Laila drove the Land Rover beyond the Canadian border to the first parking lot. Her last assignment was weeks ago. The memories of the mysterious incident in Dick's cabin faded. Her sleep was deep and dreamless. Cheerful, she jumped out of the jeep and ran towards the parked Mercedes.
Ben got out. She threw herself into his arms. He squeezed her briefly and then held her with his long arms at a distance. "Laila, do not you want to think it over again, I could ..." She put a finger to his lips. Energetically she cut him off. "No, we talked about it, Ben, I want to finish with my old life, if the farm can not make me rest, I'm going to start a proper therapy, when I'm ready, you're the one First one I'll get in touch with, I promise. "
He looked at her doubtfully. "Promised?"
"Promised." He hugged her hard. "Take care of yourself." Laila beamed at him. "Promised." She quickly broke away and hurried to her jeep. He should not see the tears that held her back so convulsively. With a booming engine, the Land Rover started.
Laila looked at her two travel bags and the coffee machines from Tonino. She had not had the heart to leave the gift behind. The farm was fully equipped. What was missing, Laila would get in Canada. She was rich, she was independent and she was free. Happy, she drove towards her new future.
She would keep sheep and breed herding dogs. On the internet she had read that the Turkish Kangal was only a tiny bit different from the wolf. She was looking forward to the challenge of working with this breed. But first she had to make the long drive to her farm, she was still at least a day's drive away.
No need for haste. Ben had given her a waterproof, new identity. She had prevailed against his concerns and was now called Laila Jones. The name felt good. So, on Miss Jones, her new life is waiting.
It was already dark when Laila exhausted but happy to feed the farm. She had not been able to control her longing and had passed without a break. She had demanded everything from the Jeep and was proud to have needed only half the time to reach her destination.
She had neither eaten nor drank anything and squeezed her bladder. The building was dark in front of her. Tomorrow she would take a close look. Landrovers's headlights painted two bright circles on the bricks of the building. First inaugurate the toilet. Hastily, she pushed the key into the lock and entered her new kingdom.
Full of anticipation, she felt for a light switch. In the entrance, she found none. Blind she stumbled forward in the dark. If she remembered the layout properly, the living room was in front of her. She stepped through an open door. Where was the damned light switch? Laila pressed her legs together.
She did not want to pee in her pants, but slowly it was really time. Before her, a light flamed in the darkness. Laila stared blankly at a bald skull and unnaturally bright eyes. Brutus.
He lit a cigarette and smirked at Laila. "Hello Goldhead." She felt her bladder emptying and moistening the fabric of her jeans. The lighter went out. In the darkness she heard his harsh whisper.
"SHOWTIME"