” He said leaning back in his seat and evaluating his new employer.

“He’s offering 15%.”

“It’s not worth my skills for any less than 20%.” He replied

“he won’t go that high.” She replied

“in that case I suppose it is NOT worth my skills. Thank you for the meal.” He said dabbing his lips with a napkin

“it really is an exquisite place for a dinner.” He said, staring around at the glass dome they were eating inside of. The mesmerizing blue lit water flowing with the motion of the sea life, swimming in their midst.

“Sit down.” She replied

“I told you my price.”

“I have yet to make my counter offer.” She said standing and walking over to whisper in his ear. “I have eleven men with dart guns pointed at you. Each one containing a lethal poison. You can take your chances, if you like. However I doubt you’ll get far. Now sit.” She said placing a hand on his shoulder, and gently pushing him back into his seat.

“Intriguing counter offer.” He replied, settling back to his half finished lobster. Most of the attempts will be ext week, when security loosens.

“It loses value, after the unveiling.” Liam replied. “If I’m getting only 15%, I’d prefer it at its highest value.”

“An excellent point, but no one is allowed into see it, before then.”

“I need your name, alias, whatever for a moment.” He said sipping again.

“I don’t tell my name freely.”

“I just need A name.” He replied waving a hand. Eying him suspiciously she said

“Layla Edwards…” she said after a moment, hesitation. Liam stood walking towards her, he reached for her hand. She extended hers, eyes narrowed, her other hand he knew held right to a hidden pistol. Liam’s eyes glinted mischievously, as he watched her guarded expression. Then kneeling to the ground, he pulled a ring out. Her expression was caught off guard, as he stared into her bright blue eyes, he smiled and said

“Layla Marie Edwards… would you do me the honor of becoming Mrs… Layla Kent?” He asked. she stared dumbstruck at the Man. He was an excellent actor. She had to give him credit for that and, not tipping her off made the effects that much more real. Her surprise, was completely and utterly genuine. She didn’t speak, as she didn’t feel her sharp tone would add much to the effects, so after a subtle nod encouraging her to accept, she too, nodded her head. The other guests broke into applause as he pulled her to her feet and embraced her. Speaking May be beyond her capabilities at the moment, but he was a handsome man, kissing him back was not as difficult as she would have supposed. Liam grinned from ear to ear as he released all but her hand, now sporting a large blue Diamond. Layla seemed dumbfounded, he watched as other women glanced angrily at the men who were with them, others wiping their eyes. Even the men cheered as they broke away from their embrace.

A waiter came over to offer a complimentary desert to the happy couple. Liam’s face didn’t drop the grin as he said quietly to the waiter, “could we perhaps head to an area more private?” He asked the waiter quietly slipping him a tip and gesturing to the eyes casually peering at them around their glasses.

“Of course!” He said gathering their deserts and leading them towards an elevator.

“Special occasions are permitted the best view of the house!” He said leading them across a catwalk above the tanks. Layla gazed into their depths, entranced by the intricate colors as Liam still held fast to her hand. His grin never fading. As the waiter left them standing on a stunning balcony with glass floor overlooking the shark tanks. Liam’s ‘I can’t believe my luck’ expression immediately turned stern again. “What was that supposed to accomplish?” She demanded

“three things.” He said with a slight smirk. “Your men. Cannot come here. It’s a biometric scan to get in. Two. I swiped your pistol while my arm was around your waste.” He said holding it up. Layla backed away from him, “don’t worry, I don’t kill for sport… like I am beginning to believe you may.” He said

“and the third?” She asked bitterly,

“we are now above the aquarium, with unlimited access to anything in the tanks below us.”

“There are still scanners.” She snapped, “luckily I wanted to document our happy moment, and captured the waiter.” He said holding the phone up.

“While he thought I was taking a selfie I captured him, and ran it through an enhancer, which captured every detail of his pupil.”

“May I return to the waiting room?“ she demanded,

“and blow my cover? We are a happily engaged couple! What would they think if you returned without me?” He asked, feigning outrage. “Before you think to be ridiculous, need I remind you that I have both of our guns?” He said raising an eyebrow.

“Now walk.” He said gesturing towards the door at the far end of the balcony. The cat walk was glass all the way around. It was the VIP area for the rich and powerful who liked to be in peace.

“What’s your plan now?” She asked as he wandered around searching for their prey. The bluefin tuna.

This may seem an odd target to most. But this specific target was going for a handsome profit of 3 million dollars. Other perhaps willing to pay more for this 600 pound sea beast. “There it is…” he murmured quietly

“I don’t-“ Liam wrapped his hand around her mouth angrily, and pointed below. He quickly pulled her back into the shadows as the two guards below glanced up. Then shrugged, “probably jus if a echo.” Liam heard as a muffled reply though the floor. As the guards moved on Liam released her. Layla glowered, he then crouched down

“she is a beaut.” He said staring at the magnificent creature below them.

“Well I’m going below.” He said pulling his gun from its holster. Taking carful aim, he sent two silent shots towards the unsuspecting guards, who crumpled in a heap as the tranq hit them. “ you may want to call your chopper now.” He said,

“I’ll have it secured ready to leave in less than eight minutes.” He then took off his tux , with a silvery wet suit underneath, that better matched the water and could go mostly unnoticed if he was still. Just as a precaution…

Passing Layla what looked like a pen he told her, cut out the top of the roof over this area.” “Umm, what is this?” She asked glancing at it “don’t point it at your head! Are you insane?!” He demanded

“that’s a laser!”

“You should have led with that.” She snapped back. He sighed

“you. Work.” Then with a spectacular dive, he leapt into the tank. She watched mesmerized for a moment as the water shifted around him. His head popped out of the water and again he pointed at the ceiling.

“Yes, yes. Cut.” She said getting to work.

Liam swam leisurely while he waited for the roof to be cut away, luckily they had remodeled an old warehouse into an extraordinary aquarium, so cutting the steel away wasn’t too difficult. It was quickly lifted away as two men from outside tossed it off to the side. Layla urged them to drop the net, which fell lightly on top of the water. Liam swam to the top un hooking two sides, he floated under and clipped it around the massive fish. Then, held fast to the chain to pull him out as he was lowered up, he reached an arm towards Layla,

“jump! The guards are coming!” He shouted towards her, Layla glanced behind her as three guards rushed in, weapons drawn she eyed him wearily.

“Don’t drop me!” She shouted, and with that, she leapt, hoping he’d catch, she breathed a sigh of relief as their fingers connected. Until she sailed right passed as he pulled his arm back. She stared up at him eyes betrayed, as she plummeted into the empty tank.

Spluttering, she paddled back to the surface! “You-“ she cut off as she sunk a little, and came back up,

“I suppose your boss will be disappointed! If it’s any consolation, I doubt he’ll kill you while you’re in prison!” He yelled, and with that the helicopter, the fish and the crook soared blissfully away to sell their fish at the sushi market.