Light streams in through the window, the curtains drawn back. Funny, I never open them. Isa must have, to let the light in or something. Speaking of Isa, I glance down at her, curled into my chest, in a little ball. Adorable, I think to myself. Just completely adorable.

Isa squirms, and stretches.

"Morning," she says groggily, looking up at me.

"Morning," I say back with a smile. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yep! It was nice. Sleeping with you, I mean," Isa answers, before realizing what she said and blushing.

"Oh," I reply with a smirk. "Someone's getting bold."

Isa just blushes more, seemingly at a loss for words. "Okay," I continue. "It's my turn to make breakfast. How about eggs?"

"Fine with me," Isa says, finally regaining her speech again.

I get up, and Isa follows me. She reads while I make breakfast, before we both sit down to eat.

"Do you work today?" I ask after swallowing a bite of food.

"Yeah. From noon until 6."

"Okay, well I have to collect a payment today, so I might not be here when you get back, depending on when my client agrees to meet."

"That's fine with me. It's my turn to make dinner anyway, so even if you aren't back, I'll start that."

We finish eating in a comfortable silence. We woke up late, so Isa soon gets up to put on her uniform.

"See you tonight," I call from the kitchen as I hear the front door open.

"Bye!" Isa yells back, before the door shuts behind her. I finish washing the dishes, and pick up my phone.

11:58 Me-

This is Scarlet. Your job has been completed. When do you want to meet for payment?

I put down my phone, only to pick it up again a second later, when it buzzes.

11:59 454-787-0285-

I can do it at around 5. Is that ok with you?

12:00 Me-

Yes. I'll see you at the same street we first met at.

I smile slightly. It was payday, and I had a lot of free time. I decided to do some research on my family's murder. Maybe try to find that fingerprint. I grabbed my laptop and the USB drive Sage gave me, and get to work.

On the drive, there were three documents, a newspaper article and a photo. One had neighbor testimonies, one had possible leads, and one had the names of all the officers who worked on the case. The picture was of the fingerprint, as bold and clear as can be, in blood on the wall of my parents' bedroom. Looking at all this brought back memories. Memories I didn't want to dwell on.

I thought of my sister's laugh as she told a horrible pun. I thought of the small smiles my parents had watching the two of us play cards. And I thought of how my sister would never get to be the football player she wanted to be. How my parents would never have another anniversary, and I got mad. A single tear fell from my eye as I stared at the picture of my smiling family. This is for you guys. Your killer took away your futures. I'll do anything for you guys. It won't bring you back, but it's the best I can do.

Hours went by as I pored over the documents, getting more and more frustrated as nothing came up. I glanced at the time on my computer. 4:36. I should get going. Plus, this was obviously going nowhere. I changed quickly into civilian clothes, jeans and a green sweatshirt, and slipped a knife in the pocket of my hoodie. I could never be too careful when meeting clients. I left my hair down. It was drizzling slightly, so it wouldn't be strange to any passersby if I had my hood up, and my head down.

I got to the meeting place earlier than Lola. I pulled out my phone and pretended to be interested in texting someone. I look up as I catch a glimpse of bright blue, to see Lola walking towards me. I lead her into the alley so no one can see us.

She hands me a check wordlessly. I check the paper to make sure the amount is right.

"I didn't know your name, so I left that part blank," she says. I nod.

"That's okay. I can fill that part out on my own. Unless you have any more jobs, I'll be going. Pleasure doing business with you," I reply.

"Same to you," Lola says, before walking off. I wait a few minutes before leaving too, so people don't see us together. I check the time. 5:34. Isa would be getting ready to leave soon. I first went to the bank to deposit my money, under the name Tania Morgan, then walked 10 minutes, to the small bookstore where Isa worked, and stepped in.

"Welcome to Getting Into Your Good Books, what can I help you with?" a boy with an afro and glasses asks as the door closes behind me.

"Hi. I'm looking for Isa," I say, looking around. It was a cozy bookstore, with wall to wall shelves, and a little reading nook with chairs and pillows.

"Oh!" the boy said. "And who are you?"

"I'm Scarlet," I say, the lie falling easily from my mouth. "Her friend." Girlfriend, I think to myself. Not yet, but maybe someday.

"Okay. I'm Brian. I'll be right back with her. Her shift is done, anyway."

I remember Isa mentioning a Brian. I think he was the one who recommended a book series to her.

Brian comes back, Isa next to him. She smiles at something he say, and and turns to me. "Hey Scarlet! I wasn't expecting to see you here." She says, the question behind her words clear.

I smile back. "I was around, and remembered you saying you work until 6, so I thought I'd come surprise you."

"Well, you did that! I'm clocked out, so let's go."

"I was thinking. I have some money with me from my job, so you want to go out to eat?" I ask.

"Sure! There's a sandwich shop a few doors down. I've heard it's pretty good."

I smile. "Whatever you want is fine with me."