I found her the next morning waiting by my ninja, the sun's rays barely illuminating the sky. She didn't hear me as I entered, lost in thought and absent mindedly trailing her fingers along the seat. I thought I could hear the faintest hum, a gentle sound that reminded me of a lullaby, although none I could name. I stood and watched her for a second, she'd changed since I saw her yesterday, her cropped hair straight and shining in the faint glow from the rising sun. She was holding herself straighter, more confidently, I thought. Perhaps she has more faith in this plan of hers than I do.
Taking a deep breath I steeled myself, then let out a gentle cough. She turned her head in my direction, a smile just for me spreading across her face. My stomach lurched. This was going to be a long trip.
There was a small bag resting by her feet, she'd taken my order to pack lightly quite literally. I nodded in its direction.
'Ready?'
She followed my gaze then met my eyes
'Ali I want to thank you...' I cut her off.
'Come on, we should get going.' I turned my back to her and took a step towards the door. Keri took the hint and changed the subject.
'Are we not taking your bike?' I stopped walking but didn't turn around.
'She's a bit conspicuous. And I don't want to lose her crossing the channel. We'll take a stock bike.' She'd caught up to me as I spoke, and I led her into an adjoining garage filled with a variety of black motorcycles. There was a box on the wall and a keypad next to it. I typed in the code then selected a set of keys from inside the box.
Something comfortable, and as spacious as possible, for a bike. I was already dreading hours of her in such an intimate proximity. For the first time ever on a job, I considered taking a car instead. Not practical at all for speed and stealth though. Damn.
I left her at the door and went to retrieve the Versys. It was a nice bike and Keri let out a low whistle of appreciation as I approached.
'I suppose it is a little less conspicuous than the green' she said with an amused lilt to her voice.
I shrugged 'We need to be quick as well as stay hidden.' I turned to her, and she looked up at my face in response. 'Listen, I don't really need details, but I have a few questions before we leave.'
She nodded once. 'Go on.'
'I heard on the road that you ran away.' It wasn't really a question but after a second's hesitation she nodded curtly once more.
'Will he be looking for you?'
'Yes.' Her voice sounded small and I immediately wanted to wrap my arms around her. Instead I closed my eyes.
'Does he know what you're looking for?'
Another tentative 'Yes.'
'Does he know where you are going? And with who?'
I felt the slightest brush of her fingertips under my chin and opened my eyes. She looked intensely at me, her fingers hovering in the air between us.
'He knows where. He may well guess who I would go to.' She was the one to break eye contact this time as she let her hand fall away. 'I do appreciate the irony.'
She was referring to the last words she spoke to me, 6 years prior. I don't need you to save me Ali.
I shrugged, unsure of the correct response, and sure I'd think of a witty retort in an hour or two. Stupid brain. I busied myself loading both our belongings into the saddle bags.
'The only place to cross the channel now is at Bournemouth. We'll be best to snake through New Wales, stay out of sight.' I considered asking more questions. What were we going to find? Why would Keri run away for it? Why would she come to me for help, when she has the might of the Easterly clan at her bidding? What was her end game here? Did she have somewhere to hide?
Nope. Best not to know. Just get on with the job.
'Are you ready?' I handed her a plain black helmet and she reached out for it but hesitated at the last second.
'Wait, what I'm asking of you is dangerous, Ali. I wish I hadn't had to ask you, but there wasn't anyone else I could trust.' She took a deep breath and I thought about cutting her off. I took too long, and she continued.
'It's only fair you know where we are going...' I started to speak then, but she held up a finger to stall me.
'But I want to ask you to trust me, at least for now. It's not safe here, anywhere near here, and the sooner we can leave the better.'
This was a sentiment I could agree with, so I let the matter rest and pushed the bike into the courtyard. A guard was waiting at the gate in front of us, and as we mounted up he opened it with a high pitched creak. We set off and he gave me a slight salute as we passed him, speeding off into the dawning day.