Snippet

This snippet of writing belongs at the point where the group first arrives at Kara's house, before the discussion of what to do, before James got bored and walked out back, and before the firefight that would eventually redecorate her house took place.  James uses Kara's old rotary phone to call his security specialist, Delia.

    I picked up the receiver of Kara's antique-looking rotary phone, smirking, and dialled Delia's number. Whiirr, click-click.  Whiiiirrrr, click-click-click.  Took me back to my childhood days for a moment.

    "Devereaux," said a confident female voice on the other end of the line.

    "Delia," I said without preamble, "I need you to go to a couple locations and scout them out for me."

    There was a shuffling sound as she got hold of a paper and pen.  "D'accord," she replied, "Quels addresses?"

    I gave her the two addresses.  "The first one is an apartment building that was burned down last night.  Just cruise on by and make note of whether there's activity there: fire, police, whatever.  The second one is the residence of a man who may be quite dangerous.  I want you to scope out the area, get the layout of the place.  Determine, if you can, if anybody's at home.  But don't let anybody see you, Del.  Stay out of sight."

    "Of course," she said petulantly, as if I were telling her that in order to avoid getting wet she shouldn't stand out in the pouring rain.

    "I'm serious, Del," I insisted, "this guy's reportedly as dangerous as I am.  Maybe more so.  I dunno; I ain't met 'im yet."

    Her musical chuckle drifted down the staticy old phone line to my ears.  "I will be careful, Zhames," she assured me.  "'Ow can I collect my paysheque if I am killed in ze line of duty, eh?"

    I smiled. "Just watch yer pretty ass, alright?  Oh, and you won't be able t'reach me at my usual number.  When I get a new number, later this morning, I'll phone you for a report."

    "D'accord."

    "Fais gaffe á toi," I told her.  "I don't wanna have t'go lookin' fer a new security specialist, now."

    "Toi aussi, Zhames," she returned.  "I don't want to need a new boss."  She paused, and I could hear her bright grin in the momentary silence.  "Or a new mec."

    "Feh, y'got enough, don't'cha?" I snorted.  Delia's other romantic partners were a source of friction between us.

    "None like you."

    "You'd be wise t'keep that in mind.  Now go do yer job."

    "Oui, monsieur," she said crisply, and hung up.